The Dever August 2022

The Dever

The Journal of the Dever Valley

First-Sunday-in-the-Month - Fund Raising Walk.

Sunday 7th August 2022

Car Share from Warren Centre Car Park at 10:00am

Walk starts at 10:30am from the Visitors’ Car Park at Popham Airfield, Coxford Down. SO21 3BD Grid Ref: SU534 442

we can see the Model Aircraft area and the Drone Zone (well -away from the Light Aircraft). Our route takes us through wild flowers of the chalk grassland, and its butterfly population including the Blues. Light aircraft and Gyrocopters will be taking off and landing having travelled from all over the country, the Channel Islands, the Continent, and perhaps even greater distances. The area is EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS come prepared for the weather.

DOGS welcome but MUST be on leads and it is essential to clear up after them. Thank you

At the end of the walk we can relax at the café which provides an excellent selection of soft drinks, snacks and light meals. Checkout their facebook page www.facebook.com/Pophamairfieldcafe/

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Suggested donation £5. Children free.

Valley

Benefice Co-ordinator Clare Fancourt coordinator.upperdever@hotmail.com

Church Wardens

St. Mary the Virgin Micheldever

Jan Mason 01962 774362

Juliet Pattinson 01962 774399

Holy Trinity Wonston

Sarah Hobhouse 01962 760003

St Margaret's South Wonston

Melinda Samms 01962 761036

Roger Keys 01962 881718

St Mary & St Michael Stoke Charity

Ruth Guy 01962 760259

Websites

St Mary the Virgin www.stmarysmicheldever.co.uk

Holy Trinity www.wonstonchurch.co.uk

The Dever

Editor:

Peter O’Keefe

07515 339279

1 Canada Cottages, Overton Road, Micheldever Station, SO21 3AN.

Email: editor@thedever.org

Printing:

Richard Vellacott and team

Annual Subscription January to December for 12 issues: £8.00; £15.00 by post.

Articles for September issue to be received by the editor before 15th August please.

Articles printed in The Dever are accepted ‘as is’ and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Team.

Subscriptions Enquiries & Distribution

Micheldever

Anby Dixon 07799 212586

Micheldever Station

Andy Adams East of railway line 01962 774363

Ann Hawkins West of railway line 01962 774956

Dever Advertiser

Sales: Amanda Forsey email: Editor: Roger Forsey

Jesus’s Answer to Fretfulness

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus during his ministry often acted in a way that shows he believed he was no ordinary teacher/rabbi and this self-consciousness runs like a thread throughout all his teaching. In Luke 10 he tells Martha to stop fussing about what needs doing in the kitchen, and to allow her sister Mary just to sit and listen to him.

At the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service in St Paul’s Cathedral the Archbishop of York talked about how her faith in Jesus has been key in giving the Queen the strength and wisdom she has needed to keep her going during her long reign, and then he encouraged us all to follow her example.

So how can faith in Jesus help us cope with the fretfulness shown by Martha? Jesus gives us a clue in what he said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have to confess that Martha’s problem has been and continues to be at times something I really struggle with, and there is no question it has been my faith in Jesus and his teaching more than anything else that has helped me cope with the stresses of life.

First, it is hugely comforting quite simply to have someone to lean on. Jesus invites all those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to him, and consciously off-loading on to him, one by one, all the burdens and cares that this life throws on to our backs

is a great way to easing the fretfulness that can so easily overwhelm us.

Secondly, as I get near the end of my life, trusting In Jesus has taken away any fear of death. I came very close to death 13 years ago when I suffered a heart attack. Yet I have to say that throughout the whole process I felt held by God, enveloped by his peace.

And thirdly, having Jesus in my life, seeking to focus more and more on living in obedience to his teaching, has given my life a value and a purpose that nothing else could ever give.

Just before I suffered my heart attack I had been meditating on the last few verses of Psalm 73 which includes these words: “Whom have I in heaven but you, Lord? Earth has nothing I desire apart from you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.”

As I have reflected on this it seems to me that through my close encounter with death God was reminding me that this life offers me nothing compared to what he offers me. I believe he gave me the same message that he gave to Martha:

“ Mary your sister in choosing not to help you in the kitchen and instead in choosing to sit at my feet and listen to my teaching has made the better choice because nothing in this life, however important and however worthy, does not come close in value and importance to listening to me and my teaching.” Is He saying the same thing to you now?

Peter Russell August 2022

News from Woodmancote & Popham

St James hosted a Pet Service in June. I must admit to feeling slightly barking (no pun intended!) at taking two dogs and a chicken into Church!

However, it was a good humoured short service, expertly taken by Rev Rob Rees. At the end of the day, I think anyone who owns a pet, really knows how loved and a part of one’s family they become, so maybe not so eccentric after all.

In lockdown many pets quite literally kept people going–dogs have to be walked, all pets have to be fed and looked after, sometimes it is the little things that keep one feeling normal and they certainly give love back totally unconditionally.

