The Dever October 2022

The Dever

The Journal of the Dever Valley

Photograph by Eliza Michel-Finch

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

2nd October 2022

10.15 Car Share from Warren Centre. Walk starts 10:30 a.m. from the Car Park for The Allotments, Sutton Scotney.

SU465399 (Opposite the Texaco Garage on the A30)

DOGS welcome

A short autumn walk that is 3 miles in total. We follow Rights -ofWay, country lanes and some useful paths through the town. Half way around we have fine views of the Dever Valley as we walk down into the village of Wonston. We will call in at The Wonston Arms which we have not visited since pre -covid. It might be muddy as we return along the narrow path beside the Dever River to the Car Park.

The Watercress Way is an ambitious project to create a 27 mile long, waymarked route following disused railway lines linked with sections of long-established Rightsof-Way. Here we see the bridge carrying the road over the route of the old Didcot to Southampton Railway Line. We pass this bridge which presents a major fund-raising issue for the Watercress Way at present as they endeavour to secure it for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and the local community.

You will find details of many circular and linear walk if you check out the website https://www.thewatercressway.org.uk/

For more info contact suebell0906@gmail.com

Children must be accompanied by adult. Suggested donation £5. Children free.

https://thewonston.co.uk/ Serves excellent Liquid Refreshment

ttps://www.coachhorsessuttonscotney.co.uk/ Serves Sunday Lunch

Dever Valley Contacts

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:

James Dixon and team

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

Articles for November issue to be received by the editor before 15th October please.

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

Subscriptions Enquiries & Distribution

Dever Advertiser

Thought For The Month

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Many of us are still reeling from the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Why has the death of a 96-year-old woman, who most of us had never met, hit us like a loss in the family? She was, of course, a model of duty, sincerity and service but the truth is we have all been forced to face our own mortality.

Many of us don’t know a time without The Queen. She has been a constant in our lives. Now, we are seeing the passing of a generation. We have been reminded of loved ones we have lost and we have found that time isn’t the great healer we often believe it to be.

It can’t have escaped any of us that we are not getting any younger. Whether its 5 extra minutes on our 5k time or 5 extra minutes getting out of bed in the morning, time takes its toll. Events of recent weeks have us looking at the clock, wondering when our own time will run out.

For Christians, death is certainly not to be looked for, but nor is it to be feared. In the world of the Bible, ideas of eternity and life after death are important and prominent. Jesus offers us a way to be put right with God. He offers a way for all the bad stuff in our lives to be wiped away and for us to live forever.

You may think this is all mumbojumbo, a fairy story for those who can’t cope with the harsh, random realities of the physical universe. If that’s where you are, fine, but you need to realise your view is, itself, a faith position. You’re putting your trust in a world view which attributes everything magnificent and mysterious – love, beauty, Bach, the wag of a labrador –to random, unguided chance. Belief in Jesus provides a counter-cultural and coherent explanation of life, the universe and everything.

For Christians, the good news is that we don’t wait for the afterlife to enjoy God. The good news is that the creator of the world wants a relationship with you, to set you free with the truth and to give you life abundant and satisfying. That was the faith that invigorated, sustained and drove The Queen through her 70 years of service to our country.

Campbell Dye

News from Woodmancote & Popham

At the beginning of September we were treated to a double christening in Woodmancott. Fletcher and Edie Tristram were christened in a packed Church on Sunday 4th. Rev. Rob had some of the children testing the water temperature in the font beforehand and at the end took a Selfie, definitely a very modern Christening. However, this in no way detracted from the meaning of being baptised into the Christian faith, the start of their Christian path and that as Godparents, Parents, Friends or Neighbours, it is our job to guide them on that journey. It was a beautiful afternoon and so lovely to see St. James’ Church full, especially with all the children.

Harvest this year finished remarkably early due to all the hot weather. On some farms it actually finished in July, the earliest since at least 1976. At the time of writing this short piece, St. James’ Harvest Festival has not yet taken place, but I’m sure it will be another memorable occasion.

In October, St. James’ has a service of Evensong on Sunday 16th when we look forward to hearing Rev’d Christine Smith preach. Then at the end of the month it is a very special service–All Souls–where we remember our departed loved ones and light candles of remembrance. It is to be held at 6pm on the evening of the 30th October. Please do join us and feel free to ask for a loved one’s name to be read out during the service.

On the same day there is a Benefice Service at East Stratton Church at 10am, so like me and possibly quite a few others, you might feel like making the 30th October a “double” Church day!

Jane.

St Mary the Virgin Churchyard Clear Up

9.30 » 12.30

Saturday 15 th October

Community Speed Watch

Speeding in our local area has become a problem with many drivers ignoring the existing speed limits, leading to safety concerns and increased noise.

