The Test Valley Gazette - May 2022

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May

Edition of your local Test Valley Gazette Community Magazine!

Dear Residents, Easter is now over, and we await the summer with bated breath. Here at Modern Magazines we are really looking forward to some family time and ever hopeful the weather will be good for us all to get out and about. Spring, where we are now of course is a great time for airing out the old, cleaning, getting rid of unwanted ‘stuff’ and putting a fresh touch to our environment. Have you finished all your decluttering this year? The advertisers inside are here to help and would love to hear from you. Don’t forget to mention us!

Our aim each month is to bring you good local trades people and services, right to your door. In addition to that we want to let you know what is going on locally and give you interesting news that may hopefully help make you smile. After all life is what we make it, but sometimes it can be tough, so if we can alleviate even a little bit of stress, then we are very happy. Maybe you have a good news story to tell yourself? If you do, please email us at localdata@modernmagazines.co.uk We may well be able to tell everyone about your uplifting message. Let’s share the good times.

We sincerely wish you a marvellous May!

Debbie, Stephen & Daichi

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

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IN THIS ISSUE...

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Councillor’s Column Weyhill Electronic Organ Society Council’s Community Projects Interview: Idris Elba Getting Wild About Gardens Kevin McCloud Column Community Info Hub Building on Digital Success Stockbridge Cinema Monthly Walk: Burseldon Money Matters: Martin Lewis Pets: Abandoned baby wildlife Recipe: Pear & Almond Cake Alan Titchmarsh Column

Advertise with us Take your business to new heights with our affordable advertising packages!

Supply your own artwork or use our inhouse design and brand expert.

To chat to Debbie or the sales team, give us a call on the number below...

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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.

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @modernmagazines

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Councillor’s Column Last year, as part of our work to tackle climate change and to make our green spaces more wildlife-friendly, we decided to create a number of urban meadows right across Test Valley. In spring, a change to the frequency in mowing grass was made across 8 hectares of greenspace - including at sites at Picket Twenty, Smannell Road and Beech Hurst Park in Andover, Whitenap and Abbotswood in Romsey and a number of areas around Valley Park and North Baddesley. Encouraging grasses, plants and wildflowers to develop, providing valuable habitat for insects and birds. Not only great for the environment but making our parks, verges and the edges of our recreation space look even more attractive. Following the successful pilot, which included volunteer recorders from the Romsey and District Society, The Anton River Conservation Association and a number of local naturalists monitoring what species popped up, I’m pleased to announce that we are trebling the area of urban meadows for this year. From 8 to 24 hectares. You can find all the sites involved in the scheme via the Test Valley Borough Council website, which, for the first time this year, includes Hampshire County Council verge land.

It was great to chair the Test Valley Partnership meeting in Kings Somborne recently, which is a twice-yearly get-together of key public and third sector organisations in the borough. Including health, police, fire, housing and military colleagues. Recently we’ve been focussing our work on the Prevention Concordat for better mental health, which I’m pleased to confirm has now been endorsed by the Office for Health 6

Improvement and Disparities.

Enabling our partnership to formally become a Prevention Concordat signatory. This includes a detailed action plan, working alongside our health professionals and a champion in each organisation to ensure that action plan is delivered.

Test Valley and indeed, Hampshire County Council as the upper-tier authority continue to play an active role in the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Carrying out accommodation and DBS checks to enable sponsors to host refugee families – a number of which are already in the borough. I was contacted recently about a Ukrainian family that had arrived in Test Valley. Consisting of mum and two children.

Initially, there was an issue with both siblings attending the same school but after making representations on their behalf that was quickly rectified. The last thing this family needed after Dad was left behind to fight was the children being split up. It’s essential that we show compassion – and I know Test Valley will continue to open its arms to those fleeing the horrors of Putin’s evil.

Cllr. Phil North

Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

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Weyhill Electronic Organ Society An evening filled with great electronic keyboard music is anticipated as BRETT WALES performs for WEOS at the Fairground Hall, Weyhill on Thursday 19 May. Brett, from Nottingham, is making his ninth appearance for the Club, including one concert at The Lights theatre, his most recent visit to Weyhill being in April 2019.

Brett began playing at a very young age and soon displayed an uncanny ability to memorise melody lines; indeed, his ability to hear and reproduce melodies accurately is a hallmark of his music today.

He has played concerts in Germany, Holland and throughout the UK, delighting audiences wherever he performs with his unique style and sound. He has his own

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recording studio where he continues to work on new recordings and where he strives to produce the fantastic sounds that are so much appreciated by his fans.

The concert commences at 7.30 p.m. (doors open at 7.00 p.m.) and tickets priced at £6.00 are available on the night.

Refreshments can be obtained during the interval.

Further information about Brett is available at: www.brettwales.com whilst full details of the Club can be obtained at: www.weyhill-eos.co.uk.

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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword 1

#015 2

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Across Clues: 2. Highly organised colony (3)

13. Evoke (6)

5. Lion (6)

16. Clergyman (6)

7. Powerless (6)

18. Plant cell (11)

9. Prosperous (11)

19. Withdraw (6)

10. Qualification (6)

20. Settle (6)

11. Celestial body (6)

21. Thick, black, sticky (3)

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Down Clues: 1. Metamorphic rock (6)

10. Payable (3)

2. Towering (6)

12. Small child (3)

3. Root vegetable (6)

14. Linger (6)

4. Arm garment (6)

15. Capsule (6)

6. Negligent (11)

16. Supplication (6)

8. Feral (11)

17. Nurture (6)

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Word Ladder

Make your way from HEAD to TAIL by changing one letter on each step to make a new word!

HEAD

List these BBC TV shows based on their release date 1. Only Connect 2. Bargain Hunt 3. Countryfile 4. Michael McIntyre’s Big Show 5. Match of the Day 6. Strictly Come Dancing 7. Blue Peter 8. The One Show

TAIL

9. The Greatest Dancer 10. Dragons’ Den

ANSWERS: (HEAD, HELD, HELL, HALL, TALL, TAIL)

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Council proposes almost £300k for Community projects Test Valley Borough Council has announced plans to grant almost £300k of funding for three local community projects.

At a cabinet meeting on 30 March, council chiefs approved awarding £240k for an extension to St Mary’s GP surgery to create additional consulting rooms and increase staffing, £13k to improve the pedestrian route from Viney Avenue to Cupernham School, and almost £30k for an orchard trail in Valley Park.

The recommendations for funding will go to a future full council meeting for final approval.

The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which the council charges on new developments across the borough that meet certain criteria. Those looking to provide new infrastructure, facilities or services can then bid for a share of the levy money.

Planning Portfolio Holder, Councillor Phil Bundy, said: “While new development is critical for our local communities, ensuring that we have the right facilities and structures in place to support that growth is just as vital.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing these projects come to fruition and would like to thank all those who submitted an application for funding.”

To check the local CIL criteria, including which developments are liable to pay the levy and which projects are eligible to bid for funding, visit: www.testvalley.gov.uk/cil

Local projects can bid for CIL funding between April 1 and June 30 each year.

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Can’t stop Driis He’s an acclaimed actor, DJ and director, so naturally Idris Elba needs to stay in shape to keep up with his relentless schedule. Not one to do things by halves however, the charming 49-year-old reveals why no challenge will ever be big enough.

Idris Elba wants his epitaph to read: “This guy reminds me of the things that I want to be doing but I’ve not done yet - because he never sat still.” It also happens to be his life motto and explains his powerful and pressing desire to grab life by the throat and pack as much as he can into his time here.

“I’m someone who has a hard time staying still, I’m always in a restless state,” Elba admits.

“People often have dreams and desires but wind up just thinking about them instead of going out and doing them.

