Big Voice in Stubbington/Hill Head, February 2021 by Big Voice Directories

STUBBINGTON February 2021 | Issue 74 | £1.50 where sold

Your local community magazine

Voice

Inside... Valentine Jammy Dodger Recipe

Lockdown ideas for the kids...

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Photograph taken by Sarah Bryant 1

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Voice

Smalltalk

Firstly, I hope you’re all safe and well…. I’m writing this article in early January, before we go to print. So by now we’ll be several weeks into the lockdown. I am hoping by the time you’re reading this; it all looks more positive and we are getting things under some control! The effects of the virus are everywhere, it has encroached on all aspects of our daily lives and we’re all trying hard to protect whatever our ‘normal’ is. I want to start this edition by thanking those who distribute the magazine, especially now, in the coldest, darkest months of the year. I know from the phone calls and emails I get from readers that the Big Voice is warmly received in many homes. A little bit of normal coming through the letterbox is well appreciated at the moment! So, onto the magazine. Well, this month we have a great issue with all your regular favourites. A crossword to enjoy with a cuppa, a recipe for ‘Jammy Dodger’ love hearts so you can ‘woo’ that special person on Valentine’s day!... no kissing though! A ‘Chat with Coralie’, a running update, local churches and helpful parenting ideas for lockdown in Mum’s the Word. Not forgetting all the businesses that advertise and serve our community, please do support your ‘locals’ and always mention you found them here! As I’m offering thanks, I want to give a big shout out to Coralie and Sean who through their oils business have helped me with ‘Operation Sleep!!’. When they told me they were getting into oils I never thought I would become a customer, but a quick trial later and I’m sleeping like a baby again! Let’s face it, if we’re facing long days at home, a good night’s rest is a blessing! If you would like to know more about the benefits of oils and how they can naturally help you deal with any stresses, anxieties or ailments, find them on page 16. I will admit, I’ve been blown away! So next month will be March’s issue and let’s all keep our fingers, arms, legs and toes crossed that the vaccine is rolling out, the weather is better and overall things are looking more positive for the UK and particularly, Alverstoke, Lee and Stubbington.

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Editor

Gemma Harvey-Guttridge editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

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editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

Distribution

This Big Voice Bigazine is delivered to residents and businesses in Stubbington and Hill Head. For distribution enquiries please give me (Gemma) a call. Two other editions are also published in Alverstoke 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.

Stay safe out there and remember to check in on one another x

Love Gemma x 4

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FEBRUARY ISSUE 2021

Recipes, community, charity, properties and more

CONTENTS 8

Get Puzzled

Crofton Parish

Recipe of the Month

Driving Times

Mum’s the Word

Keep On Running

Chat with Coralie

Test yourself with this month’s crossword

Sweet treats for the one you love...

Lockdown entertainment for the family

The turning of the tide?

Commuter, scooter....

Inspiring local people

Are we too positive?

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

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Services 7

Get Puzzled Clues Across 1 4 8 9 10 11 13 16 19 20 22 23 24

Celebrity, headliner (4) No longer in use (8) Teaching period (6) Libretto, dialogue (6) Pockmark, healed wound (4) Single spot of precipitation (8) Persistence, tenacity (13) Going to ground (5,3) Belongs to you and me (4) Frail, ailing (6) Joined (6) Long-handled frying pans (8) Effortless (4)

Clues Down 2 3 4 5 6

Wilful betrayal (9) Set aside, save (7) Proprietor (5) Period of sustained drinking (informal) (7) Enticed (5) 15 7 Apex (3) 17 12 Without scent (9) 18 14 Small glamorous white dog (7) 21

Defeat decisively (7) Prizes awarded for peace, physics, literature etc. (5) Home of Snowdonia National Park (5) Large deer (3)

