Edition 75

Page 1


TO ALL OUR READERS NewYear

HAPPY NEW YEAR

we launched in february 2012 as po9 and though the years since then published under many different titles.we stuck to our last as a not-for-

profit newspaper raising funds to help realise our readers with many community projects. as we enter our thirteenth year with your

Presents to Celebrate National Parks’ Birthday!

South Downs National Park announces inspiring initiative to help 75 schools - see page 13

support we hope to keep going with your support encouragement and input which is what works for you. do contact us if you would like to contribute.

Homebuilders federation advocates need for early training and a stronger National Curriculum for entry to the Building Industry if we are ever to build the homes that we need. volunteered to serve their country but sadly did not return.

the case for our Building school proposal gets stronger by the day. more homes are desperately needed and we will need ever more trained tradespeople to build them.we need to train talented young people to enter a rewarding career in the Building industry and this should start whilst they are at school. many years ago this was a popular concept with the country struggling to recover from extensive war damage. skills were in short supply. as many skilled tradespeople had

we need all the support we can get to help realise the new school, and to give teachers purpose built premises in which to help schoolchildren realise their innate potential to develop new skills, gain qualifications and present attractive propositions to employers.

see the exclusive article from the homebuilders federation on page two.

hi carl and reece

Hewitt Mathews

Website Advice

Carl and reece invite your questions

Send your questions to: carl@hewittmatthews.co.uk reece@hewittmatthews.co.uk

Contacts:

i run a small hotel and want to increase bookings this easter. can you advise me on some social media marketing tactics, please?

sam creating compelling content is essential to attracting attention and encouraging bookings. here are six tips.

1. high-quality images and videos: use professional photos and videos that showcase the best aspects of your event. images of beautifully set tables, delicious food, and happy guests can draw people in an easter break.videos that offer a sneak peek into the event atmosphere can be especially engaging.

2. eye-catching graphics: use graphics to make your ads stand out. colourful designs or animations can catch the viewer’s eye as they scroll through the page. make sure the graphics align with the theme of the event and maintain a consistent look with your hotel’s branding.

3.compelling headlines:write headlines that grab attention and clearly

convey the benefit of attending your event. phrases like“enjoy a spring break in style”.

4. engaging copy: keep your ad copy short and to the point. highlight the unique aspects of your event and include a strong call to action. for example,“Book your table now for an unforgettable holiday experience” encourages immediate action.

5. clear call to action (cta): make sure your cta is clear and easy to follow. phrases like “reserve now”,“Join us”, and “Book today” can guide users to take the desired action. include a direct link to the booking page to make the process seamless.

6. user-generated content: if you have positive reviews or photos from past events, consider featuring them in your ads.this can build credibility and encourage potential guests to join in the fun.

effective ad creative and copy can make your social media ads more attractive and influential, leading to increased interest and bookings for your seasonal events. good luck!

Homebuilders federation’s report

steve turner is an e director of the homebuilders federation and gave this exclusive quote to ‘your postcode’: “ if we are to increase housing supply to meet the needs of the country, house builders will need to recruit and train hundreds of thousands of young people into our industry in the coming years.

“ we have to be providing the opportunity for young people to learn the range of skills the industry needs and develop their talents so they can play their part in building the new homes we have to deliver.

housebuilding is a rewarding, well paid career that offers a range of opportunities for young people keen to work hard and develop.as the industry skills up and grows to meet the challenge of delivering tomorrow’s new homes, it will desperately need skilled and ambitious young people who are keen to progress”.

at present, the industry does not have a sufficient talent pipeline to deliver at the scale or pace necessitated by the government’s housing targets. indeed, the home building industry has long faced a

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What is involved in acting as an executor of a will?

significant skills shortage due to:

• a shortfall in the number of recruits being attracted into house building of those entering current construction related higher education courses far too few are going onto a career in house building

• a severe loss of skills during the previous recession – 40% to 50% of skilled labour left the industry.

• increases in demand – industry has delivered an increase in supply over the past decade.

• an ageing workforce – 25% of the homebuilding workforce is aged over 50 meaning the sector is facing an impending retirement cliff edge.

• the national curriculum is not fit for purpose for new entrants into the construction industry.

one of the first steps as an executor is to identify and then notify and deal with all the organisations where the deceased might hold assetsbanks, building societies, ns&i, insurance companies, pension providers, share registrars and other companies. this may not be as simple as it sounds. each organisation has different requirements and processes and their own forms that must be completed to obtain the information needed to apply for the grant of probate (the official document giving the executor his or her authority).

the executor then needs to complete various forms that go to hmrc if inheritance tax is payable and then apply, usually online via the probate registry’s portal, before the grant is issued.

once the grant has been issued it must then be produced to the various organisations, so they must all be contacted again.this can involve more paperwork, before any funds are paid to the executor, so he or she can then distribute them.

whilst some processes are digitised, so documents and forms can be scanned electronically, legislation

prohibits photocopies of death certificates being used or certified and often, original signed forms still must be provided to avoid fraud or misuse of the deceased’s funds.

often dealing with the administration of an estate can prove too much for the executor, especially if he or she is a loved one, when it can become distressing, or if the executor has no experience in dealing with, or desire to deal with, paperwork and figures. it can be even more onerous if there is inheritancetax to pay or reliefs to claim.

if you have been appointed as an executor and would like further guidance, please contact one of our solicitors. if you are thinking about appointing an executor, your choice of executor is a very important part of your will, as you can see there is a lot of responsibility to administer your estate when you pass away. ideally you should use a solicitor to make your will to ensure that it is clear and valid. details of your assets and how they can be accessed could be left with your will and both held with us in our secure storage facility to make the job of administering your estate easier.

please contact one of our solicitors if you would like more information about making a will or assisting your executor with administering your estate when the time comes.

