April 2018 | Issue 149 | £1.50 where bought
Messy Church for the Kids! Make your own ‘Hot Cross Buns’
Easter Events and Egg Hunts!
Photograph taken by Michael Branicki
THIS MONTH...
CONTENTS 9
St Mary’s Church,
23
Recipe of the Month
12
Keep on Running
26
Mums the Word
16
Astrology
28
Beautiful Living
19
Get Puzzled
30
Watering and Wellies
Easter services and ‘Messy Church’ for the kids!
Will you take on The Golden Mile this year?
Russell Grant star gazes, for the month ahead
Test your brain with this month’s crossword
Hot Cross Buns for Easter
Easter trails and activities
A new article, this month create a calm space
Garden jobs for April!
april issue 2018
W COMPETITIONS
Peach Publications 01329 630630/07909 627177
Editor Gemma Harvey-Guttridge editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Advertising Sales editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Distribution This Big Voice Bigazine is delivered to residents and businesses in Alverstoke. For distribution enquiries please give me (Gemma) a call. Two other editions are also published in Stubbington & Hill Head and Lee on Solent. Whilst Big Voice Directories aim to provide a quality publication for local reference, it cannot be held responsible for the services, reputation or cost of any of the advertisers, and content of adverts or editorial herein. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Publishers. The magazines are produced on paper sourced from FSC approved paper mills and printed using vegetable based inks. They love being recycled but please pass to a friend first! Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content © Copyright Peach Publications Ltd.
S m a l l t a l k ell I think I spoke too soon…...
…..as soon as I mentioned Spring it started to snow! Although we only received a light dusting of the pretty white stuff you would have thought you could have built a snowman the way the children (and I) reacted! The tiniest flutter and they were running around in it like crazy things! I can remember thinking how amazing seeing real snow was as a child, it was lovely to see them running around in it creating those same memories! Maybe one day they will get a decent amount to enjoy. As lovely as it is, I do hope that will be the last of it for this year, we have the Easter Holidays to think about and we don’t want the weather to ruin the fun! If you are looking for some fun activities for the family to do over the Easter break, then check out ‘Mum’s the Word’ on page 26. There you will find some information on Easter trails and an activity you can do at home too. You could also check out the Watering & Wellies article on page 30, there’s plenty of things in the garden you can get the kids involved in or perhaps try attempting this month’s recipe. We have loads to keep you busy! Whilst you are out stocking up on Easter treats why not grab an extra egg and pop it down to Ruby Funerals who are collecting Easter eggs for a fantastic local charity, The Rainbow Centre. They are hoping to collect enough eggs to treat everyone at the centre! I know I could probably do with eating one less egg! Whatever you are doing over the coming month, keep your Big Voice nearby, you never know when you might need it. Have an egg-cellent month
Gemma x
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Hayley Kramm RGN
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St Mary’s Church
Hope and Joy at Easter! Alverstoke Church will be beautiful for Easter. The bright flowers and Easter Garden will celebrate hope of new life following the long nights of winter and the searching forty days of Lent.
traditional communion service starts off the day at 8.00am with the lighting of the Easter Candle.
Our two weekly Sunday morning services will combine for our special Easter Service at 10.00am in St Mary’s, You’d be very welcome to pop in to the church to enjoy whilst St Francis’ Church will host their celebration at the space, appreciate the peace and reflect in the 11.15am. In the evening there will be an ‘Easter Hymns stillness of St Mary’s Church, which is open daily. It is of Praise’ at 6.30pm in St Mary’s. All are invited and all your parish church, not just the congregation’s, so please are welcome. make yourself at home during the week when you just want to sit and be! A year ago on Easter Day was our last Sunday morning service at St Faith’s Church in Leesland. Although sad, We’ll be celebrating Easter across the parish. On that was not the end, in fact it was the foundation of a Maundy Thursday, 29th March, the church will be open new beginning. And so our Easter hope continues for the evening from 8.00pm - 10.00pm for silent because our new Leesland Neighbourhood Church has reflection and prayer. Just turn up in the stillness and now started within St Faith’s on Tribe Road. Meeting candlelight. That time echoes the prayers of Jesus in the each Sunday for food, friendship and worship as a new Garden of Gethsemane the night before he died. Or, church from the grassroots of Leesland emerges. We’re also on Maundy Thursday, you’d be welcome to our very excited about this new life, new hope and new Alpha session in the Parish Centre from 7.15pm, a beginning. Leesland Neighbourhood Church will be special experience of Jesus’s Last Supper with his running their own special celebrations on Good Friday disciples and what it all means! and on Easter Day. They’d be pleased to welcome all along in their endeavour to build a new community of Good Friday, 30th March, sees a welcome to our Easter faith and servanthood in the Leesland area. ‘Messy Church’ at St Mary’s for all children and their adults from 10.30am. Join us for crafts, games, stories, We wish you a very Happy Easter and hope we may have songs and a hot cooked lunch. You’d be very welcome the pleasure of your company in the coming weeks. just to turn up for the fun coupled with a reverence for the deep meanings of the day. Alternatively join us for a Revd Andrew Norris traditional service at 2pm, reflecting upon the prayers Rector for Alverstoke Parish and words of Jesus from the cross in his last hour. (St.Mary’s, Alverstoke; St.Faith’s, Leesland; St.Francis’, Clayhall; St.Luke’s, Haslar) Easter Day is the most significant Christian festival and Church Office: 02392 580551 what a celebration it is. The victories of life over death, Rectory: 02392 503308 hope over despair, love over fear and so much more. A rector@alverstoke.church
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Keep on running…..
