THE EMS SUMMER 2024

Community Garden is Open!

Words by Dwynwen Stepien, Chair ERF. Photos by Juliet Walker. Mayor opens Victoria Road Community Garden

On 22 June over 60 adults and children celebrated the opening of the new community garden. It was a fun morning that showed what can be achieved when people come together to make a difference in their community.

Community Garden

We think it means just what it says - a place where you can feel safe and enjoy nature around you; where you can help to grow fresh nutritional food and share the harvest. It is a place for all. Victoria Road Community Garden (entrance between 171 and 173 Victoria Road) is a great partnership with Havant Borough Council who offered the land to the Emsworth Residents Forum.

We started work in the garden on 25 April when the digger came and turned over the bramble roots. Since then, we have

- put in concrete paths

- built the shed which houses our shared tools, kettle, etc

- built the pergola – a place for socialising

- installed a water tap

- filled and planted 25 raised beds

- planted strawberries, beans, potatoes, courgettes, beetroot etc - weeded

A new Community Orchard

The Mayor, Cllr Peter Wade, was very impressed with our orchard (planted 29 April). The Beavers went around reading all the labels to see what fruit was growing.

Budding Young Gardeners

We were delighted to have the help of ten young Beavers from the 1st Homewell Beavers group. They showed great enthusiasm for their gardening tasks. Many planted seeds in the beds and others were getting our turnips ready for the winter.

Scaring the Crows

The garden is lucky to have quite a range of birds in the bordering trees, however we would like our new plants to have a chance of survival. The Homewell Beavers made four magnificent scarecrows, complete with wigs, hats and some rather interesting garments.

Summer Community BBQ

We would like to thank the garden’s neighbours as all our work has caused a bit of disruption with diggers turning up and lorries delivering materials. A big thank you, especially to Ann, Dawn and John. We will be holding

a community BBQ in August to say thank you and to get more people involved.

It takes a village to raise a garden

We have had amazing support from the Men’s Shed, Emsworth Horticultural Society, Emsworth Community Centre, Havant Borough Council, Emsworth in Bloom and lots of local people. Kathy and all the volunteers are just amazing – but they need you too. If you can come regularly or just occasionally, or you’d like to drop off some plants, we’d like to hear from you. Find us on Facebook. We have a WhatsApp group so that you can keep in touch. Kathy Parker – who leads the work on the garden - will add you in; just let her have your telephone number. Kathy can be contacted on 07415378564 or by email on kathy.parker@emsworthcommunitycentre. org.uk

Volunteers please come by foot or bicycle to minimise parking and traffic issues.

Planning the Garden – next steps

We are planning regular times for opening. We will put these on our Facebook page. We will also have regular Community Garden Group meetings to oversee the planting, tasks for the next month, fundraising etc, on the first Wednesday of every month at 3pm at the Garden – please put these dates in your diary if you can help in any way or would just like to meet the team: 3 July; 7 August; 4 September; 2 October; 6 November (at Emsworth Community Centre); 4 December (at the Community Centre).

All queries please contact: Dwyn Stepien - chair.erf@gmail.com Kathy Parker kathy.parker@ emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk

The Mayor, Cllr Peter Wade opened the Community Garden and stayed to meet the Beavers

Development

Long Copse Lane – Country Lane or Commuter Route?

Words and photo by Save Long Copse Lange Group

Following the Council elections we have been engaging with new members putting the reasons why LCL is unsuitable for development and to ensure a greater emphasis on the use of brownfield sites and the potential that Southleigh strategic site offers.

No doubt there will be further policy changes as a result of the general election. We will remain vigilant during these periods of uncertainty to ensure that any decisions regarding LCL are made visible.

In the meantime, it is important to welcome the improvements to the LCL road surface at the junction with Wraysbury Park Drive. Residents are hoping that the repairs may also contribute to reducing flooding that is a constant concern. The road surface is fragile, and verges subside as heavy vehicle use increases. The continuing deterioration of the lane with existing traffic levels is a concern and clearly increasing traffic volumes can only make the situation worse. Developers have so far assumed that traffic volume increases will be minimal, outside peak times, and that only 19% of additional traffic will head towards Westbourne and Chichester. Analysis of the current road use show this 19% figure to be a considerable underestimate. Hampshire Highways have examined road width at the western section of the Lane and conclude that two large vehicles can safely pass provided pedestrians and other users take refuge elsewhere. Residents in Emsworth are aware that traffic volumes are increasing, causing delays in North Street and key junctions along Southleigh Road and the railway crossing. The outlook appears to be a worsening situation. Inevitably drivers will search for routes with fewer delays. LCL cannot sustain ever increasing traffic volumes. Our aim is to ensure that LCL remains a country lane providing benefits for pedestrians and leisure activities.

