The Test Valley Gazette - April 2021

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TEST VALLEY

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Connecting your local community LOCAL DIRECTORY Easily nd local businesses & services COMMUNITY NEWS New local testing site to open in car park New economic strategy launched REGULAR FEATURES Councillor’s Column Puzzles and games

APR

2021

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IN THIS ISSUE...

April

Edition of your local Test Valley Gazette Community Magazine!

Dear Residents, Oh, are we all ever hopeful for a good summer and the ability to get out and about again with much more ease. Here at Modern Magazines with your local Gazette we salute you for your perseverance and determination to get through this and keep smiling. Let’s be honest it has not been easy, but we are British, so don’t forget that stiff upper lip attitude and let’s create an Easter as well as a summer that we can look back on with a warm glow. Meeting friends and family, beach and garden parties, the cinema, the theatre… oh won’t we really enjoy and appreciate them now? I hope I am not being too optimistic, but I am going to keep my rose-tinted glasses on for now. Not only that but the shops are opening again! Shopping in the High Street, local corner shops, boutiques, independents… let’s go and show them we care, buy their goods and use their services, because quite honestly, they have missed us too!

Once you have done all that shopping, talking and walking, do have a well-deserved cuppa and sit and have a read. We have some great new articles for you inside these pages this month.

There are puzzles and quizzes too, as well of course, as our loyal and trusted advertisers who just love to hear from you. Don’t forget to mention where you saw them. That always makes me smile as it makes all our hard work worth-while. The advertisers smile too! It keeps our economy alive.

We wish you all the very best this Easter.

May the sun shine!

Take Care and Stay Safe ,

Debbie & Stephen with their son Hayden

Contact Debbie: debbie@modernmagazines.co.uk or Tracey: 07500 592584 tracey@modernmagazines.co.uk

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TVBC pushing on with climate action

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Real Life Law

10 Pub Quiz 16 Councillor’s Column 18 Sudoku 22 Maze Game 26 Spring Wordsearch 28 Locals in Lockdown 30 Puzzle Answers 32 Poetry: Sonnet 98 36 Stargazing in Hampshire 38 A-Fest Andover is back!

40 Pets: Chocolate poisoning 42 Monthly Walk: Valley Park, Chandlers Ford

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Our magazines are printed in a factory that is FSC & ISO 14001 certified. Sustainable and environmentally friendly printing is part of our ethos. Using vegetable-based inks and recycling nearly 100% of our paper waste means you can be confident that this publication is not harming the planet.

Modern Magazines Ltd reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit material prior to publication. The opinions expressed or advice given in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the publisher.

Every care is taken when compiling this magazine, however we cannot accept liability for misprints or mistakes. Dates and information quoted are believed correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change and no responsibility can be taken for loss, damage or omission of material due to error. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they have permission to use any artwork which they supply to us or request for us to reproduce. Unless prior consent of the publisher is given, no part of this publication is to be reproduced.

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TVBC pushing on with climate action Plans to help tackle climate change and protect the environment are pushing forward as Test Valley Borough Council cracks on with implementation of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Back in September 2019, the council declared a climate emergency, and spent the next six months putting together a plan to ensure the authority is as green as possible.

Now, after initial feedback last autumn, the council has updated the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the progress that has been made over the recent winter months.

Three new waste collection vehicles with electric bin lifts, lower energyconsuming lighting for the Chantry Centre car park and a renewable energy guarantee for the council’s electricity supply are just some of the positive changes made.

Looking to the future, a recently completed study on renewable and low carbon energy potential will help contribute to the next Local Plan, as the council works towards settings out the future planning policies. Businesses have also benefitted, with the authority working together with external organisations to help local businesses secure more than £100,000 in grant funding to

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undertake energy audits and launch low carbon projects of their own.

Chair of OSCOM, councillor Zilliah Brooks, said: “The last 12 months has been anything but ordinary, however we have remained as committed as ever to finding ways to cut back on our carbon output as an authority. These latest developments are testament to the hard work of our officers over the past few months, but we’re also making sure to look ahead and not let up on our efforts.”

Environmental portfolio holder, councillor Alison Johnston, said: “This latest set of developments are brilliant, however the crucial part is that we are planning for the future in ensuring our carbon output remains low. One of the key parts in this is the Local Plan as we look to set out our planning policies for the environment for the next few years.”

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account. oneteam party does not work Thank yourlegal legal questions thethe last last Thank youyou forfor allallyour questionsover over month.Even Ourwhere friendly of experts randomly (i.e. to care for children at home) the Court month.

Our friendly team of experts randomly chose to answer the following question: will often view their financial contribution

chose to answer the following questions:

to the marriage as equal to that of the main “I have beenand with my partner for 25ago years My wife I separated six years butand did we recently bought a property breadwinner. The only way to secure a pension not divorce. are of both new relationships together.

At theWe time theinpurchase, we could not obtain a joint mortgage, sharing order is by a formal Order of the Court. andproperty I live withismy partner. My wifename. and I I did however pay part of the so the in new my partner’s sole Whilst you can attempt to reach an agreement haven’t properly dealt with our joint finances deposit and I help with the mortgage repayments.between I now yourselves, worry what would when you come to present and I haven’t ever made a Will. Would my new happen if my partner and I split up or if he dies before me.” this to the Court, both parties have to provide

LET US SOLVE YOUR partner inherit my estate? a breakdown of their finances, including If you werehave to die without having a may wish Firstly, if you not already donemade so, you to consider preparing a thinks that income and pensions.

