Big Voice in Alverstoke, April 2021 by Big Voice Directories

ALVERSTOKE April 2021 | Issue 185 | £1.50 where sold

Your local community magazine

Voice

Inside... An alternative Easter breakfast

Homemade bath bombs

The power of meeting & eating

www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk 1

FIND US AT SILVERSPRINGS GARDEN CENTRE, FONTLEY ROAD, TITCHFIELD, FAREHAM PO15 6QX

Tel: 01329 847 386

www.abbeygardenbuildings.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Voice

Smalltalk

What a difference a year makes! It dawned on me this morning that this time last year I would have, unknowingly, been writing the last ‘small talk’ in the very normal world we were then living in. I decided to read back over it…….. I mention how I have not been able to keep up with my New Years resolution of running and blame it on being too busy with school runs, kids’ clubs and a hectically ‘social’ life. Just a few weeks later, everything was very different and all of that was suddenly gone! Back then I don’t think any of us contemplated that we would still be in a similar position a whole year later! But here we are and even on the hardest days remember, we are getting through this. The long-awaited details of the Prime Minister’s road map out of lockdown 3.0 have been announced. Combined with the vaccine roll out and dropping R number the planned route forward brings us all real hope. The first day of Spring is here, the evenings are getting longer and the flowers are starting to bloom. I’m feeling positive about the months ahead. We all have so much to look forward to. Looking at the positives from the last 12 months the slowed pace of life helped me get my running back on track and I never thought I would say it but I think I am now officially ‘a runner!’ Having more time at home has encouraged me to improve my fitness and during the lockdowns I found running was good for my mental health. As you know I recently turned 39+1 and so this year I decided to take on a running challenge each month. In January I ran 50 miles for Maggie’s Cancer Care, in February I ran 100km and I’m currently mid-way through a Kilimanjaro challenge! My 9-year-old has even joined me and ran 50km to raise much needed funds for her gymnastics club, who unfortunately are one of the many smaller businesses affected by lockdown restrictions. So, as we head towards another unusual Easter lets all try and stay positive and optimistic about what the future might hold. We are hopefully on the home straight to a brilliant summer with the ones we love. Although the end is in sight, we are not quite there yet. So in the meantime let’s continue to do our bit and stay safe!

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.

Much love

Gemma x 4

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

APRIL ISSUE 2021

Recipes, community, charity, properties and more

CONTENTS 8

Get Puzzled

Chat with Coralie

Recipe of the Month

Keep On Running

Mum’s the Word

Driving Times

St Mary’s Church

Test yourself with this month’s crossword

An Easter breakfast with a continental twist

Homemade bath bombs and support if you are struggling

It’s not always good to ‘just get on with it...’

Meet young fundraiser Jess

The Skoda Octavia iV VRs

The importance of feasts

Advertise with us!

Reliably delivered by our local teams, reaching over 15000 homes each issue. THREE editions of Big Voice provide exceptional monthly coverage of our area every single month. Call Gemma now on 01329 630630, jump on our website or link up with us on Facebook.

Visit our Facebook page @bigvoicedirectories Visit our website www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

SOLENT FLOORING

Sit back and relax - we come to you! or alternatively visit our showroom CARPETS, VINYLS, LAMINATES, & REAL WOOD ALL SUPPLIED & PROFESSIONALLY FITTED. OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FULLY INSURED. DIRECT EMPLOYED FITTERS

Showroom now open!! Monday-Friday 9am-2pm If you wish to visit our showroom between the hours of 2pm-5pm Mon-Fri or on a Saturday morning please call to make an appointment.

We supply Top Quality Artificial Grass

‘Solent Twist Promotion’

Stain Free Heavy Domestic Twist with a 7 Year wear warranty, 12 colours, Creams, Browns, Greys. 3m x 4m £240 4m x 4m £320 5m x 4m £395 Price Examples including VAT

To include:- Fitting, 10mm underlay, uplift and disposal of old flooring, Grippers, Door bars, Doors eased, help to move furniture, we even hoover up. The full traditional service

Call today - 0239 876700 or 0800 9177 553 Jason: 07770 411734 Vicky@solentflooring.co.uk www.solent-flooring.co.uk

