I’m all for getting the bad news out of the way so I am going to do just that. May I offer a ‘mascara warning’. There’s no easy way of saying this...we’ve had to say goodbye to our beautiful Sid. He very quickly became a poorly boy, too poorly to survive. We are heartbroken but are left with the most wonderful memories and as you have seen over the last nearly 9 years, great photos of him. I know lots of our readers enjoyed seeing his photo each month to see what he’d been up to! He was regularly spotted out and about. I hope you can join me in raising a cup or glass of something to Sid.
Moving swiftly on to a lighter note may I turn your thoughts to Christmas and specfically food, in the form of mince pies. It’s that time where 150 mince pies are dispatched to the Taste Test Team. The results are in. We have done the hard work to bring you the best mince pies out there! Check out the results on page 16.
The Friends of Crescent Garden will be celebrating more than just Christmas this month! They finish off 2024 by sweeping the awards
board! More on this next month. In the meantime you can read the latest article from the Friends on page 14. All about fungi!
This month I’ve incuded a recipe for Easy Chocolate Truffles by Anna Jones. Perfect to bag up and give as gifts. The recipe makes enough so you can keep some back for you!
Inside you’ll also find the gardening guide, our festive recipe that you can make to give as gifts, great offers, sudoku, great advertisers, local news and much more!
NEED MORE CUSTOMERS?
Why not kick start your business in 2025 with an advert in our January edition? Get in touch! Details below or scan the QR code.
I hope you enjoy this months edition. Thank you so much for your continued support of my magazine. I wish you a happy Christmas! See you
Read me, keep me or pass me on!
Additional flavours (optional)
• Zest of 1 unwaxed orange, lemon or lime
• Smoked sea salt instead of regular salt
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• Seeds of 2 cardamom pods, crushed
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
To coat (use one or more)
• 50g raw cacao or cocoa powder
• Pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, finely chopped
• Candied ginger, finely chopped
• Grated dark chocolate
• Dried rose petals, crushed
Method
Grease a 20cm x 20cm square brownie tin with coconut oil.
EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
BY ANNA JONES
These are perfect for gifts! Who doesn’t love receiving a delicious homemade gift. We’re all happy to undulge in a treat over Christmas time. I’ll be making these to gift but I may not be giving all of them away!
Makes 48
• 60g coconut oil, plus a little extra to grease
• 30g light brown sugar
• 200g nut butter (I use almond, cashew or hazelnut)
• 200g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
• Seeds from 1 vanilla pod
• 2 big pinches flaky salt
Heat the coconut oil and sugar in a saucepan on a low heat. Once the oil has melted and the sugar has dissolved into the oil, take the pan off the heat, add the nut butter, chocolate, vanilla and salt and stir until everything has melted. If you’re adding any other flavour, stir it in now.
Pour the mixture into the tin, then chill for about two hours until set solid. While the truffle mix is chilling, get your chosen coatings ready and put each in a little bowl.
Once set, turn the truffle slab out on to a cool work surface and cut into squares (mine are 11.5 cm), then gently dip each truffle in its coating to cover. The truffles will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks in a sealed container.
Find out everything Anna Jones at: annajones.co.uk
Xmas Gift Bags
We have some great value Schwarzkopf Gift Bags
A favourite is the Cool Blonde Me range which has a silver tone to counteract any unwanted yellow. They also come in the moisture and colour range.
At £30 per bag this is great value.
STUBBINGTON & HILL HEAD WI
Wednesday, 18th December 2pm, Baptist Church, Jay Close, Cuckoo Lane, Stubbington we will be entertained by Judy Theobald, "Christmas and Other Problems" whilst we enjoy coffee and cake. We are a friendly group, visitors are always welcomed, so if you have just retired and wish to make new friends, come along and try us out! Visitors can join us for two meetings before joining.
CROFTON GARDENING CLUB
16th December 7.30-9pm Roman Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington. Christmas Party Supper & Quiz. Members only.