I need to feel like I’m always moving forward and doing as much as I can instead of just wondering about it. That’s why I love throwing myself

into as many different characters and stories as I can and living out different adventures. You just need the will to go out and do it!”

That logic explains why the London-born star continues to tread a varied and experimental path with the choices he makes. From TV drama, with the perennially successful Luther, which he is currently filming and will return this year, along with outward bound movie Beast, last year’s spectacular Suicide Squad, and even animated voiceover work in the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie; if a project excites him, he’ll do it.

And when not on film sets, the handsome Hackney native loves to stare danger square in the face. For his 2015 Discovery channel show, Idris Elba: No Limits, he took part in drag racing, broke a land speed record and stepped into the ring as a professional kickboxer.

“Some guys want

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to be toned or want to jog for miles, but my ultimate fitness goal is to be fight-ready.”

When it came to the actual fighting – as chronicled in Idris Elba: Fighter – Elba ended up outdone by more skilled fighters, yet the experience came with a valuable lesson.

“I changed my diet and my fitness routine completely – I feel I have much more energy now eating mainly fish, chicken, lots of fresh vegetables and salads… things like that,” he says.

“That’s a big deal for me because, while I don’t fear getting old, I certainly don’t want to give in to it. I feel I still have a lot more to give – professionally, physically, mentally – and I think all men of my age and older should believe the door remains open to achieve whatever they want.

“You’re only here once… so prolong it!”

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7th June • Sea Change - Art in St Ives 1914-1949: In the 1920’s the St Ives Society of Artists, produced interesting and beautiful work For more information see our website:

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Getting Wild About Gardens The buzz of a bee… the sweet scent of honeysuckle… the splash of a frog hopping into a pond… chattering birds in a hedge. These precious moments are not only delightful to experience in our gardens, they’re vital if we’re going to protect, restore and reconnect UK wildlife.

Since 2013, The Wildlife Trusts have partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society on our Wild About Gardens initiative – encouraging everyone with a garden to provide food and shelter for wildlife. In fact, you don’t even need a garden to get involved: window-boxes, a bee brick in your wall, or flower-rich balconies can all make a difference.

Wild About Gardens follows a different theme each year, inspiring gardeners to help a different species. For example, in previous years we’ve separately championed hedgehogs, bats and butterflies.

So, why is it so important for us to dedicate our own patch to wildlife? Well, almost 90% of UK households have a garden. This equates to over 20 million gardens, which, incredibly, covers a larger area than all 2,300 Wildlife Trust nature reserves combined. With many UK species in decline, using these spaces means we can collectively make a huge difference to our struggling wildlife.

It doesn’t even have to involve lots of time and money because letting nature take its own course can often be the best way. Try leaving a patch of grass to grow wild and you’ll soon have lots of new visitors, plus it can work wonders for our own wellbeing.

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We’re dedicating this year’s Wild About Gardens to our high-flying summer visitors – swifts, swallows, and house martins.

While these amazing migrant birds rarely touch the ground and only remain in the UK for a few months a year, there are still ways we can help them.

Swifts and house martins were recently added to the UK’s Red List for birds, meaning they’re seriously threatened, have suffered severe declines, and require urgent action. The simplest thing you can do is let a patch of grass grow long – this will encourage insects in your garden and provide food for birds. You can have a similar effect by planting a colourful, insect-friendly wildflower border. Creating a boggy garden patch will provide mud that swallows and house martins use to build their nests. And to provide a home for a swift, consider installing a swift box or brick.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have a team of volunteer Wilder Garden Champions who can offer free personal advice on how to make your spaces wilder to benefit you and nature. For more details, visit: hiwwt.org.uk/ request-gardening-consultation Photo: A garden wildflower meadow will attract insects and help birds by David Kilbey

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A Design for Life… The Kevin McCloud Column Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about his background running a lighting design company.

When I got my break in television, I was running a lighting design company. It wasn’t easy, but I always carried with me a driving passion for the subject.

My work on Grand Designs and a few other things has taken me away from the subject, and I am perhaps not the expert I once was when it comes to lighting, as now my expertise is spread rather more across whole-of-whole elements, but I do think any outdoor space can look absolutely spectacular with garden lights.

It’s something that’s only really become commonplace over

the past couple of decades, thanks in no small part to some very costeffective imports from abroad. I love lights that resemble fireflies dancing on your rose bushes, or glowering lamps that mimic the dying embers of the barbeque as the warm night stretches out before you, glass of rosé in hand.

Fairy lights are an obvious and easy choice to brighten up an outdoor space; just make sure they are the waterproof kind purchased from a garden centre, not leftovers from the Christmas tree.

Designs these days come in an array of colours and styles, from dragonflies to lanterns and teardrops, and are ideal to adorn arches, fences and trees.

To light up paths and flowerbeds, solarpowered stake lights are best.

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They dig into the dirt, are almost invisible as they charge during the day, then transform into glimmering jewels at night.

If you’re the kind of person who opts for a fire pit over a fancy gas barbecue, there’s a good chance you’ll want your outdoor decorations to be equally primal.

Lanterns are a fantastic way to instantly add a touch of class, whether Scandinavianstyle tin or mosaic Moroccan glass, while outdoor candles in buckets are a budget option, and anything with citronella scent will also deter bugs.

For a festival feel, you can’t beat bamboo Tiki torches that are lit using oil, because sometimes, only fire will do.

Whatever outdoor space you are looking to light up, less is generally more, and the subtleties will shine through the darkness if you allow them.

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Local LocalClubs Clubs&& activities activities

LOCAL LOCAL Churches Churches

Test Test Valley Valley ArtArt Society Society

Community Community

To learn To learn about about art art in all in its all its forms forms including including literature, literature, music music andand arts, arts, joinjoin The The Arts Arts Society, Society, TestTest Valley Valley (TASTV) (TASTV) at the at the Weyhill Weyhill Fairground, Fairground, Andover.

Andover.

We meet We meet on the on the firstfirst Tuesday Tuesday of the of the month month Choose Choose fromfrom 10.15am 10.15am or 2.30pm, or 2.30pm, lecture. lecture.

For more For more information information visit visit www.theartssociety.org/test-valley www.theartssociety.org/test-valley 01264 01264 358065 358065 info@theartssocietytestvalley.org.uk info@theartssocietytestvalley.org.uk

Test Test Valley Valley Health Health Walks Walks

info

TestTest Valley Valley Health Health Walks Walks areare free, free, a great a great way way totoget getfit, fit, and and provide provide opportunities opportunities to explore to explore what's what's onon your yourdoorstep doorstep and and make make newnew friends. friends.

For more For more information information about about anyany of the of the walks, walks, contact contactus. us. lbull@testvalley.gov.uk 01264 368649 01264 368649lbull@testvalley.gov.uk www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/south-east/test-valley-health-walks www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/south-east/test-valley-health-walks

Test Test Valley Valley Croquet CroquetClub Club

Founded Founded overover 25 years 25 years agoago thethe club club is thriving, is thriving, informal informal andand friendly. friendly.

All All thethe club’s club’s facilities facilities and andequipment equipment are available are available to members to members andand their their guests guests every everyday day between between AprilApril andand September.

September. bryanjlangford@gmail.com bryanjlangford@gmail.com www.michelmershandtimsbury.org/test-valley-croquet-club/ www.michelmershandtimsbury.org/test-valley-croquet-club/

Army Army Flying Flying Museum Museum

hub HALLS communityHALLS Local Local community

Stockbridge Town Hall Hall Stockbridge Town

High HighStreet, Street, Stockbridge Stockbridge SO20 SO206HE 6HE 01264 01264 513299 513299 tockbridgetownhall@gmail.com tockbridgetownhall@gmail.com www.stockbridgetownhall.co.uk/ www.stockbridgetownhall.co.uk/

The The Army Army Flying Flying Museum Museum is aisMilitary a Military Aviation Aviation Museum Museuminin Hampshire, Hampshire, telling telling thethe story story of British of British Army Army Flying.

