SEaSoNal SplENdouR photo coNtESt WINNERS
two of Britain’s most iconic birds, and the joy of springtime wild garlic in an ancient english woodland are among the winners of the south downs national park’s annual photo competition.
photographer piers Fearick was a double winner, taking both the first and runner-up prize in the national park’s everpopular wildlife category by capturing the beauty of a yellowhammer and wren in the south downs. the theme for the main competition was “stunning seasons of the south downs” and judges were treated to an incredible assortment of images showing off the changing landscape, tree-scape, weather and light conditions throughout the year this year saw a record number of entries, with over 800 photographs.
…continued on page 2
our street piano in the meridian shopping centre continues to raise funds for charity with £750.00 donated to mission christmas. pictured left to right, mayoress Janet wade, mayor peter wade, sam chief elf mission christmas “cash for kids” and graham cook a regular piano player
Mathews
website advice
Carl and reece invite your questions
dear reece and carl as a travel agent, how can i promote my summer getaway offers using digital marketing?
nik
creating a paid social media campaign will allow you to reach specific audiences and deliver personalised messages. By understanding your audience and crafting compelling ads, you can attract more travellers.with advanced targeting features, your ads will be seen by the right people at the right time evaluating your campaigns is also crucial. proper tracking and optimisation can maximise your return on investment. small adjustments in your approach can lead to better engagement and more bookings.
Here are three important tips! identify who you're targeting, as this helps tailor your ads to their specific interests and needs.
1. demographics
– age: identify the age groups most likely to travel during the summer younger audiences might seek adventure trips, while older groups may prefer relaxing getaways.
– gender: understanding gender preferences can help you to create more relevant ads some travel offers might appeal more to women, others to men
– Location:targeting users in specific locations can optimise your campaign. For instance, city dwellers might look for rural retreats.
2. interests and Behaviours
– travel preferences: use data to find out what types of trips your audience prefers.are they interested in ski trips, beach holidays, or cultural experiences?
– online Behaviour:analyse the types of holidays your audience searches for online also consider the social media channels they might use this information will enable you to create ads that align with their online behaviour
3. previous Bookings
– Look at your existing data to understand past customer behaviour Highlight offers similar to holidays they had booked before understanding your target audience lays the foundation for a successful campaign. it ensures your ads speak directly to the needs and desires of travellers.
SEaSoNal SplENdouR photo coNtESt WINNERS
the competition judges were awardwinning photographers rachael talibart, Finn Hopson, and carlotta Luke, outdoor photography deputy editor claire Blow, the national park’s Biodiversity officer Jan knowlson, as well asvanessa rowlands, chair of the national park authority. the wildlife category, which was wide open and not tied to the seasons, was one of the highest standards ever in the history of the competition.
about the yellowhammer, Jan said:“it’s one of our great farmland birds in the south downs that has struggled in recent decades, so it’s wonderful to see the yellowhammer being shown here in all its glory” carlotta said:“the colours are just incredible – yellow on yellow with the gorse! the detail is amazing and the composition is lovely it looks like the bird is looking at the photographer” regarding the wren image, named “tiny Bit tough”, rachael said:“it’s so beautiful and one of our most characterful birds. i love the detail and how they have even captured a cobweb on the wren’s beak!”
vanessa added:“these are truly beautiful birds and it would be a travesty if we lost these species from our countryside. it underlines why nature recovery is so important.”
photographer piers, who lives near worthing and wins £150, said:“i’m constantly inspired by the natural environment and in particular the south downs national park which i’m very lucky to have on my doorstep yellowhammer, with its vibrant plumage, is only intensified with a backdrop of flowering golden gorse
“the tiny but mighty wren’s loud and proud beautiful song can be heard from many a hedgerow and it’s always a delight to be eyelevel with one”
there was another double winner with stuart east, who took the first-place prize for both the spring and winter categories.
His composition of wild garlic beneath ancient trees impressed judges.
Finn said:“this is a very accomplished photograph and a lot of thought has gone into it. it really shows off the joy of spring in our woodlands.”
if you are thinking of having a will written or updating your current will these are the questions you need answered before going ahead:
• is the firm regulated? unlike solicitors many “will writers” are not subject to compulsory regulation.
• can they provide related advice, about inheritance tax, care Home fees,trusts or Lasting powers of attorney?
• do they charge extra for secure storage or retrieval?
• what qualifications and experience do they have?
• do they have mandatory
professional indemnity insurance? anyone can write a will regardless of training or expertise make sure you choose a competent, regulated adviser to write yours. even a simple will is easy to get wrong if the person preparing it has not been legally trained. the financial cost of getting a will wrong could be significant, not to mention the upset and disappointment suffered by loved ones. the defect may not come to light until after your death – too late for you to rectify!
