Meon Valley Living Issue 55 - April 2020

Living

ISSUE 55 APRIL 2020

MEON VALLEY

Life in your Community

Easter ED CHAMBERLIN Talks to Meon Valley Living

NEW ENGLAND SELF-DRIVE With Amity Travel

HORSE RIDERS! South Downs National Park Needs You

THE SPRING GARDEN Top Tips

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

MEON VALLEY LIVING APRIL 2020

CONTENTS 04 April Events

29 Professional

Local events in the Meon Valley

06 Entertainment

Discover local events and days out in Hampshire

08 New England Self-Drive

Looking after your health and yourself!

08 Lillie Rose Beauty

Meon Valley Living speaks with Owner Charlotte Pusey

14 Garden

36 Food & Drink

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With Amity Travel

11 Wellbeing

Make your garden dream come true.

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

14

Eat out or stay in.

Discover local cuisine

38 Home

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

40 Horse Riders!

South Downs National Park needs your help

44 Celebrate 10 Years

Of South Downs National Park

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Contacts Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Marketing Rob Harrison rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk Design Manager James Curtis james@forumpublications.co.uk Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors Lucia Foster-Found www. luciafosterfound.com Gill Grant gill@forumpublications.co.uk

14 The Spring Garden

Top tips

Get in Touch

20 New Seaon?

New Gardening Trends

Forum Publications Offices 11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9AR Tel: 01962 735137

Find out the latest trends

www.forumpublications.co.uk

22 Hampshire People

Meon Valley Living speaks with Ed Chamberlin

24 Animals & Pets

From Canine to Equine - all your animal needs

27 Motoring

Local services to keep your vehicle running smoothly

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Meon Valley Living contains facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, advertisements and other content and links to external websites not owned or controlled by the magazine. Meon Valley Living 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.

Meon Valley Living 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 Š Forum Publications Ltd, 2020

MEON VALLEY

APRIL EVENTS

Wednesday 1 & 8, Saturday 4 & 11, Sunday 5 & 12 Winchester City Mill 2020 Milling Demonstrations

Visit on a milling day and see our team of volunteer millers in action as they harness the power of the River Itchen to turn waterwheels, gears and millstones to produce Winchester City Mill's traditional wholemeal flour. Our milling demonstrations are ongoing throughout the day ( subject to volunteer availability). The Mill's expert millers will guide you round and answer any questions you have about this working watermill. Booking Not Needed.

A National Trust Event - Start 11:00. End 15:00.

Free Event but Normal Admission Charges Apply.

Check website for latest information.

Winchester City Mill, Bridge Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0EJ

Saturday 4 Winchester Science Centre: After Dark

A chance for adults to enjoy a child-free exploration of the hands-on exhibition floors and bespoke show in the planetarium. An evening where adults are able explore their own curiosity in science with full access to the hands-on exhibition floors and the opportunity to enjoy a bespoke presenter-led planetarium show on the topic of 'Life'. The Hub Cafe & Bar will be open for drinks and light snacks. Tickets: £12.50 per person (50% discount for Annual Pass holders).

Strictly ages 18yr+. If you're lucky enough to look younger, please bring ID. This event takes place on Saturday 4th April, from 6.30pm More information and tickets at www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Saturday 4 - Sunday 19 Spring Time Easter Activities at Butser Ancient Farm

Join us for a cracking Easter at Butser Ancient Farm. We’ll be open throughout the week and now also at weekends from 10 till 5 with lots to eggs-plore and discover! Meet our newborn baby lambs, go on the hunt for clues to crack our springtime trail and learn a new skill with a hands-on demonstration. Over the Easter weekend come and meet the Saxons from Herigeas Hundas who will be joining us from Friday 10th to Monday 13th April with demonstrations, traditional crafts, cooking and combat displays. This year they will also be joined by Iron Age Britons and Pictish Warriors! On the 18th and 19th April the Romans from the Butser IX Legion will also be taking up residence in the Roman Villa with displays, demonstrations and an insight into Roman life.

Everyday of the holidays there will be the chance to get hands on with some DIY archaeology experiments from mini mosaic making to wattling.

The Easter holidays are also a chance to see our Wickerman being constructed and have a sneak peak at the top secret 2020 design! (any guided activities will run in sessions between 11 and 3pm.)

savings if you book early, we offer great value for money. Book by the day or week and you can use childcare vouchers to pay too, and change dates for free up to 14 days in advance! For peace of mind, Ultimate Activity Camps are Ofsted registered and all our staff are DBS cleared and qualified teachers or instructors. Open from 8am to 6pm. Twyford School, Twyford, Winchester Hampshire SO21 1NW

Sunday 5

Open Gardens for NGS: Twin Oaks

Sunday 12 & Monday 13

Beautiful 5 acre garden best known for its mirror image herbaceous borders. Also carpets of spring bulbs, especially snowdrops and a large and unusual collection of plants and shrubs giving yr-round interest. 1 acre walled garden featuring prize-winning vegetables, fruit and flowers. Small arboretum. Many hardy Nerine cultivars.

Suns 9 Feb, 5 Apr, 14 June, 12 July, 9 Aug, 13 Sept (2-4). Admission £5, Children free. Home-made teas. Times:14:00 to 16:00. Open for charity.

Bramdean House, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0JU

Continually evolving acre suburban woodland water garden, designed and planted by owners, bordered by mature oak beech and birch trees.

Enjoy spring colour from azaleas, rhododendrons and bulbs. The lawn meanders between informal beds and ponds and bridges lead to a tranquil pergola seating area overlooking a wildlife pond.

Rockery skirted by a stream with a waterfall into a lily pond. Aviary. Sun 12, Mon 13 Apr, Sun 24, Mon 25 May, Sat 25, Sun 26 July (1-5).

Admission £3.50, Children free. Home-made teas.

Times:13:00 to 17:00. Visits also by arrangement Apr to Aug for groups of up to 20.. Open for charity. Twin Oaks, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 1LW

Monday 6

Wednesday 22

East Meon Gardening Club Talk

Bishop's Waltham Gardening Club Talk

Open Garden for NGS: Bramdean House

Plants in Awkward Places by Roger Hirons.

7.15pm for 7.30pm at East Meon Village Hall.

Members free, visitors £2.

Monday 6 - Friday 17 Ultimate Activity Camps at Twyford School - Winchester

We provide outstanding holiday childcare for 4-14 year olds in the school holidays, where the children’s welfare and having fun are our primary concern! Every day, children will enjoy a brilliant mix of sports, games and creative activities led by inspiring staff at amazing locations! With great

Our April meeting this year features Geoff Hawkins with his theme “Growing Veg in a Small Garden” which must be of interest to most of us. Even the smallest space can provide a true home-grown vegetable and avoids the ‘glut’ that we allotmenteers often suffer from! So, don’t miss Geoff’s interesting talk on Wednesday 22nd April at; Bishop's Waltham Junior School, Oak Road, Bishop's Waltham SO32 1EP; Members Free; Visitors £2; Refreshments; Raffle; Doors open at 7.15pm. Good parking.

Please do check to make sure that the events have not been cancelled due to coronavirus

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ENTERTAINMENT Robert starts with an idea of what the overall layout of the piece will be, and then designs and tries out small areas in isolation before weaving increasingly longer lengths of ribbon to see how each strip works with its neighbours. The final process is to weave a complete length of each ribbon which can then be mounted and framed. Through this process the finished piece evolves over a considerable length of time.

Works in Silk by Robert Ely: 28 March to 21 June ‘Works in Silk’, an exhibition by silk ribbon weaver Robert Ely, will open at Whitchurch Silk Mill on 28 March 2020. Weaving is on the Heritage Crafts Association Red List of Endangered Crafts, and silk weavers are few in number, so this is a unique opportunity to see silk ribbons woven in the UK showcased in the country’s oldest silk mill.

Robert Ely studied hand weaving at West Surrey College of Art and Design, graduating in 1989, and in 1995 his connection with the Whitchurch Silk Mill began as he completed a short internship there to study weaving shed operations.

In 1996 he began to design and weave jacquard silk ribbons for his new studio, called Papilionaceous. At first Robert intended to weave silk for bow ties, which in French are ‘papillon’ – the butterfly – and so Papilionaceous, a word meaning butterfly-like, was born. The studio relocated to Dartmouth, Devon in 2001.

Robert is now able to devote more time to the artistic side of his work, designing and weaving wall pieces assembled from multiple woven silk ribbons and inspired by local Devon land and seascapes. The ribbons are woven on a narrow fabric jacquard loom which weaves at a width of 4cm. As with any other form of weaving, the appearance of the finished piece is a combination of weave structure and yarn colour. The jacquard mechanism allows greater control over where the structures and colours are used.