Chichester DC submits Local Plan for examination Chichester District Council has announced that it has submitted its new Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039 to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.

This announcement follows careful consideration of the comments and feedback received during the Regulation 19 consultation, which took place last year and resulted in almost 2,500 comments from groups and individuals. In addition to this, a great deal of work has been done by the council’s planning policy team to update and finalise critical evidence, including examining the impacts on the A27 and local highway network. The council has now submitted the plan, alongside a range of supporting documents and a list detailing suggested modifications aimed at addressing consultation feedback. The Local Plan identifies housing requirements, development areas for economic growth and locations for new homes in the Chichester plan area over the next 15 years. The Local Plan also has a raft of policies relating to climate change and the natural environment. There is a separate plan for areas located in the National Park and this is produced by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Now that the plan and accompanying documents and evidence have been submitted, a Planning Inspector will be appointed to review and assess it. They will consider whether the plan has met the legal requirements; whether it has been positively prepared and is justified, effective and consistent with national policy; and if the council has engaged and worked effectively with neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies. Once appointed, the Planning Inspector will set out the next steps in the examination process, which will be published on the council’s website at: www.chichester.gov. uk/localplanexamination

For more information about the local plan examination process, the government has also created a guide, which can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-part-in-localplan-examinations#what-is-the-local-plan-examination-forand-who-does-it

Planning application updates

Havant BC

Fowley Cottage, Warblington Road (15 Houses)

APP/23/01078

There have been many statements of support for this proposal posted on the HBC planning portal.

Long Copse Lane (210 houses) APP/21/00893

It is over six months since any new documents were added to this highly unpopular application. (see left)

Former Brookfield Hotel, Havant Road (new entrance and revised car parking)

APP/23/00630

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We check for any major planning applications made to Havant BC or Chichester DC. Anyone can view the documents associated with planning applications. For Havant go to: https://planningpublicaccess.havant.gov.uk/ For Chichester go to https://publicaccess.chichester.gov.uk/online-applications

Some residents are objecting to the reduction in parking spaces and potential noise issues from late night drinking

Coldharbour Farm (44 houses) APP/19/01226

Planning permission was finally granted in March 2024 for 44 houses. A new application has now been submitted to remove the requirement to build an acoustic fence. (APP/24/00387)

Seagull Lane (new industrial units) APP 22/00156

Planning permission was granted in 2022 and amended in 2023 to Alitex for the demolition of the old factory buildings and their replacement with new units. A spokesperson for the developers has informed The Ems that demolition work should begin by late summer.

Chichester DC

Penny Lane, Hermitage 84 houses 23/00024

A decision is pending for this site.

Increased traffic is a concern if development goes ahead at Long Copse Lane

Fowley Cottage site

Coldharbour Farm site

Seagull Lane site

The Health Alliance: Good news for Emsworth

Words by Dr Theo Schofield OBE

The Alliance, which is supported by the Friends of Emsworth Community Health, is a forum for groups concerned with health and wellbeing in Emsworth and Westbourne, to meet, share concerns and work together. At our quarterly meeting in May we received two pieces of good news.

The first was that Citizens Advice Havant will be starting to hold drop-in sessions twice a month in Emsworth. They will be at the Baptist Church on the first and third Thursday of every month from 10 am to 2 pm. They give free, impartial and confidential advice on a wide range of issues, including benefits, money and debt, and housing. Their base is in the Meridian Centre in Havant, and we have been concerned that some people may have had difficulty getting there. These sessions in Emsworth will make their services more accessible, and we hope that many people will use them.

At our last meeting three months ago we were told that the Primary Care Network were terminating the contract that they had with the You Trust to provide and support two Social Prescribers, due to financial pressures. Annemarie McMurtry-Irvine, worked with older people, and Adam Krum supported children and their families, as well as the schools. At our May meeting we were told that Annemarie would be continuing to work with the Emsworth Medical Practice, but that Adam would no longer be working in Emsworth.

One shared concern has been the support for children with special educational needs and those with mental health and behavioural problems.

