Discover Meon Valley January 2015

Your FREE Neighbourhood Magazine

Meon Valley including Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham & Swanmore

How ‘Green’ is your Garden Pippa Greenwood’s gardening column

Recipe of the month A Warming Vegetarian Curry

Launching a Home Business 7 Tips to Ensure your Success

What to do, where to go Bumper edition of groups listings and local events

ry a nu 15 a J 20

LOCAL NEWS

Eastleigh Launches New Digital Hub

Ideal for patients looking for a holistic approach to their well being.

Eastleigh’s new creative workspace, Tec Hub, housed in a wing of Wessex House, Eastleigh’s thriving business centre, has been specially adapted to support start-ups and businesses working in the creative digital and technology industries.

Homeopathy can be used alongside of conventional medication

Cabinet Lead for Business, Skills & Education, Cllr Suzy Hamel said “We are thrilled to be officially launching Tec Hub. It’s an exciting workspace which gives creative digital and technology businesses an opportunity to build up their business with specialist help and support. It also provides a facility in which businesses can meet, connect and collaborate which is important when you are just starting out.” She added “This project is a real collaboration between the creative industries and economic development, putting digital and technology creativity at the heart of the regeneration of Eastleigh’s town centre.”

Tec Hub offers members affordable, flexible workspace, with access to a range of specialist equipment, business advice, networking opportunities plus a monthly programme of events.

Members include app and web designers, a storyboard artist, a motion capture artist and two film companies.

For further details about becoming a member of Tec Hub please contact Peter Davison on peter.davison@eastleigh.gov.uk or 02381 800364

Homeopathy has been established for over 200 years and is used extensively worldwide Can be used to manage any distress associated with symptoms arising from an existing condition Suitable for people of all ages from birth to old age, safe to use during pregnancy

Call Debbie Nixon LSCH, RSHom for a free 15 minute telephone consultation

01962 62 715641

07525 373348

debbie@debbienixon.co.uk www.debbienixon.co.uk

HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP YOU? Aches & Pains General Well-being

Call John to discuss these and other conditions Free no-obligation phone consultation to see if acupuncture is suitable for you

Tel: 023 8032 7022 Mob: 07847 110275

www.johnporteous.co.uk

Ingersley Rise | West End | Southampton

2

Relax... together we’ve got it covered...

New for old parts

Immediate

cover

Priority service

Unlimited calls

No excess charges

Boiler Care

full boiler service, inc. 12 months boiler and controls cover for just £15.99 per month.

Total Care

add in the peace of mind that all radiators, valves and pipework are also covered for just £21.99 per month.

Heating Care

boiler under guarantee? Top up with a full boiler service and get the rest of the system protected at the same time for just £12.99 per month.

...we tell it like it is!

FIRST C A L L H E A T I N G

L T D

Our customers rated us 9.9 on Checkatrade!

023 8026 2690 www.firstcallheating.co.uk 6 Falkland Court, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 3GA 3

Hello Again

ABOUT US

Discover Magazines Tel: 023 8026 6388 ADVERTISING SALES ENQUIRIES Tel: Melanie Tinson 023 8027 6396 Email: melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk Web: www.discoveradvertising.co.uk

ARTWORK ENQUIRIES Tel: Izzy Ewen 02380 266388 option 3 Email: design@discovermagazines.co.uk

ACCOUNTS ENQUIRIES Tel: Tania Houston 02380 266388 option 2 Email: Tania@discovermagazines.co.uk

EDITORIAL/COMMUNITY NEWS Please visit www.discovercommunity.co.uk and use the Editorial Form under Contact Us Email: editorial@discovermagazines.co.uk Tel: 02380 266388 option 4

Well another year over, and I’m trotting out all the old clichés at home: Can’t believe it’s 2015, where has the last year gone? And at work: Can’t believe we’ve been running Discover Meon Valley for over three years. I think you can only appreciate each year by remembering milestones, so here’s a few of ours from 2014: January: The Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club asked us to produce the carnival programme for 2014.

February: We started running adverts for Discover on Breeze Radio. A taste of celebrity we felt, although we’ve not quite made it into “Hello!” Yet. April: Melanie’s fantastic rallying of local businesses for the programme meant that more than £1000 extra was added to the Rotary pot for local charities this year, compared to 2013.

May: Our first issue of the Bishop’s Waltham Carnival Programme was released. We were like proud parents!

NEXT ISSUE: DIARY DATES

September: We launched a new magazine covering Hythe & Lyndhurst (our 11th title). We were like proud parents with too many children.

Editorial copy deadline: 12 January Advertisement copy deadline: 15 January Distributed: Drop 1 w/c 2 February Drop 2 w/c 23 February

October: Izzy Ewen joined the Discover team and even after a few weeks has proved to be worth her weight in gold. Not that she weighs a lot, but you get my drift.

DISTRIBUTION Discover Meon Valley is published every other month and distributed by Royal Mail to two alternating areas. This edition goes to homes in SO32 1 (Bishop’s Waltham) and PO17 5 (Wickham). A few weeks later it will be arriving at homes in SO32 2 (Swanmore, Shedfield & Curdridge) and PO17 6. This is around 10,600 homes and businesses over the two distributions.

150,000 circulation 11 local editions

Tania

ROMSEY CHANDLERS FORD

SOUTHAMPTON

HYTHE &

LYNDHURST

ITCHEN VALLEY BITTERNE & WEST END

Seriously though, The Movember Foundation is about saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems. If any charitable soul out there would consider even a small donation, it would be really appreciated – details below.

Until next time

WINCHESTER

TOTTON & ASHURST

November: Our distribution manager (and my husband) Kevin joined in the annual Movember campaign by growing his first ever moustache. 30th November couldn’t come round fast enough for him (or for Basil Brush who wanted his tail back!).

MEON VALLEY LOCKS HEATH FAREHAM

Melanie Tinson & Tania Houston

Donate online http://mobro.co/kevyhouston or write a cheque to 'Movember', referencing Kevin’s registration ID: 11444977 and mailing it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 3, Diss, IP98 1HH

Romsey Chandlers Ford Southampton Totton Winchester Bitterne Itchen Valley Meon Valley Fareham Locks Heath Hythe & Lyndhurst 4

The beautiful finishing touch to any room Specialists in Blinds & Awnings for inside and out inCluding: Conservatory Blinds Shutters Awnings Roman Roller

Waterside

Blinds

Wooden Venetians Vertical Pleated inTu Perfect Fit

Call for a free home design visit or advice

023 8084 0505 www.watersideblinds.co.uk

Your local family run business with over 55 years experience

5

ADVERTISER FEATURE

Shutters – The On Trend Window Covering A favourite of interior designers, plantation shutters provide a versatile, elegant and timeless treatment for your windows. And now, these shutters are available with a truly local and personal service.

Plantation shutters have become very popular over the last few years due to their amazing versatility according to Mike Schnuppe, owner of The Great Shutter Co., and looking around Hampshire there is definitely an increasing number of homes

with stylish shutters dressing their windows. With many homes being street facing you can see why. Shutters allow windows to be dressed with separate shutter panel sections and each of these can have the louvres adjusted for amazing privacy and light control.

Mike informed us that “Shutters are great for bay windows where homes are street facing but they are also extremely practical for dressing patio and bi-folding doors or those awkward shaped windows where one is never sure what to do.”

Mike Schnuppe

from their annual January sale discounts. So to arrange a free, home consultation call Mike on 01962 710807.

Studies, such as those by Glasgow Caledonian University, have also shown that shutters are amazing at providing extra heat insulation and with heating bills continually on the rise this is a benefit that consumers really value.

The Great Shutter Co. are offering free home design consultations now and customers will benefit

Mike has given us his top 5 reasons to buy shutters but for a more detailed top 10 visit www.thegreatshutterco.uk/top10.

• Amazing light control • Ultimate privacy • Insulating – 2nd only to secondary glazing • Sound proofing • Easy to clean

“Excellent service, friendly, polite & efficient!”

Customer in Southampton, May 2014 from Checkatrade

B. Privett

For all your Gas Needs

Electrical Ltd

• Boilers • central heating • Bathrooms & general plumBing • power flushing • gas appliances • oil Boiler specialists

For all your electrical needs

Commercial Agricultural Domestic Light Industrial We will not be beaten on price Give us a call for a quote today

01489 892455 07751 467262

Email: bprivett@btinternet.com

6

• service • repair • Free visit & quotation

*

Call 02380 445123

www.heatworksuk.com

232994

*On all new Worcester Bosch Boilers. Terms and conditions apply.

E L A S E L A S E L A S E L A S SALE HU AT S E R G THE

TTER

ANNUAL JANUARY SALE*

25% OFF Book a FREE, home design consultation and get expert, no obligation advice whilst enjoying our biggest savings of the year.

*Orders must be placed by 14th February 2015

T H E G R E AT S H U T T E R C O .

160 Stockbridge Road T 01962 710807 Email: hi@thegreatshutterco.co.uk We b : w w w. t h e g r e a t s h u t t e r c o . c o . u k 7

Review Review Of The Year Of The 1. One Down, Five To Go was the sub-title of a 2014 stage Year show featuring which famous group?

2. The acronym “yolo” was added to the Oxford dictionary What 1.online One Down, Five Toin Go2014. was the subfour-word phrase does it stand for? title of a 2014 stage show featuring Snowdrops Mottisfont -which National Trust 3. In atMarch, famous couple said they were which goingfamous to “consciously uncouple”? group?

4. Which country won the most gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games?

2. The acronym “yolo” was added Roll Out the White Carpet, to the Oxford online dictionary 5. Which country won the most gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics? in 2014. What four-word phrase does it’s 6. ASnowdrop selfie set up byTime the hostwith of thethe Academy Awards ceremony in 2014 set a new it stand for? record for the most retweeted image ever.

