Located in Alverstoke on the South Hampshire Coast, Royal Haslar is one of Britain’s landmark buildings.
Built in 1753, the Grade II-listed former naval hospital is part of the very fabric of our nation. Assured its place in history, it is now protected for the future. Reborn as a luxury waterfront residential village offering outstanding period architecture and well-appointed, modern apartments.
Welcome to Royal Haslar - your sanctuary by the sea. Call today and book a private viewing of the coastal and parkland show apartments.
For detailed floor plans, apartment specifications, video tours and to register for the Royal Haslar newsletter, with latest updates and local news, visit the website:
I no longer know where my woolly hat is and I haven’t had to hunt the house to find gloves for months! It’s wonderful! We skipped spring but thankfully, summer has arrived!
And what better way to enjoy the summer than with a chilled free drink! Read on...
Yes, you read that right! The Creek are offering a free glass of something delicious with a main meal with a copy of their ad! Check out all the details on their advert inside!
Like the idea of rugby but like the idea of walking rugby better? Your local club in Gosport could be where you need to be! Check out the article about them on page 18.
Are you a Port & Lemon fan? I’m talking about the locally made brand of lovely products not the drink! If your go to place to stock up on their wares was No49 in Alverstoke Village, worry not! They may have shut their Alverstoke Village location but they have a sister shop you can visit! Check out their sister shop advert inside!
Lots of local events listed inside prompting you to get out and about!
This month Rita talks about the lovely Cistus shrub, commonly known as the Rock Rose. Each flower lasts just a day! Another interesting read as always! Louise Courtney tells us about the benefits of Marigolds! It’s not just your tomato
plants that benefit from them, we can too! Try drinking or bathing in them! You’ll also find the gardening guide inside, the sudoku, plus lovely advertisers, news and more!
Of course there is a recipe! It’s for Chocolate Orange Cupcakes. I’d love to know if you give them a go!
Don’t forget to check out our digital edition at gosportchoice.com and follow us on our socials!
Why not try an advert in the July edition? Get your business in front of thousands of lovely local residents! Get in touch! Details below or scan the QR code.
I hope you enjoy this months edition. I also hope you have a lovely June! Happy Father’s day to my wonderful Dad and all our Dad readers! We’ll be thinking of all the wonderful Dads on and off this planet.
See you next month!
EDITOR | FOLLOW
Website: gosportchoice.com
Described as...Bursting with rich chocolatey
flavours paired with tangy orange, these dairyfree, vegan chocolate orange cupcakes taste just as good as they look. Devised by nutritionist and food and health writer Joy Skipper.
Makes 10 cupcakes
• 150 g plain flour
• 140 g caster sugar
• 50 g cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• grated rind of one orange
• 230 ml non-dairy milk
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 100 ml sunflower oil
• 20 g vegan chocolate melted
• extra cocoa for dusting
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with 10 paper cases.
Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate and baking powder into a bowl. Stir in the orange rind.
Whisk together the milk, vinegar and sunflower oil.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together well. Divide between the 10 paper cases. Bake for 20-15 minutes, until risen and springy to the touch.
Remove from the tin and allow to cool on a rack.
Decorate with swirls of melted chocolate, bits of orange rind and a sprinkling of cocoa.
Cistus is a genus of perennial shrubs native to the Mediterranean region where they thrive on dry rocky soils from Portugal to the Middle East and in the Canary Islands. The plants produce a profusion of flowers. Each flower lasts only one day, but is soon followed by another, so that the bush is a mass of flowers for the whole summer. Each flower has five papery looking petals, surrounding a mass of yellow pollen filled stamens, below which are the nectaries with plentiful nectar. They are, therefore, visited frequently by bees, hoverflies and beetles. The flowers look remarkably like the old fashioned single roses, hence the common name for the plant, rock rose.
There are several Cistus shrubs in Crescent Garden, on most of which the flowers are white, but on one of them the flowers, though white, are large and have a dramatic dark red spot at the base of each petal. Do stroll round and see if you can find them all.