In July it is our Patronal Service but at the time of writing this has not yet taken place. We are really looking forward to taking Holy Communion presided over by Rev’d Rob Rees following his ordination as a priest.

In August it is holiday season and we only have one service, which is morning prayer on 21st. A date for the diary is our Harvest Festival followed by lunch on Sunday 25th September at 11am.

Hope you can join us.

Jane.

Jubilee Grid Photo

Many people think it a great idea to have a grid photo made of all our Platinum Jubilee Celebration photos taken by you. If you would like any of your photos included, please send them to Peter O’Keefe

editor@thedever.org who has agreed to create the grid, which will be a wonderful memento of parish community memories. Please send your photos no later than the end of August. Thank you.

Iwould like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all in Micheldever for their kind thoughts and help recently. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather have been at this difficult time, it made life easier.

Special thanks to Alice Johnson who looked after me and Anby Dixon who nourished me. Small things make life bearable. So once again a big thank you to Micheldever.

Sheila Rodger

The Hampshire County Council consultation on 20mph speed limits has now gone live.

https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/20mph-speedlimits-consultation

The deadline for responses will be extended to mid-September.

The Dever Valley Local History Society (DVLHS) has finally re‑surfaced following the pandemic and is pleased to make an early announcement of our first Talk of the season:

The Impact Of The Black Death 1348/9 On The Diocese Of Winchester.

13th September

Venue: The Warren Centre, Micheldever Station. 8pm prompt. £4 entry at the door.

Jubilee Thanks

The Jubilee celebrations are still fresh in our minds and this month here are some more photographs to enjoy.

The events each part of the parish put on were enjoyed by all and showed real community spirit throughout our parish.

Thanks are due to many people–too many to mention by name but perhaps there are a few organisations which deserve special mention.

First a thank you to Micheldever Parish Council for their guidance and help with several aspects of the celebrations. They also gave us a loan to cover the purchase of the wine and the mugs. This we have paid back We received a grant from Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council which was spent on the hire of toilets for Woodmancote, hog roast equipment, road

signs and several other expenses which soon mounted up. Thank you to both Councils

Another major contributor was Micheldever Mini Marquees who supplied, free of charge, a great number of tables and chairs. Thank you

Thanks are also due to all the village halls who loaned various things for the events and to Micheldever Church of England School for the use of the toilet and their grounds for the Street Party

Last but not least thank you to our sponsors, Whitefoot, Agri and Micheldever Tyres

We still have a number of mugs for sale, the proceeds of which will be used for something in the parish to commemorate this special occasion Olly and Maurelle

Left: Empty tables and chairs set out in Duke Street closed for the occasion

Right & Bottom: Four hundred people enjoyed lunch together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee

More about the Parish Jubilee Celebrations

What wonderful memories were created across the parish over the Jubilee weekend to celebrate the remarkable reign of our Queen.

The festivities started on the Thursday with the amazing Champagne Breakfast at The Half Moon and Spread Eagle and the day then ended with a delicious hog roast in Woodmancote, plus a drink or two! At 9.45pm the beacon was lit to coincide with the lighting of beacons around the country.

On Friday, Micheldever Station organised a splendid children’s party in the Warren Centre, and in the evening The Dove was full to capacity for the BBQ.

The fête at East Stratton on Saturday was a huge success, enjoyed by a large number of people, with an evening at The Northbrook Arms to follow, watching The Jubilee Concert and quenching thirsts.

After all these wonderful events, all blessed with fine weather, it was with great trepidation that the Micheldever Jubilee committee decided on the Sunday morning to go ahead as planned and hold the street party outside, even though the weather forecast wasn’t looking at all promising. At 8.30am Church Street was closed to traffic, marshals were in place, bunting and balloons were strung across the road and an army of volunteers appeared to begin setting up tables and chairs, all delivered by yet another team.

It was lovely to hear the bells being rung before the Thanksgiving Service in St Mary’s, beautifully decorated with flowers from the

Flower Festival which had been running over the Jubilee weekend. While we were singing away in the church the team outside continued to set up the tables, covered them with tablecloths, decorated them with flags and placed location letters on them to identify where party groups should sit–an incredibly well-thought-out plan. Everyone started to arrive at midday, the bar opened, manned by more volunteers, and the children paraded to show off their costumes for the ‘Kings and Queens’ competition. At 1pm the party began, food was shared, and an atmosphere created that was just unbelievable. And let’s not forget the amazing community singing and of course the conga at the end!

At 4.30pm the new play area at the LRPF was officially opened by the chairman of the Parish Council. By 6pm Church Street was cleared of everything, tables and chairs returned, and no rubbish left behind, so thank you all for that.

A HUGE thank you–to everyone who worked so hard to help in any way to make the truly fantastic memories we are all still talking about, and to everyone who supported the events.