We say it every year don’t we, but really, where have the first few months gone? Each day is a blessing for most of us and to be enjoyed where possible, so we are never keen to wish our lives away but there’s no denying that one of our favourite days of the running/racing calendar is getting closer. Each year we have seen hundreds of men, women & children enjoy a morning on the beach at Stokes Bay whilst watching or participating in our annual Gosport Golden Mile. It has evolved from one single mile dash into a Junior and Senior race, with chip timing and now also features a 5K run and ‘Wheelchair Half Mile’ promenade sprint. This year we’re hoping that local lad Lloyd Durham will have recovered sufficiently from surgery allowing him to take part in the main event whilst sporting a new prosthetic running blade that friends and community have been raising money towards. At the time of writing, Lloyd is making great progress spurred on by the support of the running and wider community. 12
Gosport Golden Mile really is an ideal opportunity for all members of the family to get involved and run, jog or walk the iconic distance to record their best time. Although the new course record (set by last year’s winner Alex Teuten) is impressive, it is a perfect race in which to put yourself against the clock and see how quickly you really can run just 1 Mile. Most local folk will already have seen the official start and finish lines, that Gosport Borough Council kindly painted for us, so we would advise a little practice in advance. We know that it’s ‘just’ 1 mile but don’t get caught out on the day as many have before. The event takes place on Father’s Day, making it a great way to treat Dad to a little exercise before breakfast at one of the many superb beachside cafes. Once again, Adrian Chalk and his team at Bayside Cabin will be our hosts and the event will be overseen by our friends at Nice Work Race Management. This year we are joined by PointBlank Cold Brew coffee, Buddy Pouch and retailers Alton Sports all of whom will be in our race village at Bayside Cabin.
We highly recommend a splash of PointBlank Cold Brew around 15 minutes before racing if you’re looking for a quick time. This allnatural product really does work in energising the body before work or exercise and if anyone fancies trying some in advance, they can contact us at GosVegas Running as our fridges are always well stocked. Normal RRP is £2.50 per eco-friendly carton but we have an introductory offer of a tray of 12 for £20.
All in all, we believe that Gosport has so much to offer and we’re very proud of our’ Golden Mile’. If you wish to join us for a morning on the beach you can enter online at: nice-work.org.uk or contact us at: nickcarter40@hotmail.com It’s only a mile! You know what to do...keep it local and follow the shoe
The award-winning ‘Buddy Pouch’ is the ingenious new way to carry mobiles & keys whilst on the run or bike. No slipping or bouncing as it attaches to a waistband by using magnets that hold it securely in place during activity. Alton Sports are known countywide for their expertise in all matters running related and offer a specialised fitting service for running shoes and apparel.
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Recipe of the Month
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Mum’s the Word Easter Trails and Events Country Parks
Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton Who’s Egg is it? Trail Friday 30th March to Sunday 15th April: 10am - 3.30pm Pick up this self guided trail map from the shop and follow it around the park. Find the clues and collect your prize. Cost: £2 per trail. Call for further details: 023 8045 5157 Easter Egg Hunt Tuesday 10th April: 11am Themed activities for children including egg crafts, egg rolling and find the Easter bunny. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Cost: £6 per child, price includes one free adult. Extra adults £4. Visit the shop or call 023 8045 5157. Queen Elizabeth Country Park Easter Egg Roll Monday 2nd April: 11am Join the annual 'Butser Easter Egg Roll'! Decorate your own egg and climb up to Butser to see how far your egg will roll! Hand to Mouth Puppet Theatre will be performing their ‘Flights of Fancy’ show throughout the day. All children must be supervised by an adult. Cost: £1.50 per egg Pirates and Pixie Funday Wednesday 4th April: 10.30am Calling all Pirate and Pixie fanatics! Make a swashbuckling sparkling craft, listen to a story and take part in a treasure hunt into the woods. Finish your activity in the brand new Forts and Fleets play area where you may find a golden treat. Suitable for children aged 2-8 years. (Children must be accompanied by an adult) Cost: £6 per child. Booking essential call 02392 595040 Itchen Valley Country Park An Egg Trail in the Woods Friday 30th March to Sunday 15th April: 10.30am - 4pm Follow the egg trail through the woods, find the answers then come back for your chocolatey prize! Cost: £2 per trail. Call 023 8068 3790 for further information
One for the dog lovers!