Winchester Poetry Prize 2020 launched

place from 8 to 12 October. First prize is £1,000, second prize is £500, and third prize is £250.

Judge, Andrew McMillan photograph courtesy of Urszula Soltys

An annual poetry competition celebrating the best in new writing for 2020 has been launched. The Winchester Poetry Prize is organised by the Winchester Poetry Festival and is open to poets from around the world.

This year’s entries will be judged by Andrew McMillan,whose first collection, physical, was the only poetry collection to ever win The Guardian First Book Award and was the Poet in Residence at Basingstoke Discovery Centre in 2012. He is also a senior lecturer in the Manchester Writing School.

The winner will be announced at the Winchester Poetry Festival, which takes

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There will also be a prize for the best poem written by a Hampshire-based poet.

Stephen Boyce, Chair of Winchester Poetry Festival, said: “The Winchester Poetry Prize is a well-respected and cherished annual event in our calendar. We are looking forward to seeing all the entries come in over the next few months and wish everyone entering, the very best of luck.”

The competition is for original, unpublished poems of up to 40 lines on any subject and in any form or style.

Poems should be in English, must be the entrant's own work and should not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere (including online), should not have won another poetry competition or be the translated work of another poet.

The Winchester Poetry Prize has been generously sponsored by Paris Smith and the prize for the best poem by a poet living in Hampshire is kindly donated by Warren & Son. Closing date is 31 July 2020. More details can be found at https://www. winchesterpoetryfestival.org/prize

This is Robert’s first solo gallery exhibition outside Devon and brings together weaving from all areas of his work. Visitors will see one-off and limited-edition wall panels through to woven silk costume ribbons used for film and television, including the BBC’s ‘Poldark’, all brought to life at the Mill.

The exhibition is free with Mill admission and runs until Sunday 21 June 2020. The Mill is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am to 5.00pm.

Whitchurch Silk Mill, 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL

Eostre with the Saxons

Honour the ancient celebration of Ēostre with your ancestors this Easter weekend and welcome back the spring at Butser Ancient Farm.

The weekend will be filled with living history displays from weaving and authentic cooking to wood and leather crafting.

There will also be exciting combat displays throughout the weekend, visitors can come face to face with terrifying warriors as they do battle in the shield wall and come under fire from skilled archers.

On Saturday evening there will be the unique opportunity to join the warriors from Herigeas Hundas and visiting tribes around the fire of Butser Ancient farms largest roundhouse, to share a cup of mead and become lost in the magic of pagan rituals, music and storytelling.

For more infomation visit: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on

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TRAVEL

New England Self-Drive

The landing site of the Pilgrims and central to the American Revolution, New England is rich in history as well as the beautiful scenery that draws so many visitors in every year, especially in the Autumn months.

D

riving is an easy way of getting around and it gives you the opportunity to appreciate the different personalities of New England’s states.

Whilst Vermont boasts white

Day 1 Arrive Boston and take a transfer to your city hotel for a 2 night stay. Use the rest of the day to start exploring this charming city.

Day 2 Boston is one of the oldest cities in the USA and steeped in history from the American Revolution. Take a tour or use the hop on/off bus and Explore the Freedom Trail which passes 16 of the city’s historic landmarks Day 3: Boston - Kennebunkport Collect your hire car from downtown Boston and start your New England self drive, follow the route north of Boston where you will find 4 centuries of

clapboard churches and red-barn dairy farms, you will find that New Hampshire has much of the stunning scenery including The White Mountains National Forest, whilst Maine can lay claim to some of the most rugged and spectacular coastline. The more southerly state of Boston is very much part of the 21st century with Boston at its heart and Rhode Island offers a much more laid-back feel where life is taken at a much slower pace.

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Whilst at Amity Travel, we always recommend early booking to help with planning, it is never too late to arrange a holiday to New England with its plentiful supply of accommodation, so if you are looking for somewhere to go this Autumn, why not give New England a go. To whet your appetite, we have put together a typical driving holiday of the region

history as well as some of the coasts best beaches and finest seascapes, take your time to stop and enjoy the coastline as your overnight at Kennebunkport is less than a 2 hour drive away. On arrival at Kennebunkport you will find the town is a haven for local artists and writers.

Day 4: Kennebunkport – Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park Today your New England self drive continues to follow the coastal road to Bar Harbor; along the way you will pass through quaint fishing villages, so take the opportunity to try a lobster or clam chowder for your lunch. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Bar Harbor.

Day 5: Acadia National Park Bar Harbor is the gateway to Arcadia National Park, spend today discovering the parks soaring peaks, dramatic glacier-

TRAVEL

carved valleys, clear lakes and rugged shoreline.

Day 6: Bar Harbor – White Mountains No New England self drive is complete without time in the White Mountains, also known as the rooftop of New Hampshire, a landscape dotted with historic villages and enchanting covered bridges.

Day 7 : White Mountains – Stowe Travel through the White Mountains that divide the states of New Hampshire and Vermont, the route will take you through some of New England’s most beautiful scenery.

Day 8: Stowe – The Berkshires Head south along route 100 passing the Green Mountains where you will see picture-perfect villages and some of Vermont’s famous covered bridges before crossing back in to Massachusetts and the Berkshires, known for their rural beauty and cultural assets.

Day 9: The Berkshires – Newport Continue South and pass through a series of wonderful little towns before continuing to the storied little city of Newport, Rhode Island, once a prosperous colonial seaport.

has to offer with its magnificently high cliffs, rolling dunes, miles of walking trails, more superb beaches and picturesque villages.

If you like seafood, then make sure you take the opportunity to sample some of Cape Cods as are in for a treat.

Day 12: Cape Cod – Boston Your New England self drive is coming to an end and with the relatively short drive back to Boston for your flight home; you may find you have just enough time for a spot of souvenir shopping first.

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Day 10: Newport – Cape Cod Newport is famous for its summer retreats of Americas most wealthy. Spend today relaxing on the beach or exploring one of the extravagant mansions before heading along the coast to Cape Cod for your next 2 nights.

Day 11: Cape Cod Spend today exploring Cape Cod and all it

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YOUR

COMMUNITY

Meon Valley Lions Club Providing local transport to the local community The Meon Valley Lions Club started using their minibus to support another Club Shedfield Seated Exercise Class run by MHA Winchester Live at Home. The class meets weekly on a Thursday and the photos show the Shedfield Study Centre class in action.

The minibus is now providing regular support to 7 different clubs and is in action on 65% of weekdays throughout the year.

Further charitable support is provided by occasional free loans to Guides, Scouts, etc. In total last year the minibus racked up almost 4,000 miles in free loans worth

KidSTreat: kids taking over Bishop's Waltham High Street on Sunday 5th July

Plans are shaping up well for the return of KidSTreat, the very popular event, which first took place in Bishop’s Waltham in June 2018. On that day the sounds of delighted children rang out in the High Street as they sampled a variety of activities that were on offer to them at an event organized by the Bishop’s Waltham Town Team and supported by 30 plus local community organisations; each of whom

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about £6,000 to these various charities.

Lions usually drive but at times we cannot and additional volunteers give us a hand so if you feel you could help out occasionally by driving the minibus, please contact John Sharpe on 01489-892750. Or, if you’d like to join Meon Valley Lions Club please check out our website www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk.

neurorehabilitation using Conductive Education that takes a holistic approach to helping both children and adults achieve their maximum potential, regardless of their starting point. It is this positive and inclusive attitude that is at the heart of making the Rainbow Centre a special place and the Meon Valley Lions Club are always happy to help where we can.

Searching for a pot of gold The team took on the gardens at the Rainbow Centre and despite the horrid weather did a brilliant job tidying things up. They did manage to capture a rainbow in the photo but sadly there was no pot of gold at the end.

Swanmore Fete 11th July 2020 – latest update More fun and games - in addition to the usual stalls and attractions this year, we’re really pleased to say we have booked the Mill Cottage Farm Experience who specialise in taking a variety of farm and other animals out as a hands-on educational and recreational experience for all ages. They plan to bring two of each: Sheep, Pigs, Goats, Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits and either Donkeys or Alpacas.

The Rainbow Centre was created over 30 years ago this year and provides put on amazing activities for the young people who participated.

Here is a sample of the feedback received from people who attended in 2018: “There was a real feel of “community” about the day, the kids loved all the activities and so did we … it was a lovely village day out!”