One shared concern has been the support for children with special educational needs and those with mental health and behavioural problems. This is a large problem area which puts pressure on parents and schools and we are continuing to look for ways to develop more support. We have also been concerned to develop support for people with dementia,

and their carers, and there is now another group, Dementia Friendly Emsworth working on this.

There are now a number of regular activities in Emsworth open to all. We are also working with DF Havant Borough to open a ‘Meeting Centre’ which will be a hub to which newly diagnosed patients will be referred, and which

will have the expertise to start them on their journey. We also want to develop a Dementia Roadmap which aims to collect information about services and make it available to the public and to GPs. The Alliance would welcome any other groups who would like to be involved, and suggestions of any health and wellbeing issues that we should be tackling.

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King’s Birthday honour for fire chief

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for her commitment to the Service. Sabrina has received the King’s Fire Service Medal which is awarded for distinguished service or gallantry.

New Leader and Cabinet announced for Havant Borough Council

The new Leader and Cabinet of Havant Borough Council have been announced, following the results of the local borough elections held on Thursday 2 May. Councillor Philip Munday (Labour) is the new Leader of Havant Borough Council.

With no overall political majority, a coalition has been formed between Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party Councillors. At the head of the coalition is Councillor Philip Munday (Labour, Havant St Faith’s ward) as the Leader of Havant Borough Council, with Councillor Philippa Gray (Liberal Democrats, Bedhampton ward) as the Deputy Leader.

Representing a new direction for the council, the new coalition is actively finalising its new shared arrangements so they can focus on delivering for the borough, its residents and its businesses going forward.

New Cabinet at Hampshire County Council

Although there were no HCC elections this year there have been a few changes to the HCC Cabinet including the promotion of Emsworth Councillor Lulu Bowerman to the Highways and Waste portfolio.

Here is the new Cabinet at HCC:

• Councillor Nick Adams-King: Leader and Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services

• Councillor Jan Warwick: Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Younger Adults and Health and Wellbeing

• Councillor Zoe Huggins: Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 (Climate Change, Culture and Partnerships) and HR, Communications and Performance

• Councillor Liz Fairhurst: Executive Lead

Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health

• Councillor Roz Chadd: Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services

• Councillor Steve Forster: Executive Member for Education

• Councillor Lulu Bowerman: Executive Member for Highways and Waste

• Councillor Kirsty North: Executive Lead Member for Universal Services (All HCC Cabinet members are Conservatives)

The full breakdown of the new coalition cabinet is as follows:

• Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Corporate Strategy, Performance, and External Relations: Cllr Phillip Munday (Labour)

• Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Finance: Cllr. Philippa Gray (Liberal Democrats)

• Cabinet Lead for Environment and Water Quality: Cllr Grainne Rason (Green)

• Cabinet Lead for Housing: Cllr Amy Redsull (Labour)

• Cabinet Lead for Commercial: Cllr Paul Gray (Liberal Democrats)

• Cabinet Lead for Regeneration and Communities: Clllr Gillian Harris MBE (Labour)

• Cabinet Lead for Place: Cllr Richard Brown (Labour)

Assistant Cabinet leads:

• Assistant Cabinet Lead for Climate, Coastal and Green Spaces: Cllr Netty Shepherd (Green)

• Assistant Cabinet Lead for Thriving Waterlooville: Cllr Antonia Harrison (Liberal Democrats)

Consultation on cuts put back until after the General Election

Following the announcement of the General Election, decisions on proposals in relation to the findings of the Future Services Consultation held earlier this year will be postponed until this autumn. The Consultation, held between January and March this year, invited people’s views on 13 proposals to reduce and change some local services to help the County Council deliver savings towards the £132 million

Councillor Wade elected as new Mayor of Havant Serving as the 50th Mayor of Havant, Councillor Peter Wade was elected at the Annual Council Meeting and Mayor Making ceremony. He takes over from Councillor Rosy Raines, who has served as Mayor for the past year. In his acceptance speech, Councillor Wade expressed his gratitude at being elected to the role of Mayor for the second time. He thanked outgoing Mayor Councillor Rosy Raines, fellow councillors for endorsing him, and thanked the residents of the Waterloo ward who elected him.

recurring budget gap faced from April 2025. Final decisions on the proposals were due to be made by the County Council’s Cabinet this summer. The County Councillor working groups will finish their scheduled meetings and complete their reports following their review of the consultation documents and process, so that they will be available when the process restarts in September.