For advice on your will, contact Belcher addison solicitors on enquiries@belcheraddison.co.uk or telephone 01243 377231
SUDOKU
CROSSWORD 60
supported by Havant insurance services Ltd, 20 east street, Havant, Hants po9 1aQ
Compiled by the late Michael Curtis solutions on page 6
i race around in fresh pain (8) 6 pervade hatred, maybe (6)
Beat back crowd (4)
Feast i fall to cook for coworkers (10)
gold erection foundered - he has a lot to put up with (10) 13 chided endlessly for disguise (4) 14 rolling stones dive back, protected (8) 16 now start, quick, no time for emmet (6)
Heralds no goodwill for ordinances (6) 20 drink lies around in bar (8) 22 slide drink back (4)
publicity about language habits (10)
suppressing no end of strange fish (10)
almost bind member (4)
choose score, say, for meal (6)
greediest has no energy fixed for spirit (8)
2 informed, danced topless around man, for example (9)
3 address teen, lit up (7)
4 siege during gala month (5)
5 puck in middle of dutch earthenware (3)
6 porter, say, beheaded in dazed condition showed dispassion (9)
7 extends conflicts missing start (7)
8 change - afternoon starting? (5)
12 experienced aim to include rude designs (7)
15 costing almost all at sea, becoming sad (9)
17 Lets canine set develop (9)
19 right in killer leader (7)
21 garland has certain comfort (7)
23 sheila thinks she can hide stick (5)
25 confined season in record (5)
27 passion in Hampshire (3)
what’s happening at Making space
as well as running
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. Here’s what is coming up at making space Craft Community and Craft Club this year sees the return of our popular craft workshops. craft community is our monthly workshop for adults where participants work on craft projects and learn new skills.this runs on the last wednesday (10-12 noon) and thursday (79pm) of the month and costs £10.a great way to start making and learn new crafts. craft club is our workshop for crafty kids aged 7-14.a fantastic way to explore kids’ creativity and meet new friends.time to let kids' imaginations run wild. this will run on a monday 4 – 5.30pm and will cost £10. come and get crafty with us. wellandtrust making space has received a grant from the welland trust and will be offering bursaries for craft courses for care experienced people these bursaries will
allow people to learn how to make jewellery, create ceramics or try their hand at silver clay a great initiative to help people experience the benefits of crafting. making space is a craft organisation based in Leigh park, Havant with impact across the uk.we literally make space for people and organisations to get involved in craft whether physically in our own building or digitally in our virtual networks and events. raising the profile of craft in all its forms, 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, or contact Bethany wood, communications coordinator at bethanyw@makingspace.org
aUtism hampshire laUnches Urgent appeal
autism Hampshire has launched an urgent appeal to raise £50,000 to cover a critical shortfall in funding for its community group for autistic adults the charity, has operated serendipity community groups for over a decade and relies heavily on donations and grants to provide essential support for over 200 autistic adults across Hampshire the groups are an essential resource for autistic adults facing social isolation and mental health challenges, offer a safe, welcoming environment for autistic adults where they can connect, develop friendships, and access support for their mental health and well-being
“without these groups, many of our members would feel isolated, without a place to truly be themselves,” said maxine gibson,acting Head of community services at autism Hampshire "the groups allow people to unmask, make friends, and find the support they need
“we're hopeful that with the community’s generosity, we can close the gap and continue empowering autistic adults across Hampshire ” autism Hampshire currently has groups at 14 locations across the county and are open to any autistic adult over the age of 18, even if they are still waiting a diagnosis or have chosen not to receive a formal diagnosis to make a donation or to find out more about the charity, visit:www autismhampshire org uk
a right royal welcome!
award-winning charity portsmouth down syndrome association celebrated a landmark occasion as it welcomed His royal Highness prince edward, the duke of edinburgh, to officially open its new centre the duke enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the facilities learning about the charity’s vast range of specialist services, and he enthusiastically participated in demonstration activities including the charity’s new music man project portsmouth initiative charity chair rachael ross mBe said,“we were honoured to welcome His royal Highness to officially open our centre, and it was our pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce him to our families and showcase our activities. the move to our new venue had been a longtime coming due to the pandemic which caused massive delays and escalating prices. But we have been in our centre for a year now and it is perfect. it has become a real community hub”
as he unveiled the commemorative plaque, the duke expressed warmth and enthusiasm, stating his pleasure in meeting the families, staff, and volunteers. He commended the charity for its sustained “leading efforts” and “brilliant work” portsmouth dsa ambassador max, 20, who has been volunteering with the charity from an early age, was one of the young people personally introduced to the duke as a thank you for his support over the years max said,“i love our new centre i meet my friends here for our communication groups at weekends which helps us to improve our speech and social skills i do performing arts at college and i asked the duke if he likes acting too, and he said that he did, but sadly doesn’t have time to act himself anymore ” portsmouth dsa are always looking for new charity partner in the community if you would like to know more, please visit www.portsmouthda.org
the late winter garden leading into spring
February & march are the months we may start to see the fledgling signs of spring but we must still be aware that there is still the possibility of some very cold weather, so make sure you protect your vulnerable plants, particularly if there is the danger of prolonged frost and waterlogging. For some shrubs in pots such as olive trees, it is the roots that need protecting and you can use bubble
wrap, fleece or straw in a black bag! also try to put your pots in a sheltered position to avoid the worst of the weather
if you are looking for a garden project, late winter is a great time to put in a garden pond (of any size) and you may even see some frogs, insects and other wildlife in the spring. a pond is best positioned in a sunny spot with at least one sloping side to allow easy access in and out of the water grasses and other plants can be positioned around the outside to provide shelter and maybe place some gravel or stones at the shallow end. even a hole with an old
washing up bowl or a watertight receptacle can make an attractive and functional pond.
now is the time to prune wisteria and evergreen hedges and also to cut back any winter flowering shrubs and deciduous grasses (avoid any emerging green shoots) that have finished flowering. it is also the best time to give your roses a good prune, cutting back to an outward facing bud and remove any inward stems that are crossing over others. if you have any clematis that flowered in late summer they can now be cut back to the lowest pair of healthy buds.
gather up any leaves and general
debris that may have accumulated on the lawn and recycle in your compost or use as a mulch under hedges to create a haven for wildlife
Looking forward to the summer, have a look through your seed collection to see if you can start propagating these indoors to get a head start and save some money if you want to learn more about how to grow your garden from seed, come along to our march workshop - details in ‘what’s on’ pages.