Flying.

Kings Kings Somborne Somborne Village VillageHall Hall OverOver 30 historic 30 historic aircraft. aircraft.

Kentsboro, Kentsboro,Stockbridge Stockbridge SO20 SO208FB 8FB www.armyflying.com/ www.armyflying.com/Kings website website ourour or visit or visit contact contact information information For more For more KingsSombourne Sombourne ,Stockbridge ,StockbridgeSO20 SO206PP 6PP Outreach@flying-museum.org.uk 01264 01264 781086 781086Outreach@flying-museum.org.uk 01794 01794 389354 389354 vhsecretary@thesombornes.org.uk vhsecretary@thesombornes.org.uk www.thesombornes.org.uk/villagehall/ www.thesombornes.org.uk/villagehall/ Upper Upper Test Test Valley Valley Vintage VintageClub Club The The Upper Upper TestTest Valley Valley Vintage Vintage Club Club was was created createdininthe the Stockbridge Stockbridge area, area, butbut we we have have members members from from allallover overEngland England whowho attend attend our our events. events.

It'sIt's a Club a Club forfor those those interested interestedininold old machines, machines, fromfrom cycles cycles to steam to steam engines. engines.

Stockbridge StockbridgeSO20 SO206HZ 6HZ VisitVisit our website our website for for more more details details www.utvvcrally.co.uk www.utvvcrally.co.uk Andy@utvvcrally.co.uk 01264 01264 810421 810421 Andy@utvvcrally.co.uk

New New Forest Forest Folk Folk Festival Festival

Stockbridge Stockbridge Town Town Hall Hall

High High Street, Street, Stockbridge Stockbridge SO20 SO206HE 6HE 01264 01264 513299 513299 tockbridgetownhall@gmail.com tockbridgetownhall@gmail.com www.stockbridgetownhall.co.uk/ www.stockbridgetownhall.co.uk/

Kings Kings Somborne Somborne Village VillageHall Hall

Kings Kings Sombourne, Sombourne, Stockbridge StockbridgeSO20 SO206PP 6PP 01794 01794 389354 389354 vhsecretary@thesombornes.org.uk vhsecretary@thesombornes.org.uk www.thesombornes.org.uk/villagehall/ www.thesombornes.org.uk/villagehall/

A fantastic A fantastic 5 day 5 day festival festival on on thethe edge edge of of thethe New NewForest, Forest, where where you you can can enjoy enjoy amazing amazing livelive folkfolk music, music, fun funworkshops workshops King King George’s George’s Village Village Hall Hall including including learning learning instruments, instruments, writing writing music, music, taking takingpart partinin meditation, meditation, Morris Morris Dancing Dancing andand much much more, more, plus plus brilliant brilliantlocal local West West Dean Dean SP5 SP5 1JQ paseabrooke@gmail.com paseabrooke@gmail.com foodfood and and drink drink & other & other local local producers producers & traders! & traders!

Lockerley Lockerley & East East Dean: Dean:Memorial MemorialHall Hall VisitVisit the website the website for more for more details details www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk Lockerley Lockerley Water Water House House EastTytherley EastTytherleyRoad Road nick@newforestfolkfestival.co.uk nick@newforestfolkfestival.co.uk 07435 07435 123057 123057 Lockerley Lockerley SO51 SO51 0JG Upper Clatford Womens Upper Clatford WomensInstitute Institute 1794342019 1794342019 hallsecretary@lockerley.org.uk hallsecretary@lockerley.org.uk http://opencharities.org/charities/301876 http://opencharities.org/charities/301876 Upper Upper Clatford Clatford WI WI is aislively, a lively, friendly friendly group group of of women women who who live in liveorinaround or around thethe village village of of Upper Upper Clatford ClatfordororininAndover.

Andover. Houghton Houghton Village Village Hall Hall We offer We offer friendship friendship andand companionship, companionship, together togetherwith withthe the Houghton, Houghton, Stockbridge Stockbridge SO20 SO206LW 6LW 01264 393791 393791 opportunity opportunity to learn to learn newnew skills. skills.01264 028 028 3026 3026 7119 7119 King King Edward Edward VII Memorial VII Memorial HallHall Village Village Street, Street, Upper Upper Clatford, Clatford,SP11 SP117QL 7QL www.upperclatford.com/community/upper-clatford-15048/upper-clatford-wi www.upperclatford.com/community/upper-clatford-15048/upper-clatford-wi Broughton Broughton Village Village Hall Hall High High St, St, Broughton, Broughton, Stockbridge StockbridgeSO20 SO208AX 8AX 0844 0844 800 800 8864 8864

If you If you areare a a Local Group, please Local Group, please get get in touch to be in touch to be If you If you areare a a advertised here forfor free! advertised here free!

Abbotts Abbotts Ann Village Village Hall Hall

Dunkirt Dunkirt Ln Ln Abbotts Abbotts Ann, Ann, Andover AndoverSP11 SP117AZ 7AZ thewarmemorialhall@gmail.com thewarmemorialhall@gmail.com www.abbottsann.com/amenitiesservices/village-hall/ www.abbottsann.com/amenitiesservices/village-hall/

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enquiries@modernmagazines.co.uk enquiries@modernmagazines.co.uk

22

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT nUMBERS nUMBERS

St St Peter’s Peter’s Church Church

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

Test Valley TestCouncil Valley Council Call 01794 Call527700 01794or527700 visit www.testvalley.gov.uk or visit www.testvalley.gov.uk AndoverAndover Library Call Library 0300 Call 555 0300 1387 555 1387 St St Mary Mary thethe Less Less email andover.library@hants.gov.uk email andover.library@hants.gov.uk CitizensCitizens Advice Test Advice Valley TestCall Valley 0808 278 Call 7862 0808 278 7862 Village Village St, Chilbolton, St, Chilbolton, Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6BQ 6BQ www.downsbenefice.org www.downsbenefice.org RomseyRomsey Library Call Library 0300 Call 555 0300 1387 555 1387 email romsey.library@hants.gov.uk email romsey.library@hants.gov.uk AllAll Saints Saints Church Church AndoverAndover Emergency Emergency Dentist Call Dentist 07470Call 553807 07470 553807 TheThe Street, Street, Barton Barton Stacey Stacey SO21SO21 3RH 3RH RomseyRomsey HospitalHospital In an emergency In an emergency call 999 call 999 for otherfor enquiries other enquiries call 023 8231 call 023 03508231 0350 01962 01962 886883 886883 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18357/ www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18357/ AndoverAndover War Memorial War Memorial Hospital Hospital Call 01264 Call358811 01264 358811 St St Mary’s Mary’s Church Church Royal Hampshire Royal Hampshire County Hospital County Hospital Church Church Rd, Abbotts Rd, Abbotts Ann,Ann, Andover Andover SP11 SP11 7NR 7NR Call 01962 Call863535 01962 863535 revdkatrina@gmail.com revdkatrina@gmail.com 07922153765 07922153765 River Dental River Call Dental 01264810818 Call 01264810818 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18246 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18246 or email or kingfisher@river.dental email kingfisher@river.dental Romsey Romsey Dental Care Dental Call Care 01794Call 522222 01794 522222 Mary’s Michelmersh Church St St Mary’s Michelmersh Church enquiries@romseydentalcare.co.uk enquiries@romseydentalcare.co.uk Michelmersh, Romsey Michelmersh, Romsey S051S051 0NS 0NS East Street EastDental StreetPractice Dental Practice Call 01264Call 323578 01264 323578 01794 01794 878020 878020 info@eaststreetdental.co.uk info@eaststreetdental.co.uk www.achurchneary-ou.com/church/18504/page/54954/view www.achurchneary-ou.com/church/18504/page/54954/viewBeauchamp Beauchamp House Call House 01794Call 512550 01794 512550 enquiries@dental100.com enquiries@dental100.com St St Mary’s Mary’s East East Tytherley Tytherley Alma Road Alma Surgery Road Surgery Call 01794Call 513422 01794 513422 TheThe Vicarage, Vicarage, The The Street Street Lockerley Lockerley S051 S051 0JF 0JF WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net 01794 01794 340635 340635 GrattonGratton SurgerySurgery Call 01962Call 760394 01962 760394 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7390/ www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7390/ WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net Abbey Mead AbbeySurgery Mead Surgery Call 01794Call 512218 01794 512218 Saint Peter’s Church Saint Peter’s Church AdelaideAdelaide Medical Medical Centre Call Centre 01264Call 351144 01264 351144 HighHigh Street Street Stockbridge Stockbridge S020S020 6HE 6HE Upper Upper Clatford, Clatford, Andover Andover SP11SP11 7SF0 7SF0 www.annabenefice.co.uk www.annabenefice.co.uk 07393 07393 944245 944245

