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ISSUE 239 NOVEMBER 2026

Forum Publications

Itchen Valley Magazine

NEWS & EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER

HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT TRUST

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

EVER DECREASING CIRCLES

Find out what's going on in the Itchen Valley

Winchester puts nature at centre of future planning

Smoked Lentil & Sweet Potato Chilli

Our regular feature written by Lucia Foster-Found

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

Cover image: Autumn sunrise on the River Itchen carrier between Ovington and Itchen Abbas

Be prepared for autumn, with a vehicle safety check Uneven and heavy tyre wear can go unnoticed. It is surprising how many people do not check their vehicles for problems before undertaking a journey. It was lucky that this customer came to us for a FREE vehicle check before setting off on a trip. With wet and frosty weather conditions on their way safe tyres with good grip are essential. We also check oil, water and coolant levels and brakes. These simple, but important checks, can save you a lengthy wait for a breakdown recovery vehicle or even save your life!

Call today: 01962 736343 www.phoenixautoservicesltd.co.uk Free local collection and delivery service

PHOENIX AUTO SERVICES LTD, PROSPECT ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QF

ITCHEN VALLEY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2026

CONTENT S

The Team

Buying, selling, letting?

Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

04 Property

Find local estate agents and property management services

12 Forthcoming Events

36 New Alresford Town Council News 46 Feature

Make your garden dream come true

63 Motoring 67 Retail Continued 68 Wellbeing Continued

From photographers to solicitors every professional service you need

22 Recipe of the Month 26 Education

Feature Writer Lucia Foster-Found

See our other Titles

59 Garden 59

17 Professional Services

Smoked Lentil & Sweet Potato Chilli

48 Wellbeing 48

Kingley Vale: A Living Piece of History

Unique, Bespoke, Eclectic and Local shopping

16 Forthcoming Events Continued

Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

58 Feature

Our regular retail feature,

Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

Abbotstone: The Medieval Village That Time Forgot Looking after your health and yourself!

13 Entertainment 15 Retail

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk

Winchester City forumpublications.co.uk/winchester

Meon Valley forumpublications.co.uk/meon-valley

Find local schools and educational experts

30 Feature

Test Valley forumpublications.co.uk/test-valley

Ever Decreasing Circles Written by Lucia Foster-Found

Forum Publications New Farm Road,

31 Home

Alresford, SO24 9QE

Trades, services, designers, All you need for your home

32 Environment 32

Winchester puts nature at

centre of future planning Hampshire & Isle of Wight Trust

Tel: 01962 735137

www.forumpublications.co.uk

The Itchen Valley Magazine 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 Magazine 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 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. Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household. © Forum Publications Ltd, 2026

Sales | Property Management | Lettings ALRESFORD Guide Price: £1,145,000 | EPC Rating: C

ALRESFORD Guide Price: £1,250,000 | EPC Rating: C

CHERITON Guide Price: £1,000,000 | EPC Rating: D

ALRESFORD Guide Price: £695,000 | EPC Rating: E

A name you can count on in a changing world…

BISHOP'S SUTTON To Let: £1,600pcm | EPC Rating: D

WARNFORD To Let: £2,250pcm | EPC Rating: D

11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AR | alresford@hellards.co.uk www.hellards.co.uk | Tel. 01962 736333

Sales | Property Management | Lettings Sales | Property Management | Lettings

Passionate about Alresford… Nestled amidst beautiful Hampshire countryside, the Alresford area continues to capture the hearts of those

who live here, and it's easy to see why. From charming period properties and picturesque villages, to thriving Aindependent name you can count on in a changing world… shops and a strong sense of community, this is a place where quality of life truly shines. With excellent Atransport name you can count on in a changing world… links and a lifestyle that blends tradition with convenience, Alresford offers the best of both worlds for families, professionals, and retirees alike. Having been in Alresford for 38 years, we pride ourselves on our deep-rooted knowledge of the area. Our advice is tailored, transparent and focussed on what's right for you. Whether you're buying, selling, letting, or renting, we're here to guide you every step of the way. If you are thinking of making a move, pop into our Broad Street office or give us a call, we'd love to help you find your perfect next home!

11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AR | alresford@hellards.co.uk 11 Broad Street,www.hellards.co.uk Alresford, Hampshire| SO24 9AR |736333 alresford@hellards.co.uk Tel. 01962 www.hellards.co.uk | Tel. 01962 736333

COMMUNITY / PROPERTY

MEMORIES & MILESTONES A year can bring remarkable change. At Welborne, 2026 has seen homes and streets take shape, new connections opened and residents and visitors coming together for memorable community occasions. Welborne is emerging as somewhere increasingly lived in, experienced and enjoyed. Building the Foundations for the Future September’s official opening of the upgraded Junction 10 on the M27 built on an incredible achievement from the start of 2026, when the innovative ‘box slide’ installation of the new underpass enabled the motorway to reopen a day ahead of schedule, after a short closure over Christmas. Now providing a vital new gateway, the new “all moves” junction reflects Welborne’s infrastructure-first approach and lays strong foundations for the future. That same progress can be seen throughout Welborne’s first neighbourhoods. Following the opening of several show homes by Welborne’s housebuilders earlier in the year, September’s Autumn Unveiled event welcomed visitors to explore the latest characterful homes and street scenes. Kim Wilkie CBE, Welborne’s Landscape Architect, shared how Welborne’s landscape-led approach is bringing nature closer to daily life. Together, these milestones offer a vivid picture of thoughtful architecture, shared green spaces and community life coming together.

The letter the Apostle wrote to the Christians at Rome c.AD 56 and preserved for us today 2026 Romans ch.13:11

"-that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." [ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved: Acts 16:31 ]

NEW FARM CHAPEL

Going the Extra Mile Over the past year, Welborne has grown not only in size, but in spirit. The arrival of its first residents, the opening of The Corner Cafe and the flourishing community orchard have created new places and opportunities for people to meet and connect. That spirit was on show at the second Dashwood Dash, Welborne’s annual event supporting World Mental Health Day. Participants ran, walked or strolled along a 3km route through Dashwood, Welborne’s historic woodland which is now open to the public. Taking time to enjoy the fresh air and natural surroundings recognises the important role that the environment plays in our mental wellbeing. Together, these milestones reflect something central to Welborne’s vision: creating opportunities for people to be active, enjoy nature close to home and grow closer through a shared connection to place. Looking Forward There is plenty still to come. Planning permission has been secured for Welborne’s first primary school, a significant step towards one of the core community amenities that will support families in the years ahead. As the new residents look forward to their first Christmas at Welborne, they will begin creating the traditions that will become part of Welborne’s identity. Looking back, 2026 will be remembered not simply for one opening or event, but as the year Welborne truly emerges, defined by distinctive homes and landscapes, connected to new infrastructure and increasingly shaped by the people making it their own. welborne.co.uk | Tel: 01329 623247 | welcomecente@welborne.co.uk

We are specialists in rural land management and agents for both residential and commercial country property sales and lettings. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you! info@moundsmere.co.uk 01256 389253

PROCLAIMING JESUS New Farm Road, Alresford, Hampshire Sunday Services 10.30am Wednesdays 7.30pm (prayer and bible study on Zoom)

Tel: 07989 257707 (text or call) www.newfarmchapel.org.uk

www.moundsmere.co.uk

PROPERTY

Variation of Premises Licence Use this form to place an advertisement in a local newspaper, or if

there is none, in a local newsletter, circular or similar document, COMMUNITY / PROPERTY circulating in the vicinity of the premises, on at least one occasion during the period of 10 working days, starting on the day after the day on which application is made to the Licensing Authority. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and that person is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the Standard Scale. The advertisement must contain all of the information detailed below.

Licensing Act 2003 Variation of Premises Licence We, Mid Hants Railway Limited, hereby give notice that we have applied on 06 October 2026 to Winchester City Council as the Licensing Authority for the Variation of a Premises Licence for the premises known as: West Country Buffet, Alresford Station, Station Road, Alresford, SO24 9JG. The application is to update the premises licence plan. Any person who wishes to submit representations in connection with this application should send their representations in writing to: Licensing Manager, Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester SO23 9LJ, to arrive by 03 November 2026, details of representations received will be forwarded to the applicants to enable them to comment. The representations received and the applicants’ comments will be taken into account in determining the application. Relevant representations will be forwarded to the applicant and published on the Council’s website. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and that person is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the Standard Scale. A Register of Applications can be inspected at the City Offices and details are also available at www.winchester.gov.uk/licensing. Enquiries: 01962 848 188, or email: licensing@winchester.gov.uk

WHY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAKES THE INDEPENDENT AGENT MORE VALUABLE Artificial intelligence is set to transform estate agency, but perhaps not in the way many expect. Rather than making the human agent less relevant, AI could make the expertise, judgement and personal service of the independent agent more valuable than ever. For independent, bespoke agents, AI is a powerful leveller. It gives specialist businesses access to capabilities once associated with the largest corporate organisations. But the real opportunity is not to replace the personal agent with technology. It is to use technology to make the personal agent better. An independent agent who knows their streets, understands their buyers and has genuine relationships with clients can combine that local knowledge with AI-generated insight. Less time spent on administration means more time spent advising sellers, understanding buyers, creating competition, negotiating and securing the best possible outcome. And that human element matters. Selling a home is rarely just a transaction. It is often one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions a person will make. A computer can analyse comparable properties; it cannot replace the judgement of an experienced agent who knows why one house will appeal to a particular buyer, when to adjust a strategy or how to negotiate when emotions run high. As AI makes estate agency more automated, the difference between agents may increasingly come down to what technology cannot provide: discretion, creativity, accountability, genuine relationships, and the local knowledge and expertise of a specialist who genuinely knows their market. AI will change estate agency. It may also remind us why choosing the right agent still matters. For a bespoke personal service from property specialists contact The Country House Company on: 01962 571189.

Kate Porter Sales katep@countryhousecompany.co.uk

Claudia Hunt Lettings

claudia@countryhousecompany.co.uk

Lisa Cole

Management lisa@countryhousecompany.co.uk

With thanks to Cllr Jackie Porter for supporting this event via the HCC County Councillor Grants Scheme.

d F The Country House Company www.countryhousecompany.co.uk

Selling, Letting & Managing properties in the Itchen Valley If you are looking to sell or let your property please contact us

01962 571189

countryhousecompany.co.uk

Y X ^ a

Modern family living in a countryside setting W HERE V I L L AGE L IFE M EET S EASY LO NDON CON N EC T ION S Alresford Down offers a beautiful collection of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, set within a thoughtfully planned new community surrounded by Hampshire countryside. With generous living spaces, gardens and a choice of flexible layouts, these are homes designed to grow with modern family life. From busy family mornings to relaxed weekends together, there is space to make the most of every day.

A community designed for family life At the heart of Alresford Down is a welcoming new community, designed around modern family life. With generous open spaces, a community orchard and wildflower meadows, there is plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors, explore, spend time together and make the most of the Hampshire countryside. From morning walks and weekend adventures to getting to know the neighbours, Alresford Down offers a friendly environment where families can put down roots and grow together. Families are also well placed for local schooling, with Sun Hill Infant School and Perins School both nearby. Combining open green spaces, local amenities and connection to nature, Alresford Down provides the ideal backdrop for family life.

Well connected for family life Set on the edge of the beautiful Georgian village of New Alresford, Alresford Down places residents within easy walking distance of a wonderful selection of boutique shops, independent cafés, traditional country pubs and the surrounding Hampshire countryside. The charming town offers plenty to discover, from riverside walks and the scenic Alre Valley Trail to the much-loved Watercress Line heritage railway, which runs through the heart of the local landscape.

WELL CONNEC TED F OR EVERYDAY LIF E While Alresford Down enjoys a peaceful countryside setting, everyday destinations are within easy reach. The A31 provides access to the M3 towards Winchester and Southampton, while Winchester itself is just a short drive away.