If a Judge LEGAL legally valid yourtoestate would passfinancial via Declaration of Will, Trust reflect your contributions towards the the agreement you have reached is not fair, an the intestacy rules. These are a specific set Order will not be granted and both be property both in terms of the deposit and the mortgage repayments.

Thisyou may PROBLEMS of rules which provide an order of priority of to attend Court to provide an explanation. document will confirm the true ownership of theasked property notwithstanding those entitled to your estate. While you remain that married, your partner is the sole owner of be the property on the Land Registry’s We would therefore suggest that you seek legal your wife would automatically advice as soon as possible to guide you through records. entitled to everything in your estate up to a certain value depending on whether or not

this process. For more information, you can

regards future arrangements. Again, without a

us on 01264 333336 or email sborek@

It willyou behave up to you and your partner to decide howarrange you seta FREE out your contributions, i.e. to thesee deposit, 20 minute appointment children. Thus, there would be no set yourprovision respective shares in the house, and how much each of you pays towards the mortgage etc., for your new partner. Making a Will is Dennis McNamara by calling 01264 333336 or but email kjappleton.@middletonssolicitors.co.uk. the Declaration of as Trust helptoyou to protect financial interest if the property needs to be also important you will are able choose your your If you would like to get in touch, please contact sold.Executor(s) and make your wishes known as Secondly, if you and your have not may prepared Wills, we would recommend that you do so as middletonssolicitors.co.uk.

Will there is an order ofpartner priority as to who soonact asas possible.

If anything should of happen to youYou or can yoursend partner andby you doto:not have valid Wills the Personal Representative the estate questions post (i.e. the or persons who deal the would in place, as person an unmarried couple, yourwith Estates be distributed in accordance Real Life Law, Middletons Solicitors,with rules which estate administration) and while you remain Londonrules”).

St, Andover, SP10 2PE apply if you have died without a Will (referred to as24-32 “intestacy These intestacy rules do not married, your wife remains at the top of the list. list unmarried partners as potential beneficiaries so if you do not have valid Wills in place, you may For more information, please call our Andover get nothing. office on 01264 333336 or email enquiries@ middletonssolicitors.co.uk.

If you plan on marrying in the future, this will put you in a much stronger position than you are in husband andwith I are certain in the process of nowMy and it comes tax advantages as well. Whether married or not, it is still worth l Alterations getting apreparing divorce and have considering Wills sodealt that with you most can decide who should oversee distributing your Estate and l Extensions of it ourselves.

So far, everything has been l Renovations how your Estate should be distributed. l New Builds arranged informally. However, I want to make l Insurance Work sure we sort our fi nances properly and that I For more information, please call our Andover on 01264 333336 or email l Home office Improvements get my fair share. I also sborek@middletonssolicitors.co.uk. think I am entitled to ALL TYPES OF BUILDING WORK & MAINTENANCE CARRIED OUT & GUARANTEED some of his pension. What should I do?

FREE ESTIMATES You should certainly seek professional advice DO YOU HAVE SEND US YOUR T: LEGAL QUESTIONS 01264 790500 when it comes to sorting your finances to make Unit 4D, Fitz Gilbert Court, Castledown Business Park, Athat LEGAL Tidworth Road, Ludgershall, Wiltshire SP11 9FA. sure any agreement youE-mail: reach is fair and sborek@middletonssolicitors.co.uk www.willmontbuilding.co.uk office@willmontbuilding.co.uk that it takes both parties’ contributions into QUESTION?

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1. Which land snake has the most toxic venom in the world?

2. Who produced a series of oil paintings in 1943 known as the 'Four Freedoms'?

3. Which sport is the haka dance associated with?

4. What are the names of Popeye's four nephews?

5. Which European country's national flag features 3 vertical stripes in the order of blue, white and red from left to right?

6. On which river did a pilot by the name of Sully make an emergency landing in 2009?

7. Which 2016 song was an international hit for Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ?

8. Can you unscramble the following word to reveal an act of betrayal: RASENOT? 9. Which film series stars 'thunder buddies' Mark Wahlberg and the voice of Seth MacFarlane?

10. How many degrees do the interior angles of a triangle always equal?

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11. Who wrote 'The Canterbury Tales'?

12. What was the title of George Michael's first solo single?

13. Sarah eats 5 sweets in January, 8 in February, 11 in March, and 14 in April. If this pattern continues, how many sweets will Sarah eat in October and November, of the same year, combined?

14. Which multinational corporation developed the PlayStation?

15. What famous statue was originally named 'Liberty Enlightening the World'?

16. Chris Martin is lead singer of which famous British rock band?

17. How many countries of the world begin with the letter Z? 18. Maundy Thursday commemorates which final event that took place between Jesus and his disciples?

19. What do the letters DC stand for in the United State's capital Washington D.C.?

20. Which Shakespearean play is based on the short reign of a British king who was responsible for numerous deaths?

Answers on Page 30

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Save the date for Park Proms!

27 August 2021 Broadlands Estate - Romsey www.parkproms.com

If you’re looking for fabulous things to do this summer, then look no further than Park Proms. Enjoy live music once again in the great outdoors with your loved ones!