Maurelle and Olly

Parish Council News

Vandalism

It is with sadness that the Parish Council have to note an increase in vandalism in the Parish. Where this vandalism is to Parish Council property, all residents bear the cost of repairs and money that could be used towards new items and projects has to be diverted to carrying out repairs that should not be arising. The basket swing at Warren Field has had to be repaired and glass has been broken in the bus shelter and the pavilion at the Lord Rank, along with other damage to property. It is such a sad waste of resources.

Reporting Issues

The Parish Council are always happy to have contact with residents. Parish Council meetings are open to the public and up to fifteen minutes of the meeting is set aside for residents to ask questions or raise concerns. Some of the issues brought to the Council may, however, be dealt with more promptly if reported directly to the appropriate authority. Both Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council have on-line reporting facilities on their websites for those who have internet access.

Hampshire County Council are the Highways Authority and issues relating to roads – potholes, damaged or obscured road signs etc can be reported at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/ roadmaintenance/roadproblems

On minor roads in particular, HCC may be unaware of issues for a considerable amount of time if they are not reported by the public.

Winchester City Council are responsible for rubbish collection, fly tipping, planning and environmental health.

Fly tipping can be reported via https://www.winchester.gov.uk/waste-andrecycling/flytipping or 0300 3000013

Dog fouling, noise nuisance, bonfires etc can be reported to EH@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848097

Planning Enforcement Issues can be reported to Enforcement@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848480

Matters can also be reported on-line to the Police using https://www.hampshire. police.uk/ro/report This is typically quicker than reporting by phoning 101 but 999 should still be called in emergencies.

Jocelyn, the Clerk, can be contacted via micheldeverpc@hotmail.co.uk or on 01794 368951 (office hours if possible please).

Trip to the Ukraine Border 14th

July 2022

First and foremost a huge thank you to the Micheldever parish community, nearby villages and Hatch Warren for the generous response to my plea for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. In particular I would like to thank Phil Smith and Craig Eales for donating the proceeds of the Micheldever Wine Circle raffle at their summer party towards our fuel costs.

On July 14th we boarded the 5.20am Eurotunnel shuttle with 2 large vans loaded with 3 tons of essential aid, including medical supplies, baby food and clothes, toiletries, pet food, generators and high carb / high protein foods. Once in Calais, we headed towards

our overnight stop in Zwickau, Germany which was a very hot 556 miles ahead of us, but sadly only a short leg into the trip the second van decided to break down not far from Eindhoven, not a great start. The recovery services were called and reluctantly we had to leave them to it as we pushed forward into our overnight stop. We put our heads down in a local hall of residence kindly organised by the local university.

Friday 5am we left Zwickau and headed towards our drop off point at Medyka, Poland, a border crossing into Ukraine. Again another very hot day, but the traffic was kind to us and we made good time. On arrival at Medyka we were met by two amazing aid workers Adam (from Kentucky USA), and Alex (from Manchester).

Boxes of essential supplies in the van

Aid Van with left to right, Adam, Alex and Jason

Soon our van was unloaded and these guys were already organising the onward journey. We had a quick look around the border crossing and the many aid agencies working there, everything seemed so very well organised. The look on the faces of the steady stream of refugees crossing the border with nothing more than a suitcase and some people with their pets, really put a lump in my throat. I had a nice home to come back to; these people didn’t know what lay ahead of them. In the meantime, our colleagues in the second van were struggling to get back on the road. After 717 miles we stayed at Krakow for the night where we were to meet up with a Ukrainian woman and her son who would be following us back to the UK, and their sponsor family in Hertford. Saturday morning was a later start departing about 8am and heading towards Krefeld in Germany, conscious that we had our new Ukrainian friends following in their car. With the second van now fixed (sort of!), we decided to meet up at Krefeld where it had been arranged for us to stay the night at the local fire station. The German firefighters

were very welcoming, even insisting on refuelling our vans with their diesel. 9pm it was decided to swap the load from the poorly van, into our van where the other two drivers would drive the same route just 48 hours behind schedule.

Sunday morning we were up at 4am and now nursing the ailing van, we took a steady drive back to Calais where I would now leave my co-driver in the van for the final leg, and I would drive the Ukrainian car back to Hertford. My two new Ukrainian friends struggled with the concept of sitting in a car that was inside a train but were glad of not having to drive on the left on arrival back in Folkestone. The second van somehow managed to get back 24 hours later.

This and numerous other trips have been organised by Debs Bonfield of Hertfood, a foodbank in Hertford that stepped up to the challenge of getting aid into Ukraine when the war started, and have a fantastic distribution network within Ukraine. You can follow their work on Facebook, just search ‘Hertfood’.

Jason Judd

Tired young woman just having crossed border control

Photos provided by Jason Judd, taken at Medyka, Poland-Ukraine border

Wonston Community Café

Our June café was held on yet another sunny day, and most of our visitors enjoyed sitting outside next to the roses in the glorious sunshine. Sales of coffee and cake were brisk, especially when the ladies cycling club and the aqua ladies arrived!