Community Speed Watch is a scheme that enables members of the public to monitor the speed of traffic and identify vehicles which exceed the speed limit.

Each scheme is run by volunteers and managed and supported by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Volunteers (typically a team of three) use equipment that can monitor the speed of passing traffic; they collect details at the roadside of speeding vehicles and pass this to Hampshire Police. Vehicle checks are undertaken by the police and entered onto a database. The registered keeper of the vehicle will then be sent an educational letter telling

Ploughing Match

The Basingstoke and District Agricultural Society (BDAS) are excited to announce that their annual Ploughing Match will be held on Saturday 1st October. The match will be hosted by the BDAS President, Linda Albin and held at Manor Farm, Woodmancote, SO21 3BN, by very kind permission of Peter Crosswell.

Ploughing match day starts at 7.45am sharp for a briefing for the ploughmen, who will then begin ploughing soon after, finishing around midday. A bar will be available from 11.00am, and a burger van will be selling hot food throughout the morning.

Both modern and vintage tractors and ploughs will be competing in their respective classes, and a number of industry trade stands will also be there

them that their vehicle was seen exceeding the speed limit and highlighting the impact their actions have on the local Community.

We are now looking for more volunteers to become part of the Speed Watch team in Micheldever Village, Micheldever Station and East Stratton.

The Parish Council have kindly agreed to sponsor the purchase of a speed gun and three high vis jackets and we hope to be operational within a reasonable timescale. Our aim is to reduce the amount of speeding in our villages.

If you are able to help the Speed Watch team or would like further information please contact me.

Thank you, Tony Patston

07990 595696

tonypatston@gmail.com

on the day. A great chance for tractor and countryside lovers, young and old to come along to support and enjoy watching the ploughmen do what they do best!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tractors and ploughs will be arriving and departing along the roads around Woodmancote during the course of the day and there could be minor traffic delays.

Station Adoption Group Micheldever Station

In preparation for the Micheldever Station 180th Celebration we explored the possibility of establishing a Station Adoption Group, in conjunction with Community Rail Partnership, which relates to South Western Railway. This proved to be a useful exercise and we achieved a sympathetic and constructive rapport with the railway authorities. We were so glad that Network Rail had commissioned some refurbishing of the built environment and the subway was repainted in time for the celebrations. Representatives of South Western Railway joined us on 8th May 2022

Unfortunately, this work was merely superficial, but, by this time, we had gained a ‘listening ear’. The first downpour of rain saw the green/black mould reappearing on the brick walls of the stairways and cascades of water poured onto the subway floor where drainage downpipes were blocked with rubble and rusted from years of nonmaintenance. Smartphone images proved a convincing backup to our requests for a more realistic approach to the problem. The long hot summer was ideal for drying out the bricks, the soil they retain, and the platform areas. Incredibly, overnight work of replacing

worn-out guttering, renewing drainage, mending porous sections of platform was complete before this most recent autumnal deluge. These testing weather conditions have again identified shortcomings in the repair work. But it is improving! We recognise it is ‘work in progress’.

Users of the station will see the colourful planter that greets you at the top of the stairs as you arrive at the platforms. We have The Dove Inn to thank for this. A labour of love indeed, to keep the colourful assortment of flowers alive and thriving throughout the drought and scorching sunshine of July and August. What a relief when we heard that the endeavours of our many Councillors had impressed upon SO-Recycle the need to apply through the normal planning process if they intend to run a business from the railway sidings.

Our small group, at present, is made up purely of residents of Micheldever Station but if anyone from further afield would care to join us, or just touch base with ideas, we would love to hear from you. We can be contacted on:

stationadoptiongroupmicst@gmail.com

In association with:

Three Rivers Partnership, Community Rail Network, South Western Railway.

Wednesday 5th October 12.30pm at Northbrook Hall

Two course lunch for £4.50

If you need a lift or have not been before, please give me a call Tricia Patston on 795028

Micheldever Parish Council Notice of Meeting

Wednesday 5th October

Northbrook Hall 7.30pm

This will be a full face to face meeting of the Parish Council and residents will be 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.