01264 01264 810810 810810 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18513 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18513

AllAll Saints’ Saints’ Church Church

Church Church Ln, Houghton, Ln, Houghton, Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6LJ 6LJ rector@midtest.org.uk rector@midtest.org.uk

www.houghton-hampshire.uk/community www.houghton-hampshire.uk/community /houghton-village-website-12746/all-saints-church/ /houghton-village-website-12746/all-saints-church/

LOCAL LOCAL Fisherys Fisherys Timsbury Fishing Timsbury Fishing

A fishing A fishing group group based based in Timsbury in Timsbury Timsbury, Timsbury, Romsey Romsey S051S051 0NB 0NB 07759 331385 07759 331385 mail.info@timsburyfishing.co.uk mail.info@timsburyfishing.co.uk

www.timsburyfishing.co.uk fordetails more details VisitVisit www.timsburyfishing.co.uk for more

Kimbridge Kimbridge Trout Trout Fishing Fishing

A trout A trout fishing fishing group group located located in Kambridge in Kambridge Kimbridge Kimbridge LaneLane SO51 SO51 0LE 0LE 01794 01794 340170 340170 www.kimbridgeonthetest.com/ www.kimbridgeonthetest.com/

Leckford Leckford Estate Estate Fishery Fishery

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT Addresses Addresses Stockbridge Post Office Stockbridge Post Office

0345 722 0345 3344 722 3344 ww.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3415465/stockbridge ww.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3415465/stockbridge

Andover Andover Household Household WasteWaste Recycling Recycling Centre Centre

Scott Cl, Scott Andover Cl, Andover SP10 5NU SP10 5NU www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/ www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/ hwrcfinder/Andover hwrcfinder/Andover

Casbrook Casbrook Household Household WasteWaste Recycling Recycling Centre Centre

Bunny Ln, Bunny Romsey Ln, Romsey SO51 0PG SO51 0PG www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/hwrcfinder/Casbrook www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/hwrcfinder/Casbrook

Romsey Romsey Railway Railway Station Station Romsey Romsey S051 8DU S051 8DU 0845 7480845 4950748 4950

Leckford Leckford Estate Estate ownsowns and manages and manages 16 fishing 16 fishing beats on beats on the the world world famous famous RiverRiver Test which Test which runs through runs through the middle the middleAndover Andover Railway Railway Station Station of the of the Estate, Estate, with with Leckford Leckford villagevillage to thetoeast theand eastLongstock and Longstock Station Approach, Station Approach, Andover SP10 Andover 3HNSP10 3HN to the to the west. west.

The The beatsbeats are open are open to fisherman to fisherman from May from May 0345 600 0345 0650 600 0650 to October.We to October.We also also havehave two river two fed riverlakes fed that lakesare that are available available all year all year roundround for fishing. for fishing.

Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6EH 6EH 07860 07860 541933 541933 www.leckfordfishing.co.uk www.leckfordfishing.co.uk

Timsbury Timsbury Fishery Fishery Timsbury Timsbury Manor Manor FarmFarm Stable, Stable, Manor Manor Lane, Lane, Timsbury Timsbury S051S051 www.timsburyfishery.net www.timsburyfishery.net 07831 07831 356265 356265jd@timsburyfishery.net jd@timsburyfishery.net

LS LLS

LOCAL LOCAL Churches Churches IMPORTANT IMPORTANT nUMBERS nUMBERS

St St Peter’s Peter’s Church Church

Test Valley TestCouncil Valley Council Call 01794 Call527700 01794or527700 visit www.testvalley.gov.uk or visit www.testvalley.gov.uk AndoverAndover Library Call Library 0300 Call 555 0300 1387 555 1387 St St Mary Mary thethe Less Less email andover.library@hants.gov.uk email andover.library@hants.gov.uk CitizensCitizens Advice Test Advice Valley TestCall Valley 0808 278 Call 7862 0808 278 7862 Village Village St, Chilbolton, St, Chilbolton, Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6BQ 6BQ www.downsbenefice.org www.downsbenefice.org RomseyRomsey Library Call Library 0300 Call 555 0300 1387 555 1387 email romsey.library@hants.gov.uk email romsey.library@hants.gov.uk AllAll Saints Saints Church Church AndoverAndover Emergency Emergency Dentist Call Dentist 07470Call 553807 07470 553807 TheThe Street, Street, Barton Barton Stacey Stacey SO21SO21 3RH 3RH RomseyRomsey HospitalHospital In an emergency In an emergency call 999 call 999 for otherfor enquiries other enquiries call 023 8231 call 023 03508231 0350 01962 01962 886883 886883 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18357/ www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18357/ AndoverAndover War Memorial War Memorial Hospital Hospital Call 01264 Call358811 01264 358811 St St Mary’s Mary’s Church Church Royal Hampshire Royal Hampshire County Hospital County Hospital Church Church Rd, Abbotts Rd, Abbotts Ann,Ann, Andover Andover SP11 SP11 7NR 7NR Call 01962 Call863535 01962 863535 revdkatrina@gmail.com revdkatrina@gmail.com 07922153765 07922153765 River Dental River Call Dental 01264810818 Call 01264810818 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18246 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18246 or email or kingfisher@river.dental email kingfisher@river.dental Romsey Romsey Dental Care Dental Call Care 01794Call 522222 01794 522222 Mary’s Michelmersh Church St St Mary’s Michelmersh Church enquiries@romseydentalcare.co.uk enquiries@romseydentalcare.co.uk Michelmersh, Romsey Michelmersh, Romsey S051S051 0NS 0NS East Street EastDental StreetPractice Dental Practice Call 01264Call 323578 01264 323578 01794 01794 878020 878020 info@eaststreetdental.co.uk info@eaststreetdental.co.uk www.achurchneary-ou.com/church/18504/page/54954/view www.achurchneary-ou.com/church/18504/page/54954/viewBeauchamp Beauchamp House Call House 01794Call 512550 01794 512550 enquiries@dental100.com enquiries@dental100.com St St Mary’s Mary’s East East Tytherley Tytherley Alma Road Alma Surgery Road Surgery Call 01794Call 513422 01794 513422 TheThe Vicarage, Vicarage, The The Street Street Lockerley Lockerley S051 S051 0JF 0JF WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net 01794 01794 340635 340635 GrattonGratton SurgerySurgery Call 01962Call 760394 01962 760394 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7390/ www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7390/ WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net WHCCG.AlmaRoadSurgery@nhs.net Abbey Mead AbbeySurgery Mead Surgery Call 01794Call 512218 01794 512218 Saint Peter’s Church Saint Peter’s Church AdelaideAdelaide Medical Medical Centre Call Centre 01264Call 351144 01264 351144 HighHigh Street Street Stockbridge Stockbridge S020S020 6HE 6HE Upper Upper Clatford, Clatford, Andover Andover SP11SP11 7SF0 7SF0 www.annabenefice.co.uk www.annabenefice.co.uk 07393 07393 944245 944245