£290 was raised for our charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Some new local visitors attended just to support this worthy charity. Aly Wright, a local

resident whose son had been helped by RABI, spoke to visitors throughout the morning, promoting the work of the charity. There will be no cafe in August so the next Community Café will be at the Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney, 9.30am–12 noon on Wednesday 21st September when we will be raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour

rescue service in the UK and Ireland, and seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. The RNLI Flood Rescue Team helps those affected by flooding.

We are a cash only café, last orders

11.45am, lots of free parking. Donations to our monthly nominated charity are always welcome.

2022 dates/charities already confirmed are:

17th August No cafe

21st September RNLI

19th October Blood Cancer UK

Janis Kinnell

Hampshire History Trust seeks Trust Secretary

Hampshire History Trust, the charity which runs Heritage Open Days in Winchester, is searching for a Trust Secretary to join their supportive and welcoming board.

The role of Secretary is to support the chair by ensuring the board functions smoothly. The secretary may carry out their duties directly or delegate to volunteers or staff, ensuring that tasks are completed. Key skills include relevant experience, knowledge of the Charities Commission Trustee Duties and Responsibilities, good IT skills, analytical skills, ability to communicate.

Trustees serve in a voluntary capacity but with the satisfaction of supporting a distinctive and highly-regarded heritage organisation. The activities championed by the Trust have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and are at the heart of a thriving heritage movement in Hampshire. Beginning informally in 2016

with a Heritage Open Days programme of 40 events, by 2019, the offer had reached over 140 attractions ranging from chocolate tastings to live theatre, leading to the formal foundation of Hampshire History Trust – and the launch of a brilliant new podcast, ‘Hampshire Histbites’ in 2020.

HHT Chair Nicky Gottlieb said:

“The Trust Secretary is at the heart of our team and will make a real difference to our work to bring Hampshire’s history alive. If you are as excited as we are about promoting the rich and diverse stories that make us who we are today, this is a brilliant opportunity to come on-board. Let us know!”

Closing date for applications: End of August 2022 Interviews: September 2022

To find out more visit

https://hampshirehistorytrust.com or email

trustees@hampshirehistorytrust.com

Your Tea Tent Needs You!

The Micheldever fête will be taking place on Saturday 17th September 1pm-4pm. The tea tent will need lots of volunteers to help with serving tea and clearing tables. If you think you can help for an hour on the day, or bake a cake (or two!), please do get in touch with me. I would also be grateful for some help setting up in the morning.

Thank you

Janis Kinnell

The Old Police House, Duke Street 774814 or 07745458822

janiskinnell@hotmail.com

Church Services for Dever Valley Benefice

August 7th Eighth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Holy Communion with Baptism St Mary the Virgin–Micheldever

Rev’d Rob Rees

10.00 am Holy Communion St Mary & St Michael–Stoke Charity

Rev’d Neil Britton

10.00 am Morning Prayer St Margaret’s–South Wonston

John Walsh

10.00 am Morning Prayer with Baptism St James–Hunton

Rev’d Cliff McClelland

August 14th Ninth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Holy Communion St Margaret's–South Wonston

Rev’d Neil Britton

10.00 am Morning Prayer All Saints–East Stratton

Campbell Dye

11.00 am Morning Prayer Holy Trinity–Wonston

Peter Russell & Neil McSparron

August 21st Tenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Praise Service St Margaret’s–South Wonston

Mary Cleal

10.00 am Morning Prayer St James–Woodmancote

Ruth Guy & Roland Guy

August 28th Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

11.00 am Holy Communion Holy Trinity–Wonston tbc

September 4th Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Morning Prayer St Margaret’s–South Wonston tbc

10.00 am Service of welcome for the new academic year St Mary the Virgin–Micheldever

Rev’d Rob Rees

11.00 am Morning Prayer Holy Trinity–Wonston

Roland Guy & Neil McSparron

2.00 pm Holy Baptism St James–Woodmancote

Rev’d Rob Rees

For further information, please contact the Parish Coordinator, email: coordinator .upperdever@hotmail .com

Sayings & Excerpts

Collected over the years by Dorothy Knight who died in 2015 aged 100. The diocese of Winchester has been dominated by its magnificent Norman cathedral for more than 900 years. We can smile at this amusing list of repairs from 1673, which was found in the cathedral clock.

- work done repairing St Joseph 8d

- Cleaning ... the Holy Spirit 6d

- Repairing the Virgin Mary before and behind and making a new child 4s 8d

- Screwing the nose on the devil, putting a horn on his head and gluing a piece on his tail 5s 6d.

Holy Dusters

St Mary the Virgin

Week commencing Monday

1st Wendy & Jill

Mowing & Path Sweeping

Richard Vellacott / James Alpe / Tony Parkes / Mark Tarry

St James

Flowers and Cleaning Linda Albin and Kate Allen

Dever Valley Church Locations

All Saints East Stratton SO21 3XA ruffling.upstarts.disposing

Holy Trinity Wonston SO21 3LS grub.dove.unpacked

St James Hunton SO21 3PX lingering.dwistract.improve

St James Woodmancote SO21 3BL scatters.helper.rating

St Margaret's South Wonston SO21 3EW diver.guises.tarred

St Mary the Virgin Micheldever SO21 3DA sprays.serenade.gripes

St Mary and St Michael Stoke Charity SO21 3PG evaded.avoid.lyricist

Citizens Advice Winchester District

I’m due to fly to Spain during the school summer holidays. After hearing about all the problems at airports, I’m really worried. My family have been looking forward to this and it’s cost us a lot of money. What do we do if our flight is cancelled or delayed?