News from Micheldever C of E Primary School ~ October

It’s been an exciting and busy start to the new academic year. We were, as all of you would have been, saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and in our own way expressed our condolences to the Royal family. We held a special assembly on the Friday morning after her passing where we learnt about her incredible life of servanthood and offered some prayers up for her and the Royal family. Following this, the children in the school also wrote a book of condolences, which was taken up to London and left outside Buckingham Palace. We join with you as we wish and pray for our new King Charles III for a successful reign. We began our year by joining with Rev’d Rob Rees at a special church service to pray for the new academic year. Children, teachers, parents and other community members came together at the service as we shared the story of The Paralysed Man and the hope that his friends had for him. We thought about how we could be full of hope for the coming year for both ourselves and our friends. Our thanks to all those who attended the service. At school, we have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming our new Year R children. We

have been so impressed with the way that they have settled into our school and the smiles that they have brought every day. They have begun with much enthusiasm and we hope that this continues in their schooling experience.

Our other year groups have settled well back into school life. This term our projects are ‘Why are trees important?’, ‘What does it take to form a nation?’ and ‘What was life like for families in Europe through WW2?’. Our children have enjoyed diving into these projects and thinking about the impact that they can have through these ideas.

We are hosting our open mornings on 19th October and the 22nd November at 9:30 –11:30 for all who are looking for a place for Year R 2023-24. We would really like to show you around our school and talk to you about your child and starting school. If you would like to attend please contact the school office on adminoffice@micheldever.hants.sch.uk. We look forward to meeting you there.

Growing,Learning & SucceedingTogether MICHELDEVER C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL

Open Morning

19th October - 9.30am & 22nd November - 9.30am

For more information, or to book an alternative date, please contact - T: 01962 774213 or adminoffice@micheldever.hants.sch.uk

Outstanding SIAMS Inspection 2018

“The supportive and nurturing environment enables all pupils to thrive at Micheldever.”

‘Pupils are recognised as unique individuals and the school ensures that the curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of the pupils in their care so that they are able to achieve well in all areas. ‘

Our Values: Love, Hope, Trust, Forgiveness

The Impact of The Black Death 1348/9 on the Diocese of Winchester.

The Dever Valley Local History Society was delighted to return to meetings again this month. Dr John Merriman talked to us about the research of his recent PhD.

Originating from China and the Far East the plague spread throughout Europe and England in May 1348. The worst outbreaks of plague were principally bubonic which is spread by the black rat fleas. Symptoms were fever, vomiting and headache accompanied by swollen inflamed lymph nodes The more severe pneumonic and septicaemic plagues develop when the bacteria enter the lungs and bloodstream respectively. Epidemics afflicted Europe throughout the Middle Ages but the ‘Black Death’ of 1348 was the most devastating. Pneumonic Plague was spread by droplet infection, hence the nursery rhyme Ring of Roses “A pocket full of posies (red sores) Atishoo we all fall down”.

Knowledge of medicine was very limited, still linked to the medicine of the Roman Galen, (c129-199 CE) who was physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Galen’s ideas and anatomical studies were accepted by the Roman Catholic Church and therefore were sacrosanct until mid 16th century when they were challenged by Vesalius. Instead of a medical diagnosis it was the clergy who

administered to the sick, giving them comfort and the cause of the plague was laid upon the sins of the people. The plague was believed to be sent by God to punish sinners. The only help offered was attrition and prayer. The two saints considered to protect the faithful were St Roche and St Sebastian, both frequently depicted in Renaissance art. Administration of the last rites before death were thought to be vital, with the severe lack of clergy available it was acceptable to have a layman, or even a woman administer such rites.

Bishop Edgington, Bishop of Winchester administered churches of Hampshire and Surrey and parts of Somerset. It was a lucrative diocese and the bishop was a wealthy man rewarded by King Edward III for his efficient administration. Deaths were about 40 per cent of the population and 50 per cent of the clergy. An interesting modern parallel suggests that 1 per cent of the population in the same area died from Covid. The outbreak in 1348 had a profound effect upon rural society and the economy as a whole.

Hendrika Foster

A minute’s silence was observed at the meeting to pay respects to our dear departed monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd, then followed by a universal proclamation of “God Save the King.”

Fate of the Micheldever Fête

On Thursday 8 September, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died unexpectedly. This initiated an unprecedented and unique formal period of mourning. Unprecedented in that anyone younger than 70 would not have experienced the death of a monarch; unique in that the country had lost the longest serving monarch in its history and a much loved one too. There was no decree as to how the period of formal mourning should be executed by the general public. It was quite clear, however, that something more profound than merely a two minute silence was warranted by a majority of the public–as the commitment to the queues at Westminster Hall demonstrated.