BOWL FOR FUN, FITNESS & FRIENDSHIP
Crofton Short Mat Bowls Club Wednesdays 1:30-4pm. Community Centre Sports Hall
We are a small relaxed club. only requirement is to wear flat-soled footwear on the mats. We welcome new and experienced players. we play indoors and over a short distance. Simply turn up or contact the Club Secretary on 01329 315304 email PRKavanagh@hotmail.com
STUBBINGTON AND HILL HEAD
HISTORY
SOCIETY
Roman Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington 7.30 p.m. Monday 9th December
AGM (no lecture) followed by refreshments and quiz. Make groups & bring a pencil. Enquiries to merrieldixonhistory@gmail.com shhhs.co.uk
CROFTON PARISH - HOLY ROOD
15 Dec 7pm Carols by Candlelight
16 Dec 2pm NEW Daytime Carol Service
Sat 21 December 2pm & 3.30pm Christmas Family Fun with Christingle. Pre booking required see croftonparish.org.uk
10am-12noon Saturday 14th December 2024 (behind Stubbington Tennis Club)
A warm welcome awaits everyone. Entry: £1.50 members £2.50 non-members. The President’s Charity has donated £510 to Cancer Research. It will be used towards the purchase of a DNA Analyser. The Social calendar for December will include a Christmas Music Quiz, Coffee Morning and a get together of members to welcome in the New Year.
CHRISTMAS
FESTIVAL At St. Faiths
Church & Parish Centre, Victoria Square Lee
Friday 6th Dec 5.30-7pm
Big Switch on of 40 Christmas Tree lights together with Rowdy Carols and Wreathmaking Saturday 7th Dec 11am-7.30pm
Featuring Santa’s Grotto, Nativity Play, Christmas Stalls, Refreshments, Bar, Live Music.
Sunday 8th Dec 11am-7pm Ending with a Carol Concert from 7.30 pm in the Church. Admission FREE on all three Festival days. Tickets are required for Santa’s Grotto, Nativity Play, Wreath making and Carol Concert – book online in advance or at the door on the day. For more details www.stfaithslee.org/peaceandjoy
INTERNATIONAL FOLK/CIRCLE DANCING
December 3rd, 17th (Christmas Dance) 10am12pm 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
FIND MORE ‘WHAT’S ON’ INSIDE!
Whether you are water phobic and very nervous, or someone who just wants to improve their stroke we offer a range of course packages to get you the results you want in a short space of time.
Our courses consist of 90 minutes swimming per day, on a 1:1 basis at our beautiful private pool. For water phobias we offer a 5 day course, beginners we recommend our 4 day course, improvers 3 days and anyone that can swim well but are just looking to really fine tune, 2 days works wonders! Courses are taken over consecutive days which speeds up the whole process taking you from beginner to swimmer in no time at all. Lessons and courses booked and taken in January receive a discount if you quote CHOICE 25, call for more info!
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.
For more information about what we offer call or email today for a chat
DECEMBER IN CRESCENT GARDEN
On approaching the central gate of Crescent Garden your eyes will naturally be drawn to the vast selection of plants, sweeping lawns and a diverse array of trees. As the summer fades into autumn, the deciduous trees shed their spectacular amber leaves and the Taxus baccatas, dominating the western and eastern lawns, begin to discard their needles, a less conspicuous life cycle begins. The fruiting bodies of fungi can be spotted, some obvious and others so small you may never notice them.
The fungi that we are able to see above the ground, on trees or felled branches can be very helpful assisting gardeners by giving us a glimpse of what is happening beneath the surface of the garden. It is possible to gauge roughly what ph levels are in the soil, whether there is a high or low level of nutrients, the drainage of the soil and in some cases identifying whether a living plant has been weakened as a consequence of other underlying issues.
The relatively untouched lawns at Crescent Gardens possess similarities as well as differences - the main difference is the species of trees which grow on each lawn allowing for a contrast in the fungal species between the two.
This autumn there has been an advantageous amount of rain for fungi, providing optimal growing conditions. The Crescent became a mycelial treasure trove. On the western lawn were some Hortiboletus bubalinus, a mushroom that has spongy pores instead of gills. On the
eastern lawn there was another type of bolete (Xerocomellus chrysentron) which prefers the conditions on the eastern lawn, most of which run along almost the entirety of the space below the Buxus sempervirens (box hedge).
Under the Taxus baccata on the western side lay a cluster of Russula cyanoxantha, commonly known as a charcoal burner because of its distinctive smokey grey caps. They have a pure white stipe and gills and unlike other Russula their caps are more flexible and less brittle.
Further towards the Araucaria araucana were two different waxcaps, Hygrocybe conica, commonly known as ‘blackening waxcap’ or ‘witch’s' hat. The reason for these names is not only because of its conical-shaped cap, but also its stages of maturity; starting from a bright shiny orange and slowing blackening with age. The second cluster of waxcaps were Hygrocybe ceracea, a vivid golden yellow, both of which are usually found later in the season due to its preference for lower temperatures.