Unit C1, Heritage Business Park, Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4BG Established 25 years. Company Reg 5813534.

over 1000 reviews

All Aspects of Professional Painting and Decorating

Interior & Exterior | Plastering Professional & reliable Clean, tidy & efficient Free estimates

Call Scott: 07979 003122 or Joe: 07803 805988 Email: allenandhainesltd@outlook.com Company No:12931407

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Clues Across 1 4 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 20 21 23 24 25

Get Puzzled

Agile, lithe (4) Inferior cut of meat (5-3) Devour, guzzle (6) Rough, stormy (6) ____-detached, a house (4) Sailing (8) ______ Loren, Italian actress (6) ______ Hemmingway, author (6) Dormer window (8) Large brass instrument (4) Poppycock (6) Cared for, tended (6) Distress, trouble (8) Children’s board game (4)

Clues Down 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14

Directory of names and numbers (5,4) Rude, noisy, aggressive (informal) (7) Dingy, sleazy (5) Salvage (7) Spectre (5) Brief sleep (3) Epistaxis (9) Saintly, virtuous (7)

16 18 19 22

Instinctive, innate (7) Even, equal (5) Forceps-like tool (5) Branch of the armed services (Abbr) (3)

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

Providing Quality Care in Your Own Home

Serenity Care is a family run home care company, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality care to allow people to remain in their own homes

www.serenitycaresolent.co.uk Live-In Care | Personal Care | Overnight Care Companionship | Home Care |Respite Care

Please contact us on Tel: 02392 350274 or Mobile: 07563 172078 email: enquiries@serenitycaresolent.co.uk | www.serenitycaresolent.co.uk

LIST

MAZDA/FORD/KIA INDEPENDENT SPECIA

GOSPORT’S MAZDA, FORD & KIA SPECIALISTS FOR DIAGNOSTICS, SERVICE AND REPAIR. Offers a free local collection service (Booking Type Dependant) Female-friendly garage

DEALER TRAINED IANS TECHNIC

We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best, personal service in the industry

New TEXT Number: 07554 261371 or call 02392 520893 Text is the easiest and fastest way to book, if calling please leave a message or email if no answer

33 Moreland Road, Gosport, Hampshire (just off Forton Rd) e-mail: INFO@MAZZ-TEC.CO.UK www.mazz-tec.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Recipe of the month

Spanish Baked Eggs

An Easter breakfast with a continental twist! Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion, finely sliced, 120g Chorizo, sliced, 1 yellow pepper, finely sliced, 1 orange or red pepper, finely sliced, 2 cloves garlic, crushed, ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika 400g can chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp capers (optional), 2 large eggs (4 if you’re really hungry!) 2 tbsp fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley, 2 thick slices of bread Method: Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Use a frying pan with an ovenproof handle. Heat the olive oil, then add the onion and chopped chorizo. Soften for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until they soften too. Stir in the crushed garlic and sweet smoked paprika, cook for another 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes and add the capers, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes reduce and thicken a little. Make two or four wells in the thick sauce and gently crack an egg into each. Place the pan into the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny. Towards the end of the cooking time, toast the bread. Remove the pan from the oven, scatter with the parsley and serve with the toasted bread, drizzled with a little olive oil.

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

Solent Way 01329 Computers 535 001 Feel like throwing your computer out the window? Fed up with it going slow? Crashing or Freezing? Strange Messages popping up? Or you just want an upgrade? • Virus & Malware Removal • SSD Upgrades for PC & Mac • New & refurbished Laptops • Custom-built PCs • Arranged home-visits E-mail: info@solentwaycomputers.co.uk

www.solentwaycomputers.co.uk

Unit 7, Fareham Innovation Centre (on Daedalus), 4 Meteor Way, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9FU

HOUSE EXTENSIONS BUILDING REGULATIONS PLANNING PERMISSIONS

www.ovencleaning24-7.co.uk

0800 1931992 mail@ovencleaning24-7.co.uk

DOMESTIC or COMMERCIAL CLEANING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Our 24 hour, 7 day a week service is second to none and will fit within your schedule...