Rock roses are plants extremely well adapted to drought conditions. They have tough leaves,
which do not easily lose water, even in hot weather. Their roots have a mycorrhizal association with certain fungi in the soil which helps them to absorb water and nutrients efficiently. In their native habitat they grow in dry, rocky places in full sunshine and can even survive fire. Their seeds, particularly, will germinate well after fire and thus enable the plants to re-grow in quite devastated areas. Cistus is also happy in salty breezes, so ideal for sea side gardens. They are very easy to care for as long as they are not in heavy wet soil or a frost pocket. They also will not flower so profusely if grown in shade. Most varieties do not like too much pruning, but a gentle cut back after flowering does not come amiss.
The leaves of some varieties are scented and are used in herbal medicine. In other Cosmos the leaves secrete ladanum, an aromatic viscous material which has been used since antiquity as part of incense and perfumes. It is still used in this way in Crete.
No part of this plant is toxic to any animal, though it does not seem to be devoured by any of the usual pests. It is also easily propagated by cuttings.
So, a perfect easy care plant for your garden, why not try one (or more).
Rita RundleCrescent Garden, Crescent Road, Alverstoke alverstokecrescentgarden.co.uk
Rear
Darren Harris is a skilled, reliable and professional carpenter and joiner based in Gosport offering a wide range of carpentry services for your home or business. The options are pretty endless but to give you an idea of the most popular services a list is below:
■ door hanging
■ door frames
■ picture rails
■ flooring ■ skirting
■ bespoke fitted wardrobes
■ painting and decorating
■ bespoke fitted cupboards
■ bannisters
■ internal and external doors
■ bespoke furniture
■ windows
gosportcarpenter.co.uk
darren@gosportcarpenter.co.uk
Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club are hosting their third annual walking rugby tournament on Saturday 15th June.
The Clubs’ walking rugby section (Sponsored by A&S Motors) has grown from strength to strength beginning its journey in November 2019. Our colleagues, who train both Tuesday & Saturdays, have improved their fitness, rugby skills, game management and teamwork over the years and we are currently county champions of both Hampshire and Surrey.
Last year we also won the fair play award at the Kingswood Festival (Bristol) with another thirty teams competing this south west gathering.
We regularly have over twenty players coming down the Club is located on Dolphin Crescent, Gosport PO12 2HE on a Saturday morning 10am to train. On a Tuesday 6.30pm, in the winter, we train under the floodlights.
We are taking our team(s) this year to at least four other walking rugby events. These include Salisbury, Burgess Hill, Esher and the Surrey Festival being hosted at Old Reigatians.
So if you would like to come down and watch or take part just turn up in this fast growing sport just come on down either Tuesday evening or Saturday morning. All are welcome. You do not need to have played and just enjoy the social gathering.
If you want to come down to watch the Tournament in June 15th please come along around 11am for a full day packed with rugby. The Clubhouse will be open will all facilities available – refreshments, food & raffle.
Don’t be shy come on down and have some fun.
Check us out on Facebook or email gfrfc.walkingrugby@gmail.com
• Cut away spring bulb foliage once it dies back
• Sow annual flower seeds
• Clip deciduous & evergreen hedges
• Liquid-feed container plants
• Take softwood cuttings
• Sprinkle feed around roses
• Divide congested flag iris
• Spray aphids on lupins with soapy water
• Feed lawns
• Stake tall lillies
• Clear out ponds
• Snip off faded clematis flowers
• Water sweet peas regularly
• Pick fading flowers from rhododendrons
• Sow winter flowering pansies
• Now’s the time to trim your bay tree
• Trim Magnolias if they are outgrowing their space
• Leave windows and doors open when nights are warm enough
• Pinch out developing sideshoots on tomato stems that need pinching out. Check your seed packets as not all need pinching!
• Train cucumbers and tomatoes to supports
• Increase shading and ventilation
• Damp down your greenhouse floor every morning
• Hang yellow sticky traps in the greenhouse
• Pinch out the tips of cucumber sideshoots
• Plant leeks
• Fill gaps with salad leaves
• Sow dwarf beans, runner beans, peas, beetroot, lettuce, salad leaves, kale, carrots, basil, coriander, radish, soinach, courgettes.