This is the event that we’ve all been waiting for. Taking place at the beautiful Broadlands estate in Romsey, Hampshire, the event promises to be a wonderfully British spectacle featuring prolific artists and entertainment for you and your family.

The stage is set for the event of 2021.

Night one - Friday 27 August - features performances by the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and special guests: The Welsh baritone, former boy soprano, television and radio presenter, Aled Jones & English mezzo-soprano, Laura Wright.

The world famous, 78-piece Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (RPCO) is headlining Friday night will play a “Last night of the proms” styled concert with a number of pieces from some of the greatest films including Harry Potter, James Bond & Star Wars.

Broadlands is a beautiful, historic, unique English estate and the perfect outdoor setting for a midsummer concert. The House and Parkland sit at the heart of the community and the House is the home of the Mountbatten family.

Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

The event hosts a plethora of fantastic local delicious food treats, from boutique Fish and chips to artisan pizza.

This is thanks to their partnership with Hampshire Fare, ensuring that all of the food and drink available comes from some of the region’s most delicious, locally sourced and ethical produce.

A hospitality lounge will also provide a VIP experience for those seeking something extra special.

Unique venue in an outstanding location

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Park Proms Ticket Promise If Park Proms can not take place on advice from the UK Government, our Ticket Promise means your tickets would roll over to the new date in 2022 or you request a refund.

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COUNCILLORS COLUMN The ongoing success of the vaccination programme means that our town centres are due to spring back into life this month. My continued thanks to the scientists, logistics operators and, of course, the doctors, nurses, surgery staff and volunteers for making it happen. Like most of you, I’m particularly looking forward to a haircut as well as continuing to support our fantastic independent businesses. We all know that town centres are changing, that they are becoming more of a place for leisure and living as well as retail, but retail is still an important part of the mix. Therefore, that adage of 'use it or lose it' has never been more important. Especially considering some of the high-profile High Street casualties that we’ve seen nationwide. Thankfully, we have a higher percentage of independents in Test Valley than in many other areas, which means the national move away from identikit town centres puts us in a comparatively decent position. We’ve also been investing money, time, and effort in creating and starting to implement masterplans for both Andover and Romsey.

There was also some encouraging news in the Budget last month to help our High Street retailers, which fits well with the council’s regeneration proposals.

Including restart grants which Test Valley are administering, as well as an extension to the business rates holiday.

Meaning all eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no rates until June before a cut in rates bills by two-thirds for the remaining nine months.

Disappointingly, there weren’t any confirmed proposals about how the

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government are going to create a fairer tax system for High Street businesses vs online retail, which is badly needed.

There has been a previous commitment to tackle this, and I hope it will come forward ASAP. Finally, I recently joined a summit meeting with other leaders to discuss waste infrastructure in Hampshire.

Taking the opportunity to, once again, lobby the County Council to get on with upgrading their Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFS), where the contents of your brown bin are taken for processing.

Although less than 6% of waste here in Test Valley goes to landfill, we can always do more. Particularly to improve our recycling rate.

Unfortunately, the County Council’s MRFS are unable to deal with some of the materials that are recycled in other local authority areas, such as thin plastics.

Thankfully, the Environment Bill currently going through Parliament is proving a catalyst for change, levelling up recycling rates right across the country. It is looking increasingly likely that from early 2023, we’ll be able to offer you the chance to recycle glass, thin plastics (pots, tubs and trays) and Tetra Pak-style cartons in our recycling bin. As well as providing a weekly food waste service. I will keep pushing for positive change.

Cllr. Phil North Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

1 Radcliffe Row Abbotswood Common Road Romsey SO51 0DU

We are excited to announce that we are nearly ready to open our doors! You may have walked past us recently in Abbotswood and caught a glimpse of our reception area through the windows!

At Lowen Dental Spa we want to place an emphasis on making our visitors feel comfortable and relaxed, and we understand that this is a mixture of smell, sight and sound. We have taken special care to try and incorporate different elements around Lowen to help nurture the feeling of calm, from our scent diffusers to our new fabulous Log shelf!

Most importantly though, we want to create an environment where Dental health is valued as an important part of our overall wellbeing. We seem to have a funny habit of viewing our mouths as something quite separate and often less of a priority. Yet we use our mouths and teeth for most of our fundamental day to day activities…eating, drinking, talking, singing, SMILING…to name a few.

We understand that it has been an exceedingly difficult time during COVID for many people, and it is hard to imagine a world where we are not hidden behind our masks or smiling through the screen on Zoom. But we are ever hopeful of brighter days to come and want to express our enthusiasm for helping you to care for your smile.

At Lowen we will soon have routine and emergency Dental appointments to book on line through our website. A wide range of aesthetic, therapeutic and laser treatments will be available as soon as Covid restrictions allow.

We are available on the phone or email should you have any questions or requests.

We are really looking forward to meeting you soon.