“There was something for all ages, even the grownups. And it brings the people together” This July the High Street will again be closed to traffic for the day and stalls will be erected down the centre of the street all offering a wide range of activities for children. While the event is primarily aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 13, it is a great day out for all the family. In 2018 kids were able to try their hand at a wide range of crafts, games,

As an educational travelling farm experience, they help people to learn more about animals, and provide experiences such as wool spinning and egg candling, as well as learning about self-sufficiency. www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk sports and, skills. From building bird boxes, nature challenges, playing tennis, football and cricket, learning circus and magic tricks, learning about the history of the High Street through quizzes, decorating food, music, dance, street art and all sorts of crafts and games, there was something for everyone.

Like 2018, this will be a free event made possible by the hard work and enthusiasm of the volunteers who are involved in the town’s community organisations and the team of people, who help to set up, dismantle and steward activities during the day.

If you are a member of an organisation that would like to participate – or if you would like to help volunteer on the day please let us know by emailing bishopswalthamtownteam2@gmail.com.

WELLBEING Bishop's Waltham Parish Council launch self-isolation support line

HAIR ART If you have been advised to stay at home because of the Coronavirus, you may need help.

If you want to know what to do, or if you need food, medications or any other supplies, please phone 01489 892323, weekdays 9am 4pm. Any help needed will be arranged, there will be no charge.

Hair Art, the premier hair salon in Christchurch and Bishops Waltham, is one of the leading names in hairdressing in Hampshire and Dorset. With impeccable service and reputation built over 20 years, our highly trained team of experts will give you an experience not to be missed.

WE DON’T JUST COLOUR AND CUT HAIR, “WE CREATE A NEW YOU” Put your hair in our hands for great hair by our professional team

Please use this only for emergencies and not for routine deliveries.

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Please also keep an eye on www.lovebishopswaltham.com and www.facebook.com/bishopswalthamwhatson for regular updates.

Tel: 01489 894700 www.hairart-makeup.co.uk hairart.bw@gmail.com High Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AB

MEON VALLEY BOWLING CLUB Welcome everyone of all ages to their

PEN DAY WHY NOT COME ALONG AND LEARN ALL ABOUT THE GAME OF LAWN BOWLS?

SATURDAY 25TH APRIL

Home Care Provider & Consultancy Service Owned and Run by Registered Nurses Care as individual as your are, in your own home so you remain independent for as long as you need Take a break service also available 2 week trial of care to see if we suit each other

COME AND TRY IT OUT: VISIT OUR GREEN AND START BOWLING

CALL FOR AN INFORMAL CHAT TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

It's at the top of Elizabeth Way, off Victoria Road, Bishop's Waltham SO32 1SQ

Cared for Staff = Cared for Clients

Pop in anytime between 10am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 4pm Based at Priory Park, Bishop's Waltham, we enjoy both indoor and outdoor bowls with excellent facilities. New members at all levels of ability and ages are always welcome, including beginners to the sport.

For further information visit our website at www.meonvalleybowls.org.uk

Our qualified Coaching team will be available with details of our 2020 beginners' course

2018

We value our staff as much as our clients If YOU are interested in joining our small and friendly team, please contact us as per details below.

We look forward to meeting you

Tel: 01489 890016 contact@lapiscare.com www.lapiscare.com UNIT 9, SHEDFIELD HOUSE DAIRY, SANDY LANE, SHEDFIELD, SO32 2HQ

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Lillie Rose Beauty Welcome to where your inner beauty shines through

Meon Valley Living speaks with Charlotte Pusey, owner & creative director of Lillie Rose Beauty, the latest business on Bishop's Waltham High Street 12

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ust opened in the Market town of Bishop's Waltham is a beautifully created and presented beauty salon, offering treatments and services not found anywhere else in the town or the local area. Charlotte Pusey, the business owner and creative director, is a young, inspirational woman who with the support of her father, has designed a friendly, stylish and elegant beauty salon.

“

Charlotte is dedicated to keeping herself updated with new beauty trends and treatments

”

Her motivation is to provide her clients with the best treatments, products and beauty innovations so that her customers feel the best they can about themselves. The latest to be offered is the Instagram sensation, eyebrow lamination; a treatment that involves giving brows a new shape by setting the hairs in place, microblading; which enhances or reshapes the appearance of your eyebrows, dermaplaning; the removal of fine hair that leaves the skins surface glowing, along with individual eyelash extensions, tinting, waxing and threading and to be summer ready Sienna X spray tanning and gel polish. Please drop in or call the salon for a consultation with Charlotte.

Charlotte is dedicated to keeping herself updated with new beauty trends and treatments, and regularly

attends industry standard training courses in order to improve what Lillie Rose Beauty can offer her clients.

Lillie Rose Beauty can help you achieve that stunning look every day, or if you have a special occasion coming up Charlotte can help you realise your dream of looking and feeling amazing, pop in to start your vision becoming a reality. Gift vouchers are also available, so if you are looking for that special unique gift for someone you love or care about what a lovely present to receive, the gift of ‘me time’.

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Charlotte believes that with hard word, dedication and family support she can achieve her dream

”

It was no mean feat to transform the grade 2 listed retail shop into a relaxing beauty salon, but Charlotte and her father have brought together a bright, friendly, tranquil space where you feel welcome and comfortable to discuss your beauty and skin care needs and receive expert treatments.

Charlotte believes that with hard work, dedication and family support she can achieve her dream.

Visit Lillie Rose Beauty for yourself at 1 Cross Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1EZ Tel: 07515 975933 www.lillierosebeauty.co.uk Email: info@lillierosebeauty.co.uk

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THE SPRING

GARDEN Don't let late frosts damage your seedlings In spring your seedlings are vulnerable to late frosts, which even in late April can set in overnight. If a hard frost is forescast, cover your seedlings overnight with anything you have to hand: an overturned flowerpot or cardboard box (with a rock on top), a portable garden cloche, or if you own one a cold frame. If your garden has the space, and your budget allows, a small greenhouse is ideal for starting seedlings early in the season and protecting them from any harsh spring weather.

Fix trellises and fencing Trellises and fencing have taken a lot punishment in the Winter storms, they are easiest to repair in early spring, with less growth to work around and fewer roots to disturb. Setting new fence posts, however, is best done after the April showers have abated and the earth has had a chance to drain through. If the water table is too high which is likely after the recent weather, postholes will fill with water as you try to dig. As the weather improves and the saturated ground drains loose posts may become firm again.

Thin out any dead foliage Once new growth starts, it becomes difficult to thin ornamental grasses and ferns without causing damage. The growth will quickly replace the cut away foliage. If you didn’t get around to this last Autumn, remove any old dead plants to clear the bed for planting. These can be added to the compost if you are sure they do not have any plant diseases.

Weed spring weeds and mulch bare patches in your beds When the weeds begin to apprear in your garden beds, now is the easiest time to pull them out, when the roots are shallow.

Covering bare patches of earth with mulch or ground cover will minimize the emergence of any new weeds. Try to add mulch to a depth of three to four inches for the best results. Weed membrane can also be used to cover the beds before planting as a way to suppress any emerging weeds. And if you look under the membrane once a week, you may likely find slugs which have been hiding. This is a simple way to reduce the slug population in your garden beds.

To help reduce rot in the stems of new plants or young trees, keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem or trunk.

This also protects bark of young fruit trees.

There are various types of mulch available, check the best product for your plants.

Control slugs and Snails Wet weather causes slugs and snails to emerge. If slugs are a problem in your area, monitor your seedlings for damage and remove pests as they emerge. Please always use non-toxic slug pellets for the safety of pets and other garden creatures. Place the pellets when weather permits to keep them from decimating your garden before you get a chance to enjoy your harvest.

Repair any broken sides to raised beds Damp winter soil deteriorates raised beds; sometimes a stake will rot and give way leading to damage to borders. Any broken or leaning sides should be fixed. Dig the soil behind the broken or leaning sides and drive in new stakes on the inside of the boards with a slight inward lean. Then push the boards up to stakes and fasten with screws or nails.

All aspects of Carpentry & Building work undertaken

• Extensions • Alterations • Refurbishments • New Builds • Landscaping Tel: 02392 632037 Mob: 07885 283036 jay.tucker16@yahoo.co.uk Fully qualified and insured

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Top dress beds, when it's dry enough Top dressing garden beds with compost or well-seasoned manure helps feed the soil in preparation for planting. Try not to dig the bed; established beds have a elaborate and sensitive soil ecosystem which is best left undisturbed. Nutrients added from the top will gradually feed into the soil.

