The Dever May 2024

Dever The

The Journal of the Dever Valley

Bluebells in Bazeley Copse

May 2024 90p

Photograph - Christine Finch

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

Fund RaisingSunday Walk 5th May 2024 Car Share from Warren Centre Car Park leaving at 10:00am The walk starts from Chic Teak Visitors’ Car Park at 10.30am Southwood Farm, Dummer RG23 7LU. Grid Ref: SU5872347746

Directions Head up the A30 towards Basingstoke. Pass the Sun Inn on your left. Take next left into Trenchards Lane. Turn right following Chic Teak signs to the CP. Robert Bowden is allowing us to use his Car Park for this walk and he has nominated the Hampshire Medical Fund to receive our donations.

The walk is under 4 miles (5.5K) in total. It is all on Rights-of-Way but surrounding farm land is open. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times as there is an abundance of game birds. We walk up the west side of South Wood looking out over the (at present) agricultural land towards North Waltham. We walk through Bull’s Bushes Copse which is open access and contains the sites of two Tumuli. Leaving the wood we go east towards Pardown and return along the east side of South Wood.

Being a Sunday we may not hear construction machinery in the adjacent field.

DOGS welcome but MUST be on leads and please clear up after them. Grazie.

Suggested donation £5. Children free.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For info: suebell0906@gmail.com

Our native BLUEBELL will be in full bloom and, if the sun is shining, the perfume will be overpowering.

On our return the Chic Teak showroom will be open for us to view the collection and I am told that too has a perfume to delight the nostrils.

Dever The

The Journal of the Dever Valley

Contents First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Are You Driving An Electric Car Yet? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 News from Woodmancote & Popham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Micheldever Parish Council Notice Of Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Micheldever Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Captain Swing’s Message To Micheldever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Micheldever Village Fête - Saturday 20 July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MATILDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Parish Council News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Deanery Ideas Fayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cercle Français de Winchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Highclere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Church Services for The Dever Benefice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dever Valley Church Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Holy Dusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 From Our MP Steve Brine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Dever Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Jackie’s County Corner for May ‘24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Wonston Community Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 City Councillors’ News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Forthcoming Events 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Hall Booking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 May Diary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Micheldever Village Shop - Opening Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Regular Dates and Times – Weekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The Dever - May 2024 3

Dever Valley Contacts

Rev’d Dr Robert Rees, Rector Rev’d James Whymark, Curate Benefice Co-ordinator Clare Fancourt

07590909811 (rest day Saturday) 07870266876 (rest day Friday) coordinator.upperdever@hotmail.com

Church Wardens

St. Mary the Virgin Micheldever Louise Keys 07779 304121 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

All Saints’ East Stratton Chris Hilling 01962 795134 Ed Beckwith 01962 774918 St James’ Hunton Caroline Edwards 01962 760230 St James’ Woodmancote Linda Albin 01256 397616

Websites

St Mary the Virgin www.stmarysmicheldever.co.uk Holy Trinity www.wonstonchurch.co.uk Editor: Peter O’Keefe 07515 339279 1 Canada Cottages, Overton Road, Micheldever Station, SO21 3AN. Email: editor@thedever.org Website: www.thedever.org Printing: James Dixon and team Micheldever Anby Dixon Micheldever Station Andy Adams East of railway line Ann Hawkins West of railway line

Annual Subscription January to December for 12 issues: £9.00; £18.00 by post.

Articles for June issue to be received by the editor before 15th May please.

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

Treasurer: James Dixon

Subscriptions Enquiries & Distribution

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Dever Advertiser

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The Dever - May 2024

Are You Driving An Electric Car Yet? Thinking of going hybrid? Sticking to your diesel car until it wears out, like us?

There’s so much in the news about it.

A recent article says that electric cars are a brilliant idea but there’s a problem. Just making the cars and the wind turbines and the solar panels that we badly need, uses masses of electricity before you get started.

There’s not enough of it around.

In the USA, manufacturing for new clean energy kit is draining the grid.

Some states are already seeing power cuts and there are reports that unless more electricity is quickly available, swaths of the country could soon go dark. It’s a scary prospect.

In a similar way, life makes huge demands on our own personal energy levels and it’s easy to go through periods of darkness and power cuts like that, in our Christian lives….to sense that the energy to press on loving and serving God in a world that has little time for him, has drained away.

Thankfully, all the great God-followers in the Bible went through patches like that, which is one of the reasons why the Bible is so unique and helpful.

In fact, one of the most encouraging verses in the New Testament has God saying, ‘My power shows up best in weak people.’

So how do we tap into that power, that energy God offers, because it really IS available? How do we live a God-fuelled life?

It all starts with saying sorry to God for running our lives on our own ‘fuel’, in our own strength, and not asking for his. And then he offers us his power.

So what fuel does he make available to us?

His power source actually comes to live in us if we ask God to give us his Spirit. That Spirit is the essence of Jesus, the energy of Jesus which transforms our basic acceptance of the truth of Christian faith into an energised, fulfilling, ‘watch him at work’ relationship.

