Feature

Within Tent

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Mum got back in the car. “Are we there yet?” It was her turn to ask; the kids, sat in the back seat were beyond caring. “That’s the fourth gate we’ve come through.” “One more gate. It’s the next field, with a stream running through it.” That was a relief; this one had cows running through it. Arriving in their wild camping site, courtesy of a farmer friend, the tent set-up was slick, much-practised in the back garden during various lockdowns. Dad looked smug. The frequent and rigorous drills, to the accompaniment of plaintive cries from the kids of “what again?” and “must we?” had evidently paid off. Mum and Dad had looked forward to a weekend al fresco, close to nature, punctuated by the sound of happy children’s laughter, the twittering of birds and the soothing patter of water over stones. “It’ll be great” they said. “We’ll have such fun” they said… Oh, who were they kidding? Their first day was just one long meal. No sooner had they eaten breakfast, than there were demands for a midmorning snack. Elevenses out of the way, it was time to think about lunch. Once they’d eaten that, the kids started to ask about tea. It was like camping with hobbits. And the sounds punctuating the beautiful summer’s day were mainly squabbling over swingball and complaints there was no signal. The cows it seemed, had only recently vacated this field, so added to the bickering was a medley of “Mum! I’ve stepped in a cowpat/fallen in a cowpat.” And that old chestnut “Mum, he/she threw a cowpat at me...” In between feeding the perpetually ravenous brood, Mum rinsed shoes and clothes in the stream, thinking fondly of the washing machine; practically the only thing they’d left at home. No matter whether you were going camping for three days or three months, it seemed the vast acreage of paraphernalia required remained the same. In a fit of nostalgia, the parents had packed lo-tech games for their after dinner entertainment. They got as far as lighting a lamp and sitting at the table, before fleeing to the safety of the tent and its fly screens. Too late; the swarming mosquitos had already feasted on their exposed body parts. “What do they eat when they can’t get campers?” Mum mused, as a happy half hour spent anointing everyone’s bites, replaced the delights of draughts and dominoes. That was when the earthquake happened. The tent rocked, bulged and vibrated. Grinding noises were heard. The children screamed. Mum screamed. Dad used words his family didn’t know he knew. They all fled outside where their new best friends, the mosquitos, were waiting for them. And also the cattle, who were paying a neighbourly visit through a hole in the hedge. Presumably because they too had enjoyed the attentions of the mosquitos, they were rubbing themselves enthusiastically against the car and had started on the tent. No phone signal meant that Dad had to trek back through all five gates to get the farmer to entice his herd back to their own home and out of theirs. The unfortunate tent didn’t survive the bovine affections so lavished upon it and a cramped night was spent in the car by all. Come morning, tired and scratching their bites, they emerged to a scene of devastation in the drizzle-laden dawn. When Mum said “I’d make a cup of tea, but everything edible is missing and the cows have done something terminal to the stove” it seemed like the last straw. “Shall we pack up and go home?” she asked no-one in particular. Dad’s rather wan “Yes please..” which mirrored her own thoughts, was unexpectedly drowned out by cries of “No!” and “Not yet!” from the kids. Whilst Mum lay on the back seat of the car and napped, Dad trudged off to the farmhouse to forage for food. Meanwhile, back at the camp… The kids built and lit a campfire - and constructed a bivvy alongside, using the remnants of the tent. “Bear Grylls” one said nonchalantly, “Ray Mears” shrugged the other, in response to their parents’ speechless look of amazement.

That night, after sausage and bean stew cooked by the children over the fire, the family bedded down in the cosy bivvy, untroubled by the mosquitos who were driven off by woodsmoke. As they played cards by the light of the lamp, the kids were already excitedly planning the next camping weekend with talk of crayfish traps and fishing tackle.

“It’ll be great” they said. “We’ll have such fun” they said…

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Alresford Rugby Football Club

Well, what a welcome back! Alresford RFC have taken the decision to offer this unique opportunity to senior players to play rugby and not have their bank account affected. We would like to extend this invitation to all current and potential new players for the upcoming season. Training has begun again at our NATTA ground on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and although numbers are encouraging, we extend a warm welcome to anybody that would like to put their boots on for the first time or wax them off and have one last bash.

Although player retention and recruitment are vital after the pandemic, ARFC’s sponsors are our lifeline and we are extremely fortunate to be financially aided by so many loyal and committed companies. Not only have we come through this trying time, but we’ve managed to add a lady’s team, the ‘Black Swans’, to our ever-expanding club. Led by Kerry Scoines, the numbers continue to grow and a date for your diary is Sunday 12th of September at 2pm when we will host an ‘Inner Warrior Camp’ that, according to England Rugby, is “great fun and rewarding, encouraging you to challenge yourself and learn new skills alongside other like-minded females”.

The fixture lists have been confirmed and we can now excitedly reveal our first two men’s games, unfortunately all away except the Vagrant’s Millbrook fixture:

ARFC 1st XV 18/9 Ellingham 25/9 Havant 2 ARFC Vagrant’s 2nd XV 18/9 Isle of Wight 25/9 Millbrook

Our wonderful minis will resume fun coaching on our Arlebury Park pitches at 09.45am on Sunday the 5th of September.

Friendly fixtures are being discussed and we are likely to be playing at the back end of this month and in early September. Details of all we do can be found on our website alresfordrfc. co.uk

As part of the RFU’s support for a return to local rugby, we have signed-up for a “Pitch up for Rugby” day on Saturday 4th September at our Arlebury Park NATTA ground from 10 am. We’re planning a full day of activities including minis, ladies and men’s rugby, the latter including a friendly fixture during the afternoon. We’ll be hosting a barbeque from lunchtime onwards and are aiming for a fun-based, rugby family day for all. We’ll provide details on our website and the RFU are planning a nationwide promotional campaign.

In the upcoming season, The Arlebury will host many club lunches, with dates to be announced and provided by Becky Smith and Leigh-Anne Rees, enthusiastically assisted by ex-captain, coach and player, Paul Rees. We think our rugby club is in good hands, both on and off the pitch, but please remember; however, pleased and excited we are to see live local rugby again, respect and humility are our watchwords for all interactions regarding Arlebury guests, spectators, players at all levels, officials and club house staff. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Rural Business Hub, Alresford

The new local coworking space, Rural Business Hub, had its open day on 15th July which was a great success. They are taking over Gander Down Barns on Rodfield Lane, 3 barns set around a central courtyard, and are providing the local area with flexible workspace made up of desks, private offices/ rooms and meeting rooms.

The founder, Caroline Reeves, said “ It was lovely to put faces to names and for people to come and see our vision. We are delighted as the first offices and desks have already been reserved for September, when we officially open, so we are already on our way to building a little community.”

If you didn’t get a chance to go on the open day a viewing is highly recommended, get in touch with them directly at hub@ ruralbusinesshub.co.uk or 01264 736191.