Life
Fleet Lif L Fleet FREdE
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Serving the residents of Fleet & Elvetham Heath
Virtual Open Morning – Saturday 6th March
Simply Outstanding St Nicholas’ School fleet • hampshire
St Nicholas’ School ranked 3rd position in the Sunday Times 2021 Parent Power (The top independent schools with small or no sixth forms)
Used with permission from Microsoft.
ssons Live lell pupils a r fo
An independent day school for boys aged 3-7 and girls aged 3-16 • Excellent virtual learning for all pupils, throughout the school • Brand new Interactive 4K UHD classroom screens • Online concerts, private music lessons and assemblies
• Wide range of after-school activities, challenges and competitions during lockdown • Outstanding Pastoral Care: newly appointed Director of Pastoral Care and Key Stage 3 and 4 Phase Leaders
T. 01252 850121 | E. registrar@st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk @stnicholasfleet | @stnicholasschool | www.st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk
stnicholasfleet
Mar 2021 Issue 189 Fleet’s independent community magazine
This Month...
Education Special • Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs 1000 Computers Donated • Grow Your Own
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Contents... 21
14 Competitions
34/35
4 | Where’s Charlie? Reveal
Education Special
Mar/Apr 2021
32
21 | Schools In 23 | Curious. Inspiring. Brave.
Features
Every Month
24 | Opportunity – Nurture – Growth
6 | Fleet Life meets… Mandi Coxall
4 | Editor’s Note
26 | St. Nicholas’ School is making the very best of lockdown
8 | Prepare To Rent
Special Offers
14 | Grow Your Own
2 | Bubblegum Balloons 10% Discount*
17 | Separation Agreements
7 | Oven Clean Spring Offer 29 | M&M Tree and Garden Care 10% Discount 29 | Mirrored 10% off* 47 | Watson Thomas FREE initial consultation*
16 | Elvetham Heath Parish Council
10 | Revitalise Your Life
28 | Rosie’s Good Reads 31 | Mackenzie Interiors 32 | 1000 Computers Donated 34/35 | FL Business Profile
20 | Community Notice Board 36 | Talk from Town Council 42 | The Harlington Timetable 44 | The Key Centre 39 | Useful Numbers 46 | Index of Advertisers
38 | Church on the Heath 41 | Investments in 2021 Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 3
Hello... ...and welcome to this month’s Fleet Life. Finally, spring has arrived, and the days are getting longer. What a difference a little bit more sunshine makes, don’t you think? This month we are bringing you our popular Education Special, with Nicky Adams having a closer look at online schooling and the challenges and opportunities it brings during this strange time. Due to the government restrictions Charlie has not been able to hide in any shops around Fleet. We will obviously bring him back as soon
COPY DEADLINES May & June: 26th March 21 July & August: 4th June 21
as it is safe to do so, but in the meantime check out below where he was hiding last time. Oh, and I nearly forgot! We are celebrating our 10th birthday with Fleet Life next month and it has been 17th since we first started producing community magazines for Fleet! I would like to thank everyone involved in making this happen and I would like to give a special mention to Vikki and Darren Woods who have been involved with designing and printing the magazines since the very first issue. Happy Easter and stay safe.
Editor
T: 01252 711810 E: alex@biglittlemagazineco.uk W: www.biglittlemagazineco.uk Fleet Life is delivered to 10,000 homes in Fleet and Elvetham Heath, Edenbrook, Edenbrook Village, Hartland Village, Ancells Farm, Pondtail, The Blue Triangle and Central Fleet. 5000 per month to selected homes in 2 alternating distribution areas. Pick up points are The Harlington, Fleet Library, The Key Centre, Church on the Heath, Ancells Farm Community Centre, Ancells Veterinary Centre, Co-Op plus the Sales Suites at Edenbrook and Hartland Village. This magazine is printed on FSC certified paper and inks use are vegetable based.
Until next time,
Alexandra
Published by Big Little Magazine Company, 12 Oak Tree View, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 9AG
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Fleet Life meets... Mandi Coxall, owner of sewing business Can’t Sew, Won’t Sew and the creator of the previous two Remembrance Day window displays in the Hart Shopping Centre. Have you always loved sewing? I’ve always loved craft in one way or another. I enjoy making things, especially items I’ve never made before as I love a challenge. I made the Fleet Carnival Princess dresses for a few years and even made the Fleet Carnival Mascot costume in 2019. How did sewing become your full time job? I was doing the odd sewing job here and there for friends. One of them asked me to recover her sofa. “Don’t worry”, she said, “It’s only £1000 worth of fabric!” Oh my gosh, no pressure then! Well, I did it, and she was very happy with the result, so she turned round to me and said, “Right, now start your own sewing business!”. So I did! I started Can’t Sew, Won’t Sew in 2007 and have loved every minute since. I also work in Sew Busy in the Hart Shopping Centre. Back in 2014, when Sew Busy was about to open, my partner pointed out the blacked out windows of this new shop. I immediately went home and contacted the manager Nicola Frost to ask for a Saturday job. I wanted to carry on with my business, but I also wanted to escape the four walls of my own house and meet people. And I
did! I don’t know many people that can honestly say they can’t wait to go to work - well, that’s how I feel about working in Sew Busy. The customers are so nice and all the girls and I get on so well and have had some real laughs over the years. Please tell us about your involvement in the Remembrance Day window displays that have been on show in the Hart Centre for the last couple of years? Every November, whenever I see beautiful heart warming poppy displays, it reminds me of both my grandads being in the war. I decided I wanted to pay my respects so I asked Nicola if I could do the poppy window for 2019. I was so happy when she said yes as I already had in my mind what I wanted to do. Almost a year before the display was due, I started crocheting poppies. Little did I know how long it would actually take, so I had to put the word out for some help. So many people from our Fleet community came forward - it was amazing. My son Alex Coxall cut out the shape of the soldier and cross that I wanted, I covered it in fabric and then glued each poppy on. It all went to plan, I was so happy. Then last year, I was honoured to be asked to do another display. I already had in my mind what I wanted to add to it - a horse - and again I involved the community by asking them for pictures of their loved ones that were in the war so