A lot of people will be worried after seeing the recent news about flights. If you face issues, the Citizens Advice website has lots of information about what to do when your flight is delayed or cancelled.

If you’re already at the airport when they announce the delay, the airline should give you food and drink, access to phone calls and emails. You should also get accommodation if you’re delayed overnight (including journeys to and from the airport).

Your airline might offer you vouchers to pay for these or advise you to keep receipts to claim back expenses later. They will only refund ‘reasonable’ expenses, not expensive meals or luxury hotels. What counts as a long enough delay to get this help depends on how long your flight is. A short flight only needs to be delayed two hours, whereas a flight of more than 3,500km needs to be more than four hours. Full details are on the Citizens Advice website.

It’s worth knowing that if your flight is delayed for more than five hours, you don’t have to take it. The airline legally has to give you a full refund for that flight (and any onward flights and return flights if you’re part-way through a connecting journey). Talk to someone from the airline as soon as you decide you don’t want to fly.

If your flight is cancelled altogether, you’ve a legal right to either a full refund or a replacement flight to get you to your

destination. The refund includes any onward flights and money for a return flight if you’re part-way through a connecting journey. Ask about this at the airport if you can. Don’t just rebook another flight yourself–check with the airline first because it’s their responsibility to sort out your replacement. If you do have to rebook it yourself, keep any receipts and evidence of why the airline couldn’t do this for you, for example screen-shots of live chats. If the cancellation ends up delaying you getting to your holiday by two or more hours, you’re entitled to help with costs. Check if you’re entitled to compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Again, this will depend on how long the delay was, the distance, and whether it’s the airline’s fault.

.

The Citizens Advice website has details on claiming compensation for delays or cancellations from the airline. You might also be able to claim from your travel insurance – check if your policy covers this.

If you have a problem with an airline and you’re not sure what to do, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or call to speak to a local adviser on 0808 278 7861.

Lesley Rose, Advice Services Manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District gives advice on what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled this summer

Protect your pets from tick bites

Protect your pets from tick bites

Lyme disease is spread to humans and animals by the bite of an infected tick. The best way to protect your pets is by avoiding tick bites.

Lyme disease is spread to humans and animals by the bite of an infected tick. The best way to protect your pets is by avoiding tick bites.

Prevent ticks from attaching to your pet to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease

Pr our pet to reduce the risk of cont

Talk to your vet about tick prevention products for pets.

Talk to your vet about tick prevention products for pets.

Check your pet for ticks being outdoors

Check your pet for ticks every day and after being outdoors

Daily checks are important because your pet is unlikely to notice an attached tick or bite. Tick bites are not itchy and tend to be hidden by fur or inside the ears or mouth. icks often attach to the head, neck, ears, bellies and paws of dogs and cats.

Daily checks are important because your pet is unlikely to notice an attached tick or bite. Tick bites are not itchy and tend to be hidden by fur or inside the ears or mouth. Ticks often attach to the head, neck, ears, bellies and paws of dogs and cats.

Carefully rem e attached ticks immediately with a tick rem

Carefully remove attached ticks immediately with a tick removal tool

The longer a tick is attached to your pet, the more likely it is to transmit the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. Remember to keep yourself safe from bites by not handling ticks with bare hands. Seek advice from your vet if you are unsure how to remove a tick safel

The longer a tick is attached to your pet, the more likely it is to transmit the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. Remember to keep yourself safe from bites by not handling ticks with bare hands. Seek advice from your vet if you are unsure how to remove a tick safely.

Check yourself and your family for ticks

Check yourself and your family for ticks

If you are finding ticks on your pets, you are also at risk of tick bites. ear insect repellent during outdoor activities. Avoid walking through long grass and stick to pathways. If you have to walk in long grass tuck into socks. Shower and check for ticks when you get home.

If you are nding ticks on your pets, you are also at risk of tick bites. Wear insect repellent during outdoor activities. Avoid walking through long grass and stick to pathways. If you have to walk in long grass tuck trousers into socks. Shower and check for ticks when you get home.

City Councillors’ News

The City Council have decided to delay the next stage of the Local Plan timetable by 3 months. The Regulation 18 version of the Local Plan is the first time that proposals for the strategic approaches, the new and existing policies along with site specific allocations are published together. The papers for decision-making meetings will be published in September prior to a Cabinet meeting on 18th October with 6 weeks of public consultation expected to run from 2nd November to 14th December 2022. We welcome the decision of the administration to agree to give more time for proper evaluation of comments from Parish Councils on the local plan. We will be given a private briefing on the contents of the Regulation 18 Plan, but we will not be able to share any of the details as it will still be in draft. It is still hoped that the new Local Plan will be adopted in Autumn 2024.