Plant starters in trays Get a head start on the summer if you are planning to grow heat-loving vegetables from seed like tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, and basil. Sow any seeds into starter mix and divide into trays. Place on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light as soon as the new shoots emerge.

Prepare your lawn for spring Scarify your lawn to remove any dead growth and winter debris. This helps bring light and aerate to the soil which in turn encourages growth. Grass seeding bare patches of lawn. Scarify any bare spots firmly with a metal rake or scarifier before seeding. Sprinkle the grass seed into a a container of soil and spread the content evenly over the bare spot. Once the area has been seeeded keep well-watered until germination and the new grass has established itself.

Early spring is the best time for lime Soil pH levels can have a significant effect on the health of your plants. Adding lime to a soil with a pH level below 6.2 will benefit the soil quality. Ideally, lime should be added a few weeks before planting. Do not purchase a “quick lime”, as it can change the soil pH so rapidly that plants may be damaged. Cover all newly limed beds with a membrane or plastic sheet during heavy spring rains to prevent runoff. Test your soil pH level, this can be determined by using a soil pH test kit available in most good garden centres.

Plant out bulbs and tubers Now is the time to set out your bulbs which were forced in pots or bowls in the house.

Not all will flower this year, some may bloom in the future, others may take two or three years to gain energy to support flowering. It’s also the time to plant out any lilies, dahlia tubers or gladiola bulbs that may have been overwintered indoors.

Plant seasonal vegetables when soil is workable You can tell when the soil is ready for gardening once it is free of frost and crumbles easily in the hand. Soil that is too wet is will become compacted when worked, reducing beneficial soil aeration. It is highly likely after such a wet winter that the season will be late, fingers crossed for a warm, dry, spring. Good early spring crops are peas, spinach, lettuces and leeks.

For a prolonged harvest, plant several varieties, each with a different harvesting time. Once these crops have been harvested you can follow with broccoli, new potatoes, cabbage, turnips, radishes and onions.

Move any shrubs before they leaf Soil conditions in early spring are favorable to move your plants because the soil is more consistently moist, this helps the roots to establish themselves and reach out for more nutrients.

To move your shrubs use a spade and find the edges of the main root mass, then dig down and under to loosen the root ball.

Make sure that you dig the new hole a few inches wider all around, and add soil nutrients such as compost or organic fertilizer. Once the moved plant is set in place, fill around with lightly compacted soil which will promote lateral root growth.

For more seasonal ideas for the garden see our Summer Meon Valley Living Magazine out later this year.

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15

GARDEN How to grow vegetables in a small garden Geoff Hawkins recently gave an insightful talk at East Meon Garden Club on growing vegetables in a small garden.

the soil, removes any ‘pan’ compacted soil, removes perennial weeds and allows water to penetrate. Not digging improves soil from top down. Earthworms aerate the soil without loss of structure. Soil improves and darkens. Beneficial to fauna and flora. Place organic matter on top.

Geoff began his talk with some colourful slides of vegetables on Supermarket shelves and then in assorted containers and asked, why not grow your own at home?

Use Green Manure Grow crops such as clovers, field beans, alfalfa, mustards, phacelia (wonderful for bees), lupins, buckwheat. These will add nitrogen to the soil.

Why? Because they are fresh How? In easily and readily available containers such as ‘Bags for Life’, tins with holes drilled in the bottom and old car tyres.

NO, NO to rotavators, primarily if you have weeds such as bindweed, marestail and couch grass, the chopped up pieces will grow even more abundantly!

Geoff explained the official size of an allotment which was traditionally measured in rods, perches or poles an old measurement dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. 10 poles is the accepted size of an allotment. A rod measuring approximately 5.5 yards, was used to control a team of oxen when working on the land and roughly the area that could be ploughed by Oxen in a day was one acre. Originally, plots were 10 square rods in size which was thought sufficient to produce enough vegetables to feed a family of four for one year.

Be Creative Use recycled pots, guttering is good for growing lettuces in.

Carrots are good in containers as carrot fly tend not to fly higher than 18”. For small gardens, divide into square feet, but this system wouldn’t suit courgettes.

What to Grow, Quantities, What Varieties?

Look for AGM (Award of Garden Merit) on packets of Seeds.

F1 – Means there are 2 parents to give a specific offspring – ie resistant to Club Root.

The Heritage Seed Library – Their 2020 Seed List is now available online. You will need to become a member to take advantage of this.

Do have a compost heap.

What Fertiliser?

The commonly used Growmore has limited beneficial effects.

Recommended to use -Vitax Q4 primarily because it contains trace elements: Fish, Blood and Bone. If you are unsure of what soil you are working with, it is always wise to do a soil test.

Written by Pamela Peacock, East Meon Garden Club

Where to Grow Look carefully at the aspect of your garden North South and East to West - Hot/Cold/Wet/Dry. Water-butts are essential, particular when growing crops in containers and pots.

Rotate Crops The old question of whether to dig, or not to dig? Digging opens up

Best plants for a colourful spring garden There is nothing better than seeing the garden wake up after a Winter slumber! Here are some of our favourite plants to ensure you have a very colourful, varied garden.

Pansy - a great early bedding plant, perfect for hanging baskets, pots or flower beds.

Hyacinth - A lot of people have these as a houseplant, but they make brilliant garden plants too, and have a wonderful scent.

Iris - This plant stands tall in the flower beds and has long leaves.

This is best planted in moist soil.

Lily of the Valley - This beautiful, late spring-flowering plant that produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers, which smells stunning too.

You can find more ideas for your Spring garden at www.daviddomoney.com

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Supply and planting large specimen trees and shrubs Espalier, pleached and instant impact hedges All trees and shrubs carefully selected Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance Free site visit and consultation Bosque is a trading name of Just Limegrass Ltd. Harko: 07710 502798 Tom: 07855 656984 www.bosque international.co.uk

GARDEN

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Built on great service and value for money Please visit our website for all the latest news, information, second-hand machines for sale and special offers in the showroom.

Laceys Farm, Bramdean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0JT T: 01962 771800 steve.cann@btconnect.com www.georgecanngardenmachinery.co.uk

Please visit our showroom to view our stock of Cub Cadet XR Enduro Series Robotic mowers. All sizes of lawn catered for. Measurement and installation carried out.

Also on display the latest 500e 48v Stiga Li-ion range of powered garden products.

No carbon emissions, lower noise levels, greatly reduced vibrations. Products include lawnmowers, brushcutters, lawn trimmers, leaf blowers and a hedgetrimmer

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17

GARDEN

Mud Island Garden Centre Excellent range of perennials, climbers, shrubs, trees, fruit and herb plants, together with seasonal plants and now specimen plants available

Garden Ornaments • Home & Giftware Pots & Planters • Garden Shop Wildlife Care • Silk Flowers • Furniture

Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm Tel: 01329 834407 www.mudislandnurseries.co.uk Find us on Facebook @mudislandgardencentre SOUTHWICK ROAD, WICKHAM, HAMPSHIRE PO17 6JF

WINTER 18

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

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

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

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

materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof

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

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All gazebos from Equestrian Fencing Services are made

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

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H I G H R I D G E F A R M , H O S P I T A L RO A D, S H I R R E L L H E A T H , S O U T H A M P T O N , S O 3 2 2 J R

GARDEN

New Season? New Gardening Trends

W

hich plants, designs and activities will prove popular with the UK’s 27 million gardeners, now that spring is upon us?

RHS Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter has some predictions.

Drawing on an abundance of knowledge from the horticultural experts at RHS gardens, retail centres, science and communities teams, here are my predictions for what the new year has in store for homes and gardens up and down the country.

As we enter a new decade, gardening takes on an ever more important role in helping us to create healthy and happy places to live. Houseplants will maintain their allure, while a greater appreciation of the role plants play in supporting the environment and local wildlife will see renewed interest in soil, the ‘naturalising’ of plots and food growing. While many gardeners will celebrate the return of some old favourites there is much to be excited about in the way that we’ll all be growing in 2020.

It's A Jungle In There!

Houseplants get supersized: As houseplants migrate from shelves and windowsills to more central locations in the home, buyers will increasingly seek larger, showstopping varieties. These include Alocasia with its giant leaves and contrasting stems and Monstera with its deep green, patterned foliage. However, buying smaller 6-9cm plants and growing them on remains a popular pastime for many.

Not Just 'Dirt' Soil steals the limelight: Gardeners will increasingly consider what their plant is grown in, turning to more sustainable growing media such as wood fibre and green waste compost, sowing cover crops to increase nutrient levels and quality, and adopting the ‘no dig’ philosophy to limit damage to soil structure and wildlife.