There were quite a few patches of Clavulinopsis luteoalba. Despite their dramatic appearance and striking colour they are small enough you may never have spotted them. Often preferring mossy grasslands and high-quality habitats, they are a delight to see in the garden.
The eastern lawn had a patch of Ramariopsis kunzei, close to the central flower beds. This particularly perfect specimen looked just like a coral reef with its branch- like prongs protruding from the lawn. Additionally, there were many clumps of Clavulina rugosa around the base of the smaller female Taxus baccata, covering the pine ladened soil at the base. If you find yourself in Crescent Gardens between late August to midNovember; look closely and you may spot some.
Although the gardens are predominantly about the plants and trees that can be enjoyed all year round, they would not exist without the assistance of the fungi.
It’s that time of year when parcels of mince pies are distributed to the Taste Test Team. The team have worked their way through 150 mince pies to bring you the results of the best looking and best tasting mince pie for 2024! We went extra fancy this year and put Fortnum & Mason and Harrods mince pies to the test! How did they stand against the usual contenders? The results are in...
Tesco just looked ok, bland was the most used word for these pies. They were very empty and the pastry was far too thick.
Lidl’s looked awful! The pastry was claggy. A soggy, sloppy looking mince pie with no taste.
Harrods did not look like a mince pie, more like a muffin or fairy cake. However the pastry was lovely and flaky, for some it was the tastiest for others there wasn’t enough filling and the pastry too thick.
Fortnum’s had a great pastry to filling ratio, they were very deep with a nice aftertaste.
Waitrose are back on track! For the last few years they’ve lost their way but they are back with many tasters loving the flavour giving them the full 10 out of 10! They could definitely pass as homemade, in a good way!
Marks’s are always a safe bet. This year the tasters liked the festive look of them. The taste was ‘amazing’, ‘the perfect mince pie’. The winner! We hope this helps! The Team are all minced pied out! As always, any mince pie warmed up and with lashings of cream will taste good!
Until the next Taste Test.
Recent Acquisitions
Pictures from the 17th to the 21st centuries
All exhibits for sale
As we approach our 45th year in business, all of us at the gallery would like to thank our many clients, near and far, for their continued support. We wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!
Saturday 30th November until Saturday 7th December 2024 (inclusive) 10.30am – 5.00pm (Closed Sunday 1st)
The gallery is happy to offer its expertise, free of charge and without obligation, to appraise paintings, etchings and antiquarian books brought in for framing, restoration, valuation or potential purchase.
Richard Martin Gallery
19-23 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1LS
Arthur Briscoe (1873-1943) - Landing Oysters. Watercolour, signed and dated 1929.
IN THE GARDEN
• Winter-prune Wisteria
• Store terracotta pots so they don’t crack
• Hang bird feeders near roses to attract hungry birds that will also pick off any overwintering pests
• Prune climbing roses
• Move potted tender plants under cover
• Fork over borders once remains of summer perennials & autumn leaves are cleared
• Cut down grasses that are past their best!
• Treat posts, fences & trellis with preservative
• Clear leaves near hedges & walls
• Place mulch around plants to give roots extra insulation from the cold
• Collect up hoses and reels, store in a shed over winter to prevent them being damaged by frost
• Place a floating heater or a ball in ponds to stop ice completely covering the surface
• Leave the faded flower heads on your hydrangeas until spring for protection
• Check climbers and climbing shrubs are securely attached to their supports with ties
• If it's mild, continue to cut the lawn
HIDDEN TREASURES HIDDEN TREASURES
We urgently require your broken and unwanted gold, jewellery and antiques.
COINS (SILVER) WANTED
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.
Christine Davies Solicitor
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
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.)
WHAT’S ON
ROWING AT HILL HEAD SAILING CLUB
Nestled by a natural harbour at the mouth of the River Meon. It is a typical local club, run by the members and full of people who simply enjoy being out on the water. The club is keen to welcome anyone with an interest in rowing to contact the Rowing Captain Julie Thorpe at rowing@hillheadsc.org.uk for a trial row.