With New Alresford nearby, everyday essentials and transport links are all within easy reach. From countryside walks to family days out, Alresford Down offers the ideal balance of village character and effortless modern living.

For journeys further afield, an hourly bus service connects with Winchester railway station, with regular trains reaching London Waterloo in just over an hour.*

Room to grow Alresford Down is a brand-new community of beautifully designed 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, thoughtfully created for modern family living. Inspired by the character of the local area, the homes feature attractive architectural details, including distinctive flint-flecked elevations, alongside contemporary interiors, generous layouts and stylish finishes. Designed with the way people live today in mind, each home offers flexible spaces for busy family life, entertaining and relaxing, complemented by energy-efficient features for greater comfort. Whether you are looking for more space for a growing family or searching for a beautifully considered forever home, Alresford Down offers an exceptional combination of character, comfort and contemporary living in a truly special Hampshire setting.

FIND THE RI G HT H OM E FOR YO UR FAM ILY

3 Bedroom Homes: Including the versatile Owlton townhouse and spacious Aynesdale.

Our current selection features flexible spaces for growing families and modern lifestyles. Highspecification interiors come as standard, with many homes offering stylish integrated kitchens with Silestone worktops and generous living spaces.

4 Bedroom Detached Homes: Featuring sought-after designs including the Ayleford, Henford, Tewksdale and Shilford. 5 Bedroom Homes: Premium homes such as the Aireton, offering approximately 1,900 sq. ft. of contemporary living space.

#taylorwimpey

Call 01962 418 145 taylorwimpey.co.uk

2026

Normal Taylor Wimpey terms and conditions apply. Images used for illustrative purposes only. Please speak to our Sales Executives regarding the tenure of our new homes. Taylor Wimpey has 7,048 5-star reviews on Trustpilot as of 13/05/26. The HBF 5-star Award is awarded to homebuilders that achieve above 90% in the percentage of customers who would recommend Taylor Wimpey to a friend eight weeks after legal completion. Please visit HBF 5-star Award Taylor Wimpey for more information. *Time taken from nationalrail.co.uk and are approximate only. September 2026.

EVENTS

Forthcoming Events Service of Comfort & Hope Sunday 1 November From 2pm St Johns Church, East Street, Alresford, SO24 9AG

You are warmly invited to this peaceful and reflective service to remember loved ones who have died. Bring a flower, one for each person remembered, to add to the bouquet of memories. A memorial card on which to write their names can be picked up at the back of the Church and bought with you to the service. There will be an opportunity to light a candle. Refreshments will be served in the JPH after the service.

New Alresford WI “Fuss-free canapes” Wednesday 4 November From 7.30pm St Gregory’s Church Hall, 1 Grange Road, Alresford, SO24 9HD

A demonstration by Debbie Towlson. Visitors Welcome £3. Debbie will demonstrate two different types of Canapes that are easy to prepare ahead of that special occasion.

Rotary Club Fireworks and Bonfire

Upper Itchen Valley Society - AGM Tuesday 3 November From 6.30pm Easton Village Hall, 1 Chapel Lane, Easton, SO21 1EP

The UIVS AGM will take place at 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 November at Easton Village Hall. We welcome all member and prospective members (both individuals and local businesses) to join us for drinks at 6.30 pm, the AGM / update on the past 12 months at 7 pm and then hear from our guest speakers from 7.30 pm. For more information about the UIVS, please take a look at our new website www.uivs.org The website is still somewhat of a work in progress, but you can read about the history/ purpose of the charity, membership (only £25 per household with Gift Aid), our new Grants Programme and how to contact us. Our main focus is on environment, heritage and community in the Upper Itchen Valley, which includes Abbotts Worthy, the Itchen Valley civil parish and Ovington & Itchen Stoke civil parish. This year we are pleased to have two quite different speakers: a representative from the Upper Itchen Restoration Community Investment Company and a representative from Boomtown. I am sure they will both be very interesting talks with the opportunity for Q&A. The Trustees look forward to see you there. Philip Wolfe, Chairman, UIVS

Friday 6 November From 7.00pm Broad Street, Winchester

Procession from Broad Street to Arlebury Park. The Torchlight Procession starts at 7.00pm from the top of Broad Street with the procession following the Alresford Fire Engine with an effigy of Guy Fawkes onboard to Arlebury Park. Torches will be on sale around Broad Street. The Bonfire will start at 7.45pm at Arlebury Park followed by traditional Fireworks at 8.00pm. For tickets and more information visit: https://alresford-rotary.org

Alresford & District Horticultural Society Meeting Wednesday 11 November

Thur 12 to Fri 13 November Various Times (see text) Barnsgrove in Greywell, near Basingstoke, RG29 1GF

Medical Fund Christmas Fair. Enjoy a carefully curated shopping experience featuring a brilliant array of artisan stalls, boutique retailers and luxury lifestyle brands in this stunning venue. Delicious food will be available on both days in Barnsgrove's beautiful Palmers Bar, plus some fantastic complimentary speaker talks, a local children's choir performance, and a Candover Brook Sparkling Wine reception on Thursday evening. Tickets from £8 (when purchased in advance). 12 November 4pm - 9pm. 13 November 9.30am - 4pm. 10% of every purchase will be donated to the Hampshire Medical Fund, a charity that buys cutting-edge medical equipment for the NHS hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover that is not otherwise affordable on NHS budgets. Visit www.hampshiremedicalfund. org/events for more information and tickets.

Alresford Methodist Church, Jacklyns Lane, SO24 9JJ

Tables £10. Please ring: 01962 734481 to book.

Alresford Historical and Literary Society Talk Wednesday 18 November From 7.30pm Alresford Methodist Church, Jacklyns Lane, SO24 9JJ

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times - The Charles Dickens Story a talk by Brian and Jacqueline Sutton

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Fri 20 Nov to Tue 22 Dec

Doors 6pm, 6.30pm start

Sun-Thur from 10am - 6pm Fri-Sat from 10am - 8pm

School House, Church Lane, Bishops Sutton, SO24 0AD

Celebration of Spirit Service with guest medium Vanessa Smallwood. Set in a warm home setting with free refreshments. All welcome! Donations appreciated.

Charity Quiz Night In aid of Home-Start Winchester

St Gregory’s Church Hall, 1 Grange Road, Alresford, SO24 9HD

From 7.30pm

Get ahead with your Christmas preparations at the Hampshire

From 10am to 2pm

Friday 13 November

Hampshire Medical Fund Christmas Fair

Saturday 14 November

Itchen Valley Spiritualist Fellowship

From 7.30pm to 9.30pm

A demonstration of Willow Weaving by Louise Brown. Visitors welcome, £3. Refreshments available. Further information at www. alresfordhorticultural.org

Table Top Craft Sale at Alresford Methodist Church

Itchen Abbas Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, SO21 1BQ

Bring a team of eight or join a team on the night (pre-booking is essential) Tickets £17.50pp. Includes a hearty ploughmans supper. Beer, wine and soft drinks available. www.ticketsource.com/home-startwinchester-districts or call: 07976 686979 or email chrissie.barlow@ home-startwinchester.org.uk

Cathedral Inner Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe. Taking place from Friday 20 November until Tuesday 22 December 2026, Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors, which attracts visitors from around the world each year who come to shop at the pretty wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds. For more information visit: https:// www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/ christmas/ For more events see page 16 >> Advertise your event on this page FREE of charge by simply emailing: editor@forumpublications.co.uk Please note: We are unable to guarantee publication

COMMUNITY / ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT / RETAIL THE OLD ALRESFORD DRAMATIC SOCIETY (TOADS)

presents

ALL FOR FUN AND FUN FOR ALL!

Join D’Artagnan for a swashbuckling pantomime packed with dastardly deeds, slapstick, songs TICKETS and plenty of audience participation.

ONLY

£12

SHOW WEEK

Tuesday 1st – Friday 4th December at 7.30pm Saturday 5th December at 1.30pm and 5.30pm CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD

BUY TICKETS

NO BOOKING FEE ticketsource.co.uk/toads or email boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk The Old Alresford Dramatic Society

@toads.oa

www.oa-toads.org.uk

HAMPSHIRE MEDICAL FUND 2026

Christmas Fair

KINDLY SPONSORED BY NORTH HAMPSHIRE AGENCY 01256 688522

at Barnsgrove, Hampshire

SHOP, EAT & MEET WITH FRIENDS

Thursday Friday 12th Nov 13th Nov 16.00 -21.00

9.30 -16.00

• Artisan stalls • Boutique retailers • Luxury lifestyle brands • Complimentary speaker talks • Delicious food and seasonal refreshments

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR TICKETS OR VISIT:

events.hampshiremedicalfund.org ALL PROCEEDS TOWARDS CUTTING EDGE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL HOSPITALS

WHITE LANE, GREYWELL, HAMPSHIRE, RG29 1GF

EVENTS

Forthcoming Events Alresford Antiques Fair Saturday 21 November From 9.30am - 4.30pm Alresford Community Centre, West Street, New Alresford, SO24 9AG

We offer a wide range of Decorative, Useful, Interesting, Unusual & Quirky items including good quality Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, China and Glass. We will also buy. Free Admission & good parking available nearby. The Fair is on the third Saturday of the month. Confirm future dates in Antiques Atlas: https://antiques-atlas.com/dbevents/ Contact: Instagram - carol fentumantiques - Carol - 01264 335769 / 07870 432805

Alresford Flower Club Wednesday 25 November From 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) St. Gregory's Church Hall, Grange Road, Alresford, SO24 9HB

A Christmas demonstration by Carolyn Vanstone "Pantamomnium" Visitors welcome £12 to include seasonal refreshments. Tickets (£25) are also now available for the Christmas wreath making workshop on 11 December 2-4pm, also at St Gregory's. Enquiries and bookings for both events: gskayman@gmail.com

Ropley Fayre Christmas Market

Thursday 26 November From 5.30pm to 7.30pm Ropley Parish Hall, Vicarage Lane, Ropley, Alresford, SO24 0DU

Meet friends, buy presents and see Santa at our village Christmas market. Free mulled wine and mince pies, free parking and a chance to win

a family ticket on the Watercress Line Railway. There will be stalls selling bath bombs, local honey, craft beer, toys, jewellery and plenty more. More details at secretary.ropley. fayre@gmail.com. See you there!

Ropley Horticultural Society – Christmas meeting (Mince Pies & Mulled Wine) Monday 30 November From 7.45pm Ropley Parish Hall, Vicarage Lane, Ropley, Alresford, SO24 0DU

Talk on “Persian Gardens” by Suren Ala. Parking free, Guests £5 on the door includes refreshments, all welcome. Enquiries: Jill on 01962 772425

New Alresford WI Stories, Laughter and Live Balloon Magic Wednesday 2 December From 7.30pm

for audience participation. Tickets £10 on the door, under 16s free. Light refreshments and the first glass of wine are included in the price.

The Three Musketeers – TOADS Pantomime 2026 Tue 1 to Sat 5 Nov Tue - Fri from 7.30pm Sat from 1.30pm & 5pm Christy Hall, Old Alresford, SO24 9DH

All for fun and fun for all! Join The Old Alresford Dramatic Society (TOADS) for The Three Musketeers, a swashbuckling family pantomime packed with dastardly deeds, slapstick, songs and plenty of audience participation. Tickets: £12 – no booking fee. Book at ticketsource. co.uk/toads or email boxoffice@ oa-toads.org.uk

The Great Gingerbread Bake-off! Saturday 5 December From 2pm Bishop's Sutton Village Hall, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, SO24 0AL

Visitors Welcome £3. Join balloon artist Rob Driscoll as he shares his creative journey. From the simple three twist dog to his award winning “Lady and the Tramp” Expect laughter, stories, and live balloon magic. Proving balloons aren’t just for kids!