• plant out tomatoes, sweetcorn, ridge cucumbers & courgettes, marrows, squashes, pumpkins
• Stop cutting asparagus from mid June
• Sow french and runner beans in pots to plant out for a late crop
• Keep on top of the weeds
• Protect your fruit
• Second sowing of courgettes can be done
Sunday 7th July 12noon - 4.30pm
Stubbington Recreation Ground
FREE EVENT
ZORBS
FACE PAINTING TIN CAN ALLEY TUG OF WAR
KIDS RACES AND LOTS MORE!
Bring a picnic!
An afternoon of fun!
Organised by THE CROFTON LIONS
• Extensions
• Loft conversions
• General building services
• Groundworks / Brickwork
• UPVC windows & Conservatories
• Property maintenance
• Property renovations
• New Builds
• Roofing
• Flat Roofing
Saturday 15 June 10am-2 pm
St Faiths Church, Victoria Square, Lee on the Solent PO13 9NF
Join us for Family Fun on Victoria Square and our “Bake-Off Charity Cake Sale” in support of Sophie’s Legacy. Donkey rides, Bouncy slides, BBQ, Bar, Family Café, a variety of Stalls, Plant Sale, and Magic Roundabout. Be entertained by the Gosport Shed “Ukuleles” band. Try the Coconut Shy and enjoy the Ice Cream Parlour. Something for all the family. FREE ENTRANCE.
25th June 7pm. Bay House School, Alverstoke
A blast from the past, medieval woodwind instruments talk. Membership £40 per year, or come along as a guest £7, refunded if you decide to join. www.spitheadarts.co.uk
QUIZ every 1st & 3rd Saturdays of month. £1 to sign in £1 to play. Teams up to 6 followed by card bingo. gosportcommunityassociation.com Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport PO12 3PX
June 20th 9.30-11.30am Alver Valley Garden Centre. £25pp. daisyfirstaid.com
Monthly litter pick first Sunday of the month 10-11am Meet in The Alverbank Hotel car park. We provide pickers, bags, gloves and smiles!
SEE PAGE 36 FOR MORE WHAT’S ON G C
June 11th, 25th 10am-12noon
RC Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington £6.50 Dances to beautiful music from around the World. No Partner or experience is required & all dances are taught. New members welcome. Contact Bob & Mary 01329 609589 Mobile: 07748009838 neal.bob61@gmail.com
1st Sunday of the month. Members Bar Thorngate Hall, Bury Road. 2:30-5:30pm. Come along and join in or just come along and enjoy the evening.
Saturday 29th June 8am-3.30pm At the High Street Market. Cat-themed merchandise, nearly new goods, jigsaws and a variety of craft items. Saturday 22nd June 11am-3pm At Brockhurst Primary School Summer Fayre.
Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club, Dolphin Cres, Gosport, PO12 2HE 8-10.30pm 5th Tim Eyles’ Mardis Gras 19th Jazz Café
M £10 G £12 - book early 023 9242 9302 or .gosportjazz.org.uk gjcreserve@gmail.com
Thursday 13th June 7pm
We will be playing Pétanque followed by a bring and share supper. Please note that this meeting starts at the earlier time of 7pm. Meetings usually take place at 7:30 in Bay House School. New members will be most welcome –telephone Martin Lazell on 01329 314750 for more details.
Are you a complete beginner?
Scared of the water?
Do you feel you just sit and watch while your family have fun in the water?
Whatever your level or requirements, we are here to help.
With all of us starting to get our annual holidays booked, why not join us for some specialist 1:1 sessions to improve you stroke ready for your break? If you can’t swim at all, we can get you started on the path to being confident and happy in the water. No one should feel they have to miss out when it comes to enjoying the pool or sea.
Here at The Swim People we only teach from our beautiful private pool in Stubbington. All lessons are private and with no spectators, leaving you free to focus on learning and relaxing in the lovely warm water. We have over 25 years of experience in teaching adults of all ages and abilities.
We teach water phobic, beginners, improvers right through to competitive and technique refinement. Our adult specialist teachers are ready to get you started on your swimming journey.
So don’t delay, give one of our friendly team a call or email today.