6 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
I could add them to the display. I was overwhelmed with the lovely response I got and the amount of photos sent in - all those brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us! Personally, I was one of the lucky ones as both my grandads Kenneth Gamble (Popeye, as we used to call him), and Charles Fisher (Fish Face as we used to call him) came home. How has the Coronavirus pandemic affected you/ your business? Unfortunately, because of the pandemic I have been unable to teach for some time now and my sewing business has been quite badly affected due to everyone staying home, sat in their pjs or trackies and not needing any alterations doing. However, I have been keeping busy by making scrubs for our awesome NHS. I know a lot of people joined in with sewing scrubs and the sales of sewing machines went through the roof. With this in mind, I am hoping these people continue to sew and encourage the younger generation to do the same. And if they do, I know the perfect place to get good quality fabric - Sew Busy, of course. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given? It comes from my daddyo and is ‘Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you’. Interview by Emily Gregory of Baby Love Photography, www.baby-love-photography.com
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ORRAI NE LL L CA
&Lettings
LANDLORDS by Lorraine Hutley
PREPARE TO RENT
01
252 622052
Whether you’re renting out your property for the first time or if you’re an experienced landlord it’s worth making sure you’re well organised and ready for your new tenants. Safety First. New or old, the property must be safe to let. Both inside and out you need to carry out a risk assessment of the property. You may know about the loose step or the dodgy garage door but you don’t want your new tenants finding out the hard way. You will need an EICR (Electrical installation Condition Report) and a valid Gas Safety certificate. A lick of paint. Freshly decorated properties are much more appealing. If the decor is tired or if there’s dated wallpaper it’s worth investing in some redecoration. Neutral colour schemes are best, allowing tenants to introduce their own colour scheme with furnishings and accessories. Clean and tidy. Professional cleaning is a must at the start of a tenancy. Make sure the kitchen and appliances are spotless, windows are clean inside and out, carpets shampooed, and everything is clean and dust free. If you don’t have the property professionally cleaned at the start it’s very difficult to insist that your tenant has this done at the end. One person’s idea of clean can be completely different to another’s! Furnished or unfurnished. There is less demand for furnished properties so if the property has to be left furnished allow more time to find a tenant. Also, all furniture needs to comply with current furnishing safety regulations and be labelled accordingly and all portable electrical appliances tested. Gardens. If you have a small manageable garden the tenant is usually expected to maintain this although you will need to provide a lawn mower and some basic garden tools. With larger gardens it may be worth considering arranging a regular visit from a gardener, including the cost of this in the rental value. Specialist shrub pruning or hedging over a head height would be the landlord’s responsibility. Consent to Let. If you have a mortgage on the property talk to your provider before you let your property. You will be required to get their consent to let and this may incur a charge or effect the mortgage rate and your payments. They may also put restrictions on the type of tenant occupying the property. Insurance and Maintenance Contracts. As a landlord you must have insurance cover for the building and you need to inform your insurance company that you will be renting out the property – your tenant will need to take out insurance for their own possessions. If there are any maintenance contracts or warranties covering appliances, boiler or plumbing make sure your tenant and agent are aware that these are in place. Fully Managed, Rent Collection or Tenant Find? Consider which service you will need from your agent. Problems will occur and if you don’t wish to be troubled or you are some distance away then Fully Managed may be for you. If you don’t like chasing money then Rent Collection is an option. You may be an old hand at renting and live locally then a Tenant Find service may be all you need. Based in the heart of Fleet, Honey Lettings specialises in lettings and property management. For friendly, knowledgeable advice on property letting call Honey Lettings. No houses to sell just homes to let.
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8 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
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Do you feel things more than most or have you been told that you’re too sensitive before? Do you find it difficult to say no? Do complete strangers tell you their life story? It is highly likely you’re an empath. But what does that mean for you? Working with emotions, energy, and the universe over the last few years, I’ve learnt that common traits of an empath are often: 1. Sensitivity to other’s feelings & a heightened sense of intuition 2. Finds it hard to identify what makes them happy, having spent their whole life ensuring others are happy 3. Deeply cares about others, animals, nature and worries about the future 4. People dump on her/him and then move on with little regard for the support they’ve received 5. She/he finds it nearly impossible to say no 6. Finds it odd that other people can’t ‘see’ the truth 7. Frequent need to be alone to ‘recharge’ (lockdown has been a relief in some ways!) All of this can feel overwhelming and often exhausting. But learning to protect your energy boundaries and harness your heightened senses can be a powerful way to improve your life.