Hayling Island Horticultural Society
Don’t stop Wining
By
the languedoc roussillon france’s new world wines
the wines of the incredible Languedoc roussillon region in the south of France have become some of the most exciting wines to be produced for some time i say ‘become’, but in reality they have been around for a good few years now but they seem to get better and better
Forty years ago this region was producing huge amounts of mediocre wine with no real potential and certainly no major export markets.the French government had had enough by the late 70’s and began to throw subsidies to the growers to encourage them to plant new grape varieties, reduce yields and generally start producing better wines.they introduced their ‘vins de pays’ scheme which helped winemakers who were intent on upping their game in terms of producing quality wines.this allowed them more freedom than ac wines in terms of yield and more expressive styles.there were still quite a few producers who had no intention of changing their ways.those who did, created a new generation of winemakers and in turn produced a new generation of quality wines.
the early 90’s began to see an influx of australian winemakers moving to the region realising its potential.this was at a time when australia was a major success in its branding, exports and off course, its wine one major player in australia moved to create a brand typical of the region. Hardy’s purchased domaine de la Baume in 1990 and this certainly encouraged local producers to take note in their region and to start producing wines the world would take note of. Hardy’s have since sold the domaine but local producers continue to create a leading force in the ‘brand’ Languedoc roussillon.
in terms of dominant grape varieties, anything goes really. For reds there are varieties like carignan which is big and bold. grenache produces rounder wines and cinsault gives lightness and elegance For whites we have picpoul de pinet producing lovely crisp whites whereas roussanne, marsanne andviognier produce fuller rounder whites which are more floral in style.vermentino is a favourite of mine. these wines tend to have more tropical fruit characters without the aggressive
acidity also know as rolle it thrives in corsica as well as the Languedoc try these:
Carignan
without
a
we run wine and cheese tastings regularly in the evening at £18.50pp so if you fancy tasting some cracking wines alongside some amazing cheeses then give us a call 01243 698838 for more details
Jonathan rogers fromvin wine merchants in emsworth
la BaumeViognier£13.49 rich tropical fruit with balanced oak characters.
picpoul de pinet
Chateau guery
- £16.99
sulphites, this rich spicy red is smooth with
full finish.
local Charities Benefit from santa’
meridian shopping centre is delighted to announce that its popular santa’s grotto raised nearly £2,400 for three local charities over christmas.
a much-loved annual tradition, the meridian santa’s grotto offers families an affordable opportunity to meet santa and his magical elves whilst supporting vital community causes.this year, the funds raised have been donated to rowans Hospice, chestnut tree House, and Beacon Food Bank, each receiving £796.
Havant’s mayor, councillor peter wade,
presented the cheques to representatives from the three charities this week, recognising the generosity of visitors who helped make the fundraising effort such a success.
rob Fryer, meridian shopping centre manager, said:“our santa’s grotto is always a highlight for local families, and despite a challenging year for many, we are delighted that our visitors’ generosity has enabled us to support these three fantastic local charities.”
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Left to right - chestnut tree House, mayor cllr peter wade and Lilly from rowans Hospice
cycle clinic
cycle clinic
By mike skiffins, portsmouth ctc
Q. a spoke in my back wheel has broken, but it’s not sticking out or catching on anything.
do i need to replace it , after all there’s loads of others in the wheel
a . the short answer is ‘yes’, and pretty soon, too
obviously the spokes hold the wheel hub in the centre of the wheel rim, but also the spokes are set up in triangles from the rim down to the hub, but also from the rim down to opposite sides of the hub to make another triangle a triangle is a very rigid formation. Just think, a three legged table doesn’t rock, but if one leg is broken it all falls down. on a cycle wheel all the spokes working together keep the rim the same distance from the middle all the way round, but also keep it central between the wheel forks and the brakes. it is likely that with a broken spoke one of the brake blocks will be rubbing
Havant Academy Kit Sponsorship
pet-Xi is a high-energy training specialist with a track record of making a significant difference young people’s lives pet-Xi multiaward-winning teams are dedicated to sparking minds with engaging and positive learning experiences Havant academy and pet-Xi working together since 2021, deliver elements of the maths
syllabus to enhance student’s chances of passing their gcse pet-Xi very kindly sponsored a much-needed new football team strip for the school.the picture right is of ouryear 8 football team wearing the brand-new kit in their Hampshire county cup Final. gavin o’toole from pet-Xi said,“we are so proud
and i have seen some people slacken the brake off so it doesn’t rub, but then it won’t work properly, will it? that is because instead of being straight and flat the wheel starts to be bent like a pringle, with two opposite edges bent to one side and the other bent to the other the longer you ride like that the worse the pringle shape will be, and eventually the wheel will be beyond repair and you’ll need a new wheel.
particularly with the back wheel every time you push down on the pedals the chain turns the gear at the middle of the wheel and the spokes transmit the
haVant BoroUgh sports assoCiation 43rd annUal awards eVening
on 6th February the 43rd Havant Borough sports association sports awards evening was held at Havant Horizon Leisure centre more than 100 people attended the evening where 16 awards were presented to worthy winners by the mayor of Havant, councillor peter wade BBc sports presenter andy moon, himself a local sportsman who attended a school in the Borough, was the host for the evening. Junior senior and veteran
sportsmen and women, teams, coaches, clubs and volunteers were all winners on the night. the evening was described as ‘inspirational’,‘uplifting’ and a ‘fantastic celebration of local sporting achievement’ by some of those in attendance to find out more about the awards and Havant Borough sports association visit Havant-sports-association.org.uk or the Facebook page Havant Borough sports association.