01264 01264 810810 810810 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18513 www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18513

AllAll Saints’ Saints’ Church Church

Church Church Ln, Houghton, Ln, Houghton, Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6LJ 6LJ rector@midtest.org.uk rector@midtest.org.uk

www.houghton-hampshire.uk/community www.houghton-hampshire.uk/community /houghton-village-website-12746/all-saints-church/ /houghton-village-website-12746/all-saints-church/

LOCAL LOCAL Fisherys Fisherys Timsbury Fishing Timsbury Fishing

A fishing A fishing group group based based in Timsbury in Timsbury Timsbury, Timsbury, Romsey Romsey S051S051 0NB 0NB 07759 331385 07759 331385 mail.info@timsburyfishing.co.uk mail.info@timsburyfishing.co.uk

www.timsburyfishing.co.uk fordetails more details VisitVisit www.timsburyfishing.co.uk for more

Kimbridge Kimbridge Trout Trout Fishing Fishing

A trout A trout fishing fishing group group located located in Kambridge in Kambridge Kimbridge Kimbridge LaneLane SO51 SO51 0LE 0LE 01794 01794 340170 340170 www.kimbridgeonthetest.com/ www.kimbridgeonthetest.com/

Leckford Leckford Estate Estate Fishery Fishery

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT Addresses Addresses Stockbridge Post Office Stockbridge Post Office

0345 722 0345 3344 722 3344 ww.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3415465/stockbridge ww.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3415465/stockbridge

Andover Andover Household Household WasteWaste Recycling Recycling Centre Centre

Scott Cl, Scott Andover Cl, Andover SP10 5NU SP10 5NU www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/ www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/ hwrcfinder/Andover hwrcfinder/Andover

Casbrook Casbrook Household Household WasteWaste Recycling Recycling Centre Centre

Bunny Ln, Bunny Romsey Ln, Romsey SO51 0PG SO51 0PG www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/hwrcfinder/Casbrook www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/hwrcfinder/Casbrook

Romsey Romsey Railway Railway Station Station Romsey Romsey S051 8DU S051 8DU 0845 7480845 4950748 4950

Leckford Leckford Estate Estate ownsowns and manages and manages 16 fishing 16 fishing beats on beats on the the world world famous famous RiverRiver Test which Test which runs through runs through the middle the middleAndover Andover Railway Railway Station Station of the of the Estate, Estate, with with Leckford Leckford villagevillage to thetoeast theand eastLongstock and Longstock Station Approach, Station Approach, Andover SP10 Andover 3HNSP10 3HN to the to the west. west.

The The beatsbeats are open are open to fisherman to fisherman from May from May 0345 600 0345 0650 600 0650 to October.We to October.We also also havehave two river two fed riverlakes fed that lakesare that are available available all year all year roundround for fishing. for fishing.

Stockbridge Stockbridge S020 S020 6EH 6EH 07860 07860 541933 541933 www.leckfordfishing.co.uk www.leckfordfishing.co.uk

Timsbury Timsbury Fishery Fishery Timsbury Timsbury Manor Manor FarmFarm Stable, Stable, Manor Manor Lane, Lane, Timsbury Timsbury S051S051 www.timsburyfishery.net www.timsburyfishery.net 07831 07831 356265 356265jd@timsburyfishery.net jd@timsburyfishery.net

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23

Building on Digital Success The Test Valley charity, Unity is celebrating this week with the news that they have been successful in securing £179,840 over three years from The National Lottery to provide digital literacy projects for communities across Test Valley.

Their digital literacy work goes back to the beginning of the pandemic when they started helping to improve the digital skills of vulnerable people many of whom relied on community groups for much of their daily support.

A digital expert was employed by Unity and volunteers recruited, veterans offering the IT skills learned during their time in the military and people who had either lost their jobs or were on furlough during the pandemic. With the help of these volunteers, Unity tested the idea of enabling vulnerable people to develop confidence in their use of technology. This was well received, and the charity is now planning to scale up to offer services through the borough.

need help to build the confidence to use it, perhaps to shop online or even complete an online form.

This money will help us to extend our reach across the length and breadth of Test Valley so that we can help individuals and local organisations to learn new skills.”

Various community initiatives will be devised throughout the threeyear funding term, and these will be offered through Unity’s website and social media platforms.

If you are interested in finding out how Unity could help you, your charity or community group, or if you think you might like to volunteer, please contact us through the website www. unityonline.org.uk or call 0330 4004 116 and a member of our team will help.

Terry Bishop, Unity Chief Executive said, “We would like to thank The National Lottery players for granting this funding. With technology taking over all our lives, we know that there are people across the community who may 24

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

Are you finding life difficult and just need a bit of help and a regular bit of company?

Unity provides a reliable, friendly and compassionate home support service to help you with your independence. We are also decluttering experts and are there to offer expert advice and practical solutions.

• Highly qualified and caring staff • Tailored services to meet all needs • Helping to improve health and wellbeing For more information please call Call 0330 4004 116 or visit www.unityonline.org.uk/health-care/

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25

STAR GAZING WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the May Stargazing Page. Highlights this month are mostly early morning events, including planetary conjunctions, a lunar eclipse, two meteor showers, and Mercury close to the Pleiades in the evening.

Moon

May’s full moon occurs on the 16th, and if the skies are clear, those of you awake from 3.30am to 4.30am will witness a total lunar eclipse in the southwest, where the Moon should go a reddish-brown colour.

Phases of a total lunar eclipse

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted every day this month, with up to three overhead passes in one night. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavensabove.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

Two meteor showers occur this month. The Eta Aquarid shower peaks in the early hours on the night of 5 – 6th May, and is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. It is best seen in the east. Comet Schwassman-Wachman-3 is responsible for the Tau Herculid meteor shower which falls on the night of the 31st May – 1st June, and although quite high in the western sky, the meteors will be hard to spot in the dawn light.

Aldebaran – red giant star

Mercury Pleiades (or the Seven Sisters)

Mercury

The innermost planet can be seen low in the northwest after sunset from the 1st until mid-May, when it becomes harder to spot as it moves closer to the Sun. Try looking at around 9.45pm on the 2nd, where it is located in-between the Pleiades cluster and a thin crescent moon (see figure).

2nd May: View very low in the northwest at 9.45pm

Venus

Venus is dazzling away in our morning skies, rising around 4am in the east. It has a close meeting (called a conjunction) with Jupiter on the 1st May.

Tree required here to indicate low horizon please. Thanks Jupiter

Mars

Mars

The red planet can be seen just before dawn, also rising around 4am. On the 29th it too has a conjunction with Jupiter.

Jupiter & Saturn

Both gas giants are visible in the morning. Saturn rises first around 2.30am. Jupiter is visible to the lower left, rising around 3.30am.

26

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

Jupiter Venus

1st May 5am to the east

29th May 4am to the east-southeast SW

9th September 7.45pm

W

Please include trees as both events are close to the horizon. Mars is mean to be slightly smaller. Dawn light for both please

Moon

May’s full moon occurs on the 16th, and if the skies are clear, those of you awake from 3.30am to 4.30am will witness a total lunar eclipse in the southwest, where the Moon should go a reddish-brown colour.