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD 59

Compiled by the late Michael Curtis

supported by havant insurance services ltd, 20 east street, havant, hants po9 1aQ

solutions on page 6

Across:

i Broken rest shelters smart gurus (8)

5 nourishment without a food intake (6)

8 Born to be short of demand (3)

9 supports doctor, say, off the beaten track (10)

10 seen change besetting weak asian (8)

11 fugitive without a pen (6)

12 short gaelic plant (4)

14 almost steal figures heading off struggles (10)

17 defeat craft performance (10)

20 switches openers (4)

23 realised humourist not disheartened (6)

24 monkey around small french desire (8)

25 is settled about being helpful (10)

26 holed up in orchid bed (3)

27 caterers have no taste for flippers (6)

28 dread vet somehow being alluded to (8)

Down:

i lets tennis ace change (9)

2 place for old greeks with a theatre (7)

3auntie short in opening shuffle (6)

4 Bags mass ruins (8)

5at home with quality change, meanwhile (7)

6 money for naive defender (9)

7 it's a tea stewed to satisfy (7)

13 can be cut any time surrounded by fur (9)

15 sit in pound damaged, but not confronted (9)

16 dismissed, dangling (9)

18 use lint designed for device (7)

19 holds on to nastier fashion (7)

21 record article in sex appeal label (7)

22 sell on your bike, say (6)

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Slimming World Member Loses 8 Stone in just 8 months

after attending a doctor’s appointment sean knew he needed to do something about his weight. sean says 'i remember attending a doctor’s appointment as i needed an operation only to be told that 'l was massively overweight and would not be eligible to have the operation unless i lost weight.'

feeling disappointed and embarrassed in himself that he had let himself get in to

Sean rowlands’ Story

this position and for his weight to have spiralled.the doctor offered two options, a gym subscription or a 12-week course for slimming world.

sean says 'i have to be honest i hadn't really heard much about slimming world but a healthier lifestyle was what i was craving and thought this would be worth a go so i took this option. i joined my local slimming world group on a saturday morning as this fit in well with my work. i remember being nervous about walking through those doors for the first time. in fact, i remember being embarrassed and ashamed and walking through with little or no confidence with my head bowed. But that quickly changed after being welcomed by current members, especially a lovely member called rachel.

my consultant sam wasn't there on my first day as she was training for the role, but i was told how lovely she was.when i returned the following week sam gave a new member talk to the whole group, wow i thought she was so passionate, warm and friendly and at that point i felt i had made

the right decision, and i was actually losing weight.

the slimming world plan was working so well that i told my mother-in-law shirley about it who also had some health issues, we now attend together which gives that extra layer of support. shirley has gone on to lose 3 stone 10.5lbs and is now a target member.

in just over 8 months i have lost a total of 8 stone, and the health benefits are amazing i don't get breathless when walking, my joint and back pain has gone, i can now run after my young children and i used to suffer from reflux but no longer do.

'to say that joining slimming world changed my life i feel would be an understatement i believe it may have just saved it too. i really want to reach out especially to males and say that slimming world is not just for women, there are male members in all of sam's groups and the health benefits and lives that she is helping to support and change is amazing.’

slimming world consultant sam says 'sean is an inspiration in group, watching his

confidence grow week in week out has been an honour. my members make me so incredibly proud. i run groups at st nicholas church, Bedhampton on a saturday morning at 7.45am and 9.15am and at st michaels & all angels church, leigh park on a thursday evening at 5.30pm and 7.00pm. don't put off your health issues for another day and join now it was the best decision i ever made.'

YOUR MONEY

filing a self-assessment tax return is a way to report your taxable income tax to hmrc if you are self-employed or have other sources of income.the deadline for filing your 2023/24 tax return is friday 31 January 2025. if you are employed then your income tax is usually deducted from your wage by your employer. however, if you have received any income from a source other than paye, pension or interest on savings between 6 april 2023 and 5 april 2024 then you may need to complete a tax return.

you must submit a tax return if, in the last tax year any of the following applied:

• you are self employed as a ‘sole trader’ and earned more than £1,000 before deducting expenses.

• you are or were a partner in a business partnership

• you have a total taxable income of more than £125,000

• you had to pay capital gains tax when you sold or ‘disposed of’ something that increased in value, this can include the selling of shares, a second home or another asset.

