Stubbington Choice June 2024

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!

Have you spotted the knitted pieces around the Village? Wondered who is behind them? We spoke to Manon, the woman behind the team of knitters brightening up the Village! Check out the article inside.

Lots of local events listed inside this months edition 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!

PICNIC IN THE PARK

Did you get the date in the diary? All the details

Read me, keep me or pass me on!

are included again this month!

Our monthly gardening guide is inside to help you work through the garden tasks! It’ll help with what to do in the greenhouse and on the veg patch too!

Don’t forget to follow us on our socials too!

NEED MORE CUSTOMERS?

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

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

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.

ADVERTISE IN THE

VEGAN

SUMMER FETE & “THE GREAT LEE BAKE OFF”

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.

SPITHEAD ARTS LECTURE

25th June 7pm. Bay House School, Alverstoke

INTERNATIONAL FOLK / CIRCLE DANCING

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

CROFTON GARDENING CLUB

June 21st 2024 Strawberry Tea at the Wheelhouse, Salterns Lane. Tickets only.

LEE PLAYERS

STUBBINGTON VILLAGE WI

Meet on the second Thursday of each month Methodist Church Hall in Mays Lane 7.30pm. Variety of speakers, demos, activities, which keep us engaged and interested. You’re welcome to join us for a couple of visits, before you make a decision about joining us. We’re a friendly group. More info Chris 07970 826044.

ST EDMUNDS (CROFTON OLD CHURCH)

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 SEE PAGE 28

Services 9.30am every Sunday. The 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month are Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer. Morning Prayer is on the 2nd and 4th Sunday. Teas and coffee available after. Church is open 18th June 10am12noon for visitors or for private prayer.

Murder mystery where the audience tries to guess the identity of the killer. This will be entitled ‘Dead Lucky or The Murder Mystery That Goes Wrong’, at The Crofton Hall Theatre, Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington, PO14 2PP on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July. Doors open 7:30pm, curtains 8pm. Tickets, £10, available from 01329 662128 or Crofton Community Centre. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Seating will be at tables and you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

BABY & CHILD FIRST AID CLASS!

June 20th 9.30-11.30am Alver Valley Garden Centre. £25pp. daisyfirstaid.com/gosport-andfareham

Could your swimming skills do with a brush up?

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

Beautiful pool in Stubbington

WHO ARE WE?

We are a growing family church who meet in Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington every Sunday at 10.15am. Everyone welcome. Coffee is served before and after the meeting. We also have various small groups who meet during the week in homes and the community centre. We are non denominational and welcome people from all denominations and none. Our Sunday meetings are fairly informal with modern worship and bible based teaching.

Every Sunday Crofton Community Centre 10.15am - 11.30am.

Starting with worship in the main hall, followed by Art, craft, music, games and chat! Explore the Bible, learn about Jesus and take part in lots of fun activities.

Waves is our children and young people’s work. They have a separate session every Sunday during the adult talks, in room 1 of the Community Centre. They also meet midweek every fortnight and have social outings during school holidays. (All our children’s workers have up to date DBS checks)

www.shorelinechristianchurch.com juliestares@hotmail.co.uk

JUNE IN CRESCENT GARDEN

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 Rundle

Crescent Garden, Crescent Road, Alverstoke alverstokecrescentgarden.co.uk

Photo credit: Rita Rundle

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

IN THE GARDEN

• 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

GREENHOUSE

• 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

VEG PLOT

• 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

Grinding

Shrubs:

Email: mjquigleybuilders@gmail.com

www.mjquigleybuilders.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

GOSPORT JAZZ CLUB - JUNE

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

STUBBINGTON STITCH & KNIT

GROUP Every Friday, Foster Room, 2-4 pm. We make craft items, gifts and lovely garments to sell to raise funds for local Hampshire charities. Next sales: 25th May & 29th June 10am-2pm St Columba’s Church. 8th June & 6th July 9.30am-12pm at Stubbington Library. Come and support us, we have some beautiful gift items, to suit all ages.

LEE PLAYERS

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.

STUBBINGTON AND HILL HEAD WI

Wednesday, 26th June 2pm, Baptist Church, Jay Cl, Cuckoo Lane, Stubbington, PO14 3TA. Speaker Alan Saunders "The King's Bodyguard". We are a very friendly group and visitors are always warmly welcomed, so if you have just retired and wish to make new friends, come along and try us out! Visitors can come for two taster meetings before joining.

ST EDMUNDS (CROFTON OLD CHURCH)

OPEN DAY at Lychgate Green Saturday 8th June 10am-4pm. Historical guided tours at 12 noon and 2pm as well as a Plant Stall, games, quiz, prize draw and refreshments. Admission is free. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.

CROFTON AMATEUR DRAMATICS SOCIETY (CADS)

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.

CROFTON PROBUS CLUB

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

Illustrious, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9YA

212 Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath PO14 4PG 99b Mays Lane, Stubbington PO14 2ED

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!

Picnic in the Park

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!