Based in Hill Head, Fareham 07817 305 658 www.lomaxdesigns.com info@lomaxdesigns.com

Contact Me - For A Free Consultation & Very Competitive Rates

LOMAX DESIGNS LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY

FAIR P RIC E, G OO D

A T W E

All staff checked and are 100% fully trained.

UE AL

LENT SERVICE! XCEL E D AN

FRIENDLY

PRODUCTS USED

www.ovencleaning.24-7.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Mum’s the word The kids are back at school but the countdown for the Easter break is on. Going by the roadmap set out by the Prime Minister on 22nd February, tourist attractions will remain closed for at least the first week of the Easter holidays. Having exhausted many indoor activities over the last few months I hope the weather will be kind and allow us to enjoy some days out when we will finally be allowed to meet outside in groups of 6 or two households. If the weather is a little miserable try this activity which I featured a couple of years ago. The kids will love making these gifts, but they can be a little messy so make sure they are supervised.

Get crafty! Homemade Bath Bombs

WHAT YOU NEED: 2 cups baking soda 1 cup cream of tartar 6 tbsp Espom salts 1 mixing bowl 8 tsp coconut or olive oil Essential oils of choice Moulds - silicon ice cube trays work well

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. My kids are bath bomb crazy! If the weather is not looking great why not plan a day in and get the children involved in making these fabulous homemade bath bombs! Supervision will be necessary! Experiment with different scents and perhaps decorate some paper bags and give them to friends and family as little Easter gifts!

• Mix all of the dry ingredients together. • Add the oils. You will need around 10-12 drops for a good scent • Once all the ingredients are thoroughly combined test the mixture by squeezing a small amout in • • • •

your hand. It should press nicely without crumbling. You can add a few sprays of water if it does to combine it. Pack the mixture tightly into your mould. Silicone ones tend to work best. Leave to dry for 24 hours Remove from the mould and leave for another 24 hours. Finally drop into your bath and enjoy the fizz!

Are you a parent or carer who feels like they are struggling? Please don’t struggle alone - Hampshire Pandas are here for you! If you’d like to speak to someone our FREE helpline is open everyday between 11am and 10pm. It’s manned by a team of trained volunteers who will be happy to chat to you and direct you to the right support for you.

Email: hampshirepandas@gmail.com or FREEPHONE 0808 1961 776 12

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

St Mary’s Church

The Importance of Feasts The power of meeting and eating together has been proven by its absence during the lockdowns. The skeleton of our calendar year is built around ‘Feast Days’. Be they ancient solar and lunar rites or religious festivals which incorporate ‘feasts’ in every culture and faith. The importance of feasts is not diminished by seasons of ‘fasting’ – indeed it is in anticipation of the ‘feast to come’ that fasting is entered such as during Advent in readiness for Christmas, or Lent in preparation for Easter. For some in the dark and medieval ages of northern Europe such feasts (in the midst of a hard cold winter and in early spring) were ‘survival’ points focussed around the religious festivals. A good community feasting would not only bring people together, but for centuries it provided essential nutrition for the coming weeks until new crops could replace the rationed stores and foraging. Some people ‘survived’ by the feasts! Until this pandemic our appreciation of such occasions may have been diminished in recent times – we didn’t see how important they are to our wellbeing! But once we realised how vulnerable our supermarket shelves are to emptying; how reliant we are upon seamless integration of production, transport and stocking; how dependent we are upon the digital contactless means to pay – that if there is a ‘crash’ anywhere along the chain, we’d be the hungry ones! Rather than competing for the basics of life it was the historic feasts that brought people together. They’d travel from miles, join the celebrations and realise that they belonged to each other; they were dependent upon one another; they cherished who they were

as a wider community who are not just independent households. The feasts were vitally important to their shared identity and so, beyond food, the feasts were vital to their sense of wellbeing. The same remains true for us today. We look forward to feasts – and Easter is upon us. Even if we’re not starving for food (though the work of charities and schools has revealed the hunger in Gosport this winter!) we are hungry for the essential ‘diet’ of being in community together. Our mental health depends upon that. That’s the promise of 12th April, a week after Easter, when we can start to emerge again in modest gatherings by which individual and community wellbeing can be restored. Large gatherings will have to wait – but they can be on the horizon – even in Alverstoke the team can now start to consider the possibility of hosting our Michaelmas Fayre again this September (safely!). So, just as with Christmas, celebrate Easter as best you can and may you be renewed in the vitality, joy and blessing which feasts bring – and with new hope for life this Easter and beyond.