Put your creative skills to the test in our Christmas competition. Prizes for the best entries - All ages welcome. Competition entries should comprise: Your own recipe or kit designed Gingerbread Creation decorated in your own Christmas style. Categories: Home made and Kit - Interested? To register please send your name and email address to: bstncomps@hotmail.com

Itchen Valley Choir a Celebration of Song

Alresford Rotary Christmas Tree Sale

St Gregory’s Church Hall, 1 Grange Road, Alresford SO24 9HD

Wednesday 2 December

Saturday 5 December

From 7.30pm for 7.45pm start

From 8am (until sold out)

Itchen Abbas and Avington Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, SO21 1BQ

Broad Street, Alresford

Kick off Christmas 2026 with a celebration of song. Performed for you by the Itchen Valley Choir. With songs and readings including "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by Bob Chilcott, "A Feast for Christmas" by Alan Bullard and a new setting of "It came upon a Midnight Clear" composed by one of our own choir members, as well as old favourites

Great quality trees, Nordman and Norway spruce, grown in the region supporting local and Rotary charities

Arrival of Father Christmas Wednesday 9 December From 6pm Broad Street, Alresford

Choir performances from 6pm.

Father christmas arrives about 7pm. Grotto open until 8.30pm. Organised by the Alresford Pigs and the Alresford Children's Christmas Tree Fund in conjunction with Alresford Chamber of Commerce, North Pole, Toy worskhops, Reindeer Stables, Elf Village. New Alresford Town Trust.

Alresford Chamber of Commerce invites you to an 80s and 90s disco Thursday 10 December From 7.30pm The Vault, The Swan Hotel, 11 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AD

Back to the 80s and 90s at The Swan! Dig out those leg warmers, dust off your neon outfits and get ready for an evening of dancefloor favourites at The Swan Hotel in Alresford. Raising funds to support events in the town.

Alresford Community Choir presents: A Glorious Christmas Saturday 12 December Matinee 2pm - Evening 7.30pm Church of St John the Baptist, East St, Alresford, SO24 9AG

Alresford Community Choir returns to St John's church for two joyful Christmas performances, offering something for audiences of all ages. The afternoon matinee will be a shorter, relaxed celebration featuring plenty of well-loved carols for the audience to sing alongside the choir, as well as seasonal pieces performed by ACC. Introduced especially for families with young children, older people, or those who may find an evening concert difficult to attend, it offers an accessible way to share in the music of Christmas. The evening concert will present John Rutter's exhilarating Gloria . Accompanied by organist Cathy Lamb, the choir will also perform traditional carols and seasonal favourites, with opportunities for the audience to join in. Tickets go on sale on 2nd November via ticketsource.com/ alresford-community-choir/

RETAIL / PROFESSIONAL

Festive Wine Tasting Dates Our most diverse tastings of the year!

Alresford Saturday 28th November Venue - Upstairs at the Alresford Community Centre, West St, Alresford Timings - 1pm to 5pm

Winchester

FESTIVE WINE TASTINGS

Thursday 3rd December Venue - South Downs Social, Kings Walk Middle Brook St, Winchester Timings - 6pm to 9pm

Four Marks Saturday 5th December Venue - The Naked Grape Four Marks Timings - 1pm to 5pm Join us to discover and taste the most enjoyable range of festive drinks out there. A tasting room of indulgence! www.thenakedgrape.co.uk

Vicki Othen

PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL EXPERT 07355 792711

vickiothen@designertravel.co.uk

LET ME SHOW YOU THE WORLD…

D. Barker && Son Ltd D. Barker && Son Ltd D. Barker Son Ltd D. D. Barker Barker & Son & Son Ltd Ltd D. Barker Son Ltd 40a West Street, Alresford, Hants 40a Alresford, Hants 40aWest WestStreet, Street, Alresford, Hants 40a 40a West Street, Street, Alresford, Alresford, Hants Hants 40aWest West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 Tel: 01962 732200 Tel: 01962 732200 Tel: 01962 732200 Tel: 01962 Tel: 01962 732200 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

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Making tax-efficient gifts to grandchildren

Gifting money directly to your grandchildren could give them a valuable financial headstart. It could also be a tax-efficient way of passing on wealth to the next generation while helping to manage your estate’s inheritance tax (IHT) liability.

There’s an exemption for ‘gifts out of surplus income’ that can be used to cover recurrent costs, such as school fees. These gifts must: — Be part of your normal expenditure — Be made from your income (not capital)

It’s expensive being young University tuition fees in England and Wales are now up to £9,790 a year1, while the average UK house price stood at £271,295 in May 2026 – that’s 50.8% higher than a decade ago2. These challenges mean that gifting money directly to grandchildren could make a bigger difference to their financial security than if they were to wait for an inheritance.

How to gift money tax efficiently Leaving money through your will may not be the most tax-efficient way to pass on wealth and could come too late to make a meaningful difference. There are several ways to pass on wealth to grandchildren while you’re alive that could also help manage IHT. • Junior ISAs and Bare Trusts A Junior ISA (Individual Savings Account) is a good way to save for a young grandchild’s future. While only parents or legal guardians can open one, anyone can contribute. The annual tax-free limit for a Junior ISA is £9,000. Alternatively, a Bare Trust has no investment limits. Contributions made into Bare Trusts by someone who’s not the child’s parent or guardian are taxed as if they belong to the child, often resulting in minimal or no tax being due. Once your grandchild turns 18, they can use the funds from either option as they wish. • Lifetime gifts Annually, you can gift £3,000 IHT-free and £2,500 for a grandchild’s marriage or civil partnership. Larger gifts, called potentially exempt transfers, may be IHT exempt if you survive seven years.

— Leave you with sufficient income to maintain your standard of living. • Buy a life assurance policy If you have surplus income, you could also fund a wholeof-life insurance policy, which is paid out on death and can provide a means to pay some of your estate’s IHT bill.

Next steps Securing your family’s financial security while gifting money can be challenging. That’s where a wealth manager can help. They will create a personalised financial plan to let you gift assets and build a legacy. 1

https://www.ucas.com/finance/undergraduate-tuition-fees-and-student-loans

https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ukhpi

We live and work local to you. We would be delighted to help you and your family achieve financial clarity and stability. Kirsty Simpson Director, Wealth Manager E: kirsty.simpson@brewin.co.uk Alice Proctor Associate Director, Wealth Manager E: alice.proctor@brewin.co.uk 46 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8RY T: 01962 798000 W: www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/ en-uk/our-offices/winchester

The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. You should always check the tax implications with an accountant or tax specialist. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness. RBC Wealth Management is an international division in the United Kingdom which is comprised of an international network of RBC® companies and includes RBC Europe Limited. RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of RBC Europe Limited. RBC Europe Limited is registered in England and Wales with company number 995939. Its registered office is 100 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AA. RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

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WARNER AND RICHARDSON LLP ARE INDEPENDENT SOLICITORS LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC CITY OF WINCHESTER. WE HAVE A STRONG, LONG STANDING REPUTATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICE AND HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ADVICE. FOR INFORMATION ON HOW WE CAN HELP YOU WITH ANY OF THESE MATTERS:• WILLS, PROBATE AND ESTATES • RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING • COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL AND BUSINESS CONVEYANCING

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PROFESSIONAL

The Alresford Assistant is growing For the past two years, I have been delighted to provide flexible administrative, bookkeeping and personal assistant support to individuals and businesses through The Alresford Assistant. Along the way, I have discovered a particular need for something a little different: a trusted, personal secretary who can provide practical, discreet and flexible support with the many things that can make modern life unnecessarily complicated. What started with a small number of clients has grown largely through recommendation, and I am now regularly approached by people who would like the support of The Alresford Assistant. The challenge is that there is only one of me! So, I am delighted to be expanding the business to offer a new Bespoke Personal Secretary Service across the local area.

A personal service, tailored to you

The idea is simple. You have one trusted person who gets to know you, understands how you like things done and can be there to take care of the practicalities—whether you need a little help every week, occasional support or someone to take on a particular project. This might mean helping with correspondence and appointments, managing household paperwork and online accounts, arranging travel or reservations, finding and liaising with tradespeople, organising an event or simply helping you navigate something that has become more complicated than it needs to be. I also provide patient, practical support with technology. Whether it is setting up a new device, dealing with online accounts and authentication, getting a printer working or helping you become more confident using technology yourself, the aim is always to make life easier rather than more frustrating.

The service can be as straightforward or as bespoke as you need Some of the ways I can help include:

• Personal administration – correspondence and emails, appointments, household accounts, paperwork, online payments and managing online accounts. • Diary, travel and reservations – researching and arranging travel, accommodation, transport, restaurants and events, as well as preparing itineraries and co-ordinating plans. • Home and property – finding and liaising with trusted tradespeople, arranging quotations and repairs, managing household services and being present for appointments when needed. • Lifestyle and concierge support – organising family and social occasions, special events, errands, leisure activities and other personal requests. • Technology support – setting up devices, printers and apps, managing online accounts and authentication, and providing patient IT coaching. • Projects and one-off support – house moves, major purchases, family or charity events, forms and paperwork, research and other projects that need someone to take responsibility for getting things organised. For clients who have family living elsewhere, I can also provide a reliable local presence. This might be practical help around the home, attending appointments, keeping an eye on things or simply making sure that jobs which need doing are dealt with. Where requested, I can also keep family members informed following visits or provide occasional updates, giving everyone greater peace of mind without taking away from the client's independence.

More than an assistant

I believe that good personal secretarial support is about much more than simply completing a list of tasks. It is about getting to know the client, understanding what matters to them and being someone they can rely on. It is about discretion, common sense and being able to quietly take a problem away and find a solution. Over the years I have built up an extensive network of trusted local contacts and specialist providers, which means that where something falls outside my own expertise, I can often help find the right person to deal with it.

Clients can use the service in whatever way works for them. Some prefer regular weekly visits, while others need support every few months or simply call when something arises. I can also work with clients for a set period to deal with a particular project or requirement.

A good knowledge of the local area is also valuable, particularly when it comes to local tradespeople, services, events and useful contacts.

Flexible work that works around you I am DBS checked and hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance. As the team grows, I will also be able to provide greater continuity, including holiday and illness cover, and additional support when a client's needs increase. There is no charge for travel within SO24, with other areas covered by arrangement.

I am also looking for people to join me

The freelance roles are designed to be genuinely flexible.There may be opportunities for as little as a couple of hours a week, occasional ad hoc work or a more regular commitment. The work can fit around existing commitments, including school hours, and there will be opportunities to provide holiday or illness cover or additional support when clients' requirements increase. The work is well paid, and freelancers will have access to shared research tools and resources.

The new Bespoke Personal Secretary Service will allow me to support more clients while retaining the personal approach and high standards that The Alresford Assistant has become known for. To do that, I am looking for a small number of freelance personal secretaries to work with me.

More importantly, I want this to feel like a team rather than a collection of individuals. I want us to be able to share knowledge, contacts, ideas and best practice, support one another and learn from each other's experience. There will even be opportunities to get together socially, including summer and Christmas gatherings.

This isn't about building a large agency. I want to create a trusted team of like-minded people who genuinely enjoy helping others and who understand the importance of discretion, reliability and treating every client as an individual.

All freelancers will need to have the appropriate insurance in place and, above all, share the values of discretion, integrity, excellence and care on which The Alresford Assistant has been built.

You might already have a strong administrative background, be an experienced PA or secretary, or have worked in bookkeeping, financial administration or another role where organisation and attention to detail are essential. Most importantly, you will need to be someone who enjoys working with people, has good judgement and common sense, is comfortable solving problems and is patient when helping others with technology.

A new chapter for The Alresford Assistant

The original administrative, bookkeeping and personal assistant services offered by The Alresford Assistant will continue for both individuals and businesses. The new Bespoke Personal Secretary Service is an additional offering, created in response to the demand I have seen from people looking for something more personal, flexible and hands-on.