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Recipe of the month

Valentine Jammy Dodgers A home made treat with added love

Prep time: 30 mins + chilling time Cooking time: 15-20 mins Makes 6-8 Ingredients: 175g plain flour, Pinch of salt, 75g icing sugar, 125g unsalted butter (diced), 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 75g raspberry jam, 75g apricot jam Method: Sift the flour, salt and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub it lightly into the flour mix, using your fingertips, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and vanilla extract lightly together. Make a well in the centre of the flour mix. Add the egg and vanilla and work together to form a soft, smooth dough. (You can use a food processor if you have one). Place the dough in a polythene bag and place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 170C / gas mark 3. Divide the chilled dough into two equal portions. Place one portion between two pieces of lightly floured greaseproof paper and roll the dough to approximately a 4mm thickness. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Remove the top sheet of paper. With a large biscuit cutter, cut the dough into an even number of discs. Using a small heart cutter, cut out and remove the centre of half the biscuit discs. Place all the discs on the baking sheets. Bake for 15–20 minutes until just firm and barely coloured. Don’t fully bake yet. Remove from the oven and place a teaspoonful of jam in the centre of each whole biscuit round. Spread to 1.5cm from the edge. Place the heart cut-out rounds on top. Return to the oven and cook for a further 5–6 minutes by which time the biscuits will be evenly cooked and the jam sufficiently hot to stick the two halves of the biscuits together. Leave the biscuits to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

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Mum’s the word

#Lockdown3 Early in the first lockdown whilst I was only able to publish the Big Voice online, I shared some ideas on this page of things you can do at home with the children to help keep you all entertained. In light of the current situation I thought they might just come in useful again. If you have found any activities or have ideas of how to keep the kids entertained and engaged I would love to hear from you and feature some of your ideas over the next few weeks on my Facebook page @BigVoiceDirectories.

Painting with hands or feet has always been a favourite of mine, I always make Christmas cards this way. This time we created an animal poster! Have a go and see what creature you can create. Email me a picture and I’ll share it on my Facebook page.

Make mealtimes more fun by making coloured spaghetti! Boil the spaghetti following the instructions then add your favourite food colour for the last two minutes! Simple and fun.

Kids just love slime, I’m sure most of us parents feel the exact opposite! It’s creative and will keep them entertained for hours though. Once you have made your slime, use a straw to blow bubbles! Recipe 240ml PVA glue 1tsp bicarbonate of soda A drop or two of food colouring 1tbsp eyewash (must contain boric acid or sodium borate) 1. Pour the glue, food colouring and bicarbonate of soda into your bowl and mix. 2. Slowly add the eyewash and mix. It will quickly become stringy, when it comes away from the sides it is ready to knead in your hands. Top tip: if it seems too sticky add a tiny bit more eyewash but be careful not to add too much or it will just break apart and you will need to start again.

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Mum’s the word Freeze small toys in plastic tubs or cups, give the children wooden or safe tools and watch them release them.

Raid the recycling and make junk models, vehicles or space stations, the options are endless! The older ones can try and create a boat and test it at bath time.

Flipping good fun! Pancake Day aka ‘Shrove Tuesday’ is on 16th February. If you would like a super quick recipe to make with the children, look no further. My kids love the crepe style pancakes and I remember them being my favourite too. This is the easiest recipe and you only need three simple ingredients which you probably already have at home. You don’t need any fancy equipment either, just a bowl and a hand whisk. Kids can do the weighing and mixing but make sure an adult is doing the frying and flipping! Ingredients: • 180g plain flour • 450ml milk • 3 eggs You will also need some butter or oil for frying Instructions: 1. Add the flour, milk and eggs to a large bowl and whisk with a hand whisk until the batter is smooth and bubbly. 2. Heat a very small amount of butter or oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. 3. Ladle a small amount of the batter into the frying pan, swirling the pan around until the batter covers the whole surface. 4. Cook for about a minute then flip and cook for another minute on the other side. Be careful as the pan will be very hot! Both sides should have started to crisp and turn golden. Transfer to a plate. 5. Repeat with the remaining batter. You should be able to make at least 10 pancakes from this recipe. 6. Top your pancakes with anything you like. You can have healthy ones topped with fruit or naughty ones topped with syrup or chocolate spread. Why not try savoury ones and treat the pancake like a wrap for a tasty lunch. If you want to add a little more fun, you can buy a pancake shaper for a few pounds from Ebay. They have them in the shape of a bear, a heart or even a skull! There are also plenty of keep fit, dancing and disco videos for children available on YouTube. My kids love ‘Just Dance’ and one of the most popular is probably Joe Wicks who has returned with his PE lessons for lockdown 3. If you are a local fitness instructor, kids entertainer or similar please let me know when you are streaming videos and I will post them on my facebook page. I love hearing from my readers and the local community. Please share your ideas, stories and pictures via email or my facebook page.