Phases of a total lunar eclipse

Aldebaran – red giant star

Mercury Pleiades (or the Seven Sisters)

2nd May: View very low in the northwest at 9.45pm

Tree required here to indicate low horizon please. Thanks Jupiter Mars Jupiter Venus

1st May 5am to the east

29th May 4am to the east-southeast SW

9th September 7.45pm

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W

Please include trees as both events are close to the horizon. Mars is mean to be slightly smaller. Dawn light for both please

27

Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to reduce inheritance tax and help protect their share from care fees 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.

28

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www.dorsetandwight.co.uk

LASTING POWER of ATTORNEYS Probably the most important documents you will ever own.

Wills: £140 each - Single Power of Attorneys: £150 each

Special Offer 1: All four Lasting Power of Attorneys for a couple £570 (save £30)

Special Offer 2: All four Lasting Power of Attorneys & two Wills for a couple £840 (save £40)

Special Offer 3: A complete Property Protection Trust, Wills and all four Lasting Power of Attorneys for a couple - Limited time offer £999 (save £501) Are you concerned about care fees and other risks?

Special Offer 4: The “Ultimate” Family Protection Package includes All Trust Wills and LPAs for a couple - Limited time offer £1,279 (save £881)

If you are concerned about care fees and protecting your children’s inheritance from divorce and other risks.

We are specialists in providing for the elderly or less mobile.

Everything is dealt with in the comfort of your own home.

Members of the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners.

EXPERTISE • EXPERIENCE • EMPATHY Dorset 01202 065953 Hampshire - 01264 252900 Isle of Wight - 01983 623900 All subject to deliberate deprivation guidelines

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29

The Wedding Singer: Two years in the making!

After two years of waiting, Andover Musical Theatre Company are back in the rehearsal room for their latest production, The Wedding Singer. Running at The Lights Theatre, Andover from 25th-28th May 2022, this show is sure to be a wild ride!

As soon as Evita closed in November 2019, it was straight back into auditions and then rehearsals for Andover Musical Theatre Company. However, when Covid hit in March 2020, all rehearsals ground to a halt and their performance of the original Broadway musical, The Wedding Singer was put on hold. But now, two years in the making, the cast are back and ready to put on the show of a lifetime!

The Musical, which is an adaptation of the 2000 film, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, follows the trials and tribulations of Robbie Hart (Glyn Juliff) in his pursuit of true love, heartbreak and rock n’ roll.

Robbie is left at the alter by his fiancé Linda (Ellie Bridgman) and is left heartbroken.

The show follows his encounter with “girl

next door” Julia Sullivan (Laura Budd) who is engaged to yuppie stock-broker Glen Gulgia (Jon Baron).

Along with her cousin Holly (Anna Neary), Julia is on a road to discovery, questioning everything she ever thought she knew about love.

Robbie and Julia are both at a crossroads in their love lives, but then again, the course of true love never did run smooth! Will they ever find their “endless love”? There’s only one way to find out…

Experienced Choreographer and Director Claire Nias, is beyond excited for the production, “With a fabulous cast and crew, this show is an absolute blast to direct and will be a fantastic evening’s entertainment!”

She says. “I can’t wait for that unique combination of excitement and nerves during show week - it’s always an amazing buzz!”

Musical Director Alun Grace is no stranger to conducting and is completely immersed in the beautiful score for this show, “Rehearsals have been hard work but the show and its music has given everybody much enjoyment,” grins Alun. “I believe this feeling of joy will be felt by the audience in the theatre and they will be transported back to the 80s with their toes tapping and a smile on their faces.”

Andover Musical Theatre Company’s production of The Wedding Singer runs from 25th-28th May 2022 at The Lights Theatre, Andover. Tickets are available from thelights.org.uk or from the box office on 01264 368368.

30

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Lasting Powers of Attorney:

Why it makes sense to appoint a professional Many people very sensibly confer lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) on others so that their affairs can be properly managed in the event that they lose the ability to do so themselves. However, as a High Court ruling underlined, it often makes good sense to appoint a professional, rather than a loved one, as your attorney.

The case concerned a woman who, by her will, bequeathed her home equally to her four children. About two years prior to her death, aged 93, an LPA was registered in favour of her daughter.

The daughter subsequently used the power conferred on her by the LPA to purportedly transfer the property, which was formerly owned solely by her mother, into her and her mother’s joint names, as tenants in common.

The result of the transfer was that, when the mother died, her daughter’s half share of the property fell outside her estate. That in turn meant that the inheritance of her other three children was significantly reduced. Acting as executor of her estate, her son challenged the transfer on the basis that the daughter had no power or authority to make it.

Upholding his claim, the Court noted that the half share in the property was a gift to the daughter. Section 12 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires that an LPA may generally only be

used to make gifts of reasonable value to charity or to loved ones or other connections on customary occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Gifts that do not fall within those exceptions must be authorised by the Court of Protection.

Such authority having neither been sought nor granted, the High Court concluded that the transfer was void. The registration of the daughter’s half share in the property was therefore a mistake on the face of the Land Register. The Court ordered that the Register be rectified to the effect that the mother remained the property’s sole owner at the date of her death.

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

Bells are a specialist Wills, Probate and Conveyancing practice.

The office opens five days a week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and home and hospital appointments can be arranged where appropriate.

Our professional service is right on your doorstep.

Join us again next time for another legal insight!

Tel: 01794 513328

E: bells@bells-romsey-solicitors.co.uk

Need advice on

Property, Wills, Trusts & Probate?

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31

Stockbridge Cinema May Showings Friday 6 May 4.30pm & 7.30pm

Chalk

The chalkstreams are famous among fly fishers the world over, and this documentary film explores their past, present and future. It celebrates not only the beauty of the rivers and the aesthetics of fly fishing, and the people who shape the sport. A range of expert voices tell the tale of how this accident of geology changed a sport forever. It covers many of the highlights of the chalkstreams and their history: the revered mayfly hatch, the dry fly revolution and the ‘dark art’ of nymphing, the weedcut, and the manicured estates of the Rivers Test, Itchen and others, and the uncertain futures of these iconic rivers.

Author and Executive Producer of the film, Simon Cooper, will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A session after each screening of the film (approx 30 minutes)

Friday 20 May 7.30pm House of Gucci (15)

Wednesday 25 May 5.00pm & 7.30pm Belfast (PG) A film directed by Kenneth Branagh’s based on his own childhood experience during the troubles in Belfast. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.

Showings at Stockbridge Town Hall SO20 6HE. Tickets can be purchased online (£6.00 incl £0.50p booking fee per ticket) via www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk or by telephone from TicketSource 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 charge per telephone booking in addition to the online ticket price).

Visit our website for more details.

Drinks and ices will be on sale with payment by debit or credit card.

House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately... murder.

32

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33

Monthly Walk:

waters edge for now. Firstly we meet the river pontoon (photo 4) that was formerly opened by Princess Diana in 1983, along

Burseldon This month’s walk offering moves East of Southampton to Bursledon, for a classic outing that traces large elements of the River Hamble as well as passing through a popular visitor park location.

1

The suggested start point is Bursledon Station, Station Road, SO31 8AA (photo 1), which is a very popular drop off point for both walkers and cyclists. During the week this free car park tends to fill quickly, but over the weekend there is likely to be plenty of space.

The walk is just under 5.5 miles (9Km) with only a little climbing and excellent paths along the entire way; thus a 2 hour trip beckons the regular walker and as a bonus the vast majority of the walk is good for dogs (and their owners)!

2 34

Heading out from the car we turn right along Station Road, which, sadly lacks a footpath for around 200 metres, going up as far as the A27 (Bridge Road). We need to cross this very busy road, very carefully, to enter Blundell Lane opposite and aim down towards the boatyard with the evident footpath sign (photo 2), just after the road itself turns sharp left.