The Queen was Defender of the Faith and, therefore, her death was an additionally heavy loss to the Church. Winchester Cathedral, within the Diocese of which St Mary the Virgin Church Micheldever sits, decreed that all nonreligious activities at the Cathedral would be cancelled or postponed until after the formal period of mourning. This raised the question of what to do about the fête, due to be held on Saturday 17th September, only 2 days before the Queen’s state funeral. Although the fête is popularly referred to as the village fête it is, in fact, the church fête. The fête is wholly organised under the

auspices of the Micheldever Parochial Church Council (PCC) with the purpose of raising much needed funds for the church. In the light of the action of the higher authority, Winchester Cathedral, the Micheldever PCC and the fête organiser, Ben Bell, were unanimous in determining that the fête should not proceed during the period of formal mourning.

There being no definitive decree, there are no right or wrong responses to the manner of public respect and grieving. The Parish Church Council were clear that the Church of England’s approach was the one appropriate for our church and this was published accordingly on the village notice boards.

In paying profound respect to the death of Her Majesty, our church incurred the loss of much needed funds; the village incurred the loss of a much-enjoyed community event. In the enormity of the unique occasion, this pales into insignificance. Now that the period of formal mourning has passed, the PCC is planning a number of fund-raising events in the coming months, the details of which will be publicised separately. These will be joyous community events. Doubtless there will be an opportunity to reflect on what has been a week of epic proportions.

Micheldever PCC

The Northbrook Hall Needs You!

The hall management committee are currently seeking some new volunteers to help with running the Northbrook Hall. Help of all kinds is always welcome. In particular we currently need new people to lead or help with these activities :

Hall bookings : managing the hall bookings, including the regular user groups and one-off bookings such as children’s parties etc.

Hall maintenance : topping up supplies, carrying out cleaning and minor maintenance, and making arrangements for repairs, safety checks etc.

Hall gardening : looking after the hall garden including the lawns and borders, for example pruning of the

All these roles can be flexed to suit and are a great way of actively helping in the village community. For more detail, please contact any of the committee :

Anna Alpe 01962 774492

Craig Eales 0786 9049220

David Findley 01962 774777

Fiona Watton 01962 774130

James Alpe 01962 774492

Louise Keys 01962 774326

Peter O’Keefe 07515 339279

Graham Metcalf 07975 750441

Café Church @ St Mary’s Micheldever

Café Church has returned to St Mary’s on the third Sunday of the month. This brilliantly informal service offers everyone in our community: a time of fellowship and friendship; a time to catch-up and connect; and, a time to meet new people. Come along at 10am for pastries and good coffee followed by a short act of worship at 10.45am. Bring your children. Bring your neighbours. Bring your friends. Everyone one is welcome at St Mary’s without hesitation or exception. Come just as you are.

shrubs along the entrance path

Autumn Photo Competition

What does Autumn mean to you?

Share your passion for photography and think out of the box.

Only one condition Autumn must be the theme!

The winning photo will feature on the Micheldever Village website,

the cover of The Dever magazine & framed for you to keep forever.

There is no age limit–open to everyone. Closing date 15th October.

Please send your photos to micheldevervillages123@ gmail.com

Church Services for The Dever Benefice

October 2nd Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Harvest Festival St Mary the Virgin–Micheldever

Rev’d Rob Rees

11.00 am Harvest Festival with Holy Communion St Margaret’s–South Wonston

Rev’d Jen Holder

11.00 am Harvest Festival Holy Trinity, St James, St Mary & St Michael

Rev’d Dave Fenton Polo Lawn, West Stoke Farm, SO21 3PN

October 9th Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Holy Communion St Margaret's–South Wonston

Rev’d Neil Britton

10.00 am Harvest Festival All Saints–East Stratton

Rev’d Rob Rees

11.00 am Holy Communion Holy Trinity–Wonston

Rev’d Peter Brown

October 16th Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Café Church St Mary the Virgin–Micheldever

Rev’d Rob Rees

10.00 am Praise Service St Margaret’s–South Wonston

Melinda Samms

11.00 am Family Service Holy Trinity–Wonston

Campbell Dye & Neil McSparron

6.00 pm Evensong St James–Woodmancote

Rev’d Rob Rees & Rev’d Christine Smith

October 23rd Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Morning Prayer St Margaret’s–South Wonston

Janet Ryan

10.00 am Holy Communion St James–Hunton

Rev’d Neil Britton

11.00 am Morning Prayer Holy Trinity–Wonston

Peter Russell

6.00 pm Evensong St Mary & St Michael–Stoke Charity

Peter Russell & James Gray

October 30th Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Patronal Service (Benefice Service) All Saints–East Stratton

Rev’d Dr Robert Rees (Presiding) and Rev’d Canon Andy Trenier (Preaching)