twist to the rim at the outside of the wheel that means that the spoke at the middle is turned a tiny amount inside the fixing hole and over time that can wear the joint and i expect that’s where your spoke has broken so it’s wise to inspect it and check the other spokes very soon indeed, if you find that another spoke breaks soon then it means that they are all worn and will break one after another so it will be better, after the second broken spoke, to have them all replaced you can do this yourself but it can be complicated, and need special tools Bike shops can do this for you, and Halfords for example will replace up to five spokes for £20 00 which is a lot less than the cost of a new wheel
incidentally,did you realise that your bike is hanging from the top of the wheel rim by the top three or four spokes,and the rest of them just keep the wheel round? on a wooden cart wheel the weight pushes down though the bottom spokes, and any tugging on the top spokes would just pull them out of the rim on a bike any downward pressure on the lower spokes would just bend them they are only thin bits of wire, really, and all their strength is in tension typical cyclists - everything is not what you expect
wakefordsway, havant po9 5Jd opening hours: 8:30am - 3:00pm enquiries to: enquiries@havant-tkat org
students experience the Mayflowertheatre
"on thursday 30th January, 45 students from year 10 andyear 11 had the fantastic opportunity to experience the mayflowertheatre in southampton to watch a performance of an inspector calls, a key text in their gcse english curriculum the production brought J.B. priestley’s classic play to life in a gripping and thought-provoking way, reinforcing themes of social responsibility and class that students have been exploring in lessons. From the dramatic staging to the powerful performances, the show captivated the audience and deepened
students Benefit from agriculture environment
at Havant academy, we work closely with staunton Farm.we have students studying for level 2 qualifications in animal care both in year 10 and year 11.these students study all aspects of this land-based course from handling, animal behaviour and welfare of specific species. this gives these students a head start in the animal care industry should they wish to pursue this as a future career choice
one of our year 10 students said "i can't believe how lucky we are, i want to become a vet and this course is the first step, it is so hands-on and i get so much experience with different animals.the ferrets are my favourite!"
we are also lucky to have the opportunity to use the farm with our younger students. students get to be with a
variety of different animals from alpacas, cows and reptiles, to name just some these students spend time developing social skills and building confidence learning to work together as a team.all this, as well as learning about all of the animals, being taught how to look after them and of course lots and lots of animal interactions and cuddles! one of our students shared how the visits to the farm make them feel,“i can't wait for farm days. i am always so excited, next week we are sitting with giant rabbits."
within school we complement all of this offer with our school pets, where all students are welcome to come and see and hold our stick insects, snails, cockroaches and guinea pigs. students get to show how responsible they are in looking after and caring for our animals.the farm is core to school life and has an enormous educational and therapeutic impact on students, delivering lasting change
their understanding of the text. our students represented the school brilliantly, demonstrating exemplary behaviour throughout the trip. many left the theatre buzzing with excitement, discussing key moments and interpretations of the play. one student commented, “it was an amazing experience i loved the staging!” a huge thank you to mr traynor, miss smith and miss kemp-garcia and to the students for their enthusiasm.we look forward to more theatre visits in the future!"
academy’s Big wrap success!
the lead up to christmas 2024 was not a quiet one for Havantacademy,staff,friends and volunteers the Bigwrap event saw hundreds of donated presents being wrapped at the school in preparation for the distribution to families in need alongside wrapped toys,games,and treats, more than 150 families received hampers full of everyday food items,fresh food,and classic christmas staples,like mince pies a special thank you to all our very kind volunteers who make such a difference working long hours to ensure presents were wrapped for the big day
thanks to all local people,businesses,charities and organisations who made donations,without these kind donations the event would not have been possible without their support and generosity a very special thank you should go to the Big wrap co-ordinator (michelle smith),michelle dedicates a lot of her own time working in the community and her dedication towards the Bigwrap means it is such a successful event and means families in the our community get the christmas everyone deserves
Health & Well-being Exhaustion and how to combat it
by Denise Kellywww.lifeisforthriving.com
tiredness, low energy levels and exhaustion are one of the biggest issues i see in my clinic at the moment.there are many things that can help you combat this debilitating feeling, that can make you feel like you are treading water instead of actually living. But for now i am going to explain some simple foods you can eat that will help naturally raise your energy levels. chances are if you are tired and exhausted you are nutrient deficient and/or toxic, so the way to heal is bombard your cells with goodness and have a gentle detox at the same time you can help shift things quickly by cutting out processed foods, sugar,
alcohol and dairy as these are all very acidic and will create disharmony in the body if you are feeling out of sorts. generally, the body works hard to maintain its pH balance, and eating more alkaline-promoting foods can support that effort and help regain your energy a body is far less likely to have disease present if its alkaline please include plenty of Leafy greens such as spinach and kale, as they are high in minerals like magnesium and calcium, which help make your body more alkaline cruciferousvegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, help the body to remove toxins. Having water with fresh lemon or lime is in another factor to help bring your energy back especially if you have poor digestion. eat cucumbers and watermelon, because they are highly hydrating. eat avocados, as they are rich in healthy fats, and good fats are essential for health.a lot of people worry about having too much fat, especially if you are dieting, but if you are eating clean, basically a diet full of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans
suspension for British roads
i was recently watching a video of chris Harris (he ofyoutube and top gear fame) driving a Jaguar XJs. He briefly touched on something i found incredibly insightful, which crystallised a thought that has been forming in the back of my mind for some time with the gradual move away from Britishdesigned and built cars, we have lost a unique combination of ride and handling suited to our British roads.this is
particularly apparent during the winter months when potholes and broken surfaces seem to be at their worst. Let’s face it, our roads are not great.
Having driven many modern cars, i find them very refined, but it seems to me they have been designed to perform well on smooth roads.they are great for eating up motorway miles, but
and legumes, then you seriously dont need to worry about weight gain.all you need to worry about is what you are going to do with your new found energy! tomatoes, are an acidic food that becomes alkaline once it metabolizes, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as lycopene sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants and fibre, and they help maintain an alkaline environment in the body Beet are not only alkalising, but also help with detoxification due to their high content of betalains and fibre almonds are one of the most alkalising nuts, containing healthy fats, proteins, and minerals that support the body's pH balance Herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric and cilantro all have anti-inflammatory and alkalising properties. green tea is packed with antioxidants, that help with detoxification and supports an alkaline environment in the body this is a
great place to start, but if you check out my instagram you can see more info on thisdenisekellynutrition or visit my websitewww.denisekellywellness.com
over future editions i will share further articles on the world of classic cars. i hope to give a broad and varied view of the classic car scene if you would like to read about anything in particular please email me at harry@jagxk.com
By Harry rochez
put them on a narrow country road lined with potholes, and the whole experience becomes rather unpleasant. Heading out in an Xk, by contrast, feels far more confidence-inspiring. i think this is, in no small part, aided by the bigger sidewalls that classic car tyres generally have However, i also believe that the suspension was designed to soak up the abuse a car takes on our
imperfect roads although Jaguars certainly set the standard for this combination of ride and comfort, they are by no means alone in this trait. Having recently been out in a morris minor, i was struck by how well it absorbed the bumps, even if it lacked the handling characteristics of sportier classics certainly, you can go out and buy a porsche or similar car with superior handling, but this often comes at the cost of comfort and practicality what do you think?