If you spot someone who really enjoys being a Christian and lives it Monday to Saturday, you can be sure they’ve got God’s Spirit at work in them.

The real difference about Christianity is that it’s not a religion or a philosophy, but a relationship and a lifestyle. That lifestyle is one of relying on God to give you HIS inner power and energy to live his way.

If you want to know a bit more about the energy and power that God’s Spirit can bring into your life and how to be more fulfilled and sure of your Christian faith, there are going to be four shortish evening sessions, called ‘The God-fuelled Life’, happening in Stoke Charity and Hunton during May and early June.

Just email us if you’d like to try the first and see how it goes.

Ruth and Roland Guy rjcg@btinternet.com

The Dever - May 2024 5

News from Woodmancote & Popham Easter seems a while ago now, but St. James’ celebrated this very special day in the Church calendar with a beautiful Service and traditional Easter Egg hunt around the Churchyard.

Luckily, it actually stopped raining long enough for us to do this bearing in mind how wet March has been this year.

In April we had our main Church fund‑raiser in the form of a village Quiz.

This was organised by Penny Dixon and the Quiz-masters were Nick and Kate Allen. It was well attended and a close run competition, with the Dunley Dimwits just clinching it at the end. The questions covered a plethora of subjects, everyone had a fabulous evening with their friends and we also raised a fantastic amount of

much needed cash for St. James’. We are so very grateful to Penny, Nick and Kate for giving up their time to make this happen.

Also, in April we had Evensong and we welcomed Claire Bentham back to St. James’ to take the Service. It was lovely that she brought along her two girls as well who, might I add, were so very well behaved.

Claire spoke about the parable of Jesus being the Shepherd. The psalm for the service was number 23, the most well‑known psalm of all – The Lord is my Shepherd…. Many times have I sung that hymn, which I love, but reading the psalm aloud, I couldn’t help but marvel at the powerful and beautiful words within it; no wonder it is such a favourite.

Our annual Rogation Walk takes place on Sunday 19th May, starting at 3pm and finishing back at the church at 6pm. There will be tea along the way. Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome too. We do hope you can join us.

Jane

Beautiful Flowers at St James for Easter

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The Dever - May 2024

MICHELDEVER LUNCH Wednesday

1st May

12.30pm

at Northbrook Hall

Two course lunch for £5 If you are a regular and unable to attend please call: Juliet Pattinson on 774399

Micheldever Parish Council

Notice of Meeting Wednesday 1st May Northbrook Hall 7.30pm This will be an in person meeting of the Parish Council and residents are welcome to attend.

There will be an opportunity for questions from the public at around 8.00pm

www.micheldeverparish.org.uk

Parish Council Matters–Planning Applications, Meetings–Agendas, Dates & Minutes, Newsletters, Parish Assembly and more.

The Dever - May 2024 7

Captain Swing’s Message To Micheldever A literary celebration of Henry Cook and his world through readings from the prose and poetry of Byron, Cobbett, Clare, Crabbe, Duck, Elliott, Keats and J.R. Ackerley plus The Times St. Mary’s, Micheldever 7.30 - 9.00 Saturday 22 June 2024 At the end of this decade communities from across Hampshire will be marking the Bicentenary of the Captain Swing Riots of 1830 which affected more than seventy villages across the county. It all ended - badly - in a Grand Assize in Winchester when three hundred men were tried. Most were to be convicted and executions and transportation followed.

Micheldever played a key role in the riots and the subsequent judicial process. And members of the congregation at St. Mary’s will be familiar with the plaque on the wall dedicated to Henry Cook, born in the village and the youngest rioter to be executed in the Gaol in Jewry Street, Winchester.

The story of Cook is well-known along the Dever Valley but more generally the Swing Riots and their significance have been forgotten. While the Luddites and the Tolpuddle Martyrs have remained in the popular memory the followers of Captain Swing have been consigned to the dustbin of history. That is why the newly-established Captain Swing Riots Bicentenary Commemoration (in Hampshire) committee - which operates under the auspices of the English Project 8

- is delighted to be organising a literary event at St. Mary’s on June 22nd to focus on the Henry Cook story by putting it in the context of the ‘agricultural distress’ in the early 19th century and how it was described by leading writers and poets at the time.

The high point of the evening, however, will be a reading of the long poem ‘Micheldever’ written by J. R. Ackerley in 1940. Ackerley, then the editor of The Listener magazine, became fascinated by the Cook story and his poem captures the tragedy of the young man’s life and death.

It is not without controversy. As part of its coverage of the Grand Assize the reporter for The Times commented, “The fate of Henry Cook excites no commiseration.

From every thing I have heard of him, justice has seldom met with a more appropriate sacrifice. He shed some tears after hearing his doom, but has since relapsed into a brutal insensibility to his fate...He is known to be of a cruel disposition, and cruelty is in general nearly allied to cowardice.”

Other people have taken a very different view describing Cook as a hapless victim of a process of revenge by the local gentry (the person that Cook was accused of attacking was a member of the Baring family). As Ackerley put it, The Dever - May 2024

“Stolid and ox-like, unattractive, you were naturally cast for sacrifice.”