Who was this host?

National Trust in Hampshire 3. In March, which famous couple 7. Rounded to the nearest whole number, what percentage of voters said “yes” in said they were going to “consciously Snowdrop walks at Mottisfont the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence? uncouple”?

Drifts of snowdrops appear along the banks of the 8. stream On January 1st, which in the Baltic region of Europe adopted the Euro Font of this ancient former country priory, where country won the most gold as its water currency the 18th member4.of Which the Eurozone? the warmer createsto itsbecome own microclimate. medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Elsewhere, the open acres of the the river short-lived garden are 9. Written

by Harry Hill, 2014 musical with the main title of I Can’t Games? magically by drifts of purest white.

Singtransformed was based around which TV show?

5. Which country won the most In February, you8th, can enjoy guided walk through the Róisín Dubh pub in Galway run that meant 10.

On July whata promotion did the gold medals at the 2014 Winter grounds of Mottisfont andcalled witnessErdinger, the beauty which of its a German beer they started selling at 4 euros a pint, wild snowdrops. ended up being sold for just 50 cents a pint? Olympics?

Guided snowdrop walks: 7, 8, 14, 15 February, 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2pm, free upon normal admission charge, no booking required. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont or call 01794 340757.

Snowdrop clusters at Hinton Ampner You’ll find hundreds of delicate snowdrops dotted across the lawn beside the house at Hinton Ampner, which is full of scent and colour even in the depths of winter.

Hinton’s previous owner, Ralph Dutton, designed the East Lawn of this garden around the tiny parish church in the grounds. He knew that even in the colder months, the church’s congregation would gather on the grass after the Sunday service, so he planted the lawn with fragrant winter flowers such as daphnes, which have a zingy lime scent and tiny pink flowers. The church border is hedged with sweet box Sarococcas, which fills the air with a heady honey scent. You’ll also discover delicate winter aconites and colourful crocuses. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner or call 01962 771305.

To plan a family day out with the National Trust visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast .

8

6. A selfie set up by the host of the Academy Awards ceremony in 2014 set a new record for the most retweeted image ever. Who was this host?

7. Rounded to the nearest whole number, what percentage of voters said “yes” in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence?

8. On January 1st, which country in the Baltic region of Europe adopted the Euro as its currency to become the 18th member of the Eurozone?

9. Written by Harry Hill, the short-lived 2014 musical with the main title of I Can’t Sing was based around which TV show?

10. On July 8th, what promotion did the Róisín Dubh pub in Galway run that meant a German beer called Erdinger, which they started selling at 4 euros a pint, ended up being sold for just 50 cents a pint?

Answers: Page 45

From this to this in just a few days!

s Just give uHave you always wanted the kitchen of your . .. l l but can’t quite justify paying the expensive a ca dreams, price tag that comes with it?

Now you can by just swapping the doors and worktops.

Call Sean for a FREE Quote on

02381 280123 or 02380274413 Visit our Showroom: 8 Falkland Court, Falkland Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3GA - FREE PARKING

Proud members of

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Find us on

9

GARDENING

The Truly ‘Green’ Garden

by Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Well, it’s time to say good-bye to the year 2014 as 2015 is well and truly upon us. This is the month when it is really worth spending a bit more time than usual thinking about the year just gone and the one ahead. What are you going to do in your garden in the year ahead, what plans and dreams do you have? What changes would you like to make?

There are so many ways in which you can plot and scheme about all that your garden could have to offer in 2015, but there’s one thing I would ask you to consider: take the plunge, ring the changes and ‘Go Organic’, More and more gardeners have decided that they really want their gardens to be pesticide free zones, concentrating on natural methods of pest control, good gardening and the use of natural fertilising materials rather than chemical feeds. And they do it because it works and makes life so much better for the other less powerful creatures and plants we share our space with.

Since we moved to our Hampshire garden nearly twenty years ago, I have kept it completely organic and believe me, it really is not difficult. Weed control can certainly be harder as there is no resorting to herbicides such as glyphosate, but if your garden has been looked after and doesn’t have too many persistent weeds, even that should not be too difficult. If you do have an existing problem then make weeding a regular part of your gardening time and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how speedily you start to get on top of it, and maybe even feel the need to spend less time in the gym and more time out in the fresh year

10

getting a seriously natural and healthy work out completely free of charge. The rest is easy!

True, organic gardening does take a bit more planning and forethought than gardening that is reliant on an armoury of chemicals. If you grow vegetables you will need to ensure that you rotate your crops. Just approximately divide the space you have into three or four chunks and then ensure that each year you grow related crops together and then the following year, each group of crops are moved in to a new plot.

It also pays to ensure that you really do garden as ‘well’ as you can, avoiding too many short cuts and taking the plant’s health and vigour as a prime consideration. In any part of the garden you need to try to choose plants that really are suited to the site as those grown in unsuitable conditions will struggle and be more prone to disease and pest attack. Don’t forget the old gardening adage, ‘Right Plant, Right Place’.

Regular patrols to find problems, so that they can be caught at the early stages and dealt with promptly, mean fewer problems in the long-term and should ensure that you catch an infestation of

pests or a disease outbreak before it gets too bad. Often picking off pests or badly infested or infected leaves can be sufficient to prevent a problem developing.

Sprays of certain kinds are ‘allowed’ (those based on soft soap to control certain pests, copper based fungicides to control diseases etc) but most organic gardeners prefer to avoid them altogether. But they are there if you need them, although I find no need for them.

Barriers and traps are really useful – I am a great fan of horticultural fleece. Placed over a crop such as calabrese from the moment you plant it out, you should be able to ward off all the common pests including caterpillars, cabbage root fly and aphids. Traps such as submerged beakers of old beer or milk to catch slugs, sticky yellow cards

to trap flying pests, all work well.

And where would I be without sticky backed copper tape and copper rings to keep my veg crops slug free? Of course for many pests there are also biological controls available – to keep vine weevils and slugs at bay in the garden, to stop ants driving you insane, to sort out pesky caterpillars and to make your lawn free from leatherjackets, plus a whole range of controls to stop greenhouse pests such as red spider mite, whitefly and mealy bugs.

Keeping the soil in good condition is a must and if you don’t already have a compost bin or heap, get on and make or buy one straight away. Garden compost is a fabulous soil conditioner and is packed full of nutrients…..all at little or no cost.

Some of these things will add

to your gardening budget, but remember that you will not need to spend your hard earned cash on chemical fertilisers, pesticides or spraying equipment, and of course you won’t need to spend time applying the sprays.

The choice is up to you, but I strongly recommend it, for a whole host of reasons, only some of which I have mentioned here.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and make veg growing easy with ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ – Pippa sends your chosen veg plants to you at a perfect time for planting and each week emails advice and tips for getting the best results; plus lots of great barriers and biological controls.

ARBOR-CALL ARBOR-CALL GN EO T RTERE ESEU SRU GR EO S NS

We lik is th custom see w custom

www

Local company with over 22 years’ experience.

We aare a local professional company with over We are local professional company with over 22 years

• All Tree Work Undertaken • NPTC Qualified • Tree Stump Removal • Hedge Cutting Specialists • Fully Insured We offer a full range of specialist services: • Free Quotations • Crown Shaping, thinning &services: pruning We offer a fullreductions, range of specialist • Tree Felling & Intricate Dismantling • No Job Too Big or Too Small

• N.P.T.C. Qualified

• All Work • Carried N.P.T.C • £10 Million • AllPublic Wor • Crown Shaping, reductions, thinning & pruning • Site Clearance • Hedge Cutting Sp • Tree Felling & Intricate Dismantling • £10 Mil • Domestic & Commercial • Tree Stump Remo • Site Clearance • Grounds Maintenance • Hedge • Free Quotations a • Planning Applications • Domestic & Commercial • Tree St • Grounds Maintenance • FreeVisit Qu • Planning Applications We have the latest equipment which makes us efficient and price competitive!

01489 890333

www.arborcall.co.uk

No job too big or small. Contact us for your Free Estimate & We have the latest equipment which makes us efficient and price11compe

Office: 01489 890333 • EMAIL: enquiries@arborcall.co.uk • w

No job too big or small. Contact us for your Free E

Est. 45 years

of Titchfield Plants, Shrubs, Trees, Retail Shop

BULK BAGS for aggregates, soils & mulches

See our New Indoor Showcase Gardens

Design & Landscaping Garden Maintenance

Open 7 days a week

Mon - Sat 8.00am - 5.00pm Sun - 10.00am - 4.00pm

for more information on our products or services please call 01489 572285

www.hambrooks.co.uk 12

DiscoverFullPageAdvertSept&Oct2014.indd 1

31/07/2014 15:06

13

Tree Services Specialist in all aspects of Tree and Hedge Work

by

Neil Richmond

Family Run Business

• Domestic or Business • Hedge Cutting • Tree Felling • Crown Reduction / Reshaping Thinning / Clean

• Deadwood Removal • Fruit Trees Pruned • Tree Planting and After Care • Stump Grinding • Logs for Sale

Quality work at competitive prices Free Estimates and Friendly advice

07834 595383 02380 582377 email: neilrichmond1111@yahoo.co.uk NPTC Qualified

Fully Insured

SURGERY HOURS (by appointment) Monday - Friday...................... 9.00am - 12 noon Monday - Friday...................... 4.00pm - 7.30pm .

9.00am - 12 noon Saturday................................... . .

Open for routine .enquiries between

8.00am and 7.30pm Monday to Friday 8.00am and 12 noon Saturday

24 hour emergency cover provided

14

Prestige

Property Services

Enjoy showering independence

Roofing Specialists

with a walk in shower or wet room from Bespoke Bathing ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Walk in showers Walk in baths Mobility rooms Wet rooms FREE quotations FREE home survey Best price guarantee Full warranties Installation within two weeks*

*Please ask for details

Before

After

We our pride our selves o un n cust rivalled o serv mer ice!