• you or your partner received over £50,000 during the year and one of you claimed child Benefit

• if you have received more than £12,570 in untaxed income e.g. through renting a property

• you have received foreign income

• you have income from savings, investments or dividends over £12,570 before tax

if the 31 January deadline for filing your tax return is missed then you will be charged a penalty of £100. if your tax

return is more than three months late you could be charged an extra £10 a day up to 90 days (up to a maximum fine of £900).

hmrc can waive a late filing penalty if you have what they call a ‘reasonable excuse’. for instance, the death of your partner or another close relative, an unexpected stay in hospital, a serious life-threatening illness or issues with the hmrc online filing service.the ‘reasonable excuse’ must continue from the date of the missing filing until shortly before you actually file the return.

hmrc expects you to file your tax return as soon as you are able to do so, within 14 days of the end of the special circumstance that caused you to late file.

if you have not sent an online tax return before, you will need to register for hmrc services at gov.uk beforehand. it is also important to make sure that you have all the documents to hand in order to enter the correct information.these may include:

• p60 showing your income and tax already paid.

• p45 if you have left a job within the tax year.

• p11d to detail any benefits or expenses.

• details of interest on bank and building society accounts, dividends and any other income you have received. get into good habits by maintaining good records detailing your income and expenses and update them on a regular basis. consider putting money aside throughout the year so that you will have enough to pay your tax bill.

if you have not filed your 2023/24 tax return yet and would like help, please contact us as soon as possible and we would be happy to help.

Don’t stop Wining

DrINK TreNDS fOr 2025

as we all recover from a boozy and sumptuous christmas, historically January is when we have a ‘dry month’ and lay off the drink. But its also a good time of year to report on what i think 2025 will look like in terms of wine trends and what will be popular. the duty rate has seen another increase from last autumn’s budget so we know that unfortunately prices will rise slightly. so, the quiet months of January and february will be spent sourcing new wines at competitive prices.this is the difficult part especially when i must compete with heavily discounted prices on mass produced wines the supermarkets churn out.this is though where i look at quality wines from small producers and single vineyards. last year the industry witnessed an upward trajectory in the ‘drink less but better’ mindset and this should get bigger this year. this will attract the younger generation who enjoy wine but who are also adopting a lower alcohol, natural and sustainable wine making philosophy and wine makers will adapt to this trend. there will be more focus on terroir, lighter wines, and wines with a great background story from these producers. during 2024 it became clear that the non-alcoholic sector was beginning to boom. i believe that beer market has successfully adapted to this producing a non-alcoholic product but still with a huge

focus on quality and the same taste. i do not think the wines have quite got there yet.there are a few on the market but these have not reached that same correlation as the beer sector.and price plays an important part in that correlation. i am hopeful that throughout 2025 we will see a change to this and more quality, nonalcoholic wines appearing on the shelves. the spirits sector will continue to see the same move in the premium range. these include rum and brandy. gin saw a slow down in sales last year, but we will continue to have the small local distilleries producing high quality gins with a focus on sourcing their botanicals locally and sustainably. malt whisky also continues to rise in popularity, but we are also seeing many more whiskies from around the world appearing on our shelves particularly from Japan and the us.

Keep a look out for more whisky tastings that I will be organising this year in the shop.

What’s happening at Making Space

making space is havant’s very own community craft charity, based in their purpose-built premises in the heart of leigh park.

as well as running regular classes in a variety of craft forms, making space has a busy outreach programme, providing subsidised activities in the community, and in its home to a number of professional makers who have their own studios on site. making space aim to make crafting available to everyone.as well as subsidised courses they also offer bursaries to make craft accessible to all.

if you haven’t heard of us until now, we’re delighted that postcode publications is giving us a little space each issue to tell you all about what has been happening, and what is coming up, in our thriving craft centre.

Craft Courses

a new season of our craft courses begins in January.we run 5/10 week courses

in: ceramics, Jewellery and silver clay.the courses take place in our studios.they are led by expert tutors who help you get to grips with all the skills you need to get crafting! if there is a craft you have wanted to try or if you want to improve already existing skills these courses will get your creative juices flowing.

making space literally makes space for people and organisations to get involved in craft whether physically in our own building

Gardening

martin hampton delivered a talk at our recent monthly meeting that was so informative and illuminating that we would like to share some of his key ideas with you, with the hope that you might be able to put some of these into practice in your own garden. his mission is to inform about our precious wildlife and how we gardeners can all play a part in saving it. martin is a former teacher and lecturer and specializes in ecologically informed garden design and practice, with a focus on mixed perennial planting, wildlife ponds and gardening for bees, butterflies and birds.