After his execution on January 16th 1831 Cook’s body was brought back to Micheldever to be put in the ground just outside the St. Mary’s churchyard. As William Cobbett, the radical journalist described it, “When Cook was taken home in a coffin the whole of Micheldever went to the confines of the parish to meet his corpse.

Six young women dressed in white went to hold up the pall which a tradesman had lent.

Twelve young men went out to the bearers and the corpse was conveyed for two miles to a place where it was interred in solemn silence. These transactions will never be wiped out of the minds of the labourers.”

To ensure that ‘these transactions’ are suitably addressed we are delighted that the readings and interpretations will be given

by Professor Christopher Mulvey and

Professor Bill Lucas of the University of Winchester along with the rising star actor Samuel Collings who played King Zedekiah in the Emmy Award-winning drama The Bible among many other recent roles on TV. Direction of the programme - and also playing William Cobbett - is the Hampshire‑based actor Nigel Bradshaw, wellknown for his work on both stage and screen.

The Swing Riots are a highly important but sadly neglected part of Hampshire’s history.

It is hoped that Captain Swing's Message to Micheldever will start to remedy that gap.

Edward Fennell Coordinator of the Captain Swing Riots Bicentenary Commemoration (in Hampshire) Date for your diary–June 22nd: Captain Swing’s message to Micheldever An evening of readings from leading poets and writers about England in the era of Captain Swing including J.R. Ackerley’s acclaimed poem ‘Micheldever’.

7.30 - 9.00 Saturday 22 June, St. Mary the Virgin, Micheldever Tickets price £14 (including an interval drink) are available through the English Project website www.englishproject.org.uk

The Dever - May 2024 9

The Micheldever Village Fête - Saturday 20 July Yes, the village fete is back this Summer in its traditional location raising funds exclusively for the maintenance of our village church. On Saturday 20 July the fete will open at 1pm on the Lord Rank Playing Field. There will be stalls for all ages and interests: bric‑a‑brac, plants, tombola, spirits, children’s games, books, bottles and more. The Grand Draw promises some exceptional prizes and tickets will be on sale nearer the date. The tea tent will, as always be a popular place to enjoy the afternoon as will the beer tent and BBQ. The arena

will feature a dog show that will have one entry for younger participants involving a bit of fun and a more demanding entry for high grade judging with wonderful prizes to be won. Also in the arena there will be traditional family competitions - mum and dad in the three legged race, sack races and more. A special feature will be the group Charleston class for all ages to the strains of Savoy Affair. More details will follow as the date approaches but, for now, mark the date in your diary - 1pm on Saturday 20 July on the Lord Rank Playing Field.

MATILDA Play In A Week returned again at Easter with the world premier of a brand new show created and directed by the amazing Debi Rush ably assisted

by Susannah Lowe Twenty four incredibly talented children from the local community took part in the musical drama at Northbrook Hall 2nd - 6th April.

In just five days each child learned their lines, songs and dances, culminating in a fantastic show on the Saturday night. Technical crew were Peter Bell and Andrew Tollyfield.

One parent wrote afterwards: "I wanted to let you know how grateful we are for all you and the MVG team did to make Play in a Week such a success. We felt it was a very positive experience for the children not to mention a highly enjoyable evening for us - and we were so impressed at the energy 10

and professionalism of the performance. I could see that so much went into the whole week, a real team effort, and I would like to thank you very much for everything that went into it. We are thrilled to have the beautiful programme as a memento of a wonderful experience for us all."

A truly uplifting experience for all involved, with a promise from Debi to return next year! Keep your diaries open 7th-11th April 2025, and look out for future announcements.

POK The Dever - May 2024

ys 7 days, so many wa e to make a differenc

Christian Aid Week 12–18 May

In Burundi, poverty pushed Aline to the brink of survival.

But with help from Christian Aid, Aline pushed back harder. Now thriving, she says: ‘I see that a bright future for me and my children is really possible’.

Seven days, so many ways to fund lasting change.

This Christian Aid Week, what will you do? CAWeek.org Christian Aid is a key member of ACT Alliance. Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no.

SC039150 Company no. 5171525 Christian Aid Ireland: NI charity no. NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 and ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. Printed exclusively on material sourced from responsibly managed forests. © Christian Aid January 2024 Photo: Armstrong Too J373629 Your donations will help families facing poverty and injustice around the world.

F24026E

Parish Council News More About Hedges!

The reasons to keep your hedges maintained are not only aesthetic, but can be legal too. If you have a hedge on your property, legislation around high hedges and hedge trimming gives you a degree of responsibility to ensure that it is properly maintained.

This includes ensuring that the hedge is kept tidy and at an appropriate height, that it is maintained by the right person, and that any trimming is done at the right time of year so that it will not affect local wildlife.

Whether due to height, size, or confusion over ownership, hedge maintenance is a common source of neighbourly disagreement.

However, UK laws on hedges do offer clarification on who is responsible for taking care of hedges on domestic properties.