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CHAT WITH CORALIE

Positivity and

2021

When times are hard, pressures are weighing you down, anxiety hits more than normal and life just feels like wading through a bowl of treacle, it’s not uncommon for positivity to take a back seat.

which was a little tongue in cheek but it read ‘Tier rhymes with cheer so I’m sticking with cheer folks. It’s a different Christmas but I’m going to have a ball. #Cheer4’.

Let’s face it, trying to remain upbeat and happy in the face of adversity can be, frankly, damned tough.

We had some comments which implied that the reader of the post believed that we must have it all OK and that we weren’t suffering in any way.

It takes energy and effort to keep going. It takes a sense of belief and hope to pour good thoughts onto bad ones. And if, like many of us, you are struggling to find even enough willpower to just get through the day, the thoughts of a positive person can be like nails on a blackboard. Social media can be a huge culprit of perpetuating perfectionism where often this isn’t real. Instagram feeds us with images of lives that ours cannot compare with. Pictures of happy, healthy people living their days in sunny climates, driving powerful cars to homes which are cleaned to Mrs Hinch standards and more. Hashtags of #blessed and #lucky fill our screens making us feel worthless, lacking and pointless. But, I urge you to stop just for a moment. This isn’t a piece about comparison-itis (although if you do suffer from the green eyed monster when you look at others you might want to do some work on yourself there). No, this is actually about the point of positivity. My partner and I have often been accused of being ‘too positive’. Assumptions are made that we come from a place of ‘having it all’. Yet the opposite is so often true. Recently, on the announcement of our Tier 4 fate, we posted an image

Without detailing why this wasn’t true at all, we chose to reply that the reason why we put out positivity is that this is how we choose to be. It doesn’t mean we ignore the sadness or the stresses, but we look for every opportunity to find a positive spin on things, no matter how small the grain of it may be. It’s a hard thing to do. And sometimes we don’t want to do it. We would rather wallow in the sadness of our situation. But do that for a bit and then let it go. Grab back on to the bumper of happiness instead of hauling your sack of ‘stuff’ around. Keep reminding yourself that you are doing your best. There are things you can’t control. But the one thing you have got control over is what you choose to focus on. Whilst it won’t make the bad stuff entirely go away, it simply shines a brighter light on what is good. Push the rubbish into the shadows. Put a beaming smile on your face so big that it lights up what is good in the world and don’t let social media or anyone tell you that it’s not OK to do that. Live every day as peacefully and as honestly as you can. And just keep putting one foot in front of the other. 2021, we’ve got this. Until next month

Coralie x

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Crofton Parish

THE TURNING OF THE TIDE? High tide can be a lot of fun down at the Meon Shore. If you walk along the seawall past the harbour you can enjoy getting splashed by the waves. I was down there this week doing some filming and there were a lot of people out enjoying a sunny break between squalls. It feels like we are at high tide. COVID-19 has washed over our way of life, submerging it beneath the waves of lockdown, tiers and all the necessary restrictions we have to take to get through this. However, we might just be seeing the turning of the tide. The first of my Facebook friends to receive the vaccine got it this week – a nurse working on the frontline in ‘Covid’ wards. It’s great news and offers us a ray of hope at the beginning of 2021. We still have some way to go however, and will be living with restrictions for months. As the tide gradually goes out and restrictions loosen, we will be able to see the world the Covid-19 pandemic leaves behind. Much will be familiar, though much will be changed. In Crofton Parish, we are asking the question: ‘What kind of world do we want the post-Covid world to be?’ Even before 2020, we faced a series of generational challenges – global warming, systemic discrimination and inequality, to name a few – that I suspect most of us would like to see addressed, at the very least. Answering the question begins with asking another one: ‘What kind of world does God want for us?’ The most famous piece of teaching by Jesus in the Gospels is called the Sermon on the Mount. You can find it in Matthew 5-7. It’s a vision – a manifesto, if you 20

