Itchen Valley Issue 145 - November

ITCHEN VALLEY

FORUM

FEATURES Articles from Hampshire Mum, Claire Thurlow, Iris Crowfoot and more World Cinema in Winchester

REACHING 18,750 READERS * ITCHEN VALLEY, WINCHESTER & THE WORTHY'S ISSUE 145 • NOVEMBER

NEWS & EVENTS British Trust for Ornithology Owl Appeal Alresford Music Festival 2019 Entertainment for the coming month

STYLE ˙ INTERIORS ˙ HEALTH & BEAUTY ˙ INTERVIEWS ˙ FOOD & DRINK ˙ ENTERTAINMENT ˙ EVENTS

DON'T FORGET WE OFFER A FREE WINTER HEALTH CHECK Is your vehicle safe and prepared?

Ensure your car is safe and prepared for Winters inclement weather by taking advantage of our FREE visual winter health and safety check* * Fluids and parts used are chargeable

We will check: Tyres, Anti-Freeze, Wiper Blades, Lights, Visual Brake Check, Fluid Levels, Exhaust System, Battery and much more!

Call today: 01962 736343 www.phoenixautoservicesltd.co.uk Free local collection and delivery service PHOENIX AUTO SERVICES LTD, UNIT E, PROSPECT COMMERCIAL PARK, PROSPECT ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QF

The Team Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

Welcome We would like to thank everyone for their helpful emails, the information provided allowed us to update the magazine with accurate clubs, societies and community information.

Find out more about this Autumn's exciting events and don't miss out on the fantastic Alresford Rotary Fireworks display and Torchlight procession in Broad Street on November 2nd. There are so many things happening locally over the

coming weeks, see pages 4 and 14 for more information. Why not help the British Trust for Ornithology gather information on the plight of the Owl. Any information you can send them would be gladly received.

Finally, with thoughts turning toward Christmas, look out for your festive edition of the magazine which will be full of seasonal news and events Mark Tubb (Editor)

26 Iris Crowfoot The Lovers of Itchen Stoke

6

Property Buying, selling, letting? Find local estate agents and property management services

32 Food & Drink Eat out, stay in: food, drink and dining in Hampshire

9

Professional From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

18 Leisure & Entertainment Discover local events and days out in Hampshire 23 Wellbeing Looking after your health and yourself!

26 Retail/Market Square Our regular retail feature, Unique, Bespoke, Eclectic and Local shopping

Design Manager James Curtis Advertising & Creative Design james@forumpublications.co.uk Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

Copy Writers Gill grant, Claire Thurlow, Iris Crowfoot, Jane Brown

4 What's On? Page 4 and 14

14 Garden Make your garden dream come true. Or visit local beautiful country gardens

Director of Marketing Rob Harrison rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk

Contributors

Contents

12 Hampshire Mum Conkers Bonkers

Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

35 Motoring Local services to keep your vehicles running smoothly

38 Education Find local schools and educational experts

39 Home Trades, services, designers. All you need for your home

Contact Details Forum Publications Ltd 11 Broad Street, Alresford Hampshire, SO24 9AR Tel: 01962 735137 forumpub editor@forumpublications.co.uk www.forumpublications.co.uk Printed on recycled paper

40 Claire Thurlow Master of the Pond 54 Animals & Pets From Canine to Equine all your animal needs

DECEMBER COPY DEADLINE NOVEMBER 12th

The Itchen Valley Forum contains facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, advertisements and other content and links to external websites not owned or controlled by the magazine. The Itchen Valley Forum takes reasonable efforts to include accurate, current information on its pages, but make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, safety or value of the published items that are displayed. No liability or responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions in magazine content. The Itchen Valley magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the user’s sole risk.

Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. Š Forum Publications Ltd, 2018 * Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household

4 4

CO WHAT'S MMUNITY ON? Pearson Hall. From 10am to 12 noon Do hope you can join us.

Wednesday 14

Sun Hill Infant and Junior School Open Morning

NOVEMBER Friday 2

Broad Street & Arlebury Park Torchlight Procession & Fireworks

From 7pm. Come and join the fun - procession from the top of Broad Street at 7.00pm followed by bonfire and fireworks at Arlebury Park at 7.45. Tickets from Six West in advance: Children £3; Adults £6 On the night: Children £5; Adults £8

Saturday 3

Badger Farm Community Centre

Auction : 2pm. Drop off lots to sell 9-9.30am Viewing from 12.30pm. To include China, Coins, Ephemera, Collectables, Old Toys, Jewellery, small items of Furniture, NOT Household goods, Car Boot Items or modern Electricals. Sellers booking recommended Please call Claire 01962 734941 or Bob 01962 733475 for bookings or further information www.auctionsinaday.co.uk

Sunday 4

Service Of Comfort & Hope

St John’s Parish Church, Alresford From 3pm. Everyone is warmly invited to this simple and reflective service, in which we remember loved ones who have died.You may wish to bring a single flower for each person remembered and add it to the Bouquet of Memories during the service. Memorial cards, on which you can write the names of loved ones, will be available as you enter the Church.

During the service these will be collected and blessed. There will also be an opportunity to light a candle. Refreshments will be served after the service.

Saturday 10

St Nicholas Bloodwise Concerts

St Nicholas Church, Church Lane, Bishop’s Sutton SO24 0AD From 6am – 7pm (doors open 5.30pm). Byron Adlam, violin; Louisa Adlam, viola; Leon Kussner, cello: Rachel Carver, harp. This third concert in the fundraising BLOODWISE series will be a showcase for highly talented, young musicians.

Tickets cost £10.00 each and include a post-concert glass of wine. Parking available at Bishop’s Sutton village hall. For tickets, contact stnbconcerts@gmail.com or 07392 637848 and further information, including the concert programme, can be found on stnicholasbloodwiseconcerts.com

Saturday 10

Coffee Morning with a sales Table and Raffle

In aid of the Michael Project. In the John

From 9.30am to 11am. Do you have a child who will be 5 or 8 years old between 1 Sept 2019 and 31 August 2020? Would you like to know more about Sun Hill Infant and Junior Schools? Come and see what our schools can offer you and your child. Meet both the Head teachers and their learning ambassadors. Tour both the infant and junior schools. See staff and children at work. Talk to school governors.

Meet representatives of both schools PTA. Find out about school meals and our breakfast and after school clubs.

Saturday 17 Fun Bingo

At the John Pearson Hall, Alresford from 7:30pm. £10 to include supper. Licensed Bar Admission by ticket. All proceeds to Save the Children. Tickets from Gill 01962 732374 & Claire 01962 734941. Rob Attenborough Itchen Mead, New Farm Road, Alresford SO24 9QH. Tel: 01962 733605

Saturday 17

The Cheriton Singers present Faure’s Requiem and Other Reflective Pieces with the Cheriton Primary School Choir accompanied by The Fiocco Orchestra & Soloists directed by Christopher Burton From 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church Cheriton. Tickets £10 with under 16’s free.

For more information please visit www. cheritonsingers.com

Saturday 17

Kasbah Swing Band

Presents a Charities Fund-raiser Musical Evening in aid of Naomi House & Winchester Night Shelter at Northbrook Hall Duke Street, Micheldever, SO21 3DF From 7.30pm . Licensed bar. Doors open at 7.00pm. Ticket admission: £12.50 [price includes food] Order your tickets on-line by e-mailing KasbahSBUK@gmail.com

Saturday 17

West Coast Swing Workshop

From 4pm - 7pm at Preston Candover Village Hall, RG25 2EE. £30/£50 couple.

Learn this smoothest of dances that can be danced to almost any kind of music in just one Workshop! Or brush up on your basics and dive into the Joy of Musicality. 16.00 Beginners Class. 17.00 West Coast Swing Dance Patterns. 18.00 Intro to Musicality & Musical Interpretation & Social Dancing! For tickets: www.salsaysol.co.uk Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/ events/2112734158976021/

Sunday 18

Solo`s Sunday Tea

In the John Pearson Hall. From 2.30-4pm Do come and join us for Tea, Home Made Cakes, Conversation, and Friendship.

Information St Johns Parish Office 01962 733545

Thursday 22

WMC Choir and Orchestra with Winchester College choirs are performing a concert of Bach, Britten and Handel in Winchester Cathedral

From 7.30pm. Bach's Magnificat, Britten's Hymn to St. Cecilia and Handel's Coronation Anthems conducted by David Thomas.

Tickets (£10, £15, £20, £25, £30, £35) from Winchester Cathedral box office (tickets online, or 01962 857275).

Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 Fallen Angels by Noel Coward

From 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm). Cheriton Players’ autumn production, by that master of stylish light comedy. Set in a society London apartment in the 1920s, two married women receive identical communications from a dashing lover from their past. Tickets £10 online from www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk/ comingsoon or call 0333 666 3366 (standard rates apply).

Saturday 24

Classical Concert - Polyphony & Eccentricity

From 7.30pm Pre-Concert Talk, 8.15pm Concert. Brockwood Park School, Brockwood Park, Bramdean, Alresford, SO24 OLQ Classical Concert - Polyphony & Eccentricity The Award-winning BLOCK4 Recorder Quartet juxtaposes the intricacy of timeless Renaissance polyphony alongside experimental and evocatively colourful recorder repertoire of the 21st century.

Programme to include works from the 16th Century by Des Prez and Cabezon, through to new works from around the world. The event is not ticketed, however, there is a suggested donation of £15. This donation will go to Brockwood Park School’s Music Scholarship Fund, which is used to support music lessons for students with financial limitations.

For more information contact: admin@ brockwood.org.uk or 01962 771744 www.brockwoodconcertseries.com

Monday 26

Ropley Horticultural Society Illustrated Talk

From 7.45pm at the Sports pavilion,Vicarage Lane, Ropley. Idyllic Italian Gardens" with Rosemary Legrand, experienced public speaker & photographer. Parking free £5 on the door includes refreshments, all welcome Enquiries: Jill 01962 772425

Tuesday 27

Alresford Art Society - A talk by Wayne Jefferson on 'Italian Renaissance'.

From 7.30pm in the John Pearson Hall (St. John's Church, New Alresford). Nonmembers welcome (admission £3). For more information contact 01962 732043 or visit www.artsociety.alresford.org or email RichardCox105@msn.com

For more events go to page 14 >

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8

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MONTHLY GENERAL SALE ANTIQUES & INTERIORS Saturday 10th & 24th November

Clear advice about benefits and paying for residential or nursing care

FINE ART, ASIAN ART, ANTIQUES, INTERIORS & COLLECTABLES AUCTION Tues 11th and Wed 12th December

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9

10

CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday 11 Remembrance Sunday 10.00 Remembrance Communion Sunday 18 10.00 Morning Prayer Sunday 25 10.00 Morning Prayer Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk

New Alresford St. John the Baptist

New Alresford Methodist Church

Sunday 4 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Parish Communion 18.00 Service of comfort

and hope Sunday 11 Remembrance Sunday 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Second Sunday 10.45 for 11.00am at the Memorial 17.30 Solemn Eucharist

incl FaurĂŠ Requiem Sunday 18 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Parish Communion 18.00 Sundays at Six Sunday 25 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Informal Communion

with Children's Groups 18.00 Choral Service Every Friday 10.00 Holy Communion Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk

Sunday Worship 1st Sunday 10.30 Morning Worship.

Holy Communion monthly Midweek Activities Tuesdays 10.00 Come in for coffee

- at Tiffins Thursdays 14.30 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Womens Fellowhip 19.30 1st Thursday- Lydia

Group for ladies Saturdays 09.30 1st Saturday

Bacon Butties Contact: Revd Ruth Fry Tel: 01962 882828

Old Alresford St.Mary the Virgin Sunday 4 11.00 Village Family at 11 18.00 Old Alresford

Cottage Service Sunday 11 Remembrance Sunday 10.45 Remembrance Service (non-Eucharist) Sunday 18 11.00 Morning Praise Sunday 25 09.30 Parish Communion Every Thursday 09.00 Holy Communion

Old Alresford Place Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk

Ovington St.Peter's Sunday 4 10.00 Cafe Church

New Alresford New Farm Chapel Sunday Services 10.30 Morning Worship,

with creche and

KOSMIC for children 16.30 Will vary between

talk or discussion

with praise and prayer Midweek Activities Mondays 16.30 Kidz Club Tuesdays 10.15 Toddlers Group Wednesdays 19.30 Alternate Bible

Study / Prayer Thursdays 10.00 Home Prayer Group 1st Saturday in the month 10.00 Prayer Time www.newfarmchapel.org.uk

Bighton All Saints Sunday 4 11.00 First Sunday Sunday 11

Remembrance Sunday 10.50 Remembrance Service

(non- Eucharsit) Sunday 18 11.00 Parish Communion Sunday 25 11.00 Morning Prayer Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk

11.00

18.00

Upper Itchen Benefice

Every Sunday 11.00 Mass All other enquiries: 01962 852 804

Sunday 4 10.15 Cheriton All Age Holy

Communion Service 18.00 Hinton Ampner Benefice All Souls Service Sunday 11 09.00 Cheriton

Holy Communion 10.45 Cheriton

Remebrance Service 10.45 Bramdean

Remebrance Service Sunday 18 08.30 Beauworth

Holy Communion 09.30 Cheriton

Holy Communion 11.00 Hinton Ampner

Prayer & Praise with

Holy Communion Sunday 25 09.30 Cheriton

Holy Communion 11.00 Kilmeston

Holy Communion

Bramdean Family Worship Tichborne Evensong

New Alresford Catholic Church of St. Gregory the Great

Itchen Valley Benefice Sunday 4 08.00 Martyr Worthy

Holy Communion 10.00 Easton

All Age Service 18.00 Itchen Abbas

All Souls Service Sunday 11 10.50 Martyr Worthy

Parish Communion 18.00 Martyr Worthy

Choral Evensong Sunday 18 08.00 Itchen Abbas

Holy Communion 11.00 Easton

Friends Service and

Valley Worship Sunday 25 10.00 Martyr Worthy

Parish Communion 18.00 Avington Evensong

We shall soon be remembering the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, not forgetting why He came. In this text, we are reminded of what God said at the beginning,

''And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you will bruise Him on the heel'' Genesis 3:15'' The Temple in Jerusalem. Past, Present, and Future?