Revitalise Your Life By Jen Thomas, Intuitive Coach & TEDx Speaker at Revitalise Coaching
7 Signs You’re An Empath roles. Empathy and intuitive senses can never be replaced by AI and this is what makes us wonderfully human. Harnessing your empathic abilities and developing your intuition is such a powerful way to bring about positive change in your life. It also creates a ripple effect from you that reaches much further than I think we realise. You never know who you might inspire along the way too! Having a heightened sense of intuition can be overwhelming, but you can harness it to work for you. It takes practice of course, but you can expect to: • Create a solid foundation of self-worth • Grow in confidence & self-belief • Feel loved & supported 24/7 • Get clarity, certainty and make decisions effortlessly • Find peace • Not feel drained anymore • Not be a ‘dumping’ ground for anyone • Be able to put your own needs first, without feeling guilty about it • Live the life you didn’t know you wanted to live! I spent years pushing my intuition
As we progress into a world where more and more jobs are becoming process driven and roles being replaced by automation or artificial intelligence (AI) the more the rise in the need for empathy and empathy-based
10 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
aside which only led to feeling isolated and like something was just ‘off’. An albeit subtle, but constant nagging feeling that I was meant to be somewhere else, doing something else. The longer I ignored it, the unhappier I became and, ironically, by the time I knew I had to make a change in my life, I had absolutely no idea what made me happy. That was the beginning of my journey back to love, back to my true self and a sense of belonging. The more I practised my spiritual skills and abilities, the stronger that feeling of self-worth became, the clearer I got about my life and what I wanted it to be and the easier making decisions that felt completely right became. Join me here next time to find out what to do when you don’t know what makes you happy anymore. And if you can wait ‘til next time, join me and connect with your tribe in my Healing Hearts Club Facebook group - www.facebook. com/groups/healingheartsclub A warm welcome awaits you! Take care,
Jen Jen Thomas Intuitive Coach & Spiritual Mentor jenny@revitalisecoaching.co.uk www.revitalisecoaching.co.uk
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Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 13
Get the Scoop... Grow Your Own Last year, across the globe, emptying supermarket shelves and
before placing them sparsely
the fear of leaving home, meant that many people started to
into the bottom of your container
move towards growing their own food. Should this continue to be a trend, it would make a huge difference to our fight against climate change and plastic waste.
and cover with a little soil. As the leaves reach the surface, cover with more soil and continue until you reach the top of your container. Peas and beans will
1
You can grow your own whether
every single year. Roughly 1/3
you live in a flat or house.
/3 of all food produced is wasted
of it because it doesn’t meet supermarket standards, 1/3 because it is left on supermarket shelves and /3 from our own 1
kitchens. If we consider the amount of space, food, water, pesticides and energy that go into growing just a single carrot
Windowsills, balconies and even walls and fences in smaller
easily grow upwards on any pole; the struts of a balcony, canes, a pergola. Tomatoes love a partially sunny windowsill and come in
gardens can be used to grow
upright or hanging varieties which
nutritious fruit and veg for your
provide plenty of fruit – be aware
plate. If you have vertical walls
that they’re thirsty little creatures.
there are lots of ingenious ways
Salad leaves, radish, beetroot,
of growing vertically which mean
chard, spinach, herbs and lettuces
that you could have your own herb garden or maybe
and then the energy
adding a few hanging
and the carbon
strawberry or tomato
footprint required
plants takes your
are super easy to grow whatever your space allowances too. When finished with, the plants themselves and any peelings can
to transport it, then
fancy. Every item
be composted. It is possible now
we begin to realise
that you can grow
to compost indoors so do look at
that it isn’t simply
at home will cut
the options available to you. If you
the carbon footprint
the carrot that is
of your food and most
being wasted. This is before we even consider the food packaging. Upon its launch into a landfill site, the carrot will
fruit and veg plants aren’t too fussy as long as they are given good compost and enough water.
don’t have a use for the compost you create (although hopefully you’ll love growing so much that you’ll have another go next year), you can always pop it onto
then begin to rot and, in this
The next month or so is the perfect
marketplace/give away sites or
environment, release methane.
time to begin. You can use toilet
Olio. This will save methane from
roll middles to start off seeds on a
being produced and will prevent
Methane is 25 x worse for climate change than CO2.
windowsill until they are ready to
This entire scenario, repeated
Old potatoes which are beginning
hundreds of millions of times daily, is why I am asking you to have
be planted out around late April. to sprout can be planted into a largeish pot or an old compost
a go at growing your own and
bag. Leave them on a windowsill
maybe even creating compost.
to chit and grow strong sprouts
14 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
the need to buy yet another plastic bag. So, what are you waiting for? What will your first homegrown produce be?
Kate
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16 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
We receive many enquiries from couples that wish to enter into a separation agreement when they decide to stop living together as a couple. A separation agreement can set out arrangements on matters such as finances, children and property and can be used as a first step towards dissolution or divorce proceedings. Couples may wish to enter into a separation agreement because: • They wish to separate but do not wish to divorce for religious, cultural or personal reasons. Some of these couples may wish to consider judicial separation (although this is not discussed here). • The parties have been married for less than one year and so cannot yet issue divorce proceedings. • The parties do not wish to blame each other for the divorce and want to wait the requisite period of time so that the divorce can proceed on the fact of two years’ separation with consent, or five years’ separation. • The parties may wish to retain benefits that are lost on divorce, such as life insurance policies and pensions. Staying married also means couples can take advantage of certain income tax benefits. Separation agreements certainly can be useful and are helpful documents for recording agreements made between separating couples. However, it is important to take legal advice
Separation
Agreements as the legality of separation agreements is complex.
broadly similar to when the agreement was made. 3) The agreement makes adequate provision for children. 4) The agreement appears fair and reasonable. 5) Both parties have made full and frank financial disclosure.
A separation agreement cannot exclude the court’s jurisdiction in financial remedy proceedings on divorce or dissolution, meaning, either party can apply to the court for financial orders and request that the court ignore or change some, or all, of the separation agreement. The only way to confidently prevent a party from trying to unravel a separation agreement is to convert the agreement into a formal court order, known as a consent order.
If you are separating and wish to enter into a separation agreement, always instruct solicitors, otherwise your separation agreement is very unlikely to be upheld if challenged and may not be worth the paper it is written on.