4.00 pm All Souls Service St Margaret’s–South Wonston

Rev’d Rob Rees

6.00 pm All Souls Service St James–Woodmancote

Rev’d Rob Rees

November 6th

Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

10.00 am Morning Prayer with Baptisms St Mary the Virgin–Micheldever

Rev’d Rob Rees & Rev’d Paul Bradish

10.00 am Morning Prayer St Margaret’s–South Wonston Lay Led

10.00 am Morning Prayer St James–Hunton Campbell Dye

11.00 am Holy Communion Holy Trinity–Wonston

Rev’d Neil Britton

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

Dever Valley Church Locations

Parish Council News

Hedge Removal at Warren Field

A section of the hedge at Warren Field has been removed without the permission of the Parish Council who own the field in trust on behalf of the community. Residents have expressed their concern at the risk this presents to children or dogs playing on the field and the possibility that it could lead to illegal incursions or parking. The Parish Council will seek to restore this section of hedge. Any future damage to the hedge will be reported to the Police as an act of criminal damage.

Autumn Hedge Cutting

Please could we remind residents that hedges should be cut back far enough now to allow room for Spring growth so that pavement access is not restricted or drivers sightlines obscured and there is no need in

Greening Micheldever Parish - Results!

A BIG THANK YOU and well done to everyone who got involved in Phase One. For committing to at least five of the challenges on the greening card; for posting it in your window to show support for the Greening campaign and for all the savings you made!

The results are: Total savings of 14.2 tonnes of CO2 as verified by the Energy Savings Trust. If everyone put all their financial savings together they would have a total of £19,840. Imagine if that money went to support your community, for example Street Reach youth club, the church, your village hall - a huge sum and fantastic result.

Phase Two will be starting soon with the help of Micheldever Parish Council. There are three pillars to the second phase;

the Spring to disturb any nesting birds.

Speeding in Micheldever Station

One of the new SID’s (Speed Indication Devices) has been tested in Micheldever Station. The resulting data recovered shows that average speeds on Andover Road and Overton Road continue to be in excess of the 30mph limits. Please could we urge residents to adhere to the speed limits as this is the most effective means of lowering the average speed. If all residents travel at 30mph this forces traffic trapped between residents vehicles to move at the same speed. The data collected from the SID has been shared with the Police and speed checks requested.

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

Retrofitting homes to stay warm and save money; Re-wilding to enhance the natural environment around us; and the

Health Benefits that can be gained, both physical and mental. To get involved with the exciting opportunities ahead please contact Peter O’Keefe, chair of Greening Micheldever Parish - 07515 339279, peter.okeefe@micheldeverparish.org.uk

Holy Dusters

St Mary the Virgin

Week beginning Monday;

26th September Anita and Liz

10th October Jan and Christine

St James

Flowers and Cleaning Liz Hawkesworth and Lorraine Wearing

Sidesmen & Readers ~ St Mary the Virgin

October 2nd

10.00 am Sides-duty Juliet Pattinson and Georgie Balmain

Readers Simon Young Jan Hallam

October 16th

6.00 pm

Sides-duty Juliet Pattinson and Olly Bramley

Readers Vellacott Family

Sayings & Excerpts

Collected over the years by Dorothy Knight who died in 2015 aged 100.

Notice seen at the Zoo in Colombo, Sri Lanka:

If you litter with disgrace and spoil the beauty of this place, may indigestion rack your chest and ants invade your pants and vest.

Micheldever Community Bookcase

Northbrook Hall–Opening times 2 - 3 pm

Friday afternoon only

City Councillors’ News

Soon after the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, we were all proud to come together as a Council to parade in front of Winchester Guildhall. There we heard the Mayor of Winchester give the local Proclamation of Accession for King Charles III. This ancient ceremony marked the beginning of a new reign, so our involvement in this important event was very moving. We will be donning our robes and dress hats again for Law Sunday. This is where the councillors and dignitaries of Winchester join the judiciary of Winchester High Courts in all their finery to acknowledge their contribution to our City. Soon after, we will join the Adjutant General’s Corps as they exercise their Freedom of the City. The parade starts at 11am on 15th October with troops and a military band marching down the High Street to the Guildhall. Do come along to cheer on the troops at what is always a very good occasion.

Stephen very much enjoyed judging the South Wonston scarecrow competition, organized by the WI. There were 40 scarecrows of many shapes and sizes entered and Stephen was blown away by the creativity and effort that had gone into each scarecrow. There were 12 entries selected for special mention, with the winner being a scarecrow in the form of Paddington Bear.

Proposals to use the sidings at Micheldever Station by a recycling company have been put on hold. Local residents, working with the Parish Council, Caroline and the MP, Steve Brine, ensured that any proposals that come back will follow the correct planning process.