New research showing the benefits of soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccea on the immune system could also see the welcome return of mud pies, helping to tempt younger people into the garden.

Back To The Future Going back to the 80s with nemesias and diascias: Eighties favourites nemesias and diascias will see something akin to a resurgence owing to their flexibility as a bedding, basket or container plant, compact size, long summer flowering period and sweet scent that attracts bees and butterflies. New breeding programmes that have resulted in a wider range of sensational colours such as the dark and mysterious Nemesia ‘Berries and Cream’, 'Aroma Rhubarb and Custard' and more delicate ‘Wisley Vanilla’ only add to their appeal.

Growing Wild A more natural aesthetic takes hold: An increasing awareness of biodiversity loss means gardeners will look for ways to support wildlife. This could include growing more and a greater variety of plants, accepting the presence of some damage and not being too tidy, for example, by leaving seedheads as shelter and food for visitors.

Bee hotels, wildlife ponds, log piles, plants for pollinators and compost heaps will continue to increase in popularity. Clipped box and fine turf may well fall out of fashion as this more natural aesthetic takes hold and gardeners shun pesticide use to deal with problem areas and creatures such as box tree caterpillar.

Growing To Eat Grow your own heats up: Food growing becomes an obvious route for many in helping to support the environment, by reducing plastic use and countering food miles, as well as building connections in more communal settings. Chillies remain a popular choice owing to their ease of growing, colour and varieties boasting names such as ‘Etna’ and ‘Meek and Mild’. Beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans and other legumes also become a staple of the vegetable plot, pushing out more traditional choices such as parsnips and calabrese.

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HAMPSHIRE PEOPLE

Ed Chamberlin Gill Grant speaks with Ed Chamberlin the King of Presenting Sport

T

o talk with Ed Chamberlin is a delight for more than one reason. Ed has lived in Hampshire all his life and has endless enthusiasm for our county.

“Although my parents were originally from the West Country we moved near to Andover and then to St. Mary Bourne. Later I went to Exeter University to study politics, from there I lived in London working on a placement at Ladbrokes, I attempted to start my own magazine but the financial crash of the late 80s - 90s put paid to that” Ed had not planned for a career in television, “Journalism was absolutely where I wanted to be but I was picked up by Sky TV for football presenting, I worked on various shows with fellow presenters Kirsty Gallacher and Jeff Stelling but there again I was jinxed - every show I worked on didn’t seem to last long!

“Everything changed in 2011 when I had the opportunity to host Sky Sports News. Then, in 2017 I moved to ITV to present horse racing.

I still get asked now how I could leave the world of football for racing.

But I’ve not lost my passion for football, St Marys remains one of my favourite places in Hampshire loved by my ten-year-old son too. My daughter and I are fans of T20 cricket at the Rose Bowl.”

Ed is equally passionate about The Sport of Kings, I wonder if he can recognise good horse when he sees one.

“I have become more knowledgable about horses over the years, it’s a hobby, and I enjoy the odd flutter or too- without much success I have to add. Presenting racing requires a lot of concentration, you have to keep up with the whole race, I couldn’t be willing my horse to win - too much of a distraction.

“My role as a presenter as I see it is to make racing accessible to all, irrespective of age, expert or novice. So I ask the professionals the questions I think the viewers want to hear. Also, people watching also want to be entertained, that’s important too. Des Lynam is my hero - that dry humour, intelligence, and generosity to allow people to speak and get the best out of them.”

Is there a special racecourse for him?

“To be honest they all have a special quality in their own right.

Doncaster, Cheltenham Festival, Glorious Good Wood and I just love Royal Ascot. Aintree is the biggest attracting ten million viewers, when you consider the size of a game between Manchester and Liverpool would attract around three million viewers you can see how pressurised racing presenting can be, it’s a big responsibility.

I still get nervous before an important meeting but I think that's a good thing, I’m never complacent.”

There was an underlying reason behind Ed’s move to ITV because in 2009 his life changed dramatically.

“It was in Winchester hospital that I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I was immediately placed in the care of the phenomenal team at Southampton General and my Oncologist Ben Needham who told me that although the tumour was the size of a grapefruit he was confident I would be cured, that was on Wednesday and by Friday I had commenced my chemotherapy.

“I always felt in control of my treatment, I knew what was going on. By week six my blood markers were coming down - that’s the information you live to hear. The Southampton FC players give regular time visiting the children’s cancer ward, so I arranged to have

22

my head shaved for charity by Steve Cotterill it raised a few laughs, so there were some lighter moments!

“The treatment was hard on my family, my wife was expecting our second child at the time so it was very stressful for her, and the whole family. I then got to the point when they were able to remove the tumour, the op didn’t go quite to plan and I awoke in intensive care and remained there for two weeks. But I did get to watch the Champions League on TV, admittedly it took some persuading to allow me a TV in intensive care! I remember the absolute joy of being able to walk again on day eight.”

Of course, Ed’s illness and recovery had a profound effect on his life.

“It’s given me something extra, a real determination- I don’t think I would have considered the job at ITV before, it was life-changing. It taught me never to feel sorry for myself.

cancer patients and their families by providing nursing care at home.

So far we have funded five full-time nurses. In May we are hosting a charity golf event at ‘The Belfry’, it would be fabulous if we could sponsor another two nurses.”

Now he is recovered, what next for Ed Chamberlin?

“Ah well, I’d love to present the Olympics, and Southampton v Manchester United. But it’s the simple things in life too, I have old friends from the Sporting News, I love to show off Hampshire when they come to stay. I live in a beautiful village with the River Test and the Mayfly pub nearby. There’s nothing like a walk on Broughton Downs. Then there’s the Watercress Line and we can pop to Pizza Express afterward or my favourite Kyoto Kitchen in Winchester” Ed Chamberlin continues to canter on with his happy and healthy life in Hampshire.

Written By Gill Grant

“I can’t begin to express my thanks to the staff at Winchester and Southampton hospital they are some of the most fantastic and extraordinary people I have ever met. You become close to them and to fellow patients so it’s the hardest thing to see an empty bed where a patient used to be, especially in the children’s ward.”

In 2013 Ed became an Ambassador for the charity ‘Well Child’.

“Having seen parents struggling to cope I’m proud to be an Ambassador for Well Child. We raise funds to support childhood

For more information visit: www.wellchild.org.uk

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ANIMALS & PETS Great dog walks in the Meon Valley Droxford to Meonstoke and back again, via the Meon Valley Trail Length: 4 miles Time: 1hr 20mins Starting in Droxford Square, facing the A32, turn right, heading north. After 100 metres, turn right onto Mill Lane. Follow this road to the bottom, then turn left onto a footpath. Follow this footpath, passing the stunning mill building, and cross a foot bridge over the River Meon. Follow the second half of Mill Lane to the top, until you reach a main road. Turn right, and immediately right again, onto a side road that leads onto the Meon Valley Trail.

Once on the Meon Valley Trail, turn left, facing north.

Walk for approx. 1 mile, until you see a turning on your left onto the top of Chapel Road, Meonstoke.

Come off of the Meon Valley Trail, walk down Chapel Road and follow around to the right, onto Meonstoke High Street. Stay on the High Street until you reach a grass triangle with a tree in the centre. Once here, follow the road to the right, onto Rectory Lane then turn immediately right onto Pound Lane. Stay on Pound Lane until you reach a crossroads. Turn right onto Fry's Lane, and follow for approx. half a mile, at which point you will turn right, onto a bridge over the Meon Valley Trail. Turn immediately right again, and after 50 metres you will see where you came off the Meon Valley Trail earlier.

Rejoin the Meon Valley Trail, and retrace your steps back to Droxford Square. If you or your four legged friend are in need of a refreshment, The Bakers Arms in Droxford is a dog-friendly watering hole, perfect for a post-walk pit stop before heading home.

Crossing the lane to Peake Farm (grid ref. SU628218) is about the half way point to where we will leave the old railway. Reaching a deep cutting with a road over bridge (grid ref. SU633228), go under the bridge and take the path that climbs up to the road on your left.

Reaching the road turn left over the bridge and walk for about 300 yards. Look out for the Monarch's Way footpath sign on your right.

Turn right onto this track, which leads you towards Peake's Farm.

Nearing the farm the footpath is diverted away from the main buildings. Just follow the signed route which lead you back onto a track which ends after passing a small wood (grid ref. SU633212) Continue straight ahead here beginning to climb towards the summit of Old Winchester Hill. Bear left when you join the South Downs Way. The way ahead steepens but quite soon you are on the summit of the hill and able to enjoy wide ranging views of the Meon Valley.