We are all greatly disappointed that the proposal for an inert waste recycling facility at Three Mads Hill roundabout has been permitted by the Planning inspectorate after being previously refused by Hampshire County Council. County Councillor Jan Warwick will be chairing a liaison committee that will oversee the development and operation of the site. Such committees have proven very effective at other sensitive locations. A new proposal for an anaerobic digester on land next to the recycling centre has also emerged. It will process farm produce but not food or household waste. We are expecting an application to be submitted over the summer.

The City Council are intending to develop the land owned by the Council around Winchester Station. Although there are already agreed proposals available to develop the council land without further delay, the council intends to re-consult.

You can contact your City Councillors at any time or you can catch us at any of the Parish Council meetings. None of our Parish Councils meet during August. Their next meetings are on:

Micheldever PC Wednesday 7th September East Stratton Hall.

Wonston PC Wednesday 14th September Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney.

South Wonston PC Monday 12th September South Wonston Pavilion.

Stephen

Cllr Stephen Godfrey

119 Downs Road

South Wonston

SO21 3EH

Tel: 01962 884477

sgodfrey@winchester.gov.uk

All meetings start at 7.30pm.

Caroline

Cllr Caroline Horrill

Wheatlands

Woodman Lane

Sparsholt

SO21 3SH

Tel: 01962 776844

chorrill@winchester.gov.uk

Patrick

Cllr Patrick Cunningham

The Corner House

North Drive

Littleton

SO22 6QA

Tel: 07866 367897

pcunningham@winchester.gov.uk

Winchester City Council Biodiversity Action Plan

We are now in the second year of our Biodiversity Action Plan!

This is a vital part of the council’s wider Carbon Neutrality Action Plan and sets out the council’s strategy and ambitions to protect, enhance, and restore biodiversity across the district.

Following on from the success of 2021, the action plan for 2022 is set to be equally ambitious with 71 actions including:

• Habitat creation at Chilcomb Recreation Ground

• Management of nutrient mitigation land at Micheldever

• A project looking in to potential for improving biodiversity in car parks

• Wildflower creation

• Property Services biodiversity procedure note

• Biodiversity Net Gain technical advice note

We look forward to updating you with our progress throughout the year.

If you know anyone who would like to sign up to our mailing list then please direct them to naturalenvironment@winchester.gov.uk

From Our MP Steve Brine

Current events in Westminster move faster than ever these days and, given I am writing this mid-July, I will steer clear of the politics and just say you can stay abreast of my involvement and/or views on it all at stevebrine.com or more instantly on Facebook, fb.com/SteveBrineMP

Suffice to say, it matters a great deal (and constituents will know I very much wanted a change in No.10) who our next Prime Minister is but, regardless, I have a job to do and am getting on with it as I have for 12+ years. Further to that, my latest Annual Report is out now and should be through your door. Either way, you can see it online at stevebrine.com/annualreport2021-22

My work in Parliament has been as varied as it’s been long of late including me speaking on the subject of pharmacies –and their role as a key provider of primary care working alongside our family doctors – and support for the UK medical cannabis industry. I met Alfie Dingley’s mum (who has campaigned on this tirelessly after her son suffered debilitating seizures) as over 100 businesses came together to create recommendations that would allow the Government to secure the economic benefits of medical cannabis and CBD well-being products creating thousands of jobs.

I have also, through my role as Chair of the all-party group on childcare and early years, raised concerns over a proposed change to the ratios (of staff to children) in nurseries as the Government announced

new plans to address the cost, choice and availability of childcare. You can see more on all these at stevebrine.com/news

And my interest in global health policy remains undimmed and I recently took part in a four-day study trip to Uganda which focussed on reproductive health and family planning in a country where the population is ballooning, and maternal mortality is among the highest in the world. Our crossparty group travelled to Kampala and the rural north in Luwero and Kabelega. I wrote a piece on the trip which you can read in full at stevebrine.com/travelsinafrica

One of the best aspects of my job is visiting local schools and community groups to chat with young people. I visit schools across the constituency all the time to meet with Headteachers and Governors, but we always make time to have a Q&A with the children and/or their eco-teams.

This past year has been a little curtailed by Covid but, one way or another, I have visited St Faith’s, Compton Primary, Harestock School, Chandler’s Ford Infants – and Scout Group – Kings School, Twyford St Mary’s, Sparsholt College, Perins and St Peter’s. And I’ve taken politics classes at Winchester College, Barton Peveril and Peter Symonds!

Steve at the Cross Party Study Trip in Uganda

Tours of the iconic Palace of Westminster are available (free of charge during the week) again now, courtesy of my office. You can come as an individual, with a local community group or your school/ college. And look out for contact from me, in the months ahead, about an exciting new Visit Westminster programme for your neighbourhood. Full details of all at www.stevebrine.com/visitwestminster

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need my help with a casework issue or just wish to get/give an opinion. Online is easy but you can always call the team on 0207 219 7189 or 01962 791110 if you prefer to make a local call. Have a great Summer.