Saturday 8th and Monday 10th December, half hour viewing sessions: 10.30; 11.30; 1.15; 2.00. Saturday at 3.00pm ad Sunday at 4.30pm, 50 minute presentations.

Sound and Light effects, as well as audio presentation.

Opportunity to discover and question. Free entry.

Sunday services 10.30am and 4.30pm - All Welcome Further details on website, or Telephone: 01962 851299 www.newfarmchapel.org.uk

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12 12

PROFESSIONAL F EATURE

HAMPSHIRE MUM

CONKERS BONKERS Y es I know there’s hardly any time before Christmas - no need to panic - but for me autumn can never last long enough. As if to herald the end of conker season, their cream crushed innards were rendered foamy white by the heavy rain. Leaving a white stream flowing down the road toward the drains, while the golden leaves collected in slowly rotting piles.

It seemed only a few weeks ago that the giant leaves of the Horse Chestnut trees opposite Chez Pagan had turned prematurely brown and the conkers pelted down, their green deceptively spiky pods splitting open to reveal natures gems within. For me there is nothing quite like the very first conker of autumn. That glorious colour luxuriously glossy and warm, and the smoothness with which it effortlessly turns in your hand. Forget gold this is nature’s alchemy and I can’t resist them.

Every morning The Husband and I walk the Pagan Pup around the block, a well-trodden route that just happens to be lined with Horse Chestnut trees. On windy mornings you can see them falling fresh from the tree, why are the best ones always in the middle of the road? Yet on closer inspection there are plenty of corking conkers to be gleaned in the gutter- oh yes I’m not proud.

The conker season is short though, at first The Husband doesn’t notice me dawdling along behind him, stooping every few yards to pick up another one or two- oh no hang on three maybe four. I lovingly secrete them in my pocket and once home place them in various bowls all over the house.

But nature is fickle and soon, much like ones own youth, the beauty of the collected conkers begins to fade, within a day their

sheen is lost, their glorious colour dulled and they lie in their bowls in a wrinkly pile. But I am fickle too so out they go and I begin to collect more. By now the Husband has started noticing my growing obsession.

“Sandra will you stop picking them up your are bonkers. A strange old woman with a thing about conkers” He kicked the perfect specimen into the road, (I still managed to grab it though).

I was clearly no more bonkers about conkers than I was last year or indeed the year before that…

With nature’s beautiful bounty drying up I resigned myself to clearing the remaining leaves on the drive and to be charitable with the last of the conkers. Many a young person had passed by searching for the perfect specimen. So as I swept I lined up the last conkers of autumn on the wall, albeit slightly damaged ones as strangely the pick of the crop had disappeared!

But then if they didn’t have the dedication to be up at six in the morning to get the very best of the newly fallen gems then quite frankly they deserve nothing more, did that come out loud?

Anyway all is now calm in conker bonkers land. Another season has passed and the decorative bowls in Chez Pagan have been put away until they are required to display the Christmas frippery. The Horse Chestnut leaves have been swept and bagged up for collection and all is well with the world until next year.

I can rest now, although…..wait a moment …..was that the sound of a falling conker I heard ?

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13

14

GARDEN ON WHAT'S

GARDEN

Wednesday 28 to Friday 30

Playgroup & Pre-School. Email ropleypreschoolcommittee@ outlook.com for ticket info.

At The Wessex Arts Centre, Alton College, Old Odiham Road, Alton, Hampshire. GU34 2LX From 7.30pm. Tickets available from Sept 18th at either: Wildly Upbeat Printers, 63A High St, Alton. GU34 1AB. Or online at www.altonfringe.com. Price £10.00. Student concessions £8.00. Further details see www. altonfringe.com

Tuesday 4 - Friday 7

Alton Fringe Theatre presents Luther, by John Osborne

DECEMBER Saturday 1

Preston Candover CE Primary School Christmas Fair

Join us for amazing eats and treats ranging from a BBQ, Mulled Wine, Craft Beer, Artisan Coffee, Games & Activities to Christmas Craft Projects and Products.

We will have real Christmas Trees for Sale on the day and prior to the event and end off the festivities with a visit to Santa’s Grotto or a Reindeer Ride* for the little ones. Hope to see you there for some festive cheer. *Ponies dressed as Reindeer.

Subject to weather conditions.

Time: 12:00 - 15:00.Venue: Preston Candover CE Primary School Premises. For more information and pre-orders on Christmas Trees contact anneke@ perpetualenergy.org or contact Maria on 07968 262645

The Old Alresford Dramatic Society (TOADS) presents its much-anticipated pantomime, Treasure Island

This is TOADS 33rd pantomime and is stuffed full of buried treasure and much hilarity with songs and live music, plus jokes to grin and groan to. Renowned for amazing set design and beautiful costumes this seasonal treat punches well above its weight and is a fantastic evening for all.

Performances run daily from: Tues – Fri at 7.30pm and Saturday at 3pm and 7.30pm. www.ticketsource.co.uk/toads Or call Box Office 01962 736257 Or email boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk Bar open through the evening

Saturday 8

Alresford Community Choir - concert

Come and join Alresford Community Choir for a traditional Christmas concert, to be held in St John’s Church, Alresford. Our programme will include beautiful festive pieces from around the world as well as familiar carols and classic Christmas songs, with several opportunities for the audience to sing with us. From 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £12-£15 each from Oakleaf Stationery, Alresford and www.alresfordchoir.com

Saturday 1

Wednesday 19

Fun evening of questions with a fish & chip supper. Ropley Pavilion SO24 0DT. From 7.30pm. A fun night of quiz questions with a tasty supper too! Cash prize for the best quizzers on the night plus 50/50 raffle and bar (cash only). £15 per person, max 8 people per team. In aid of Ropley

Join us – we will be singing a lovely selection of traditional and contemporary Christmas music and audience participation always adds to our special concerts. At Itchen Abbas Village Hall. From 7.45pm. Admission £10 on the night – to include a glass of wine and a finger buffet supper.

Quiz Night

Christmas Concert Itchen Valley Choir

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15

26 16

FEATURE GARDEN

T

THE LOVERS OF ITCHEN STOKE

his is the story of Major Reginald Ponsonby Cox, an army officer who was tragically killed in the First World War, and the mysterious ‘one who loved him’.Their beautiful glass mosaic memorial was restored and reinstated in St Mary’s Church, Itchen Stoke, in September.The story is a romance of course, but also a detective story. Our detectives are the three local historians who worked with me to reveal the identity of Major Cox’s lover, and an Itchen Valley Forum reader, who kindly contacted us with links to photographs which helped verify the restoration.

The memorial tells us that Major Cox was a career soldier. In 1895, he was gazetted to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and joined his regiment in India early the following year. He spent seven years serving in Egypt and won a medal for helping put down a rebellion in Afghanistan – all this before the First World War broke out. When he marched his battalion into Alresford in November 1914, he was a 40-year-old, battle-hardened, professional soldier. The Alresford Heritage website has a photograph of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching across the top of Broad Street. Led by pipers and sporting tartan kilts and sporrans, they must have made quite a stir. Major Cox was putting them through training exercises in Alresford and the men would likely have been under canvas.

In contrast, officers were billeted with local families who could accommodate them in ‘the style to which they were accustomed’.

We deduced that two of the vandalised badges on the memorial were copies of the silver collar badges of Major Cox’s dress uniform.They show the ‘Boar’s Head of the Duke of Argyll’ and the ‘Cat with Paw Raised of the Duchess of Sutherland’.You can spot the bright red and silver restored badges at the bottom centre of the photograph.

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders left Alresford for France in February 1915. Major Cox died leading a bombing attack on the German-held ‘Dump Trench’, in the Battle of Loos in September.

In a letter home, Private James Ireland wrote, ‘Word came down the line for all to be over and at them.The Major, in a hail of lead, ran forward, shouting, “Come Gordons, let them know what we are made of, boys!” and away we went.The Major acted like a hero all through it until he fell.’

The Roll of Honour simply states that Major Cox was unmarried when he died. But five years later, this costly and rare memorial to him was erected in St Mary’s church. During the time he spent in Alresford, Major Cox had clearly met someone who cared for him enough to commission this memorial in their parish church.We were looking for someone with means and influence and who lived in Itchen Stoke between 1914 and 1920.

The Electoral Rolls seemed a good place to start.They showed that there were four eligible young ladies in the Baring family who lived nearby and a fifth candidate in Cecilia Skrine, the 26-yearold daughter of the Rector.

The lady was revealed when we found the following announcement in The Bath Chronicle, dated 20th February 1915: 'An engagement is announced between Major Reginald John Ponsonby Cox … and Cecilia Marjory, only child of the Rev. Vivian E. Skrine, Itchen Stoke Rectory, Alresford, Hants’ Poor Cecilia, her engagement to Reginald only lasted seven months before he was killed. No wonder she wanted a beautiful memorial to him in her father’s church.

The double-headed eagle badge on the bottom right hand corner of the mosaic confounded us - we simply couldn’t find any connection to Major Cox’s military service.The eagle landed when military historian Tom Proudfoot looked through his collection of 400 badges and spotted a double-headed eagle on the cap badge of Glenalmond School Officer Training Corps.The school’s website reveals that one of its houses is named ‘Skrine House’, in honour of Warden Skrine, a late Victorian headmaster.Warden Skrine left Glenalmond to become rector of St Mary’s Itchen Stoke in 1903.That double-headed eagle is a discreet visual clue to the family name of the ‘one who loved him’.

The Hampshire Chronicle archive gives the impression that Cecilia Skrine was a kindly, conscientious person. She used to help her father host the annual Sunday School treat at The Rectory, with tea followed by racing for prizes on the lawn.When war broke out in 1914, she enrolled as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse, serving in Alresford. After her bereavement, she left Itchen Stoke to work in military hospitals in London and Edinburgh, and was awarded two bars on her war service medal. Many women of Cecilia’s generation remained lifelong spinsters, but her story has a happy ending, for she married Arthur Vivian-Neal in London in 1926.

Reginald and Cecilia’s memorial was repaired using a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Glenn Gilbertson,Tom Proudfoot, Dyanna Swindlehurst and I researched their story. St Mary’s Itchen Stoke is maintained and opened by the Churches Conservation Trust. For more information about opening times and volunteering, please see https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-maryitchen-stoke.html IRIS CROWFOOT - iris.crowfoot@gmail.com

GARDEN

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17

Complete Garden Construction Professional Garden Design & Construction

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• Fencing / Garden structures • Woodland management / tree planting

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17

18

ENTERTAINMENT

and includes the party, live entertainment, dinner and overnight accommodation and breakfast at £249 per couple.

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE 4 STAR HOLIDAY INN WINCHESTER’S ‘PARTY THROUGH THE DECADES’

relive the ’60's, or dress in flares for the groovy 70’s or leg-warmers and lace for the 80’s and dance to live music ranging from the music of the Beatles to the Bee Gees and Wham to Whitney, there is no better excuse for getting out those ruffled shirts, platform boots and anything neon.

The 4 star Holiday Inn Winchester will celebrate the end of 2018 with a New Year’s Eve ‘Party through the Decades’ event, with live music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, with fancy dress of the decades optional. So if you want to

The party begins with a pre-dinner glass of Prosecco and a three course meal prepared by the hotel’s award winning chef and team, with tickets at £75 per person. A special package is available for couples wishing to stay overnight

For those who book to stay overnight they can have a relaxing end to the evening in one of the hotel’s beautifully appointed rooms, with an extended check out until 1 pm for a relaxing start to 2019, plus breakfast in the hotel’s AA Rosette Award winning Morn Hill Brasserie.

For more information and to book call: 01962 670700 or visit www.hiwinchester.co.uk

New Years Eve

Party through the decades

Want to relive the Swinging Sixties? Still got your flares from the groovy 70’s or perhaps the legwarmers and lace of the eighties is more your thing! Our New Year’s Eve package includes a pre-dinner glass of Prosecco, three course dinner cooked by our team of award winning Chefs, your entertainment for the evening, an overnight stay in one of our well-appointed double or twin rooms and full English breakfast the following day – we will even extend check out until 1pm for those wanting a relaxing start to 2019.

Package Price with accommodation & breakfast £249 per couple or £75 per person without accommodation and breakfast.

WINCHESTER

For more information and to book please call 01962 670700 or email events@hiwinchester.co.uk

MONDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

2 Events • 1 Ticket • 4 Halls

Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair www.desirefair.com

Craft & Design Fair www.craftinfocus.com

Purchase direct from around 100 of the UK’s leading designer makers

The Guildhall

WINCHESTER 2-4 November

Admission £5.00 • Friday 12 noon-6pm • Weekend 10am-5pm

FREE ENTRY for one adult to celebrate our 10th year of Desire Fair!