Call for a free no obligation quote

Freephone: 0800 1695 526 www.bespokebathing.co.uk

• • • • • •

New / Re-roofs Flat Roofs Roof Repairs Soffits / Fascias Guttering Roof Cleaning & Colouring

FREE estimate with no obligations Emergency Call-outs

01489 854421 07827 521234

prestigepropertyservices@hotmail.co.uk

15

LOGS

Dry seasoned hardwood Loads delivered FREE Great Value for money Coal and kindling available Open 7 days a week

01329 835306

Ash Farm, Titchfield Lane, Wickham PO15 6DY All major credit cards accepted

A SSURE Electrical Ltd • Free no obligation safety advice & quotations • All domestic electrical repairs & wiring, with no job too small • Domestic rewires, extensions, fuse box upgrades, security & garden installations • All work certified to 17th edition of the wiring regulations

We will provide: • A plain English discussion • A professional, friendly & courteous approach • An excellent quality of service • An understanding that your house is your home...not just a building

Call today on 01489 890303 • Making your home a safer place 16

ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISEMENT

Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!

It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Justin Friel feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving

people money, although that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service the Meon Valley area and Justin is finding that his approach is

a major factor in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done

work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Justin a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING? Don’t replace the Frames... just the Panes!

Broken or Damaged Windows?

Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks?

Want The Latest Energy Saving Glass?

All Glazing Backed By Our 5 Year Manufacturers Guarantee Priority Freephone

0800 61 21118 www.cloudy2clear.com ...we make saving money perfectly clear...

17

FINANCE

The Pros and Cons of Equity Release

By Ann Haldon www.cornerstonewebcontent.com

Equity Release unlocks some of the value in your home, providing a taxfree lump sum or cash facility from which to draw a regular income.

It is a way to fund your retirement without having to move from your existing home, and is available to homeowners over the age of fifty-five.

Equity release products can be broken down into: • Lifetime mortgages • Home reversion schemes Some lifetime mortgages require a monthly repayment whilst others provide a lump sum that reduces the value of the house over time. The basic premise is that you can take a lump sum, draw a regular income, or both.

So far these are all clear benefits, but there are considerable downsides to equity release that need careful consideration.

If there is existing borrowing secured against the property, this will need to be paid off using the equity released.

The first step in deciding whether equity release is for you, is to find a professional financial advisor with specific knowledge and experience. The advisor and lender must both be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and the lender should be a member of the Equity Release Council.

Lifetime Mortgage How it works A lifetime mortgage allows you to borrow money against the value of your home, with interest added to the total each month. There are no repayments to meet - you still own your home but the value of it decreases due to the escalating mortgage.

In the event of your death or going into care, the house is sold, the loan repaid and 18

residual monies paid to you or your beneficiaries. Most lifetime mortgages provide a guarantee guarding against negative equity should the housing market fall.

Types of lifetime mortgage Roll-up: interest is added to the loan, which is repaid on death or if you move into care. There are no monthly repayments to make.

Interest-only: you receive a lump sum and pay the interest on a monthly basis. Interest may be fixed or variable, and the original loan amount is repaid on sale of the house.

Fixed repayment: you take a lump sum from the house, but there are no monthly interest payments to make. A repayment sum is calculated by the lender and agreed with you when the loan is taken out. This fixed amount is repaid on death or if you move to a care home.

One of the first decisions to make is whether you want to take a lump sum, a regular income, or a mixture of the two. It’s worth considering the lender’s stability if you choose to take payments at intervals rather than as a lump sum. When Northern Rock collapsed in 2007, their equity release customers were unable to draw any further money from their home equity loan when it was transferred to a new company.

On the other hand, you may feel there’s no point taking out a large initial sum and placing a proportion of it into a savings account which pays lower interest

than that on your loan.

In summary, what are the potential pros and cons of taking out a lifetime mortgage?

Pros • Unlocks the value in your home • Several choices of how the money is taken • Many lenders offer a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee • You can stay in your own home

Cons • May affect your eligibility for benefits • Can be expensive in the longterm (there may be other less expensive options) • They are complex financial products which require professional guidance • Reduced inheritance for your beneficiaries

Home Reversion Scheme How it works Home reversion means that you

sell all or part of your home to a company, which gives you a cash lump sum for its value, or allows you to take a regular income.

Some schemes let you live in your home rent-free, while others charge a reduced rent. This arrangement continues until you die or move into a care home, at which point the house is sold and the loan repaid.

‘inheritance guarantee’ to safeguard a proportion of your home for beneficiaries • Many schemes allow you to live in your home rent-free

Cons • You generally only receive between 20%-60% of the market value of your property • These schemes can be costly to set up • They are complex to understand in detail

Detailed financial and legal advice is essential when considering a product such as this. As with a lifetime mortgage, you’ll be advised to discuss it with your family before proceeding. They need to know where they stand financially, particularly if it will affect their inheritance.

Pros and cons of home reversion schemes

Pros • A useful way to get money from your property without having to move out • You may be able to make an

Potential costs for both forms of equity release • Legal fees • Valuation costs • Lender administration fee • Financial advisor fees • Buildings insurance The equity released from your home can be used for a range of purposes. Some people use the money for home improvements, others for holidays or to help their children onto the property ladder.

Do you need a Financial Review?

We are a highly qualified team with industry experience in excess of 20 years, offering our clients the following financial services: • • • • • •

Protection Pension & Retirement Planning Investment & Portfolio Planning Estate Planning Mortgage Advice - Residential & Commercial Inheritance Tax & Trust Planning

With our market knowledge and expertise, we offer advice to find the solution to suit your specific needs and circumstances. An ongoing review service is available by agreement.

Simply call Simon Rustell to arrange a no obligation initial meeting with you, free of charge (please quote code WPM). Our remuneration for further work will be by fee which will be agreed with you in advance.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Some areas of advice, such as estate planning and commercial mortgages, are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

newman cozens financial management

Independent Financial Advisers

Carnac Place, Carnac Court, Cams Hall Estate, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 8UY. t: 01329 288924 f: 01329 280123 e: simon@newcoz.co.uk www.newcoz.co.uk Newman Cozens Financial Management is a trading style of Newman Cozens Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

19

Samantha J Pearson FCILEx Chartered Legal Executive Wills and Estates Avoid legal problems for your family and protect your assets with a professionally drafted will.

With a Lasting Power of Attorney you ensure your affairs are in the hands of a family member or friend you trust.

The right direction

for a great education!

Full-time A Level and vocational courses Part-time adult learning

Tel: 023 8036 7200 | www.barton-peveril.ac.uk Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5ZA

If a relative dies, receive professional advice on administering the estate, including tax reliefs.

FREE home visits â–Ş Fast and personal service Evening and weekend appointments â–Ş Fixed fees Tel: 01489 899004 e: samantha@sjpwills.co.uk www.sjpwills.uk

Where a University Degree in Business is not beyond your reach Our part-time Business and Management Degree is designed for busy working people and is available one evening a week from Chichester College, Isle of Wight College and South Downs College in Waterlooville.

It is open to those who may not have formal qualifications but whose work experience will have prepared them to succeed.

To find out more about the flexible part-time courses we offer, come along to our next open evening, details of which can be found at www.port.ac.uk/pbsevents.

www.port.ac.uk 20

For further information visit: T: +44 (0)23 9284 8200 E: bus.admissions @port.ac.uk W: www.port.ac.uk/ busandman

IPlatesPCs Computer Problems?

Plates PCs are your essential specialist IT Support with over 10 years established experience.

We custom build, upgrade, service and refurbish all computers (both PC & Mac).

Expanding?

Network infrastructure design is also available.

Our outstanding customer service extends to home users right through to large corporate organisations.

St Georges Square Bishops Waltham Hampshire SO32 1AF

Telephone: 01489 876202 Mobile: 07900 214436 Email: wez@platespcs.co.uk

www.platespcs.co.uk

62 High Street, Winchester Hampshire SO23 9BX Phone: 01962 866000 Email: sales@balletpointe.co.uk Website: www.balletpointe.co.uk

We are a Friendly Firm of Solicitors in Botley with a Wealth of Experience Behind Us • Family Law

Divorce, Civil Partnerships, Separation, Co-habitation and Children

• Elderly Care

Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney & Probate

• Residential Conveyancing • Commercial Services

01489 667020

Winchester House, 7 Winchester Street, Botley, SO30 2EB

info@allens-law.co.uk | www.allens-law.co.uk Head Office: Pendower House, Cumberland Business Centre, Southsea, PO5 1DS

21

DEADLINE?

Digital Print has enabled you to have print on demand ranging from 1 to 3000 copies.

Warwick Printing Company Ltd Tel: 01926 883355 Email: sales@warwickprinting.co.uk Website: www.warwickprinting.co.uk

Britannia Windows doors & conservatories

neW! loW cost solar panels

023 8027 0606 chandlers ford shoWroom

22

01489 449022

HOME COMPUTER HELP We come to you!

Low Cost • Laptops/PCs Repairs • No Jargon Virus/Spyware • Tuition On-Site • Local • Friendly Free Home Callout

S C M ILLER time for your accounting

S C Miller Ltd, Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors

Just one of our many happy customers on Checkatrade “This is the second time I have used Will. First class service again, helped me understand the laptop and installed printer and antivirus.”