Steve Brine MP for Winchester & Dever Valley

Jackie’s County Corner for August

I have received several complaints right across the division about cancelled bus services which leave residents stranded, and so I have raised this with Stagecoach and HCC.

It seems that they will only announce cancellations on Twitter, which is completely unsatisfactory.

The County Council has recorded their disappointment that that they were not successful in receiving any Bus Back Better funding. The original BBB fund was announced as £3bn, then cut back to just £1.4bn, resulting in only 31 of 79 bids being successful. Add to this, the pressure on commercial services at present: Covid, shortage of passengers and shortage of drivers are playing their part in this. This puts considerable pressure on the County’s transport discretionary funding which includes a taxi runbus service, CANGO, community bus grants and support for smaller link buses such as the 95 and the 240.

However, good news: HCC received a flood aid grant of over £0.74m, which included Phase 1 of the Outer Winchester scheme. HCC claimed an additional sum of £0.243 m for phase 2 of this scheme in Feb 22, which will be spent in this financial year.

HCC also received £9.4m in developer contributions in 21/22, mainly used to provide road improvements and school places, including special school places which are still under considerable pressure as well over 13,000 young people now have an Education Health and Care Plan in Hampshire alone. I continue to work with local families on these plans but please

contact me if you feel that you need assistance.

HCC has also received £0.8m to develop a business case for a ‘MiniHolland’ for Winchester: the bid focus is to improve walking and cycling to and from the city centre, and potentially introduce some Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s) in the city too. All of this will be subject to public consultation, so please watch for more detail to come.

Kings Barton roads: I know that many Parishes are affected by decisions made by Cala and HCC about the final road system at Kings Barton. A new County Executive (Cabinet) has just been formed, and so I am afraid the pressure to get this right for all residents both in Kings Barton and across the north of Winchester has started anew with correspondence and a conversation with the new Exec Member, Cllr Heron. He has agreed to meet me to see the roads (as they are now) this month too.

We are living in an increasingly digital world: you may find it useful to receive gov. uk updates from Julia Lopez MP on this. This week’s update includes guidance for online access / applications for the right to work, right to rent and DBS checks. All of this assumes however that you can access these forms online, and retain a copy for yourself. Using a public computer at the

Library may be residents’ only form of online access. At present, Library staff can help if you need a paper copy of a form.

https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/digital-identity-certificationfor-right-to-work-right-to-rent-and-criminalrecord-checks?utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_ source=41af6fec-ecec-42a0-a8932be19a28af4c&utm_content=weekly

Ukraine update: despite requests, HCC has refused to contemplate using Cornerways for refugee housing.

The Government has announced that Britain will take Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (often shortened to UASC) from Ukraine–this is a whole new challenge to add to those coming from other parts of the world and HCC councillors are expecting a full update on the implication and actions for the County Council w/c 11 July.

Cllr Jackie Porter: telephone/text 07973 696085, email Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk, website www.jackieporter.co.uk, twitter @JackieLibDem

Wonston Community Café

Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney

Your Organic Garden in August

August is the time of bumper harvests in all parts of the garden. Lettuces, beans, potatoes and peas all waiting to be harvested and enjoyed. Flower colours tend toward hot yellows, oranges and purples. We are almost in autumn, so take a little time to savour the delights of summer.

Water well in dry spells–especially beans, cucumbers, marrows, leeks and celery. But watch out for potato and tomato blight, as well as mildew, in warm, damp weather.

Soil matters

A well composted soil, full of organic matter, holds water well, even in dry spells. Keep mulching–with lawn cuttings, light layer of compost or even straw and last year’s leaf mould–and only add mulches after watering.

Now is the perfect time to sow green manures, especially if you have bare soil after harvesting. Plants such as vetch and clover will rapidly cover bare patches and fix nitrogen from the air onto root nodules. Be sure to dig them in after flowering and before seed sets. Phacelia can be sown now, will germinate quickly, and its beautiful lilac flowers are a magnet for bees and other useful insects.

Keep hoeing off weeds before they flower and set seed. Add them to the compost heap. See below for composting perennial weeds, such as docks and dandelions.

Composting

The compost heap should be a mix of brown and green material in a roughly 50:50 ratio. If your heap is dry, water it and then add grass clippings, nettles or comfrey leaves to speed up the decomposition process. If too wet, scrumpled cardboard or shredded/ scrunched up paper will create air pockets and prevent lawn cuttings going slimey.

Perennial weeds have roots full of minerals. Don’t waste them. Add the foliage to the compost bin, and stuff the roots into a plastic sack. Add water or a urine/ water mix (1 part urine/20 parts water) and tie the sack top. Leave for a month or two, until the weeds are sludgy. This gloop can now be added to the compost.