Have we lost something with the onward march of technology, or am i romanticising the golden era of British cars built for British roads?
NOW AND THEN
WEST STREET, HAVANT
demolition virtually complete awaiting a planning application for redevelopment of this central Havant site formally known as the west street car
park.we understand that discussions with a potential purchaser of the site are underway considering an age-related housing. scheme
What’s on
solent MaleVoice Choir
a busy 2024 concluded with a weekend at abertillery in wales and three concerts at christmas.we are now planning a busy 2025/26 season.
this year our musical director, Huw thomas, will be issuing the choir with a new repertoire which must be learnt in time for the first concert in march with Bosmere school in the summer the choir is invited to sing at the stansted summer Festival our choir usually has around twenty songs prepared for any event. a few male voice choir “standards”, some of which may well be in welsh. a few more songs revived from the 200+ titles in their extensive music library and, of course, some of Huw’s brand new arrangements. usually popular songs re-arranged for a four-part male voice choir the programme for each concert is chosen from this core repertoire as the year progresses Huw will add to the list, constantly challenging the choir’s fun of making music variety is the key to an interesting programme if any gentlemen would like a regular tuesday night of fun and music they will be very welcome to join in on anytuesday evening at 7.30pm, in the pallant centre, Havant.there is plenty of parking close by there is no need to be able to read music and there are no auditions. you will soon pick up the tunes and the harmonies. all that is needed is enthusiasm and a sense of humour! more information, including recordings, can be found by googling us.
air aces
Monday 24th March - 1845 for 1930
‘Hang gliding – a brief history’ presented by Jim whitney, chairman of the sky surfing club - the club that governs Hang gliding and paragliding in
Monday 28th april - 1845 for 1930
“decarbonising pilot training and experience Flights’ presented by kerry wilmot.
neboair have a mission to advance the decarbonisation of pilot training and experience Flights whilst supporting sustainable aviation in the uk with the introduction of thevelis electro to Flying schools and clubs.they are dedicated to promoting and developing eco-friendly, zero-emission, sustainable flight with electric aircraft in British skies and beyond.
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. venue – Boxgrovevillage Hall,the street, Boxgrove, chichester, po18 0ee
the south-east Hampshire and west sussex area.
Jim’s talk will cover the origins of Hang gliding and the history of the development of hang gliders since the sport became established in the early 70s. Jim will also talk about some of the achievements of pilots’ cross country flying as well as how to get into the sport.
kerry wilmot will be introducing us to future sustainable aviation with the fully electric pipistrelvelis electro aircraft.
6.45 pm for 7.30 start. members £5, non-members £10 and under 16s Free. doors open at 6.45 no pre-booking, no reserved seating. For further information aboutairaces,please see:wwwairaces org uk or call david Batcock on 07502 400657
free CooKing Classes
wednesdays 5, 12 & 19 March - 4.005.30 at park community school, middle park way, Havant po9 4Bu
• Learn new skills in the kitchen
• cook exciting new, healthy meals
• eat in our restaurant what you ’ ve cooked
• recipe cards to take home
• meet new people and have fun!
1st saturday of each month from 10.00 to 12.30 at the pallant centre,the pallant, Havant po9 1Be epairs will be the same date and time at the old parcels office (next to the south entrance to Havant station)
Cantemus Choir
what do mr Bean,thevicar of dibley, Blackadder and red dwarf have in common? their theme tunes were all written by Howard goodall!
ow you have an opportunity to hear a iful choral work by him,“eternal ” which will be performed by emus choir at st Faith’s church, Havant, aturday 29th March at 7 30pm r works in the programme will include Hallelujah chorus and “Zadok the ” as sung at royal coronations ckets £12 (students and under 16’s free) om: cantemus.secretary@btinternet.com or on the door
the choir is working hard on new repertoire for upcoming concerts.
the first concert will be on thursday 20th March at 7.00pm and is a joint concert with the choir of Bosmere Junior school.
the concert promises to be an evening of great fun. Bosmere school have a reputation for happy songs with wonderful harmonies.the children sing with great enthusiasm and joy this will be a free concert with a retiring collection.the proceeds wll be divided between two
the pallant Centre
15th March - the courtiers irish night 21st March - 60s/70s night with cygnus revival
26th april - oh La La Quintet - French Jazz night 10th MayLangstone Big Band & amy Baker to book tickets use the Qr code, visit www.pallantcentre.com or in person at the pallant centre mon-wed 10am-2pm
charities. Bosmere have chosen uk Harvest as their charity and smvc have chosen prostate cancer uk.
smvc have introduced some new material to their repertoire their md, Huw thomas, has made some wonderful arrangements especially for the male voices of popular songs, including a gary Barlow song made popular by take that.
in July the solent malevoice choir have been invited to sing at the stansted summer Festival.they will be singing three sets during the day around the Festival site the solent malevoice choir meets each tuesday at 7 15pm inthe pallant centre in Havant any man interested in finding out more about the choir is welcome to come along any tuesday to sit and listen and maybe join in
antiques & Collectors fair
second sunday of every monthemsworth community centre, po10 7dd great hot & cold refreshments and homemade lunches available throughout the day with free on site and local car parking available Fairs will be open from 10am to 3.30pm with just £1.00 entrance (early trade 9am). For more information, please contact 07563 589725 or email: silkroad@btinternet.com
havant Cricket Club
wednesdays until april 9th - nets for juniors at warblington school - 6 to 7.30 pm.