Cllr Phillip Munday - new Leader of Havant Borough Council

Youth football needs more pitches

Words by Theo Schofield

Recreation Ground. These grounds are owned by Havant Borough Council, and managed on their behalf by Norse. The difficulties include that they are not well maintained, and that they have to be shared with other sports, particularly the cricket club, whose seasons overlap. The booking system is also managed by Norse, and they do not give any preference for Emsworth based clubs. The football club has limited access to the pavilion and storage at either site.

This is now damaging the Youth Football Club, making it difficult to have regular fixtures, which is a problem for coaches and players alike. The immediate crisis is that the

Our Emsworth Town Youth Football Club is an Emsworth success story, but is now running into difficulties that need to be solved. Founded by Andy Cooper with Jamie Morrison in 2017, it now has 16 teams from under 7s to under 18s, including two girls’ teams, who all play regularly each weekend during the season. There are over 160 children involved, and there is also a strong group of good quality coaches who are all volunteers. The teams play in the Mid Solent, PYFL and Hampshire Girls leagues. The club has received a number of awards, including Havant Borough Team of the Year, and four Duke of Edinburgh awards for boys under 16 coaching and supporting the under 8s teams. As well as promoting sport and fitness, the club is a big opportunity for young people to meet, particularly as Emsworth does not have its own secondary school. The club, however, is now running into difficulties with finding pitches in Emsworth. They play on three venues, Emsworth Primary School for the under 10s, Hollybank Recreation Ground on Southleigh Road, and Horndean Road

The Club is too important to the young people of Emsworth to let it fail.

two girls’ teams have decided to move to playing for a club in Portsmouth. There is an urgent need for HBC and its officers, the Club, our Councillors and Emsworth Residents Forum to get together to try and solve these immediate problems. The Club is too important to the young people of Emsworth to let it fail.

The teams play in the Mid Solent, PYFL and Hampshire Girls leagues. The club has received a number of awards

There is scope for all the clubs in Emsworth to come together to develop a long term strategy for sport and recreation in Emsworth, including fundraising.

In the longer term, the plans for the development of the Southleigh site include space for recreation. We need to ensure that these include good quality sports facilities for all. If you share these concerns, or have any other ideas, please write to our Councillor, at grainne.rason@havant.gov.uk and Mike Ridley at secretary.erf@gmail.com

Out-of-this-world year for Principia Explorers

Opening due to popular demand, Principia Explorers is named after astronaut and Scout Ambassador Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station. He honoured the group by providing a video message for their opening ceremony and taking their neckerchiefs to space with him.

Meeting on Tuesday evenings in Westbourne, the Explorers (boys and girls aged 14-17) have been taking part in go karting, air rifle shooting, pioneering, indoor bouldering, crazy golf, night navigation and much more. They have even taken part in a residential week full of activities in the Brecon Beacons. Explorer Guy describes how “campfire cooking always brings the group close and you can interact with everyone.” Each Scout group is run by an inspirational

Tim Peake honoured the group by providing a video message for their opening ceremony

and enthusiastic team of volunteers. Without them young people would not get to experience all these brilliant opportunities. Alongside amazing adventures and challenges, the Explorers have been given the opportunity to develop many Skills for Life - an important motto for the Scouts. One Explorer, Jon, “enjoyed the pioneering and axe work because they were very outdoorsy and physical activities with a practical application.” Map reading, First Aid (including for animals), sewing and changing a car tyre are also skills that the Scouts are keen to give to young people.

If you are ready to join the adventure, contact Jim at jamesrbratt@googlemail. com or find your local unit using this link: www. scouts.org.uk/groups

News from Southbourne Lions

Words by Vicki King Peace Poster Art Competition – Results Results of the Southbourne Lions local Peace Poster competition for Primary Schools are in. Three schools took part, Southbourne Juniors, Bosham Primary and Chidham Primary with a total of 57 children drawing a poster representing their ideas of a Peace Super Hero. A local artist, Allan ‘Skip’ Davies, decided on the winner from each school and each was awarded a £20 Hobbycraft Voucher and entered into the next level of the competition. The photo below was taken of the winner from Southbourne Primary School with Lion President Lynn and Lion Debbie Weavers. The three Headteachers were pleased to receive a cheque for £50 to buy art materials for their school and they thanked both the Lions and the local community for running and supporting the art competition which the children had really enjoyed.