Boundary hedges between properties are in fact the responsibility of both neighbours, but the ownership depends on which side of the defined property boundary lines the hedge is growing. You are permitted to trim back any branches or roots that encroach the boundary line onto your property, however if you cut back any further and go over the boundary line, legally you could be taken to court for damaging your neighbour’s property.

The neighbour that owns the hedge must ensure that it is well maintained enough that it does not cause any damage to their own or their neighbour’s property, or grow too high.

Notice must also be given to the neighbour on the other side of the hedge if any major work is to be carried out, such as coppicing, laying, or removing the hedge altogether.

When To Trim Your Hedge Under Section 1of the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is being built or in use. That 12

includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird’s nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed.

For this reason hedges should not be cut between March and August, when the main breeding season for nesting birds occurs.

Outside of these months you should still perform checks on your hedges to make sure there are no birds or other wildlife living in them before you begin cutting.

High Hedges Overly tall hedges have been the cause of so many neighbourly disputes that high hedge legislation was in the AntiSocial Behaviour Act. The legislation is very specific, but to generalise it defines a ‘high hedge’ as any hedge that is over 2m (approximately 6¾ft) tall; a line of two or more trees or shrubs; and formed wholly or mostly from evergreens or semi-evergreens.

This is important because when a high hedge is so tall that it affects enjoyment of a home or garden–whether because it obstructs light, obscures a view, or is overbearing – it is considered to be a form of anti-social behaviour. The high hedge legislation enables the aggrieved neighbour to take steps to resolve the situation without having to involve lawyers, and if further action is needed the local council can be involved.

Whilst hedges should not generally be cut until September, obscured road signs or sightlines which could be hazardous are excepted from this. Please cut (with care for any nests) if this applies on your property or continue to report as appropriate.

The Parish Council can be contacted via Jocelyn, the Clerk, micheldeverpc@ hotmail.co.uk or 01794 368951

The Dever - May 2024

Cercle Français de Winchester An opportunity to enjoy talks in French on a variety of topics with a glass of wine.

Thursdays at St Peters Pastoral Hall, Jewry Street, Winchester at 7.30 pm Program for 2024 Season 9 May L’homme et l’artiste derrière le masque - Edgar Degas Annual membership £30 or Non‑members evening cost £10 For more information on the group please visit www.cfwinchester.org.uk

Deanery Ideas Fayre Held at St Paul's Church Winchester, the Ideas Fayre was a new venture to share best practice amongst all the churches of the Winchester Deanery. There was a good number of exhibitors taking part and networking. The Bishop of Winchester gave an address which was followed by contributors who spoke of their endeavours in the community.

DEANERY IDEAS FAYRE Saturday 13th April 2- 4 pm St Paul’s Church, Winchester SO22 5AB Parking at Church or in nearby roads Come and see a display of fresh ideas from many churches in the deanery.

Ideas which have helped to build up the church and attract newcomers of all ages.

Cream Teas

St James Church from Woodmancote and Popham parish had a table to share their ideas and gave out fresh flower posies and home‑made tasty treats.

One visitor to the stand remarked "Was very taken with your welcome and your stand demonstrating your ethos! I think the ethos of both our churches is similar as we are both small rural congregations/places."

The St James table was popular

The Dever - May 2024 13

Highclere On March 20th the Dever Valley History Society was delighted to welcome Diana Mitchell who gave a stimulating talk on the History of Highclere Castle. Diana was Head Guide at Highclere for many years and has even participated as an ‘extra’ in the long running television programme series Downton Abbey, with which modern Highclere is inevitably associated. However, the first important building on this site was constructed in the 14th century.

The earliest known building on the site was a house gifted to the bishops of Winchester, the first occupant was William of Wykeham, 1324-1404. He was made bishop of Winchester in 1366 and became Chancellor of England in 1367. Winchester College received its charter in 1382. It was then felt that boys needed to continue their education and New College, Oxford was founded. It was then felt that bishops were becoming too wealthy and the whole estate including the neighbouring Sydmonton estate was sold to the Kingsmill family. The two estates remained together until the 1970’s when Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber bought Sydmonton.

In the 17th century the politician Sir Robert Sawyer (1633-92) had a daughter, Margaret who married Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke who owned Wilton House in Salisbury. She left the Highclere Estate to her son Robert who in turn left it to Henry Herbert who became the first Baron Porchester. In 1780 the baron became Lord Porchester and in 1793, 1st Earl of Carnarvon. The 2nd Earl of Carnarvon 1772- 1838 instigated a massive building programme converting the house to a classical Georgian design and upgraded the gardens by planting numerous trees many of which can be seen today. The 3rd Earl 14

employed Sir Charles Barry to re-design Highclere Castle, Capability Brown designed the garden. Barry chose to use a Jacobean style of architecture faced in Bath stone, styles which once again modified the look of Highclere Castle in 1838. He would go on to design a new Palace of Westminster in 1842 after it was damaged by fire. The tradition continued of each earl’s eldest son inheriting and modifying interior designs to what was ‘modern’ at the time. The 4th Earl added Victorian designs to some rooms.