like – for a new world, a better world. Even though the Sermon on the Mount was delivered nearly 2,000 years ago, it shapes us today in more ways than we can number. If you’ve ever heard someone say, ‘Turn the other cheek’ or ‘Go the extra mile’ (or ‘Blessed are the cheesemakers’…!), you’ve heard the influence of the Sermon on the Mount. You are welcome to join in as we go on this journey together. Right now, it’s easier than ever to join in online through our Facebook page (Holy Rood Church) or our website www.croftonparish.org.uk You don’t even have to get out of bed! You might to do your own ‘post-Covid world’ exercise at home. Here are three simple questions you can consider by yourself or with your household: 1. Has anything been good or positive about your experience of Covid-19? If so, what? 2. What have you learned about yourself? 3. As we ‘start over’, what changes do you want to make? What practical steps would these require? Make sure you write the answers down! The tide is turning, which is good news. We don’t want to stumble thoughtlessly into whatever comes after. We probably have a few months to reflect, discuss and plan what a post-Covid world might look like. Let’s take full advantage of that. Revd Richard England, Vicar – Crofton Parish Telephone 661154 office@croftonparish.org.uk

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DRIVING TIMES

Fighter jet looks, display and performance. The BMW C-evolution electric scooter performs like an F18 off a carrier. You will become addicted to riding it! Electric scooters and motorbikes are targeted at urban use, where users ride a reasonably short distance on a commute into or around a town or city. They have a range of about 100 miles maximum on a full charge, which generally means charging every other day. The BMW C-evolution follows this pattern with 100 miles on a full charge when riding in economy mode. I found though that this, as with miles per gallon values on standard motorcycles, really depends on how you ride. I collected the C-evolution from Vines BMW Bikes in Guildford, setting off with nearly a full charge and 93 miles range showing on the easy to read, well-designed display. The C-evolution performed superbly while I had it, the large seat is comfortable, and the heated seats help a great deal—a massive bonus for a daily commuter. The scooter takes all roads in its stride, you have the performance to match any motorcycle. The top speed is 86mph and it happily cruised along at 68mph. The easy to read, clear display shows charge remaining, estimated mileage remaining before a charge and speed. It also indicates power going back into the scooter, through regenerative technology. Applying the ABS brakes not only stops you but it also puts electricity back into the

battery, thus charging it. This extends the range, so in and around town where braking happens more often your mileage will improve quite considerably. Charging is the primary concern for people thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle. If you have a house with a drive, there are no issues. Park the scooter near the house and run the cable from the scooter. The adaptor end is in the scooter, then plug in the three-pin plug and you are charging, like plugging in a kettle. If you don’t have a house or driveway, then re-charging can be an issue. You can re-charge at some fuel stations, supermarkets and other locations such as leisure centres and hotels. Handling in all situations is sharp with a perfect centre of gravity so you can flick the scooter around as you like. You can also choose to ride in standard legs astride position or relaxed with feet up, chopper style. There is nothing I dislike about it for what it is intended for. You are not likely to buy it for a holiday trip to the south of France or for riding to Moto GP events, but those that want a daily commuter could choose nothing better. Seriously, £12k seems a steal for what you get. Thanks to the team at Vines BMW Bikes Guildford www.vinesguildfordmotorrad.co.uk Jeremy writes for www.roadtestsandreviews.co.uk Words and pictures by Jeremy Webb Copyright 2020

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Keep on running Club’. Eventually, as the family connections to Portsmouth were lost, it seemed natural to join my local running club ‘Gosport Road Runners’. This is where I made the acquaintance of David Croft. He was and still is a senior statesman and standard bearer for the club. A man who loves the club dearly. A man who would help any less experienced runner and afford new members a warm welcome. A true role model, which is still true today. But let me allow Dave to introduce himself. Here is an extract taken from a club interview a few years ago.