Fdj

Contact Beccy on 07957 600587 or at thealresfordassistant@gmail.com

www.thealresfordassistant.co.uk Personal branding photos by Jane at Little Stars Photography

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Smokey Lentil & Sweet Potato Chilli

This recipe from the amazing team at MUNCH – a healthy, budget friendly recipe from Winchester-based MUNCH, an amazing not-forprofit organisation. The team there offers personalised events catering across Hampshire, Wiltshire and The New Forest, for private parties, corporate events or business lunch. They then use the profit from these to help fund their work on food education in communities. They run a structured programme of cooking demonstrations along with personalised nutrition consultation, one to one cooking classes and community cooking workshops. They believe everyone should have access to good healthy food and feel empowered to live happier, healthier lives. The team at MUNCH have a cookery book packed with easy-to-follow, delicious meals. Discover how you can turn low-cost and easy to find ingredients to tasty and nutritious dishes. https://munchcic.co.uk/cookbook/

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• 1 onion • 4 cloves of garlic • red pepper • 1 sweet potato • 1 tin black beans • 2 handfuls split red lentils • 1 teaspoon of cumin • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon of lazy chilli • 1 dessert spoon of cooking oil • Salt to taste

• Peel and dice the onion, then peel and grate the garlic. • Deseed the pepper and thinly slice. Next, peel the sweet potato and dice. • Now, heat the oil in a medium-sized frying pan, on a medium heat. • Then place the garlic, onion, peppers and sweet potato into the pan, mix well so the veggies are coated in oil. • Then add the cumin, paprika, chilli and salt, mix well and cook for two minutes. • Add a splash of water, mix well and cook for a further two minutes. • Then add the whole tin of black beans and two handfuls of red lentils. • Cook until the lentils and sweet potato are soft, adding more water through the cooking process if necessary • Serve with a white and brown rice mix, pitta or cous cous.

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COMMUNITY / PROFESSIONAL

THE CURTIS MUSEUM & ALLEN GALLERY Allen Gallery Update

The Allen Gallery in Alton has been closed for redevelopment since December 2025 and will reopen in early 2027 with revitalised galleries, a welcoming community space and fresh ways to experience the nationally and internationally important ceramics collection. The project has included behind-the-scenes work to repair and restore a significant number of objects to ensure they can be enjoyed for generations to come. As part of the project, Hampshire Cultural Trust is pleased to offer a range of volunteer roles at the gallery, from welcoming visitors to the venue and supporting cafe and front desk operations, to offering guided tours of the collections or helping with community workshops and events. To find out more about these roles please email alton.museums@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk This major redevelopment is managed by Hampshire Cultural Trust and made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as East Hampshire District Council and Alton Town Council.

Curtis Museum Update

Over the summer Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council have confirmed interim funding support for the Curtis Museum, our town’s dedicated local history museum. The venue was placed at risk of closure following a significant cut in funding to its operator, Hampshire Cultural Trust. A community campaign, led by the Curtis Museum Community Partnership, was the catalyst for conversations which ultimately secured £30k of interim funding for the Museum. A new Joint Management Committee has been formed, which brings together representatives from the two councils, alongside the Curtis Museum Community Partnership, Friends of the Curtis Museum, Hampshire County Council and the Alton Assembly Rooms, alongside operator Hampshire Cultural Trust. This group meets regularly to support the development of a long-term plan for the future of the Curtis Museum. The JMC launched a community survey in September, which has gathered just under 600 responses, sharing local views on the importance and potential of the Museum. The results will be available by the time you read this. Thank you to everyone who took part. A consultation workshop was set up in mid September, bringing together councillors for the town, local groups, organisations and residents to consider the future of the Curtis Museum. Informed by initial results from the survey, the workshop developed a wide range of potential ideas to make the Museum more attractive to visitors, more relevant to the local community and to increase funding. We look forward to keeping you updated as our work progresses.

Activities In November

For younger visitors Ancient Romans vs Ancient Britons We're travelling back 2000 years to the Roman invasion of Southern Britain. Our resident Roman, Marcus, and our resident Briton, Cedric, are recruiting. Choose your side and train with them if you have what it takes. Continues throughout the Autumn term.

New Autumn Facts Trail

Dotty the Dodo has a new Autumn Facts Trail to follow. Until 28 November. FREE.

Talk organised by the Friends of the Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery

The Importance of Mediaeval Women, Part 2. Continuing Caroline Stapleton's fascinating talk. Thursday 12 November. 7 for 7.30pm in Room 7, Alton Community Centre. Free to Friends, £2 for guests. Tea/coffee provided.

Curtis Museum & Allen Gallery

Opening Times - Tuesday to Saturday From 10am - 4.30pm | Tel: 01420 82802 www.hampshireculture.org.uk/curtis-museum

MR MAC - NOVEMBER NEWS Apple have finally released their HomeView: a video display, speaker and intelligent home controller in one. At £299 it is competitively priced, and it will be available from mid-November, in time for Christmas. Apple have also announced a range of partership products for the home, including a video doorbell, cameras and a central heating controller. These products are scheduled for release later this year, possibly in December. I have already placed my order for the HomeView and look forward to trying it out. Watch this space, or subscribe to my monthly newsletter, for reviews, advice and the latest tech news. Amazon are often criticised, but I have to say their customer service takes some beating. Using their ‘call back’ service, you can usually be talking to a real person within a few minutes. Recently they replaced a product I had bought 18 months earlier, well out of warranty, and refunded me for another that was past its return date. If you ever need help from Amazon, let me know and I can give you the right contact details. I should add that a polite approach goes a long way when dealing with support staff. Christmas is looming and many of you will be considering tech purchases. I am happy to offer unbiased advice should you want it. I am only a phone call or a WhatsApp message away! Andy – Mr Mac | andy@mistermac.co.uk

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www.bunchandbird.co.uk 25

EDUCATION

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR A FUTURE WE CANNOT PREDICT

confidence, character and capabilities to flourish in an uncertain future. As Gregg Davies, Director of Schools for the Learning Skills Trust, says: "We cannot predict the jobs. We can prepare the learner. The ability to keep learning may be the most important skill of all."

2040: The decade when many of today's primary and Prep aged children will begin their careers. Yet the world they enter is unlikely to be defined by a single profession or a straightforward career path. Instead, it will be shaped by rapid technological change, evolving industries and an increasing demand for uniquely human skills. In this context, one of the biggest questions facing parents and educators is: how do we prepare young people for a future none of us can fully predict? Knowledge remains, and always will remain, at the heart of education. A strong academic foundation is essential. However, in an age where information is instantly accessible and artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live and work, success will depend not only on what children know, but on how effectively they can apply that knowledge, adapt to change and continue learning throughout their lives. At Embley, we believe education should begin with the learner. Our role is not simply to prepare children for exams, but to equip them with the

This philosophy sits at the heart of Embley's Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB), an innovative framework designed to prepare children for the challenges of life as young adults, academically, personally and culturally. Success in the decades ahead will require far more than academic achievement alone. Young people need the confidence to lead, the curiosity to explore, the resilience to embrace change and the compassion to make a positive impact on others. They must be able to communicate with conviction, collaborate effectively and think independently. Through the Embley Pupil Profile and the PSB framework, we combine rigorous academic learning with the essential human skills that artificial intelligence and automation cannot replace. Whether pupils are leading a team project, performing on stage, competing in sport, undertaking adventurous activities or reflecting on personal goals, they are continually developing the capabilities that will serve them throughout life. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the children who thrive will be those who can learn and adapt. By combining academic excellence with purposeful skills development, Embley is preparing young people not just for the world they will inherit, but for the world they will help create. www.embley.org.uk

Reimagining education

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Make a Difference. Share Your Expertise. Inspire Future Generations.

Help Shape the Future of Education in Alresford Vita Multi Academy Trust, comprising Perins School, Sun Hill Junior School and Perins PreSchool, is seeking passionate, committed and experienced individuals to join its Trust Board. You will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of our schools, supporting highquality education and creating opportunities for every child to thrive. While previous trustee experience is not essential, we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with expertise in Education, Human Resources (HR) and Finance. We are also looking for candidates who can bring significant strategic leadership experience, ideally gained at board or senior executive level, and who share our values and commitment to educational excellence. As a Trustee, you will: Help shape the Trust's future vision Support effective governance and leadership Promote excellence across our schools Make a real difference to local children and families Provide strategic insight and professional expertise to support Trust decision-making

Interested in learning more? We would be delighted to hear from you, contact us at clerk@vitatrust.org.uk

Together, we can help every child achieve their full potential. Pound HiIl, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BS

www.vitatrust.org.uk

EDUCATION

St Swithun’s named Girls’ School of the Year

St Swithun’s School in Winchester is thrilled to announce that it has been named ‘Girls’ School of the Year’ at the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards.

Headmistress Jane Gandee and deputy head Graham Yates collected the award at the awards ceremony at The Law Society in central London. Jane received the award from Jeanette Cochrane, the Chief Executive of the Girls’ Schools Association. The judge praised the ‘unspoken sisterhood’ at St Swithun’s and how the school fosters a culture where girls lift each other up and empower students to see possibilities, not barriers. They recognised the school's commitment to helping every student find her own path while fostering a culture of support and ambition. The award entry highlighted St Swithun's commitment to enabling every student to follow a path that is right for them, whether that is challenging gender stereotypes in STEM subjects, reaching the national finals of the Oxford Schools Debate and MicroTyco Sustainability Challenge, or taking part in the school's pioneering approach to girls' sport and wellbeing. More than 80% of students participate in a sports team and 68% of sixth form students study at least one STEM A level. Jane Gandee said, “As a school, our fundamental belief is the power of an all-girls education. We believe every girl should have the confidence to follow her own path and the support to take her first steps towards it. We are delighted to receive

Graham Yates and Jane Gandee collect the Girls' School of the Year award from GSA Chief Executive Jeanette Cochrane

this award. It highlights the hard work of everyone in our school community from our students, teachers, support staff and our parents. Everyone should feel proud of this achievement.”

highlighting the achievements within the independent education community. Now in its ninth year, the awards continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in the sector.

Liz Norris prep head said, “We encourage our students to try new things and uncover their passions, safe in the knowledge they are supported by their classmates and teachers. We empower pupils from their very first steps and are thrilled to have been recognised as the best independent girls’ school in the country.”

This win follows a number of recent accolades for St Swithun’s including receiving the 2026 Alice Rose Award alongside Elstree Prep School in the Talk Education Awards for innovation in education.