The 5th Earl, George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert (1866-1923) became the noted Egyptologist. His advantageous marriage to Countess Almina the daughter of Alfred de Rothschild came with a large dowry which enabled the Earl to pay off his debts and indulge his interests. He started a racehorse stud on the estate which is still going strong today, drove fast cars (at 12 miles per hour) and travelled to Egypt and applied for a licence for an archaeological dig. With Howard Carter he excavated the tombs of the 12th and 18th dynasties at Thebes. The treasures found in the tomb of Tutankamen are probably the most famous legacy associated with Highclere Castle. The 5th Earl died after suffering a mosquito bite in 1922.

Highclere became a hospital during WW1 and was used to house evacuee children in WW2.

The 6th Earl was the first to be known as ‘Porchy'. The 7th Earl who died in 2001 was a close friend and racing advisor to Queen Elizabeth II. The current Earl is the 8th in line. He and the Countess have worked tirelessly to raise money using films and television programmes etc. to restore the house and estate to its former glory.

Their success is evident in the rising visitor numbers and well attended special events.

The Dever - May 2024

Dear Parent / Guardian, We are pleased to announce that Micheldever C of E Primary School has organised a clothes & shoe collection with Bag2School in order to raise much needed funds for the school.

Bag2School is the UK’s leading textile recycler and fundraiser working with schools and since its inception in 1999 it has now paid out over £48 million.

As well as raising vitally needed funds for Micheldever C of E Primary School it also helps the environment by helping to divert unwanted textiles away from landfill. A recent DEFRA report has shown that textile collection schemes are helping to reduce the volume of textiles discarded as municipal solid waste. However it is a fact that as a nation we still send 350,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill every year.

By getting involved in our Bag2School collection, you have an opportunity to sort through your cupboards and wardrobes and donate unwanted textiles – this can include adults’ and children’s clothes, shoes (tied together please), hats, belts, handbags and soft toys, (please refer to bag2school.com for full details). In addition to raising much needed funds it will also raise awareness amongst the children of the benefits of recycling and reuse.

You can use any bin bag to donate your items and don’t forget to ask grandparents, friends and neighbours to have a sort out as well!

Bag2School will be collecting from Micheldever C of E Primary School on the morning of 20th May 2024. Please bring your bag (or bags!) to Micheldever C of E Primary School either on Friday 17th May or by 9.00am on the morning of 20th May, and help us have a really good collection.

Many thanks indeed for helping us with this unique fundraising opportunity.

Yours faithfully Mr T Johnston Headteacher

Church Services for The Dever Benefice May 5th 6th Sunday of Easter

10.00 am Benefice Service - Patronal Festival

Rev’d Rob Rees, Ruth Guy (Preacher) & Ministry Team

May 12th 10.00 am

10.00 am

11.00 am

4.00 pm

6.00 pm

May 19th 10.00 am

10.00 am

3.00 pm

4.00 pm

6.00 pm

7th Sunday of Easter

Holy Communion Rev’d Rob Rees Informal Service Lay Led Holy Communion Rev’d James Whymark Evening Prayer Rev’d James Whymark Evensong Rev’d James Whymark

Whit-Sunday

Holy Communion with Baptism Rev’d Rob Rees & Rev’d James Whymark Holy Communion Rev’d Dave Mapes Rogation Service Rev’d Rob Rees Evensong Rev’d James Whymark Evensong Rev’d James Whymark

May 26th

St James - Hunton

All Saints - East Stratton St James - Hunton Holy Trinity - Wonston St Margaret's - South Wonston St Mary the Virgin - Micheldever

St Mary the Virgin - Micheldever St Margaret’s - South Wonston St James - Woodmancote Holy Trinity - Wonston St Mary & St Michael - Stoke Charity

Trinity Sunday

11.00 am Benefice Service Holy Trinity - Wonston

Rev’d Rob Rees, Rev’d Marianne Foster (Preacher) & Ministry Team

16

The Dever - May 2024

June 2nd 9.00 am

10.00 am

10.00 am

10.00 am

11.15 am

1st Sunday after Trinity

Holy Communion (said service) Rev’d Rob Rees Café Church Claire Bentham Holy Communion Rev’d James Whymark Holy Communion Rev’d Rob Rees Holy Communion Rev’d Rob Rees & Claire Bentham

St Mary the Virgin - Micheldever St Mary the Virgin - Micheldever St Margaret’s - South Wonston St Mary & St Michael - Stoke Charity Holy Trinity - Wonston

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

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

Holy Dusters St Mary the Virgin

Cleaning - week beginning Monday 6th Sue and Gail 13th Andrea and Maurelle Flowers Vivienne Vellacott and Julia Smart Churchyard James Maclay / Roger Forsey / David Findley

St James

Flowers and Cleaning Churchyard

Gillie Ballard and Karen Taylor Nick Greenwood and Stuart Tristram

The Dever - May 2024 17

From Our MP Steve Brine This year will, almost certainly, see a General Election and I am quite sure the environment will feature. Who knows, this time there may even be a full range of candidates.