Revd Andrew Norris Rector for Alverstoke Parish Church Office: 02392 580551 Rectory: 02392 503308 www.stmarysalverstoke.org.uk

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

DISCOUNT LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES discount-landscapingsupplies.co.uk

WE CAN ALSO DELIVER! 6 ʼ F/Edge Panel £33.25 | 6 ʼ Lap Panel £19.00 Lap panels from £16.30 | F/Edge Panels from £25.50 All plus VAT Manufacturers 10yr Guarantee 8ʼ Slotted Post £14.25 | 12” Gravel Board £13.83 Concrete Posts from £10.91| 6” Concrete Gravel Boards from £10.08 Cement £3.42 | Post Fix £3.75 per bag £15.95 per sqm All plus VAT

Marshalls Block Paving from £12.54 per sqm Kiln Dried Sand £3.50 per bag plus VAT

Ballast / Sharp Sand Shingle £34 Per Tonne Recycled Materials from £12.50 Tonne plus VAT Cement from £3.42 per bag

22mm calibrated Indian Sandstone from £19.50 per sqm plus VAT 9 colours available Sawn honed Sandstone in mixed sizes £27.99 plus VAT Sawn honed Sandstone 600 x 900 £28.99 plus VAT

Newlands Farm, Tanners Lane, Fareham PO14 2HT Opening hours: Monday - Friday 7.30am - 5pm | Saturday 8am - 2pm

All prices are excluding VAT

TUDOR LODGE NURSING HOME CARE HOME Exceptional nursing care in a lovely country house setting FOR OLDER PEOPLE

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOM E

229 Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire PO14 1AU 01329 220322 www.nursinghomefareham.co.uk

RETIREMENT HOME

CANFORD MANOR NURSING HOME Exceptional nursing a stone’s throw from the beach

‘Normal Life’ Atmosphere inside the homes See our website for video tours

LGS Lee Garden Services

We specialise in all aspects of: · Patios · Fencing · Water Features · Artiﬁcial Lawns · Bricklaying · Walls · Drives · Paving · Garden maintenance - including hedges, grass cutting and tree work

For a quote, call us today on: 07879

270 974

lgs1williams@gmail.com

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

SOLENT AIRPORT MOTS Illustrious, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent

OPEN AS USUAL - Adhering to social distancing guidelines

GARAGES

ARE PROUD TO ADD

SOLENT AIRPORT MOTS Illustrious, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9YA

TO OUR EXISTING GARAGES: 99b Mays Lane, Stubbington PO14 2ED

Unit 8 Hammond Industrial Estate, off Stubbington Lane PO14 2PT (Behind Solent Tow Bars)

212 Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath PO14 4PG

• Welding & Body Repairs • MOT Testing Station • Brakes • Clutches • Exhausts • General Repairs

• Servicing • Tyres • Car Sales & Find a Car • Diagnostics testing • Auto Electrics • Air Conditioning

CALL LOCAL RATE

0333 3585 999 Proud members of

Where reputation matters

FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE Mon - Fri: 8.30 - 5.30 Sat: 8.30 - 12.30 - hvrgarages.com

01329 825615 @mayfair

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

CHAT WITH CORALIE

Getting on with it

‘Getting on with it’ is a useful trait when we are faced with tough situations that we must get through. A stiff upper lip, being brave, holding it all together… these are things that sometimes we must do in order to get through some of life’s circumstances. But the danger, I have found, of embracing these tactics, is that they become our normal coping mechanisms. And frankly they are no more useful than simply brushing your dirt under the carpet so that nobody can see it. The feelings are still there, just covered up. I am getting more and more concerned about how we are all going to ‘come out the other side’ of things when some of our restrictions are lifted. There are many of us who have suffered extreme loneliness, lack of companionship, and physical contact. No doubt we have, day by day, attempted to just keep going, with the thoughts of brighter days around the corner. When our children went into school for their initial COVID tests they were excited to be able to walk together with a friend. The world community has had a year where, mostly, we have had to pull ourselves together, accept that many of us will suffer financially and emotionally, and hold it all in, because there will be an end. Yet, have we been helping ourselves, and our kids along the way? How long can someone just put on a brave face? What is an acceptable length of time for a child or an adult to be isolated? Even Canada, whose country Sean and I aspire to spend time in one day, has implemented a strategy of self isolating young children, away from their entire family. Thankfully it would seem that this ruling has been ‘altered’, and Peel Region Health have apologised for issuing previous guidelines to parents that instructed them to isolate their children, even small ones, completely alone from anyone else for 14 days. But where is this logic and madness stemming from? Whilst this isn’t the case in the UK there do seem to be many times where