Details of proposals in the Local Plan arrived too late for this newsletter. We remain concerned that allocations for new housing will not reflect the needs or wishes of some of our parishes. We will continue to put your cases.

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 5th October

Wonston PC Wednesday 12th October

South Wonston PC 11th & 12th October

Stephen

Cllr Stephen Godfrey

119 Downs Road

South Wonston

SO21 3EH

Tel: 01962 884477

sgodfrey@winchester.gov.uk

East Stratton Hall.

Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney.

South Wonston Pavilion. 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

Dever

Micheldever & Stratton Preschool

Ron Smith 19.08.1919–21.08.2022

Ron Smith, lived most of his life in firstly Blackwood and then East Stratton. He died in August, a

week before his 103rd birthday at Westholme Care Home in Winchester, where he had lived for over six years.

Jackie’s County Corner for October

Sitting writing in the sunshine, it seems hard to imagine how tumultuous the last ten days has been. The change of Prime Minister, the death of Her Majesty the Queen and the proclamation of King Charles III were very public events, but behind each of those was a private response, a family grieving or rejoicing, or maybe a mixture of both. I extend my sympathies to the Royal family and to all others who have lost relatives and friends during this period.

Whatever your views about Royalty, anyone who gives more than seventy years to the service of others as the Queen did, is a legend! I am sure that King Charles and the new PM are looking forward to their roles, but neither is expecting seventy years of Leadership, I’m sure.

There are many others in our community who give selflessly for many years, or in fact, offer help when needed, and at this point, I’d like to say thank you if you have welcomed a family from Ukraine into your homes and hearts. Hampshire has the honour of being a county with 9 in 10 successful placements, compared with the national expectation of just 6 in 10.

It is also a tribute to the City and County Councils, Citizens Advice and many organisations who want this scheme to work locally. Help hubs are held regularly so that displaced families can meet or seek practical help too. If you want or need help, please contact me so I can put you in touch with the hub team.

The scheme has brought to light how we can volunteer help to other refugees in a variety of ways. The Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group SWVG) is very

active, supporting refugees locally, and the Wessex Sculptors are working with refugees to re-foster their love of art. All these acts of kindness make our society stronger.

So, it was good to play a part at a Citizenship Ceremony at the County Council again. In person in the Castle buildings after Covid had pushed ceremonies online, it is an honour and pleasure to meet individuals from other countries who have chosen not only to make Hampshire their home, but also to work hard to gain British citizenship.

It was on the 6th September, the Tuesday of the handover of Prime Minister, that the Deputy Lieutenant, Arabella Birdwood, and I sang the National Anthem with the new citizens with gusto.

None of us expected that the next time we would sing the National Anthem so publicly would be just a few days later when King replaced Queen and the Proclamation was made at the Guildhall and Great Hall in Winchester.

It caught my throat as we consciously changed the words: others at the Proclamation said they felt the same emotion, and I’m sure it will have done the same for you.

If you need my help, please contact me by email: jackie.porter@hants.gov. uk or by telephone 01962 791054. Cllr

Jackie Porter

Secrets of the Solent’s Historic Shipwrecks

From HMS Invincible to the recent discovery of the Shingles Wrecks, join Maritime Archaeology Trust Project Officer Jasmine Noble-Shelley to explore the stories of some of the shipwrecks of the Solent.

8pm Tuesday 25th October

East Stratton Hall, SO21 3FJ All

From Our MP Steve Brine

This month, given the enormity of recent events, I thought parishioners might like to read an extract of my tribute to Her late Majesty The Queen in the House of Commons the day after her passing.

Madam Deputy Speaker; I want to say a few things on behalf of my constituents in Winchester.

Yesterday was one of the saddest days imaginable. We have known it was coming for a while now, but the sense of shock we feel today is palpable. This is a national moment but it feels intensely personal.

Her late Majesty spoke movingly of her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh as her “strength and stay” but the truth is that she was ours.

I was extremely honoured to meet the Queen in 2012 at Buckingham Palace as a relatively new MP.

The Queen asked me which constituency I represented, so I said Winchester, and we briefly discussed how the city was–still is–searching for the remains of King Alfred, our most famous son. The Queen loved that and, with that trademark smile and twinkle in her eye, said, “They’ve just found one of my ancestors under a car park in Leicester!”

Our late Queen visited Winchester many times, including in 1959 to officially open Elizabeth II Court, the home of Hampshire County Council, and for the Maundy service in April 1979 in our great cathedral.

We had the new King in Winchester just a few months ago to unveil–this is a mark of how he will wear the Crown–a statue of a famous Jewish figure in Winchester history called Licoricia.