(See more great feedback on Checkatrade.com)

Call Will on:

Stephen Miller FCA

01489 232232 We’re on

Fax. 01489 891132

www.checkatrade.com/homecomputerhelp www.hchelp.co.uk

Tel. 01489 891122 Email. steve@scmiller.co.uk

The Clock Offices High Street Bishops Waltham Southampton Hampshire England SO32 1AA

J. & D. HUMPHREY LTD Plumbing & Heating Established local business with years of experience All Aspects of Plumbing, Heating and Gas

01489 893620

Email: janddhumphrey@hotmail.co.uk

Free Estimates no call out charges 23

RECIPE

Paneer and Mixed Vegetable Coconut Curry

Serves 4

This filling vegetable curry can be made with any mix of vegetables you have to hand. Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread and some cooling natural yogurt.

Ingredients:

1.

Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the carrots and boil for 5 minutes until almost tender adding the cauliflower and broccoli florets for the last 2 minutes.

Drain well and set aside.

2.

Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the paneer and mushrooms and stir-fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

3.

Add the onion to the pan and fry very gently for about 10 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and fry for a further 2-3 minutes then stir in the Thai paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4.

Pour in the coconut milk and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and return the paneer and mushrooms to the pan along with the drained vegetables, peas and tomatoes. Stir well and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes. Add the lime juice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve garnished with sliced red chilli pepper and oregano leaves.

• 2 small carrots, peeled and thinly sliced • 100g small cauliflower florets • 100g small broccoli florets • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 225g paneer cheese, cubed • 150g mushrooms, wiped and sliced • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed • 2cm piece root ginger, peeled and grated • 1 red chilli pepper, deseeded and chopped, plus extra sliced chilli to garnish • 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 400ml can coconut milk • 150g frozen peas • 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped • Squeeze of lime juice • Fresh oregano leaves, to garnish

Ready in 45 minutes 24

Paneer is an Indian vegetarian cheese which has a firm texture and goes particularly well with spices and garlic, chilli and ginger. You can use drained and cubed tofu instead, if preferred.

TIP

A gorgeous new, vintage style café, right in the heart of Waltham Chase

take away service free wifi ample parking at village hall

A delicious selection of home-baked cakes and cupcakes, cream teas with a plain or fruit scone as well as hot soup with a crusty bread roll, toasties and ploughman's platters, all served on vintage crockery.

Tea or freshly ground coffee We are located in the new renovated and refurbished room in the Village Hall.

Free

Hours of operation:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am - 4pm (not open Thursdays) Any enquiries to KIRSTEN at

chasecafeuk@gmail.com

tea or coffee with any food order WITh ThIS vouchER

Valid until 31/01/15

The SolenT’S largeST STockiST of

Cake Decorating Supplies & Baking Equipment • Professional and hobby bakers WELCOME • Stockists of all major brands; Wilton, Culpitt, Squires and PME • Wide range of cake tins and stands to hire • Can’t find it?

We’ll source it for you!

Opening hours Mon - Fri: 9am to 4pm Sat: 9am to 1pm “Every time I visit the shop, I find new products

to inspire more cakes and cupcakes! The service is friendly and knowledgeable and prices are very competitive.”

Cally Searle, Southampton

Tel: 02380 269399

Unit 6, Monks Brook Industrial Park, School Close, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, SO53 4RA 25

ADVERTISER FEATURE

No More ‘TroutPouts’

If you are concerned regarding ageing, you will often complain of wrinkles, deep lines, sun damage and poor skin texture the superficial signs of ageing.

In the past many physicians took a 2-dimensional approach to facial rejuvenation chasing and filling lines which did not give a satisfactory outcome. But these lines are merely symptomatic of underlying volume loss, and this is where the area of 3D facial contouring comes in.

The beauty of the products used with Changes procedures are that results are immediate with some further improvement that follows as the gel absorbs water, further moisturising the deeper skin layers and softening the heavier lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acids have been in use around the world over a number of years and are natural and safe products. Voluma is a

hyaluronic acid filler like others in the Juvéderm® range and the enriched concentration is what gives it such a unique capacity for lift.

So, once the ‘mattress’ of the dermal layers is sculpted, the ‘top sheet’ (skin) can be refined with botulinum toxins, skin peels and a good skin regime to treat the finer lines and superficial signs of sun damage and age. Only after such a comprehensive approach is used will a more subtle, natural and beautiful outcome be achieved.

A consultation with our doctors at Changes will give you in-depth advice with many choices to improve any signs of ageing you may be seeing.

Our consultations are as individual as you are! Discover your perfect you today.

Call us on 02392 382000 www.changesclinic.co.uk

SPORTS & OUTDOOR FITNESS GROUPS waLKs for HeaLtH Every Thursday 10.15 BishopsWaltham Square, contact Lydia Lockhart 01962 848725 netBaLL grouP We train every Wed 5.30pm -7pm Swanmore College of Technology.

First session would be free. Call Dee 07979917202 west Meon HocKeY cLuB The West Meon ladies hockey team play home games at Winchester Sports Stadium in the Hampshire League. Currently the team play in Division IV. Pre-season training is held locally. More information can be obtained from Jane Waller. janewaller@live.co.uk vt cricKet cLuB Portsmouth Rd, Sholing, Southampton SO19 9PW tel 02380 341745 26

BadMinton cLuB Mondays, 7pm until 9.30pm Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop’s Waltham, SO32 1ED Bishop’s Waltham Badminton Club have teams in the Winchester and Southampton leagues and we play with feather shuttles. We are always looking for new members who are of an intermediate standard and above and would be pleased for you to try us out on a Monday night in a friendly and competitive atmosphere. www.bishopswalthambc. com. 01489 895451, secretary@ bishopswalthambc.com swiMMing cLuB Hamble Aquatics local swimming club are always looking for new members.

Full details www.hambleaquatics. org or Paul Dollery 07849 853039 to arrange a free trial.

tHe Meon grouP of tHe raMBLers societY The Meon Group offers 3 walks of varying lengths every Sunday throughout the year with some mid-week walks. Walks are mainly in Hampshire and West Sussex with occasional trips across to the Isle of Wight. Whether you want just a gentle half-day’s walk or a much longer full day out walking, they have a walk to suit. Members come mainly from Fareham and Gosport and the lower parts of the Meon Valley in Hampshire. For more information, membership details, help or encouragement call David Boulton, Meon Group Membership Secretary 01329 231926

More grouPs on Page 40

“

Non-Surgical Clinics Skin Care and Rejuvenation Hair Removal: Laser / IPL Fat Reduction and Weight Loss Semi-Permanent Makeup Tattoo Removal Hair Volume and Growth Cosmetic Dentistry and Bleaching Vein/Skin Pigmentation Removal Surgical Clinics Facial and Body Gastric Hair Transplants

“

The entire experience was fabulous, from the easy parking to the discreet location. It was all so welcoming and friendly.

“

“

I wanted a centre of excellence, and to be treated by leading consultants, all without the London price tags.

Well-Being Clinics Lesion Removal Clean Ear Eating Disorder / Weight Loss Chiropractic Nutrition ASK about Changeplan - our simple, affordable monthly budget plan.

Credit Plan Available (Subject to Status) Discover how you can have Changes in your life at our monthly open events CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

get connected

1000 Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth PO6 3EN t: 023 9238 2000 e: info@changesclinic.co.uk

/ChangesClinic

@ChangesClinic

changesclinic.co.uk Changes Clinic Limited are proud to be accredited with:

...discover your perfect you.

Changes Clinic A5 Flyer May 2014 R2.indd 2

28/05/2014 17:09

27

28

Wickham Community Centre Mill Lane, PO17 5AL Tel: 01329 835936

£6.50

Walk in for Gents

We Offer...

• Competitive prices • A cosy and friendly service • Stylists that cater for all ages • All hairdressing services available

Special Offer for New clients 50% Off any colour*

£69

£34.50

by our NVQ and City & Guilds Stylists

Ladies and Gents Hair styLinG With our newly designed salon you’re sure to enjoy your visit!

Winchester Road, Waltham Chase.

01489 892751

*Quote DiSCOVeR when booking

Home-Start is the UK’s leading Family Support Organisation If you have a few hours a week to spare and you have parenting experience, give us a call to find out more:

01329 835936 Training is given – the next course will be taking place every Tuesday (9:30am-2:30pm) for five weeks, beginning 20th January 2015 (except 17th February) Email: organiser@homestart-meonvalley.org.uk

29

Puzzle Page Pictograms

PICTOGRAMS

1 word

S T A R E

S T A R E

3 words

HIDATO Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

11

13 14

19

7

1

3

34 16

46 1p

8

17

22 94 7 THE SCREAM

3 words

5

44

41

36

47

40

49

38

25 30

ŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

Across 1. Similar things placed in order (6) 7. Note in music equal to half a minim (8) 8. Bluish-white metallic element (4) 10. Animal hunted for food or sport (4) 11. Fortified wine mainly from southern Spain (6) 12. City in western Germany (5) 14. Nasal opening (7) 17. Daybook (7) 18. Celtic language (5) 21. Collection of star systems (6) 23. Former communist country (inits) (4) 25. Fourth planet from the sun (4) 26. International ___, imaginary boundary which separates time zones (4,4)

27. Alloy of tin and lead 1 2 3 4 5 6 (6) 7 Down 1. Make a sound like 8 9 frying fat (6) 10 11 2. One step of a ladder (4) 3. Fastener with a 14 15 threaded shank (5) 12 13 4. Firearm missile 16 aimed at an easy or 17 18 19 casual target (3,4) 5. Measure of land (4) 20 6. Accidental collision that is narrowly 21 22 23 24 avoided (4,4) 25 9. Occupation for which one is trained 26 (6) 27 13. Person who hides aboard a ship (8) 19. Member of a European crushed ice (5) 15. Belief in the light cavalry unit, 22. Expression used at the existence of God (6) renowned for elegant end of a prayer (4) 16. Large green longdress (6) 24. Flat floating platform horned grasshopper 20. Drink of bourbon and for swimmers (4) of North America sugar and mint over (7)

ŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

Answers: Page 45

30

For Everything BOILERS Central Heating & Combination Boilers Repairs | Installation | Service A local, family run business keeping the homes of Southampton and surrounding areas warm with quality boiler systems and a personal service.