Step Into Spring Charity Concert

Emsworth Concert Band kindly provided a magnificent concert in late March, at The Bourne Community School, and was able to bolster charity funds for Southbourne Lions. Some forty talented musicians entertained with a mixture of classical, modern and musical theatre numbers. Andy Hall, their very talented and passionate musical director, is also a serving member of His Majesty’s Royal Marines. Earlier this year Andy entered the Band into the Chichester Festival for Music, Dance and Speech and they won their class with an “outstanding” score and were awarded the Mayor’s Cup for the best festival performance overall. The profits from this wonderful concert, which provided so much pleasure to the local community, were kindly donated by the Band to Southbourne Lions Charity which funds local needs.

Citizens Advice Havant wins prestigious national award for work to fight loan sharks

Citizens Advice Havant has become the first Citizens Advice team in England to win a prestigious national award for its work to help tackle loan sharks. The branch has been awarded the official Partner Plus Award from the England Illegal Money Lending Team –known as Stop Loan Sharks – a national organisation that investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers. A loan shark is someone who provides loans without the correct authorisation, often charging high interest rates. They may keep hold of a person’s valuables or bank card as security against the loan or make threats if a borrower falls behind on repayment.

The Citizens Advice Havant team members attended a Stop Loan Sharks training session and have since embedded information about illegal lenders into their day-to-day work. This

includes teaching about loan sharks in local schools as part of the Work Out Your Money project and spreading the message to the local community, encouraging anyone involved with a loan shark to get specialist support from the IMLT. The Partner Plus award is given to those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support the IMLT’s work in tackling loan sharks.

Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The winner with President Lynn and Debbie Weaver

The Citizens Advice Team - winners of an award to tackle loan sharks

Flowers for our Future

It was a unanimous decision to make the theme for the Flower Festival taking place at the lovely old church of St. Mary’s in Cot Lane, Chidham, from July 12-14, ‘Guardians of the Earth?’ - caring for our planet. When Gini Hayles heard this she decided she would create a display about the ways we have fished the seas, past and present. She and husband Roger researched early fishing boats and Roger created a floatable replica of a type that might have been used by the disciples 2000 years ago on the Sea of Galilee. This was then added to Gini’s mockup of a breaking wave which eventually will tumble down from a church windowsill. She then pasted onto fabric a quotation from a novel by Jo Jo Moyes describing some of the more sickening and destructive aspects of modern fishing methods, where wildlife as well as all sorts of fish are caught, positioning the words separately suggesting their entrapment. You can see Gini’s imaginative display which will be just one among others filling the church with colour and fragrance.

The Flower Festival takes place July 12-14, open 10am-6pm. Admission is free with voluntary donations towards the updating of the church. There will be a children’s quiz and lots of homemade cake.

Absolutely brilliant day

Vicki King on behalf of Southbourne Lions

The weather was not the best but it didn’t matter to the 12 Young Carers from Bourne Community College who had an absolutely brilliant day at the Christian Youth Establishment during their half-term.

Chichester Bridge Club

Chichester Bridge Club thanks Julie Jones for 20 years as Chairman. Julie was instrumental in securing premises within Bishop Luffa School where we still play today and she has been a strong supporter of Bridge For All. We hope that Julie and her husband Roger will continue playing with the club for some time although they will be moving nearer to family in due course. We are a friendly and vibrant duplicate bridge club and we cater for everyone - from lessons for

beginners and improvers, improvers play, returners to bridge, intermediates, and advanced play, and we have several Sussex trophy winners amongst our membership - so we definitely have something for you. We have a partnership system so if you’d like to play with us, with or without a regular partner, you will be very welcome.

www.bridgewebs.com/chichester or helenyoward@icloud.com

Bourne Quilters show

Bourne Quilters will be holding their bi-annual Quilt Show at Emsworth Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28tJuly; 10 am – 3.30 pm.

These are very deserving young people who have more complex lives than others as they care for loved ones in their home environment and therefore do not get many opportunities to mix with their peer group outside school. As you can see from the photos, the Young Carers were very excited about their morning on the water sailing in two long boats and were even lucky enough to see a seal near Cobnor Point. The afternoon was spent playing football, climbing on the land-locked Pirate Ship and playing Cops and Robbers in the tunnels. So, many thanks to our local community whose generous donations to the Lions Club of Southbourne make this activity day possible.