I often remind my constituents that Back-Bench MPs do not really have that much power, but we do have quite a bit of influence. The longer we do this job, the better we get at using it for the benefit of our constituents. Our late Queen, as a constitutional monarch, did not hold any executive power — in fact, she could not even vote — but boy did she wield great influence through her vast experience and the respect she rightly commanded all over the world.

There has been a lot of replaying overnight of the words spoken by the young Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday when she said that her whole life “whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and

Steve at the Commons as he delivered a tribute to the late Queen on behalf of Winchester

the service of our great imperial family”.

However, a lesser-known passage of that speech reads: “But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do”.

I have always been struck by that comment as incredibly revealing and brave, because I think our then future Queen was saying, “I don’t embody the divine right of Kings and Queens”–so fabled in British history–“I have to earn it and keep it. I need your support.”

I think she reigned in that spirit–never lost in the majesty of it all–but always knowing that she had to draw that strength from the support of her people and that she had to constantly be seen to be believed. Maybe those two famous appearances on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, at either end of that fabulous platinum jubilee weekend earlier this summer, showed that she knew that right until the very end.

Micheldever Variety Group Win Award.

The Micheldever Variety Group won the Accolade of Pantomime Excellence for their performance of Beauty and the Beast at Northbrook Hall in January 2020. The pantomime was a new script written by Helen Gard and Jo Stokes. Peter O’Keefe, chair of MVG, was presented with the award at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, South East Region, Celebration Day by Chris Horton on 12th June (pictured here).

The MVG was formed in 1977 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, and have continued to entertain and support our villages with superb local talent ever since.

We have heard a lot today about schoolchildren and how they ask us if we have ever met the Queen. I get that too. I was with a school here when I was a relatively new MP, and one of the schoolchildren asked me–how did God save the Queen?”

“That’s one for your teachers” I said but maybe our late sovereign lady now knows the answer?

As a Christian in this House, I believe that everyone–whether they live on the planet for a matter of hours or for 96 hugely influential years–changes our world by their presence in it.

As others have said today, we are so lucky to have had Queen Elizabeth II in our lives. We are changed by it.

Thank you, Queen Elizabeth II; it has been a privilege. God save the King.

Steve Brine

MP for Winchester & Dever Valley

Don’t miss their next amazing show in January, The Snow Queen, written by Chris Egan, directed by Vicky Rodd & Kate McMorrow. The group always has a great time putting on a show and is always keen to meet and involve new people either on stage or behind the scenes. Please get in touch with Peter for an informal chat - 07515 339279.

Your Organic Garden in October

October is the month of harvest festival. A time to gather in and celebrate your successes in all parts of the garden: and start to plan for next year!

The end of the growing season also means a busy time composting crop remains, saving seeds and preparing your soil for winter..

Soil Management

Large areas of bare soil start to appear in all parts of the garden. If left over winter, the soil will lose nutrients. Use organic mulches to protect it and give good structure for next year’s growing season. Best mulches are a thick layer of: autumn leaves, wetted so that they don’t blow away

straw, grass clippings and autumn leaves mixed together cutback plants such as sweet peas, peas or runner beans, chopped up

Several sheets of newspaper, covered with damp grass clippings to weigh it all down Don’t put compost down now, many of its nutrients could be washed away over winter. Use it in Spring before the growing season. If you have too much material for the compost bin, pile excess into sacks temporarily. As the bin’s contents subside, top up with your stored material. Keep the bin covered to retain as much warmth as possible. See Compost Making

Insulate your worm bin with bubble wrap, or move it into a warmer spot, such as a porch or greenhouse. This will help to keep the worms working well over winter. Collect deciduous autumn leaves and store, to create leafmould. Make sure leaves are damp, and use plastic sacks with holes for air circulation. Trials at Ryton Organic Gardens over many years have shown the value of adding leafmould to the

soil. Plants are healthier, crop yields are higher, and pest/disease problems fewer.

To attract beneficial insects, and to help them overwinter in the garden, leave some leaf piles in secluded corners; make a small log stack; allow some tussocky plants to stand all winter.

Vegetables

Save your own, organically grown, seeds, it is easier than you might think. Just leave a few pods on bean plants to dry in the wind, and collect before winter frosts. See Seed Saving Guidelines.

Autumn is the best time to lime your soil. Organic gardeners use dolomite limestone, which is slowly broken down in the soil. Apply it where you plan to grow brassica crops next year. Never lime soil before growing potatoes.

Compost trench

Start a winter compost trench: this will be next season’s planting area for moistureloving crops such as runner beans or pumpkins. Dig a trench – or a hole – a spade deep. Fill with kitchen scraps as they come available, covering each addition with some soil. When the trench is full, cover with soil.