or digitally in our virtual networks and events. raising the profile of craft in all its orms, we work with local and national arts organisations, contributing to debate, supporting makers and providing creative opportunities. through our outreach projects we work with partners including schools, children’s centres, family learning environments and retirement homes. our specially tailored projects inspire, challenge skill-up, engage and build new audiences for the sector.we enable people to develop new ways of thinking about the craft and experience first-hand the important presence of craft in everyday life. visit our website makingspace.org to find out about all our events, activities and opportunities. for more information, Bethany wood, communications coordinator at: bethanyw@makingspace.org

he starts from the standpoint that ornamental gardens are really only a recent phenomenon ie the last 150 years! prior to that the landscape remained as nature intended or was just focused on the production of food. martin challenged our preconceived ideas that we need to have a tidy garden, cut our grass, remove weeds and cut back unwanted plants – dandelions for

example are a vital source of food. his main argument was against the most recent idea of creating meadows using expensive seed mixes. if we are successful they look very pretty but the best meadows for wildlife are just letting nature take its course in a part of our garden space. the best plants for butterflies are grasses and stinging

nettles. without stinging nettles, the e nothing to feed on. we do not need to feed the birds artificial food for most of the year if we look after the plants and soil to provide the insects and small animals they need.

martin stressed the importance of maintaining the biodiversity of the soil by avoiding artificial feeds and pesticides and certainly not using weed suppressant fabric which he described as ‘biocide’. we should strive to leave as many dead and dying things in our garden as possible and they provide the best habitat for worms, millipedes, beetles, flies, bees and crane-flies and host of other wildlife.

some of the best plants which provide a habitat for herbivorous insects are poplars and willows, oaks, hawthorn, holly, hazel and buckthorn (this is the only plant that the yellow ‘Brimstone’ butterflies feed on). painted lady

butterflies mainly feed on thistles and the common blue butterfly likes ‘eggs and Bacon’ (Bird’s foot trefoil) which is a very important nectar rich plant which we all have growing somewhere in our gardens. perennial plants which benefit wildlife are grasses, mint, clover, vetches and trefoils, proper geraniums, violets, salvia and valerian, thistles and scabious, to provide a few examples. he also stressed we should avoid over over lighting our gardens and this discourages wildlife. martin emphasised that we can have the best of both worlds with some cultivated and ornamental aspects to our gardens but to also think about incorporating some of the ideas above which can also look very attractive. as we keep repeating ‘a plant is only a weed in the wrong place’ you may not agree, but we hope this has given you all food for thought.

see the ‘what’s on’ pages for our events programme.

Visit our website: www.hihs.org.uk or email us on admin@hihs.org.uk

Article from the Hayling Island Horticultural Society from liese holden
silver clay pieces
sharon Justice our Jewellery tutor in our Jewellery studio kelly ottesen our ceramic tutor building a clay pot

Whoosh extreme in Science

on tuesday 5th november, students inyear 7 and 8 took part in whoosh extreme, an interactive extracurricular event linking the science they have been learning with real world applications. they began in the science labs, completing flame tests of the metal ions to identify elements by the colour of the flame in the Bunsen burners. students learnt about how metals are combined to create different colours seen in fireworks.

students then joined together to see ‘can rockets’ and ‘whoosh bottles’ to learn about how different fuels result in different speeds of ignition and how rockets are propelled into the air, as well as talking about firework safety.

students were invited to attend our relaunched stem club starting on wednesday 6th november to follow this with designing and testing their own rockets, and in later weeks, periscopes. stem club runs every wednesday after school between 3pm to 3.50pm.all students are welcome to attend and should book their place with their science teacher.

Stellar Group Launch at Havant Academy

havant academy have launched an exciting new programme foryear 7 students, aimed at challenging and nurturing the talents of our most academically gifted pupils.the stellar group debuted in november and december with great success, marking a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to offering a diverse and enriching educational experience for all students.

our stellar group is specifically designed for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for learning.this group provides a stimulating and enriched curriculum tailored to meet the needs of students who are working above their agerelated expectations.

it offers a more rigorous and in-depth study of subjects, allowing students to engage in higher-level thinking, creative problem-solving, and independent learning. unlike traditional programmes that focus primarily on acceleration, the stellar group takes a more holistic approach.the curriculum is designed not only to deepen knowledge in specific subjects but also to help students develop a wide range of skills, including leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Tailored Support and enrichment

students enrolled in the programme will benefit from a blend of differentiated lessons, extra-curricular enrichment activities,and mentorship opportunities.a key feature of the programme is the opportunity to learn an additional language and experience and a programme of study beyond the national curriculum.the group will have opportunities to work in collaboration with local universities and professionals from various fields.students will take part in workshops,masterclasses,and university-led seminars designed to spark their curiosity and broaden their horizons.

Student reactions

the first cohort of year 7 students who joined the programme expressed their excitement and anticipation.aria said, “i enjoy the extra lessons on etymology because it helps to push me to the next level. i also am really looking forward to having the chance to see multiple universities and new opportunities”. another student, freedom, noted,“i enjoy the challenging learning and the fact that every day i get to reach new limits”. the general feedback from students has been very positive.

Looking Ahead

the success of the programme’s launch is just the beginning. havant academy plans to expand the initiative in the coming years, with the hope of making it available to more students as the programme develops.the school will continue to gather feedback from students, parents, and staff to refine the programme and ensure it meets the evolving needs of highachieving students.

the stellar group is a promising step forward in providing personalised and dynamic education, helping students unlock their full potential and setting a high bar for future generations of learners.we look forward to seeing this grow in the future.