An afternoon of fun! Bring a picnic!

Organised by THE CROFTON LIONS

croftonlions

DON’T SACRIFICE MARIGOLD!

(CALENDULA OFFICINALIS)

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!

SAINT EDMUND’S CHURCH OPEN DAY

Have you heard of St. Edmund’s (Crofton Old Church)?

Do you know where it is?

St. Edmund’s Church is on Lychgate Green hidden away behind the main road (B3334) between Titchfield and Stubbington. A church was built here by the Saxons in the 9th century and is referred to in the Doomsday Book of 1087 as the “Crofton Church of the Holy Rood”. In 1331 the chapel was dedicated to St Edmund but by 1534 Holy Rood was again its name. In 1878 the larger Parish Church of Holy Rood was built in Stubbington and the Old Church, rededicated to St. Edmund, King and Martyr, was used only occasionally. In 1980 the Parochial Church Council considered abandoning it given its poor condition and lack of funds for its repair and upkeep. The threat was overcome by a

successful appeal that culminated in the formation of the Friends of Crofton Old Church (FOCOC) which continues to be responsible for the fabric and maintenance of the Church today. During the 1980s a Service was only held on the First Sunday of each month. Gradually, over the years, more Services were held and now there is a thriving, friendly congregation with Services every Sunday. BCP Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month, Morning Service on the second and fourth and Common Worship Communion with hymns on fifth Sundays. Holy and Patronal days are celebrated, Harvest, Carol festivals and concerts are held. Weddings and funerals take place here too. The Church is also open to visitors between 10am and noon on the 18th of every month.

On 8th June there will be an Open Day offering the opportunity to look around this lovely Church and hear more of its history. You will be able to view over 180 hassocks stitched by parishioners and friends. Refreshments will be available and there will be a plant stall, games, a quiz and raffle.

Why not see St. Edmund’s as well as know where it is!

Sue Johnson

Warden for St. Edmund’s

HIDDEN TREASURES HIDDEN TREASURES

We urgently require your broken and unwanted gold, jewellery and antiques.

Any amount, any condition- top CASH prices paid! PRE 1947

COINS (SILVER) WANTED

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

3,500

THE POPPY LADIES SUMMER PROJECT

Have you spotted the knitted pieces around the Village? We had too! We went on a hunt to track down who is responsible for this vibrant display!

We spoke to Manon Burton the lady behind the team of knitters brightening up the Village!

It’s called ‘yarnbombing’ - a creative craft installation using knitted and crocheted items to decorate community spaces including trees, post boxes, park benches, cars, railings and all sorts of things!

2 years ago Manon created the Poppy Ladies. Manon initially wanted to create a group locally to try yarnbombing, something the group could do together. In May 2022 the Poppy Ladies were created, comprising of just 5 ladies. Their first year coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the Stubbington Memorial. In memory of her Grandfather Arthur Tribbeck who built it, Eileen Parker, 93, pledged to knit 100 poppies. The Poppy Ladies sprung in to action! News soon spread of the group and by October 2022 they had become a group of 66! A total of 3600

poppies were created! And all from Manon’s house! Poppies covered every surface! Poppies and ladies were found knitting and crocheting in every nook and cranny in the house!

When the group are not creating poppies the summer projects take up all their time. Scarves are the focus which are eventually sanitised and cleaned and sent to QA for the patients as comforters, along with toys, twiddle muffs for dementia patients covered in bells and ribbons.

This year the theme is ‘By the Sea’. They are currently displayed in the Village for our enjoyment! In Manon’s words “They are there to make you smile. There is love in every stitch.” Enjoy them as they are only there for 6 weeks.

The group has had great support from local Councillors and generous funding from Hammond Hall Memorial Trust Fund along with a donation from County Councillor Pal Hayre.

This year will be their third Remembrance. The poppy making starts in June!

Do you want to be part of the Poppy Ladies? Get in touch with Manon on the number below. Whether you can meet on any of the five afternoons a month or whether you would like to knit/crochet from home, do get in touch. And don’t worry if you haven’t any yarn, needles or patterns, they can all be supplied.

Keep an eye out for more news on the Remembrance Poppies later in the year.

Contact Manon Burton on 07479 839115

As a separately registered Branch of the RSPCA, we are completely self-funded. It costs just over £20,000 per week to run the Stubbington Ark to deliver vital animal welfare services.

Approximately 50% of our income comes from Gifts in Wills. We rely on these thoughtful and generous donations to help all of the animals in our care.

If you would like to read more please visit: www.rspcasolentbranch.org.uk/legacies/

Photo by ©AliaThomas

ST MARK’S CEMETERY OPEN DAY

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.

D-DAY 80 ANNIVERSARY PARADE AT HARDWAY

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.

LEE HIGH STREET MINI MARKET

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.

SHORE LEAVE HASLAR MEMORIAL GARDEN OPEN DAY

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.

TUESDAYS 7-9pm Wednesday 9.30am-12noon

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