Hosted by publishers of Independent School Parent magazine, the awards evening brought together distinguished guests and key figures from across the sector. An independent panel of judges selected the winners from over 1,000 nominations,

Find out more about how St Swithun’s are lighting the way for generations of girls at www.stswithuns.com

St Swithun’s, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HA T: 01962 835700 www.stswithuns.com

LIGHTING HER WAY

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NURSERY & PRESCHOOL

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FEATURE

Ever Decreasing Circles “It’s the spiral of despair,” Himself declared, mournfully. She looked up from her latest book club read, a depressing tale of such angst and woe that she wondered if he was reading it too. However, his eyes were fixed upon the TV. Yet again their unreliable broadband was taking a little break. Possibly having a nap. Or maybe merely a lapse in concentration. Whatever, streaming had ceased. The blue squirly circle was front and centre, the characters frozen in place. She offered to reboot the narcoleptic router and resolved to find a new provider. “No, it’s alright – I’ve seen it before..” he said, sadness dripping from every syllable. She had thought it all looked familiar; Midsomer Murders was having a re-run, or, quite probably had never left the screen on one channel or another in the first place. Not even in France, where they’d switched on the TV in their self-catering cabin to find Inspecteur Barnaby and Troy solving crimes in the most fetching fluent French. But Himself had generally been a little low of late, she’d noticed. She wasn’t sure if it was the casual comment from a friend that he’d entered a period of his life known as ‘sniper’s alley’. Or maybe that the last time he’d been to pick up his meds, they’d been in a pharmacy carrier bag. “With handles and everything!” he’d exclaimed in a horror-struck tone. She’d reminded him that he had ordered double amounts to see him safely medicated until his return from holiday. Brandishing the prescription carrier he proclaimed, “On our first holiday, my entire luggage was smaller than this!” Privately thinking that was because he’d packed all his stuff in her suitcase, she’d commiserated and they’d agreed that good health was wasted on the young. In any event, the holiday had come and gone, along with the summer. Summer had been a mixed bag: keeping the hanging baskets alive had been a struggle, but not worrying that rain was going to ruin the BBQ was nice. Although she could have done without the sweaty nights. A bit like the ever-decreasing circle of their life, really, she mused, as they wound down into their Autumnal years. A mixed pharmaceuticals bag of keeping the basket cases alive and, well, just not worrying about anything much.. Of course, the

sweaty nights still came and went with the fluctuations in her hormones, whatever the weather. Thankfully, November 5th loomed. Himself cheered up as his inner small boy resurfaced in time to go to the supermarket to buy some fireworks, just as he had done half a century before with his Mum. When he returned triumphant with a box of assorted pyrotechnics, he bemoaned the absence of bangers. “Honestly, it’s such a nanny state. We kids had bangers AND bows with pointy arrows, chocolate cigarettes and properly scary playgrounds,” he muttered as he carefully put everything away in an old metal box he kept for just such a purpose. She’d had the same childhood and she’d often wondered how they hadn’t blown up their hands, impaled a sibling, become chain smokers and survived the properly scary playground with tooth and limb intact. Sheer luck. They lit a small bonfire. Uber-careful Himself, mindful of the wildfire coverage of July and August, arranged an impressive assortment of firefighting equipment close at hand. She pondered that his cautious attitude might actually stem from his dangerous childhood. Or maybe the accompanying public information short films she remembered so well, laden with portents of doom. As darkness fell, a contingent of friends who had also survived similarly dangerous childhoods joined them for jacket potatoes and sausages, à la 1970s. More beneficiaries of the doom-laden shorts, they all admired and approved of the metal box and took turns in carefully lighting the blue touch paper and standing well back. Though tame and transient by organised display standards - with not a single drone in sight - the rockets whooshed, banged and rained sparkles. The group ‘ooh’ed and ‘aah’ed through mouthfuls of food and wine as the roman candles puffed multicoloured balls into the sky. Then with one final flourish, Himself lit the Catherine wheel. She watched the ever-decreasing circle of sparks grow smaller and slower, lighting up the face of Himself with youthful nostalgia. And smiled as she once more saw the man who’d crammed his little duffel bag with underpants and Brut and put everything else in her suitcase.

HOME

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ENVIRONMENT

Winchester puts nature at centre of future planning

ampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has welcomed a decision by Winchester City Council to recognise natural capital as strategic infrastructure, and is encouraging councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to bring forward similar motions within their own authorities.

Natural capital simply means the natural environment around us, from rivers and woodlands to soils, wetlands and coastlines, which provides essential services such as clean air for people, wildlife and the economy. At its meeting on 20 August 2026, Winchester City Council backed a motion recognising natural capital as strategic critical infrastructure. This means acknowledging that our communities and economy depend on nature and that it should be considered alongside other essential infrastructure when decisions are made about future growth, planning and investment. The motion also calls for nature recovery and climate resilience to be built into future plans. This comes at a critical time for nature, as Hampshire and the Isle of Wight face growing pressures including biodiversity loss, climate change, water scarcity, pollution, wildfires and flooding. Healthy rivers, aquifers, wetlands, soils, woodlands and coastlines can help address some of these challenges, while supporting water security, food production, public health and recreation. Important decisions are also being made now that will shape how the region grows and develops for years to come. The emerging Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority will have a role in areas including economic growth, housing, transport, infrastructure investment and strategic planning, including through its Local Growth Plan and future Spatial Development Strategy. Nature must be embedded into these plans to

future-proof the economy, ensure resilience for our communities and wildlife and long-term prosperity for the region.

places for people too. We hope to see other councils support this call and recognise the [strategic] importance of nature”

The Trust has written to council leaders encouraging councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to follow Winchester's lead. A collective commitment from local councils would send a strong signal that nature should be recognised as a strategic asset that underpins sustainable growth, climate resilience and community wellbeing.

Ask your council to stand up for nature

Niamh Tickner, Planning Policy and Campaigns Officer at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “Winchester's decision is an important step towards ensuring nature is prioritised and understood as essential to the region as Hampshire and the Isle of Wight plan for the future. “Decisions being made now will shape our communities for years to come, so it is vital that nature is part of those conversations and is considered from the outset. By recognising healthy natural systems as essential infrastructure, we can make more space for nature while creating healthier, more resilient

You can help show your support too. The Trust has created a simple letter that can be personalised and sent to your local councillor, asking them to support nature being recognised as strategic infrastructure and encourage their council to follow Winchester's example. You can also add your own personal reason for why local nature matters to you. If you’re unsure who your councillor is, visit: writetothem.com Download the template letter and ask your local councillor to support nature as strategic infrastructure at: www.hiwwt.org.uk/ media/13114

For more information and news from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust visit: www.hiwwt.org.uk

Your Local Roofing Experts

A Class Roofing and Construction Ltd (A Class Roofing) is an established roofing and construction business. We have been established, well known and well credited business and between us have more than 100+ years of roofing experience. We are a fully licenced and insured roofing business and perform our work with pride, safety and professionalism. We appreciate how important your home or business is to you and therefore we ensure our work is given the same care and attention as we would complete if we were performing on our own property. We pride ourselves with our customer service, health and safety knowledge, and our attention to detail. We will always try to ensure that any work is a "stress-free" project from start to finish for our clients. Please do contact us if you wish to discuss any roofing needs further or have a query in mind. We are always more than happy to help.

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Call us today for a free of charge home visit. The Bespoke Kitchen Co. are quite unique as we are able to offer top quality products, available in any size, fitted by the best professionals in the business. Change your kitchen and bedroom with a makeover or design and install a new kitchen and bedroom, whichever suits your needs or price range.

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COMMUNITY

New Alresford Town Council Could you help shape the future of New Alresford?

New Alresford Town Council currently has two vacancies for Town Councillors. If you're passionate about our town and would like to make a positive difference in your local community, we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact the Town Clerk using the details on the poster below.

At Stratton Bates, a number of elm trees in the hedgerow alongside Makins Court have been affected by Dutch elm disease and will need to be felled. At Arlebury Park and Memorial Gardens, several ash trees have been badly affected by ash dieback and are now in significant decline. These trees have reached the stage where felling is necessary to manage the risks they pose.

our Walking & Exploring New Alresford guide? Produced by New Alresford Town Council, the booklet features eight detailed, map-guided walks, taking you through the town and surrounding countryside, with plenty of opportunities to discover the area's history, beautiful scenery and hidden gems.

Where can you pick up a copy? The guides are available from several locations Dead trees can around the town, including: still be valuable • The iconic red telephone box information point for wildlife, providing habitats • New Alresford Town Council offices, Arlebury Park for insects, birds • Laurence Oxley Bookshop, Broad Street and other species, • The Watercress Line station so they do not • Alresford Library, Broad Street always need • You can also view the guide online via the Town to be removed. gone! e ’r y e h Council website. t However, where a dead or declining tree poses a to with up , e n o g safety risk, action is needed. This is the case for e ’r Whether you're a regular walker or simply fancy When they several willow, hazel and blackthorn trees at Sun ! e n o g getting out and exploring somewhere different, e ’r y the Hill Recreation Ground and Memorial Gardens. there's plenty to discover right on our doorstep! We understand that trees are an important part of Why not pick up a guide and see where your next our parks, and that it is disappointing to see them walk takes you? removed. The Council’s aim is to care for our trees wherever possible, while ensuring that our public November Calendar Winchesters best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside the city and spaces remain safe for everyone to enjoy. Please see this months Calendar of events and

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explore an Alladin’s cave of indoor and outdoor brands you won't nd on the high street. meetings. You are very welcome to attend all Discover New Alresford on Foot! Ample ee parking right outside. meetings withcity an opportunity Winchesters best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside the and at the start of the explore Alladin’s cave indoor and outdoor brands you won't high street. explore an Alladin’s cave of indoor and outdoor brands you won't ndon onthe the high street. theMeetings explore ananAlladin’s cave ofofindoor and outdoor brands you won't ndnd on the high street. Winchester’s best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside meeting to share any thoughts or ideas. explore Alladin’s cave ofstreet. indoor and outdoor brands you won't on the high street. on the high Ample free parking rightndoutside Lookingan After Our Trees

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are heldthe inthe the ground floor meeting room at Winchesters best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside city and Ample parking right outside. Ample ee parking right outside. Winchesters best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside the city and Ample eeee parking right outside. Winchesters best kept secret! Come and visit our large showrooms just outside city and Every two years, New Alresford Town Council city and explore an Aladin’s cave of indoor and outdoor brands you won’t find Ample ee parking right outside. Alresford Recreation Centre. explore an Alladin’s cave of indoor and outdoor brands you won't nd on the high street. arranges for Hampshire County Council’ s explore an Alladin’s of indoor outdoor won't ndthe on high the high street. explore an Alladin’s cavecave of indoor andand outdoor brands you you won't nd on street. onto the street. Ample freebrands parking right outside Arboriculture Team carry outhigh an independent Please don’t hesitate to contact our Town Clerk Ample parking right outside. Ample ee parking right outside. Ample parking right outside. survey of trees at Stratton Bates, Arlebury Park, eeee Sun Hill Recreation Ground and Memorial Gardens. The survey checks the health and condition of the trees and identifies any work needed to keep them safe.

Richard Doughty: townclerk@newalresford-tc. gov.uk

Planning/ Community Meeting Tuesday 3 November, From 7pm to 9pm Property Committee Meeting Tuesday 10 November From 7pm to 9pm www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk Full Council Meeting Tuesday 17 November From 7pm to 9pm www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk

As the landowner, the Council has a responsibility to manage its trees and reduce the risk of injury or 01962 883damage. 776 | Where London Kingsworthy, a tree isRoad found to pose a risk, the SO23 7QG volvo) survey may recommend pruning, other tree(opposite work or, if necessary, felling. 01962 883 776 | London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG 62 883 776 | London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG 1962 883 776 | London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG 2 883 776 | Unfortunately, London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk this year’ s survey has identified www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk (opposite volvo) (opposite volvo) (opposite volvo) (opposite volvo) New Alresford Town Council, Recreation Centre, Whether you're a local resident looking for a new more trees than usual that need to be felled this The Avenue, New Alresford, Alresford SO24 9EP walking route or a visitor wanting to explore our winter, mainly due to Dutch elm disease and ash 62 883 776 | London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG 1962 883 776 | London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG 2 883 776 | dieback. London Road Kingsworthy, SO23 7QG Tel: 01962 732079 | newalresford-tc.gov.uk beautiful market town, why not pick upwww.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk a copy of www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk

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HOME

Building or Renovating your own home. Who is looking after your interests? Building or renovating your home should be an exciting experience. You have a vision, perhaps a property you have owned for years, and the opportunity to create a home that is truly your own. But turning that vision into reality can also be stressful, complicated and expensive.

Behind every new build or major renovation are budgets, contracts, programmes, contractors, consultants, specifications, variations, decisions and risks. There are countless moving parts, and even a relatively small issue can become a costly problem if it is not identified and addressed early. • Your architect designs it. • Your contractor builds it. • Your consultants advise you.