Dr Alice and the Team at Lowen

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JS Building Services Covering a comprehensive range of construction services, from the largest to the smallest of jobs considered, including but not limited to:• EXTENSIONS • LOFT CONVERSIONS FREE • RENOVATION WORKS co ns ultation • KITCHEN FITTING and quotation • GARDEN GYMS / at competitive GARDEN OFFICES prices • PATIOS • BRICKWORK AND FENCING • ELECTRICS AND PLUMBING With 30 years experience we can help you with ideas and planning in order to achieve your requirements Contact JAMES:Email: jsbs1972@gmail.com Mobile: 07870 606905 Home: 02381 227652

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Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to cut inheritance tax, avoid care home fees and to protect their share The Property Protection Trust Will package is based around how you hold the ownership of your home. All good estate planning nowadays considers the difference between owning your home as joint tenants or as tenants in common.

If you own your home as Joint Tenants; when one of you dies the ownership of the home passes by the Law of Survivorship and not by your Will. Therefore, the surviving partner will automatically own 100% of the property. This sounds right to most people. BUT should the surviving partner need care in the future, the Local Authority can take everything they own (including their home) to pay for the care fees, leaving just £14,250 to be inherited by children and grandchildren.

There is an alternative.

Nowadays many couples choose to own their home as Tenants in Common where each partner will own 50% of the family home. This provides for many benefits.

Firstly, it allows you to legally leave your share of the property in your Will to whoever you wish.

A properly written Will can ensure that your half of your house will eventually pass to your children even if your widow re-marries.

Unmarried cohabiting couples or relatives living together can also use this means of ownership as a way of minimising their Inheritance Tax exposure.

It can also help with long-term care costs. If one of you is still living in your home the Local Authority can’t include its value in the means test if one of you has to go in to long-term care.

This also applies if the husband or wife still living at home dies while the other is in care as their share will go into the trust.

Dorset and Wight are your local experts in Property Protection Trust Wills.

24

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Spring Word Search Can you find all 25 words?

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27

Locals in Lockdown Welcome to our inspiring pages of Locals in Lockdown! These are just a few people who have been busy and creative whilst we have not been able to get out and about so much. If you want to tell us what you have been doing, send me an email to localdata@modernmagazines.co.uk I hope you enjoy reading…

I had an idea to write a series of children’s books educating about climate change and waste, and giving life to some scenarios. I wrote my first book but had no money to pay for an illustrator. After a few months, I sent a plea around the local community... and p 2 illustrators replied! Caitlin, who does my characters, and Carla, who puts m them in the situations and creates the th incredible background scenes. in We went full steam ahead – queue weekly peppermint tea meetings either via zoom, or once restrictions eased, outside under a large umbrella when it rained! I decided to figure out how to self-publish. We became the 3Cs and spent hours crafting the first in the series of adventures about the Eco Protection Squad! The book focuses on littering in the park and recycling, after seeing all the littering that occurred in parks during the Covid-19 pandemic it became the first story..

I printed the books and am working on an eBook version along with an audiobook.

Adventure 2 is in the pipeline too!

I started a project in late November to build a Shepherd's Hut for our grandchildren’s Christmas present to play with in our garden.

It is a copy of an original style hut, but half size complete with seat/ folding bed and a kitchen and led� lighting. This started with just the four cast iron wheels followed by building the chassis in metal and wooden framework and corrugated cladding. It has kept me occupied for approximately 10 weeks.

- Colin Simpson

28

Danny Do Gooder

P lastic Free Prival

Recycling Romesh

Reusable Ralph

Fun Fact Fiona

A super team of diverse kids helping save Terra, Mother Earth, from Bill McGreedy and his band of Eco Squashers (such as Single-Use Sally and the Toxic Twins, Gabbee Garbage and Larree Landfill).

www.ecoprotectionsquad.com • www.simplysustainableideas.com

I have been typing out my Aunt's diaries. In 1928 she went to the Kenya Colony to marry in Mombasa Cathedral. In 1930ish, she tried to get a divorce but it was refused. In London during the Blitz her entry reads...

n

I had an idea to write a series of children’s books educating about climate change and waste, and giving life to some scenarios. I wrote my first book but had no money to pay for an illustrator. After a few months, I sent a plea around the local community... and p 2 illustrators replied! Caitlin, who does my characters, and Carla, who puts m them in the situations and creates the th incredible background scenes. in We went full steam ahead – queue weekly peppermint tea meetings either via zoom, or once restrictions eased, outside under a large umbrella when it rained! I decided to figure out how to self-publish. We became the 3Cs and spent hours crafting the first in the series of adventures about the Eco Protection Squad! The book focuses on littering in the park and recycling, after seeing all the littering that occurred in parks during the Covid-19 pandemic it became the first story..

I printed the books and am working on an eBook version along with an audiobook.

Adventure 2 is in the pipeline too!

Danny Do Gooder

P lastic Free Prival

Recycling Romesh

Reusable Ralph

Fun Fact Fiona

A super team of diverse kids helping save Terra, Mother Earth, from Bill McGreedy and his band of Eco Squashers (such as Single-Use Sally and the Toxic Twins, Gabbee Garbage and Larree Landfill).

www.ecoprotectionsquad.com • www.simplysustainableideas.com

I have been typing out my Aunt's diaries. In 1928 she went to the Kenya Colony to marry in Mombasa Cathedral. In 1930ish, she tried to get a divorce but it was refused. In London during the Blitz her entry reads...