The show is an opportunity for members of Bourne Quilters to exhibit their work created during the last two years. All five rooms at the community centre will be filled with over 200 exhibits of bed quilts, wall hangings, bags, cushions, fabric art and many other items. Together with the beautiful exhibits there will be a sales table, with items made by members of Bourne Quilters, traders’ tables, second-hand magazines and books for interest and inspiration, our popular UFO table (unfinished objects), demonstrations of techniques and much more. Delicious refreshments of

coffee, tea and homemade cakes will also be on sale.

Bourne Quilters Group

We meet on the first Monday of the month, 7 pm to 9 pm, at Emsworth Community Centre to enjoy a variety of interesting speakers or sewing evenings, plus every other Tuesday at Westbourne Church hall, 9.30 am to midday, for social stitching. Currently our membership stands at around 83 and we welcome members of all abilities.

Membership is now open, and if you are interested in joining our happy group of stitchers or would like further information, please contact membership secretary Rita Duncan –rita.duncan@btinternet.com

Bourne Quilters

Roger Hayles making a model boat for a flower display

Chairman Julie Jones has retired from her role at Chichester Bridge Club

Emsworth Medical Practice PPG health talks

By Jim Strudwick Chairman PPG

My profound apologies to those patients who were denied admission to our latest talk on 23 April at Emsworth slipper Sailing Club, which was beyond our control. There are maximum numbers allowed in their wonderful hall for fire regulations and the Commodore quite rightly refused admission to some - our talks are so popular and the sailing club members wanted to come and hear this one as well.

Therefore I will summarise the important points given by our speaker, Karen Lee, a dietitian from Portsmouth Hospitals, who gave her services free for us on the important subject of Gut Microbiome, on which our lives depend, often called ‘our second brain’.

To coin a phrase, ‘we are what we eat’. Weight problems are on the increase and this can lead to diabetes as our insulin production cannot break down all the sugars in the food we eat and therefore excess sugar can easily be converted into stored fat. Apart from diabetes, other conditions that can be made worse by our poor diet include stomach disorders, IBS, diverticulosis, coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Our gut microbiome is a mixture of viruses, bacteria and fungi which help to break down our foodstuff into useable materials, but they also need various sugars to survive, and have a clever way of telling the brain via the vagus nerve, what they want to consume and we eat/fancy foods accordingly. BUT this may not be what we should be eating: soluble fibre from oats, barley, beans, apples, fruits;

‘Our predecessors knew nothing of bad microbes but did know that fermented products saved lives’ ‘Weight problems... can lead to diabetes as our insulin production cannot break down all the sugars in the food we eat’

carrots; cooked or tinned tomatoes (which contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant); also dark green vegetables, including watercress (top one), chard, spinach, chicory, kale and Romaine lettuce.

A bad Microbiome (unhelpful microbes) includes the Typhoid and Paratyphoid organisms, E.Coli, Salmonella and Clostridium Difficile and in the stomach Helicobacter pylori The natural treatments for unhelpful microbes is to flood the intestinal tract with so called good bacteria, harmless to us but which can push out the bad ones. Many of these remedies involve fermented milk products, which have been known for over 2,000 years. Our predecessors knew nothing of bad microbes but did know that fermented products saved lives. We now know that the helpful microbes include various strains of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and some strains of cocci; the greater the variation in the products the better. When I studied microbiology many decades ago, the standard treatment for intestinal infections were fermented yogurts. This was before antibiotics were commonly available and now overuse has led to antibiotic resistance.

My personal favourites are: kefir, a fermented milk drink containing 14 different microbe types, as is sauerkraut - fermented cabbage - also the health drinks such as Yakult Actimel, and yogurts such as Onken and Yeo Valley (other makes are available). So called Probiotics (live strains) can be bought in pill form. And, of course, to lose weight, avoid sugary, salty and fatty foods.

An interesting visit to King’s College Hospital

King’s College Hospital London Haematology Department is an important medical science research and treatment centre that is supported by the Lions International Blood Research Appeal (LIBRA). President Lynne and Lions Pat and Vicki from Southbourne Lions visited the Department on 29 May 2024 along with other Lions Clubs for the annual LIBRA update. This was provided by lectures about the blood diseases the unit treats (blood cancers and sickle Cell anaemia) and a visit to a recently refurbished unit (opened by Dame Kelly Jones) made possible by support from Lions Clubs.