Please surrender this advert on arrival for free entry to these events.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Forum 18

CIF_Winchester18_126x180.indd 1

28TH - 31ST OCTOBER

10/09/2018 09:24

7TH - 17TH NOV @ 7.30PM, SUN 11TH @ 2.30PM. NO PERF 12TH NOV

Blackadder Goes Forth

The

Birthday Party 25 NOV–1 DEC 2018 @ 7.30PM

Pan Peter

12–22 DEC @ 7.30PM & SUN 16, 2018 @ 2.30PM. NO PERF 17 DEC

19

ENTERTAIMENT

B ROTARY CLU D OF ALRESFOR

HANDEL

S K R O W E FITRORCHLIGHT

MESSIAH

& N PROCESSIO MEBRRER EB M V E O N V O h t N 5 N n d 2 r d n ORRDD TRH RIIU23 LRESFO FF URRYY PPAARRKK,, AALR ALREBU N

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ARLEB

RE ET RC H LI GOH F BR OA D ST 7. 00 PM TO FR O M TO P FI RE N BO & S RE W O RK PA RK 7. 45 PM FI AL RE BU RY

6.45pm art prompt st m p 7 a r fo T UA L EV EN LA R AN N SP EC TA CU EN JO Y O UR ES

Southampton University Philharmonic Choir The Hanover Band David Gibson conductor

SOUTHAMPTON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR southamptonphil.org

registered charity 1050107

THE OLD ALRESFORD DRAMATIC SOCIETY TOADS

In its 33rd season presents…

Designed by ThomasMillerLtd.com

Box Office: 023 8063 2601 o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk

TS BUY TICKESAVE & LY R EA

Supporting local and Rotary charities Charity No. 1014447

SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018 7.30pm

O2 GUILDHALL, SOUTHAMPTON

RCH S FLAMING TO RESHMENT LIQUID REF D O HOT FO KS GLOW STICE BY LOCAL CHILDREN GUYS MAD AY! ORK DISPL MUSIC CULAR FIREW & A SPECTA

rd d 3 nth OORREE25 FO EF BBEF REN D IL H C £3 S LT U D A £6 d n 2 e rd th 3 5 th N OO OnN REN £5 CHILD S LT U D A £8

www.alresfordrotary.co.uk

: BUY FROM RESFORD SIX WEST, AL

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS MORE THAN 50 CHARITIES! ON SALE AT THE CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP Tourist Information Centre WINCHESTER GUILDHALL

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM

7

£

B

OO

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20

K E AR

A pantomime gem to shiver your timbers and shake your booty… come and sea!

Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 December at 7.30pm Saturday 8 December at 3pm & 7.30pm CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD

BUY TICKETS

ticketsource.co.uk/toads 01962 736257 boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk FIND & FOLLOW: SEE THE SHOW TAKE SHAPE The Old Alresford Dramatic Society @TOADStweets www.oa-toads.org.uk

Monday 25th October – Saturday 18th December from 10am-4.45pm All Proceeds to Charity

EARLYBIRD TICKETS

SATURDAY

8 JUNE TH

£20

2019

U18S £10 – U13S £5

UNDER 5S GO FREE

10AM–‘TILMIDNIGHT

JOIN THE PARTY & CELEBRATE OUR

10 ANNIVERSARY th

BUY IN ADVANCE & SAVE £££s www.alresfordmusicfestival.com MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

A NON-PROFIT EVENT RAISING FUNDS FOR REGIONAL, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CHARITIES. REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1168066

22

FEATURE

WORLD CINEMA IN WINCHESTER

T

wo of Winchester’s popular arts organisations are coming together to raise Winchester’s profile as a recognised centre for Film in Southern England. The new partnership comes into being on 6 November when Winchester Film Society and Winchester Film Festival showcase an evening of mind-boggling short films produced by dynamic young filmmakers from across the globe. The event will be hosted at the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium.

Winchester Film Society has a forty year track record in showcasing the best in World Cinema. In the last couple of years the venue for the Society has been the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. As a result of improvements to the quality of projection, sound systems and catering provision audience numbers have rocketed. The Society runs a programme of films between October and May that features films from every continent and covers all genres from horror to animation to leading edge social drama.

Winchester Film Festival runs between 3 - 10 November. The event offers the best new film making talent an opportunity to screen their creations. The event not only showcases award-winning short films from over 50 countries but also includes feature films premiering in the UK. Alongside the Science Centre event on 6 November films can be viewed during the rest of the week at venues across the City. This is a unique opportunity to view films made by seasoned film professionals and newly emerging directorial talent alike.

If you are tired of the standard Hollywood fare of chickflicks, Marvel heroes and back slapping Hollywood stars this joint event could rekindle your love of film. What’s on show here is a type of film that takes risks but doesn’t necessarily have happy endings or massive CGI effects. The films won’t originate from major US studios and be backed by multibillion pound budgets.

Chances are they will have been produced on a shoestring just about anywhere else in the world. What you will get is radical storytellers taking on major social issues that you don’t see often at Chain Cinemas or on mainstream TV. So World Cinema is beating a path to your doorstep in Winchester. It’s an experience of film that is participative. You will be encouraged to give your opinions, talk to and question filmmakers and chat to other film goers about issues raised in the films. Going out to watch film offers something you can’t get at home watching Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Check out the links below to discover an amazing programme of World and British Cinema you might not otherwise get a chance to see.

Book for the Film Festival: ww.winchesterfilmfestival.com View the programme for Winchester Film Society: www.winchesterfilmsociety.co.uk Visit Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium: www.winchestersciencecentre.org

WELLB EING

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23

24

WELLBEING

COMMUNITY

ALRESFORD SURGERY NEWS FLU CLINICS 2018 Bookable appointments are available & can be booked by telephoning reception or you can book online via Patient Access if you are over 65 but couldn’t attend a walk in clinic, under 65 or in an at risk group or pregnant.

CHILD FLU CLINICS Child flu clinics will run very similarly to previous years with 2-3 year olds and 2-17 year old at risk patients being vaccinated at the surgery while children in year R to 5 will be vaccinated in school by the School Nursing Team. Patients who are eligible for vaccination at the surgery will receive a letter from us.

We are unable to vaccinate children who have missed their vaccination at school unless they are at risk, but School Health will run catch-up clinics and you can contact them should the need arise.

SURGERY CLOSURE Thursday 15th November 2018. There will be no GP appointments available on Thursday 15th November in the afternoon so that our GPs and Practice Nurses can join the TARGET session. If you need medical help in a hurry you can use the Out of Hours service by dialing 111.

The surgery Reception and Dispensary will also be closed. TARGET stands for Time for Audit Research Governance and Training. This programme has worked very effectively in other parts of Hampshire and the sessions are well attended as the GPs and practice nurses find it useful to set aside dedicated time to work with their colleagues from other practices. Thank you for your co-operation. The practice will reopen as usual on Friday 16th November. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

CONFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES Saturday 10 November 1300 to 1600 at Queen Elizabeth Court, The Castle, Winchester. Talks will include “Confused about Carbs “, cookery demonstrations - good food for people with diabetes, and advice about exercise and movement. Specialist nurses dieticians and others from the community diabetes service will be on hand to answer your questions.

The Alresford Surgery - Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JL Tel: 01962 732345

STEVE BRINE M.P

make in her conference speech; a new ambition to tackle cancer and save thousands of lives.

First up and it was standing room only last month at a Dever Society public meeting to hear local opposition from myself and many others about 6000 proposed houses at Micheldever Station.

The multi-millionaire Magnier family, who run an Irish bloodstock business, recently bought the land and hired the O’Flynn Group to work up proposals for a new town the size of Petersfield between Micheldever and Micheldever Station. I have worked with the Dever Society for well over a decade to save this land and told the meeting I am angry that we seem to be here again and I really do wonder how many times we have to say no to a new town at Micheldever Station?

Of course this country needs new homes but Conservative run Winchester District is more than doing its bit; both through its new council homes programme and a signed off Local Plan. My message to the developer is this; if you submit these proposals you will face the same united local opposition you did last time and the time before. And my message to Winchester City Council, who I understand must follow due process to the letter as they set about reviewing their Local Plan, is to rule out Micheldever later this year when you get the chance because it’s simply not needed by any measure you or Central Government are working to. More and watch a short-film at www.stevebrine.com/ michnewtown I have written before about my work in Government at the Department of Health and, specifically, as Cancer Minister. This part of my job means a great deal to me and I’ve been working flat out in recent months to land the big announcement you may have heard the Prime Minister

As part of the long term plan for the NHS, backed by the new investment which will in time be some £600m extra each week, a package of measures will be rolled out with the aim of seeing three quarters of all cancers detected at an early stage by 2028. The plan will radically overhaul screening programmes, provide new investment in state of the art technology to transform the process of diagnosis, and boost research and innovation. This is a key part of our plan and we will harness the power of new technologies and innovations to offer people more screening and treatment options and save thousands more lives over the next ten years. I am so excited to be leading this work inside Government working with some of the best people in the NHS and our world-class charities in this sector.

And finally, I have once again thrown open my allocation of tickets to PMQs via public ballot and the next date I have is Wednesday 5th Dec 2018. See details via www.stevebrine.com/PMQs You can find more of my work, locally and in Westminster, on my new website at www.stevebrine.com and ‘like’ my Page at www.fb.com/ SteveBrineMP MP for Winchester, Itchen Valley and The Alresfords

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WELLB EING

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The perfect gift this Christmas, for the lady in your life.

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Osteopathic practice is a safe and effective hands-on approach to healthcare aimed at preventing, diagnosing and treating a variety of health problems.

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For more details contact Winchester Lifeline  01962 855335  Lifeline@winchester.gov.uk

25

26

RETAIL

COMMUNITY

CHARITY FUNDRAISING CHRISTMAS EMPORIUM TO HELP ENDANGERED ELEPHANTS

WHITE SPACE ALRESFORD whitespacealresford.com

CHRISTMAS EMPORIUM FEATURING A WIDE SELECTION OF EXCLUSIVE, ORIGINAL & HANDCRAFTED GIFTS perfect for presents!

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS THIS CHRISTMAS! November 29th & 30th, 9.30-5pm December 1st, 9.30-1pm Late Night & Bubbles on Nov 29th, 6-8pm

Alresford resident Holly Budge is best known for her daring adventures, including summiting Mount Everest last year and her committed conservation work to help raise awareness and funds for endangered African elephants. The lesser known area of Holly’s life is her work as a sustainable artist, and she has used her creative flair to develop her own range of elephant designed stationary, to help raise further funds for her charity How Many Elephants. To date, she has raised over £300k for various charities.

Holly will be presenting her stationary range at her Christmas Emporium at White Space Alresford, which will be a showcase for other local artisans who will be taking stands at the event from November 29th until December 1st at The Old Chapel, The Dean, Alresford.

Dates and Times Nov 29th 9.30-5pm. 6-8pm late night shopping & bubbles Nov 30th 9.30-5pm Dec 1st 9.30-1pm The event has proved to be popular in the past, with a wide range of exclusive, original and handcrafted, high quality gift inspiration from a selection of local businesses, including: Blue Bowl will show their quirky range of jewellery, vintage stationary, ceramics and handmade children’s toys. Zara Snell of Winchester Fine Chocolates will be presenting her delicious handmade chocolates that she creates using only the finest ingredients and where possible locally sourced. Artist Sharon Harvey will be displaying her vibrant art on canvas, paper and glass. Drawing her inspiration from nature, Sharon uses intense shards of colour to tell visual stories. Winter’s Tale Christmas Tree Decorations will be adding lots of festive atmosphere to the event with their display of all things decorative for Christmas.

Sisi & Seb will offer ethically sourced and beautifully made clothes and accessories for children. Evie’s Drawer - body, bath and home fragrances, jewellery and home accessories.

Holly Budge commented: “We have had such an enthusiastic response to our previous fundraising events and this year it will be full of lots of locally produced Christmas present ideas and festive accessories from a wide range of very talented artisans and makers.”

For more information visit: www.howmanyelephants.com www.hollybudge.com and www.whitespacealresford.com

Proud to be supporting

HOW MANY ELEPHANTS The Old Chapel, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9BQ

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

The Giles Group

Alresford & District Horticultural Society

Dog Training Classes

For more information visit: www.alresfordhorticultural.org

Ropley Horticultural Society For more more information contact Stephen Morley on 01962 733524 or Ropley.hort. soc@btinternet.com.

Alresford Flower Club For more information contact Pearl Court: 01962 734441

Alresford Rotary Club For more information visit www.alresfordrotary.co.uk or contact secretary Jon Pittam on: 01962 733903 New Alresford W.I. For more information contact Kate (Secretary) at newalresfordsec@hampshirewi. org.uk or 01962 733785

The Alresford Society Contact Sue Alexander: 01962 732043 suealex13@gmail.com

For more information call Nick Denbow on: 01962 734824

For more information contact: Janet Gray: 01420 562869 www.janetgraydogtraining.co.uk

Royal Air Forces Association For more information contact: Derek Sweetenham (Chairman) 01962 733559, or Brian Gabriel (Secretary) 01962 734482

Alresford Royal Naval Association For more information contact: Secretary – Mike Edwards Labelle drakkarcowes@aol.com

Alresford Historical and Literary Society Bob Fowler - 01962 734125 secretary@alresfordhistandlit. co.uk

The Alresford Ladies Group For more information contact Pearl Page: 01962 734665

Specialising in ... Dolls, bears, dolls’ houses, 1:12 scale miniatures & unusual gifts

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28

PROMOTION

RARE FINDS IN WINCHESTER!

A

fter the success of last year, The Rare Brand Market returns to Winchester’s Guildhall on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th November, and for the eighth year to Goodwood Racecourse on Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th November.

Admission price is £10 or, with a friend, present this advertisement on the door and take advantage of the 2 for 1 offer. The Rare Brand Market likes to give back so is thrilled to announce that it is working with two regional charities which will share a proportion of ticket revenue.

So, what is rare? Wikipedia describes it as “not widely known and valued for their uncommonness”. The Rare Brand Market curates a wide range of rare brands across clothing, food, drink, jewellery, beauty, toys and gadgets, lifestyle and homeware. A brand may have great awareness in London but be considered rare elsewhere; other times, it’s a young, local brand giving you the opportunity to find unique gifts. The Rare Brand Market focuses on emerging brands, likely to have been created in the last 1 to 3 years. Come and meet the founders and hear firsthand the passion for their work!

Marian Parfitt, Breast Cancer Haven Macmillan manager said, “We look forward to working in partnership with The Rare Brand Market to not only raise vital funds but also awareness with their retailers and customers as many may know someone who has been affected by the disease. From its UK centres, this charity offers free emotional support; help with symptom control and practical advice to anyone affected by breast cancer”.

This pop-up Christmas market, now the largest on the South coast, will be open on Wednesday for extended hours. The fun is back in shopping. Come out of the cold and shop comfortably inside the magnificent Guildhall, in the heart of Winchester. Why not fix a date with friends and after shopping at The Rare Brand Market enjoy dining at one of the many restaurants in the beautiful city of Winchester. Refreshments are also available on site at the Guildhall’s Café Eighteen71.