29

Answers Page PUB QUIZ 1. Inland Taipan 2. Norman Rockwell 3. Rugby 4. Peepeye, Pupeye, Pipeye, Poopeye 5. France 6. Hudson River 7. Cold Water 8. Treason 9. Ted 10. 180 degrees 11. Geoffrey Chaucer 12. Careless Whisper 13. 67 sweets (32 October, 35 November) 14. Sony Computer Entertainment 15. The Statue of Liberty 16. Coldplay 17. Two countries: Zambia and Zimbabwe 18. The Last Supper 19. District of Columbia 20. Richard III

30

Be sure to check out the next issue for more game pages!

Don’t leave it too late to put your affairs in order People often talk about putting their affairs in order but then sit on their hands until it is too late. The serious consequences of delay in seeking legal advice were underlined by a case in which a woman waited until she was resident in a hospice, terminally ill with cancer, before instructing a solicitor to prepare her will.

The woman signed her will 10 days before her death. Her main asset was a house she jointly owned with her mother, who survived her by about four years. An issue of great significance, however, later arose as to whether they owned the property as joint tenants or as tenants in common.

If they held the property as joint tenants, the principle of survivorship applied and, on the woman’s death, her half share passed automatically to her mother. In that event, the property formed part of the mother’s estate when she died and the entirety of the proceeds of its sale - more than £400,000 - fell to be distributed in accordance with her will. If, on the other hand, they held the property as tenants in common, the woman’s share of the property fell into her own estate.

On the same day that the woman made her will, she signed a notice which purported to sever her and her mother’s joint tenancy, thereby converting it into a tenancy in common. A letter containing the notice was sent to her mother by registered

post. A few days after the woman died, however, the letter was returned undelivered.

Against the background of those unfortunate events, the executor of the mother’s estate launched proceedings. Half the proceeds of the property’s sale were held in a solicitors’ account pending a judicial resolution of the matter.

The High Court noted that the non-delivery of the letter meant that the mother had not been served with the notice. That deficit had not been cured by a letter sent to the mother by the Land Registry four days before her daughter died. The joint tenancy had therefore not been validly severed and the Court ruled that the entirety of the proceeds of sale formed part of the mother’s estate.

This is intended for general guidance only. In all cases specific advice should be sought.

Bells are a specialist Wills, Probate, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing Practice. The office is open five days a week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (prearranged appointments only).

Our professional service is right on your doorstep.

Tel: 01794 513328 • E: bells@bells-romsey-solicitors.co.uk

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31

POETRY PAGE

Sonnet 98

From you have I been abse in the spring From you have I been absent in the spring, When proud pied April dress’d in all his trim Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, That heavy Saturn laugh’d and leap’d with him.

Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odour and in hue Could make me any summer’s story tell, Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew; Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; They were but sweet, but figures of delight, Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.

Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away, As with your shadow I with these did play.

- Wiiam Shakespeare Source: interestingliterature.com

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35

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

STAR GAZING Welcome to the April Stargazing Page. This year April is a quiet month astronomically, but there are a few highlights including Leo the Lion, Mars still hanging on in there in the western sky, and the return of Venus as the Evening Star.

Interna onal Space Sta on The ISS will be visible between 1 - 4th April between 8.30 – 9.30pm, and then again between 3 – 5am from 28th – 30th. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com, or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to Andover.

Moon This month’s full moon occurs on 27th April, and is traditionally known by a variety of names, including Pink, Seed, and Egg Moon.

Object of the Month The familiar winter constellations are now setting by 10pm, leaving the spring constellations to take all the glory. The brightest of these is Leo the Lion, which has been recognised as a constellation for over 2,000 years, and is said to represent the lion slain by the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) as one of his twelve labours. The lion's mane and shoulders form a recognisable pattern of stars (known as an� asterism)� called the �The Sickle�, which resembles a backwards question mark (see figure). Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, is Latin for ‘little king’, or ‘prince’. Look for Leo moderately-high in the south between 9.30 – 10pm. Leo is the 12th largest constellation in the sky, easily covering an outstretched hand-span at arm’s length.

Events

Sickle asterism

Keep an eye out for shooting stars this month as there are several small meteor showers towards the end of April.

Mercury Mercury is hidden by the Sun’s glare until the final few days of April when it reappears close to Venus, low in the evening sky (see figure).

Regulus

Mercury Venus

Venus Like its small neighbour, Venus is also lost in the Sun’s glare until mid-month when it can be spotted very low in the west just after sunset. It has vanished below the horizon by 9.15pm.

Mars The red planet is dimming faster now, but can still be seen fairly high in the southwestern sky around 9pm, and is joined by the Moon on the 17th.

Jupiter and Saturn Due to the clocks going forward, the solar system’s largest planets are easy to spot before sunrise, and are well-placed for viewing around 6am at the start of the month, but by mid-month are best viewed at 5am. The Moon joins them to make a pleasing skyscape on the 6th and 7th.

36

W

28th April 08:45PM

NW

Constellation of Leo viewed high in the S during April 09:30-10PM

Did you know?

Did you know there are actually 14 signs of the Zodiac? In astronomy, the zodiac (or ecliptic) represents the annual path of the Sun across the sky, and the zodiacal constellations are those through which it passes. The twelve familiar signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. However, the Sun’s path also crosses a corner of Ophiuchus the Water Bearer, and touches the boundary of Cetus the Whale. Half of the Sun’s disk is in Cetus for less than a day, a brief but valid visit, bringing the total number of zodiacal constellations to fourteen.