David Croft... We will never forget 2020 will we? This Christmas will have been a very difficult time for some, whereas others may have found it a chance to reset and find a little calm. The one thing that is sure for everyone, is that we have never experienced a ‘festive’ season quite like it! For my friends and I, the usual Christmas Day routine of meeting for festive runs and races were swapped for a more solitary experience, albeit one bathed in glorious sunshine. Although it was nice to wave (from afar) at other runners or friends who were out for fresh air, it wasn’t and never could be the same. The time exercising alone has given me a lot of time to think, particularly, about a man who has made a huge impression on me at the back end of my running career. When I moved to Gosport around 25 years ago, I initially continued my semi competitive running with the ‘City of Portsmouth Athletic 24

Who are you? Dave Croft. I have been a club member for over 28 years. During that time, I have been the Club Race Recorder, O.O.T. Host, President, Newsletter Editor, Vice Chairman, Chairman and perhaps best of all, a onetime only, starter and timer for a club 5k time trial! When did you join Gosport Road Runners? Not totally sure, I believe the earliest record of me in the club history is the Worthing 20 miles in early 1992, however am sure I would have joined the club some time prior to this so maybe 1990/91. What first made you come to the club? I had travelled to watch a friend of a friend participate in The London Marathon and although we never managed to see him (there were so many people) on the way back home, the seed was sown, and I decided that I wanted to run a Marathon myself. I have always been quite fit and initially I started running on my own, devising my own routes and gradually building up my distance. Eventually participating in the Portsmouth and then the Gosport Half Marathons as an unattached runner. At this point I was finding it difficult to do much more than 13/15 miles. A friend at work, Liz Redpath, was also a runner and she convinced me that I should join a club if I wanted to improve. Did you use the beginner’s course, if so, was it helpful? There was no such thing in those days, basically you just joined in with

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a group that was roughly your pace. I think it shows how the club has progressed over the years. Now there are beginner’s courses along with trained personnel to organise and run them.

Not all running clubs will have someone like Dave Croft and Gosport Road Runners are very fortunate to have him as a member. Always modest and approachable, if cloning were allowed, we should have more of him!

What is your favourite race or event and why? A difficult one as there have been so many, I guess if you twisted my arm, I would have to say The Snowdonia Marathon. The scenery and camaraderie on that weekend were always very special to me.

Does your running or sport club have someone like Dave? Who inspires you? If so, I’d love to hear about your heroes at nickcarter40@hotmail.com

What is your favourite distance and why? They all have their merits, but the sense of achievement afterwards was always the most important thing. If I had to choose, I would say the Marathon. Do you have a favourite medal or T-Shirt? I don’t have a favourite medal, my preference has always been for useful prizes (mugs, coasters, bottle openers, t-Shirts, etc. (boring I know!!)). My favourite t-shirt is my GRR one. Road or trail? Why is this? Definitely trail. I love being out in the country exploring new areas and paths, the roads get boring to me. Do you prefer to race or just enjoy your runs and have a chat? My favourite times have been training sessions for Marathons with what was then “The Sunday Crew”. The banter at times was just special, I really looked forward to every Sunday. Who inspires you the most? There are so many people, I could spend all day mentioning them. First one I guess would be a chap called Bruce Tulloh a bare footed runner who I once saw at what was then the White city stadium in London participating in an AAA 10K race, he overtook the entire field before the finish. He was also in a Pewsey Half marathon I once participated in, needless to say did not see him from start to finish even though he was a Veteran by then. There are many, many more, particularly Marathon runners.

We have all proved that we can come together and deal with adversity and COVID, so here’s to a better 2021. Perhaps we can be happier with less and use that community strength that we have come to lean on in 2020? C’mon!! Let’s make ‘21’ great! Written by: Nick Carter (Absolute GosVegas Run Groups)

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