That being said, a separation agreement can give rise to an enforceable contract so it can still be challenged in court in the same way as any other contract. It is important that certain conditions are met in order for the court to take a separation agreement seriously. A leading case in which a court was asked to decide whether a couple had to adhere to their agreement made it clear that, “the court should give effect to an agreement that is freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of its implications, unless in the circumstances prevailing it would not be fair to hold the parties to the agreement”. Therefore, if a separation agreement is entered into voluntarily and the following conditions are met, then it is unlikely a court would interfere to change it. 1) Both parties took legal advice before entering the agreement. 2) Both parties’ circumstances are
At Neale Turk LLP our family law team has a wide range of experience in family law and relationship issues and can efficiently guide you through all areas of family difficulties, including separation issues. We are members of Resolution, an organisation of 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales, who subscribe to a Code of Practice which is geared towards encouraging a constructive and non-confrontational approach in all family matters. If you have any concerns or queries, please feel free to contact us for a free initial appointment. Louisa Callaghan, Family Law Team
Bridge House, 27-31 Reading Road South, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 7QP Tel: 01252 811070 Fax: 01252 811133
www.nealeturk.co.uk Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 17
1381
Community Free entries for non-profit organisations
Noticeboard
Fleet Library & Learning Centre Hampshire Learning in Libraries Hampshire Learning in Libraries has lots of online courses on offer, many of which are FREE. Covering an array of topics and interests such as fitness, health and wellbeing, job seeking/career skills or helping with your child’s learning at home; why not see what’s coming up? Booking is essential and participants will need to have access to Zoom. To find out more please visit: https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/ home.php?cat=565
Help with Learning at Home For help to make children’s home-learning fun, have a look at these simple, interactive activities that can be done at home. For Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) videos:https://www.facebook.com/wat ch/782155591873644/3497919177100172 Or look at the Hampshire Libraries’ Code Club: https://www.facebook.com/wat ch/782155591873644/213976343228279 It’s Shakespeare Week 15th – 21st March and British Science Week is 5th – 14th March – we will have lots of fun and free activities for children aged 7-11 on the Hampshire Libraries’ Facebook
page https://www. facebook.com/ hantslibraries
And Finally… If you are not already a member of the library, it is free to join. The Hampshire Library Service has much to offer – try our ‘Ready Reads; We Select, You Collect’ scheme https://www.hants.gov. uk/librariesandarchives/library/services/ ready-reads or download books free from Borrowbox https://fe.bolindadigital. com/wldcs_bol_fo/b2i/mainPage. html?b2bSite=6394 Be sure to visit the brand new Hampshire Libraries’ ‘Kids’ Zone’ at https://www. hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kidszone where you will find lots of fun stuff for families and kids! There is also lots of information and activities on your local libraries’ social media pages:https://www.facebook.com/ fleetlibraryhants/ https://www.facebook.com/ farnboroughlibrary https://www.facebook.com/ AldershotLibraryandLearningCentre https://www.facebook.com/yateleylibrary
Fleet Library and Learning Centre, 236 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 4BX. For all Library enquiries please call 0300 555 1387 or visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library
20 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
Schools in Adapting classroom learning to schoolwork that can be done at home is no mean feat, however, teachers across the land have dedicated themselves to making remote learning as effective as they possibly can. Nicky Adams explains. Until last March, very few children
on their knowledge, and then
in the UK were home-schooled;
lead them through a series of mini
but now, for the second time in
online lessons to plug any gaps.
living memory, all but the kids of
Futuristic learning!
key workers have swapped the classroom for the kitchen table, the hallway, or a makeshift desk in their bedrooms. Resources available and the creativity needed to make full use of them have been the deciding factors in how much or little education school pupils are receiving at home this term.
Online lessons: There is a debate raging in virtual staff rooms over whether live or nonlive lessons are best. Teaching a lesson to a webcam is very different to standing at the front of a class and requires different skills; throw in the distraction of 20 or 30 pupils’ heads in little
Pen and paper: In an ideal world, all school-age children would have their own laptops and unlimited Wifi or 4G to access online lessons. Sadly, that’s not the case and schools must use methods that are available equally to all, and this inevitably comes
boxes all around the edge of the
down to pen and paper. Many
Technology: Undoubtedly,
screen – some forgetting to press
schools have put huge energy into
teched-up schools have found it
the ‘mute’ button and chatting to
creating packs of paper learning
the easiest to transfer to home
the cat through an explanation
materials that staff post or even
learning. Many schools already
of the difference between acids
hand-deliver to pupils to work
use a Virtual Learning Environment
and alkalis – and it’s no wonder
to set work and share resources
teachers are tearing their hair
through at home.
online for pupils to complete and
out. Many say it’s more effective
submit using their own mobile
to record a lesson – usually by
devices (laptop or tablet), so
filming themselves talking or
the VLE has definitely earnt its
giving a presentation – for pupils
keep during school closure.
to watch during lesson time while
The classrooms of today are
the teacher is on hand to answer
hours. There’s something for every
online platforms usually used for
questions. However, younger
age group, all widely accessible,
virtual meetings, such as Zoom,
pupils in particular are often
and great fun.
Microsoft Teams and Google
delighted to see their teacher live
Classroom, which even allows
on-screen, even just reading a
pupils to take part in lessons via
story, and live lessons work well
Xbox and Playstation. Also ideal
for art, PE and practical science.
parents, if together we’re able
for home schooling are online
Most schools opt for a mix of live
to keep children engaged and
learning systems that use artificial
and non-live to suit the age group
interested in learning, then we all
intelligence to assess individuals
and the subject.
deserve a gold star!
Education Special
TV: During this second closure, the BBC has stepped up its schedule of education programming, broadcast on BBC2 and CBBC during school
While remote learning can be trying for teachers, pupils and
WHO WE ARE. WHO WE BECOME.
CURIOUS. INSPIRING. BRAVE.
At Frensham, we hope to inspire our children to love learning, to question the world around them and to develop their sense of self in this world. As part of a school for 3 to 18 year olds, our younger children benefit not just from amazing facilities, but also from the opportunity to be inspired by older children and passionate teachers - to watch and discover who they might like to become. Get in touch at hello@frensham.org to find out more.