Moon This month’s full moon occurs on 27th April, and is traditionally known by a variety of names, including Pink, Seed, and Egg Moon.

Object of the Month The familiar winter constellations are now setting by 10pm, leaving the spring constellations to take all the glory. The brightest of these is Leo the Lion, which has been recognised as a constellation for over 2,000 years, and is said to represent the lion slain by the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) as one of his twelve labours. The lion's mane and shoulders form a recognisable pattern of stars (known as an� asterism)� called the �The Sickle�, which resembles a backwards question mark (see figure). Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, is Latin for ‘little king’, or ‘prince’. Look for Leo moderately-high in the south between 9.30 – 10pm. Leo is the 12th largest constellation in the sky, easily covering an outstretched hand-span at arm’s length.

Sickle asterism

Regulus

Mercury Venus

W

28th April 08:45PM

NW

Constellation of Leo viewed high in the S during April 09:30-10PM

Did you know?

Did you know there are actually 14 signs of the Zodiac? In astronomy, the zodiac (or ecliptic) represents the annual path of the Sun across the sky, and the zodiacal constellations are those through which it passes. The twelve familiar signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. However, the Sun’s path also crosses a corner of Ophiuchus the Water Bearer, and touches the boundary of Cetus the Whale. Half of the Sun’s disk is in Cetus for less than a day, a brief but valid visit, bringing the total number of zodiacal constellations to fourteen.

37

A-Fest Andover is back!

A-Fest, Andover’s Youth Festival, is back as a live stream on Saturday 22nd of May from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. A-Fest showcases opportunities for 5-18-year-olds in and around Andover and invites organisations, youth groups and local businesses to get involved and promote the services they offer to this age group.

Running since 2015, A-Fest has become a flagship event in the Andover calendar.

“It is wonderful to have found a way to make sure it continues this year and beyond. Like 2020, Covid -19 restrictions mean that we can not yet hold a physical event in Andover High Street, and so we have adapted and moved online,” says Katherine Bird, who is a member of the organising team. In 2020 over 500 people watched the event live.

Last year, Chat Together organisers Katherine Bird and Catherine Randle worked with Dmitrijs Meiksans, a local Member of Youth Parliament, who hosted and ensured the day’s smooth running. They are delighted to announce that he is a part of the A-Fest 2021 team, ensuring that the youth voice still is central to the event.

“Dmitrijs is Unity’s youth ambassador and published a thorough report about issues important to the young people of Andover. We will be working to see if our festival can provide some answers to questions raised or help facilitate young adults providing their own solutions,” says Cat Randle 38

As part of making sure that the achievements of A-Fest in bringing people together continues all year, Chat Together is creating a website directory of youth activities that will highlight every organisation in the Andover area.

Katherine Bird has been involved in the running of the event since 2016 and said: “With lockdown and the increase in social isolation amongst young people, A-Fest is a vital tool to bring families and organisations together to make connections, re-establish social networks, and rebuild communities.”

If you are an organisation that wants to be involved on the day or a business that would like to sponsor A-Fest in Andover, email Chattogether@outlook. com. The closing date to participate in this year’s festival is April 30th at 5pm For more information contact Katherine Bird Phone: 07976 878440

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40

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41

Viewing Valley Park, Chandler’s Ford from local paths

2

4

Wrien by Malcolm Price This month’s walk takes into account the extremely wet winter we have experienced and as a result also, the overly muddy footpaths that enthusiastic lockdown walkers have accentuated. This means that the chosen walk is almost entirely along tarmac or gravel footpaths; almost all of which are dedicated footways (some shared with cyclists), with minimal interaction with vehicular traffic. The selected start point is Knightwood Leisure Centre, Skys Wood Road, Valley Park, Chandlers Ford, SO53 4SJ

1

where there is a large car park, as well as a play park, BMX track and skateboard circuit. The walk is around 5 miles (8Km) with no hills to climb, just a couple of railway footbridges to cross.

To start, we need to aim back to the entrance gate, turning right along the path for just 200 metres before crossing Skys Wood Road and entering a footpath gate aiming to Tredgoulds Copse. This woodland stretch, with a good compacted gravel trail extends for some 600 metres as far as a gate at a T junction and forms part of a nature reserve.

42

the main road, School Lane. Once again we turn left along the path for just 150 metres where we pick up a tempting looking path on the left.

We must take the left hand option which winds it’s way round an old drovers track and at the end of almost a kilometre, finishes by Castle Lane. We have our own path here as we turn left along the shared cycleway and in around 400 metres we meet a set of traffic lights. We need to cross two segments of these lights – first over to the right onto a grass verge, then across again to the left side of the main road.

We are now beside the housing, as we walk up right as far as the bus shelter where there is a path neatly tucked behind.