Actors, parents and founders of The Murray Parish Trust, Sarah Parish and James Murray said "Giving back is a really important part of The Rare Brand Market's ethos, and our partnership will bring us closer still to achieving our own goal of funding a state of the art new Children’s Emergency Department at University Hospital Southampton, serving much of the South of England". www.therarebrandmarket.co.uk

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RETAIL

MARKET SQUARE

House of Gallet

Billy Goat

Interior Style

Designer Wear (new/pre-loved) Open Tues - Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm. Broad Street Arcade, Alresford, SO24 9AR Tel: 01962 735362 | www.houseofgallet.co.uk

SuperFit slippers £25 (available in fox, mouse, hedgehog,

Boy & Girl standing - £10 each. Festive decorations NOW in 29 West Street, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9AB

D.Barker & Son

Design Realities

Ragamuffin

Obaku Liv Pebble watch - £85

Camelia dish on stand - £285 36 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732507 | www.design-realities.co.uk

Rich red Winter Duck Dress by Frugi £36

40A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

unicorn, butterfly and dragon) 11 East Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 733926 | www.billygoatshoes.co.uk

Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz

available from 2-8y 2 Bakehouse Yard, Alresford Tel: 01962 734488 | www.ragamuffin-uk.com

Rubi Warren - Handcrafted Jewellery

Equestrian Fencing & Timber Ltd

Soles Butchers

Standard & Bespoke Garden Buildings. Log Store

Don't forget to order your Christmas Meat and Game.

£195+ VAT High Ridge Farm, Shirrell Heath Tel: 01329 835100 | www.equestrianfencing.com

We are taking orders NOW!

Tel: 01962 735221 | 5 Broad Street, SO24 9AR

by Chrissi Harcourt-Wood Limited edition, fine & demi-fine jewellery; bespoke commissions, re-modelling & repairs. The Consortium 39 Jewry Street, Winchester Tel: 07906 138292 | www.rubiwarren.com

RETAIL

Andrew Smith & Son - Auctioneers

Moda Rosa

Beautiful English pewter now in stock , 6" x 4" picture frame - £49.95 Tel: 01962 732192 | 10 West Street, Alresford

Fine Art, Asian Art, Antiques, Interiors & Collectables 11th & 12th Dec. Monthly General Sale 10th & 24th Nov Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

Boutique Moschino Coat 35 West Street, Alresford SO24 9AB Tel: 01962 733277 | www.modarosa.co.uk

House of Gallet

D.Barker & Son

Alresford Beauty

Show this advert to receive 10% off your purchase. From

Silver Tennis Bracelet by Waterford Jewellery - £135

David Jones Bags - £39.95

2 Nov to 30 Nov 2018. Broad Street Arcade, Alresford Tel: 01962 735362 | www.houseofgallet.co.uk

40A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

24A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT Tel: 01962 735553 | www.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Equestrian Fencing & Timber Ltd

Alresford Beauty

Ragamuffin

Kilm Dried Hardwood, Logs from £150+VAT High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath Tel: 01329 835100 | www.equestrianfencing.com

Womens and Mens Crew Socks - £5.95 24A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT Tel: 01962 735553 | www.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Little Daisy Duckling in a dress by Jellycat -£15.95 2 Bakehouse Yard, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 734488 | www.ragamuffin-uk.com

MARKET SQUARE

The Alresford Gift Shop

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FOOD & DRINK RETAIL

LOCAL WINE MERCHANT VOTED IN THE TOP 50 IN UK LET’S RAISE A GLASS TO THE AWARD WINNING INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT - THE NAKED GRAPE very proud of. It’s a team effort and I’m immensely proud of my staff.We are a small and very hard working group, with many of the team having been with me for years.

Who are Harpers?

Simon Evans: Harpers is the leading industry magazine and arbiter of ‘all that is good’ in the wine and spirits trade, so receiving recognition from them is a great honour.

Did you know about the awards prior to this achievement?

Simon Evans: I found out that this is only the 3rd year the Harpers awards have been presented, and we didn't know anything about our nomination until a letter arrived on my desk.

The criteria for judging is a closely guarded secret and we had no idea anyone was judging us.

On Monday 24th September, the dedicated team from The Naked Grape travelled to the City of London to attend Harpers (Wine and Spirits Magazine) ‘50 Best Indies’ Awards.

These annual awards recognise the very best independent wine merchants in the UK; wine merchants that have excelled in driving forward quality and innovation, providing a benchmark for the trade. With three shops located in Alresford, Four Marks and Hungerford, the Naked Grape live by the philosophy that life is too short to drink bad wine - which also happens to be the company’s motto!

The Naked Grape’s Hungerford shop was the only independent wine merchant from Berkshire to make it into the '50 Best Indies' list. The two Hampshire shops in Alresford and Four Marks fared almost as well by being only one of two independent wine merchants in Hampshire to make it onto the list!

Who is the competition you were judged against?

Simon Evans: This is a list of the Top50, and quite a few businesses listed are much larger and longer established than us. I think we stand out as we are a traditional wine merchant.We have a clear message of concentrating on the quality and value of our product, everything comes with our personal recommendation.

Quite a few dilute their message with other products; gift cards, wine glasses, and sometimes confectionary.We just concentrate on stocking a superb product and service to back it up.

How have you celebrated?

Simon Evans:Well, we may have mentioned it a couple of times to our customers!. We have a freshly designed van, a huge banner on the shop front at Hungerford, and several other ideas, so yes people may well notice. And as for the Team, I took them all out for dinner and a celebratory glass or two after the awards ceremony at the Honourable Artillery Company HQ in London.

Jo from Stellar Words caught up with Simon Evans, Founder and Managing Director of The Naked Grape to ask him his thoughts on the award.

Where from here?

We are dedicated to selling the best quality products we can find, and with a strong belief in providing exceptional customer service, the future for the Naked Grape certainly looks rosy - or should that be Rosé!

What does this award mean to The Naked Grape?

Simon Evans: To be named as one of the best independent wine merchants in the UK is an amazing achievement and one we’re

ALRESFORD | FOUR MARKS | HUNGEFORD www.thenakedgrape.co.uk

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MOTORING RETAIL

Now taking bookings for Christmas Parties!

Open Tuesday - Sunday with our new lunch set menu or join us for Sunday brunch

Oakleaf Stationery Ltd

OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 9.30am - 1pm

A comprehensive range of all types of stationery – business and social Supplier of printer cartridges, art and craft materials, party and sewing items and a good selection of childrens stickers, colouring and painting books.

SERVICES WE OFFER...

Photocopying Laminating Document Binding Scan to Email Personalised Printing Agent Transfer to DVD Agent

WOODFIRE STOCKBRIDGE

We are also a UPS Access Point Visit us at : 56 West Street, Alresford, Hants SO24 9AU 01962 736116 info@oakleafstationery.co.uk

Beautiful Tanzanites

9 High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6EX Tel: 01264 810248 woodfirestockbridge.co.uk

From Left to Right: New Rectangular Tanzanite & Diamond Ring - £3,995 Just Cushion in from one of Antwerp’s familyStud owned manufacturers, Shaped Tanzanite oldest & Diamond Earrings - £1,850 A collection of three stone Tanzanite rings with&brightly coloured sapphires and Cushion Shaped Diamond Ring - £4,150 rubies and finely cut white diamonds in good quality 18ct gold mounts.

Prices from £845 to £1395

40a West Street, Alresford, Pre-Owned Cluster Ring Hants in 18ct Gold 40a Street, Hants Tel: 01962Alresford, 732200 by 40aWest West Street, Alresford, Hants Emerald Cut Diamond Surrounded Calibre Cut Sapphires Tel: Tel:01962 01962 732200 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk Centre Diamond 0.75ct www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk £5,175

40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

Repairs Servicing M.O.T

WILCAN MOTOR COMPANY LTD

Servicing, MOT, Tyres & Bodywork Repairs

FREE Local collection and courtesy cars (T&C's apply) Free Safety Checks

Please ring our friendly team on: 01962 736186 andy.wilcan@live.co.uk www.wilcan.co.uk THE LONG BARN, WINCHESTER ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9EZ

MOTORING

Andrews Autosource

ALRESFORD MOTOR SERVICES LTD MOT TEST CENTRE

Carefully Selected Cars Approved by trading standards

'WE DON'T BUY ANY OLD CAR' BUT, WE BUY VERY GOOD CARS OF ANY AGE, FOR CASH! SO IF YOU HAVE ONE TO SELL, OR WOULD LIKE SOME FREE ADVICE PLEASE GIVE ROSS A CALL. AND, WE DON'T CHARGE A FEE! The following cars have been carefully selected because of their low mileage, excellent condition and service history.

2015

2017

1999

2015 2015

2013

2013

2014 2007 2007

(15) Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid 4x4 auto 1 owner, Zero £ road tax 16,000 miles SOLD (66) Renault Captur Dynamique Nav 1.2, 1 owner, Parking sensors, cruise control etc. ONLY1,250 miles £13500 (V) Stimson La Meditterene 2 berth motorhome, 4 seats, toilet, shower, fridge etc, 53,000 mls SOLD (64) Ford Focus C Max 1.6 Estate, 1 owner, 10,000mls £9495 (15) Nissan Note Acenta Premium, 1 owner, £20 road tax, 17,000 miles SOLD (13) Citroen C4 Picasso Special edition, a/c 28,000 miles

£6995 (13) Nissan Qashqai 1.5 DCi Acenta, 5 dr. parking sensors, 2 owners, 75,000 miles £6795 (14) Honda Jazz 1.4 ES plus 1 owner, 61,000 miles £6495 (57) BMW 116i SE 103,00 mls £2995 (07) Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec 3 owners, air conditioning, 95,000 miles Full service history. £1995

CLASSIC CARS 1974 MGB GT, Fantastic condition and history, matching

numbers, only 50,000 miles

1986 (C) Lotus Esprit Turbo 210 bhp.

78,400 miles, fully re-comissioned

£9995 £23995

VIEW OUR CURRENT STOCK AT www.andrews-autosource.co.uk/vehicle-stock

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CARS HAVE SERVICE HISTORY TAYLORS GARAGE, HIGH STREET, DROXFORD, SO32 3QL

TEL: 01489 878 879 EVENING TEL: 01962 732995

• • • • •

Welding specialists Tyres for cars and motorcycles 4 wheel laser alignment LPG for sale for cars Recovery services

• Free collection • Diagnostic testing (including Landrover) • Courtesy cars • Certificated engineers

MOT TEST CENTRE FOR: Cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3,000kg.

All makes serviced and repaired.

Class 4 MOT's

Class 1 & 2 Motorcycles

MOT's WHILE YOU WAIT UNIT 5, SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE

Tel: 01962 733888 e:mike1ams1@aol.com

ID VALETING BESPOKE SERVICE ALRESFORD PROFESSIONAL VALETING GET THAT NEW CAR FEELING BY BOOKING A FULL VALET

OPENING TIMES

Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 5.00pm APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE All weather facility, dry and warm waiting area ID VALETING, UNIT 4, SHELF HOUSE INDUSTRIAL NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE TEL: 07967 730584 idt45@btinternet.com

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MOTORING COMMUNITY

JACKIES COUNTY CORNER

The County Councils are under even more pressure. More cuts in the region of £80m are planned in HCC before 2021 and you will see information related to that titled Tt2021 in future consultations. County Councils are particularly under pressure because their statutory role includes Social Services both for adults & children. The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding need is growing, but the money per child is diminishing.

Despite the population living to a good age, the health of many of us diminishes in our last years, and the number of over 80’s is growing rapidly. The challenge for our Conservative run County Council is to extract money

COUNCILLOR MARGOT POWER

The Alresford Apple Festival was its usual sparkling, but sticky occasion.

As part of the many stalls there was the opportunity to decorate an apple. It is wonderful to see the variety of Mr Appleheads that can be created with a limited palette of materials. The winning entries showed originality and civil engineering skills, and artistic interpretation. Are we all doing our best to support local shops? It is easy to blame excessive rents, business rates, or the costs of employing staff on the closure of shops, but unless we make every effort to support those shops we do have they will close, and our quintessential market town is lost.

Business rates National Government have asked for volunteer councils to apply for a pilot scheme whereby we would retain 80% of Business rates. This has been mooted ever since there were

from the Government to meet those needs. If not, this council, like others, will be forced to cut even more if not all of the non-statutory services.(eg: Alresford Recycling Centre, Library, some elements of the countryside service). Thank you for your comments about potential bus charges for senior citizens- you can complete my simple survey online www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/busfares I was pleased to make my comments to the first HCC plan to improve the Adoption of Roads process. Since my first formal Council question on this subject, I have been working with the Officer to describe the difficulties in my division for some years, and this paper links to that original query. This is a ‘bit nerdy’ but if it affects you, please contact me for more details.

It is expected that by 2027 over half of the cars sold will be electric and at the October ‘Café Scientific’ meeting, we heard about the challenges and opportunities that will bring for us all as we charge them in our homes , on street and at work. If you are an electric car owner, please contact me to join my EC Forum so you can tell me what you think the Council should be doing to enable the use of these vehicles. such draconian cuts to funding from central government, and at one point was tied in with devolution to regional assemblies. As ever the devil will be in the detail. Last year WCC collected £58m, gave £29 to govt, retained £4.4 in WCC (based on energy schemes and post 2014 developments), and gave £24.6m to HCC. So, if we retained 80% - £46.4m how much would go to whom?

Against that we must set the tax burden on local businesses. The appeals against revaluing for business rates are still outstanding. Our retailers seem to have been particularly hard hit.

The very small businesses escape the Business Rates and National Insurance burden, those that are succeeding and expanding find a very steep financial cliff. If retention is coupled with some form of control of concessions and rates would we choose to support the rural economy and the market town shops?