What I know for sure is, whenever I visit a local school and talk to the next generation, it’s right at the top of their agenda.

Good news recently therefore that the UK is the first major economy to halve its emissions - having cut them by 50% between 1990 and 2022, while also growing our economy by 79% over the same period.

This compares to a 23% reduction in France and no change in the USA. You may not hear it from the media, or more partisan figures, but they are the official figures.

With renewables now accounting for more than 40% of the country’s electricity - up from just 7% in 2010, this shows the UK is leading the way on cleaner energy.

These reductions are largely due to cutting emissions from energy generation, through the shift away from using coal to using renewables. In 2012, coal provided almost 40% of UK electricity, but later this year, this figure will be zero.

So the UK has cut emissions faster than any other G7 country over the last decade and this has allowed us to take a more realistic approach while reaching our green targets, to ease the burden on local families.

But that doesn’t mean the work is stopping.

Since September alone companies have announced plans for £30 billion of new 18

Steve at a Supermarket Surgery

investment across the energy sector, including to advance green technologies and support green industries of the future.

We have also set more stretching targets for 2030 than most countries. We plan to cut emissions by 68% by 2030, which is more than the EU, Japan or the United States.

We have also increased our renewables electricity generation from just 7% in 2010 to nearly 50% now. In an election year, you can expect the cynicism to be at peak levels but I think these are all positive achievements.

Secondly, and linked in a way, Ministers have just announced we are increasing the State Pension by 8.5 per cent as we stick to the plan for pensioners, offering dignity and security to those who have worked hard all their lives and paid into the system.

This year’s increase, hot on the heels of last year's highest ever cash increase of 10.1 per cent, means that from the start of April pensioners are set to receive an extra £900 a year. Oh and you’ll have seen the Chancellor commit to the Triple Lock; expensive but the right thing to do. And we are also continuing to protect those most vulnerable by boosting benefits by The Dever - May 2024

6.7 per cent to ensure a genuine safety net exists whilst we support those towards financial independence through work.

You can find more on these subjects,

and my wider work as your MP, at fb.com/stevebrinemp and stevebrine.com Steve Brine MP for Winchester & Dever Valley

The Dever Website Visit The Dever website www.thedever.org for information on the journal, to subscribe and to catch up on the archive issues. Scan the QR code

Micheldever Community Library Northbrook Hall Community Library Assisted Support Thursdays 2.00 - 3.30pm Access to the community library is also available whenever the Northbrook Hall is open. Books can be borrowed and returned at any time.

This community library is a free village provision open to all.

I would be grateful if returned books could be left on the table for me to return to the shelves on the assisted opening day.

DONATIONS OF PAPERBACK FICTION BOOKS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. Dawn Snow: Community Library Assisted Support Volunteer.

The Dever - May 2024 19

Jackie’s County Corner for May ‘24 So good to see lighter nights at last! With summer events starting this month, please look out for The Watercress Way stand at local fetes and fairs. If you are running an event, please let me knowwe’d love to come along.

Since the County Council took over responsibility for parking on roads right across the county, issues are arising right across the division, especially in Alresford.

This also means that all concerns about road markings, flooding, and road and street works faults must be reported online to Hampshire County Council. For simpler problems (including reporting fly tipping), you can use www.FixMyStreet.com too. The County Highways team does not have inspectors and relies mainly on public reports. If you see a pothole without a surrounding white or yellow line, it means one of two things: either it hasn’t been reported or it isn’t deemed bad enough. So please retain your tracking number and track it online as you would a parcel. If nothing gets done, please let me know, so I can chase it too.

The www.hants.gov.uk search box can help with most things, but recently, I have been asked how to apply for a Disabled Parking Bay (called a Blue Badge parking space) on the road near to the home of a household.

This information may be of use to readers 20

too: www.hants.gov.uk/transport/parking/ bluebadge/bluebadge-parking-place The County Council has many roles, including social care of adults and children, but it isn’t a housing authority. But I’m acutely aware that inadequate or expensive housing can make life more difficult.

I’m often asked ‘how can I apply for a Council house or flat’?

To make a start, you need to look at the Hampshire Home Choice pages on the Winchester City Council website www.hampshirehomechoice.org.uk. This describes the process and what you will need to do to get started on your journey.

If you still live at home with parents, getting to the top of the list may take a while, and meanwhile you can see what is available for rent or for shared ownership.

The rain is pouring (again) as I write this, but even so, Water Companies are saying there may be a water shortage in the summer. A gentle reminder if your tap ran dry earlier this year: have you claimed your compensation yet? Affected residents have been granted sums from The Dever - May 2024

£30 to £400 so if you haven’t made your claim yet, it may be worth doing so. If you are struggling with your bills, you can also apply for a hardship grant using this link. www.southernwater.co.uk/water-for-life/ community/customer-and-communitygrants/customer-hardship-fund The HCC ‘Future Service’s consultation is now closed, but the threat of loss of School Crossing Patrols, School and Subsidised Bus transport, and the smaller Recycling Centres (Alresford is the smallest of 24) is very real.