But who is independently looking after you? A Client-Side Project Manager acts solely for you, providing independent oversight and experienced leadership throughout the project. From the Peter John Jordan Indpendent earliest decisions Client-Side Project through to Management completion, my role is to protect your interests, your investment and your expectations, while helping you remain informed and in control.

I would: • Challenge costs • Question decisions • Identify problems early • Co-ordinate the team • Monitor programme, quality and risk • Resolve conflicts • Offer value engineering • Help make sure your project stays on track For a homeowner, having someone experienced on your side can make a significant difference. A residential project may represent one of the largest investments you will ever make, so a missed issue, uncontrolled variation or avoidable delay can have serious financial and practical consequences. The earlier potential problems are identified, the greater the opportunity to deal with them before they become expensive. Independent client-side project management is not about replacing your architect, contractor or consultants. It is about providing an additional layer of experienced oversight, ensuring that the various people involved in your project are properly coordinated and that decisions are made with your wider objectives in mind. It can also make the experience considerably less stressful. Instead of spending your time chasing updates, questioning information, coordinating different parties or trying to understand what happens next, you have an experienced professional representing your interests and helping to keep everything moving. With more than 20 years' experience in property development and construction, I provide independent client-side project leadership for residential new builds, major renovations and residential projects across Hampshire and the surrounding areas.

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construction project. No project is completely free from change or uncertainty. Construction rarely follows a perfectly straight line. What matters is how challenges are identified, communicated and managed. Having someone experienced representing your interests means you do not have to navigate those challenges alone. The objective is simple: to give you greater confidence that your project is being properly managed, that important decisions receive appropriate scrutiny, and that emerging issues are dealt with before they have the opportunity to undermine your budget, programme or expectations. It means greater clarity, better communication and more confidence from the first conversation through to completion. It is not simply another project cost; in fact it may be a project saving. It is an investment in protection, clarity and peace of mind when committing to one of your most important investments: your home. If you are considering a new build, major renovation or significant residential project, an early conversation could help you understand where independent oversight may add value. I would be happy to meet for an informal, noobligation conversation about your plans, your concerns and the challenges you anticipate. Because when you are investing in your home, you deserve someone who is genuinely on your side. Peter John Jordan Independent Client-Side Project Management Hampshire & surrounding areas

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COMMUNITY

Winchester City Councillors' Report November

The Start of a New Local Plan

to an improvement in river water quality

The last Winchester District Local Plan became valid in March. As required by the present Government we are now preparing our next Local Plan. You may recall that WCC were close to finishing the local plan when the Labour administration took office. The Government has changed the timeline and process for the preparation of new Local Plans and now requires them to be prepared within a 30 month timescale, following defined stages. The first stage is Scoping Consultation. This is the first step in preparing the Local Plan 2044. The consultation asks for your views on the main issues the plan should address, such as housing, the environment, infrastructure and climate change, and it closes at 11.59pm on 9 October 2026. Please be aware, this stage of consultation does not include locations of future housing or employment sites.

Matters to be covered by the Local Plan

The Winchester District Local Plan 2044 will provide the strategy for development for the period 2026-2044, with a spatial vision for achieving sustainable growth and site allocations to achieve this.

Geographical Area to be covered by the Local Plan

In advance of the Local Government Reorganisation Structural Changes Order and transitional arrangements from Government, the local plan will cover the current administrative area of Winchester District excluding that part covered by South Downs National Park. Winchester City Council does not currently intend to prepare any Supplementary Plans, but this will be kept under review. The Council currently intends to incorporate design policies within the local plan. For more information look at the Winchester City Council website

New Car Park on The Dean

This long-awaited pay and display car park, has suffered further delays. A confusion between the developers and the council, as to

Road Traffic Dangers

One of the commonest issues that people mention, when councillors knock on doors, is traffic, potholes, the danger from vehicles and the poor standard of driving. One of your local councillors Clare Pinniger is taking the Advanced Driving course with the Institute of Advance Motorists (IAM), the UK’s leading road safety charity. Its role is simple, yet vital – to make journeys safer for everyone who uses the road. The Southampton branch (which covers SO and PO postcodes) is prepared to look at road locations that local people consider dangerous. Short video clips will be made, with commentary by a qualified IAM associate, with advice on how best to avoid pitfalls and best practice for typical situations. who was installing the lighting has meant that nobody asked SSEN to put power on site in a timely manner. We are hopeful it will be open in time for Father Christmas, but not, alas for Rotary Fireworks. For safety reasons it will now be 38 spaces, no surprise to those of us the know the site.

Replacement Waste Water Treatment systems (WWTPs)

The replacement systems have started to be installed in Bishops Sutton. This is a project funded by Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH), a pilot at present. If successful it will be rolled out across the region. It makes sense to test the idea with a pilot scheme and then apply lessons learned. As the River Itchen is both nitrate and phosphate restricted ,we are hopeful of local free upgrades for more homes. The results from smaller installations in removing nutrients have been mixed. These installations will be monitored by Winchester Council. On a happier note, the results from the larger system upgrades at our own WWTPs have been uniformly positive, and more are due for completion in 2027. You can see the results at Housing Performance - Winchester City Council. All this work will hopefully add up

Please email Clare Pinninger at cpinniger@ winchester.gov.uk if you have particular locations that concern you. Suggestions so far include underneath the bridge on Jacklyns Lane, The Dean, and the Cart and Horses junction. Clare is also in the process of filming short video clips of local celebrity potholes; again, if there are any you would like to suggest, please get in touch.

Margot Power T: 01962 734167 mpower@winchester.gov.uk

Clare Pinniger T: 01962 738788/07790 032349 cpinniger@winchester.gov.uk

Russell Gordon-Smith T: 01962 733219 rgordon-smith@winchester.gov.uk

COMMUNITY / HOME

Our new annual programme of events for 2026-27 started in September, and we have over 85 different interest groups to choose from such as Art, Dance and Fitness, Games, History, Music and Wellbeing. We also arrange excursions, classical concerts, monthly films and talks, plus a coffee morning and weekend activities. Over 60 of our groups have spaces available for you to join. Please see our website for full details. Depending on what you would like to do*, our membership fees range from £10 to £65 for the year ahead. You may join online via our website or by completing a membership application form that is available from the Alton Community Centre.

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Most of our activities take place at the Alton Community Centre, and we do have some outdoor activities such as cycling and walking. Our monthly talks and coffee mornings are open to everyone. Copies of our Annual Programme are available from the Alton Community Centre, Alton Library, the Curtis Museum and Alton Assembly Rooms. If you would like to find out more about a particular group, then you can contact the Group Leader via our website. For general membership enquiries, please contact the Membership Secretary at alton.u3a.members@gmail.com. * Subject to a space being available in the group. Please check with the Group Leader first before joining. Visit our website at: alton.u3asite.u

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HOME

DON S GARAGE DOORS

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FEATURE

Abbotstone: The Medieval Village That Time Forgot 

Hidden in the Hampshire countryside, near the River Itchen and a short distance from Old Alresford, lie the quiet earthworks of Abbotstone. Today, little more than banks, hollows and traces in the landscape reveal that a settlement once stood here. Yet during the Middle Ages, Abbotstone was a thriving rural community with houses, farmland, a church and a mill. The history of Abbotstone reaches back beyond the medieval period. An early charter, traditionally dated to around 1010 during the reign of Æthelred II, records land at Abbotstone belonging to the church at Winchester. By the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, Abbotstone was sufficiently established to be recorded as a settlement with a mill. The Domesday evidence indicates that it formed part of a substantial agricultural estate, reflecting the importance of farming in the medieval Hampshire landscape. The village was positioned on gently sloping ground close to a tributary of the River Itchen. Its location was significant. Archaeological evidence suggests that an old route passed through the area, connecting Winchester and the surrounding countryside. Such routes were important to medieval communities, providing opportunities for trade, travel and communication. Abbotstone was not simply a collection of farmhouses. Archaeologists have identified the remains of numerous property boundaries, house platforms and hollow ways. These earthworks provide a remarkable outline of the vanished village. Three parallel hollow ways have been identified, while one appears to have led towards the site of the medieval church. The remains suggest a planned settlement

containing individual plots, or crofts, in which houses, gardens and working areas were arranged. At the heart of medieval life was agriculture. The villagers would have cultivated crops, tended livestock and worked the surrounding fields. The mill recorded in Domesday would have been an important part of the local economy, probably processing grain grown in the surrounding countryside. The village church, dedicated to St Martin, provided another focus for community life. Its position can still be recognised from the surviving earthworks of the churchyard. For several centuries Abbotstone appears to have prospered. Historic England notes that documentary evidence suggests the settlement flourished until the early fourteenth century. After that, however, its fortunes changed. The reasons for the village's decline are not entirely certain. One explanation connects its fate with changes in the local road network and the growing importance of nearby Alresford. As routes shifted, Abbotstone may have lost some of the movement and commercial activity that had helped sustain it. Other factors may also have played a part. Across England, medieval villages were affected by population changes, economic difficulties, changes in land use and epidemics, including the Black Death. Historic England stresses that deserted villages generally had complex and varied histories rather than a single cause of abandonment. The decline of Abbotstone did not happen overnight. Medieval settlement patterns could change gradually, with houses disappearing, fields being reorganised and communities shrinking. Eventually, however, the village ceased to function as the substantial settlement it had once been. Its church also fell into ruin, and the

structure of St Martin's was ultimately removed. Ironically, Abbotstone's disappearance has helped preserve its medieval story. Unlike a continuously occupied village, the abandoned settlement was largely spared later building. Beneath the grass are archaeological deposits capable of revealing information about the people who lived there, their homes, their economy and their relationship with the surrounding landscape. The surviving banks and hollow ways are, in effect, a map of a vanished community. Abbotstone's story continued into the post-medieval period. The landscape later became associated with the Paulet family, and a substantial house and gardens were developed nearby in the seventeenth century. The changing use of the estate added another layer to a landscape that had already witnessed centuries of settlement and change. Today, Abbotstone may appear little more than a peaceful corner of Hampshire, but its fields conceal the outline of a medieval village. The grassy banks represent former property boundaries; the hollows mark streets and tracks; and the churchyard recalls a community whose inhabitants worshipped, worked and raised their families here centuries ago. Abbotstone is therefore more than a deserted village. It is a rare archaeological snapshot of medieval rural life. Its silence is deceptive: beneath the landscape survives the story of a community that once formed an important part of the countryside around Winchester and Alresford. For anyone interested in Hampshire's past, Abbotstone offers a fascinating reminder that sometimes the most revealing historical places are those where almost nothing appears to remain.

With kind thanks to Historic England and Alresford.org for historical information



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WELLBEING

Alresford Surgery News

Covid & Flu Vaccinations

Eligibility Criteria for Covid Seasonal Vaccine • Residents in a care home for older adults (all residents regardless of age) • All adults aged 75 years and over (including those due to turn 75 years of age on or before 31 January 2026) • Persons aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the specific 'Immunosuppression' subsection of tables 3 and 4 only of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book. Flu vaccination eligible cohorts from 1 October 2026: • Those aged 65 years and over • Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups • Those in long-stay residential care homes • Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person • Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals • Frontline health and social care workers We are well underway with vaccinating our patients. Vaccination clinics are being held here at Alresford Surgery. We will have appointment availability throughout the week and some Saturdays. Thank you, once again, for your support with this vaccination programme.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers

We would like to say a massive thank you to volunteers from The Alresford Pigs who have provided us with volunteer Marshalls for the fourth year running, who have been helping with directing patients at our Saturday Covid/Flu clinics. The Alresford Pigs Who raise money locally and give to worthy causes in Alresford and the surrounding villages. The Alresford Pigs Association has given financial help to those in need in Alresford and the surrounding villages for more than 40 years. You can find out more about them and join them by visiting; https://alresfordpigs.org/

Thank you to our wonderful staff

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to our wonderful staff who have organised, co-ordinated, vaccinated & inputted at our covid and flu clinics. Our team has given 1,080 covid & flu vaccines and 1,113 flu only vaccines (to date), this is ALL in addition to the usual workload.