Runner beans, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins and winter squashes are all ready to be harvested, stored or preserved. Do this before any frost.

Remove dead and yellowing leaves from winter brassicas and put in compost bin. If left on the plant, they can encourage fungal diseases and harbour pests.

Check that bird netting is still in place. Pigeons are likely to damage your Brussels and broccoli for winter food.

Fruit

Plant new fruit trees and bushes. Choose ‘bare root’ plants, they usually cost less

than pot grown ones. Ideally choose organic stock, certified disease free and from an organic nursery. The soil is still warm now so plants will be able to start developing a good root system before winter.

Clean up strawberry beds. Remove netting to let birds in, they will pick off pests. Remove dead and yellowing leaves and any plants showing signs of disease. Remove and compost the summer’s straw mulch, and replace with a soil conditioner such as leafmould.

Put apple and pear windfalls onto the compost heap.

Prune out canker-infected branches and twigs on apples and pears. Disinfect tools afterwards.But don’t prune cherries, plums and peaches and apricots. Wait until Spring when sap is moving and wounds heal rapidly. Apply greasebands to apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. You’ll stop wingless female winter moths and March moths from crawling up the tree to hibernate or lay eggs. Remember to grease the supporting stakes too, as they offer an alternative route into the tree.

Collect up and compost fallen leaves under fruit trees to remove disease spores. Inspect apple trees for woolly aphids; look for a whitish fluffy coating on bark. Rub off on sight as they can damage the tree.

Herbs

Clear away and compost

dying foliage and stems

Dig up and destroy mint plants affected by rust. Replace next year with new, clean plants

Check rosemary plants regularly for rosemary beetle. Remove and destroy adults and larvae on sight

Flowers

Mulch soil as annual and herbaceous plants die back and large areas of bare soil appear. See above in the Vegetables section for what to use as mulch.

Save seed from plants as the heads appear. See Seed Saving Guidelines

Dig out weeds under sprawling ornamental plants. You can compost their green foliage, but not seedheads or roots.

Greenhouse

Clean the greenhouse to remove overwintering pests. Citrox disinfectant is ideal for the purpose. Remember to wash under the staging as well as the top surfaces. Leave spiders where possible; they are excellent predators.

Wash out pots and trays. Good hygiene will reduce pest/disease problems.

Before you bring any plants in, check them for pests. Cut out any rolled/ folded leaves and trim back top growth. Scrape off top 2 cm of potting compost and top up with grit over winter. Next spring, as growth starts, remove grit and replace with clean potting compost.

In a warm conservatory, you can still use biological controls against pests.

Ponds

Leave alone now in order not to disturb hibernating creatures. Just continue to remove duck weed when seen. Scoop out falling leaves as they can foul the water as they rot.

Lawns

Continue to mow, but raise the height of the blade. In wet weather, keep off the grass. Worm casts can be washed away using a strong jet from the hose. Or hold a can of water high and splash it down on the casts.

Forthcoming Events 2022 & 2023

November

2nd 12.30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

2nd 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

19th tbc,pm Quiz with Wendy & Maurelle – Northbrook Hall

22nd 9.30am Open Morning – Micheldever C of E Primary School

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 – East Stratton Hall

25th-29th 7.30pm The Snow Queen pantomime – Northbrook Hall

February

1st 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

March

1st 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – East Stratton Hall

April

5th 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – Northbrook Hall

19th 7.30pm Parish Assembly – Northbrook Hall

May

3rd 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

June

7th 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – East Stratton Hall

July

5th 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – Northbrook Hall

September

6th 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – The Warren Centre

October

Hall Booking

East Stratton Hall 01962 774517, Northbrook Hall 07731 952705, The Warren Centre visit www.thewarrencentre.co.uk/hire

October Diary

1st 7.45am Ploughing Match – Manor Farm, Woodmancote

5th 12.30pm Micheldever Village Lunch – Northbrook Hall

5th 7.30pm Micheldever Parish Council – Northbrook Hall

14th 7.30pm Micheldever Harvest Supper – Northbrook Hall

15th 9.30am Church Yard Clear Up – St Mary the Virgin church

16th 7.30pm Talking Heads – St Mary the Virgin church

19th 9.30am Open Morning – Micheldever C of E Primary School

21st 9.30am Wonston Community Café – Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney

25th 8.00pm History Society, Secrets of the Solent’s Shipwrecks – East Stratton Hall

Mobile Post Office

Wednesday morning 9.30 – 10.30 Lord Rank Car Park (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

FRIDAYS 2.00–4.00 pm Community Library, Northbrook Hall