3

In a while the road passes under the 8 lane M27 with it’s massive girder bridge construction as we aim towards Brixedone Farm, but turn right over the footpath stile (photo 3) just before reaching their border and traverse across a field that skirts some of the river marshes. Once across this field we clear a stile and enter the River Hamble Country Park. It would be wise to recall that early route as we will be returning that way in a while for the return journey.

By turning right we now follow the shores of the river for some time until moving into the other half of this Nature Reserve at Manor Farm later. Along this route there are a myriad selection of footpaths to select, but we maintain contact with the

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

4

with other disabled facilities on site. In another 500 metres we turn right down a slope, then up again and in approximately 400 metres we drop down right over a narrow footbridge clearing a muddy gully.

Once through the gate we should select the right hand path option that eventually takes us over a railway sleeper style bridge and veers uphill as it goes leftwards.

Pushing on for a further 400 metres we come to the top and drop down right at the corner. This is a fairly muddy stepped path that leads to another narrow footbridge and then steps up the far side (photo 5). We are now moving away from the Hamble shores as we pass a wooden gate, move on for 200 metres with a hedgerow on our left to meet a path T junction, where we turn left and trace the well used path as far as Manor Farm. At this point it is possible to halt briefly for a coffee (take out or stop in) before taking the left hand track back towards the neighbouring park.

5

In around 600 metres we greet a double gate across the way, but please do not take this, instead take the right hand that crosses the entrance road to Manor Farm and step out up the slope towards a gravel road that eventually becomes Tanhouse Lane. Just as the road improves underfoot, after some 600 metres, we should take the metal gate on the left; immediately before the riding stables (photo 6).

6

This path combines both gravel and mud as it drops down slowly, passes buildings on the right and then meets the entrance road to both Parks. This road we cross and with a slight veer to the left, pass through a gate on the right and progress straight ahead aiming towards the River Hamble once again. In another 600 metres we once more see the marsh flats and the exit path on our right, which brought us into the park a while earlier.

Provided the earlier passage is not forgotten the return trip should be simple; over the field, under the M27, through the boatyard, out onto Blundell Lane, then up to and carefully across the A27; followed by a short trip down Station Road; taking the left hand fork in 200 metres then up into the station car park.

The final bonus on this walk is a trip for refreshment to the Jolly Sailor, the iconic pub that featured in the 1980s soap, Howards Way. This pub is only 300 metres away from our car up the waymarked path at the rear of the car park and will offer the perfect end the outing.

By Malcolm Price

waters edge for now. Firstly we meet the river pontoon (photo 4) that was formerly opened by Princess Diana in 1983, along

4

with other disabled facilities on site. In another 500 metres we turn right down a slope, then up again and in approximately 400 metres we drop down right over a narrow footbridge clearing a muddy gully.

Once through the gate we should select the right hand path option that eventually takes us over a railway sleeper style bridge and veers uphill as it goes leftwards.

Pushing on for a further 400 metres we come to the top and drop down right at the corner. This is a fairly muddy stepped path that leads to another narrow footbridge and then steps up the far side (photo 5). We are now moving away from the Hamble shores as we pass a wooden gate, move on for 200 metres with a hedgerow on our left to meet a path T junction, where we turn left and trace the well used path as far as Manor Farm. At this point it is possible to halt briefly for a coffee (take out or stop in) before taking the left hand track back towards the neighbouring park.

5

In around 600 metres we greet a double gate across the way, but please do not take this, instead take the right hand that crosses the entrance road to Manor Farm and step out up the slope towards a gravel road that eventually becomes Tanhouse Lane. Just as the road improves underfoot, after some 600 metres, we should take the metal gate on the left; immediately before the riding stables (photo 6).

6

This path combines both gravel and mud as it drops down slowly, passes buildings on the right and then meets the entrance road to both Parks. This road we cross and with a slight veer to the left, pass through a gate on the right and progress straight ahead aiming towards the River Hamble once again. In another 600 metres we once more see the marsh flats and the exit path on our right, which brought us into the park a while earlier.

Provided the earlier passage is not forgotten the return trip should be simple; over the field, under the M27, through the boatyard, out onto Blundell Lane, then up to and carefully across the A27; followed by a short trip down Station Road; taking the left hand fork in 200 metres then up into the station car park.

The final bonus on this walk is a trip for refreshment to the Jolly Sailor, the iconic pub that featured in the 1980s soap, Howards Way. This pub is only 300 metres away from our car up the waymarked path at the rear of the car park and will offer the perfect end the outing.

By Malcolm Price

Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

35

Money on my mind...the Martin Lewis column He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at taking financial responsibility for ourselves in these post-pandemic days.

What the Coronavirus pandemic has given us, probably more than any point in the past 50 years, is an idea that we can turn to a bank, or the government, or a charity, for help and support. And I won’t deny that, in some examples, these entities have stood up and there has been a feeling of support and community.

Yet I think we all realise that can only go so far. We have now emerged out of the darkness of the pandemic, and slowly but shortly the directive is that we have to fend for ourselves again. I don’t doubt some support remains, but I wouldn’t expect it to last forever.

The average food waste bill in the UK still stands at around £750 per year, and that’s horrendous. Remember the difference between Use By and Best Before, and it will save you hundreds each year.

If you have any packaging that has a date on it, if it’s after that date, lots of people just sling the food. Well, let’s remember – Use By is a health notice to you. If something is beyond its Use By date, you need to chuck it in the bin. Best Before is the manufacturer’s guide to optimum quality. All it means is that the item will be

in its best possible condition before this date. The day after a Best Before, it’s still perfectly legitimate to eat.

With some canned goods, it’s still perfectly okay to eat them three or four years after the Best Before date. So, use your nose to smell it, use your eyes to look at it, use your senses to decide whether it’s right for you.

Just by diminishing that, and by having a decent shopping list and proper menu planning, you will cut down waste. That’s not just good for your pocket, but also good for the environment.

I think we are all living slightly differently now, and certainly in wake of food shortages during the first lockdown, I have seen much greater understanding and willingness of people to feed their families more responsibly.

36

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39

Vets Column: Abandoned baby wildlife: don’t touch!

Every spring, Vets and wildlife rescue centres receive a lot of phone calls from concerned members of the public who believe they may have found an orphaned wild animal and are unsure what to do. In many cases the parents could be nearby searching for food and will return after you have gone, especially deer fawns and fox cubs which can be left alone for up to 8 hours at a time. However, it is much more common to find young birds.

For adult birds there is a rule of thumb; if you can catch it, it probably needs help (but always ask for advice first)! So, is it injured or abandoned? Most commonly, neither...!

If the baby appears to be in good condition and too young (a ‘nestling’) to leave the nest, then the first thing you should attempt to do is locate, and if possible, return the baby to its correct nest. The parents will generally not reject the bird because it has ‘human’ smell on it. A ‘nestling’ is a bird not yet fully covered by feathers and has some skin showing. It cannot yet stand on its own.

We human ‘good Samaritans’ have to remember birds naturally look after their families. Finding a baby on the ground (a ‘fledgling’) is not always a sign of distress.

‘Fledgling’ birds are fully covered with feathers even though the wing and tail feathers are still short and partially encased in sheaths as they continue to grow. Baby birds often hop around the ground for up to 2 weeks while the parents continue to look after them and until they learn to fly. Parent birds leave their offspring for brief periods of time to search for food. If you interfere then, the adults may return to find their chick has been taken unnecessarily when in fact they were looking after everything just fine.

40

Human care or rehabilitation is only a substitute and is generally much less successful (most handreared orphans die). Parental care is by far the best for a baby bird.