Understanding Blood Tests

At our Alresford Surgery Patient Forum meeting in May the subject of blood tests was raised. It became clear from our discussion that patients do not always understand which blood tests have been requested, what the tests might be looking for, or how to access the results. Following this feedback, we committed to looking at how we could provide clearer information to help patients. We have therefore created a new 'Understanding Blood Tests' patient information leaflet. There is a lot of information to cover, so we have tried to keep the leaflet as straightforward and easy to understand as possible. It explains why blood tests may be requested, some of the different types of blood tests, what happens when you have a blood test, and how you can access your results. The leaflet is available on our website and we can also send a link to the leaflet by text

message or email to anyone who would find it helpful. This is a great example of how patient feedback can lead to positive changes. We really value the comments and suggestions we receive through our Patient Forum, as they help us identify areas where we can improve the information and services we provide. Our next Patient Forum meeting will be held online via MS Teams on Thursday 19 November at 7pm.

Men’s health awareness month Movember is our time to unite. To take on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Get support and more information: https://uk.movember.com/ mens-health/get-support

Opening Times Monday - Friday 8am - 6.30pm Saturday and Sunday - Closed Alresford Surgery, Station Road, New Alresford, SO24 9JL Tel: 01962 732345 www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

WELLBEING

ALRESFORD PODIATRY PROVIDING CARE SINCE 1999

WHY ARE WE STILL BUYING PLASTIC BOTTLED SPRING WATER? Every day, one of civilisation's greatest achievements serves us. Turn on a tap and water arrives instantly. We have solved one of humanity's oldest challenges: delivering water to our homes. Yet hidden within that success lies a paradox. With water flowing into every home, why has bottled water become a multi-billion-pound industry? Why do billions of single-use plastic bottles pollute the rivers, landscapes and oceans upon which healthy water depends?

Try our new easy to use online booking service at: www.alresfordpodiatry.co.uk Check out our range of services from £55 All your routine podiatry/chiropody care followed by a nail treatment and Swedish foot massage. Finished with nourishing foot butter and hot boot therapy.

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Perhaps the answer begins with a distinction we have overlooked. Hydration is usually measured by quantity: how much water we drink. Yet our behaviour suggests we instinctively seek quality. We are drawn towards water closer to nature because we recognise that not all water is experienced in the same way. Every spring aquifer is unique. As water flows through rocks, minerals, plants and living ecosystems, itsstructural coherence is continually informed by nature. Research is exploring how this natural relationship contributes to water's structural organisation, integrity and quality. This matters because hydration is not simply about how much we drink. Water interacts with our cells, membranes, proteins and connective tissues. Coherently structured water more closely reflects the natural conditions in which our biological systems evolved, suggesting its organisation, as well as quantity, may matter to hydration. Perhaps this is what we instinctively seek in bottled spring water. What happens, then, when water undergoes chemical treatment and is forced through miles of pipework? Could something be damaged along the way?

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More than forty years ago, Austrian water researcher Johann Grander asked: could the quality of water already entering our homes be restored? Inspired by nature, he developed GRANDER® Water Revitalisation, designed to restore qualities to tap water associated with naturally vital, coherently structured spring water. People living with revitalised water often describe enjoying their tap water, drinking more readily and ceasing dependence on bottled water. Families also report healthier plants, less limescale and pets naturally preferring revitalised water when given the choice.

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These lived observations invite a different question: perhaps the real innovation is not another bottle, but a renewed custodianship of life's most sacred resource. By filtering and then revitalising the water entering our homes, we protect the natural world, contribute to a healthier legacy for generations to come, and make a real difference to the Earth that sustains us.

WELLBEING

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COMMUNITY / WELLBEING

JACKIE'S COUNTY CORNER Law Sunday is on the second Sunday in October. As is customary, Councillors don velvet trimmed gowns, white gloves and tricorn hats, and walk through Winchester to attend a service at the Cathedral, standing with the Judiciary in all its forms to acknowledge the Rules of Law which most citizens follow. This year, five young representatives of beneficiary sports charities bravely stood to say prayers on our behalf. One theme of the service was kindness, even and especially to strangers, and another to make the best of every opportunity that life gives you. Life can be hard for so many young people who are in care. Adopt South is a consortium of Local Authorities who work so hard to find adoptive homes for children in care with no prospect of returning to their parents. Adopt South holds regular open days to explore this with no obligation to continue into the path of adoption, but one of these events could be just what you need to set out on the adoption journey. Go to www. hants.gov.uk and search ‘Adopt South’ for details or call 03003 000 011 In all communities in the Itchen Valley, the public are being encouraged to be more active, but well, frankly, we are in danger of running out of space and volunteers! It can take courage to be a leader and take up a volunteering role . Could you be a volunteer, even for one day a year to share your skills with others? There are many organisations keen to welcome new volunteers! You are welcome to contact me or if you want to find out more, go to the Community First website www.cfirst.org.uk for details of how to register your volunteering offer. Water in all its forms is a constant theme at the County Council especially as winter approaches. We have had member briefings on how the County will manage snow and ice on roads, and homes flooding from the HCC emergency and flood teams, and briefings from both Southern and South East water on their Capital Plans to ensure constant supplies in the future. Please register with your water company for priority support if you are vulnerable. If you are worried because your home has come near to flooding in the past decade, please get in touch so I can check if there are highways drains etc that might need clearance. And although we are not expecting snow and frost imminently, please request your local grit bin to be topped up if the stock is low. To do this, go to ‘report it’ tab on the hants.gov.uk website and quote the bin number (found on the inside of the lid) Councillor Jackie Porter - Tel: 07973 696085 Email: Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk

ALRESFORD RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB As the long, hot summer seems to be finally drawing to a close, we have started our rugby season in earnest. We have welcomed back many of last seasons team and are also integrating a number of new players to form this year’s squad. Due to the issues with the weather this summer, our preseason was curtailed quite severely, which has meant we have started the season a little bit behind where we would like to be. But, although our first two games have resulted in defeats, the performances have improved exponentially, the new players are starting to gel, and we remain confident that we will soon be getting the results we deserve.

Our fixtures for November are;

• New Milton (a) 7th November • Gosport and Fareham 2s (h) 14th November • Sandown and Shanklin 2s (h) 21st November Our Men’s Training continues throughout the season, and new attendees are always welcome. The sessions run on Tuesday evenings at the NATTA ground at the back of the Arlebury from 7pm to 8.30pm, with our Women’s team, the Black Swans, having their training sessions on Wednesday evenings, at the same times. We would love to see as many of you as possible at these matches to cheer our players on throughout the season. We are constantly looking for new players, members, administrators and sponsors to join this thriving club, with further details shown below. Further details, particularly with regards to sponsorship opportunities can be found on our website. So, on behalf of Alresford Rugby Club, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at some point over the coming months.

Where compassionate care meets refined country living. Book a tour – we’d love to show you our beautiful home.

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FEATURE

Kingley Vale: A Living Piece of History

ucked away in the South Downs, just north-west of Chichester in West Sussex, Kingley Vale is one of the most remarkable natural landscapes in southern England. Famous for its ancient yew trees, rolling chalk grassland and fascinating archaeological remains, the area has a history stretching back thousands of years. Today, Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve covers around 150 hectares within the South Downs National Park. It is particularly famous for its ancient yew woodland, which is considered one of the finest examples in Europe. The reserve contains a remarkable grove of veteran yew trees, with some estimated to be between 500 and 2,000 years old. Several have trunks more than five metres in circumference, making them among the oldest living trees in Britain.

A remarkable history

The story of Kingley Vale is not just about its trees. The landscape contains evidence of human activity going back thousands of years. There are numerous archaeological features across the reserve, including Iron Age forts and Bronze Age burial mounds. In total, Kingley Vale contains 14 scheduled ancient monuments, making it one of the important archaeological landscapes in southern England. The ancient yews themselves have inspired stories and legends. Their extraordinary age has led to speculation about why they were planted and how they survived for so long. Some traditional stories suggest connections with Viking warriors, while other theories link the trees with medieval use of yew wood for longbows. Although such stories are difficult to prove, they add to the mystery and character of the grove.

Kingley Vale's importance was formally recognised in 1952, when it became one of the first National Nature Reserves in England. Other sites designated in that pioneering group included Holme Fen, Yarner Wood, Moor House, Cavenham Heath and Ham Street Woods. Kingley Vale was selected because of its exceptional yew forest and species-rich downland grassland.

One of the most remarkable recent discoveries at Kingley Vale demonstrates that there is still much to learn about this ancient landscape. In 2025, a visitor discovered the Blue-Based Earthtongue fungus, Microglossum cyanobasis, in the ancient yew woodland. Identification was subsequently confirmed using DNA sequencing, making it the first recorded sighting of this species in the United Kingdom.

This was an important moment in British conservation. National Nature Reserves were created to protect some of the country's most important habitats, species and geological features, while also providing opportunities for research and education. Kingley Vale therefore became not simply a beautiful place to visit, but a place where nature could be protected and studied for future generations.

A landscape for the future

Wildlife and wildflowers

Although the yews are the reserve's most famous residents, Kingley Vale supports a remarkable variety of wildlife. Its chalk grassland is home to plants such as bird's-foot trefoil, kidney vetch and fairy flax, as well as numerous orchid species. Among the orchids recorded at the reserve are bee, common spotted, frog and fly orchids. The reserve is also an excellent place for butterflies. An impressive 39 of the 58 butterfly species known to breed in England have been recorded at Kingley Vale. Visitors may encounter species such as the chalkhill blue, holly blue and brimstone. Birds are abundant too, with nightingales, green woodpeckers, blackcaps, marsh tits and grasshopper warblers among the species found there. Buzzards, kestrels, red kites and other birds of prey can often be seen above the surrounding downs.

Kingley Vale is a rare combination of nature, history and archaeology. Its ancient trees connect the modern visitor with centuries of Sussex history, while its chalk grasslands provide a home for plants, insects, birds and other wildlife. More than 70 years after its designation as one of England's first National Nature Reserves, Kingley Vale remains a powerful example of why protected landscapes matter. The reserve shows that conservation is not simply about preserving the past; it is also about giving nature the opportunity to thrive in the future. Whether visitors come to admire the ancient yews, explore the archaeological remains, look for orchids and butterflies, or simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the South Downs, Kingley Vale offers a remarkable glimpse into Britain's natural and human history. Its ancient trees may have witnessed hundreds of years of change, but the reserve continues to evolve—and, as the discovery of a previously unrecorded British fungus shows, it can still surprise us.

For more information on Kingley Vale visit: www. https://publications.naturalengland. org.uk/publication/5859253

GARDEN

C&D Trees All Tree & Hedge Care

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Load of logs - £100 per truck load

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Garden machinery sales and service All makes of garden machinery serviced and repaired. New machines available from the best suppliers in the industry. Large showroom onsite or shop online.

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GARDEN

HAMPSHIRE LAWN EXPERTS BEHIND BRITAIN'S BEST PUB GARDEN Shrekfeet Lawncare celebrates as the Tichborne Arms wins Best Pub Garden at the Great British Pub Awards 2026 The Tichborne Arms, the thatched country pub in the village of Tichborne near Alresford, has been crowned Best Pub Garden at the Great British Pub Awards 2026. Family-owned Hampshire lawncare specialist Shrekfeet Independent Lawncare, which looks after the pub's lawns, is celebrating alongside them.