Visit www.frensham.org for our upcoming virtual Open Morning dates in March and May.
A progressive day and boarding school in Surrey for children from 3 to 18 | refreshingly different since 1925
Education Special
There is an energy about Frensham which is hard to describe. It’s a feeling of happiness and lightness, a sense of freedom. It comes from all the children being comfortable in their own skins, their own clothes. With no prefects or head boys and girls, everyone is on a level playing field. They can be who they are. Teachers don’t have to spend time asking students to pull up their socks, instead they have conversations, build relationships. Really special relationships built on genuine, mutual respect and interest. Relationships that spark learning. We welcome each child with the full understanding and expectation that they each have different interests, personalities and strengths and different paths to follow. We treat academic and creative subjects equally and within the younger years particularly, our aim is to offer a very broad curriculum allowing each child to find their own passions. Place all this within a stunning site with extensive facilities, normally unavailable to Junior School children, and the opportunities for them to each find their own path are vast. Visit www.frensham.org for our upcoming virtual Open Morning dates in March and May.
www.frensham.org
Ours is an environment that says come and be you. Be yourself, be open-minded and you’ve already created the perfect environment for learning. Education Special
Yateley Manor
Opportunity - Nurture - Growth What makes an exceptional school? You might consider that children make a school fantastic and to some extent that is correct. The children in a school bring passion for learning, talents in a broad range of areas and a commitment to their friendships. First and foremost, children need to feel comfortable. From the moment children and families walk through the door, they need to feel valued, accepted and safe. Effective learning has its foundations in security – the knowledge that not only is the building and the physical environment safe but also that mistakes can be made and lessons learned. After all, that is how the best learning occurs. Great teachers, in fact great staff members, make great schools. You need to be able to understand the whole child. A truly successful education must be holistic and see the individual at the centre. It must
recognise not only the strengths
An exceptional school is based
and next steps for a child but also
on strong relationships, because
build confidence in them through
schools are people places. It is the
their achievements.
relationship between staff, children and families, and any combination thereof, that make a school feel cohesive, a community. It gives those within the school community a sense of belonging. If you would like to discover how Yateley Manor achieves all this and more, browse our website at yateleymanor.com, email Tanja Weddell in Admissions tanja@yateleymanor.com or telephone 01252 405500. We look forward to welcoming you to our exceptional school.
Education Special
Opportunity
Nurture
Growth
Come and visit our family school Virtual Open Mornings Friday 19th March Friday 30th April
Yateley Manor
www.yateleymanor.com ∙ 01252 405500 ∙ tanja@yateleymanor.com Education Special
St Nicholas’ School is making the very best of the lockdown:
taking it all in our stride Less than twelve hours after the Prime Minister announced we would be working from home for at least this half term, we had set up all of our lessons, assemblies, tutor time, PSHE, DEAR time (drop everything and read), challenges, activities and parents’ evenings. As a school dedicated to the use of Microsoft’s software, we are all familiar with its functionality for providing seamless communication between us when working remotely and also for providing the very best experience for all of our pupils. Our Nursery is open but from Reception up to Year 11, all pupils are having a full timetable of lessons and extra-curricular activities via the Teams platform.
rooms this time round! We know that the wellbeing of
running throughout this half of term.
the whole school community is
We are all looking forward to
every bit as important as the
the moment when we can be
content of lessons, so we have a
back in school and seeing one
number of challenges, activities
another again, but until then,
and competitions with which everyone can get involved – and with dedicated time to do so now part of the timetable. For example, this week we’ve
St Nick’s is making the very best of the lockdown: taking it all in our stride. To find out more about how St Nicholas’ School please visit
Teams has evolved since our first
got ‘Round The World’ with the PE
foray into remote learning but with
Department’; ‘Life In Lockdown’
the dedicated input and support
with the Art Department;
of our Head of IT, who happens
‘Bake Off’ with the Food Tech
Virtual Open Morning on
to be a Microsoft Innovative Expert
Department and a ‘Bugsy Malone
Saturday 6th March or attend
Educator, there is nothing we
Dance Challenge’ with the
a external tour please contact
can’t embrace if we think it will
Drama Department to keep us all
Admissions on 01252 850121
help the girls. We are particularly
busy! We also have an on-going
or email registrar@st-nicholas.
enjoying the use of ‘breakout’
‘Happiness Challenge’ that is
hants.sch.uk
Education Special
our website www.st-nicholas. hants.sch.uk. To register for our
Education Special
Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 27
Rosie’s Good Reads A History Of British Baking: From Blood Bread To Bake-Off by Emma Kay. This is a really interesting easy read nonfiction book. Emma Kay has undertaken a vast amount of research to bring a record of baking traditions from medieval times to the modern day bakers.The narrative included a wide range of baked items, as well as their origin, recipes, preparation and baking methods. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a World War Two historical fiction tale based around the codebreakers of Bletchley Park. There are two timelines: 1940 when three women from different backgrounds join the secret codebreakers, and 1947 during the preparations for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding. This tale is primarily about friendship and secrets and how these two themes were tested to the extremes. The Dictionary Of Lost Words by Pip Williams is historical fiction based around the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Beginning in the late 1800s, this is the author’s imagined story from a woman’s point of view. Young Esme often sits under the table at the scriptorium. It’s just a garden shed in Oxford, but to
28 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
Esme and the wordsmiths it is a place of learned reverence. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in words and their origin. Keep Walking And Your Heart Will Catch Up: A Camino de Santiago journey by Cathay O. Reta is a memoir and travelogue. This centuries-old pilgrim route is famous for the spiritual experiences that many of its walkers have while travelling. Cathay, a widow in her sixties, set out on a solo journey. She wanted to find a new purpose in life. Single for 30 years, married for 30 years, she now wanted to find some direction for the next 30 years. The Music Of Bees by Eillen Garvin is contemporary fiction set in the small American town of Hood River, Oregon. This is the story of how a widow, a paraplegic and a drifter were brought together by bees and how they went on to save those bees from the threat of dangerous pesticides. This was a lovely story and the author’s love of bees shone through in the narrative.