For the next ten minutes we will be listening to bird life from the Nature Reserve Titlark Copse on our right, with 300 metres until the next, right hand, turn and a sign post informing us that the station is 1 mile away. This wide tarmac path is bordered by houses on the left and greenways or woodlands on the right, along with the company of Monks Brook that we cross twice on the way to Chandlers Ford Station. Pause a while at these bridges as a kind local has installed ‘Pooh Sticks’ holders, which are regularly kept filled with suitable length sticks to play the time honoured game from Winnie The Pooh. On arrival at the station

3

5

Do not go past the shelter. Being the end of a cul de sac, there is only one way forward, along another section of Castle Lane, which should take us up to

(the Southampton to Salisbury line) we must climb over to Hursley Road, then turn left up the road, past a parade of shops then left again into Sutherland

Way. We pass Park Surgery then in 200 metres take the return railway footbridge, which drops us down to cross Monks Brook again

6

and turning right we join a fresh footpath /shared cycleway. We now have an uninterrupted trip of some 800 metres where we can enjoy the stream and woodlands on the right and playing fields with Knight Wood extending over to the left. Just before we depart the very end of this Park we need to turn left up a narrow tarmac section, up to the small car park and turn right down the lane. In just 150 metres we meet Katrine Crescent which needs another left turn up to Knightwood Road. At some, safe stage, we must cross over to the right on Knightwood Road, with around 600 metres to walk as far as the next roundabout; cross directly over along the main route for 150 metres up to a sheltered entrance and into Valley Park on the right. There just remains 200 metres along this gravel path, then a left and a further 300 metres on more gravel as far as the Leisure Centre car park. Well earned refreshments are generally available a short distance away at The Cleveland Bay, when opening restrictions permit.

FINISH

the main road, School Lane. Once again we turn left along the path for just 150 metres where we pick up a tempting looking path on the left.

4

For the next ten minutes we will be listening to bird life from the Nature Reserve Titlark Copse on our right, with 300 metres until the next, right hand, turn and a sign post informing us that the station is 1 mile away. This wide tarmac path is bordered by houses on the left and greenways or woodlands on the right, along with the company of Monks Brook that we cross twice on the way to Chandlers Ford Station. Pause a while at these bridges as a kind local has installed ‘Pooh Sticks’ holders, which are regularly kept filled with suitable length sticks to play the time honoured game from Winnie The Pooh. On arrival at the station

5

(the Southampton to Salisbury line) we must climb over to Hursley Road, then turn left up the road, past a parade of shops then left again into Sutherland

Way. We pass Park Surgery then in 200 metres take the return railway footbridge, which drops us down to cross Monks Brook again

6

and turning right we join a fresh footpath /shared cycleway. We now have an uninterrupted trip of some 800 metres where we can enjoy the stream and woodlands on the right and playing fields with Knight Wood extending over to the left. Just before we depart the very end of this Park we need to turn left up a narrow tarmac section, up to the small car park and turn right down the lane. In just 150 metres we meet Katrine Crescent which needs another left turn up to Knightwood Road. At some, safe stage, we must cross over to the right on Knightwood Road, with around 600 metres to walk as far as the next roundabout; cross directly over along the main route for 150 metres up to a sheltered entrance and into Valley Park on the right. There just remains 200 metres along this gravel path, then a left and a further 300 metres on more gravel as far as the Leisure Centre car park. Well earned refreshments are generally available a short distance away at The Cleveland Bay, when opening restrictions permit.

FINISH 43

Garden Neat Cheats

Six tips to help you get to grips with your unruly garden in no time.

ONE - Focus on the lawn Your lawn is ultimately what leads your eye out into the garden, so keeping this well mown, clutter free and healthy is arguably the biggest factor in it retaining a tidy feel.

To that end always try to keep borders to a maximum width of around 1.5m.

Any wider than this and you may well find their maintenance is taking up a lot of your time.

TWO - A path to perfection Sometimes the issues with lawns is that they present such a wide expansive space it can be difficult to know what to decorate them with. The simple answer is to add a winding path to your lawn - not only is this a one-off addition that will add structure and personality to your back garden, it would also require almost zero maintenance each year, helping the space stay tidy and uncomplicated.

THREE - Crazy paving?

If you want to take this a step further consider paving over larger areas of your garden. in recent years this is a trend that

44

appears to have subsided somewhat, but that’s not to say it wouldn’t create a nicer, cleaner, easier to maintain garden space.

Wood decking has the same effect, as well as adding interesting textures and softer

base on which adults and kids can sit and enjoy their surroundings.

FOUR - Evergreens every time Evergreen varieties are very handy for all-year-round foliage and variety; and adding a plentiful array of evergreens to your garden means you can avoid pruning, deadheading, staking, weeding and all those other things involved with perennials that take up valuable time that could be spent on other tasks… such a relaxing!

FIVE - What weeds?

If the idea of spending hours picking out a smorgasbord of weeds from your beds doesn’t appeal then wood mulch it’s almost certainly the solution. Not only does it look great, it adds texture and colour too and is a great tool for keeping moisture in the soil, something that will come in handy when the baking sun of the summer months begins to dominate the day.

SIX - Take a fake Finally, probably the best low maintenance addition of them all - fake grass. The technology these days means the look is almost as good as having a real lawn, and if you’re brave enough to take it a step further, then fake shrubs can decorate difficult to reach or hard to maintain corners of your garden in a way that will need little maintenance, whilst offering big impact.