sunday, 18th May a charity 6-a-side tournament in aid of cystic Fibrosis uk.as well as the cricket, there will be side shows and games to enjoy, all in a good cause we will be looking for a number of sponsors for this so, if any local businesses feel this is something they would like to be concerned with, please do get in touch at: nick.webb21@yahoo.com
British garden centres has acquired what was dobbies garden centre, located on Bartons road, Havant. re-opening planned for early march,
British garden centres is the uk’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 70 centres around the country they will be recruiting an additional 22 roles to augment the garden centre and restaurant team for the expected growth of the centre vacancies will be posted on the British garden centres website: www.britishgardencentres.com/careers
What’s on
free wildlife improvements for gardens
Britain’s wildlife has declined by 19% since 1970. But we can help bring it back by making our gardens more nature-friendly that's why greening westbourne, a local environmental group, is offering free garden items to westbourne residents, to help create new wildlife homes and habitat. materials on offer include nest boxes (for hedgehogs, bats, garden birds, owls or swifts), pond liners, wildflower seed, young trees and hedge plants.
the main funding for the project comes from chichester district council, which has set money aside to help nature in the area’s ‘strategic wildlife corridors’. these are vital spaces that allow animals to find food, breed and move from place to place the westbourne corridor links the south downs national park to the coast, following the river ems and
including most of westbourne village. a map of the corridors is at www.chichester.gov.uk/article/36769 to apply for free garden wildlife improvements,westbourne residents should email greeningwestbourne@hotmail.co.uk and include their name, address and phone number, and details of materials they’d like or a wildlife project they’d like help with. or they can drop a note including the above details through the door of trudgetts cottage, almost opposite westbourne coop
the items must be used within the westbourne wildlife corridor or next to it, and within the chichester district council boundary residents are being urged to apply asap, and before 31 March, as resources are limited.westbourne parish council has also supported this project.
local green energy for westbourne?
are you baffled by headlines talking about net zero?
do you ever wonder how your neighbour’s heat pump keeps their house warm? are you curious about how much electricity a wind turbine really produces? these are the kind of questions up for discussion at a free event next month, about how westbourne could be powered by locally-generated renewable energy the event, our Future energy Landscapes, is on wednesday 19 March from 7pm to 9.30pm at the meeting place on north street,westbourne you might be a supporter of renewable energy or more nervous about what the transition away from fossil fuels means locally But this event is for anyone who
haMBledon folK ClUB
wednesdaY 12th MarCh - wiLL
Finn and rosie caLvert
will Finn and rosie calvert are a dynamic folk-inspired duo from the north east of england.
graduates of the Folk and traditional music Ba at newcastle university, they have been taking the festival circuit by storm with their a capella harmony quartettheteacups for the past ten years their duo work has been met with accolades wherever they go playing traditional music with a contemporary flair, their shows are a veritable smorgasbord of folk fusion, utilising piano, steel pan, and close-knit harmony singing to tremendous effect
Best duo 2022 - reykjavik Fringe Festival ‘the playing and singing is excellent’ (dai Jeffries, folking.com)
wednesdaY 9th april - FiLkin's driFt
anglo-welsh duo Filkin’s drift comprise accomplished fiddler seth Bye from gloucestershire and cardiff-born guitar maestro chris roberts.their music combines the traditional and the contemporary, blending fiddle and guitar with their close vocal harmonies.the duo re-imagine traditional melodies through pizzicato grooves, intricate guitar tunes, and boundless improvisation; their footstomping fiddle and guitar tunes have been igniting audiences at festivals across the uk.they came to national attention in the media when, in ancient welsh bardic
wednesdaY 14th MaY - Jack rutter
yorkshire folk singer Jack rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years a hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs
‘an outstanding performer’ (the independent).
‘will and rosie sing beautiful close harmonies with a tremendous vocal range; their songs and tunes from diverse and eclectic sources blend into an extension of the ‘folk tradition’ (James Hall,the Hearth arts centre)
https://willfinnandrosiecalvert.com
tradition, they walked 870 miles round the welsh coastal path stopping off to play 40 shows at 40 different venues.
‘Hugely entertaining' (rnr magazine) ‘utterly mesmerizing’ (Bristol 24⁄7)
wants to learn more and take part in an important conversation.
it will explore how renewable energy could meet the needs of the people of westbourne. drawing on data and research, it will aim to explore what might be feasible and prompt an informed, balanced conversation about what might be acceptable
it’s being held by energise south downs, a non-profit co-operative that works on community energy projects, using a workshop developed by the centre for sustainable energy the event is funded by the south downs national park authority and supported by greening westbourne you can find out more and book your place at https://esd.energy/events
‘singular and compelling; one of the finest singers in folk today’ (songlines)
the club is held in a small venue called the pavilion (formerly called theyouth Hut), between thevillage Hall and thevine pub, west street, Hambledon po7 4rw which, while part of its charm, means space is limited - booking is strongly advised.
Hambledon Folk club offers a friendly and intimate setting enjoyed by artists and audience alike: many performers comment on the warmth of their reception and a true folk club atmosphere nowadays the club features local, national and even international guest performers while invariably there is the traditional floor-spot session before the main act for local or visiting performers to each
‘Jack rutter is one of the most enthralling folk singers, guitarists & musicians on the British folk scene today’ (Folk radio uk)
https://www.jackruttermusic.com
sing a song or play a tune or two Hambledon Folk club is a non-profit community group bringing the best of folk music to local people.
www.hambledonfolkclub.com
email (reservations and info): folkclubhambledon@hotmail.co.uk tel (reservations and info): 023 9263 2719
aLL gigs start at 8.30pm (doors open 8.00pm). entry: £12.00 (£10.00 members, £6.00 under 18s and students) drinks: Fromvine pub next door (or bring your own). tea/coffee available at the club do come and visit our friendly club!