Portchester Castle, Church Road, Portchester Easter Sunday Dog Walk & Easter Egg Scramble Sunday 1st April: 10am A lovely, leisurely hour walk around Wicor and Portchester Castle followed by the Easter Egg Scramble! See how many Easter Eggs (tennis balls) your dog can retrieve. The dog with the most eggs in their basket wins a prize! Call 07840 814599 for further details
MY MONTH AS A MUM
Living on the South Coast has so many benefits. Not only can we enjoy the local beaches but if you venture a little further there is so much to be explored! Amelia (age 6) has been learning about fossils at school and I was amazed when she came home and educated the whole family on Mary Anning and what happened in Lyme Regis over 100 years ago. The subject grasped her so much we decided to head there for the day, one weekend. We spent 4 hours digging on the beach and we only stopped because it was gone lunch time! It was so much fun and we found some amazing ammonite fossils! If you ever get the chance I would highly recommend this activity for the whole family. We even took the grandparents!
MARBLED EASTER EGGS There’s something so satisfying about crafting at home. Whether you’re making cards for loved ones, gifts for friends or just something delicious for yourself. Get the children involved in making these pretty Easter decorations, they can be a little messy so supervision will be necessary!
WHAT YOU NEED:
Plastic / polystyrene eggs Wooden skewers Nail varnish Bowl of water Nail varnish remover, in case you get some on your hands
• Stick one of the eggs onto the end of a skewer and put to one side. • Gently drop nail varnish onto the top of the water in a bowl. • Using a wooden skewer you can tease a marbled pattern into the nail varnish. • Dip the egg into the nail varnish just enough to scoop it up onto the outside of the egg - twist the skewer to cover it all. • You can let the eggs dry by standing them up in a tall glass. Make sure they don’t touch until fully dry.
Beautiful Living
28
29
30
GOSPORT £210,000 4 Bed Semi, Lnge, Garage, Shower Room EPC D
GOSPORT £259,950 3 Bed Semi, 15’8 Kitchen, 2 Baths, Gge, ORP EPC D
GOSPORT £180,000 2 Bed Semi, DG, GCH, ORP, Cul-De-Sac EPC E
BRIDGEMARY £235,000 2 Bed Det, ORP, Garage, Conserv, No Chain EPC D
BUNGALOWS
BRIDGEMARY £279,995 Det 2 Bed, Mod Kitch, Mod Shower Room EPC D
GOSPORT £220,000 Ext 3 Bed Semi, 2 Recepts, DG, No Chain EPC D
GOSPORT £175,000 2 Bed Terrace, No Chain FF Bathroom EPC C
GOSPORT £169,995 2 Bed EOT, 2 Recepts, DG, GCH, No Chain EPC D
GOSPORT £168,000 3 Bed Top Floor Apt, Sep Kitch, Lounge, DG EPC E
EPC D
ROWNER £149,995 2 Bed FF Flat, Spacious Accommodation EPC C
ROWNER £128,000 2 Bed Maisonette, Lounge, DG, GCH EPC D
GOSPORT £125,000 2 Bed FF Flat, Lounge, DG, GCH, Garage
STARTING OUT
GOSPORT £275,000 3 Bed EOT, Mod Kitch FF Bathroom, DG EPC C
GOSPORT £199,950 3 Bed Semi, 2 Recepts, GF Cloaks, No Chain EPC D
ALVERSTOKE £290,000 3 Bed Semi, DG, GCH, Kitch/Family Rm EPC D
ELSON £215,000 3 Bed Terrace, Long Galley Kitchen, ORP EPC D
GOSPORT £185,000 3 Bed Terr, 2 Recepts, 14’1 Long Kitchen, DG EPC C
GOSPORT £260,000 3 Bed Semi, FF Bath Driveway and Garage EPC D
GOSPORT £185,000 Investors Only, 2 Bed Terr, Lounge/Diner, DG EPC C
GOSPORT £215,000 3 Bed, En-suite to Bed 1, Lounge, Kitch/Diner EPC C
GOSPORT £290,000 3 Bed EOT, Conserv, DG Sep Dining Room EPC D
GOSPORT £198,500 2 Bed Terr, FF Bathroom, ORP, GCH, DG EPC C
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
ALVERSTOKE £255,000 Ext 3 Bed Terrace, DG, Refurbished, GCH EPC D
GOSPORT £180,000 Ext 3 Bed, 2 Recepts, Bay House Catchment EPC D
GROWING FAMILY
HARDWAY OIRO £320,000 A Well Presented 3/4 Bed Detached House, L Shaped Kitchen/Family Room, Separate Lounge, GF Utility, GF Shower Room, FF Bathroom, GCH, DG EPC D
GOSPORT £299,995 3 Bed Semi with Extended Accommodation, 2 Receptions, GF Cloaks, Modern FF Bathroom, Conservatory, In our opinion a well presented home. EPC D
PRESTIGE
www.GosportProperty.com
023 9258 5588