Daren George - your local pest controller from Alresford • Rats & Mice, Moles, Squirrels, Rabbits, Wasps, Crawling & Flying Insects, Live Bee removals

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The award, sponsored by Diageo and run by pub trade title The Morning Advertiser, was presented at a ceremony in Leeds on Wednesday 23 September. Judges visited pubs across the country before choosing this year's winners. Located by the South Downs National Park, the Tichborne Arms, already winner of Best Pub in Hampshire at the National Pub & Bar Awards in June this year, is a favourite with walkers, cyclists, families and dog owners. Shrekfeet has provided specialist lawn treatment services since the pub opened in 2022, including seasonal lawn treatments, aeration, scarification and over-seeding. Ian Kenyon, owner of Shrekfeet, said: “We're absolutely thrilled for Susie, Joel and the whole team at the Tichborne Arms. They've created something really special and it's an honour and rewarding to have played our part. A pub garden is one of the toughest lawns you can look after. Hundreds of people walk across it every week, kids are running about, dogs are everywhere and our services have to happen outside of busy pub hours. It's got to look fantastic and take a real hammering at the same time.” With so many children and dogs using the garden, safety sits at the heart of how Shrekfeet works. Shrekfeet isn't a franchise, so it chooses every product it uses and ensures it's exactly right for the lawn it cares for. Each one is approved for use and applied at the correct rates by City & Guilds trained technicians. Ian added: “Safety isn't something we'll ever cut corners on. When a family sits down on grass with a toddler and the dog, they need to know it's safe, full stop. That's why we hold BASIS Lawn Assured accreditation and are members of the UK Lawn Care Association.

are held to a recognised industry standard. Every product Shrekfeet use, on every lawn we care for, is always completely safe for people, pets and wildlife.” Joel Czopor, Landlord at the Tichborne Arms, said: “The garden is the heart of the pub, especially in the summer. We get families, walkers and loads of dogs, so we need a lawn that looks the part but that we're completely confident is safe for everyone. Ian and the Shrekfeet team have been brilliant. They really know their stuff, they work around our busy days, and they always tell us when they are coming, exactly what's been done and anything extra the lawn would benefit from. Winning Best Pub Garden is down to the whole team, and Shrekfeet are definitely part of that.”

GARDEN / MOTORING

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Classic Defender, Land Rover, Jaguar service, repair and restoration. • Automatic gearbox service • Visiting by appointment

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COMMUNITY

EXHAUSTED BY THE AIR YOU BREATHE? NO EXCUSE FOR BEING IDLE! Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health, and the UK has the highest rates of childhood asthma in Europe. There are two main pollutants in our urban areas: nitrogen dioxide, which largely comes from transport, and particulate matter (tiny particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air), which comes from transport in the form of brake dust and tyre wear, and from wood burning. Most of this pollution is invisible and that can make it more dangerous. Babies in prams and young children may breathe up to 60% more polluted air because they inhale more than adults in proportion to their body weight, breathe closer to ground-level sources of air pollution such as vehicle exhausts, and are less able to control their exposure. This can damage their bodies and stunt lung development. Polluting particles don’t just stay in the lungs. The smallest can pass into the bloodstream, hitch a ride on red blood cells and travel around

the body, triggering inflammation and damaging organs along the way. They’ve now been found in almost every organ of the human body - which is why particulate matter is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen and considered the air pollutant most harmful to human health. As we head into winter, drivers are tempted to keep engines running to stay warm (although increasingly this is happening in hot weather too, to keep cool). Some things worth knowing: When you start a car, the fastest way to warm the cabin is to drive away gently after 30 seconds. This warms up the engine faster than idling, delivering hot air to the cabin much sooner. If you stop, turn the engine off but leave the electronics turned on. The vehicle's heating core will continue to blow warm air for up to 30 minutes, using residual engine heat. Idling for just 10 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting the vehicle. Modern electronic ignitions and batteries are designed to handle frequent stop-starts without excessive wear. An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust fumes as an engine in motion. In just one minute, a single idling car produces enough exhaust to fill up to 150 balloons with harmful chemicals, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide.

Toxic exhaust fumes contribute to many health conditions, including asthma, lung disease, cancer, dementia, stroke, heart problems, and more. Many people do not know that under UK law it is in fact an offense (Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) to leave your engine idling unnecessarily while parked on a public road – and drivers can be fined for doing this. Our tips for breathing cleaner air: 1. Walk, cycle or even scoot whenever you can! Pedestrians and cyclists breathe cleaner air than those who travel by car on the same route. Outside, the air is cleaner because fumes disperse more easily. Inside the car, fumes from vehicles in front are drawn in and can't escape 2. Choose a greener walking route. Look for a route with lower traffic or pavements set back from the road 3. Step back when waiting at a crossing particularly when waiting with children 4. Switch off your engine whenever it is safe to do so

For more local information on our environment and living more sustainably visit the website: newleafalresford.org

ALRESFORD ROTARY NOVEMBER NEWS “Remember, Remember the Sixth of November – Gunpowder, Treason and Plot” Alresford Rotary’s major community event of the year takes place on Friday 6th November. At 7.00 p.m. precisely between two and three thousand people will take part in a torchlight procession from the top of Broad Street, along West Street and Pound Hill to Arlebury Park to see the lighting of the bonfire and the burning of the Guy and from about 8.00pm. One of the best firework displays in midHampshire, expertly provided by Pains Fireworks Limited. Refreshments will be available in the car park at Arlebury Park. Tickets will be available on the night but are also available in advance through Alresford Rotary’s website. As well as being a great community event it is Alresford Rotary’s major fundraiser of the year. Please support it so that Alresford Rotary can help local and international need. Please note that for reasons of safety West Street and The Avenue (and immediately adjacent roads) will be closed during the course of the procession. We aim to keep the closure to as short a time as

possible (probably between approximately 6.55pm and 7.30pm) to minimise any inconvenience. Stagecoach buses will avoid Alresford town centre during the road closure.

Christmas is Coming!

Another way of helping Alresford Rotary to provide greater support for local and international need is to patronise the annual sale of good quality, locally sourced Christmas trees from 8.00 a.m. on the morning of Saturday 5th December at the top of Broad Street. All trees have normally been sold well before noon.

Alresford Rotary in the midHampshire Community

If you’re interested in supporting Rotary’s

activities please get in touch. We now have four female members and would love to have some more. Whatever your age, whatever your gender, if you’re interested in making a difference to your community and the wider world and having fun in doing so, let us know! James Pinniger

Email: rotaryalresford@gmail.com Tel:07973747305 Website: alresford-rotary.org

MOTORING

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

M.O.T TESTING CENTRE

Class 4 - Cars and Vans up to 3,000kg Class 5 - Minibuses Class 7 - Vans from 3,000 - 3,500kg All makes of cars and vans serviced and repaired All makes of truck and campervan up to 7500kg maintained and prepared for ministry plating tests

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ALRESFORD MOTOR SERVICES LTD MOT TEST CENTRE

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

Class 4 MOT's

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Engine Diagnostics Offsite M.O.T Tests Nissan Elgrand Specialists Cambelt Replacement Exhaust Supply & Fitting Tyre Supply & Fitting Electrical Repairs Clutch Repair Courtesy Car

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COMMUNITY

Alresford Chamber of Commerce News Member of the Month:

Home Instead This month, the Alresford Chamber of Commerce is delighted to recognise Home Instead as our Member of the Month. Known for their compassionate, personalised approach to home care, Home Instead continues to make a meaningful difference to families across our community. Their Care Professionals don’t believe in one size fits all solutions. Instead, they take the time to listen, understand, and adapt— creating tailored care plans that evolve with each individual's changing needs. By turning challenges into opportunities, they help people live life better in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Home Instead’s award winning team embodies the values of dignity, respect, and genuine human connection. We are proud to celebrate their contribution to Alresford and the surrounding area. 01962 736681 www. homeinstead.co.uk/care/

Dance Together, Alresford: A Retro 80s & 90s Celebration for All Back to the ’80s and ’90s at The Swan!

Dig out those leg warmers, dust off your neon outfits and get ready for an evening of dance-floor favourites at The Swan Hotel in Alresford. Alresford Chamber of Commerce invites you to an ’80s and ’90s disco on Thursday 10 December, from 7.30pm to 11pm, raising funds to support events in the town. With a DJ playing hits from two unforgettable decades, there will be plenty of opportunities to dance, sing along and relive some musical memories. Whether you love ’80s pop or ’90s dance anthems, come along and enjoy a lively night with friends and neighbours. Fancy dress is encouraged, with a prize for the best outfit. Think big hair, bold colours and your favourite looks from the era—but dressing up is entirely optional. A bar will be available throughout the evening.

Tickets cost just £5 and are available in advance or on the door. Numbers are limited, so booking ahead is recommended. For advance tickets and enquiries, email treasurer@alresfordchamber.co.uk. Or online via Paypal at www.alresfordchamber.co.uk/ disco - The venue is The Vault, The Swan Hotel, 11 West Street, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9AD. Come for the music, stay for the dancing and help support future events in Alresford!

The Chamber is about supporting and celebrating commerce in Alresford and the surrounding areas! Here’s how we do it

We help to encourage and support local businesses, whether established or startups, to flourish in our vibrant community. We’re committed to maintaining high standards of trading and creating a friendly atmosphere of trust between business owners and the wonderful public they serve. We advocate for our members, making sure their voices are heard by Parliament, government agencies, and local authorities on subjects that matter to them. We enjoy teaming up with the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and other organisations to host social and vocational events that bring us closer together. Our partnerships with local groups focus on community initiatives that benefit everyone because we can achieve more together! We also love giving back to the community by supporting local charities through donations

and volunteer efforts, as decided by our committee. Promoting Alresford is key to sustaining its lively spirit and economic activity, and we’re all in! In addition to our exciting activities, we proudly arrange vibrant community events that bring everyone together, such as our delightful Easter Egg Hunt and our thrilling Ghost Hunt—perfect for families and friends alike which encourages the community to walk around the town and support the local shops and businesses Our "Member of the Month" spotlight showcases a featured member, helping to promote their business and offering them the chance to host a Chamber Chat, enhancing their visibility in our network. Don’t miss our insightful "Ask the Experts" events held twice a year, where you can gain knowledge from our Chamber Committee. Plus, join us for our popular fish and chip supper at the Swan Hotel, where great food meets great company! Let's engage, connect, and celebrate together! Annual membership (1st April – 31st March £60) includes affiliation to the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. Together we are stronger! To join the chamber, visit www.alresfordchamber.co.uk and download the application form or email info@ alresdordchamber.co.uk Keep track of our events, follow us on Facebook @AlresfordChamberofCommerce / AlresfordCofC / info@alresfordchamber. co.uk /www.alresfordchamber.co.uk

DIAMANTINA Above and Beyond Quality

Sell Your Unwanted Gold, Jewellery, Diamonds & GoldWatches We will buy your antique and quality vintage jewellery or gold watches. We will also buy your unwanted or broken/damaged gold, silver or platinum jewellery. Items we buy include:

• Broken/tangled gold or silver jewellery • Platinum & Palladium Jewellery • Jewellery with missing stones • Gold Watches • Gold or silver coins (sovereigns, krugerrands etc) • Single or pairs of gold or silver earrings • Old rings – wedding & engagement rings • Certificated Diamonds

Best prices paid from people you can trust Simply bring along your Items in to our shop for an instant, free, no obligation cash offer. You will need to bring photographic ID and proof of address (driving licence or passport & utility bill). Payment methods - Cheque - Bank Transfer - Cash - Part Exchange. *Diamantina Jewellers reserve the right to refuse to buy any items offered to us.

Our other services include:

Jewellery Design

Jewellery Repair

Our pieces are not only featured in-store but appear in popups all over the world. Our designs will not only inspire you, they will transform you.

We have a full range of jewellery repair and maintenance services. From cleaning and tightening to repairing breaks and resizing, our team can help you.

diamantinastore.com 81 Parchment Street, Winchester, SO23 8AT Tel: 07951 760899

BOOK YOUR HEARING CHECK