HigH EnErgy EfficiEnt BoilErs

• Installer of All Main Boiler Manufacturers • Full Trained, Local Engineers in Your Area • Repairs & Servicing • Landlord Safety Checks • All Work Guaranteed • Competitive Rates • Renewable Energy/Biomass Installations

Est

years

G.E. HardinG & SonS Ltd inc Boilercare Drivers Wharf, Northam, Southampton SO14 0PF

023 8038 2830

www.gehardingandsonsltd.co.uk info@geharding.co.uk

12887

31

Our fantastic, free 15 point winter check just got even better.

It’s hard to believe our FREE 15 point winter weather check could get any better, but it just has. For a limited time only and while stocks last, if you book one of our free 15 point winter weather checks, we’ll also give you a free winter weather gift pack to help you prepare for the season.

And if you don’t already know about our Customer Care Card reward program, ask about the great discounts it offers. It’s free to join, too.

Preparing your car for the winter weather? We can take care of that.

Book your appointment today:

01329 834 646 tyre-auto.co.uk

Rear of Shell Forecourt, Fareham Road Wickham, PO17 5BY 32

Loft Services For all your loft needs, from loft conversions, roof windows and floors boarded, to trap door openings enlarged and re-sited.

The Flooring Store to Your Door Choose your new floor in your own home, in your own time!

30 Sam 00 ples !

carpets

Loft Ladders

wood laminate

● Two section ● Fitted ● All inclusive, includes trap door conversions £109.

hardwood flooring

Various other types of Loft Ladders available

Complete paCkage for only £420 3 section spring assisted ladder, electric light and 120sq ft of loft flooring.

All fitted and inc of VAT.

designer vinyls

Covering Dorset & Hampshire

For a free survey and advice, call

01202 897965

www.loftservicesuk.com

www.floorcoveringssouthern.co.uk 7 Reynolds Rd, Fair Oak

Keep warm & cosy this winter Don’t wait until it’s too late, reduce the risk of your boiler breaking down by booking a service now!

• Central heating and boiler installation • Boiler and gas appliance servicing, breakdowns and repairs Gair Gas now offer a • Annual service plans from 10 year warranty on all Worcester ONLY £5 per month Greenstar gas or oil fired boilers.* • Landlord gas safety checks * Terms & conditions apply • Power flushing

Call 02380 363 838 144901 1-2pge_winter14_amends2.indd 2

Lakewood House, 50 Hiltingbury Road, Hants SO53 5SS

www.gairgas.co.uk E-mail sales@gairgas.co.uk

12/10/14 17:53:44

33

CHIMNEY LINING & SWEEP SPECIALISTS

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Hire A Handy Hero is here to serve you. We will save you time, offer reassurance and give you peace of mind.

NACS and HETAS ACCREDITATION

Tel: 0800 689 0006 Email: mark@toast-fireplaces.co.uk Web: www.toast-fireplaces.co.uk • No Mess Guaranteed • Stoves supplied & fitted • Bird Guards • CCTV Surveys We can supply the Industry Certificate on Chimney Sweeping which is required by all major Insurance Providers.

ALWAYS ask for this.

You can trust and rely on our ex forces personnel who are military trained to have various skills within home improvements.

Our expertise include: Flat Pack Assembly • Plumbing Decorating • Tiling • Odd Jobs Repairs and Maintenance Bike Maintenance, Assembly and Repair We will repair and refurbish before we replace saving you expensive bills whilst being kind to the environment.

All jobs are quoted by the hour, half hour, half day or full day. Ensuring that you don’t pay anymore than you need to.

Ask about our recommend a friend scheme.

Tel : 02380 010940 Email : hero@hireahandyhero.com www.hireahandyhero.com 34

THE LOCAL ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE

Family Business Established 1948

All Cars - Any Make & Model Light Commercials Courtesy Cars Available

Manufacturer Recommend Repair Centre

TEL: 01489 784844 Email: stride@live.co.uk Web: www.strideandsons.co.uk

14-16 BOTLEY ROAD, HEDGE END SO30 2HE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Abbey Tyres We are a local, friendly, independent tyre supplier and fitter situated in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, who can source tyres from the UK and Europe. Our aim is to make buying tyres a simple task, with honest, straightforward pricing and a service that you can trust - no more wondering if you've got the right tyre at the right price!

Call us, or fill in the tyre quote form on our website and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible with a range of prices for the tyres you need. And if you don't know

which tyre(s) fit your vehicle, simply use our website to find out.

At Abbey Tyres the customer is ALWAYS first. We look forward to speaking to you and to supplying you with a service that, we hope, means that you'll never go elsewhere for tyres again!

Abbey Tyres has forged a new partnership with Wolfrace Wheels who are a leading, UK based supplier of high quality wheels to meet a variety of needs.

Together, we can provide a service to supply and fit Wolfrace wheels with your choice of tyres.

Check out our new Wolfrace Wheels Section to find out how you can kit yourself out with a smart new set of wheels for cars and vans such as VW T5 and the Mercedes Vito.

We also offer a Mobile fitting service.

Use our mobile tyre fitting service for your convenience; we can fit your tyres at home or at work.

Claylands House Claylands Road Bishop’s Waltham SO32 1BH email: info@abbeytyres.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri 8.00-5.30 Sat 8.00-12.30

We would like to offer customer 10% off their bill on presentation of this advert.

David and Alison Trott, Abbey Tyres, Bishop's Waltham

 TYRES  TRACKING  BALANCING  PUNCTURES  SUSPENSION  BATTERIES  BRAKES  EXHAUSTS TYRES, PRESSURES & TRACKING CHECKED FOR FREE Use our Mobile Fitting Service for the convenience of having your tyres fitted at home or work 35

And Another Thing...

The Winged Chariot

by Tom Hughes I dread January. Not because of the long winter nights or postholiday credit card bills (although they aren’t much fun), I hate New Year because that’s when the Mondeo has its dreaded MOT. Could I squeeze another year’s motoring out of the old darling?

The mechanic’s intake of breath was so sharp I thought he was going to hyperventilate. MOT fail!

Now, I’m sure that to Jeremy Clarkson my Mondeo Ghia X is a tired old rep mobile, good only for slogging up and down the M6 driven by some dull-eyed paperclip salesman. But whenever I nestle behind the wheel (in my half leather heated seat) I am not in a Ford, rather I am in a beautiful Winged Chariot, perfect for whisking Sarah away to distant magical places, like Southport.

The mechanic shook his head as the bonnet slammed shut.

Sarah put a comforting hand on my shoulder. It was time to face facts; the old chap had to go. And that meant only one thing - a visit to the showroom to lock horns with a car salesman.

Colin was an affable chap. As wide as he was tall, he possessed a big red face and the worst fitting suit I had ever seen. He came waddling towards us with such a swagger in his gait I thought for moment he was going to 36

announce “I’ve come for ma Boy.” He shook my hand, nodded to my car and said, “That your Deo? Great car....in its day.”

“In its day? Cheeky -” I was about to give him a mouthful when Sarah interrupted me, “Shut up Tom. Now what about this one?”

Sarah pointed to a new five door hatchback. Colin beamed.”Want to take her for a spin sir?”

“Her? That’s a bit 1970s isn’t it? Why can’t I take “him” for a spin?” I said indignantly.

“Very well sir, I’ll get the trade plates.”

He glanced at Sarah, shook his head in sympathy, and handed me the keys.

With Sarah sat demurely in the back we eased out of the showroom as Colin explained all about this fantastic motor.

“Now Tom, this model is in the Elite trim which means that every conceivable toy is on this car.

Everything you can think of as an extra, this baby’s got it.”

I stared at the dashboard.

“Has it got Sat Nav?” “No.” “Climate control?”

“Er, no.”

“Rear parking sensors?”

Suddenly, Colin’s eyes lit up.

“Rear parking sensors? Tom, can you just pull over a second and

put her in reverse gear for me?”

I stopped the car and engaged reverse as Colin jumped out and ran to the back of the motor. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Colin waggling his hips and waving his arms about.

“Tom, what is he doing?”

“I’ve really no idea.”

After this strange display was over, he trotted up to the driver’s side, stuck his sweaty face through the open window and asked hopefully “Now Tom, did you hear a beep!

Beep! Beep!?”

“No.” Back in the car and now staring straight ahead, Colin, through gritted teeth said, “Drive on please.”

After a while, we found ourselves on a narrow country road where Colin, with a conspiratorial wink whispered, “Now then Tom, do you want to see how she performs through the twisty bits?”

Too embarrassed to ask what that actually meant, I smiled and began trundling along the B road, nervously creeping round an endless procession of blind bends. Exasperated, Colin began shuffling about in his seat.

“Now Tom, can’t you feel it? She wants to go, come on, give her her head!”

Making Life Easier

Specialist home adaptions to meet your needs.

Disabled adaptions carried out to include:

• Kitchens, Bathrooms, Shower Rooms including Geberit Aqua Clean WC that cleans you with warm water. Supplied and Fitted.

• Wheel Chair Access

01489 891773 mail@andrew-ross.co.uk

PROPERTY MANAGERS

Office Suite A2, Hollythorns House, The Hollythorns, New Road, Swanmore, Hampshire. SO32 2NW

Carefree Living

andrew-ross.co.uk

Specialists in Converting Bathrooms to Level Access Shower Rooms for the Disabled

LETTING AGENTS

Follow Tom at groomsdaybook.com Twitter @groomsdaybook

ESTATE AGENTS

I looked in the mirror at Sarah, who shrugged her shoulders. Colin was insistent, “Put your foot down, let’s see what this baby can do!”