present laughter
by noël coward
thursday, friday, saturday 3, 4, 5 april
at st georges church Hall,waterlooville po7 7eH - tickets £8; £5 for under 16s available at the door or from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/Hat see Horndeanamdram.com for more information about the group and the production.
present Laughter is light-hearted farce that celebrates playwright noel coward’s legendary wit and larger-than-life persona. Based on coward himself, actor garry essendine is the star of the London theatrical scene at the height of his fame and adored by legions of admirers--perhaps a little too much. Fans regularly throw themselves at garry’s feet, drawn in by his charm and charisma, throwing his household into chaos. in the week before garry is set to embark on an african tour, he is forced to juggle a besotted young woman with stars in her eyes, an unhinged young playwright obsessed with being in garry’s presence, his best friend’s wife who is determined to seduce him, his manager, his producer, his secretary, his estranged ex-wife, and an impending mid-life crisis as his 40th birthday looms ever closer
rowlands Castle painting soCietY
it is to the advantage of the society that a number of professional artists live within striking distance of rowlands castle and are able to offer demonstration/workshops. Jill illiffe gave a workshop on painting a portrait in oils to give members a chance to get out their oil paints if they had them, otherwise they used acrylic, watercolour or pastel.
about painting portraits, Jill says ‘i concentrate on a section and work in detail and leave other parts out and usually have a simple background.the quiet, concentrated process of creating the work and taking as long as it takes to get it right is incredibly important to me’.
hayling island horticultural society
thursday 6th March - workshop at 2.30 pm. tony athill will demonstrate planting methods, factors that affect germination and how to care for seedlings. all materials will be provided. For more information and to reserve a place, please contact gill on 07790 230524 or gillnswft@icloud.com
wednesday 19th March - a talk at 2.30pm by gillian taylor on ‘the english garden:a Quest for paradise - a journey through time to look at some fabulous gardens and their owners. From landscapes to exuberant borders, self-designed to collaborations. saturday 28th June - annual community Fair and summer show 1.30 - 4.00pm at the Hayling college
Full details about the society and future events can be found on our website www.hihs.org.uk or Facebook page
since moving out of London, Jill has found the time to look quietly at the landscape around her, as well as butterflies, birds and the objects in her home - all have become the subject of series of works. London’s loss is our gain. these workshops as well as Life sessions help members develop their artistic skills Find out how you could join us at: http://rowlandscastlepaintingsociety.co.uk
What’s on
YOUR MONEY
Budgeting is the backbone of any business, providing a roadmap for managing resources, anticipating challenges and setting realistic goals. For small and medium sized enterprises (smes) especially, a robust budget can mean the difference between thriving and simply getting by Let’s look at how to build a business budget that supports your financial health, plans for contingencies and prepares you for the future
1 start with clear financial goals –having clear financial goals is fundamental to creating a business budget.when setting out goals keep them specific, measurable and relevant to your business needs.
2 understand you fixed and variable costs – a solid budget begins with a breakdown of your fixed and variable costs planning for variations helps prevent cashflow issues and ensures you can cover expenses especially through high demand periods
3 Build a cashflow forecast – a cashflow forecast will track your
incoming and outgoing cash and help you to ensure you always have funds available to meet your obligations.
4. use budget friendly tools and software – manual budgeting is timeconsuming and prone to errors. thankfully, there are numerous accounting software options available that automate budgeting, track expenses and generate reports to give you real-time insight into your financial position.
wetlands initiativeturns tide on Biodiversity loss
an exciting £1.7m “downs to the sea” initiative to restore precious wetlands across the south downs region and raise awareness about water is now under way. it comes after national Lottery Heritage Fund grant last year. the initiative will help carry out muchneeded restoration work to a number of internationally-designated wildlife sites restoring 15 ponds in the national park to create biodiversity hotspots and support the movement of wildlife. a range of activities are also planned to connect people with waterways, including volunteering to help rivers and social prescribing to tap into waters’ benefits for health and wellbeing. it comes as wetlands are under increasing threat from climate change,
Business Budgeting
5 set up an emergency fund - aim to set aside three to six months’ worth of essential expenses in a separate account that’s accessible but not easily withdrawn.
6. regularly review and adjust your budget - a budget is a dynamic tool that should evolve with your business. set a regular schedule to review your budget against actual figures.
7. don’t overlook taxes and regulatory changes - over the last few years, several adjustments in allowances and reliefs may impact your business, so make sure your budget reflects these updates
8. prioritise profitability over growthwhile growth is often a top priority, sustainable profitability is more important for long-term stability
9. prepare for seasonality and market fluctuations - in industries where demand is seasonal, building a budget that accounts for these fluctuations is essential. planning for seasonal
strands: water in the landscape and water in people’s lives. on the landscape side, a number of schemes are in the offing:
• wetland restoration in the arun valley – delivering vital restoration works on a string of functionally-connected nature reserves down through the arun valley to the coast, at rspB pulborough Brooks and amberley wildbrooks, and at Ferry pool wetlands, part of rspB pagham Harbour and rspB medmerry these sites are internationally designated for their wildlife but need urgent investment to help increase biodiversity and build climate resilience there will be:
cycles helps to ensure you have enough cash on hand during slower periods
10. use key performance indicators (kpis) to measure success - setting up kpis for your budget can provide valuable insights into how well your financial plan supports business objectives.
11. seek professional advice - budgeting can be complex, and it’s easy to overlook important details, especially with regulatory changes. seeking advice from an accountant or financial adviser can ensure your budget is accurate, compliant and aligned with your goals.an adviser can also help you interpret financial data and recommend strategies for maximising profitability.
As Accountants we offer tailored services for a wide range of SMEs,we can offer specialised expertise to your business finances and strategies that will help manage your cash inflows and outflows.
information and ideas on how they can help their water environment.