To continue, descend the way you came. However do not retrace your steps towards Peake Farm, instead walking straight ahead to descend to the old railway. Cross the railway and all that remains is the short awkward section of path back to the main road and the start.

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Old Winchester Hill from Exton Length: 5.5 miles Time: 3hrs 10mins Author: Lou Johnson, walkingbritain.co.uk Start in a small parking area in the village of Exton, which is reached by turning off the A32. Take the northernmost of the two lanes off the main road into the village.

Immediately after turning off the A32 the parking area is on your left. (grid ref. SU617212). After parking, take care and cross over the A32 to follow the South Downs Way towards Old Winchester Hill. Cross a small footbridge, and you will reach the old railway, the Meon Valley Trail. Turn left, and you can now step it out!

Equine & Animal Feed Suppliers

EQUINE & ANIMAL FEEDS HAY & STRAW • SUPPLEMENTS ACCESSORIES • ALL BEDDING Stocking feed from the top brand names, we bring you the highest quality for your animals at very competitive prices.

T: 07889 835107 www.fawleyfarmfeeds.co.uk FAWLEY FARM FEEDS, HEMPLANDS LANE, PRIVETT, GU34 3NU

Motoring Communites Against Noise and Speed The aim of Communities Against Noise and Speed (CANS) is to improve consideration and safety by all road users along the A32/A272 and surrounding villages. This will be achieved by lobbying, calling the authorities to account and engaging with local communities to support such action. In this area over the past 5 years 44% of all accidents with killed or seriously injured casualties involved a motorbike. The average for Hampshire generally in 2016 was 28%.

Put simply, we care for classic cars – passionately!

We need as many members as possible to obtain a strong mandate to speak up on your behalf.

If you support our aims and objectives you can sign up to our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/176921419579192/ or email your details to: canshampshire@gmail.com

With a team headed by former Morgan Factory and race team technician, Dan Monk, and our extensive knowledge of British and European classic and sports cars, you are assured your pride and joy will be in safe, expert hands.

We specialise in work on classic cars, including: SERVICING • REPAIRS RESTORATION Headed by ex-Morgan Factory & Race Technician, Dan Monk, who has over 30 years experience.

CLASSIC CAR HIRE AVAILABLE (SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS)

Contact Dan Monk: 01489 878615 / 07747 552051 www.winchesterclassics.co.uk Find us on facebook

Unit 17, Lycroft Farm, Park Lane, Upper Swanmore, SO32 2QQ

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The Winchester Classics ethos is to strip away the ‘smoke and mirrors’ which have sadly become synonymous with so many high street and specialist auto workshops. We will consult with you and explain, in easy to understand terms, your requirements and the costs which will be involved. We will work with great care and attention to detail before returning your car in perfect working order. Classic cars are in our blood. We own them, we drive them and we cherish them. We know just how frustrating it can be when things go wrong.

So when you come to us with a problem, we will provide you with the most cost-effective and speedy solution to get you back on the road or track. From minor niggles, like sticking relays to worn-out wheel bearings, all the way through to body-off restorations and full engine rebuilds, we can take care of it. Winchester Classics look forward to caring for your car.

As well as offering our unrivalled services covering all things classic car, we are due to release our own a fleet of classics for hire in Spring of 2020!

For further details please visit our shiny new website: www.winchesterclassics.co.uk - happy motoring!

MOTORING/PROFESSIONAL

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

Independent Garage and MOT Testing Centre

Nigel Chamberlain & Partners Independent Funeral Directors The Family Owned Funeral Directors of Bishops Waltham Serving the community since 1892

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

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Husband and wife planning mixed permaculture smallholding in SO32, Meon Valley, seek likeminded partner(s) in joint venture to purchase 5 hectares.

2019 saw Nigel Chamberlain & Partners Serving the local communities of Bishops Waltham, Wickham, Botley and the Meon Valley for over 125 years As an independent family funeral service.

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Our Private Client specialists can advise on: • Wills • Powers of Attorney • Deputyship • Tax Planning • Trusts • Probate and Estate Administration • Mental Capacity Issues Southampton Office - Tel: 02380 321000 The Pavilion, Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2AF

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COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL Hounds for Heroes fund raising Quiz event will celebrate St. George’s Day and the Best of British Food The Holiday Inn Winchester is to host a fourth special charity fund-raising event for Hampshire based charity Hounds for Heroes with their popular Quiz event, which this year will be held to also celebrate St.George’s Day on Thursday 23rd April.

The event will include a ‘Best of British Food’ fork buffet, with the hotel’s AA Rosette Award winning team presenting delicious British food at its best, including locally sourced produce.

“We are inviting teams of six to ten people to register for this special event and have their knowledge on all things English tested,” commented Sarah Waddington, Sales and Marketing Manager for the hotel. “The hotel has been sponsoring Hounds for Heroes for the last six years, providing free accommodation to injured service personnel and space for them to train with their new assistance dogs. The staff at the hotel just love hosting them and creating a real home from home for the veterans and of course making a fuss of the assistance dogs!”

“We are very proud to be able to help raise funds for this locally based charity who every day make a difference to injured service personnel across the UK,” continued Sarah Waddington.

Allen Parton of Hounds for Heroes with his assistance dogs EJ and Rookie

Tickets cost £18 per person and include a “Best of British” fork buffet. Teams of 6-10 people are welcome. Call 01962 670700 option 4 or email events@hiwinchester.co.uk to book your team and tickets. The Best of British Buffet will be served from 7pm with the Quiz starting at 7.45pm For more information visit: www.hiwinchester.co.uk

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SERVICE | MARKETING | EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONAL However you are communicating with your colleagues, turn it on when you start working and turn it off when you finish.

Working outside of these hours will only lead to a burn out.

Remember to eat Keeping yourself properly nourished takes planning, unless you want to keep making trips to the snack drawer. When you're at work, you're usually near to a shop or your office will have a canteen, but at home that isn't always the case, which can lead to disruption in the kitchen.

Tips for working from home if you find yourself needing to self isolate

If you have children, you will soon realise you cannot work and be a parent at the same time. Working from home is not a an excuse to be a babysitter, you simply won't get any work done.

If the food you keep at home is just enough to cover meals in the mornings, evenings and weekends, then you will find yourself running out of food a lot quicker than usual as you are adding 5 lunchtime meals a week in to the mix.

With Coronavirus hitting the country, you may find yourself needing to follow the governments advice and self isolate at home. The current advice at the time of going to print is to work from home if you can, but this may be enforced in the future, like our European neighbours.

Have the right equipment Most of the things needed for working from home people already have; a laptop/ computer, a phone, a desk, but make a note of what is in the office and what isn't.

Remember to work!

Although you are at home, you are still working. It is not an opportunity to have friends and family round, or run errands that you wouldn't usually be able to do.

A good example would be your company's intranet (if it has one), and figuring out how to access it securely at home.

Keep in contact with your colleagues Working from home can sometimes make you feel like you are being ignored. One way to combat this is the have lines of communication open with your colleagues, which requires a bit of forward thinking.

There should be clear expectations about how performance will differ from a usual day in the office, due to the processes being slightly difference or because jobs will be delegated to other people.

With this in mind, we have compiled a handy guide of how to minimise the disruption to your working schedule if you find yourself having to work from home.

Have space to work in, and the right mindset Although you are working from home, I'm sorry to say that you can't just stay in your pyjamas in bed. You will not have to get up as early as usual due to the lack of commute, but you should still get dressed smartly and work at your usual time (e.g.

9am - 5pm). Getting dressed in your usual work clothes not only allows you to video call if necessary, but will also switch your brain into a work mindset.

Another example is software. If there is a specific software package that you use at work, you will have to make sure you can access this at home, or you will need to find some way to work without it.

Keep a regular schedule We touched on this briefly in the first point, the usual working day has a commute either side of it, which is not there if you're working from home. The risk to this is that the time when you're supposed to be working merges with the time you are usually commuting, and you end up working longer than you usually do.

One good tactic is to set up video calls with your colleagues if you're working on a shared project. You may still end up spending the majority of the time working in silence, but the presence of a colleague (albeit through a screen) can sometimes offer some companionship.

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FOOD & DRINK

Meet Damon Buckingham, West Meon's new butcher Buckinghams Artisan Butchery is relocating to West Meon, after 3 solid years trading in London. Managing Director Damon Buckingham has decided its time to leave the big smoke behind an settle in to a nice country village.