children are worried about leaving the house, mixing with people and in fact our own children have voiced concerns about their fears of another outbreak following a return to school. Indeed the Isle of Wight festival, a popular event that we look forward to very much, has rescheduled for September this year, and our kids are reluctant to consider it now because of the crowds. They have a huge fear of this all coming back. And because of that, they don’t want to socialise in the way they used to before. Which makes me feel so very sad. As a family we have behaved legally and sensibly, washing our shopping each time and being careful to use our (natural) hand sanitiser. But we have been careful not to overdo the scaremongery with the kids - we rarely watch the news or worry them with ‘what might be’. But subliminally messages sink in. Children have had a year of seeing everyone wearing masks. Covering their faces and avoiding any potential contact, including looking at others directly it would seem. The subtle changes in body language, energy and expression are being picked up by every one of their senses and it is negative in every way. I totally understand why many of the strategies have been put in place, this isn’t a political piece after all, simply an observation of the outcomes. What is the answer I wonder? Perhaps it’s simply to give them a way of offloading their worries, reassure them that ‘normal’ life can be possible again, and giving them the tools to understand their bodies and emotions so that they are empowered to look after themselves. It’s not easy. It never is. But if we pretend we have no feelings there’s a great big volcano of issues that I fear will erupt in the near future if we don’t address them now. Until next month

Coralie x

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

10 all O % ac F ce F ss

Social cing distan d e observ

THEBATHROOMSHOP For all your bathing needs from stock or next day at affordable prices.

• Showers & Enclosures • Baths & Taps • Vanities & Furniture • Ceramic Wall & Floor tiles

• Mirrors & Accessories • Vinyl & Laminate flooring • Disabled/Mobility bathing

02392 550100

171-173 High Street Lee-on-the-Solent PO13 8BX

We offer a wide range of building, construction and refurbishment services from general building maintenance to construction of extensions and new properties.

• One point of contact • Full project management • Kitchens supplied and fitted • All building and electrical work www.sk-services.co.uk Tel: 02392 550100 skservices@btconnect.com 22

RESTORATION & REINSTATEMENT AFTER FIRE, FLOOD AND STORM DAMAGE

QUALIFIED, TRUSTWORTHY & RELIABLE TRADITIONAL TRADESMEN WHO ARE DIRECTLY EMPLOYED

Kitchen and Bathroom Specialist

INTERIOR • Alterations • Renovations • Maintenance • Kitchens • Bathrooms

EXTERIOR • Decking • Soffits • Fascias • Guttering • Decorating

Call Paul for a free estimate 07766 522892 Gosport

LEE REID Rendering, Plastering & General Building Works

• Specialist in K-rend Systems • Internal Plastering Service • Pre-coloured Renders • General Building Work • Pebble Dash • New Ceilings • Re-Skims • Re-Pointing All other general building works undertaken

Tel: 02392 581191 Mob: 07815 315060

leewreid@outlook.com to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Keep on running

Jess Pearce It’s all going to be ok, just a little more resolve and patience. I must confess to being excited about being able to meet with my family and friends socially by the time summer arrives. So many things have changed. We have undoubtedly changed the way we do most things and I’m sure that even when we are allowed to meet for social runs, we will be just that bit more mindful of how we do so. For some, a return to something like normality will be scary and we must try and understand that this pandemic will continue to affect us all differently for some time yet. There have been some amazing feats achieved during lockdown. Captain Sir Tom Moore is perhaps the most noticeable and his example inspired others to do their bit for good causes too. Gosport has its own amazing fundraiser. We probably have several but 6-year-old Jess Pearce whose parents have been members of our 545 RunClub for some time, found a way to raise money in a way that resonated with us. Jess was moved by the plight of a 9-year-old girl called Sophie who