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

Andover

Andover 01264 337711

TOAST

The Repair Specialists Andover

CHIMNEY SWEEP

• Chimney Lining Specialists • Multi Fuel Stoves & Fires • Members of HETAS & NACS FREEPHONE:

0800 689 0006 www.toastsouthern.com

fix my

k r.co.u o o d e garag

Andover

01264 337711 Winchester

01962 715200

Paul Jones & Co

Building Contractors 01264 781585 07977 898025 • Free quotes • Extensions • Brick work • Flint work • Block paving drives • Patios • Ground works ALL WORK FULLY INSURED 4 Fifehead Cottages, Salisbury Lane, Nether Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8JN

Working with

GARRISON GARDENERS

All aspects of garden & groundwork undertaken…

• Grass Cutting • Regular Maintenance • One-off Seasonal Tidy-ups • Landscaping • Hedge & Tree Care • Fence Erecting/Repairs • Pressure Washing • Weed Control

Fully insured, Safecontractor registered and upper tier waste carrier.

Contact the team on: 01722 346 949 Text on: 07881 378 600 email: info@hmandg.co.uk www.hmandg.co.uk Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

45

Advertisers Index

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Gazette...

Appliance Repairs

Features

Mobility Products & Services

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

T.A.Spacagna 27 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Councillor's Column 16 ...........................................................................................................

A to B Mobility 34 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Locals in Lockdown 28-29 ...........................................................................................................

DF Mobility 14 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Monthly Walk 42-43 ...........................................................................................................

Inspire Mobility 15 Bathrooms ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Poetry Page 32 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AHM Installations Ltd 19 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Stargazing Pages 36-37

Painters & Decorators

...........................................................................................................

Painters Direct 45

Bicycle Sales

Food Delivery Services

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Hampshire eBikes 20 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Wiltshire Farm Foods 11

Pet Services

...........................................................................................................

Anton Vets 41

Builders

Funeral Directors

G.S.L. Metalcraft .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

27 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

AH Cheater & Sons 35 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

JS Building Services 18 Plumbers .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Paul Jones & Co 45 ...........................................................................................................

DJ Harris 39 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

SB Renovations 14 Garage Doors ...........................................................................................................

Humphrey & Crockett 48 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fix My Garage Door 45 ...........................................................................................................

NO.1 PHD 21 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Garolla Holdings Limited 34 Cameras ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Skandoor 5 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Rocky Rock Cameras 39 Property Maintenance ...........................................................................................................

Abbotts Fencing and Property Services 20

Garage Services Carpenters

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bodyshop24 39 Input Joinery .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2 Puzzles & Games ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Premier Car Care 39 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Pillbrook Joinery 18 ...........................................................................................................

Maze Game 22 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

ReversePark 23 ...........................................................................................................

Pub Quiz 10 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Scratched Cars 23 ...........................................................................................................

Puzzle & Game Answers 30 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Test Valley Car Breakers 34 Carpets & Flooring ...........................................................................................................

Sudoku Puzzles 18 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

CJ Flooring 27 ...........................................................................................................

Wordsearch 26

Garden Services

Abbotts Fencing and Property Services 20 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Solicitors ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Andover Patio Centre 35 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Toast (Southern) Ltd 45 ...........................................................................................................

Bells Solicitors 31 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

ATH Machinery 15 ...........................................................................................................

Middletons Solicitors 41 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Barker & Geary Ltd 5

Chimney Sweeps

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Greenflints 15 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Hillier Landscapes 19 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Widenet Computer Services Ltd 27 Taxi Services ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Romsey Stump Grinding, Landscaping &23

Computer Services

Dentists

...........................................................................................................

Apex Cars 9 Tree Surgery ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Handyman & Garden Co Ltd 45

At Home Dental .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

7 Vehicle Leasing .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lowen Dental Spa 17 ...........................................................................................................

Carisma Vehicle Solutions Ltd 35 Health Clinics

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Dove Clinic 15

Drainage Services

Will Writing Services

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

NO.1 PHD 21 ...........................................................................................................

Dorset & Wight Wills 25 Hearing Services

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Winchester Hearing Centre 9

Electricians

Windows, Doors &

Peak Electrics .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

45 Conservatories Lighting .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

RG Electrix 39 ...........................................................................................................

G S Windows Ltd 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

TMO Lighting 7 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Romsey Electrical Services 41 ...........................................................................................................

Greenspace Uk Ltd 33

KJM ...........................................................................................................

1 ...........................................................................................................

Outlook Window Systems Ltd 47 Events ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lockerley Stone 41 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Park Proms 12-13 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

M.J.Sly Monumental Sculptor 45

Memorial Stonemasons

46

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

Outlook The sign of quality, service and satisfaction Established over 35 years

WINDOW SYSTEMS LIMITED

TEL: 023

8073 7866

www.outlookwindows.co.uk

20% ofOfWS &

WIND ORS DO

 Tailored-made orangeries, conservatories, windows and doors to suit all properties

 We provide a full service including all building works, floor tiling, electrics and planning when necessary

 Full 10 year insurancebacked guarantee

Unit 5/6/7, Baddesley Park Industrial Estate, Botley Road, North Baddesley, Southampton, SO52 9NW Email: enquiries@outlookwindows.co.uk OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri • 9am - 5pm / Sat - by appointment / Sun - closed

Reg No 16450

Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

47

HUMPHREYANDCROCKETT.CO.UK

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CONTACT US

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01264 310493

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enquiries@humphreyandcrockett.co.uk

The Test Valley Gazette • www.modernmagazines.co.uk