Vegetables

Runner beans failing to set is due to lack of moisture at the roots. In dry weather, water well, at a rate of 5-10lt /sq m into the soil, twice a week. Contrary to popular belief, spraying flowers with water does not increase flower set. Plants grown over a winter compost trench will be especially happy with their roots embedded in a rich and moist environment. It is normal for runner beans to produce more flowers than can possibly set as beans; expect a 50% loss.

Tie in tomatoes, keep pinching out side shoots, and take off the top shoot to stop after the final truss. Keep feeding with liquid comfrey feed once a week.

Earth up and stake tall winter greens

Cut away old leaves from squashes and pumpkins to help fruits ripen

Harvest garlic, shallots and onions.

Fruit

Keep soil around fruit trees and bushes in good condition, especially in hot dry spells this month. Container grown plants and those on dwarfing rootstocks are especially vulnerable in dry weather. Mulch well, but always onto wet soil. Leave a gap around the stem or trunk to allow air flow. Grass mowings, leafmould, rough compost and similar materials are all suitable mulches. This will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the soil.

Prune plum and damson trees after fruiting. Cut out any material that is dead or diseased. Pruning plums now will reduce the risk of infection by the fungal disease Silver Leaf (Chondrostereum purpureum).

Herbs

Cut back chives if showing signs of rust (orange patches up the stems). New, clean shoots will quickly re-grow.

Prune out curled and folded leaves on bay trees to remove bay sucker eggs and nymphs. Rake up leaf litter around trees/shrubs to further remove affected leaves harbouring the insects.

Remove mint plants showing signs of rust. This disease will persist over winter and re-infect plants next year. Re-plant with new stock and in a different part of the garden. If growing in containers, scrub out before re-using.

Basil, parsley and coriander can still be sown this month.

Flowers

Continue to hoe off weeds as they sprout. Foliage, never seed heads, can be composted.

Spring-flowering bulbs provide early season food for bees and other essential pollinators. They are in the catalogues now.

August is the last month to prune ornamental trees (such as ornamental cherries, mountain ash) if they need it. This allows wounds to heal before winter and avoid the risk of silver leaf disease.

Greenhouse

Avoid splashing water onto leaves when you irrigate. Moisture triggers spore germination of fungal diseases, such as mildews and grey mould (botrytis). Use biological controls to deal with greenhouse pests. Order the controls as soon as you notice the pests; don’t wait for an infestation to build up. Use the predatory mite Phytoseiulius for red spider mite, the tiny wasp Aphidius for Aphids, the predatory mite Hypoaspis for control of sciarid fly, the parasitic wasp Encarsia for white fly and Cryptolaemus beetles for mealybugs. While you wait for them to arrive, rub off any pests you see.

Lawn/hedge care

Grass is a drought survivor. Let it go brown in dry weather, as it will recover very quickly when temperatures drop and rain arrives. Watering lawns with sprinklers is hugely wasteful.

Ponds

Keep your eyes peeled for water-lily aphids. Blast them off with a jet of water.

Gardening information from www.gardenorganic.org.uk

Friday afternoon only

Forthcoming Events 2022 & 2023

September

7th 12 .30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

7th 7 30pm Micheldever Parish Council – East Stratton Hall

17th 1 .00pm Micheldever Summer Fête – Lord Rank Playing Field

13th 8 00pm History Society, The Impact of the Black Death - The Warren Centre

21st 9 .30am Wonston Community Café – Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney

24th 7 00pm Safari Supper

29th 6 .30pm Kiftsgate Gardens (See advert opposite for tickets) – East Stratton Hall

October

5th 12 .30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

5th 7 30pm Micheldever Parish Council – Northbrook Hall

November

2nd 12 .30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

2nd 7 .30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

December

7th 7 .30pm Micheldever Parish Council – East Stratton Hall

14th 12 .30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

2023

January

4th 7 .30pm Micheldever Parish Council – Northbrook Hall

February

1st 7 .30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

March

1st 7 .30pm Micheldever Parish Council – East Stratton Hall

April 19th 7 .30pm Parish Assembly – Northbrook Hall

Hall Booking

East Stratton Hall 01962 774517,

Northbrook Hall 07731 952705, The Warren Centre visit www thewarrencentre co uk/hire

Mobile Post Office

(please note: times may vary slightly)

Regular Dates and Times – Weekly

SUNDAYS Church Services Details on centre pages

TUESDAYS 8.00–9.00 pm Circuit Training by Toppe from T Fit Training, Micheldever School Hall. contact Jane 07919 018877

WEDNESDAYS 9.30–10.30 am Mobile Post Office, Lord Rank Car Park, Micheldever 9.00–10.00 am Body Control Pilates–Micheldever Village Hall. contact Fredricka Brooks, 07979 254895

THURSDAYS 8.00–10.00 pm Dever Singers Rehearsal–Micheldever or South Wonston churches . contact, ruthironton@gmail.com

2.00–4.00 pm Community Library, Northbrook Hall

MICHELDEVER FETE & DOG SHOW