Wakefords Way, Havant. PO9 5JD

Opening Hours: 8:30am - 3:00pm enquiries to: enquiries@havant-tkat.org

enrichment programme

give Havant students a taste of what they can achieve

Careers fair 2024

the havant academy careers fair 2024 took place on november 29 in conjunction with eBp south.

the event was an exciting opportunity for all our students and all year groups to speak with employers and educators about the options they could consider in the future. throughout the day just under 500 students met with potential employers, colleges, universities and companies to gain vital careers insight.

in total 11 organisations attended the event and the feedback from our guests was very complimentary about our students and the event.the university of winchester said, “great event with super confident and engaged students. i was even asked by ayear 11 if we do masters in english as she wants to become a university lecturer” and taylor wimpey shared,“engaging with the student to highlight that housebuilding has a lot more opportunities than just the building site”. in attendance:army, navy, peta, winchester university,taylor wimpy, havant

and south downs college,the portsmouth college, utc, sparsholt college south hampshire college group and andrew simpson centres students had the opportunity to talk to and meet all the exhibitors on the day, our careers event is not about deciding what specific job/career our students want to do now but about helping students make informed choices.

we’ve had a fantastic start to our 2024/25 enrichment programme throughout the autumn term. enrichment sessions seek to provide a wide range of opportunities and activities for all students. our enrichment programme is offered in addition to our regular academic lessons and allow space for the development of interests and hobbies. offering a wide range of activities also promotes potential career opportunities to our students. through these activities, students learn new skills, lead a team, make new friends and contribute to enriching their own educational experience. some of the 30 options available, in our fortnightly wednesday sessions, this term have included: cricket, rock band, girl’s football, chess, first aid, manga drawing, jewellery making and theatre arts.

students are regularly surveyed to evaluate the sessions they are taking part in, as well as the opportunity to share other potential sessions we don’t currently offer. rosie (year 7) said,“i really enjoyed being able to draw freely and i do this in my spare time. using manga allows me to draw with my friends and a variety of things to do”. priyanka (year 11) has chosen accountancy for this term and enjoying the sessions,“the sessions are informative and i enjoyed working in a small group where i could ask loads of questions. sir is really knowledgeable about this subject”.

we were joined by a large number of stallholders, representing a range of local organisations, businesses and education providers.we were delighted to welcome representatives from: students who attended the event really benefitted and enjoyed the opportunity to start thinking about their future career options. year 7,“i found it useful how they

answered all of the questions that i asked, and it was a really useful experience”. year 8,“i like the careers fair i found out a bunch of different things and met a bunch of different interesting people.they really helped with college choices”

year 9,” what i found interesting about the careers fair is that they helped and understand what we wanted to do” year 10,“i got information about how i’m supposed to achieve my goals/dream job. it’s really helpful.” year 11,“i know 3 places i want to go to after school. loved the free pens and i know how good college programmes can be.” year 10,”very good and helpful for new life choices and job options.”

other cyclists are just getting round town, to shop or visit friends and family. there are also people who just can’t afford to drive, so cycling or walking is the only option for them.

considered at fault.

Cycle Clinic

Cycle Clinic

Q. i’ve been challenged as to why cyclists wear dark clothes which makes us difficult to see against a dark road. it was suggested that it ought to be a legal requirement to wear hi-viz jackets. is this outrageous?

a . as with many things, there are two sides(at least) to this. i have written before about the advantages to cyclists of being visible and not to wear clothes the colour of tarmac, so it might seem that i agree with your contact.

however people have been complaining for years about cyclists wearing brightly coloured lycra clothing, too.

there are several sorts of cyclists, including club cyclists who wear the lycra and probably also have bright flashing lights now that these have become lightweight, and relatively cheap. some people object to these as being distracting.

the idea that legislation should exist governing what clothes any of us should wear smacks of the authoritarian control that some middle eastern regimes adopt and is, i hope, not likely to happen here.

the law already requires motorists to wear seatbelts, and motorcyclists to wear helmets, and cyclists are already required to have reflective pedals and to have a bell of some kind.

on the whole subject of clothing, my wife has complained that all the outerwear available at the moment seems to be in ‘earth colours’ and if we look around the streets nearly every pedestrian is wearing those dark colours, so if they step off the footpath whilst looking at their phones any approaching motorist is unlikely to see them. indeed, just the other day in gloomy daylight i had such a phone user step in front of me as i cycled.

had there been an impact i would automatically have been assumed to be at fault because the pedestrian is the more vulnerable.