• Led by writing our Legacy, there will be creative opportunities for those who may not have had access to wetlands before working with artists from Black,asian and ethnically diverse audiences, the creative project will explore and respond to the arunvalley and its wider landscape and heritage For updates on the project visit: wwwsouthdownsgovuk/downs-to-the-sea
water usage, pollution, flooding, drought, and fragmentation. some two thirds of all freshwater species are supported by ponds and yet the uk has lost half of all its ponds since 1900. in the south downs national park, a survey of pond locations showed that almost 70 per cent are in poor condition, or have disappeared from the landscape, resulting in large swathes of downland where no surface water is available for wildlife the south downs region is full of incredible blue spaces – rivers, streams, ponds, coastline and a huge aquifer – but like so many parts of the uk, these water environments are under increasing threat. in many places wildlife is just surviving, rather than thriving as it should be. downs to the sea has two main
• volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities around the monitoring and maintenance of watercourses.
• the creation of “water champions” to help lead community-based action and raise awareness of the importance of water in the landscape
• a range of activities, including social prescribing, to help people experiencing loneliness, anxiety and depression.working with local organisations there will be opportunities to get involved in nature-based activities, including at rspB pulborough Brooks.
• schools will receive fun and interactive assembly presentations and workshops, supporting the national curriculum rivers topic with local
oystercatchers by national park ranger tim squire
the Cat & raBBit resCUe Centre
Holborow Lodge, Chalder Lane, Sidlesham, W
Hello, my name is chekov and i am one of the resident cats at our centre i want to tell you about the sad circumstance that two kittens recently arrived under abbie and albert as my staff have called them, arrived at the centre after they were found in a sealed box in some woodland they were only seven weeks old and i was so sad to hear that someone would abandon them like that when they arrived, they were dehydrated, starving hungry, skinny and covered in urine stains However, they are also both suffering from some neurological issues and my staff think this is why they may have been abandoned, but it is no excuse their neurological issues mean that they both shake, can't walk on their back legs and can't toilet
our mission is to provide strong foundations, facilitated through flexible delivery & offer a supportive service that is engaging & fun.this allows young people to thrive despite external challenges, through the continued provision of open access safe spaces,by sharing power & building trusted relationships,motiv8 will be an agent of positive change we will create opportunities for young people to unlock skills,tools & resilience to access a brighter future in their own communities crystal, one of our wonderful young people, felt compelled to share why she believes supporting motiv8 makes such a difference in the lives of young people like her…
"motiv8 has supported me in many ways by always being a safe space and a friendly environment where i feel confident and less alone they have always been supportive and never
properly.they received lots of different treatments from our veterinary team and even visited a specialist.we tried everything to give them a chance sadly, with so much going on, there was nothing more my staff could have done for them and nothing would have improved their quality of life. Both our vets and the specialist vets agreed that it was the kindest thing for them to go to heaven. at the centre abbie and albert received all the love and attention they deserved and even got to go home with the staff for extra cuddles they were the sweetest little kittens and i hope they knew in the few weeks they were at the centre that not all humans are bad. although the outcome wasn't what we all wanted at least we know we did everything we could for them and i am glad they came to the centre and didn’t die in that box.
see you next yime Love, chekov
judgemental in any way, no matter why i was there or what i was talking about they have also always been flexible - even when things change at the last minute in my opinion, people should support motiv8 because it provides young people with the opportunity for their voices to be heard and a chance to give back motiv8 hubs helped me make new friends - something that can be difficult sometimes.
everything that i have experienced within the motiv8 community has been enjoyable and will always be a lifetime memory for me ”
motiv8 is a life-changing youth support charity with a successful history of empowering young people and their families across Havant. we need your support. please donate online at: www.info@motiv8south.org.uk
pet of the monthVaseem
happy Birthday national parks!
this time we introduce you to a very cute male cat called vaseem who is nearly four years old and has been with us since november He arrived with seven other cats from oman, rescued by a kind lady when they were starving and living on the streets after everything vaseem has been through, he is a bit shy and finds it hard to trust humans He is a chatty boy and will meow when you go to see him, but he’s not so sure about being touched yet we think he does want to be friendly it will just take him some time, he may do a little hiss but he is not mean at all vaseem is looking for a quiet home where he can settle in his own time His perfect home would be without any other pets or children if you think you may be able to offer vaseem a loving home, please give the centre a call on 01243 967111 or visit our website www crrc co uk
south downs announces inspiring initiative to help 75 schools
seventy-five years ago on 16th december, national parks were created as special places where people and nature could come together, bringing hope and joy to a nation scarred by war. the south downs national park is helping 75 schools to add beautiful wildlife havens to their school ground to celebrate the anniversary schools across the national park and surrounding areas will be able to apply for grants of up to £1,000.
the “renature grants” can be used for a myriad of purposes, such as planting a wildflower meadow, planting trees, digging a pond, building a bee hotel, installing bird boxes or creating an allotment.the initiative ties in with the national park’s ongoing renature campaign, which is fighting against biodiversity loss by creating scores of new wildlife havens across the region.
it comes after the national park launched a new immersive film trail along the south downs way earlier this year to mark the 75th birthday the “your national park” trail celebrates the local heroes of the south downs and explores their intimate connections with the amazing landscape.
siôn mcgeever, chief executive of the south downs national park authority, said: “seventy five years on since their creation, national parks continue to welcome, inspire and reinvigorate people of all ages, while
the south downs national park boarders the north of our region and provides an outstanding natural habitat and recreational value to all of us.
becoming hubs for the nation’s nature and climate ambitions.
“it’s wonderful to be announcing this new funding to support schools and young people as we mark this milestone for national parks.
“young people need access to nature more than ever before, not only because they are the future custodians of our planet, but also because outdoor learning brings so many benefits to their health and wellbeing. ultimately, we want nature to be everywhere for everyone and this new scheme is another step towards that goal.
“young people can play such an important role in helping biodiversity bounce back and i’m excited to see the new wildlife havens that are created by this inspiring initiative”
Half of the funding is being provided by the national park authority and the other half by the south downs national park trust, the official charity of the national park. applications can be received until 1 July and are on a first-served basis.
