Choice Magazine for Stubbington & Hill Head - November edition
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Christmas starts this month in Stubbington with the Christmas lights switch on and carol service! You’ll find all the details and date on page 32.
I recently went to Porto and apart from devouring copious amounts of gelato (it was 27 degrees!) I also got too partial for coconut macaroons! My craving has continued since returning home and when I spotted ‘healthy’ 3 ingredient coconut cookies enabling me to get my fix, I was sold! See page 10 for the recipe.
Don’t forget The Golden Bowler when you’re organising Christmas drinks, check out their ad.
Inside you’ll also find news, fungus expert Rebecca Mckeown’s article, the sudoku, local events including Christmas fairs, the remembrance service, advertisers and more.
If you have a business you’d like us to advertise - get in touch!
Thanks for your ongoing support for my magazine, it means a lot. Have a great November, see you next month!
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Shoreline Church meets every Sunday, 10.15am, in the main hall at Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington
Please join us, everyone is welcome
Visit shorelinechristianchurch.com for more information or phone
Kevin Stares on 07462 066104 or Julie Stares on 07531 856465
Waves meet every Sunday in Crofton Youth Project 10.45‐11.45am (adjoined to Crofton Community Centre) Waves plus are aged 13 to 19 meet every fortnight on Thursdays 6.30‐8.30pm from Thursday 6th November. PUT THE KETTLE ON FOR KENYA! Coffee Morning Saturday 22nd November 10 am ‐ 12 pm at the Youth Project
Raising money for ‘To Kenya with love’ Supporting a feeding program for needy children in Kenya
COCONUT COOKIES
These 3 ingredient cookies are simple and easy to make! Naturally sweetened with banana but add honey or maple syrup to make it sweeter!
Ingredients makes 12
• 2 cups unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 2 medium ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips for drizzling
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 3
Start by mashing together the ripe bananas in a medium bowl. Mix in the shredded coconut until combined.
Divide the mixture into 12, roll into ball and gently flatten onto a parchment lined tray. Bake for 25-35 at or until golden brown.
Let the cookies cool while you melt your chocolate.
Drizzle the chocolate over top and place in the freezer to set!
This recipe is from Michelle von Hahn. Find her @healthynumnumblog
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General
HIDDEN TREASURES HIDDEN TREASURES
FUNGI IN CRESCENT GARDEN
This year the weather has provided plenty of sunshine, and until mid – August, very little rainfall. Consequently, it has been a challenge to keep the moisture required for the plants themselves. The sun brought out the very best of the garden with many months of beautiful blooms and glorious sunshine. Despite this, it was not a bad season for fungi. With rain at the beginning of the year, saturating the soil and depleting oxygen levels and a good amount of rain throughout September, there has still been an abundance of fruiting bodies this season; emerging from the trees, stumps and across lawns and grassland. The Crescent Gardens have provided a diverse environmental contrast, which allow for such an array of species.
Fungi require every aspect of their environment to be exact for their development. In woodlands and other untouched areas, it can often prove more predictable in terms of what you can expect to see return annually. In an environment such as a continuously evolving garden, there will be alterations and increased likelihood of disturbances made to a habitat which could potentially create more variety but could see some species disappear. Tree roots can stretch far underground and occasionally a fruiting body presents itself that does not
appear to match the habitat that is required for its existence. When this occurs, it is usually due to far reaching tree root systems from neighbouring gardens.
Previously a single specimen appeared and has not been seen since. Amanita muscaria (also referred to as a Fly agaric). Amanita muscaria can be found mostly in woodland, its host trees are birch, firs and pines where the soil tends to be more acidic. The most iconic, striking and beautiful mushroom, with a pure white stipe and gills and a shiny vivid red cap, adorned with little white warts. Fully matured, they can reach up to 20cm in diameter, allowing them to be sighted from some distance.