Water Quality In February 2018 over 200 of us met in St Johns church, Alresford to understand the decline in the quality of water in our rivers, and the range of wildlife supported. We wanted to know ‘what can we do to help’ and for most of us that was about reducing the contaminants we release into ground water, via private drainage arrangements or the sewerage system, and to stop using so much water. Phosphates are an area where we can all make a difference.

Phosphates from domestic cleaning products account for about 20% of the amount in our river, for example, dishwasher tabletss being up to 1/3 phosphates. Some manufacturers use no

Which brings me to the subject of Affordable Homes We all see applications for the larger new private developments : they must offer up to 40% affordable homes, but these are not exclusively for local people, who have local connections. Many people say, ‘if we could add just a few more houses, family members could help each other’.

You will have seen that the Micheldever New Town proposal is back on the agenda. These households won’t be exclusively for local people: but exception housing is. Please look at every possibility in your community: exception housing sites can be small; as little as three or four homes if necessary. It could even help your family one day?

On World Mental Health Day in October, I attended a CAMHS conference on Eating Disorders. If you would like more information, and support, go to www.Beateatingdisorders. org.uk . It is no secret that early diagnosis means faster recovery.

Cllr Jackie Porter Telephone: 01962 791054, text 07973 696085.

Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk, non confidential: jackie@jackieporter.co.uk Twitter: @JackieLibDem

phosphates – Ecover, and Bio-D. As an alternative it is recommended that products containing less than 5% phosphates are used, the majority of the Co-op range fall into this group. My next Councillor Surgery is on Friday 2nd November, in the Alresford Community Centre, 0930 -1045.

01962 734167 mpower@winchester.gov.uk

ALRESFORD EEL HOUSE The last Open Day for 2018 was held on Heritage Day Sunday 16th September. The weather was perfect and 203 visitors turned out to see the Eel House, contributing £150 to the Restoration Fund. During 2018 this was the fourth Open Day (one having been cancelled due to a large tree falling down blocking the entrance). During these 4 Open Days the Eel House had 724 visitors making the total since re-opening of 8153.

The Trustees intend to open the Eel House for 5 days in 2019 and to have these linked to the Museum Open Days and the Easter French Market. Dates and times of these Open Days will be announced later in the year. Trustee Dorothy Hamilton (Tel. 01962-734619) will continue to organise Open Days, but is looking for volunteers (the younger the better). I have found being a volunteer over the last 10 years very interesting as you meet so many different visitors from all over the country, and they all have different angles for discussion.

Robin Atkins - Chair

MOTORING

AVAILABLE FOR:

PRESTIGE CARS OF ALRESFORD TEL: 01962 865602 MOBILE: 07752 570787

PRIVATE HIRE AIRPORT TRANSFERS OTHER JOURNEYS

OR VISIT WWW.PRESTIGECARSALRESFORD.CO.UK

No r t h Mo to r Company Holden Farm, Cheriton, Alresford, Hants, SO24 ONX

Independent Garage and MOT Testing Centre Established in1999 - All makes of car serviced and repaired - Saab approved repairer and Subaru specialist Free collection, delivery and courtesy car (when available) Competitively priced tyres - Batteries - Vehicle Diagnostics - Exhausts

Telephone Gary or Andy on 01962 771331 or 771881 www.northmotor.co.uk info@northmotor.co.uk

New Farm Motor Services Ltd New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QE

01962 732338 L.P.G.A approved autogas conversions www.autogas.com

Allows your petrol engine vehicle to run on Autogas, a fuel costing approximately 76p per ltr, with the environmental benefits of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide production and 2000 times fewer particulates produced from the exhaust fumes when compared with a diesel. Widely available across the country and locally in Winnall, Winchester and West Meon Hut service station.

The government has committed to this fuel difference for the future.

M.O.T Testing Centre • FREE COLLECTION • COURTESY CARS

Class 7 Vans from 3,000 - 3,500kg Class 4 Cars and Vans up to 3,000kg All makes of cars and vans serviced and repaired All makes of truck and horsebox up to 7500kg maintained and prepared for ministry plating tests

CERTIFICATED ENGINEERS • RECOVERY AVAILABLE •

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HOME EDUCATION

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY MINIBUS PARKING

HITTING THE COLD SPOTS Denise is the local Age Concern Hampshire ‘Village Agent’ volunteer for Alresford. Her role is to help older people in the local community to find information and services such as:

Following on from the articles in the last few months re the parking of the Community Minibus on Fridays outside the Community Centre in Alresford, I am pleased to inform your readers that following a meeting with WCC Officers and the Chamber of Commerce, it has been agreed that a TRO (Traffic Regulatory Order) be granted for the allocation of 2 spaces outside the Community Centre every Friday for the use of the Community Minibus. This will solve the problem, but the procedures to be carried out by WCC will take 4-6 months. In the meantime the Community Minibus will continue to put out ‘A’ Boards in the 2 spaces outside the Community Centre on a Friday for the Minibus to offload and load passengers on to the bus.

Pam Stevens - Trustee & Clerk Witton Hill, Alresford

•

•

•

Getting out and about: finding transport for shopping, organised trips, medical appointments and local activities Around the Home: finding reputable trades people to help in the house and garden Money Matters: your entitlement to claim benefits grants and loans

She can also help with keeping warm this winter with the aid of Hampshire County Council’s ‘Hitting the Cold Spots’ Campaign: How can ‘Hitting the Cold Spots’ help?

• Visits from Advisors offering advice and practical support • Support with emergency heating measures (electric heaters) if you are without heating • Help to access funding where available for insulation and heating repairs and replacements • Help to access funding for first time central heating

•

•

Access to small grant support to help cope with winter emergencies Assistance to switch your energy provider or fuel tariff to help save money on your fuel bills

Other services they can help you to access • Practical support and advice with debt, money and benefits • Free home safe and well visits, which can include a carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector and a fire safety plan Contact them today • Call the Hampshire-based Environment Centre information line where a friendly team of advisors will be available to offer information and advice Tel: 0800 804 8601 Monday to Friday - 9am – 5pm Email: staywarm@environmentcentre.com Web: www.hants.gov.uk/cold-spots Please call Denise on 07969 376023 if you’d like any more information on the ‘Hitting the Cold Spots’ campaign, or if she is unavailable call Age Concern Hampshire on 0800 328 7154 or email villageagent@ ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

EDUCATION

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW DIRECTION?

HOME

direction in life. For the first time ever 40% of students received first class honours degrees (compared to a nation-wide figure of 26%) with a further 36% receiving a 2.1. Staff and students work in partnership to ensure each individual fulfils their potential, with excellent results.

Peter Symonds Adult & Higher Education Division offers a wide range of courses varying from language and leisure classes to industry-recognised professional qualifications and university degrees in a variety of subjects.

Equally popular is our Access to Approximately 250 students Higher Education programme, choose to attend higher education which provides an alternative courses at PSC AHED every route to university for adult year. They are attracted by our learners. This is ideal for those pioneering approach to learning, wishing to progress to study at where students study for a degree university without traditional one day a week whilst continuing entry requirements as well as in employment. With fees rising those who want to make a at mainstream universities, career change. Learners can this proves both professionally study full-time or part-time on enriching and cost effective. diplomas including: Allied Health The high quality of teaching Professionals, Health & Social offered at AHED consistently Care Professional, Humanities, exceeds rigorous national quality Nursing & Midwifery, Primary requirements, and was recognised Teaching and Sciences. In the past in 2018 with a Silver TEF Award academic year all Access students from the government’s Office who decided to progress were for Students. This year, staff and offered university places, four of students of Peter Symonds AHED which were accepted directly onto are celebrating the extraordinary Masters programmes. degree results achieved by recent graduates. The majority of these Come along to one of our Open graduates returned to education Events or visit our website www. as mature students, opting to psc.ac.uk/ahed to discover the upskill, retrain or findx a135 new 31/1/10 right course for you!

Maid to Marian Adto90 12:38 Page 1

Maid Marian

PROFESSIONAL DOMESTIC SERVICES

High quality domestic services Guaranteed One less thing to think about.

We can help.

• Regular cleaning and end • of tenancy cleaning • One off spring cleans • Washing and Ironing • Carpet cleaning • Building maintenance • including painting and • decorating • Shopping • Man with a van telephone: 01962 736713 email: enquiries@maidmariancleaners.co.uk web: www.maidmariancleaners.co.uk

Experience a school morning at Godolphin Prep Open Day Friday 9 November 9.30 a.m.– 11.30 a.m.

FRANC

HA LEAL

ETO GE

www.godolphin.org

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FEATURE

MASTER OF THE POND

BY CLAIRE THURLOW

There’s a ‘Private Fishing’ sign posted close to the pond’s edge, but the heron clearly thinks this place exists for its personal benefit. It stands stock-still, impassive in the middle of the pond.

From a distance the big grey bird might be mistaken for an old wooden post, if it weren’t for the crest on its head and the white feathers of its under parts which ruffle in the breeze. On this cloudy October afternoon, when the waterlilies are long gone, the heron’s predominantly slate-coloured plumage merges with the shady murk of the pond water. But as I get closer, the shape of the bird is unmistakable.That long crooked neck, daggershaped bill and powerful, yet hunched, silhouette make it one of our most recognisable British birds.

The heron bides its time, seemingly oblivious to a noisy rabble of ducks on the other side of the pond, or a wheeling buzzard overhead. It sees me watching from the bank, but sensing that I’m not a threat, ignores me. It waits patiently, the inscrutable ruler of the pond.

The heron takes a step forward, leisurely but assured, working the pond. It scans the shallow water for a meal, ready to strike.The mallards, around a dozen in total, retreat, squawking and flapping, to the reeds.They are flustered, but not concerned enough to flee. A few months ago they might have feared for the safety of a duckling with this predator around, but the ducklings are fully grown now and big enough to fend for themselves.

The heron struts through the shallows, as tall as a small child, stirring up silt and sending ripples across the water.The bird’s focus is on fish, not fowl.The weather remains mild, with autumnal trees reflected on the surface, while dark shapes dart beneath.Yet in the chilly months to come, when fish escape to the more temperate depths of the pond, and when the surface

may be packed with ice, birds should be on their guard.The heron is an expert opportunist and may turn on any small bird foolish enough to get too close. Frogs, voles, moles, worms and insects are all at risk.There have even been reports of the heron’s rat-catching skills, prising rodents from the reeds and swallowing them alive and kicking.

The heron is clearly at home here, although the pond is far from large.They are an adaptable lot, taking advantage of almost any watery location, and can be found from estuaries to canals, from salt marshes to rural ditches and village ponds like this one. After harvest, they may visit farmland to hunt for rodents in stubbly fields. Or a taste for goldfish will tempt them to tiny back garden ponds, where they stealthily fish at dawn or dusk.

Like this one, herons are usually solitary, but from February to April, they gather together to breed, creating a temporary colony of up to 40 pairs.Their nests are precarious, ramshackle affairs, surprising high up in the trees for such large birds. Elegant and confident while striding through the shallows, the heron has the look of an ungainly flier.

But I’m proved wrong. A tractor rumbles down the lane and the heron is suspicious. It launches into the air, with slow, dignified beats of powerful wings which must span nearly two metres. It tucks its neck in as it flies, and stretches those impossibly long legs straight out behind, stiff as bamboo canes. A little ungainly, perhaps, compared to the aeronautics of the buzzard above, and far from beautiful, but powerful, controlled. Steady wing-beats carry the heron to a nearby oak, where it lands solidly on a broken branch and hops to the very end. It shakes its head, shakes its tail feathers, sticks out its beak and tests the air.Then it settles patiently and waits.

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COMMUNITY

ALRESFORD TOWN COUNCIL REPORTS It seems incredible that it is already November.The Town’s summer festivals and autumnal events have now given way to Christmas preparations. For NATC, November is a busy month with the focus on the preparation of the forthcoming year’s annual budget.This budget needs to be approved

by Winchester City Council in December in order that the precept is paid in time for the start of the next Council financial year on the 31st March. In addition to the annual budget, NATC committees will be working on their 5 year plans to ensure that sufficient funds are set aside for items of major expenditure.

This longer term plan will impact the budgeting process for the next five years. November is therefore an ideal time to let us know your views on the needs of the Town and if there are any activities you would like us to support.

NATC Welcomes New Staff Members NATC is delighted to welcome two new members of staff;

Marcia Phillibert who has taken up the role of Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer and Sarah Johnson who has joined us as our Deputy Town Clerk. Marcia has considerable experience in the field of finance, compliance and legislative matters relating to financial administration. Sarah comes to us with important Local Government experience having worked as a senior Community Development Officer coordinating and implementing a wide range of community projects.

NATC award under the Armistice and Armed Forces Communities Programme: Residents may be interested to hear that NATC has successfully received an award under the Armistice and Armed Forces Communities Program. NATC submitted an application for 'New Alresford Remembers' Event where three “There But Not There” Silhouettes were requested and will be provided.

The life sized silhouettes, which are transparent, create a thought provoking image, in keeping with the remembrance service sentiments.The intention is to circulate the silhouettes to prominent places within the community, to help raise awareness of the importance of this event both nationally and at a local level.

Lime Tree Maintenance Residents living in Grange Road and Rosebery Road may well be aware of Hampshire County Council’s current investigations into the epicormics growth that is evident in the Lime trees in these roads. Epicormic shoots are characteristic of some common street scene

by the Inspector Louise Crosby MA MRTPI, that subject to including a number of modifications that were discussed during the Examination Hearings, that the DPD could be found sound in due course.

tree species, e.g. Oak Quercus robur), Common lime (Tilia vulgaris), English elm (Ulmus procera) and Poplar (Populus spp). In urban areas, where trees are located in pavements and alongside roads epicormic shoots may be visually unacceptable, but more significantly they become a hazard for pedestrians and vehicles. Mechanical pruning has been practised by Arboriculturists and foresters but it is costly, causes unsightly wounds and fails to prevent initiation of shoots in subsequent years, thus necessitating annual cutting.The alternative is the replacement of the tree with a species that is not genetically inclined to this form of growth. In view of the safety issues involved, we have pressed HCC to come to a swift conclusion on their proposed course of action.