is fighting a nasty form of cancer and set out to run/ cycle/scoot or walk every day in February to raise awareness and money towards Sophie’s treatment. We all know how remarkably charitable the British public can be and this challenge was met by overwhelming support from friends, family, and the public. The original target of £150 has been smashed and at the time of writing the total raised currently stands at more than £1,200. Jess concluded her challenge on Gosport’s Golden Mile. Superb! Unable to roll out the old ‘red sofa’ for an interview with the young lady, I conducted a virtual interview via her Dad, Andy. This is what he said. Q1. Who is Jess and why this challenge? Jess is our 6-year-old daughter whose Mummy and Daddy are both military veterans now working in the healthcare sector. We have been following Sophie’s challenge for at least a year and completed a 10K fundraiser late last year. Q2. Did Jess believe that she could do 1 mile of some activity every day? Jess is one of the most determined people that I

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

know, she was out in all weathers and often did more than her mile. Even after a minor fall, she got patched up and went straight back out. The fact that she was doing it for someone else gave her that extra bit of incentive, not that she ever needed it. Q3. Did Jess enjoy the challenge? What was the best part? She enjoyed the fact that she was doing something for someone else, she has asked a lot of questions about Sophie’s illness and wants to check on her progress every day. Her best part of the challenge was definitely the ice cream at the end!! Q4 Would Jess do it again? Without question. Yes Q5. How much has Jess raised? As of tonight (28th February) £1,263. Q6. Can people still donate and if so, how? Yes. They can still use the JustGiving link if they wish. Thanks to everyone who has got involved. The response has been amazing. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ jessicapearce

3. Be responsible for any young person who runs with us 4. No more rules. Our whole focus is in making running accessible and fun. There are coaches, run leaders, medics and mentors amongst us but primarily, we are here simply to support an individual’s journey and signpost them to the resources they need to achieve their goals. There are clubs with more structure and their members are always welcome to continue to run with A545RC as guests. We remain friendly and open to all. Hopefully, we can aspire to be more like Jess, be more active and involved in our sport which gives so much pleasure to so many. Stay positive. We can enjoy a coffee (or beer) together soon. Written by: Nick Carter (Absolute GosVegas Run Groups) Written by: Nick Carter (Absolute GosVegas Run Groups)

The younger generation sometimes get a hard time but with people like Jess (and her role models), the future is in good hands.

Finally, in 2012 when we started our 545 social running group, we had no idea or intention of it being any more than just that...social. This month, following many requests to put the group on a more formal footing, we affiliated to the Association of Running Clubs. This means that our runners are now insured when running at organised 545 events or when running as one of our members at formal races. We have put in place welfare and safeguarding officers but other than that our constitution requires our paid up members to do very little other than continue to enjoy running. Our rules are: 1. Be a nice person 2. Do nothing to bring our club or Gosport into disrepute

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

FREE DELIVERY

• Decking • Panels • Gates • Accessories • Trade Prices VISIT US AT SILVERSPRINGS GARDEN CENTRE, FONTLEY ROAD, TITCHFIELD, FAREHAM PO15 6QX OR SHARLANDS ROAD, NEW GATE LANE, FAREHAM PO14 1RD

Tel: 01329 234 670

andy@borderlandfencing.co.uk | www.borderlandfencingcentre.co.uk 26

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

DRIVING TIMES

The Skoda Octavia iV VRs PHEV, both versatile and voluminous. Around the world governments are deciding to ban vehicles powered by fossil fuels. The UK has set a target for no new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to be sold by 2030. Therefore, brands have started to create cars with alternative power units, such as Skoda’s Octavia VRs PHEV. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) combine electrical motors with regular engines to meet the new guidelines. Before I get to the Octavia VRs PHEV, let me explain the available power provisions when purchasing a new car. There are petrol and diesel vehicles which are classified as ICE, internal combustion engines. Hybrid, which combines electric motors with ICE engines; these can be self-charging or PHEV. Self-charging means the ICE engine, while in use,