For more book reviews
Rosie blogs at
www.rosieamber.wordpress.com/ Twitter @rosieamber1
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www.facebook.com/starfishadminservices/ @StarfishSupport www.starfishadminservices.com 30 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
Hello Fleet & welcome to my second column! Last time, I informed you that my next column would focus on the 7 elements of Interior Design, so here they are!
Space The first element of Interior Design is space. But what does this mean? Space is defined by architecture - the walls, floor, ceiling, doors, and windows. It’s the raw shell that we work with. This is why we will often refer to a ‘room’ as a space - as in Interior Design lingo, this is what it is!
Light There are many kinds of light, you can of course have natural light (windows, skylights, open doors) or artificial light. Within the artificial light category, there are more categories, being task, decorative and ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is the general light in a room, the light that allows you to see (think your main downlights perhaps). Task lighting is exactly what it says: lighting that allows you to see whilst doing a task. For example, a desk lamp, or undercounter lighting in a kitchen. Decorative lighting is too self-explanatory, it’s elements of lighting design which don’t really provide much function but add to a lighting scheme - maybe LED strip lighting underneath shelving. Lighting is a key consideration of
Interior Design as it affects the way we see colour and texture.
Form Form is the outline of an object or element - the volume, mass and scale. One way of looking at it is the outline of the object and the form and physical presence this takes.
Texture Exactly what it says! Texture is integral to Interior Design and the more textures there are in a design, the more depth it will have. Always try to include as much texture as possible, from plaster, to leather, wood, woven materials and more! Texture also changes the way that light is reflected within a space adding even more depth to a design.
Colour Most probably the most obvious element but colour is so important in design too! As we’ve explored before, different colours connote different psychological effects, so it is an important consideration when designing. Whilst also adding to mood and the ambience of a space, colour can also be used to correct spaces
with less than perfect proportions.
Furniture The choice of furniture is always very important - of course the design and form of a piece of furniture is imperative, but you also must consider other points too. From functionality to comfort too which varies between each owner.
Objects The accessories! Vases, wall art, sculptures and more. Objects are the icing on top of the cake and add character and often a personal touch to a design, reflecting its owners. Dependent on the design and the focus, varying numbers of objects can be considered. And that’s the 7 main elements of Interior Design in a nutshell! Don’t forget if you want help on any of these points, or more, you can contact me via my website, finding us on Google or on Facebook and Instagram. Take care everybody,
Kenzie
W: www.mpinteriors.co.uk | E: mackenziepaigeinteriors@outlook.com Instagram & Facebook: @mackenziepaigeinteriors Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 31
1000 Computers
Donated
Since the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 Lions clubs based in North East Hampshire, together with Farnham Lions, have supplied in excess of 1,000 computers to local families in Hart, Rushmoor and Waverley.
Whilst the project to supply refurbished IT Equipment to disadvantaged families was started in early 2019, it was the closure
The IT Team: Paulo Silva, Graham Drayton, Simon Rankin, Brian Proctor
of schools announced in March of last year resulted in a massive demand for home learning. The IT Team representing the Lions Clubs of Hook & Odiham, Yateley, Hart, Fleet, Farnborough and Aldershot made the unilateral decision to offer computers on the recommendation of any teacher who decided that their students needed IT Support at home. 65 local schools are now being supported by the scheme, resulting in hundreds of families now being able to access home learning. Larger families are often supplied with more than one unit to relieve the stress of having to share. Computers for reuse have been sourced from the general public via various promotional campaigns including the recent
BBC ‘Make a Difference’ appeal. Likewise, local authorities and businesses have come forward to offer their redundant computers – all of which are processed by the IT Team to cleanse the hard drives, upgrade internal components to make them Windows 10 compliant. All units are finally PAT Tested before being released to eager families. At the end of 2020 the level of demand was about 100 computers per month. This has now jumped to over 200 in January as a result of the fresh closure of schools. This higher level is expected to remain well into the spring with many families asking for additional laptops to cope with online teaching provided by schools.
32 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
Any help in the form of additional laptops or financial support to pay for spare batteries, power supplies, hard drives etc would be gratefully received by the team. See Youtube video: https:// youtu.be/Ps7YNcdhhtY Visit: www.fleetlions.org.uk to make a financial donation Contact: it@fleetlions.org.uk
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LETTINGS
01252 622052 • info@honeylettings.co.uk • www.honeylettings.co.uk Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 33
FL Business Profile:
Celebrating Local
Entrepreneurs I started beekeeping in 2012 and never dreamed it would result in me being an entrepreneur with numerous awards and national recognition. I launched Beeutiful in November 2013 after playing with the wax and honey my bees produced to make a few skincare products for us at home. After sharing them with friends who loved them the idea for Beeutiful was born. With no previous business
it is today. The support I have
have a sense of pride when I am
experience, (my background is
received from residents of Fleet
told a product has fixed a skincare
forensic psychology) I didn’t really
and surrounding villages has been
problem. I am delighted Beeutiful
know what I was doing. However,
amazing. I am blown away daily
I started slowly, took baby steps
when people tell me how much
to build my business into what
they love my products and also
products have been recognised within the skincare industry winning numerous product awards over the past seven years. I was ecstatic to receive Theo Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday Award in 2017 and then go on to represent him at the retail trade event Autumn Fair in 2019. A total privilege and an honour to be recognised for the products I make and the work I do with bees. However, I have more news, new news, just released news that is oh so exciting. A few months ago, I filled in a form for Small Business Britain’s f:entrepreneur campaign asking about me as a female entrepreneur, asking me all the stuff I do in addition to running Beeutiful. I completed the form and I confess forgot about it. A few
34 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
weeks ago I received an email telling me I had been selected as one of the f:entrepreneur #ialso100 winners. So what does this mean? Small Business Britain is the UK’s leading champion of small business, inspiring and accelerating small businesses to excel and breed confidence and growth. The f:entrepreneur campaign was launched to recognise and celebrate the dynamic and inspirational businesses led by women in the UK and to allow them to inspire others with their stories of creativity, hard work and determination. At a f:entrepreneur meeting it became apparent that many of these women do not just run their own business they also run many other things. This saw the birth of the #ialso list. The #ialso100 is a list of 100 female entrepreneurs with a plethora of experience, hard work and innovation interconnecting many things across the personal and work spectrum. #ialso celebrates these talented female entrepreneurs from all over the UK and showcases their stories to inspire others. To receive confirmation that I was on this list was mind blowing. I never expected little ole me, living in Fleet, mum of two, owner of bees, making skincare, doing the accounts, making the tea and placing orders for ingredients, so yes doing it all could possibly end up on a list like this. A list which was full of powerful inspiring women. But I am on that list!