01329 802208
Email info@theswimpeople.co.uk
Website www.theswimpeople.co.uk
On the 30th April we had our annual Memorial run, an opportunity to pay our respects to club members sadly no longer with us and also a chance to remember our family and friends. We jog from the Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club to the end of Stokes Bay promenade where our chairman says a few words of remembrance and we have a two-minute silence before we return. This run is for everyone, all speeds, and even bikes if you cannot run/walk. The invitation to attend this run is open to all past and current members and there was a large turnout which was really nice to see.
There are many races, in all corners of the world and Gosport Road Runners fancied running somewhere new, so we made the decision to go on tour to Paphos in Cyprus in March next year for a running weekend that includes race distances of a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. It gives us something to look forward to, a goal to train for and the range of distances mean that every club member, whatever their abilities will be able to participate in one of the events. We can also bring our supporters and stay longer should we wish to enjoy the country and sunnier climate. A perfect opportunity to run abroad and beat those winter-time blues. The package is organised by a specialist running company so that administration by ourselves is kept to a minimum. Our hotel is just 100 metres from the beach and five minutes from the start of the races
The Paphos races have a great reputation with runners from all over Europe and were first run over twenty-five years ago. Entries have had to
be capped at five thousand runners this year.
Running with others is good for your health and happiness
There are some days when instead of running alone you wish you had someone to share the miles and experience with. Going to a club for the first time can be daunting but you’re only ever the first timer once. Then you get to reap all the benefits and experience all the joy.
Running with others is fun, spurs you on and they can help to distract you from thinking about time, pace and distance. You’re thinking about keeping up with the conversation or the group and these distractions can get you stronger and fitter. You’ll be busy trying to keep up so you forget how fast you are going! The camaraderie, friendship and positive thinking from running friends pushes you on to go faster. With a little hard work and encouragement, you can too –the secret is to find a group that runs just a little bit faster than you do.
Some upcoming events in the next month:
• 4th June. Club 5km Time Trial. Stokes Bay.
• Sunday 9th June. Purbrook 5-mile ladies’ race.
• Sunday 16th June. Alresford 10km race.
A Hampshire Road Race League Event.
• Sunday 23rd June. Exbury 10km race.
Every Tuesday and Thursday evening we meet at 7pm at the Gosport and Fareham Rugby Club in Dolphin Crescent.
If you would like to know more about our club and all our activities, please refer to our website gosportroadrunners.org.uk
Illustrious, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9YA
99b Mays Lane, Stubbington PO14 2ED
212 Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath PO14 4PG
Illustrious, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9YA
HVR Customs offer a range of services, including full or part van conversions, pop top roofs and Kombi’s! We specialise in VW Transporters inside and out, including paint repairs and Revo remapping carried out on site. Follow Us!
This article is not as dramatic as the title may suggest! Those of you who are keen gardeners will be familiar with potentially using Marigold (Calendula officinalis) as a sacrificial plant to deter pests from crops such as carrots and tomatoes. These vibrant and aromatic plants invite flying insects into the garden to aid pollination, and they are a tasty meal for creatures such as slugs. The phytochemicals (e.g. flavonoids and volatile oils) that combine to create the bright colours and strong aroma of Calendula contain key medicinal properties that can be indicated for many patients and many conditions. It is a great external first aid remedy for cuts, bruises, burns, strains and sprains, and can also be used topically to treat ulcers, sores and varicose veins. With its moisturising, anti-inflammatory healing properties, Calendula creams and oils can be used as face and body moisturisers to sooth inflamed, sore and red skin. In fact, it is a great base ingredient for the dreaded nappy rash!