CROFTON PROBUS CLUB
Meet for Lunch The Last Wednesday of the Month Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club at 12:00. For retired and Semi-retired professional/businessmen. If you miss the camaraderie and social connection of the workplace come along to a trial meeting before joining? New members welcome. 07508711299 or email: morton.wouter@gmail.com
ST EDMUNDS (CROFTON OLD CHURCH)
Services 9.30am every Sunday. 1st & 3rd Sunday of month is Holy Communion (BCP). 2nd & 4th Sunday is Morning Service. Coffee served after. The Church will also be open on 18th Dec 10am-12pm for visitors/private prayer.
Sunday 1st Dec 4pm Advent Concert by Solent Community Choir. Admission is free.
Friday 20th December 4.30pm Carols in the Churchyard.
Sunday 22nd Dec 4pm Nine Lessons & Carols.
Tuesday 24th Dec 5pm Nativity Service.
Wed 25th Dec 9.30am Communion (BCP). All welcome. Donations go towards upkeep of St Edmunds.
TABLE TENNIS STUBBINGTON
Fridays 10am in Stubbington Time for fun and friendly indoor activities. Players wanted to join in Doubles Table Tennis games in Stubbington Fridays 10am. Call Tom 01329 665267.
Is your conservatory too hot and bright?
Speak to us about solar film!
‘Where Water meets Land’
Stubbington based pond creation and landscaping business, fully insured and specialising in wildlife friendly gardens including:
Check me out on YouTube, Facebook & Instagram - Viking Garden Creations
WHAT YOU GET WITH VIKING GARDEN CREATIONS
A PROFESSIONAL, FULLY PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURED TRADESMAN THAT TAKES PRIDE IN EVERY LANDSCAPING, GARDENING AND POND CREATION JOB THAT'S UNDERTAKEN.
A BUSINESS WITH A CONSCIENCE. VIKING GARDEN CREATIONS HAS INVESTED IN THE NEWEST, HIGHEST QUALITY CORDLESS GARDEN TOOLS, SO WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT WITH LESS NOISE, DISRUPTION AND POLLUTION TO YOU, YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND THE LOCAL WILDLIFE. A LOCAL SOLE TRADER THAT PROVIDES A FRIENDLY SERVICE THAT'S TAILORED TO YOU AND YOUR GARDEN'S NEEDS. JOIN MY GROWING LIST OF HAPPY REGULAR GARDEN MAINTENANCE CUSTOMERS,
ALONGSIDE MY LARGER GARDEN, POND AND WATER FEATURE CREATION PROJECTS.
A BUSINESS THAT DOES IT'S UPMOST TO PROMOTE WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDENS, EITHER DIRECTLY WITH THE WORK I CARRY OUT, OR BY TALKING WITH MY CUSTOMERS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN ALSO BE DOING TO HELP OUR LOCAL BIRDS, POLLINATORS AND MAMMALS.
I ALSO HAND BUILD MY OWN RANGE OF BIRD BOXES TO SELL. PLEASE VISIT
WWW.VIKINGGARDENCREATIONS.COM AND CLICK ON THE 'BIRD BOXES' LINK FOR MORE INFO.
Pollinator Friendly flower bed with Oak Sleeper retainers
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)
Wave’s plus Fortnightly from 4th December, Young people’s group (age13‐19) in the Youth project from 6pm, music, games, pizza and Sundaes.
Wave’s children’s and young people’s activity morning (age 5‐16), 15th December.
‘O COME, EMMANUEL’ – A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
How are your Christmas preparations going? Are you an ‘early-prepper’, with the lights up and presents already bought? Or do you leave it all to a whirlwind of activity in the last few days before Christmas?
This year, our Christmas theme in Crofton Parish is ‘O Come, Emmanuel’. We’ll be thinking about some of the titles given to Jesus in this familiar Christmas reading: ‘To us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
(Isaiah 9.6)
What’s amazing about these words is that they were written over five hundred years before Jesus was born. Talk about an ‘early-prepper’! The first Christmas was being prepared for centuries before Jesus’ birth. Today, it’s easy to think of Christmas as a
celebration of something that happened in the past, a long time ago. But the birth of Jesus occurred among people who wanted God to do something now, in human history. They didn’t just want to read about the promises of a ‘Mighty God’ or a ‘Everlasting Father’, they wanted to experience that in their own lives. This Christmas, you can probably think of many points in your life – or in our world – where you would appreciate a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ or a ‘Prince of Peace’ getting involved. We see conflict and poverty around the world and an increasing mental health crisis in our own country, for example.