To help plan for future maintenance of all trees that are located on land owned

by NATC, the Recreation & Environment Committee have commissioned a tree survey to establish potential future works.

Gypsy & Traveller Report Following the Inspector’s Examination in September, to consider the soundness of the submitted Winchester District Gypsy,Traveller and Travelling Showpersons Development Plan,WCC has been informed

The Council has now compiled a series of Modifications to the Traveller DPD, which reflect matters in response to representations and discussion at the hearings.These Modifications are published for consultation for 6 weeks from 8th October until midday 23rd November 2018.

The link below is to the new consultation on the proposed modifications. It will be noted that in terms of New Alresford and environs, the single pitch at Travellers Rest, Bishops Sutton, already has permission and there are no further modifications proposed: : https://winchester.citizenspace. com/policy-and-planning/ modifications-gypsy-traveller/

New Alresford Town Council Arlebury Park,The Avenue, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9EP Tel: 01962 732079 www.newalresfordtc.org.uk

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LOCAL INFORMATION

Schools

Cheriton Primary School

Cheriton, Alresford, SO24 0QA Tel: 01962 771278

Four Marks Primary School

Four Marks, Alton, GU34 5AS Tel: 01962 772200

Itchen Abbas County Primary School Itchen Abbas, SO21 1BE Tel: 01962 779310

Emergency Services

(Ambulance, Fire, Police) Tel: 999

Non Emergency Medical Services Tel: 111

Electricity Emergency 24hrs, 7 days a week Tel: 08457 708090

Gas Emergency

24 hrs, 7 days a week Tel: 0800 111 999

Water Emergency 24 hrs, 7 days a week Tel: 0845 278 0845

Police

For non-Emergency Services Call Hampshire Police using: 101

Citizens Advice

Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Winchester District offers free, confidential advice to everyone in the community. If you need help Drop in to Alresford GP Surgery on Mondays between 1-3pm, call 03444 111306 or visit www. citizensadvice.org.uk

Councils

Alresford Town Council Arlebury Park,The Avenue, Alresford, Hants. SO24 9EP. Tel: 01962 732079

East Hampshire District Council

Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EX www.easthants.gov.uk Tel: 01730 266551

Hampshire County Council

The Castle,Winchester, SO23 8UJ www.hants.gov.uk Tel: 0845 603 5638

Medstead Primary School Winchester City Council

City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ www.winchester.gov.uk Tel: 01962 840222

Hospitals

Alton Community Hospital Alton, Hampshire Tel: 01420 82811

North Hants Hospital Basingstoke, Hampshire Tel: 01256 473202

Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Winchester, Hampshire Tel: 01962 863535

Library

Alresford Library

Medstead, Alton, GU34 5LG Tel: 01420 562824

Perins School

Pound Hill, Alresford, SO24 9BS www.perins.net Tel: 01962 734361

Ropley Primary School

Church St. Ropley, SO24 ODS Tel: 01962 772381

Sun Hill Infant School

Sun Lane, Alresford www.sunhill-inf.hants.sch.uk email: beverley.minall@sunhill -inf.hants.sch.uk Tel: 01962 732632

Sun Hill Junior School

Sun Lane, Alresford www.sunhill-jun.hants.sch.uk Tel: 01962 732801

Monday 10.00 - 1.00 Tuesday 2.00 - 5.00 (Storytime 2.15 to 2.45) Wed/Sun Closed Thursday 10.00 - 1.00 Friday 10.00 - 7.00 Saturday 10.00 - 1.00 alresford.library@hants.gov.uk www3.hants.gov.uk/library.htm

Surgeries & Chemists

Alresford and District Neighbourhood Watch Association

1 East Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 732858

Newsletter available at www.alresford.org/ neigbourhoodwatch.To report a crime anonymously call Crimestoppers:Tel: 0800 555 111 contact: Administrator Jennie Roberts Tel: 01962 736505 e-mail jenniero987@gmail.com

Recycling

Prospect Road Recycling Centre

Open seven days a week Tel: 01962 735961

Alresford Dental Care

4 Pound Hill, Alresford www.alresforddentalcare.co.uk Surgery Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 17:15.

Friday 08:00 to 13:45 Tel: 01962 733580

Wessex Pharmacy Broad Street, Alresford.

Tel: 01962 732445

Winchester Cancer Support Centre

Offering free, non-clinical support to anyone affected by cancer. 2nd Floor, 68 St Georges Street,Winchester.

Chat to trained befrienders, try a complementary therapy or use our professional counselling service. Tue to Thur, 10am to 4.30pm.Tel: 01962 868576 or winchester@wessexcancer.org

Town & Village Halls Alresford Community Centre Chairman: Brian Clark 01962 732057

Beauworth Village Hall

Contact Felicity Morrogh.

Tel: 01962 793075

Bighton Village Hall

Gail Johnson: 01962 736556 email: bighton.hall.bookings@ googlemail.com. www.bighton.org.uk

Bishop’s Sutton Village Hall

Please contact Vera on: 01962 736211 or email veralipscombe@gmail.com

Bramdean and Hinton Ampner Village Hall

Tel: 01962 771261 or Contact us via www.bramdeanvillagehall. btck.co.uk

Cheriton Village Hall

Tel penny on: 01962 771263

Christy Hall, Old Alresford

Alresford Pharmacy

Diane Cox: 01962 735388

Alresford Surgery

Jenny Sloan - Tel: 07969 113630 www.iaavillagehall.co.uk

Station Road, Alresford www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk Tel: 01962 732345

Mansfield Park Surgery Lymington Bottom Road, Medstead, GU34 5EW Tel: 01420 562922

Out of Hours Service

Anyone requiring a chemist service out of practice hours will find their nearest point is either Winchester, Basingstoke or Andover. Call one of the below for details. Out of Hours Service - Tel: 0844 8113060

Itchen Abbas Village Hall

Kilmeston Village Hall

www.kilmestonvillagehall.co.uk or phone Melanie Hill: 01962 771388 or email bookings@ kilmestonvillagehall.co.uk

Ropley Coffee Room

Church Street, Ropley, Alresford, SO24 0DS. For bookings contact David Ottley: 01962 772440

Ropley Parish Hall

Vicarage Lane, Ropley, SO24 0DU. For bookings contact Norma Day: 01962 772267

HOME

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46

COMMUNITY

CITIZENS ADVICE WINCHESTER DISTRICT

Q

Lesley Rose, Advice Services Manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District, advises on what you’re entitled to if you give up work to care for a loved one.

I recently become a carer for my partner who I live with and can no longer work. We’ve started falling behind on our bills and I’m worried our debts are only going to get worse. I’m on

LISA GRIFFITHS WINCHESTER CITY COUNCILLOR If you have any comments or questions on the content of this report, please do not hesitate to get in touch. And of course, on any matter relating to WCC responsibilities where I will help.

Loan Sharks There is confidential advice available through the Illegal Money Lending Team : 0300 555 2222. Individuals can report a loan shark online at : stoploansharks.co.uk or text to 07860 022116. There are some truly horrifying stories of how this affects peoples’ lives and the sums demanded. WCC and the CAB are supporting organisations who can assist where debt help is required.

Hitting the Cold Spots The Hampshire information and advice line, Tel: 0800 804 8601, email: staywarm@ environmentcentre.com or on www.hants.gov. uk/cold-spots. There is support in emergency situations and help to access funding for repairs or replacement boilers.

House adaptations WCC hold funds to provide home adaptations or equipment – it’s not based on income, but on NEED. An occupational therapist from the Councils’ team will advise on the best solution.

Email: privatesectorhousing@winchester.gov. uk or Tel: 01962 848455

Carer’s Allowance but what else can I do to turn things around?

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change in circumstances can often trigger financial problems. It’s good to see you taking action now as this will stop you from sliding into further debt.

See if you can make any savings on your household bills by switching suppliers, or changing deals.You may be able to get a reduction on your council tax bill - speak to your local authority directly. Try to boost your income too.You may be able to apply for benefits jointly with your partner to be paid alongside Carers Allowance. This could be Income Support, income-related Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit, depending on where you live. You should contact your creditors and ask if you

Change in Animal Licensing effective 1 October 2018 Animal sellers/breeders, boarders (whether home or other), or keeping dangerous animals – all things animal! New licensing and regulations have come into force. Please check website to ensure you comply and have the right license. http://www.winchester.gov.uk/ environment/animal-licences HMO’s (Houses of Multiple Occupation) The deadline for landlords to apply for their HMO Licence under the new regulations has now passed. As from 1st October 2018 any privately rented property housing 5 or more people from different households in 2 or more households must be licenced. The Council believes however that there are many properties in district that fall into this scheme for which landlords have yet to submit their application, and ,this is a criminal offence.

Contact as follows : Tel 01962 848526 / privatesectorhousing@winchester.gov.uk or follow the link to http://www.winchester. gov.uk/housing/private-housing-and-emptyproperties/houses-in-multiple-occupation Quick Updates : (1) Winchester High Street Defence Barriers Permanent barriers, formed of planters, seats and anti-ram raid drop and static bollards, will be fitted mid October to early November.

They will be replaced one by one to ensure the security of Winchester High Street.

(2) Winchester Sport & Leisure Park, Bar End The planning application is to be heard on 31 October 2018. No objections have been raised by Statutory Consultees. The construction contractor is sourcing fixed prices, and the operator procurement bids are due in November to feed into the Full Business Case.

This information will feed into the business case to be put to Full Council in February 2019. The Operator will not be appointed until after approval of the Full Business Case.

(3) Council borrowing for house building The

can reduce your repayments until you’re back in work. They can also freeze any interest and charges so your debts don’t go up while you pay less. Check to see if you have payment protection insurance to cover giving up work to become a carer as well. If you’re still struggling to cover your outgoings, it’s important to prioritise paying your household bills like your council tax and rent or mortgage.

For further help working out your budget, negotiating with creditors or checking which benefits you’re entitled to, contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

Citizens Advice Winchester District has services in Winchester and Bishops Waltham, plus outreaches in Denmead, Wickham and Alresford. Alternatively, call Adviceline on 03444 111306 www.citizensadvice.org.uk Government news to scrap the cap will enable WCC to make quicker progress to meet our ambitious target to build 600 new homes.

(4) Winchester Distiller (of Alresford) Congratulations. They have moved into premises above the old Post Office in Middle Brook Street, Winchester, to run a range of fun, educational events including Wine and Spirit Education Trust classes. They plan to work with other like-minded businesses to extend the experience offerings beyond gin to other drinks and food.

Finally, I would like to make you aware that I have 4 children – all now grown up, but my 3 girls (and son) have always been keen participants in football, rugby, netball, gymnastics, cycling, athletics and swimming.

For me, and for them, it helps to feed and maintain our physical and mental wellbeing, so I discriminate against no one - in gender, age or ability. No matter who you vote for, I represent any member who asks for assistance in the Ward (or District if it is something within my Portfolio). Wider Council decisions are based on evidence and guidance from Officers and/or Consultants; sometimes that evidence is not what people want to read and I fully understand that it can be disappointing.

As your Councillor, I see my role as trying to reach a compromise to serve as many as possible, enabling improvements and making things better.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The Forum would like to apologise to Lisa Griffiths for the inclusion of an article sent into last months publication which included personal remarks about her.

The comments in question were unfortunately missed by our proof checking team and the Forum does not agree or support the comments made within the item.

We would kindly ask that in future contributors to the Forum refrain from making personal comments.

Any items received deemed not suitable for publication will be removed from the magazine

HOME

ALRESFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE This month sees the sad closing of yet another individual business in Alresford due to rent and Business rates increases. We wish colleagues at Fitique well with any future enterprise. This does highlight how we can all do our bit to keep Alresford flourishing for the benefit of a thriving town.

Christmas lights have been PAT tested, our thanks to Barnes and Liddiard, ready for our “Lighting up Alresford” project with the PIGS. Supported by New Alresford Town Council.

Well done all who volunteered.

Support our local individual

ALRESFORD RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB The rugby season is now really up and running .You may have noticed this by the wet and cold weather! To start with the First XV, we have played 4, won 2 and lost 2.

Our last edition left you all waiting what we could do against, firstly Portsmouth. I can tell you we performed so well and finished victors 72 - 14. We then travelled to Bognor, which I think, is everyone's idea of a dream day out on a wet Saturday, and despite in this writers opinion, being the better side, against a very good opposition, our in match decisions let us down resulting in a narrow 6 point defeat. 11 - 5. Next up were our friends from Fareham Heathens, always a big physical unit and with just a little history between both sides, saw the boys win convincingly. The score might not reflect this but those who watched, left very impressed and the boys that played, a little upset we didn't reflect our dominance enough. 21 - 17 Finally, New Milton away was a strange one. Maybe it was Scotts 90p umbrella or Cains cords, but we never got into our stride and despite leading at the break went down by 8 points. 10 - 18 The magnificent 2's got underway with a home defeat against

town businesses to keep Alresford thriving Market Town Events • October 22nd - 28th Ghost hunt - free event for the town • December 12th - Late night shopping with Test Valley Brass band • December – Lighting up Alresford – Christmas trees go up. Any companies wishing to participate, sponsor or advertise on these events please do contact us.

Chamber Events • October – Pretty Woman Beauty Salon launch Christmas products More to follow….

Together we are stronger Farnborough. Not to be down hearted and as is the practise, lose players to the first squad, smashed Portsmouth 3 the following week.

36 - 7

Barnes & Liddiard

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Fabulous Clean Carpets I hope you will have noticed that our first team defeats all season has been no bigger then 8 points and the 2's field a side every week and are so competitive. This is down to commitment from the players first and foremost, the coaches, the committee and you all from Here’s why one of the Alresford.

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Call now and find out why our award-winning service is probably the most requested carpet cleaning the oflocal Have anyinthree Stockbridgeyour areacarpets cleaned The next thing for you to do for 01962 just £87690 total!005 is call us on we’ll welcome your call, answer your questions and take care of everything for you.