We really need facilities within villages and towns to make sense of our community: without them we risk being merely a development of houses. I am currently asking residents who use the bus services -do they enable you to manage without a car? If they do, I’d love to hear from you.

If they don’t-please let me know why.

Cllr Jackie Porter Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk 07973 696085 www.jackieporter.co.uk

Join Our Outstanding Preschool Family If you are looking for a place for your little one and yourselves, we would love you to join our Outstanding (Ofsted rated Nov 2023) preschool family. Ofsted say about Micheldever & Stratton Preschool Everyone is valued and treated with respect in this inclusive pre­-school, Children relish the varied opportunities to engage in challenging activities outside that promote critical‑thinking skills and equally support their good health.

Children are exceptionally well cared for, and their welfare is promoted outstandingly well Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the pre-school. They praise the dedication and professionalism of the approachable staff team.

Contact us on leader.micheldeverpreschool@gmaiI.com or telephone Nikie on 07934981271 The Dever - May 2024 21

1984 – 2024

.

Dever Singers 40th Anniversary

Celebration

Concerts

Saturday 15th June 2024 at 7.30 pm St. Margaret’s Church, South Wonston

Sunday 16th June 2024 at 6.00 pm

St. Mary the Virgin Church, Micheldever Retiring collection for church funds

Wonston Community Café It was a fabulous morning as always, and great that Cat and Scott from Boaz could come along. Cat and our café volunteer Barbara, manned the produce stall in the foyer and raised £138.50 from sales of bird boxes, jams, cards and jewellery – all made by the Boaz team, as well as eggs from the Boaz chickens! Scott enjoyed his visit and did a fabulous job of spreading the word about Boaz and helping pack the stall (and the tables and chairs) away. The Boaz chocolate cake took centre stage on the cake counter, and every slice sold …. it was delicious. Sales of cake and coffee, along with donations, raised £480 after expenses.

The next Wonston Community Café will be at the Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney, 9.30am–12 noon on Wednesday 15th May. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance will be the charity supported by the café this month.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is the independent Charity that brings an advanced Critical Care Team to the most

24

seriously ill and injured patients in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, giving them the best chance of survival and recovery, when the worst happens. Using both a helicopter and emergency response vehicle, the Charity brings a team of highly skilled pre-hospital emergency medicine doctors and specialist paramedics to the scene of an incident, effectively bringing the hospital to the patient when time is critical. Called out to an average of four incidents every day, including cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, falls and assaults, our life-saving service is operational 365 days a year, both day and night. It currently costs £15,000 a day to maintain our life saving service, and it is only thanks to the generosity of the communities that we serve that we are able keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives.

Please do come along to support the community café, which is staffed entirely by volunteers. All the cakes are homemade, we have real coffee and plenty of free parking! The café is cash only.

Janis Kinnell

The Dever - May 2024

Agatha Christie

A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October the thirteenth, at Little Paddocks - at six‑thirty p.m. Friends please accept this, the only intimation

Micheldever Variety Group proudly presents - A Murder Is Announced at Northbrook Hall, Micheldever, SO21 3DF

4th July 7.15 pm 5th July 7.15 pm 6th July 2.00 pm 6th July 7.15 pm

Tickets available on

20th May

from www.ticketsource.co.uk/mvg scan the QR code >

City Councillors’ News The Planning Inspectorate has allowed an appeal against enforcement action relating to Carousel Park, Micheldever.

The site will be changed from 9 pitches for travelling showpeople to 24 pitches for gypsies and travellers, allowing for up to 89 caravans, which is fewer than have been recorded there over the last few years. We have yet to hear how the City Council will respond to this decision, but we hope optimistically that it will lead to the normalisation of arrangements on Carousel Park. We will actively seek to minimise the impact on all residents.

The City Council announced at a recent meeting of the Kings Barton Forum that they expect the Andover Road leading into the centre of Winchester to be closed from early 2026. The Council confirmed that this would mean that all traffic, including buses and emergency vehicles, would pass through

the centre of the new Kings Barton estate.

We welcome news that the patients of the Gratton GP Practice can collect repeat prescriptions from the South Wonston surgery building on two afternoons per week. Patients can opt in to be part of this 3-month trial.

The South Wonston Sustainability Group is running a Give, Swap, Buy event at the South Wonston Pavilion from 11am to 1pm on 6th May (Bank Holiday Monday). There will be plants, seeds to swap, clothing and much more. Come and find ways to share and reuse rather than throwing away.

There will be an election for one councillor to represent our Ward on the City Council and for the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner on Thursday 2nd May. Normal polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

You can contact your City Councillors at any time or you can catch us at any of the Parish Council meetings. Their next meetings are on: Micheldever PC

Wednesday 1st May

Northbrook Hall.

Wonston PC

Wednesday 8th May

Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney.

South Wonston PC

Monday 13th May

South Wonston Pavilion.

All meetings start at 7.30pm.