When taken internally as a tea or a tincture (alcohol extraction), Calendula can help to treat swollen lymph glands, tonsilitis, and hormonal breast tenderness. It’s healing properties can
soothe inflammation in the digestive tract helping to alleviate symptoms of gastritis and can aid with diarrhoea and lose stools as well as urinary irritation. A high-strength alcohol extraction draws out the resinous qualities of the plant and this can be added to creams and lotions to treat fungal infections such as athletes’ foot and ringworm. The tea is a lovely vibrant yellow, it is slightly bitter when taken on its own, but has a soothing demulcent quality and the bitters help to improve digestive function by stimulating the liver and gallbladder. If you’re not a fan of drinking herbal tea, you can always bathe in it!! Yes, you can make a very strong infusion of the tea and add to your bath (or as a hand or foot bath) to reduce skin inflammation and aid healing. Calendula is a wonderful, versatile, soothing, but powerful herb that can used in a range of ways, so let’s celebrate Marigold not sacrifice her!!
Nb. While Calendula is a gentle herb, it should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the alcohol form, and avoided in the first trimester. Please consult a qualified medical herbalist before internal use (especially with the tincture and if you are taking other medications) and for use with children and babies.
Follow Louise on instagram @wildsidehealth for photos, tips, research information and all things plant medicine!
for details
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.
Crofton Hall Theatre, Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington, PO14 2PP
19th & 20th July. Doors 7:30pm, curtain 8pm.
‘Dead Lucky! Or the Murder Mystery That Goes Wrong’. Tickets £10, available from 01329 662128 or Crofton Community Centre. Seating is at tables; bring your own refreshments and guess the murderer to win a prize! The action takes place in the Casino Loyale, a gambling establishment of dubious reputation.
20th-22nd June 7:30pm Crofton Theatre Hall, Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. Next production is called ‘In A Hole’ a comedy by Rupert Dick. A hole appears in a garden. What will happen? We hope you will join us. Tickets are £10 and can be ordered online using TicketSource, or from hotline 01329 661143, or obtained from the Crofton Community Centre, or purchased on the door on the night.
Saturday 8th June 10am-4pm. St Vincent College, Mill Lane, PO12 4QA. Free entry
A family fun filled festival in the grounds of St Vincent College which includes live music, children’s activities, Esports, stalls, sports activities, grand raffle, street food and refreshments. stvincent.ac.uk
2nd Tuesday of each month 1.45pm (not August) St Mary’s Parish Centre, Green Road, Alverstoke, PO12 2ET. First visit free. Watch inspiring demonstrations. Refreshments served. Sue 07841 873871 cravenfortescue@gmail.com or Elaine 023 9258 6961 erobere54@gmail.com
8th June 10am-3pm
High Street, Lee on the Solent Pop along and support your Lee on the Solent High Street by visiting the various local stalls, selling their wares alongside fabulous independent High Street shops and businesses.
12th June 11am - 1pm.
FREE ENTRY, donations gratefully accepted. Payment can be made by card or cash. Crafts, plants and produce for sale, homemade cake and drinks. Walk around the peaceful garden and see what the Volunteers and Veterans do. Please park in the main Haslar site. Access for visitors through green pedestrian gate towards the junction of Haslar Road with Fort Road.
Sunday 9th June 10.30am-12noon
The foreshore at Hardway (Priory Road), next to Hardway Sailing Club Civic Parade to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day landings with an Unarmed Guard courtesy of HMS Sultan. Musical support by Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Band and a local school Choir. Revd Emma McPhail leads service. 2 min silence at 11am.
Lunch Meeting last Wednesday of the month. The Club is the British version of an international organisation for retired and semi retired professional/businessmen who, missing the social camaraderie of the workplace, meet for lunch each month. Lunch is followed by a presentation on a topic of mutual interest. Why not come along to a trial meeting before joining? New members welcome. Contact 07508 711 299 or email: morton.wouter@gmail.com
Saturday 29th June 2-4pm
St Mark’s Road, Alverstoke, Gosport. Tea, coffee and cakes on sale, as well as our guide book. Volunteers will be available to help guide and give you further history of this lovely churchyard. See page 44 for the latest news on the Cemetery.
20th-22nd June 7:30pm Crofton Theatre Hall, Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. Next production is called ‘In A Hole’ a comedy by Rupert Dick. A hole appears in a garden. What will happen? We hope you will join us. Tickets are £10 and can be ordered online using TicketSource, or from hotline 01329 661143, or obtained from the Crofton Community Centre, or purchased on the door on the night.