Some fruiting bodies, especially tree dwellers can often be seen throughout the year. Earlier this year some Jelly ear fungi (Auricularia auricular Judea) appeared on an old log. It was given its name due to its gelatinous texture and its distinct resemblance to an ear. Predominantly appearing on Elder trees (Sambucas nigra), the Jelly Ear fungi’s Latin name refers to Judas Iscariot and how he hanged himself from the branches of an Elder tree. Some believed the fungus itself was a visual representation of his tortured guilty soul trying to escape from the trees. These fungi have been used in Chinese cuisine for over a thousand years and widely believed to have healing properties. Perhaps most intriguingly of all is its capacity for survival; withstanding freezing temperatures and then having the ability to continue its growth once thawed.
It can take many seasons of observation in specific areas like The Crescent Garden to obtain a deeper understanding of the mycelial life within. This mushroom season has been a perfect end to a wonderful summer.
Ideal for front gardens as statement pieces, or for smaller rear gardens where you want the sound of water without the footprint that a pond requires. There are a multitude of fountain designs to choose from and the configurations are endless. These are also really good for attracting birds to drink and wash.
ECOSYSTEM POND
PONDL
Ideal for and stre a hidden water is
Ideal for people wanting to enjoy it as a fishpond, and/or to use it as a recreation pond if the space allows, where your family sit and relax in the summer, but still enjoy the visual of a beautiful natural looking pond all year round. This is the oppos swimming pool which remains a covered over rectangle for most of the year with our English weather! Using the Ecosystem basis for natural chemical free filtration, underwater jets and larger wetland filtration systems can be incorporated to ensure and circulation. Waterfalls, streams and decorative fountainscape elements can be incorporated into the pond to suit your s ultimate outdoor living lifestyle.
I can also create and incorporate Rainwater Harvesting systems to use with any of the water features mentioned. All ponds and water features will periodically lose water due to evaporation, splash and wind. Manual top up is the simplest solution but requires regular checking for levels. Creating an underground water reservoir from collected rainwater for your feature to draw upon is the most environmentally friendly way
Contact Craig to arrange a consultation and design visit: 07787 562490
All other landscaping, pond cleaning and garden maintenance also carried out.
LESS WATERFALL
people wanting the impressive visual and sound of a waterfall am, but without the want for fish or pond maintenance. Using n water reservoir to give the illusion of disappearing water, the then pumped back up to the start of the waterfall to recirculate.
All water features can be enhanced with lighting to ensure 24 hour enjoyment of them.
y and friends can swim or site to a standard garden m Pond philosophy as the the highest water quality space and budget, for the
IN THE GARDEN
• Fork over vacant soil
• Deadhead pansies to keep flowers coming
• Cut chrysanthemums to soil level after flowering
• Lift and store dahlia tubers or cover with mulch once leaves are blackened by frost
• Prune rambling roses after flowering
GREENHOUSE & PLOT
• Clear out old tomato and cucumber cordons
• Move potted bulbs into the greenhouse
• Bring potted herbs under cover
• Plant out autumn onion sets and garlic
• Lift and divide large clumps of rhubarb
• Pick and store apples
HOUSE PLANTS
• Reduce watering and feeding of houseplants as the days shorten
• Cacti and succulents need a period of relative dormancy over the winter: keep them barely moist, and do not feed. Resume normal care next spring
• Ensure plants don’t sit in damp sogginess as they become prone to rot
Grinding
Shrubs:
W L S
Do you have important legal documents in place to protect your interests and make life easier for you and your family, whatever the future brings?
If you have received a diagnosis of dementia, or are concerned about becoming ill and unable to cope with paying your bills, wouldn’t it be helpful for a family member to be able to step in and deal with your finances? If your family member needed to make decisions for you, instead of just acting on your instructions, they would need your formal written authority to do this.
Formal authority can be given by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney. This document will allow your family member to take over managing your money, either temporarily or long term.
You can also create a Lasting Power of Attorney which allows your family member to make decisions for you about medical treatment, if you are unable for any reason to make your own decisions. This is not the same as an Advance Decision, which is a document which sets out your decision to refuse medical treatment in the future, under specific conditions.
If you are caring for an elderly relative, or are likely to be doing so in the future, a Lasting Power of Attorney will mean that you can provide the support your relative needs and access services on their behalf, without the difficulties, stress and resistance you would otherwise encounter.