Stephen

Cllr Stephen Godfrey 119 Downs Road South Wonston SO21 3EH Tel: 01962 884477 sgodfrey@winchester.gov.uk

26

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 The Dever - May 2024

Forthcoming Events 2024 June 1st 2nd 4th 5th 5th 8th 15th 16th

1.00pm 10.00am 7.30pm 12.30pm 7.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm

East Stratton Fête - East Stratton Green First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre History Society,D Day preparations in Hampshire - The Warren Centre Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall Micheldever Parish Council - East Stratton Village Hall D-Day - 80th Commemoration - St Mary the Virgin church Dever Singers 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert - St Margaret’s church, South Wonston 6.00pm Dever Singers 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert - St Mary the Virgin church 7.30pm Captain Swing's Message to Micheldever - St Mary the Virgin church 8.00pm Micheldever Wine Circle, Summer Party - venue tbc

22nd 29th July 3rd 12.30pm 3rd 7.30pm 4th-6th 7.30pm 6th .tbc 7th 10.00am 20th 1.00pm 23rd 6.30pm September 1st 10.00am 4th 12.30pm 4th 7.30pm October 2nd 12.30pm 5th 7.00pm 6th 10.00am 11th 8.00pm 26th 9.30am November 3rd 10.00am 6th 12.30pm 6th 8.00pm 8th 7.30pm 28

Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall Micheldever Parish Council - East Stratton Village Hall A Murder Is Announced, Micheldever Variety Group - Northbrook Hall Ellis Run - starts at Micheldever Station Car Park First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre Micheldever Church Fête - Lord Rank Playing Field Summer visit St Giles’ Hill - Pre booking only First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall Micheldever Parish Council - Northbrook Hall Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall Safari Supper - Around the parish First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre Micheldever Wine Circle - Northbrook Hall Churchyard Clear-Up - St Mary the Virgin church First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall d day troups in the Dever Valley - venue tba Quiz Night - Northbrook Hall The Dever - May 2024

December 1st 10.00am First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre 6th 8.00pm Micheldever Wine Circle, Christmas Party - Northbrook Hall 11th 12.30pm Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall

Mobile Post Office

Wednesday morning 9.30 – 10.30 Lord Rank Car Park (please note: times may vary slightly)

Hall Booking 8 5

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5 East Stratton Hall 1 01962 774517, 2 5 1 4 Northbrook8Hall 3 07802 755132, booknorthbrookhall@gmail.com 5 6 2 7 2 9 Centre 1 The Warren visit www.thewarrencentre.co.uk/hire 6 8 6 4 7 76 1 5 9 3 7 4 1 46 5 9 9 95 85 6 1 2 19 4 3 2 8

Daily Sudoku: Mon 15-Apr-2024

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The Dever - May 2024 29

May Diary 1st 12.30pm 1st 7.30pm 2nd 5th 10.00am 12th-18th 15th 9.30am 17th 8.00pm 24th 9.30am

Micheldever Village Lunch - Northbrook Hall Micheldever Parish Council - Northbrook Hall Local Elections First Sunday in the Month Fund Raising Walk - The Warren Centre Christian Aid Week - please give generously Wonston Community Cafe - Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney Micheldever Wine Circle - Northbrook Hall Plant Sale and coffee morning - St Mary the Virgin churchyard

Micheldever Village Shop - Opening Times Monday - Saturday Sunday

9.00am - 6.30pm, 10.00am - 3.00pm

Regular Dates and Times – Weekly SUNDAYS TUESDAYS

Church Services Details on centre pages 8.00 - 9.00 pm Circuit Training by Toppe from T Fit Training, Micheldever School Hall. contact Jane 07919 018877 WEDNESDAYS 8.45 - 9.45am Body Control Pilates, Northbrook Hall, Micheldever contact Emily Bray emsbray@hotmail.com 9.30–10.30am Mobile Post Office, Lord Rank Car Park, Micheldever 6.15 - 7.15pm Keep Moving Pilates, Beginners/Improvers 7.30 - 8.30pm Intermediates The Warren Centre, Micheldever Station THURSDAYS 9.30 - 10.30am Keep Moving Pilates, Beginners/Improvers The Warren Centre, Micheldever Station

contact: Chloe Nicholson chloe@keepmovingpilates.co.uk 2.00 - 3.30pm Community Library, Northbrook Hall, Micheldever 8.00 - 10.00pm Dever Singers Rehearsal–Micheldever or South Wonston churches. contact, ruthironton@gmail.com FRIDAYS 4.00pm Petanque at the Warren Centre.

30

The Dever - May 2024

Dog & Show

Saturday 1st June 1 - 4pm Join us on the village green, opposite the Northbrook Arms

Magician Dog show Gourmet Barbecue Pimms bar Grand draw Sideshows Jazz band Free parking

For the sat nav - SO21 3DU

ST MARY’S PLANT SALE & COFFEE MORNING FRIDAY 24th MAY 9.30AM TO MIDDAY ST MARY’S CHURCHYARD MICHELDEVER REAL COFFEE, HOMEMADE CAKES & BISCUITS, BACON SANDWICHES

Give to Christian Aid Week Scan the QR code