puts power back into the electric battery within the vehicle and plug-in involves using a cable to recharge the small battery in the car allowing electric power over a short-range. The next step is total electric, where batteries in the vehicle’s electric motors turn the wheels. The batteries have to be charged by plugging the car into a power source such as your home sockets. Hydrogen celled cars are also available, they use gas to power the electric battery within. These are resupplied with hydrogen at a transport centre, just like filling up at a petrol station. Easy and clean. Back to the Skoda Octavia VRs PHEV which combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an 85-kW electric motor to give 204PS of power. 350 Nm of torque is available if you should need it or want some thrills. The CO2 emissions are approximately 30g/km, and the all-electric range is up to 43 miles, although, during my week of testing, I only got 30 miles. I was incredibly impressed with the fuel consumption, a full 50-litre tank gave me 450 miles of mixed driving. A lot of my trips were at motorway speeds which the car is easily able to do. The sports interior is comfortable and looks great, as does the display. It offers options of what you can

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

DRIVING TIMES view while driving such as the power coming from the electric motor, boost, mileage range and electrical range to name a few. The front-wheel-drive car has handling to match the performance, which gave me a lot of confidence when travelling on some twisty A-roads in rough weather at night. Packed with safety aids, it also makes it perfect transport for you and your loved ones. To list all would take up too much space, so a few to mention are lane departure assist, distance notification, parking assist and front and rear sensors. I loved driving the VRs and enjoyed its versatility. It can be a capable family estate with loads of space for five people with luggage or an excitement inducing sports car. It can match what you require from it, ideal for motorway cruising, brisk driving on country roads or doing the family shop. The Skoda Octavia iV VRS PHEV offers value for money with a three-year warranty, long servicing intervals and inexpensive running costs. It stands above its competitors and I recommend you book a test drive. You will not be disappointed.

We are delighted to be supporting the Rotary Club of Gosport in conjunction with Acts of Kindness

Easter Egg Appeal For local disadvantaged children

If you would like to contribute and are passing either branch on your daily exercise, you’d be welcome to leave your donation in the basket outside or just inside the door. (Last donation date is Thursday 25th March)

WWW.RUBYFUNERALS.COM Gosport

Lee-on-the-Solent

2 Stoke Parade, Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire. PO12 1QE

175 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire. PO13 9BX

023 9250 1128

023 9307 4483

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Guardian Angel Carers from a morning cuppa to supper, or compassionate all-round care in Fareham and Gosport

Domestic Cleaning

Visiting Care

Tech Enabled Care

Companionship & Shopping

Overnight Care

Live in Care

Pop in for a chat to meet the friendly staff

01329 690 096 36b, Stubbington Green, PO14 2LE

fareham@gacarers.co.uk www.gacarers.co.uk www.gacarers.co.uk/Fareham

email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

PROPERTIES WANTED

Competitive selling fees Ring for a quote • Advert on the Rightmove website

• Advert on OnTheMarket website

• Advert on GosportProperty website

• For sale board if required

• Large purchaser database

• Advert on Facebook marketplace

• Brochure with floorplan

• Free property video if required

• Free sale tracking app with www.mio.co.uk

• Agent accompanied viewings

• Established office location for over 50 years

A Family run Estate Agency Hardworking, Caring and Professional

ALVERSTOKE £110,000 2B GF Retirement, Re-fit Kit, Mod Shwr Rm EPC C

ALVERSTOKE £119,995 1B FF Retire, Lnge, DG, Shwr Rm, Comm Faci EPC B

GOSPORT £330,000 3B, 2 Receps, FF Bath, Cloaks, DG, GCH, Gge EPC D

ALVERSTOKE £335,000 2B, Lnge/Diner, Cul-De-Sac, DG, GCH, Gge, No Chain EPC D

GOSPORT £342,000 2B, Lrg Lnge, DG, GCH, Mod Wet Rm, Det Gge EPC D

ALVERSTOKE £349,995 3B, Lnge, Gdn Rm, GCH, Cloaks, Mod Kit, DG, Gge EPC C

023 9258 5588 | office@dimon-estate-agents.co.uk

Big Voice in Alverstoke, April 2021

Articles inside

Driving Times

Get Puzzled

Mum’s the Word

Keep On Running