Having a Will gives you peace of mind that your money, property and personal possessions will be going to the people you have chosen to benefit. An out of date Will can cause problems within the family or mean that a chosen beneficiary receives nothing.
If you have any unanswered questions about Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney, Christine will be pleased to help, so do please get in touch for a free, no obligation, chat.
Call Christine Davies Solicitor on 07860 772274 or email: christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk
Christine is a Fully Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend. Christine will visit you in your own home and aims to provide a warm personal touch to every meeting.
STUBBINGTON GROUP Second Thursday of month 2pm Catholic Church Hall, Bells Ln All retirees welcome. 023 9234 5457 or csrf.org.uk/group/stubbington
STUBBINGTON BELLES W.I. 10th Nov 1.30-3.30pm Crofton Club. Our speaker is Lizzy Race talking about ‘How to Save the Planet: One Outfit at a Time’. If you are looking to make new friends please come and give us a try. More info from stubbingtonbellessec@hampshirewi.org.uk
STUBBINGTON & HILL HEAD WI 26th Nov 2pm
Baptist Church, Jay Close. We will be entertained by Jennifer Parker-Lummis singing "Christmas Songs". Visitors can come to 2 meetings before deciding to join.
STUBBINGTON & HILL HEAD HISTORY SOCIETY
Roman Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington 10th Nov Early sailing in The Solent - a talk by Richard Frankland
1st Dec AGM plus a local history photo quiz with mulled wine and mince pies Guests welcome for a £5 admissionpay on the night. For info visit www.shhhs.co.uk
LEE PLAYERS ‘SCHOOL FOR MURDER’
Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November Doors 7pm, curtain 7:30pm. Tickets, £10, from 01329 662128, Crofton Community Centre or on the door. 'Sandra is holding a crime-writers' seminar but problems arise: her goddaughter is missing, a guest has disappeared and another is seen hanged.' Don't miss this intriguing play!
STUBBINGTON STITCH AND KNIT GROUP
Fridays 2-4pm Foster Room, next to Holyrood. Sales: 15th Nov - Stubbington Library 9.30am-12noon 29th Nov - St Columba's Church 10am-12noon We do only take cash. For enquiries 07970 826044.
PUIT THE KETTLE ON FOR KENYA! COFFEE
MORNING Saturday 22nd Nov 10am-12pm at the Youth Project. Raising money for ‘To Kenya with love’. Supporting a feeding program for needy children in Kenya. See page 9 for more details.
SEAFARERS SAILING CLUB - ANNUAL JUMBLE
SALE 10am Saturday 8 November Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington. Good quality clothes, books, brica-brac, linen, toys, etc. Entrance 50p. Tea coffee available.
FRIDAY FAIR AT STUBBINGTON LIBRARY
9:30-11.30am Home-baked cakes, jams, chutney. Crafts. Don’t forget to order your Christmas goodies! Christmas cakes, puddings, mince pies. Seasonal treats: fresh plants & vegetables (seasonal), beautiful holly wreaths for the festive season. Unique handmade crafts: cards & gift boxes, jewellery (repairs possible), bags & make-up bags, cushions & embroidered items. Come support your local makers.
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE ON THE GREEN Sun 9th Nov. 10.45am-11.15am Stubbington Green Everyone is welcome to this Act of Remembrance in the village. This has been a significant event in the life of our community for many years.
The 10am Altogether Service with Communion at Holy Rood will finish in time for people to walk over to the village.
CROFTON BOWLS CLUB COFFEE MORNING & RAFFLE Behind the tennis courts. Sat 8th November 10am-Noon. Members £1.50, non members £2.50. Under 11’s £1. Admission includes dink & slice of cake. All welcome. 2 members will be tasting and judging a cake competition (homemade cakes provided by members) before the start of the Coffee morning. During November, Members will enjoy a Sunday afternoon quiz, our first Hobby Horse Race Night and our AGM on 23 November.