Saturday 8th June 10am-4pm. St Vincent College, Mill Lane, PO12 4QA. Free entry
A family fun filled festival in the grounds of St Vincent College which includes live music, children’s activities, Esports, stalls, sports activities, grand raffle, street food and refreshments. stvincent.ac.uk
2nd Tuesday of each month 1.45pm (not August) St Mary’s Parish Centre, Green Road, Alverstoke, PO12 2ET. First visit free. Watch inspiring demonstrations. Refreshments served. Sue 07841 873871 cravenfortescue@gmail.com or Elaine 023 9258 6961 erobere54@gmail.com
8th June 10am-3pm
High Street, Lee on the Solent Pop along and support your Lee on the Solent High Street by visiting the various local stalls, selling their wares alongside fabulous independent High Street shops and businesses.
12th June 11am - 1pm.
FREE ENTRY, donations gratefully accepted. Payment can be made by card or cash. Crafts, plants and produce for sale, homemade cake and drinks. Walk around the peaceful garden and see what the Volunteers and Veterans do. Please park in the main Haslar site. Access for visitors through green pedestrian gate towards the junction of Haslar Road with Fort Road.
Sunday 9th June 10.30am-12noon
The foreshore at Hardway (Priory Road), next to Hardway Sailing Club Civic Parade to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day landings with an Unarmed Guard courtesy of HMS Sultan. Musical support by Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Band and a local school Choir. Revd Emma McPhail leads service. 2 min silence at 11am.
Lunch Meeting last Wednesday of the month. The Club is the British version of an international organisation for retired and semi retired professional/businessmen who, missing the social camaraderie of the workplace, meet for lunch each month. Lunch is followed by a presentation on a topic of mutual interest. Why not come along to a trial meeting before joining? New members welcome. Contact 07508 711 299 or email: morton.wouter@gmail.com
We urgently require your broken and unwanted gold, jewellery and antiques.
Any amount, any condition- top CASH prices paid!
WANTED gold - silver - jewellery of all kinds medals (any militaria) - cuff links - studs - tie pins pocket watches - wrist watches antiques - moorcroft - clarice cliff - old postcards
WANTED - rolex, breitling, omega etc
Please call in to see us. Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm. Alternatively, call to arrange a home appointment
TELEPHONE: 023 9255 3428 MOBILE: 07767 304495
After a windy and rather soggy Autumn and an indifferent Winter, we are hoping that this wet Spring will start being a proper Spring very soon! It has been hard to get much done because the weather has been unkind and the ground wet underfoot. We only managed to cut the grass for the first time last week. Nonetheless, we have been continuing with our projects…
We have planted a flowering cherry tree in the South East corner of the cemetery, having removed the enormous old stump that had been there for years. It has already flowered and should survive in this rather shady part of the cemetery.
Hilary continues to research and develop the histories of all those buried here, to add to the database created by Penny. They work together with Paula and are always very grateful when anyone can provide more information about their relatives
The bench in the centre path has just been renovated and now looks as good as new. The North East corner of the cemetery, always
a bit neglected, has been turned over to a wildflower garden which Howard has created and will, later in the year, no doubt be a delight. We have increased the number of bird boxes (five) and bat boxes (two) and bug houses (three), so that as many wildlife occupants of the cemetery as possible are catered for –except badgers!
Our cross-replacement plan is nearing completion, with three old wooden crosses already replaced and three more to be completed in the coming weeks.
We’ve also started to clean the faces of some of the graves, so that the inscriptions are more readable. This is a mammoth task and will take many hours of patient scrubbing, so anyone with a scrubbing brush is very welcome if you want to join the clean-up!
We are very pleased to announce that our Open Day will be Saturday 29th June from 2pm to 4pm and will take a similar format to last year, with tea, coffee, cake and refreshments available on sale to all who come to visit.
Come and see how this beautiful place is being cared for by our volunteers.
Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons continue to be the time that volunteers come and help. The work of weeding, strimming, cutting back, treefelling, planting and general maintenance continues….
We hope you will find time to visit the cemetery during the Spring as the flowers are now beginning to show their heads. You will always be most welcome.
And please put the date and time of our Open Day in your diaries.
Peter Newell