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Frequently Asked Ques

Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions especially for you 1. When you say ‘carpet’ what do you mean? We mean average don’t quibble if the areas are a little larger - it’s all done on fairness Our pricing policy reflects the time it takes to clean working arou any three carpets That said, we are Have for example, happy to move your three piece sui under it and replacing it back into piece position. What we don’t price in and your three moving large pieces of furniture like bookcases, sideboards or war upflat-screen for to move electricalsuite items,freshened in particular tvs. Again we app situation and inevitable we do end up moving some furniture arou just £167!

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HOME COMMUNITY

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HOME

ExpEriEncEd local buildEr and pEacE of mind Much of my work is achieved by personal recommendation and there’s no better reassurance than that.

• DESIGN • INtErIor rEcoNStructIoN aND rEfurbIShmENt • bathroomS • KItchENS • ExtENSIoNS aND coNvErSIoNS • GENEral buIlDING worKS

With over 30 years experience, fully qualified and insured, I am happy to talk through what you need to help create your design and give a FREE no obligation estimate.

Contact me now, I’m here to help.

aNDy clIff tEl: 01962 738883 Email: cliffbuilding@googlemail.com

EXPERIENCED LOCAL BUILDER & PEACE OF MIND • DESIGN • INTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION AND REFURBISHMENT • BATHROOMS • KITCHENS • EXTENSION AND CONVERSIONS • GENERAL BUILDING WORKS

With over 30 years experience, fully qualified and insured, I am happy to talk through what you need to help create your design and give a FREE no obligation estimate.

Contact me now, I’m here to help.

ANDY CLIFF TEL: 01962 738883

Email: cliffbuilding@googlemail.com

THE GLASS SIDED STAIRCASE COMPANY Contact Peter or Keith for a FREE consultation & quotation

Tel: 01962 736959 or 07867 996972 info@theglasssidedstaircasecompany.co.uk

Alresford Floors Luxury Vinyl Tiles: Amtico, Spacia Karndean, Polyflor Rubber Flooring Carpet Tiles

Solid Wood Engineered Wood Wood Floor Sanding Wood Floor Repair

For an appointment to discuss your requirements, please call

Tel: 01962 732643 or Mob: 07734 459748 www.alresfordfloors.co.uk Approved Amtico Installer & NVQ Certified

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50

GARDEN& SOCIETIES CLUBS

Caroline (chair) 01962 771218 or Judy (membership) 01962 734056 www.cheritontennisclub.co.uk

65+

Children’s Judo Club

SPORTS & FITNESS ACA Badminton Club For more information contact: Call Clive Earthy: 01962 733812

Alresford Badminton Club For more information contact: Contact: Martin Brickwood, email: brickwoods@talktalk.net Phone:02380 693711

Alresford Bowling Club For more information contact: Barry Morgan (club secretary) 01962 733477 and on the club alresfordbowlingclub.org.uk

Ropley Bowling Club For more information contact Gill Moore on: 01420 563139 gillianfmoore@yahoo.co.uk

Alresford Golf Club For more information contact Tel: 01962 733746. secretary @alresfordgolf.co.uk www.alresfordgolf.co.uk

Alresford Netball Club For more information contact Donna: 01420 561755 or 07860 931150 donnabirtles@fsmail.net

Alresford Rugby Football Club For more information contact: Seniors’ Head Coach: 07964 423001. Minis contact: alresfordminisrugby@gmail.com or visit www.alresfordrfc.co.uk

Alresford Tennis Club For more information contact: Howard Lewis on 01962 733818

For more information contact: Lance Wicks - Telephone: 07787 565233 Email: lw@ judocoach.com

Cyclists’ Touring Club For more information contact: Tel: 01962 864479 www.southhampshirectc.org.uk

Fitique Run Club For more information contact Melissa (07708) 532210 / sales@ fitique.co.uk Facebook page: Fitique Run Club

Fitique Women’s Cycle Club For more information contact Victoria on (01962) 733154 victoria@fitique.co.uk

Judo Club For more information contact: Steve Fullick, 10 Perins Close, Alresford Tel: 01962 732883

Practical Wing Chun Classes

Alresford Ukulele Jam For more information visit: alresfordukejam@outlook.com Tel: 01962 710385 http://facebook.com/ AlresfordUkeJam

Four Marks Folk Band

ARTS & CRAFTS

For more information contact: Peter Treacher on: 01420 562794

Alresford Area Craft Club

Minden Rose Garland Dancers

The Candover Valley Bell Ringers

A.C.T.S - Alresford

For more information contact Carol: 01256 389387

The Cheriton Singers For more information call 01962 771796 or visit www. cheritonsingers.hampshire.org.uk

The Medstead Players For more information contact: Lesley Rae, Fiver, High Street, Medstead. Tel: 01420 56563916 www.medsteadplayers.co.uk

The Waynflete Singers

Ropley Tennis Club

For more information visit: ww.winchestermusicclub.org.uk

For more information contact: call: 02380 651223 or email taichienquiries@gmail.com

Tichborne Park Cricket Club For more information contact: Andy Joyce on T: 01962 734316 andypjoyce@hotmail.com

Winchester Music Club

Wessex Mature Dancers Classes held in Alresford, Bishop's Waltham. Maureen: 07817 502260. Wessexmaturedancers@ gmail.com.Wessexmaturedancers. co.uk Wessexmaturedancers. co.uk

Zumba Classes

Chawton Park Indoor Bowls Club

For more information contact Tel: 079474 10394 www.zumbaaround-winchester.com or sue@ plays-r-ussell.com

For more information contact: Chawton Park Road, Alton.

Tel: 01420 541546

Zumba Classes Bramdean Village Hall

65+

Cheriton Cricket Club For more information contact: Nick: 07931 456214 info@cheritoncc.com www.cheritoncc.com

Cheriton Tennis Club For more information contact:

MUSIC & DANCE Alresford Community Choir (ACC) For more information visit: www.alresfordchoir.com

Alresford Art Society For more information visit: www.artsociety.alresford.org Tel: 01962 736751 artsociety@ alresford.org

For more information visit: waynflete.hampshire.org.uk

Tai Chi

65+

For more information contact Imelda on: 01962 773487/07762 902143 to check we will be there.

For more information contact: Contact Gary: 07986 298283 or see www.uctuk.co.uk For more information visit: www.ropleytennis.org.uk

For more information contact: Sandy: 01962 732995

Zumba Classes. Thursday 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Come and get fit whilst dancing to fantastic pop and latin beats.

Getting fit never felt so much fun. Bramdean Village Hall.

SO24 0JN. Telephone Muriele on 07821 545403. Visit www. murielezumba.com

Community Theatre Society For more information contact Debbie: 01962 732055 markwick34@gmail.com

The Cheriton Players For more information visit: www.facebook.com/groups/ 120589672533. Or contact David Cradduck: 01962 771700 www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk

Wessex Sculptors For more information contact: Carole Scobling: 01962 771259

65+ SENIOR CITIZENS The Royal British Legion For more information contact: www.britishlegion.org.uk/ branches/eastleigh

Alresford Day Care Centre For more information contact: Tel: 01962 735612

Senior Citizens Hour For more information contact: Mrs Jill Hardiman, 6 Mallard Close, Alresford. Tel: 01962 733765

Alresford Senior Citizens Lunch Club For more information contact: Liz Garton: 01962 733125 or Elaine Secluna: 01962 733192

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DON S DOORS

GARAGE DOOR SOLUTIONS We supply and install all leading manufacturer of garage doors and in a wide selection of styles;

Up & Over • Side Hinged • Automated Insulated Roller • Timber • Sectional Call 02380 600027 to arrange a free no obligation survey and quote Unit 9 & 10, Vicarage Farm Business Park, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, SO50 7HD sales@donsgaragedoors.co.uk • www.donsgaragedoors.co.uk

GARDEN HOME

HAND-MADE KITCHENS FROM HAMPSHIRE

Hand-crafted in our local workshop located in the village of Bramdean

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MICHAEL J SLY Plumbing and Heating

All plumbing and heating works from fixing a leak to installing a full Heating System or Bathroom Suite

Plumbing and Heating Complete Heating Systems High Efficiency Boiler and System Upgrades Power Flush and System Treatments Gas Boiler Service

L.Sheppard Plastering All aspects undertaken

Quality Finishes Tel: 07547 190332 liamsheppardplastering@gmail.com @liamplaster

Water Softeners

Bathroom Installations Complete Bathroom Installation Cloakroom and En-suites Power Showers and Electric Showers Tiling and Flooring

Free competitive quotations

Tel (Cheriton): 01962 771285 Mobile: 07973 407996 Est. Locally for over 30 years

OpenCometo& Visit Yard & Public &OurTrade Display Area Customers

Come & Visit Our Yard & Display Area

GAZEBOS & ACCESSORIES

GAZEBOS & ACCESSORIES

Live the Dream with a Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services

Live the Dream with a Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services

youforgotten dream ofal-fresco simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting that never to be forgotten al-fresco Whether you dream of simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting thatWhether never to be thatcheddreams or timber into roofed Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services will turn your dreams into party. A thatched or timber roofed Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services willparty. turnA your reality - it just couldn’t be easier.

reality - it just couldn’t be easier.

Equestrian Fencing Services offer an extensive range of

Equestrian Fencing Services All gazebos from Equestrian Fencing Services are madeoffer an extensive range of

All gazebos from Equestrian Fencing Services are made

Gazebos from carefully selected timber from well managed

Gazebos from acarefully materials. They are designed to provide shower selected proof timber from well managed

materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof

sustainable forests, to suit every size and style of garden.

sustainable forests, every size and style of garden. environment. It is important to appreciate thattoinsuit severe

environment. It is important to appreciate that in severe

weather conditions there may be a chance of water

weather conditions there may be a chance of water

Specifically designed accessories to fit our range of

Specifically designed accessories ingress. We recommend with the thatched range that you to fit our range of

ingress. We recommend with the thatched range that you

Gazebos are available to further enhance your comfort

Gazebos areprotection. available to further enhance your comfort invest in a roof liner to improve water

invest in a roof liner to improve water protection.

and privacy. Available in a choice of terracotta or green.

and privacy. Available in a choice of terracotta or green.

ENTRANCE GATES • EQUESTRIAN BUILDINGS OAK GARAGES • SHEDS • LOG STORES • GARDEN GATES Unless stated all Gazebos come with a deck base, solid and

Unless stated all Gazebos A full set of gazebo accessories can be found on the come insidewith a deck base, solid and

A full set of gazebo accessories can be found on the inside

balustrade infill panels. Delivery and assembly on to level

balustrade infill panels. Delivery and assembly on to level back page of this brochure.

back page of this brochure.

pre-prepared base is also included in the price.

pre-prepared base is also included in the price.

With all the benefits of a thatched or timber roofed Gazebo

With all the benefits of a thatched or timber roofed Gazebo

from Equestrian Fencing - Dreams really can come true!

from Equestrian Fencing - Dreams really can come true!

Tel: 01329 835100 Fax 01329 835157 Email: info@equestrianfencing.com please visit www.equestrianfencing.com

Tel: 01329 835100 Fax 01329 835157 Email: info@equestrianfencing.com please visit www.equestrianfencing.com

Equestrian Fencing Services High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2JR

Equestrian Fencing Services High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2JR

Equestrian Fencing Services High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2JR

Equestrian Fencing Services High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2JR

Tel: 01329 835100 Fax 01329 835157 Email: info@equestrianfencing.com please visit www.equestrianfencing.com

Tel: 01329 835100 Fax 01329 835157 Email: info@equestrianfencing.com please visit www.equestrianfencing.com

from Equestrian Fencing - Dreams really can come true!

from Equestrian Fencing - Dreams really can come true!

With all the benefits of a thatched or timber roofed Gazebo

With all the benefits of a thatched or timber roofed Gazebo

pre-prepared base is also included in the price.

pre-prepared base is also included in the price.

back page of this brochure.

balustrade infill panels. Delivery and assembly on to level back page of this brochure.

balustrade infill panels. Delivery and assembly on to level

A full set of gazebo accessories can be found on the inside

Unless stated allfound Gazebos come with a deck base, solid and A full set of gazebo accessories can be on the inside

Unless stated all Gazebos come with a deck base, solid and

and privacy. Available in a choice of terracotta or green.

and privacy. Available in a choice of terracotta or green.

are available to further enhance your comfort invest in a roof liner to Gazebos improve water protection.

Gazebos are available to further enhance your comfort

invest in a roof liner to improve water protection.

BIRCH NETS £4.95 (each)

KINDLING £2.95 (each)

WOOD WOOL FIRELIGHTERS £4.65 (Box of 50) All prices subject to VAT and Delivery

FIRE BRIQUETTES £3.80 (Bag of 12)

Specifically designed accessories to fit our range of

KILN DRIED FIREWOOD

ingress. We recommend with the thatched range that you

Specifically designedrange accessories to fit our range of ingress. We recommend with the thatched that you

weather conditions there may be a chance of water

weather conditions there may be a chance of water

environment. It is important to appreciate that in severe

sustainable forests, that to suit every size and style of garden. environment. It is important to appreciate in severe

sustainable forests, to suit every size and style of garden.

materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof

Gazebos from carefully selected materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof timber from well managed

Gazebos from carefully selected timber from well managed

All gazebos from Equestrian Fencing Services are made

Equestrian Fencing Services offer an extensive range of All gazebos from Equestrian Fencing Services are made

Equestrian Fencing Services offer an extensive range of

reality - it just couldn’t be easier.

Mixed Hardwood: £155 Oak: £165 Ash: £185

reality - it just couldn’t be easier.