boys, our eldest is special needs
detecting career and has social
with a physical disability, I’m
media accounts and a YouTube
Chair of his school PTA. I am also
channel to help get him seen and
a beekeeper and run about 10
recognised. I also manage these
hives of my own whilst being on
and write blogs for the group digs
the committee of Fleet Beekeepers
he attends, sharing his finds and
So, what do I ALSO do, as that is what this recognition is all about? So I run Beeutiful, I’m Mum of two
and manage their training
the fun he has.
programme, teaching others about
So there you have it, that’s me,
the joys of keeping bees.
that’s what I do and I am so
I have also launched a second
delighted to have been recognised
business in Fleet, Fun Detectors.
by Small Business Britain,
My husband and youngest are
f:entrepreneur and to have landed
mad about metal detecting
on the #ialso100 list amongst so
and without buying your own
many incredible women.
equipment there is no where to simply have a go before you invest in the kit. So I have launched
You can find me at:
Fun Detectors, hiring equipment
FB: Beeutifulskincare
to families, encouraging them
Instagram: Beeutifulskincare
to head to the beach (when not
www.beeutiful.co.uk
in lockdown of course) for a
FB: Fun Detectors
fun family day out. I mentioned
Instagram: Paddy Detects
my youngest, he is doing super well in his fledgling metal
YouTube: Paddy Detects
Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 35
36 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
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Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 37
A thought for the Season of Lent Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about this word ‘broken’ and how easily things, and people, get broken. When this happens it can be painful, frightening and bewildering, which is why we tend to think of the word in negative terms. Something is broken, so it needs to be mended – trust, a relationship, a marriage, a promise, a bone, a vase, a heart, a dream. All these things, when broken, can result in hurt and disappointment. But it struck me that there is also a sense in which things can break in a positive way: a dawn so that the world is filled with light; a storm so that the rains come; a curse so that a shadow is lifted; chains so that there is freedom; a heart so that compassion can flow; a silence so that thoughts are expressed once more. All these, when broken, release something good and life-giving. In the bible there is the story of a rejected woman who comes to Jesus. She breaks an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and pours it over his feet as a sign of her worship. This is something broken to release love. And whenever I take the service of Holy Communion, I lift the bread as I repeat the words of Christ: ‘This is my body broken for you’. Then each person present will come forward and receive the bread as a sign of God’s love for them, demonstrated through Jesus on the cross. Jesus, too, is broken to release love. On any given Sunday I know there will be those watching our online service going through desperately difficult times. They feel lost and confused and are trying to
make sense of it all. And I know from my own experience how this can challenge what you believe about God, about prayer, about the bible and about faith when it feels as though your world has fallen apart. But I have also experienced that good things can come from brokenness. Through a time of trial like never before I learn what it is to love like never before. And perhaps, most importantly, I come alive to the brokenness of others like never before. Also, I find comfort in others who have been through a similar experience and can reassure me, not that there are quick fixes or simple solutions, but that I can survive in the midst of it all. This year Easter falls on the first Sunday of April. It is the day when Christians find hope in a God who brings resurrection out of crucifixion, life out of death and joy out of sorrow. Out of our brokenness, may he also bring life, love and hope. We would love you to join us for our livestreamed Easter Service at 10am on Sunday 4th April. Churchontheheath.org.uk Rev Patrick Butler
01252 400236 office@churchontheheath.org.uk
churchontheheath.org.uk
Say “Goodbye” to Chores and Hassle
Say “Hello” to a Better Lifestyle Ironing and cleaning | Odd jobs and repairs One off projects and personal assistance Arranging a special treat | Travel arrangements Gardening | ...and so much more! Call Joan on 01252 612033 or visit our website www.phonejoan.co.uk
Useful Miscellaneous BT Faultline Gas - Emergency NHS Direct NHS 111 Service
(Medical non-emergency number)
Numbers
0800 800 151 0800 111 999 0845 46 47 111
Local Numbers CAB 01252 617922 Fleet Library & Learning Centre 01252 612709 Fleet Town Council 01252 625246 Hart District Council 01252 622122 Hart Leisure Centre 01252 629974 Police Station 0845 0 45 45 45 (Non emergency number)
The Harlington
01252 811009
Transport National Rail Enquiries StageCoach (bus)
0845 7484950 0870 6082608
Hospitals Spire Clare Park Fleet Com. Hospital Frimley Park Hosp.