Damon says “We have survived for 3 years in London, mixing it with shops that have been established for years, which I am extremely proud of, but now I would like to settle somewhere long term & become

Sole Butchers of Alresford wins big at Sausage & Pie Competition

part of a supporting community. When I had heard that West Meon had lost its butcher shop, I jumped at the opportunity to relocate to this beautiful location”

Whats your favourite thing about the job?

The customers, I am a massive foodie & love hearing what people are doing with the meat they buy.

Buckinghams has built a strong reputation for its farm to fork ethics over the last 3 years, hand selecting the finest free range meats available from small holdings around the country.

Whats your least favourite thing?

Nothing comes to mind to be totally honest, I love the trade & love cutting the finest quality meat.

“Animal Welfare is top of our priorities list, we know our farmers we know the farming process & we know that when the time comes the animals are treated with the upmost respect to minimise stress.”

Continues Damon What should we expect to find at the shop ?

“We will have beef, lamb and pork all sourced from within the South Downs, and our chickens come up from Devon. We will have a full deli counter with cooked meats, pies, sausage rolls, olives, cheese, smoked salmon, plus hot breakfast baguettes with teas & coffees. Oh and a friendly welcome.”

Who are you? Name? Age? Background?

Damon Buckingham, 34 years young. I am a 1st Generation Butcher with 15 years butchery experience behind me.

competition highlights the talent and dedication of the hardworking butchers and producers in Hampshire. It is an opportunity for us to put local butchers centre stage and appreciate their skill and knowledge. I urge everyone to visit at least one of these award-winning butchers and try some of these excellent products.”

What plans do you have for the shop?

We have so many plans my brain is already about 5 years down the line we have a great space to develop the business with Butchery classes, Charcuterie the list goes on, but to begin with we would like to settle in to the community get involved in as much as we can then in a year or so think about the bigger picture.

If you were having a dinner party & had to invite 3 guests, who would you invite & why?

Marco Pierre White, he is my favourite chef & my culinary idol; Boris Johnson, so I can ask what the plans are for the country; Micky Flanagan, for comedy value.

What would you serve?

Good old fashion Rib Roast with dripping roast potatoes and good root veg.

Bishop's Waltham Bites!

Local butcher, Sole Butchers of Alresford, have won overall Supreme Champion at Hampshire Fare's Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition for their Pork, Watercress & Ale sausage, along with gold awards for some of their other products, including the popular Lamb, Mint & Rosemary hot pie.

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Discover Hampshire's super sausages and perfect pies! The results of Hampshire Fare's Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition 2020 have been revealed at a special Awards evening at the Holiday Inn, Winchester, on Thursday 5th March.

Owner, Mark Sole, commented: “I’m very pleased to win it. It’s taken me a long time. I’ve been trying to win Supreme Champion for the last 15 years! As a butcher, I specialise in sausages and our winning sausage uses all local ingredients including ale from Itchen Valley Brewery and local watercress. This year I entered 10 sausages and was awarded 10 Golds! I’m very pleased.”

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare commented: “This

www.hampshirefare.co.uk

Your opportunity to sample tasters from participating restaurants, pubs and food outlets in and around the Town Centre on Saturday 25th April, 11am - 3pm.

This is a very popular event in the town's calendar with tickets always highly in demand.

Tickets on sale from Sweet Corner and Any Fish. Proceeds in support of KidSTreat 2020.

FOOD & DRINK

WEST MEON

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RECENTLY RELOCATING FROM LONDON TO WEST MEON, WE ARE AN ARTISAN BUTCHERY SELLING THE FINEST HAND SELECTED MEAT.

• Native breed Beef • South Downs Lamb • Goodwood Organic Pork • Free Range Poultry • Homemade pies & Sausages • Traditional Deli Selection • Hot Breakfast Baguettes • Takeaway coffee & tea Find us on West Meon High Street buckinghamsartisanbutchery.com

HERE AT ALL GOOD THINGS OF WICKHAM WE HAVE A RANGE OF REFILLABLE FOODS, DETERGENTS AND TOILETRIES. Choose from pantry staples such as rice, pasta, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, or dip into our selection of sweet and savoury treats!

We offer a range of SLS & paraben free hair and bodycare products and household cleaning liquids made from natural ingredients. Just bring in your empty containers, weigh, fill and pay!

IN ADDITION, YOU WILL ALSO FIND A RANGE OF NATURAL, ECO AND REUSABLE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME. ALL GOOD THINGS IS OPEN 9.30-5 EACH WEEKDAY, AND 10-4 EACH WEEKEND DAY.

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FOOD & DRINK /HOME well as encouraging consumers to buy and eat local seafood in a more sustainable way.

Great Solent Seafood is part of the Wildlife Trust’s Secrets of the Solent project. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this is a four-year project bringing a hidden underwater world to life on land, with the purpose of safeguarding its future through art, cuisine, citizen science and volunteering opportunities etc.

Hampshire Fare are joining forces with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to deliver the Great Solent Seafood campaign.

The intention of the Great Solent Seafood campaign is to champion local sustainable seafood from wave to plate. Working together, Hampshire Fare and the Wildlife Trust aim to support those involved in catching, selling and serving seafood, as

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, says: “We are very excited to be involved with such an important campaign which we believe will make a substantial difference about how chefs and consumers choose their seafood, and could reshape their understanding of this market.

Photograph by David Nash, The Electric Eye

“As the county’s food and drink group we have for a long time supported a more environmentally friendly approach to sourcing local produce. However, many of us are still uncertain what sustainability looks like when it comes to seafood. We often don’t know the types of seafood caught locally, which are sustainable, and the best time during the year to eat them.

Local Hospitality were made aware of the Campaign when it was launched at the recent Local Produce Show. Tim Ferrero, who was on the Show’s panel, addressed the crowd, announcing the Great Solent Seafood campaign and encouraging businesses to understand the importance of committing to buying, cooking and serving local sustainable seafood.

“This campaign aims to be a celebration

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Horse Riders!

South Downs National Park needs your help

T

Horse riders are being called upon to help with the creation of a new series of self-guided trails.

he call to action comes as the SDNPA is developing handy downloadable guides that will include some of the best circular routes across Sussex and Hampshire.

The Authority is working with the British Horse Society to produce the guides – and now needs feedback from horse riders.

The Authority is keen to hear from riders about where they like to ride and what their favourite routes are.

If you’d like to recommend a route, please send Allison the following details:

Allison Thorpe, who leads on access and recreation for the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “The National Park offers some of the best lowland riding opportunities in the UK and we’re really excited to be developing this new series of self-guided trails.

We’re keen to get all the information we can from people who regularly ride in the South Downs. This will help us to test out the routes, take photographs and produce the trail guides.

• Start point – ideally with horsebox parking. See the SDNPA Horsebox Parking guide for up-to-date information.

Available to view at www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2019/04/Horsebox_2019-final.pdf • The length of ride.

• A short description of the route and a simple map showing the route.

“Our focus is on producing easy-to-understand guides that offer something for all riders, of all abilities, to enjoy – whether it’s a gentle trot or a long hack up on the Downs. The guides will be crammed with information and tips to help horse riders have a great day out in the National Park. With 1200km of bridleways in the South Downs we’re keen to help riders find the safest and most enjoyable rides. We hope to hear from as many horse riders as possible.”

Initially, Allison is keen to hear from riders who use the following areas, but routes in other areas are also welcomed: • Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire • Harting Down, West Sussex • Heyshott Common, West Sussex • Eartham Woods, West Sussex • Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex • East Dean, East Sussex.

The team is looking for circular trails of between five and 10 miles, but shorter routes will also be considered. The online resources will be available to download, print and share with fellow equestrians.

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Mark Weston, Director of Access, at the British Horse Society, said: “The British Horse Society works to promote off-road networks and encourage people to get out and explore the great outdoors. We urge anyone who has a favourite route to share it with the SDNPA so that others can enjoy it for years to come.”

Responses can be sent to Access@southdowns.gov.uk More information can be found at www.southdowns.gov.uk

HOME

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YOUR

COMMUNITY won the woodwind prize in the first BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition at the age of 16 and has gone on to perform with major orchestras worldwide, as well as enjoying a parallel career as a conductor.

Chamber music, however, remains one of his greatest loves and at West Meon he will be performing in two concerts with members of the Primrose Piano Quartet, one of Britain’s leading ensembles.