By the same logic, if a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the driver is initially

i am often asked about classic cars as a financial investment. generally, my answer is something along the lines of:

“i wouldn’t recommend a classic car as an investment if that is all you are interested in. however, if you want somewhere to put your money to generate a modest long-term return while having something immensely enjoyable to drive, then go for it.”

i should clarify at this point that i am not a financial advisor, and nothing i say here should be interpreted as financial advice. i am a classic car

we have also to recognise that past the age of about 40 our eyesight and reaction time depreciates which is why at a later period in our lives when we have to renew our driving licence we must answer a medical questionnaire.

electric scooters are even smaller objects to spot in the road, often ridden by dark clad youths wearing hoodies. if anyone ought to be required to make themselves highly visible it could be them.it is not legal for them to be ridden on public roads, so the chances of an enforceable law being created for them is remote. the result can be the vulnerable party ends up in hospital, or worse, their family can be caused distress and grief, and the motorist also caused stress and possibly suffer ptsd.

should wear light coloured clothing if we can , and possibly reflective items and a flashing rear light, too, but i don’t think that it is a good idea to make special clothing a legal requirement.

many years ago, in london, an elderly lady stepped into the road in front of me and we saw each other at the same moment. she went to step back as i stopped and she fell over. she was unhurt but as i cycled on i was trembling all over from the near miss.

so, yes, i think, for our own safety we

reverting to the less affluent cyclists, can i ask, is it reasonable to require them to buy specific extra clothing just to go and visit family?

however there are reflective “sam Browne” belts and sashes readily available for a few pounds which are easy to wear and to pack away when not in use.

Investing in Classic Cars

restorer and enthusiast, and this is the lens through which i view this subject.as such, i am conscious of the risk that when a person comes to sell a car, the market may not be favourable. therefore, it is best to buy a car you are happy owning, in case you need to keep it longer than expected.

the flip side of this is that, unlike traditional assets, classic cars offer the opportunity to have an investment that you can use and enjoy.this, in my opinion, is their true selling point. so, if you are thinking of investing in a classic car - which, as i say, wouldn’t be my primary reason to buy one - what do you need to consider?

a key factor driving classic car values is rarity. limited-production models, particularly those from renowned manufacturers like Jaguar,

ferrari, and porsche, often command high prices. iconic cars with historical significance or links to pop culturesuch as minis or Jaguar e-types - also tend to appreciate over time. condition and provenance are critical in determining a classic car’s worth.vehicles that remain in pristine or original condition, with documented history and matching numbers, typically fetch higher prices. restoration quality also impacts value, as poorly executed repairs can diminish a car’s appeal. historically, the classic car market has shown resilience during economic downturns, with some models appreciating even when other assets falter. however, like any investment, this market has risks. prices can vary, influenced by trends, tastes, economic factors, and demographic shifts. for example, the significant drop in values of pre-war cars and the rising prices for 1980s and 1990s models demonstrate how demographics have

shaped the market. would-be investors should research thoroughly and seek advice from experts to identify promising opportunities. due diligence is essential to avoid overpaying or purchasing a vehicle with hidden issues.

ultimately, my advice would be not to view classic cars solely as an investment.although in some cases they can provide significant returns, i feel it is better to focus on the intangible benefits of classic car ownership.you cannot drive and enjoy a share portfolio.an isa doesn’t provide a tangible connection to the past and the joy of ownership.these cars are living pieces of our cultural and engineering heritage and should be cherished in their own right.

By harry rochez

theyes trips team have been busy over recent months providing off site opportunities to young people from park community school. our programme aims to broaden the horizons of our young people and create a mindset that ‘the more we see, the more we can aspire to be’. we were able to take 24 students to chichester golf club in may where they enjoyed 18 holes of outdoor adventure golf followed by a pizza buffet. golfing techniques were perfected with 4 students bagging a hole in one.young people were actively encouraging one another and sharing tips about how to play the best shots. Quotes from the day reflected that it was a success :“which way do i hold this club”…”i’ve not been to a golf club before”….”i’ve played crazy golf but this is soooo much better”….”miss, miss, miss, i got a hole in one”. in July the team enjoyed some energetic fun at portsmouth dockyard where young people took

part in laser Quest followed by a run around action stations where they also braved the climbing wall, mini assault course, and Batack reaction pads. for some, it was the first time visiting the dockyard where they were also able to see examples of the city’s naval heritage by walking alongside the impressive vessels, seeing the statues and buildings, and immersing themselves in the activities which have a link to the training of our current service men and women.

another recent highlight was a trip to playzone. it was a session full of bounce and energy as the students navigated their way around the centre, climbing, swinging, jumping , and sliding. many faced their fear of heights by attempting the Big red slide, or “slide of death” as it became known during the trip! personal pride was in abundance –“i did it, i actually did it!” a shared lunch followed by ice cream topped of another great trip. reflecting on

Yes needs more funding support to keep its inspiring work going, so if you can help please contact the editor at:

editor@postcodepublications.com

the day one student said “it’s great just to run around and be kids”. we took 24 students to gunwharf Quays where they enjoyed team bowling and a shared lunch.they braved storm Bert to have a look around gunwharf too, taking in the christmas market and beautiful displays of lights. we are taking 25 young people to an evening performance of dick whittington at the kings theatre. young people have specifically asked for this to be an evening trip as they want to experience the exterior of the theatre all lit up, which they feel will add to the excitement.

the team are currently considering future trips in consultation with young people which may include a return visit to london to visit the houses of parliament to see the home of British democracy, more outdoor experiences, and visits which will see them develop their social and key life skills.

we are extremely grateful to our funders who enable these opportunities to take place.