INTERNATIONAL FOLK/CIRCLE DANCING
November 4th & 18th 10am-12pm RC Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington £7. Contact Bob & Mary 01329 609589 Mobile: 07748009838 neal.bob61@gmail.com
ST EDMUNDS (CROFTON OLD CHURCH) Services 9.30am every Sunday. 1st & 3rd Sun Holy Communion (BCP). 2nd & 4th Sun Morning Service. 5th Sunday Communion Service with hymns in the Common Worship style. Coffee is served after the Morning Services and the 5th Sunday Service 18th Nov 10am-12pm Open for visitors/private prayer.
ADVENT CONCERT St. Edmunds Church, Lychgate Green, Stubbington. 4pm Sunday 30th November FOCOC (Friends Of Crofton Old Church) are hosting an Advent Concert by the Solent Community Choir. Admission to this popular event is FREE but donations towards the upkeep of our lovely old Church will be welcome.
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Nash, our Centre Manager doing diagnostic work Jake our Apprentice
With 3 sites in the local area, all of our Garages are high ranking members of ‘The Good Garage Scheme’ and ‘Checkatrade’. Our Garages provide onsite MOT testing. Mon - Fri: 8.30 - 5.30 Sat: 8.30 - 12.30
All Makes and Models catered for.
0333 3585 999
Solent Airport MOTs, Unit il1-3, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX (Stubbington Motors is now at Solent Airport MOTS) Elkins Motors, 99b Mays Lane, Stubbington PO14 2ED Locks Heath Garage, 212 Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath PO14 4PG
HVR CUSTOMS
Specialists in VW’s, we also cover many other makes and models in the full or part conversion of camper vans, kombi vans and caddy’s. We manufacture and design custom built camper interiors for Volkswagens and other makes.
Full & Part Conversions
VW Transporters, Campers, Kombi’s and Caddy’s
0333 3585 999 (Option 3)
HVR Customs, Unit il3-4, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX
CARS AND VANS ALWAYS IN STOCK FOR SALE!
Specialising in transporters and small low mileage cars. (The cars are ideal for first time drivers.)
REMEMBERING TOGETHER
Each year, as November approaches, our village prepares to gather at the war memorial for the Act of Remembrance. It is one of the most important moments in our community calendar. Last year, as every year, so many folk came together - old and young, families and neighbours, school children and veterans. That silence speaks more deeply than words ever could, as we remember those who gave their lives in conflict.
Our village has a strong naval connection, and so the sea features heavily in our reflections. Many of those we honour served in the Royal Navy or merchant fleet, some never returning home. The ocean, with its vastness and depth, can remind us both of the courage of those who went out upon it, and of the grief borne by those left behind. On Remembrance Sunday, we acknowledge not only the bravery of those who served, but also the sacrifice of families who endured absence, uncertainty, and loss.
It has been particularly lovely over the past few years to see the arrival of more and more beautiful hand knitted poppies adorning hedges and lampposts. Our shared symbol of remembrance - the poppy is fragile, yet resilient. It grows where the ground was once torn apart, speaking of hope as well as sorrow.
To wear a poppy is to say: we will not forget. But it is more than just looking back. Each generation is called to learn from the past, to build a future where peace is cherished and where conflicts are resolved without resorting to violence.
In our service at the memorial, we will hear those familiar words: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…”These words are not simply poetry - they are a promise. A promise to honour the memory of those who died, and to let their example shape the way we live. The silence we keep is not empty - it is full of gratitude, of grief, and of resolve.
And as people of faith, we also turn to God in prayer. We remember with thanksgiving those who laid down their lives, we ask for comfort for those who still carry wounds - both seen and unseen - and we seek God’s help in working for peace in our own time. Jesus once said, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” On Remembrance Sunday, we see that truth lived out in the lives of so many who served.
This year, as we gather again in large numbers around our village memorial, let us do so with reverence and unity. May the silence bind us together across generations. May we give thanks for courage and sacrifice. In an increasingly unpeaceful world, let us also commit ourselves afresh to being peacemakers -in our homes, our community, and our world.
When the bugle sounds the Last Post, and we bow our heads, we do not stand alone. We stand with the countless who have gone before, and with all those who long for a world where war is no more.
Rev Beth Yeandle Associate Vicar, Crofton Parish
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE ON THE GREEN Sun 9th Nov. 10.45am-11.15am Stubbington Green Everyone is welcome.