The engine whined as I stamped on the pedal. The bonnet lifted and the car lurched forward as around the corner we went - “Tally Ho!” Later, after Colin had exchanged insurance details with a rather miserable looking farmer, Sarah leaned down to inspect the damage.

“Well a tinny thing like this is always going to come off worse against a tractor.”

Waiting with Colin for that tow truck to take us back to the garage was the longest hour of my life.

And so, after shelling out a small fortune on a double-wishbone something or other, my beloved Winged Chariot was back on the road.

I took Sarah for a spin. I turned up the climate control to maximum. “Right Sarah darling, shall we see what this baby can do?”

“Tom, just keep your eyes on the road, OK? And Tom?” “Yes my sweet?”

“Keep a look out for tractors?”

• Provision of Ramps • Construction of extensions • Disabled conversion • Full drawing & planning service available

TEL: 02380 768814 MOB: 07885 882578

37

01489 449022 Whatever you want to store...

We provide...

You benefit from...

• Clean, dry, steel units 40 - 160 sq ft • High security alarm and CCTV • All storage units on ground floor

• Sizes to suit your needs • Peace of mind • Very easy access

Secure Accessible Local Easy Call: 01962 Call: 02392

771 993 384 888

Holden Farm Cheriton Alresford SO24 0NX Offwell Farm Southwick Fareham PO17 6DX

Visit: www.barn-store.co.uk 38

CAR & VAN WORKSHOP

NOW OPEN IN HEDGE END • YOUR LOCAL ALTERNATIVE TO HIGH MAIN DEALER PRICES • AUDI, VW, SEAT, SKODA SPECIALISTS

CAR AND VAN MOT AND SERVICING TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATION Fully warranty compliant (see www.independentvwservicing.co.uk)

Manufacturer trained technicians General repairs MOT’s for cars and vans class 4 and 7 MOT and servicing while you wait 100% environmentally friendly waste disposal While you wait diagnostics Tyre sales and wheel balancing Air conditioning servicing

To book your service or MOT call 01489 798383

D ROA ALD

ROA

BOT

LEY

ROA

HER

WA Y

D

S RRY CU ORLD W PC

PIZZ A HU T

LEY

BAR

BOT

D

B30

35

TOL L

www.independentvwservicing.co.uk

VISIT US AT HERALD INDUSTRIAL EST. HEDGE END SO30 2JW

TOL L

BAR

WA Y

Clutch and cambelt replacement

info@icvs.org.uk 39

LOCAL CLUBS & GROUPS HOBBIES Curdridge Amateur Drama Group Productions are twice a year – spring and autumn. Rehearsals – Mondays 7.45pm and Thursdays 7.30pm at the Reading Rooms, Curdridge. From time to time we run workshops and other social events. Phone Teresa 01489 895170 for more information. www. cadg.hampshire.org.uk DRAMA GROUP Every Monday at Jubilee Hall 4pm to 5:15pm ages 7 to 12, £60 per term.

Call Ryan on 01962 844 600 ext 208 or ryan.jones@theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk UPHAM PLAYERS DRAMA We are a friendly local drama group with members from age 8 – 80! We put on 2 to 3 productions a year and usually rehearse on Monday evenings and Sunday afternoons at the Upham Village Hall. We also have several social events during the year including Quiz and Chips and informal play readings. Mo Peters on 01489 891307 or mo_peters@ o2.co.uk. www.uphamvillagehall.org.uk/ upham-players Bishops Waltham Photographic Society All photographers welcome from beginner to advanced. We meet 1st Thursday in the month at St Peters Church Hall, Bishops Waltham. Please contact Dawn Blight 01489 691155 or dawn.blight1@ntlworld.com JUBILEE WRITERS Thursday (Twice Monthly) 2pm – 4pm Stables Hall, Bishops Waltham Elizabeth Watt 01489 892224 MEON VALLEY FLOWER CLUB Demos, workshops at Meonstoke Village Hall. Ann Hammant 01730 829469 GARDENING CLUB Memberships only £6 call Keith Fry 01489 893755 40

WICKHAM SPINNERS & WEAVERS Mondays 11-3pm Wickham Church Room Learn the ancient craft of spinning yarn and enjoy being creative and keeping warm at the same time. Yarn spinning is environmentally friendly, the wheel is powered by the feet and there is only a smooth rhythmic sound as the flywheel spins, encouraging relaxation and enjoyment and the chance to chat.

Wickham Spinners would welcome new members, experienced or beginners.

Our members also do other crafts, such as beading, pottery, sewing, knitting and crochet to name just a few and you would be welcome to bring your own craft to the group if you don’t want to spin. Georgina (01329 833422), Alison (01329 281407) or Val (01489 896140)

SOCIAL THE MONDAY CLUB 3rd Monday of each month The Wickham Centre, Mill Lane PO17 5AL Fun activities & quizzes for the over 55’s.

Socialise with friends, listen to guest speakers and enjoy a 2-course lunch for £4. www.wickhamcentre.org.uk UNIVERSITY OF THE 3RD AGE Tuesday twice monthly 1.30–3.30 Wickham Community Hall Contact 01329 833384 LUNCH CLUB Every Monday Jubilee Hall 1 - 2pm Christine Argyle 01489 894054 Tuesday Gwyn West 01489 891663 Thurs Gill Stainer 01489 893384 BW YOUNG FARMERS CLUB 14-26 yrs – Thurs Anne 860236 Swanmore Baby & Toddler Group Every Tuesday (term-time only) 10am11.30am. Swanmore Village Hall Contact Layla Oates 07837 473590 LUNCH CLUB 11:30am Wed, Church Room, Wickham Centre, www.wickhamcentre.org

SPIRITUAL THE HEALING TRUST Healing Centre, Wickham Community Centre, Wickham. Every 4th Saturday of the month 10am til 12.30pm noon.

Marjorie Nutland 01329 832637 SOUL CONNECTIONS – SPIRITUAL GROUP Priory Park Hall, Bishops Waltham. 3rd Sunday each Month, £5 Sue Murray 01489 799740 www.suemurrayhealing.co.uk

Positive Living Law of Attraction Group First Wednesday of every month. 7-9pm.

Curdridge. Contact Carolyne 07825 727331. £8. www.carolynebennett.com WICKHAM WEEKLY HEALING CLINIC Thursdays, 2pm to 3:30pm The Community Centre Spiritual health is a complementary (not alternative) natural treatment. We are not associated with any particular religion and respect individuals own interpretation of the natural healing source.

SUPPORT Meon Valley Carers Group The Meon Valley Carers Group is a support group for the carers of people with Dementia. We meet every month for a pub lunch and also for a support group meeting. Cared for are welcome.

Phone Debbie on 01489 895444 Mon or Thurs 9.00-13.00 for details.

MACULAR SUPPORT GROUP Second Monday of every month 1.00 to 3.00pm United Reformed Church, 18 Osborn Road South, Fareham PO16 7DG The group meets to provide friendship and support for fellow sufferers of the most common form of sight impairment and to help them understand macular disease, the treatments and services available and ways of coping with central vision loss. Sighted spouses and carers also very welcome. 01329 231356 david.fb.kett@talk21.com Home Start Mother & Toddler Friday 9am to 12pm Wickham Centre, wickhamcentre.org.uk

FOR CHILDREN SCOUTS www.meonvalleyscouting.org.uk Beaver Scouts 6-8, Cub Scouts 8-10, Scouts 10-14, Explorer Scouts14-18, Scout Network 18-25, plus Adult volunteers (18+) are always required as supporters. For further information, including Scouting in other areas, please contactus@meonvalleyscouting.org.uk MEON VALLEY GIRL GUIDING Rainbows aged 5 to 7 years, Brownies aged 7 to 10 years, Guides aged 10 to 14 years and Senior Section aged 14 to 25 years. If anyone is interested in joining or volunteering - visit www.girlguiding. org.uk/interested or call 0800 1 69 59 01 for details of venues near you.

- Meon Valley

APPLIANCE REPAIRS 01489 661164 07502 228912 info@jpappliances.co.uk www.jpappliances.co.uk

k All makes serviced & repaired

Plastering Services

k Same day call out k Low cost repairs k Local engineer k Family run company k OAP & Student Discounts

£10

off repair with this advert

02381 228329 07841 660171 www.plasterforce.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Decorating, Plastering, Patios, Fascias and Gutters Repaired or Replaced.

Reliable & Professional

D A Construction

daconstruction@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 0786 422 4129

Pure Digital

Aerial & Satellites Digital Aerial Installations & Repairs TV, Telephone & Broadband Points Freesat & Sky No Call out Charge • 10% OAP Discount All work Guaranteed

01489 790380 07712 709645 ALL

ASPE

CTS

O F RO O F I N

G UN DER

TAKE N

Direct Roofing Services

Family Business • All work guaranteed Free quote • References on request

Rainbow

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Clean, Friendly & Professional Stove Installations

No job too small or too big • Honest and trustworthy

01489 619471

direct-roofing@hotmail.com DIVISION OF DIRECT INDUSTRIAL & MAINTENANCE LTD

Certificates Issued CALL BEN TODAY:

01730 601006 M: 07425 167145 www.rainbowchimneysweep.co.uk

T:

41

LOCAL WHAT’S ON gosPort JaZZ cLuB 7 & 21 Jan, 8-10:30pm gosport & fareham rugby football club Po12 2He (7th) An evening of traditional Jazz (21st) The Louisiana Jazz Men. Members £8, Guests £10. 02392 693988 suLLivan witHout giLBert 8 Jan, 7:30pm Blendworth church centre, Horndean Po8 4aa The Operas that got away! Los Ladrones present a selection of extracts from Sullivan’s operas and a complete performance of “The Zoo”. Tickets on the door £7.