Careful and patient observation of the young bird will prevent unnecessary separation of families or ‘bird-napping’.

If you can see any obvious wounds or broken bones consult the organisations listed below for advice on the best way to handle and contain the animal, or they can direct you to the nearest veterinary clinic for advice.

If it is absolutely necessary to handle the animal, the main point to consider is minimising stress and human contact as much as possible. Catch the animal using a large, thick towel. Thick gloves can be worn if handling a larger bird (unfortunately wildlife won’t appreciate your best intentions and will bite, scratch, kick, claw or flap to defend themselves!), restrict human contact to a minimum and keep them contained in a quiet, dark, warm place. A lot of animals will break out of a cardboard box with ease so bear this in mind when choosing a container and location!

If you think you may have found an orphan or injured animal and are concerned, have a look at our website, antonvets.co.uk/ exotics/injured-wildlife, which has lots of information on what to do.

John Chitty

BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

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41

Covering a

Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall’s Pear & Almond Cake Introduction

This soft, dense, almondy cake can be served warm for pudding with lashings of cream, or cold with a cup of tea or coffee. Firm Conference pears should work a treat here.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/gas mark 3.

Grease a 20cm diameter, springform cake tin and line the base with baking parchment.

2. Put a saucepan over a medium heat and add 25g of the butter. When it’s sizzling, add a tablespoon of sugar and stir until it dissolves. Add the pear quarters and fry in the buttery caramel for five to ten minutes, until they start to brown and soften (the time taken will vary greatly, depending on how ripe the pears are). Put to one side to cool a little.

3. Put the remaining butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy. Beat in the two eggs, one at a time.

Whizz the whole blanched almonds (if using) in a food processor for about a minute, to grind them. Tip them into the cake batter (or add the readyground almonds), then sift in the self-raising flour and fold in gently. Scrape the mixture into the prepared tin. Arrange the pieces of pear on top of the cake.

4. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife pushed into the centre comes out clean. Place the tin on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm or cold.

Ingredients (serves 6) • 175g unsalted butter, softened • 125g caster sugar, plus 1 tbsp • 3 pears, firm but not too hard, peeled, cored and quartered • 2 eggs • 75g whole blanched almonds or ground almonds • 75g self-raising flour

42

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­

Puzzle Page Answers Quick Crossword Solution #015 Answers: Across: 2. Ant, 5. Mammal, 7. Unable, 9. Billionaire, 10. Degree, 11. Planet, 13. Elicit, 16. Priest, 18. Idioblastic, 19. Recede, 20. Encalm, 21. Tar. Down: 1. Marble, 2. Alpine, 4. Sleeve, 6. Malpractice, 8. Animalistic, 10. Due, 12. Tot, 14. Loiter, 15. Tablet, 16. Prayer, 17. Suckle.

List these BBC TV shows based on their release date - ANSWERS Tel: 01264 316499

enquiries@modernmagazines.co.uk

1.

Blue Peter [1958]

6.

Dragons’ Den [2005]

2.

Match of the Day [1964]

7.

The One Show [2006]

3.

Countryfile [1988]

8.

Only Connect [2008]

4.

Bargain Hunt [2000]

9.

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show [2015]

5.

Strictly Come Dancing [2004]

10.

The Greatest Dancer [2019]

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43

Greenfingers… the Alan Titchmarsh column He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh talks about the impact his iconic Ground Force series had on the nation.

I get asked a lot about Ground Force, the TV programme I fronted for five years from 1997, and the impact it made on gardening, as a whole. To be honest, I don’t like to talk up my achievements too much, but I will admit this was one of the real successes I will always look back on with fondness.

That’s not so much for any personal reasons, and I certainly don’t think my horticultural knowledge was called on in the same way it has been with other gardening shows I’ve done over the years.

Instead, the pride I have for Ground Force stems from a place where we managed to start something of an outdoors revolution.

Not only were we at the forefront of a new brand of reality TV (that wasn’t a talent show or a singing contest). It was in people’s homes, in their lives, and focused on the idea that people could come together from all over to make a difference.

All the people involved in Ground Force came from different backgrounds and offered very different ideas in the process of transforming a chosen family’s back garden, but it worked. My role was probably one of the easiest – almost just an anchor man pulling the whole thing together, however clumsily!

The show’s success provoked a whole raft of other home reality programmes where people’s dreams came true… usually. And I say that on the basis of some of the awkward transformations Changing Rooms embarked on! Yet for the most part, this brand of telly was incredibly successful – think DIY SOS, Property Ladder, Amazing Spaces, Grand Designs, Location Location Location and others.

At the heart of it is exploring human nature and putting

44

ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and seeing how they react. Everyone who agrees to take part is looking for something, and the lucky ones are the ones who find it and know when they have found it. After all, our gardens will never be absolutely perfect places – nature sees to that – but Ground Force certainly got them close to that for a time.

As the TV crews departed, I would always suggest to the homeowners they should just sit in or look out over their garden without feeling conditioned to keep it in a certain way. Life isn’t like that – it evolves, as do our outside spaces, and we should let it.

As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”… or tidying the garden!

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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

Driveways

Memorial Stonemasons

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

T.A.Spacagna 17 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Jacob Levy Projects 7 ............................................................................................

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

M.J.Sly Monumental Sculptor 45

Bathrooms

Electricians

Mobility Products & .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AHM Installations Ltd 37 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Peak Electrics 45 ..................................................................................................................................................................

RG Electrix 7 Services ..................................................................................................................................................................

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

A to B Mobility 7

DF Mobility ............................................................................................

17 ............................................................................................

Inspire Mobility 38 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Andres Blinds & Signs 25

Blinds, Curtains & Shutters

Events

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

The Lights 15

Pest Control Services

Builders

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

Pest Control Test Valley 19 JS Building Services .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

16 Funeral Directors .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

SB Renovations 33 ..................................................................................................................................................................

AH Cheater & Sons 39 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Willmont Building Services 38 Pet Services

Garage Doors

Angel Paws ............................................................................................

19 ............................................................................................

Anton Vets 41

Cafes & Coffee Shops

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

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

Headlands Farm 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Skandoor 9

Plumbers

DJ Harris ............................................................................................

38 ............................................................................................

Humphrey & Crockett 48 Carpenters Garage Services ............................................................................................

NO.1 PHD 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Input Joinery 21 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Premier Car Care 38 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tucker Joinery 39 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Renovo Automotive 43 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Scratched Cars 19 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Test Valley Car Breakers 38 Solicitors

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

Bells Solicitors 31

Carpets & Flooring

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

Fletcher Flooring 11

Garden Services

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

17 Will Writing Services ..................................................................................................................................................................

ATH Machinery 33 ............................................................................................

Dorset & Wight Wills 29 Charities ..................................................................................................................................................................

Jacob Levy Projects 7 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Unity 25 ..................................................................................................................................................................

Romsey Stump Grinding & 16 Landscaping ..................................................................................................................................................................

The Handyman & Garden Co Ltd 45 Windows, Doors &

Conservatories

Chimney Sweeps

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

Alpha Glazing Ltd 9 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

G S Windows Ltd 5 Health Clinics ............................................................................................

KJM 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................

The Dove Clinic 25 ............................................................................................

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

SDW Home Improvements 13 Computer Services

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

Widenet Computer Services Ltd 41

Hearing Services

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

Winchester Hearing Centre 37

Drainage Services

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

NO.1 PHD 2

46

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

The sign of quality, service and satisfaction

Outlook 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

SAVE £200! *on selected models

Wood burning stoves

Renewable energy

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

Plumbing & Heating

Chimney sweeping

CONTACT US

(By Appointment Only)

01264 310493

Unit 11 & 12, Focus 303 Business Centre Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NY

enquiries@humphreyandcrockett.co.uk