Health & Well-being

Health and fitness

the primary source of vitamin d is y uvB radiation. during winter months, especially in higher latitudes, sunlight is weaker and people spend more time indoors, leading to lower natural production of vitamin d in the skin. vitamin d is also crucial for calcium absorption, which is important for maintaining bone health. deficiency can lead to bone diseases like osteoporosis or rickets.vitamin d is critical in supporting the immune system, as it helps regulate both the innate and adaptive immune responses, which are essential for fighting off infections, including colds, flu, and respiratory illnesses.these are much more common in winter.

low vitamin d levels have been also been associated with mood disorders, including seasonal affective disorder

(sad), which is more common during the winter due to lack of sunlight. vitamin d may play a role in maintaining mental health by supporting the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which affects mood. it also has anti-inflammatory properties and low levels can increase inflammation, which is linked to the development of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. maintaining adequate levels of vitamin d can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, which tend to flare up more during colder months due to

increased inflammation and weakened immunity. its also essential for maintaining muscle strength, which can reduce the risk of falls, particularly in older adults who may already have weakened muscles.this is particularly relevant during icy, slippery winter conditions when falls are more common. if you want more information regards nutrition or would like a consultation with denise please visitwww.denisekellywellness.com

Southdowns National Park’s huge planting scheme nears target

more than 20,000 tree plantings and a new woodland the size of five football pitches are part of a major nature recovery drive this winter as it gets ever closer to smashing its target of planting 100,000 trees by the middle of this decade.

species, such as oak and Black poplar,

hello, my name is chekov and i am one of the resident cats at the cat & rabbit rescue centre.

you may remember back at the end of 2023 the rescue was pleased to be able to help twelve cats from oman.there was a lovely lady who helped street cats in oman by bringing them to the uk to give them the chance to find real loving homes of their own. i was so happy to hear that the twelve cats that came to crrc all found the homes they deserved. my staff kept in touch with the lady as she had more cats at her home that needed help.we knew we wanted to help but unfortunately, over the summer, the rescue was so full-on cats and

kittens from our local area that it just wasn't possible.the lady continued to look after them in her home until we had space at the rescue. finally in november, after being a bit quieter, we took in eight more cats that had travelled to the uk from oman.the eight cats are now all settling in atthe centre, they are quite shy, but it is a big change for them. i am so pleased that we were able to help again. from living on the streets in oman, not knowing where their next meal is coming from these eight cats will now finally find the homes they deserve. i can't wait to see them find lovely new homes. thank you to everyone who came to our christmas fayre at the end of

https://southdownstrust.org.uk/trees-for-the-downs-fund/

PeT Of THe MONTH - Bobble

this time we would love to introduce you to a lovely female cat called Bobble. Bobble is just 11 months old and has been with us since november after she had been living as a stray.although initially a little shy she really is a very friendly girl who loves people. once you have said hello she will be all over you looking to have a fuss made of her. she does not get on with other cats so would like to be the only pet in her home. Bobble is a friendly girl so she could happily live with calm children.

if you think you may be able to offer Baked Bean a loving home, please give the centre a call on 01243 967111 or visit our website www.crrc.co.uk.

november. even with the stormy weather my staff and volunteers were so happy to see so many of our supporters make the effort to come and support the work of crrc. i am so pleased to be able to share that we raised £3,000! this will make such a big difference and will mean we can continue to be here for the animals that

need us. i want to share a special thank you to the volunteers who gave up their time to help on the day, we couldn’t have done it without them.

see you next time. love chekov. P.S. go to our website and our facebook page for all the latest news and info regarding rehoming and centre life.

What’s on

Wednesday 15 January at 7.30pm - Rewilding the Anthroposcene - a talk by Harry Munt who will give a crash-course in Rewilding in all its definitions, including the topic of "Rewilding people".

we meet at st wilfrids church hall, padnell road, cowplain, po8 8dZ. free parking. non members welcome.

£4 cash on the door, including refreshments or book your ticket online at hiwwt.org.uk/events contact: 023 9259 8000 email: southdownsgroup@gmail.com

Air Aces

Monday 20th January - 1845 for 1930

‘flying the Jaguar in raf service’ presented by wg cdr tim kerss mBe raf (ret’d) who flew the Jaguar aircraft for twelve years and amassed 2,970 hours on this aircraft whilst in the raf. also, whilst in the raf, he was an electronics warfare officer, qualified

the havant symphony orchestra (hso) is delighted to be returning to the hayling island community centre on saturday 8 february 2025 with an enthralling evening of music from the stage and screen. Join us at 7:30pm where we will be performing from the soundtracks of your favourite films including the opening themes from the James Bond movies ‘nobody does it Better’ (carly simon) and ‘writing’s on the wall’ (sam smith)

Friday 14th March 7pm - Wine

Tasting and Trivia Evening with Hennings Wine at Arundel Town Hall. Gather a team of friends, put your tastebuds together and join us a night of vinous fun! Tickets £55 per couple. To book visit: www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

weapons instructor and commanding officer of 54 (fighter) squadron. in his talk,tim will cover the introduction and development of the Jaguar, as well as the deployments during 33 years of raf service. he will talk about the weapons carried, the tactics employed, and of course, what it was like flying an aircraft that was most at home going fast and operating down “in the weeds”.