When we sing ‘O Come, Emmanuel’ - or hear the words Isaiah used to describe Jesus: ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God’ – we are invited to think and pray about our own lives and our own time, asking God to do something now just like people longing for the birth of a Messiah.
Happily, the Christmas story doesn’t end at Christmas. The same God who sent Jesus into the world is still caring and working, in us and, especially, through us. As we gather to remember this Christmas, we won’t just look backwards. We’ll also look upwards and outwards to our lives and our world today as we pray ‘O Come, Emmanuel’.
Why not join us this year?
Rev Canon Richard England Vicar, Crofton Parish Area Dean, Fareham croftonparish.org.uk Office: 01329 661154
STUBBINGTON 10K
LATEST NEWS
The Stubbington 10k is now all sold out and the preparations for the event being held on Sunday 12th January 2025 are going well.
The event continues to be very popular with the running community as the course is predominantly flat and has some great support along the course. It would be lovely to see the residents of Stubbington and Hill Head coming out to support the runners as they do every year.
The event starts at 10:30am, with Stubbington Village being closed from 08:30 to 13:30. All roads affected by the event will be closed as follows:
Park Lane – 10:15 to 13:30
Stubbington Lane (from Bells Lane junction) to Stubbington Village 10:00 to 13:30
Gosport Road (from Roundabout at Mays Lane to Red Lion Roundabout) 10:00 to 11:00 –
access only after 11:00 to Gosport Road and not Stubbington Lane or Stubbington Village. Gosport Road (from Red Lion Roundabout to Daedalus Way Roundabout 10:00 to 11:00
Marine Parade West from Hovercraft Museum to Sea Lane 10:30 to 12:00
Sea Lane and Salterns Road 10:30 to 13:00
Hill Head Road (from Knightsbank to Crofton Lane at the roundabout by Bell Davies Road) 10:30 to 13:00
The race will start and finish in Stubbington Village and as per all previous years there will be some road closures and we will ensure we minimise the disruption to residents as much as possible by re-opening the roads as soon as it is safe to do so – the understanding of the residents for these closures is hugely appreciated.
Over the years we have raised significant amounts of money for local charities, and we are intending to do the same for the 2025 race. Look forward to seeing everyone on 12th January 2025 for another successful race.
Sara Bamberger Race-Director@stubbingtongreenrunners.net www.stubbingtongreenrunners.net
ROWING AT HILL HEAD SAILING CLUB
All along the Solent and in our harbours and rivers you may have seen people out rowing in traditional boats. Gig Rowing, historically a West Country sport, has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and the Solent region has proved perfect for getting on the water in these lovely boats.
Hill Head Sailing Club is nestled by a natural harbour at the mouth of the River Meon. It is a typical local club, run by the members and full of people who simply enjoy being out on the water.
The club borrowed two scout rowing boats to do some trial rows and found that there was a group of members keen to develop a rowing group.
Part of the club’s history is an old, clinker-built wooden boat called Alston - named after one of the club’s founders. The Alston has been lovingly maintained by members over the years, keen to keep hold of this part of the club’s history. Two members took on the task of converting The Alston into a rowing gig, adding thwarts, footrests, rowlocks and a rudder.
Before long, The Alston was proving a popular boat to row, solid and very seaworthy. It was so
popular, in fact, that a crew rowed her all the way round to Langstone Harbour to take part in the Tudor Challenge - a 10 mile race around the harbour hosted by Tudor Sailing Club. With rowing proving so popular, Hill Head Sailing Club’s Rowing Committee applied for and was successful in being awarded a grant from Sport England to purchase a brand new modern fibreglass Bursledon Gig. These gigs are used by a number of local clubs and benefit from being very versatile - they can by rowed by between two and four people plus a cox, and are ideal for local waters.
Hill Head Sailing Club took delivery of their new locally built gig, in September. To mark this new venture for the Sailing Club, Mayor Cllr Pal Hayre presided over a naming ceremony for Bramble, with the boat being blessed by Revd Steve Dent.
Hill Head are now looking forward to training hard over the winter so that they can take part in local regattas next year, as well as simply enjoying being out on the water on those lovely crisp winter morning and is developing their rowing calendar for next year.
The club is keen to welcome anyone with an interest in rowing to contact the Rowing
Captain Julie Thorpe at rowing@hillheadsc.org.uk for a trial row.