02392 476700 Panto - roBin Hood 8-11 Jan the Point, eastleigh Join the legendary Robin Hood with his Merry Men and the beautiful Maid Marian as they rob from the rich and give to the poor in their quest to stop the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

Presented by the Mountbatten Players. £11/£9/£8/£6.50. 02380 652333 siXtH annuaL MaYor’s cHaritY QuiZ nigHt 9 Jan, 7pm guildhall winchester so23 9gH Teams of up to 10 people are welcome to come and battle it out for the 2015 title. £6 per ticket.

Maximum team size: 10. 01962 840500 42

raMBLers waLK – warsasH HooK circuLar 10 Jan, 1:30pm start at car Park next to the one stop in warsash Brisk pace - 8.5 miles of varied terrain with resplendent scenic vistas of the Solent and IOW. 01489 573708. Grid Ref: SU489062 coMe and sing – JosePH HaYdn: creation 10th Jan, 7pm Singers of all abilities are welcome to join the PCU for a rousing sing of choruses from Haydn’s ever popular oratorio. Conducted by David Gostick, accompanied by Ian Richardson. Registration at 7pm. Singers - £5. Audience £3. St Judes Church, Kent Road, Southsea. Parking will be available within the Waitrose carpark, Marmion Road, Southsea. wedding fair eXtravaganZa 11 Jan, 11am to 4pm st. Mary’s stadium, southampton so14 5fP Held in the Mike Channon Suite and the Terry Paine Suite.

This is an excellent and ideal venue for the 70+ stands that make up this Southampton Wedding Fair. Fashion Shows at 12 and 2pm. Free Entry Free, Goody Bag & Wedding Planner for every Bride to Be! 0800 1777080 sPace Lectures at wincHester science centre 14 Jan, 4.30pm & 6.30pm Adult evening lectures on the 2nd Weds of the month at 4:30pm and 6:30pm, each followed by a short planetarium show about the month’s sky.

14 January 2015 - Is the AllThere-Is all there is? Dr Roberto Trotta (Imperial College London) Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium Tel 01962 863 791 4:30pm lecture £8/£6 and 6:30pm lecture £10/£8.

JeffreY Bernard is unweLL 15-17 Jan, 7:30pm ashcroft arts centre, fareham Po16 7dX Based on the life and writings of Jeffrey Bernard. The wellknown journalist and Spectator writer awakes to find himself locked in at his favourite pub, The Coach and Horses in Soho. He uses the occasion to share anecdotes of his life with the audience and in flashback form. Contains adult themes and strong language. £10 each (no concessions) 01329 223100 farefieLd grouP wi 16 Jan, 10am westbury Manor Museum, fareham Po16 0JJ The WI CENTENARY BATON is arriving by Classic Morris Minor Convertible and will be welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham. Coffee and Centenary Cake will be served in the museum and there will be displays of WI memorabilia. 01329 512549 gHost Hunt at fort widLeY 17 Jan, 8pm to 2am fort widley, Portsdown Hill, cosham Po6 3Ls Fort Widley was part of “Palmerston’s Folly” - a civil defence across Portsdown Hill built in 1861 to defend the city from sea and land attack. The Victorian fort has had numerous reported sightings of ghosts over its 146-year history. The ghost hunt will include experiments and use of equipment as seen on TV, like Séances, Table Tipping, Crystals, EMF. £25.00 per person. 07516 103947 (B) aBsurd Person singuLar at tHe nuffieLd tHeatre 20th – 24th Jan, 19.30pm Acclaimed playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn gathers three couples, in three kitchens over three successive Christmas Eves in his

masterpiece of farce coming to the Nuffield stage in January 2015.

This is an amateur production by Southampton University Players.

Proceeds of programme sales for this production will be donated to Naomi House Hospice. Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. Tickets £13.00 (£10.00 concessions) Special student deal Wed 21 January. Box Office 023 8067 1771 TOY, MODEL AND TRAIN COLLECTORS FAIR 21 Jan, 6:45pm Festival Hall, Petersfield GU31 4EA The Hants and Sussex Evening Event for collectors of Model and Toy Railways in Popular Scales , varies with traders attending , plus lots of diecast including Hot Wheels Lesney Matchbox Tyco Classix Corgi Lledo and Trackside Skaledale. Home cooked snacks and excellent old school puddings in the mini refectory area. £1.20 Adults, Adult+Child £2.00. 01380 725322 LITERACY LUNCH 21 Jan, 12:30pm for 1pm The Masonic Hall, Queen’s Street, Fareham A fundraising event for Cancer Research UK. A local up and coming author, Mr. Fergus McNeil, will address the lunchtime guests. £20 includes 2 courses and coffee.

01489 583810 ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: LEE “MEMPHIS” KING 24th Jan, 19.30pm Lee Memphis King, Europe’s most successful Elvis Presley tribute artist presents the ultimate tribute to the King celebrating the entire career of the musical legend. Backed by a world class band and featuring large screen projection, this is the largest Elvis show to tour UK theatres. Kings Theatre, Portsmouth.

Box Office 023 9282 8282 / Group Bookings 023 9285 2232 www.

leememphisking.com BAREFOOT IN THE PARK 24-31 Jan, 7:45pm (2:30pm Sat Matinee) The Chesil Theatre, Winchester SO23 0HU Opposites attract in this 1960s romantic comedy written by Neil Simon. If only all conflicts could be resolved by walking ‘barefoot in the park’… 07527 471539 FISHING FESTIVAL 25 Jan 2015 Weston Shore, Woolston, Southampton The charity fishing competition is now in its 38th year and the Meon Valley Lions have been involved with the event organisation since 1996. The competition involves over a hundred sea anglers spread along the Weston Shore on Southampton Water. It’s a great sight to see if you fancy a brisk early morning stroll at high water. 0845 8337812. www. meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk WUTHERING HEIGHTS AT THE NUFFIELD THEATRE 27th – 31st Jan, 19.30pm Emily Bronte’s gothic tale of tortured love is brought to the stage in all its turbulent, passionate glory in this exhilarating and vibrant adaptation by Lucy Gough.

Tickets £13.50 (£12.00 Concessions/Opening Night) Nuffield Theatre, Southampton.

Box Office 023 8067 1771 SINBAD THE SAILOR 28-31 Jan, 7:30pm (2:30pm Sat Matinee) Bishopstoke Memorial Hall, Riverside SO50 6LQ Sinbad’s 8th Voyage! Presented by the Bishopstoke Players. £7/£5 Includes refreshments. 02380 693032 WATERLOO – THE BEST OF ABBA 30th Jan, 19.30pm The phenomenal new tribute show ‘Waterloo’ looks back at the sensational rise to stardom of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid

and gives fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of a live Abba show! Kings Theatre, Portsmouth.

Box Office - 023 9282 8282 / Group Bookings 023 9285 2232 JETHRO 31 Jan, 7:30pm Ferneham Hall, Fareham Cornish comedy legend Jethro is back, as large as life, and on tour with his very own unique brand of irresistible West Country tales for a fun-filled night of adult comedy. £19.50. 01329 231942 MEON VALLEY GARDENING CLUB 5 Feb, 7:30pm West Meon Village Hall The Meon Valley Garden Club has been in existence for over 100 years. It is a friendly and sociable group, drawing its membership from the villages of the Meon Valley and further afield including Horndean, Fareham, Southampton and Portsmouth. Join them for a talk by Mrs Rosamund Wallinger - the complete restoration of my Jekyll garden to 1908 plans. secretary@meon-valley-gardenclub.co.uk HAVANT CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 7 Feb, 7:30pm Ferneham Hall, Fareham PO16 7DB Robin Browning conducts Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven (piano soloist Cordelia Williams) & Haydn.

Prices from £8. Students 50% and Children £1 only. 01329 231942 GOSPORT JAZZ CLUB 18 Feb, 8-10:30pm Gosport & Fareham Rugby Football Club PO12 2HE Colin Kingwell’s Jazz Bandits.

Members £8, Guests £10. 02392 693988 QUIZ NIGHT 21 Feb, 7:30pm HEDCA, Coombe Road, Gosport PO12 4JB Gosport Cats Protection are holding another of their popular quiz nights. A fun and friendly evening with a prize for the winning team. £5 per person, pay at the door, maximum of 6 people on a team. www.gosprt.cats.org.uk 43

Live Local Think Local Local businesses are part of your community

Every issue of Discover is full of interesting articles, useful information and fun stuff too, delivered through your door free of charge, made possible by the financial support of its advertisers.

Please support local businesses who promote themselves in Discover. They are ready to serve you and they want your business. We’d appreciate it if you’d mention Discover when contacting advertisers from this issue.