Internationally acclaimed musicians come to West Meon Michael Collins, renowned as one of the world’s leading clarinettists, will be making a return visit to West Meon this year as the village’s annual chamber music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Collins, one of the most sought-after and successful wind players of his generation,

Titchfield Festival Theatre to host black tie charity gala dinner on 25 April

William Shakespeare lived and worked in Titchfield during one of the most interesting and formative periods of his life. On Saturday 25 April there is an opportunity to celebrate this special association with Britain’s most famous playwright at a Black Tie Charity Gala Dinner at the Great Barn, Titchfield. The event is furthermore the launch of the new Bard at the Barn summer season; Comedy

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The first includes Beethoven’s Trio Op.11 for clarinet, cello and piano, in tribute to this year’s 250th celebrations of the composer’s birth, as well as Ernö Dohnányi’s exciting Sextet Op.37, where the Primrose will also be joined by Stephen Stirling – one of the UK’s leading horn

of Errors being the choice for this year’s first play, opening on 26 May. The 23 April is both the birth and death date of Shakespeare and also the wedding anniversary of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou, who were married at Titchfield Abbey 23 April 1445. St George’s Day is therefore the perfect choice to party, when you can enjoy a fabulous dinner and entertainment as well as raising money for charity

players, known for his performances in chamber festivals worldwide, who is also principal horn with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

As a late night treat, Michael Collins will also be performing Bartók’s scintillating “Contrasts” for clarinet, violin and piano – a work commissioned in 1938 by jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman, based on Hungarian and Romanian dance rhythms.

Stephen Stirling will also make a second appearance at the festival performing Brahms’ stunning Horn Trio Op.40, with members of the Primrose.

This year’s West Meon Music Festival runs from 10th to 13th September with a total of eight concerts – including recitals by some of the country’s most significant “rising stars” – as well as masterclasses and schools’ events.

The box office opens on Monday 6 April and full details can be found at www.westmeonmusic.co.uk.

Shakespeare is one of Titchfield’s famous sons – although only a few people are away of this amazing fact. We are hosting a Black Tie Charity Gala Dinner to celebrate this relationship and share with our patrons and supporters the forthcoming plays at this year’s Bard at the Barn summer season, starting in May. It will be a fantastic evening and we look forward to seeing as many as people there as possible, whether fans of the Bard or those who just want a great night out!”

The evening consists of a glass of sparkling wine and canapés on arrival, followed by a three course meal with wine, excerpts from the Shakespeare plays which will be performed in the summer and a charity auction. The evening ends with a disco and guests can view the barn from the stage – a sight rarely seen for most people.

Tickets are priced at £65 pp or £550 for a table of 10.

Kevin Fraser, Artistic Director at Titchfield Festival Theatre, said: “William

Alternatively you can email events@tfttheatre.com.

Profits made will go towards the ongoing restoration of the Great Barn as well as Titchfield Festival Theatre, a registered charity.

For more information, please go to http:// titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact Adam Feeley on 07585311684.

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FEATURE

Celebrating 10 Years

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of South Downs National Park

ature recovery, year-round access to the countryside, restoration of precious landscapes, engaging young people and working with local communities to develop neighbourhood-led planning are among the achievements of the South Downs National Park as it marks its 10th anniversary.

Nature Recovery on a Landscape Scale The SDNPA is providing strategic leadership on nature recovery at a landscape scale, working with partners to develop rich connected habitats for wildlife and diverse, living landscapes for people. Our work has delivered nature recovery across many key habitats and also local successes for rare and endangered wildlife.

March 31, 2020 marked exactly a decade since the South Downs National Park was created – a day when 1,600km2 of England’s most-cherished lowland landscape was designated for the enjoyment of the nation as a special place for natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

One highlight includes Restoring “ecosystem engineers” such as the water vole. There are now 35 sites along the River Meon in Hampshire where water voles are found following successful reintroductions and otters are now breeding.

Ten years on and significant strides have been made to conserve and enhance the National Park, promote opportunities for people to enjoy its special qualities, and to foster the social and economic wellbeing of local communities in the National Park.

As it reaches the milestone, the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is reflecting key achievements, while now looking forward to the next chapter of the National Park’s story.

Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “This is a very important year for the South Downs National Park as we celebrate its 10th anniversary. Although we are a young National Park we have achieved much over the past 10 years. This has only been possible thanks to the efforts of our local communities and a wide range of partners, as well as the hard work of volunteers.

For all their contributions I would like to say a heartfelt ‘Thank You’.

“As we look forward to the next 10 years, there are big challenges ahead, particularly from the pressure of global climate change and the threats to biodiversity. But I am optimistic that the passion people have for this varied and dynamic landscape will remain our strongest asset and their commitment will ensure that the South Downs National Park will remain an important place for people and nature in this crowded corner of England.”

Working with Farmers and Other Custodians The Authority is working with our farmers to contribute to the development of the Government’s new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) to ensure that quality local food production can sit alongside sustainable land management that supports work to combat climate change and biodiversity decline.

International Dark Sky Reserve In May 2016 the South Downs National Park became the world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve. It is now one of only 16 in the world. More than 15,000 people have visited, engaged and learned about the importance of Dark Skies through our annual Dark Skies Festival.

Improved Access National Parks are for everyone and we have worked hard to make the South Downs more accessible, 48km of new or resurfaced cycle and multi-user paths have been installed, five Miles Without Stiles routes have been created for families and people with limited mobility.

Discovering and Sharing Our Cultural Heritage The South Downs is rich in cultural heritage and tells a tale of settlement for thousands of years. It is a landscape that has inspired some of our greatest artists, writers and composers. The Secrets of the Highwoods project discovered 2,298 sites of archaeological significance showing traces of people who had lived and worked on the South Downs. Seventy five per cent of this had never been recorded.

For more information about the national park, please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk

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YOUR

COMMUNITY room into a pleasant meeting room for small groups, by installing a window and soft flooring.

Botley Market Hall gears up for a lively year The Market Hall is owned and run by a local charity and relies totally on local volunteers and fundraising. Why not join the friendly team of locals who run it! Just ring 01489 781155 to find out how you can help.

This year we are aiming to improve the Hall even more – external frontage redecoration and lighting; turning the rear

Meon Valley Heartstart: keeping the beat

Tuesday 19th May 2020: 7pm – 9.30pm at Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop’s Waltham Participate in one of hampshire’s biggest ever free emergency life saving skills training sessions for members of the public

Why not come along to our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8th April at 7pm in the Hall? Find out what goes on in the Hall and join the team!

We can tempt you in with a glass of wine!

Then do come to our first big Art and Craft Exhibition on Saturday 16th May from 10am till 5pm when there will be a magnificent display by local artists and craftspeople – potters, modellers, carvers, quilters, and painters of all media. Too good to miss. Free entry and there will be items for sale. On the evening of Friday 15th May from 6pm we will offer a Preview Evening – for just £5 you will meet the artists, see demonstrations, listen to music, and see the exhibition, all accompanied by sparkling wine and canopes. Tickets in advance from Derek Oswald, tel 01489 781155.

Then of course you can join any of the 20 or so clubs and societies which meet in the Hall or hire it for your special occasion.

Just check out our website – https:// botleymarkethall.org.uk Learn the latest techniques in emergency life saving skills • Approaching a medical emergency safely • Dealing with an unconscious person • Administering cardio-pulmonary resustication (cpr) • Recognizing a heart attack and knowing what to do • Dealing with someone who is choking • Dealing with serious bleeding • Using an automated external defibrilator (aed) • Benefit from small group hands-on practice • Suitable for people with no experience or those seeking to refresh their knowledge and skills.

Bought to you by Meon Valley Heartstart – providers of free emergency life saving skills in Hampshire since 2001 Register now at www.heartstartmeonvalley.co.uk

Bishop's Waltham Rotary news: April

Following last years successful inaugural Tour of Legends, we are pleased to announce we are this year having the classic car run on Sunday 28th June, 2020.

We have spaces for up to 60 vehicles which the proceeds raised going to local charities.

We will be calling into various destinations on route where the cars will be displayed to the general public. Bill Rawles Classic car sales and restoration have kindly agreed to be our main sponsor for the event.

Last year was a great day with a lovely Bunch of classic car owners and a great atmosphere. We raised £3,000 for No Limits helping young people suffering with anxiety and depression and The Society of St James for the homeless, a great achievement.

Entry is £50 per car which includes lunch at Ampfield Golf Club, lunch for partners/ Passenger is £12.50 each. To have a look at what happened last year see our Facebook page or for an application form contact Jason on 07767 880544 or email jason. rule@bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk Ever Thought About Joining Bishop’s Waltham Rotary?

Want to meet new people, have fun, raise money for local & international good causes then contact: mandy.tourle@ bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk or visit our website - come along to a meeting and see what you think! www.bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk

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