01252 850216 01252 813800 01276 604604
Schools All Saints Junior School Calthorpe Park School Fleet Infant School Tavistock Infant School
01252 01252 01252 01252
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w w w. b a by- l ove - p h oto g ra p hy. co m 40 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
Money Matters
Do you have any tips on how to manage my investments in 2021? A question I am often asked is if I have any tips on how to manage investments. The following principles should lead investors to a successful outcome in managing their money through 2021 and beyond. 1. Accept that markets are very efficient at determining prices – as soon as a stock becomes attractive to analysts it’s price will rise, and bad news works quickly in the opposite direction. 2. Analysts are human and will have their own agenda when they prepare reports. Many analysts will make similar comments about a company, to be too different from the consensus can be very uncomfortable for them. 3. What has happened in the recent past should be forgotten; investment funds with the best recent performance are no more likely to be the best in the coming period than any other. 4. Being able to invest for a long time (say seven years or more) will provide the best outcome. 5. There are market cycles, the timing of which are
unpredictable. You could invest just before a large fall, so make sure you invest money you do not need for the long term, see point 4 above. 6. Understand that expected future cash flows and current market prices are the main factors in moving company share prices. 7. Globally diversifying your money should provide you with more opportunities and reduce risks compared to being only invested in a single market like the UK. 8. No one knows which asset class or market will perform best over the next 12 months. If they did know something that could make them a fortune, if all the right conditions are met, ask yourself why they would share that information with anyone else. 9. Choose your assets (e.g. shares, bonds, property) carefully and across a range of countries and markets. 10. Understand where your costs are and what you get for each element of cost. 11. Make sure you understand how and when any tax on income and profit must be paid. 12. Utilise all available tax-free allowances for Capital Gains, Income and Inheritance Tax
such as ISA pensions and other investment products. 13. Maintain your discipline and do not waiver during market falls or in the face of anxietyraising media comments. 14. Understand that your emotions will go through optimism, elation, nervousness and fear while you hold investments. It is normal to experience these thoughts, but on their own, it does not mean you need to change assets. If you are considering using an independent financial adviser or investment manager, you should ask them how they manage these principles in looking after the client’s money. Any reader interested in discussing the topic can telephone me, Michael Powell, on 01252 960 550 or email info@kirkrice.co.uk. Please note answers are given for general guidance only, and specific advice should be taken before acting on any of the suggestions made.
Kirk Rice Accountants and Financial Advisors Victoria House, 178-180 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 4DA Tel: 01252 960 500 Email: info@kirkrice.co.uk www.kirkrice.co.uk
Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 41
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Get the
Advertise with us and actually keep your potential customers’ attention! Our new bumper community magazine Fleet Life will continue to be full of local information, interviews, competitions and interesting articles. We have been keeping it local for 15 years and are proud to say that we have seen other magazines come and go but our readers’ loyalty is testament that what we do works. Hand-delivered to 10,000 homes Elvetham Heath and Fleet our magazine is ideal for targeting the right local people at the right time. Advertising or leafleting with us gives your business a BIG opportunity to reach valuable potential customers every month.
Not sure what to say? We can help you create an advert to appeal to your ideal customer. We can even create the artwork for you – so with a LITTLE budget, your advert can make a BIG impact. Request a copy of our Media Pack and you’ll be amazed at how LITTLE you’ll spend to reach a BIG audience.
Call us today on 01252 763762 or email alex@ biglittlemagazineco.uk to request a Media Pack and find out how we can help you do more business locally.
bigmagazineco. little celebrating 14 years at the heart of your community
Fleet Life March/April 2021 | 45
Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Fleet Life Accounting Services
Computer Maintenance
David Stone
7
Kirk Rice
41
Admin Services Starfish Admin Services
30
Advertising
Problem PC
Magazine Company 37, 45 Bathrooms & Bathrooms
15
Councils
Design Room
5
Hart Curtains and Blinds
Parish Council
16
Fleet Town Council
36
Business Opportunity
7
Fleet BID
9
Fleet Service Centre
37
Management
1819
Church on the Heath
38
Vicky Lovelock
5
Phone Joan
39
Village Cleaning Services
11
and Garden Care
29
4
2
Handyman 30
10
22/23 1/26 24/25
Mackenzie Paige Interiors 31
27
46 | Fleet Life March/April 2021
& Bathrooms
Baby Love Photography
Design Room Hart Curtains and Blinds
7
40
5 30
Solicitors Neale Turk LLP
17
Tree Services 5
M&M Tree and Garden Care
29
Will Writing Service 30
Windows & Conservatories Hart Windows & Glazing
Two Guys Kitchens
Education
37
Oven Cleaning
MGF Wills
Kitchens & Bathrooms
College of Further
37
Music Lessons
Cedardale
Independent Schools
Interior Design
Coaching
48
Watson-Thomas 47
Home Decor & Gifts
Yateley Manor
Loftplan Designs
Soft Furnishings
Gifts and Balloons
St. Nicholas’ School
Clothing - Childrens
39
Photography
M&M Tree
Frensham Heights
Phone Joan
Ovenclean
Mirrored 29
Cleaning
11
Lifestyle Management
Dave Jull
The General Handyman
Churches
Queen Mary’s College
5
Bubblegum Balloons Ltd
Carpet & Flooring
8, 33
Lisa Christmas
Weldons Wealth
Car Servicing
Honey Lettings
Marketing
Garden Services
Business Services
Revitalise Coaching
11
Foot Care
Business
Letting Agents
Loft Conversions
Keen Electrics
30
7
Kites Property Services
Financial Services
Blinds & Curtains
Wonder & Wild
12/13
Electricians
Two Guys Kitchens
Big Little Magazine Company
Elvetham Heath
Big Little
RM Carpets Limited
Leaflet Distribution 11
Computer Services Tier One IT Ltd
Index
43
Zero Waste Shop 15
Fleet Scoop
14
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