ACCOUNTING SERVICES SC Miller Ltd 23 AERIALS Pure Digital Aerial & Satellites 41 appliance repair JP Appliances 41 baking & cake equipment/supplies Cake Craft

25 Bathrooms See Plumbing BEAUTY Changes Clinic of Excellence 27 Blinds & CURTAINS Solent Blinds 29 The Great Shutter Co. 7 Waterside Blinds 5 Builder R & G Gamblin General Builders 15 cafe Chase Cafe 25 CARPET & FLOORING Floor Coverings Southern 33 Chimney Sweep Pebble Beach Sweeps 41 Rainbow Chimney Sweep 41 Toast Chimney Lining & Sweep Specialist 34 Computer Services Home Computer Help 23 Plates PC 21 dancewear Ballet Pointe 21 Double GlazinG Inst/Repairs Britannia Windows 22 Cloudy2Clear 17 EDUCATION Barton Peveril Sixth Form College 20 University of Portsmouth 20 Electrician Assure Electrical Ltd 16 B.Privett Electrical Ltd 6

44

Fencing Colourfence 13 Financial Services Newman Cozens Financial Mg. 19 Redwood Financial 47/48 Garage doors Garage Doors 4U 22/38 Garage Services Abbey Tyres 35 Independent VW 39 Stride & Sons Ltd 34 Wickham Tyre & Auto Centre 32 Garden Design & ServiceS Arbor-Call Tree Surgeons 11 Colourfence 13 Hambrooks

12 Jon Curtis Tree Surgery & Garden M. 13 Neil Richmond Tree & Hedge Services 14 Woodleigh Landscapes 11 Hairdresser Spindles Hair Design 29 health services Debbie Nixon Homeopath 2 Hampshire Hearing Centre 2 Home Start 29 KITCHENS Dream Doors 9 legal services Allens Solicitors 21 SJP Wills & Probate 20 logs Ash Farm 16 pet services Wagging Tails 14 PLASTERER Plasterforce 41 Plumbing Services (including bathroom installation and gas and boiler services) see also Property Maintenance Bespoke Bathing Company 15

Carefree Living 37 First Call Heating Ltd 3 Gair Gair 33 GE Harding & Sons Ltd 31 Heatworks Heating & Plumbing Ltd 6 J. & D. Humphrey Ltd 23 TP Watts 13 Printer Warwick Printing Company 22 Property Maintenance DA Construction 41 Direct Roofing Services 41 Hire A Handy Hero 34 House Worx 41 Loft Services 33 Prestige Property Services 15 R & G Gamblin General Builders 15 property services Andrew Ross Property Agents 37 radio The Breeze 28 SCHOOL Barton Pveril Sixth Form College 20 shutters The Great Shutter Co. 7 Waterside Blinds 5 Storage Barn Store 38 Tree Surgery See Garden Design & Services UPHOLSTERY Pont Furnishings 31 Veterinary Shield Veterinary Centre 14 WINDOW REPAIR Cloudy2Clear 17

l Buy Local . . .

DOCTORS

SCHOOLS

NHS 111

111

Acorn Medical, Church Lane, Curdridge

01489 782488

Fareham Health Centre

01329 823456

Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham

01329 280887

Hemming & Partners, Lower Lane, Bishop’s Waltham

01489 892288

West Meon Surgery, Doctor's Lane, West Meon

01730 829666

Wickham Group Surgery, Station Road, Wickham

01329 833121

COUNCILS Bishops Waltham 01489 892323 parishclerk@bishopswalthamparishcouncil.co.uk www.bishopswalthamparish council.co.uk Upham uphampc@homecall.co.uk 01489 860236 Durley durleypc@homecall.co.uk 01489 860236 Soberton norman@soberton.org.uk 01489 877378 Droxford clerk.droxford@parish.hants.co.uk 01489 877470 Shedfield 01329 830060 shedfieldparish@btconnect.com www.shedfieldparishcouncil.org.uk Swanmore 01489 890651 clerk@swanmoreparishcouncil.org.uk www.swanmoreparishcouncil.org.uk West Meon Parish Council 02392 571720 clerk.westmeon@parish.hants.gov Wickham Council 01329 835019 clerkwickham@parish.hants.gov.uk Boarhunt clerkboarhuntpc@btinternet.com 01489 891321 Southwick & Widley swpc@logosoft.biz 023 8046 3228 Corhampton & Meonstoke 01489 891660

Bishop’s Waltham Infants Bishop’s Waltham Juniors Curdridge Primary Droxford Juniors Durley Primary Kings School Meonstoke Newtown Infants St. Johns Primary Swanmore Primary Swanmore College Upham Primary West Meon C of E Primary School Wickham Primary Wyvern Technology College

01489 01489 01489 01489 01489 01962 01489 01329 01329 01489 01489 01489 01730 01329 02380

892375 892368 782613 877537 860207 861161 877568 833161 833141 894555 892256 860355 829213 833065 692679

LIBRARIES Bishop’s Waltham Library, Bank Street, 0845 603 5631 www.hants.gov.uk/library/bishopswaltham Mon/Thur: Closed, Tue: 2pm – 7pm, Wed/Fri: 10am – 5pm, Sat: 9.30am – 1pm Wickham Square Mobile Library, every Wed 9:20 to 12:20 Knowle Village Mobile Library, first Friday of the month, 10:45 to 11:45

CITIZENS ADVICE Bishops Waltham (Mon/Wed/Fri) 08444 111306 Outreach at Wickham and Denmead (Thurs) call BW for info advice@winchesterdistrictcab.org.uk

Useful Numbers PUZZLE ANSWERS Quiz - review of the Year 1. Monty Python, 2. You only live once, 3. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, 4.

England, 5. Russia, 6. Ellen DeGeneres, 7. 45%, 8. Latvia, 9. The X Factor, 10.

They reduced the price by 50 cents for every goal Germany scored in the World Cup match against Brazil

general Knowledge crossword Across: 1 Series, 7 Crotchet, 8 Zinc, 10 Game, 11 Sherry, 12 Essen, 14 Nostril, 17 Journal, 18 Welsh, 21 Galaxy, 23 USSR, 25 Mars, 26 Date Line, 27 Pewter.

Down: 1 Sizzle, 2 Rung, 3 Screw, 4 Pot shot, 5 Acre, 6 Near miss, 9 Career, 13 Stowaway, 15 Theism, 16 Katydid, 19 Hussar, 20 Julep, 22 Amen, 24 Raft.

Pictograms

Hidato

1. Downstairs 2. Painting by numbers 3. Talk is cheap

45

Working From Home: Is It For You? Seven Key Success Factors Do a search on Google for the specific term “work from home UK” and it will return around 857 million results.

It’s clearly a popular subject and since broadband became widely available in 2004, the growth in this market has been phenomenal. Indeed it is estimated that 2.8 million businesses now operate full time from home; that 1400 people start a business every week; and that home businesses contribute £284 billion to the economy each year.

Many businesses operate successfully from a spare room; but sadly too many others fail.

So before you take the plunge and give up the day job, consider if your business passes these sanity checks.

Don’t overestimate the growth All businesses start from £0 revenue, and most from a negative figure by the time they’ve paid their startup costs.

You might have a startup fund from redundancy or inheritance, or you might actually need the money straight away. Setting up your own business is hard work so make sure it’s going to return a profit before your personal costs overtake you.

46

Watch your overheads Overheads have to be paid regardless of whether you have any business. If you are paying for stock, leases, loans, equipment rental or staff before you really need to, you can easily find you are working for nothing.

Is there a market for what you want to sell?

A classic mistake is to think ‘there must be a huge market for this because nobody else does it/ makes it’. Possibly, but it’s more likely that there isn’t a demand in the first place. For your first business you really are better to go into a market where you know money is being spent rather than trying to create the market from scratch.

How many customers do you need?

There are so many tales of people who start a business, win one big profitable customer who brings in 80% of the revenue month after month, only for it to go horribly wrong when the big customer changes supplier. Far better to have lots of customers on your list. If you have fifty customers, even a loss of five of them won’t seriously impact you.

Will your customers buy again?

When you get the first few people

buying from you, the ideal business model says that sooner or later they’ll want to use you again. For your work from home ’lifestyle’ business, it’s best to have some customers who come back again and again.

How will people find out about you?

Treat this as a launch and do as much initial marketing as you can find the time for and can afford.

Advertising in this magazine (of course!), notice boards, Google adwords, social media, emailing, networking, the school gates… anything and everything you can think of.

Do you have the space?

Try not to let your business spill into the general living space. Not only is this encroaching on your family’s home, but it’ll mean you’ll feel you can’t ever get away from work. A spare room is ideal of course, but if not, then a filing cabinet where you can tuck everything away at the end of the day does at least mark out the boundaries.

Finally, a word of warning. If you do start your own business, it’s a legal requirement to register with HMRC as self-employed – make it top of your action list.

WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATE PLANNING “MAKING SURE THE RIGHT MONEY, GOES TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, AT THE RIGHT TIME”

You will learn: • How to reduce inheritance tax.

• How to protect your family home from ravages of long term care costs.

• How to protect your children’s inheritance from divorce.

• How to keep your money in the family bloodline.

• How to get peace of mind, that you have the right will in place.

Only 20 places available to book, please call us now on 01489 877547

been helping their Clients for over a decade.

Steven & Jasmine are popular local speakers, an easy to understand and entertaining way. columnists for the Solent Life Magazine.

The next workshop is on Thursday 29th January. New Place Hotel, Shedfield 10.30am, 2.30pm, 6.30pm

“WE WERE BLISSFULLY UNAWARE OF WHAT WE WERE LOSING OUT ON UNTIL WE MET YOU AND NOW THAT WE HAVE BENEFITED PERSONALLY SO MUCH FROM YOUR EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE WE FEEL SECURE NOW IN OUR FUTURE PLANS.”

Mr. & Mrs. Clarke (Hayling Island)

Redwood Financial Family Wealth & Estate Planners Ltd Michelmersh Barn, St Clairs Farm, Wickham Road, Droxford, Hampshire SO32 3PW E: hollie@redwoodfinancial.co.uk t: 01489 877547 www.redwoodfinancial.co.uk Registered in England and Wales at Wellesley House, 204 London Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7AN. Company registration number: 8926661.

Redwood Financial Family Wealth & Estate Planners Ltd is an appointed representative of True Potential Associate Partners Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FSR number 577443.

47

THEIR FUTURE, IS IN YOUR HANDS...

Around 70% of the UK population don’t have a Will!

Come to our FREE Wills & Estate Planning Workshop Thursday 29th January 2015 New Place Hotel, Shedfield 10.30am, 2.30pm, 6.30pm Please turn over for more details inside...