Monday 24th february1845 for 1930

‘controlling 9/11’ – the story of the us air traffic control on this tragic day presented by mr phil holt it was the day that changed our world forever. everyone will remember what he or she was doing, when they heard of the attacks on newyork & washington d.c. phil holt was an air traffic controller for nearly forty

years, and was on duty on the 11th september 2001. in this fascinating presentation, phil will tell the story of his colleagues at the Boston, new york,washington d.c. and cleveland air traffic centres. phil’s experience as a controller, instructor, examiner and human factors specialist, gives an unprecedented insight into the most fraught four hours in the history of air traffic control.

and a finale from the ballet ‘swan lake’. don’t miss the exceptional opportunity to experience these well-loved pieces being played by a live symphony orchestra, a truly special evening which will thrill audiences of all ages alike! tickets: are available to purchase from ticketsource via our website havantorchestras.org seats are limited so booking early is recommended to avoid disappointment.

airaces is an aviation talk society, providing its members with regular talks, given by experts in many different fields related to the world of aviation at Boxgrove village hall,the street, Boxgrove, po18 0ee

members £5, non-members £10 and under 16s free. doors open at 6.45 no pre-booking, no reserved seating. for further information please go to: www.airaces.org.uk or call david Batcock on 07502 400657

friday 17th January - open meeting at the meeting place, north street,westbourne po10 8ul. free entrance all welcome.where did westbourne residents get their water from before the arrival of a mains supply? roger wilding will unveil his mainstream findings, including tapping into some deep surprises, in order to plumb the depths of this subject. go to: www.westbourne-historv.orq.uk

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

9am &10.45am 4pm, 5.30pm & 7.15pm 7.45am & 9.15am

9.15am & 11am

SATURDAYS

rOWLANDS CASTLe PAINTING SOCIeTY

new year, new hoBBy?

start a new hobby of painting or pick up the old hobby. Join our members and get absorbed in a wide variety of art. Starting January 7th until May, every Tuesday, 2pm-4pm, there will be weekly demo/workshops or life/portrait sessions at the parish hall, links lane, po9 6ad. free parking at recreation ground opposite. we welcome new members of any ability. membership for January to sept is only £30. full details are on the website: http://rowlandscastlepaintingsociety.co.uk

professional artist wendy Jelbert pictured right, led one of the autumn workshops and showed us a new technique to paint flowers using crumpled cling film to make interesting textures. liberal use of masking fluid gave striking results. the november art exhibition and christmas fair was once again a very successful joint venture between rcps and rowlands wi and visitors voted gary miller’s painting as ‘Best in show’.

emsworth Horticultural Society

it was a busy festive morning at the last opening of our distribution hut for 2024. members purchased last minute gardening supplies and renewed their membership, while enjoying mulled wine and mince pies. during the year the hut also hosts a welcome meeting, when new members meet the committee and enjoy a glass of wine.

during 2024, members visited seven gardens across the seasons.we saw snowdrops at alton in the winter, prairie garden in summer and montisfont at Xmas with other beautiful gardens visited on the months in between.

seven of our members opened their own gardens to be viewed by members.

a cup of tea, a biscuit and lots of ideas that can be replicated in your own garden, a great way to spend a morning.

the monthly talks were varied entertaining and interesting these included

a right royal musical comedy of doppelgangers, in the tudor court!

Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th January at 7:30pm plus a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm at the pallant centre, havant - tickets £14 and £10 for under 18s. Book at: https://dynamoyouththeatre.com imagine a tudor england where the prince and a pauper swap places, leading to

vegetables, dahlias, planning a winter garden and Beneficial insects to name a few.

our social events include a summer party, Xmas Quiz a Xmas dinner and an annual holiday which in 2024 was to the Brecon Beacons.

the horticultural marquee at the emsworth show is organised and run by members and is open to anyone who wants to enter the flower and produce show.we had over 600 entries last year.

everything the committee arranges would not happen without our volunteers who contribute so much.to thank them we arrange an annual party and last year we held a barbecue for seventy volunteers. our society has 500 members, an increase of 20 % during 2024. if you think you would be interested in joining our informative and very social society. please visit www.emshs.org

hilarious hijinks and mistaken identities. our musical comedy reimagines mark twain’s classic tale with a touch of modern flair. from the grand halls of the palace to the bustling streets of london, the two protagonists navigate their new lives with a mix of charm, wit, and a whole lot of singing. expect catchy tunes, unexpected twists, and a heart-warming tale of friendship, loyalty, and the power of a good laugh.

Hayling Island Horticultural Society

we have plenty of events to look forward to and our exciting talk programme for next year starting with andy mcindoe on Wed 15th Jan and martyn cox on Wed 19th feb. we also have a fantastic holiday planned to the glorious gardens of the north 8th –12th June and a self-drive trip to the sir harold hillier gardens on Monday 17th March. details of all of these can be found in our literature or on our website www.hihs.org.uk

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