C A L L U S N OW O N : 0 1 3 2 9 8 3 5 1 0 0

party.turn A thatched timber roofed party. A thatched or timber roofed Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services will yourordreams intoGazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services will turn your dreams into Whether of simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting that never to be forgotten al-fresco Whether you dream of simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting that never you to bedream forgotten al-fresco

www.equestrianfencing.com

email: info@equestrianfencing.com

H I G H R I D G E F A R M , H O S P I T A L R O A D, S H I R R E L L H E A T H , S O U T H A M P T O N , S O 3 2 2 J R Live the Dream with a Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services

Live the Dream with a Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services

V I E W U S O N G O O G L E E A RT H

GAZEBOS & ACCESSORIES

GAZEBOS & ACCESSORIES Come & Visit Our Yard & Display Area

Come & Visit Our Yard & Display Area

54

HOME ANIMALS & PETS

VETERINARY FEES EXPLAINED The prospect of a veterinary bill can be a concern for many pet owners and as there is no NHS for animals the responsibility of affording the cost of veterinary treatment is met by the owner. In comparison to private healthcare for humans, the cost of veterinary treatment for animals can be considerably less than that of its human counterpart. For example, whilst a knee replacement for a person in a private hospital may cost around £11,500, the veterinary equivalent is nearer £4,000. Similarly, an ultrasound scan may cost £300 under private healthcare compared to approximately £90 at a veterinary practice.

Many of the expenses involved with the provision of veterinary treatment may not be seen by the client. Aside from the obvious cost of medicines and services provided by trained staff (it may be interesting to note that even if the staff worked for free that this would only amount to a 20% discount of the fees) a veterinary practice also has to outlay for other overheads which the public may not see. For example; new equipment, out-of-hours services, staff training, provision of locums, professional registration, veterinary standard schemes, reference materials, consumable supplies, business rates, external contractors and company vehicles must all be paid for. Additional business expenses can also include building overheads such as utility bills,VAT, insurances, inspection services and the maintenance of the practice building and its equipment.

So as the client makes an informed decision before consenting to their pet receiving treatment and in line with professional standards the veterinary surgeon should discuss treatment options and costs with the client. Although it may be challenging for the surgeon to foresee all expenses at the start an estimate of costs should be provided before a treatment plan is begun. A client also has the right to ask for an estimate prior to treatment to allow them to budget for the payment and/or forward on this information to their insurance company if making a claim. This will help to give detailed information of the cost incurred so as there are no sudden unexpected fees and will allow the client to

compare prices of different treatments at different practices and choose accordingly. If a client feels there has been an inconsistency between the fees discussed in the initial consultation and the final bill then they should be given the opportunity to have an open discussion with the vet, or sometimes a more senior member of staff to resolve the situation if required.

A veterinary practice has to be run as a business to remain viable and re-invest its earnings to provide continued private care for its clients and their pets. It also has a responsibility to provide accurate and transparent treatment costs for clients when asked for. For up-to-date treatment prices or further information relating to costs please contact your local veterinary practice.

Liza Freeman - RVN Cedar Veterinary Group - Alton: 01420 82163, Alresford: 01962 732535, Four Marks: 01420 562048

An exclusive service in the heart of Alresford

Dog Grooming & Home Boarding Rachel Gray Tel: 07419 324362 rachel@alresforddoggrooming.com www.alresforddoggrooming.com

a Independent practice with free onsite parking and convenient location

a 24 hour emergency service provided

by our own staff

a Fully equipped on site laboratory for

New Pet Healthcare Plan!

TWO MONTHS FREE when you sign up to our HealthCare Plan.

quick diagnostic results

a Practice health care plan to spread the cost of routine treatment

a Home visits available for your convenience A dedicated team working to improve the health and wellbeing of your pets

ALTON: 01420 82163 ALRESFORD: 01962 732535 FOUR MARKS: 01420 562048

cedarvet.com facebook.com/cedarvet

ANIMALS & PETS

HOME

Appleton

Farm Services A family business supplying agricultural and forestry services for over 25 years All agricultural work undertaken • equestrian maintenance • Ploughing • field cultivation • Hedge cutting • Forestry • spraying specialist • fencing • topping • wood thining • Tree Felling & branch lopping

Load of logs - £70 per truck load Tel: 01962 735452 / Mob: 07880 527049 www.appletonfarmservices.co.uk

Barnes & Liddiard Electrical Contractors Limited All aspects of electrical work undertaken Fully compliant to part ‘P’ of the building regulations

Domestic Commercial Industrial Garden Lighting

Tel: 01962 733272 JOYCE & BROS

CJ The Plumber

Colin Joyce • Reliable friendly service • Repairs or installation • Kitchen, bathroom, shower • Outside tap, cold water • Storage cisterns, taps, WC • No call out charge

01962 776545

Domestic plumbing

Adrian Cobb Plumbing & Heating M: 07774 979 325 T: 01962 735354

No job too small – No call out charge Free quotations available ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING & HEATING Reliable local plumber

Painters & Decorators • Gutter Clearing 01962 735273 07767 711497

joycebrospainters@btinternet.com

55

56 56

FEATURE HOME

BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY OWL APPEAL W

e’re in the dark and we need your help. Owls play an important role in our environment. We urgently need your help to understand more about the ecology and population status of owls in the UK. As apex predators they sit at the top of the food chain and are therefore excellent indicators of the health of the countryside. We need a much better understanding of their population trends, how they use different habitats and how they interact with other species.

Data collected for Bird Atlas 2007-11 has shown a worrying contraction in geographical range and decline in abundance for Short-eared Owl. Although the distribution of Tawny Owl has changed little over the last 40 years, Breeding Bird Survey data suggest that the population is also declining. We now need specially-designed surveys to find out more about their status and how they use different habitats; the last Tawny Owl survey was carried out more than a decade ago.

The urgent work you could help to fund A project that tackles our knowledge gaps for all five UK owl species is a very ambitious undertaking. We have designed a staged approach with three elements of work; Securing better information about the habitat requirements of Tawny Owls and their breeding numbers. We’ll combine this with efforts to unite those individuals and groups studying Tawny Owls through local schemes to provide a strong link-up between regional and national patterns.

The next stage of the project will focus on the Shorteared Owl, a nomadic species for which information on movements and habitat use is particularly important in the design of sensitive land management approaches. John Calladine at BTO Scotland has just begun work which

helps us to understand more about the home range, habitat use and year-round movements of Short-eared Owls. The third stage is to extend this knowledge through a wider programme of tracking work, so that we can understand how the habitat requirements of Short-eared Owls change through the year.

This autumn and winter we want to learn more about Tawny Owl population change and understand more about their calling behaviour. To do this we need your help.

Take part in the Tawny Owl Calling Survey You can help us to increase our understanding of their calling behaviour and distribution, particularly focusing on the impact of urbanisation and artificial lighting. It's easy to take part. All you need to do is listen for Tawny Owls for 20 minutes each week, from 30 September to 31 March, from your garden, local park or woodland.You can even listen whilst lying in bed with the window open. The more weeks that you can listen the better - but you can do as many or as few weeks as you are able.

We need your help, whether you usually hear Tawny Owls or not. Knowing where owls can't be heard is just as valuable as knowing where they can be heard.

Donate to the owl appeal Our owls may be fading into the dark - we must address the gaps in our knowledge now so that we have the best chance of countering the threats they face. Let’s make sure that those magical encounters with owls don’t become even more rare.

To make your contribution to their future visit: https:// www.bto.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=14&c hannel=8&medium=102

HOME

New builds Conservation work Painting & decorating Extensions & alterations Conservatories Roofing Brick & flint specialist Groundworks Structural works (steel) Office: 01962 734978 (9am-5pm) Mobile: 07979 506416 email: enquiries@grantandwimbleton.co.uk 18 NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 9QP

James White Fencing & Gates Ltd Appledown Lane, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9PB T: 01962 732786 or E: info@jameswhitefencing.com W:jameswhitefencing.com

Fencing & Timber Merchants

Open to the trade and public

We supply competitively priced fencing

We are open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 5pm

materials and timber, gates, fixtures, fittings, wire and more. We have a well stocked yard, offer a friendly helpful service and free local delivery to Alresford customers.

· Fencing contractors

· Timber merchants

· Manufacturers of bespoke

entrance gates · Gate automation specialists

57

58

COMMUNITY HOME

ALRESFORD & DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION

The Alresford & District Neighbourhood Watch Association AGM was held at the Alresford Golf Club on Tuesday 11th Sept, 7.30pm. The meeting was chaired by Colin Harris, who welcomed all to the meeting and thanked them, as there are many other calls on people’s time. He went on to inform the meeting that Geoff Harris, a founder member of the Association had passed away earlier this year. There were 16 Attendees including the speaker Julie Gallagher, from Hampshire Trading Standards, and 12 apologies received.

PCSO Bruce Hagger and PCSO Rhys Griffiths gave the Hampshire Constabulary Report, covering the following: Summer is always a busy time of year for rural Winchester with various festivals, an influx of visitors and tourists plus school/college holidays.Year on year there has not been a significant rise in crime, but there were a number of incidents, summarised below; •

Small series of vehicle crime in various villages, including East Stratton, Micheldever, Shawford, Compton and Otterbourne. Two arrests made and are still under investigation however the series highlighted local communities pulling together by being extra vigilant, reporting suspicious incidents and looking out for the vulnerable members of the community.

•

In July there were burglaries at Sparsholt College and Alresford Tesco Express. These were linked to other crimes in Hampshire and the Thames Valley Area with one suspect arrested and a second identified and under investigation.

•

During the summer there were >50 thefts from vehicles, 21 residential burglaries and 16 commercial burglaries. Residential includes shed and garage burglaries.

• The PCSO’s explained that ensuring our community priorities are aligned with the most prevalent types of crime, allows them to spend time effectively policing our community by responding to crime, engaging with vulnerable groups and educating the public on the dangers of fraud.

• Encouragingly there has been a decrease in the number of local fraud offences against the elderly and if anyone knows a group/ body who would benefit from police input then please get in touch via: winchester. rural.police@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Bruce and Rhys then took various questions from the floor and reminded all those present to report every crime, even if we think the police will take no action, as they are all recorded centrally. The challenge they are facing is that too many people report crimes on Facebook and do not contact the police directly.

ALRESFORD PIGS ASSOCIATION NEWS Its been a busy month for the Pigs. Our annual AGM was held at The Swan with new committee officers appointed for 2019. As always an eventful Black Tie event we reviewed our activities in 2018 and look forward to more of the same next year.

Guest Speaker, Julie Gallagher, gave a presentation on ‘Friends against Scams’ explaining that there is a National Trading Standards Scams Team National Initiative aiming to: •

Reduce ‘doorstep crime’ such as odd job offers to remove trees/clear gutters which start at £50 and grow to £2000 as ‘more and more needs to be done’.

• Reduce ‘telephone scams’ as most of these originate outside of the UK and are difficult to cut off at base. Current examples given included HMRC calls for outstanding tax bills, bogus police officers regarding fraudulent activity on your bank accounts, rogue traders offering benefits for ‘money paid up front’ and emails stating a close friend is in trouble overseas and requires money.

Colin then read out the Annual Report and included the following points: • David Pain is standing down from the Committee and Colin thanked David for his sterling work over the past few years.

•

The Association continue to supply articles to the Alresford Forum and if anyone has suggestions for a topic then please let any member of the committee know.

•

There are vacancies for Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators in Itchen Stoke, Swarraton, Chiltern Court, West Street and the Bridge Road area in town. If anyone is interested in helping with these or joining the Committee then please do contact the Association.

CONTACTING ADNWA OR POLICE: ADNWA website: www.neighbourhood. watch.alresford.org e-mail us at: contact.adnwa@gmail.com CRIME IN PROGRESS: RING 999 NON-URGENT ISSUES: RING 101 (if you observe suspicious activity) CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555 111

We also held our Autumn Fundraiser, the Halloween Disco in Perins School Hall. As always it was well-attended with a good time had by all so many thanks to those who came along, enjoyed themselves and raised money to ensure we can help even more people in and around our town.

We’ve had a great response to people asking about / donating mobility items so please keep going! We have a fleet of scooters ready to be loaned out as well as walkers, crutches and the like so if you have a need, get in touch.

There’s no respite as we now turn our attention to the busy festive period with the usual list of activities your Pigs help with and organise…but more on that next time.

The Alresford Pigs Association is a small charity comprised of people who either live or work in Alresford and come together to raise money and give financial help to those in need in Alresford and the surrounding villages.

We have given money for: • Organisations such as the scouts, guides, sports & youth groups • Local schools for specific projects • School children unable to pay for school trips • Single families needing white goods • Families who need support that cannot be provided by other services • Mobility scooters • Park benches • Senior residents events and activities Do you know someone who needs our help?

• Call us on 01962-658961 • Email us at info@alresfordpigs.org • Message us on Facebook @AlresfordPigs The Alresford Pigs Association is a registered charity (charity no. 1163001)

HOME

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • DOMESTIC Providing a comprehensive electrical installation service • Home automation • Lighting schemes • Electric gates • Emergency lighting • Electrical installations • Home entertainment • Fire alarms • Burglar alarms

T: 01962 735397 w: butlerandking.co.uk e:info@butlerandking.co.uk Unit G, Prospect Commercial Park, 4 Prospect Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9QF

07531 812 026 / 07850 119 459 www.afriend-drainage-services.co.uk • HIGH PRESSURE JETTING • CCTV SURVEYS • BLOCKED DRAINS • IMPACT MOLING • EXCAVATOR WORK • FULLY INSURED

Wallpaper Specialist D E C O R AT I N G I N H A M P S H I R E S I N C E 1 9 8 0

e clusive Double Glazing Ltd

Alresford's Conservatory and Window Experts

UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS & DOORS WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES • Supply & Installation • New Handles, Letterboxes, Locks • Broken Sealed-Units replaced

OTHER SERVICES • Fascias, Soffits & Gutters • Key Cutting & Locksmith Services

FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

CALL: 01962 732091

www.exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk sales@exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE

59

of

Est. 48 years

Experts in your Garden

Titchfield

Garden Design Centre

Every Garden Tells a Story

16 Show Gardens • Design Studio • Coffee Courtyard Specialists in High Quality Design • Build • Maintenance • Planting Plans • Border Makeovers OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-Sat 8am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm

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