RNLI

Words and photo by Vivien Alexander, RNLI Branch Secretary, Emsworth and Havant

The Emsworth and Havant Branch will be holding a Quay Sale on Saturday 3 August 2024. The location of the Quay Sale is at the bottom of South Street including in Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club. The event is 9am to 1pm. There will be stalls including RNLI souvenirs, home produce, ‘nearly new’ and boat jumble. Coffee, tea and cake will also be available. We may even have a visit from Hayling Island Lifeboats sometime during the morning. We look forward to seeing you.

‘Emsworth and Havant RNLI Branch will be holding a Quay Sale on Saturday 3 August 2024’

Longterm Service Award Emsworth and Havant RNLI Fundraising Branch were delighted to present a 30 years of service achievement badge on Tuesday 28 May 2024 to Robin Burdett. Robin is 86 and moved to Emsworth in 2018. Unfortunately she cannot remember where she started her service with the RNLI. Her husband used to be in the Navy and they were posted for 2 years in Sydney and then 2 years in Singapore. She has 5 daughters, one of whom is sailing in Scotland at present. She has greatly enjoyed sailing in the past and wishes that she could continue to do so.

Paul Adams

100 Years Together

Throughout 2024 we will be celebrating the first one hundred years of the parish of Warblington-with-Emsworth. Our centenary year officially started on 19 May with a parish-wide day of celebration, which included a celebratory service led by the Bishop of Portsmouth, followed by lunch in the garden attended by over 250 people. The celebrations were a great success and will be remembered for many years to come.

Backpackers Holiday Club

This is for all children currently at primary school and will run from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 August, 10am-12.30pm at St James’ School, Emsworth – registration is now open. There will be a travel theme with children

A celebratory service along with a lunch attended by over 250 people launched the year-long celebrations

journeying through European cities, learning from the Bible and having lots of fun, including exploring, games, crafting, making and more. Sign up at: https://www.warblingtonwithemsworth.org and for more info, please contact Jacqui Watson: childrenandyouth@ warblingtonwithemsworth.org.

Flower Festival ‘Celebrating New Life’There is nothing quite like a church filled with flowers so we are delighted to be holding a flower festival supported by the Emsworth Flower Guild. Many people will be showcasing their talents at St James’ Church, Emsworth on Saturday 14 September 10am-4pm and Sunday 15 September 12pm-4pm. Bring friends and family to enjoy floral displays of all kinds and stay for refreshments – we look forward to seeing you.

Emsworth Museum

6 July – 18 August 80th Anniversary of D Day

6 June 2024 was the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy and this exhibition reflects on the lead up to D Day and the impact it had on the local area and the residents of Emsworth. It is hard to comprehend the complexity of planning an event of this size as well as co-ordinating resources from a number of different nations whilst at the same time maintaining absolute secrecy. In Emsworth in the weeks prior to the landings there were Canadian, Free French and British troops camped in the surrounding woods and movement by the local population was strictly controlled with check points to pass in and out of the area. The images included with this article are from the IWM War Office Second World War Official Collection. The exhibition also contains material from Emsworth residents who participated in the landings – some from 2014 when the 70th anniversary was commemorated.

30 August – 27 October The History of Emsworth Fire Brigade

Using pictures of early equipment and uniforms this exhibition will trace the history of Emsworth Fire Brigade from about 1885 when the fire engine was horse drawn and hand pumped. A similar appliance was used to fight the Stansted House fire in July 1900. From the images of the time the uniforms changed very little over this period. On Saturday 7 September, in addition to the exhibition, Emsworth fire station will hold an open day when fire engines old and new will be displayed in the car park close to the Museum.

For more info on any of these events, please visit our website: https:// www.warblingtonwithemsworth.org Facebook: @WarblingtonwithEmsworth

23 – 26 August Reflections by Visual Marks Textile Artists in Hampshire

This display is part of the Hampshire Open Studios event and one of the group will be present daily to talk to visitors about the work on display. Each artist has created work based on their own interpretation of reflections.

Wednesday 7 August Guided town walk Nigel Brown will repeat the walk he led on 5 June and 3 July. Starting at 6.15pm at Emsworth Museum, 10B North Street, the walk will take about ninety minutes and finish back at the museum. To book a place (numbers limited to 12 people) please email walks@emsworthmuseum.org.uk The cost is £5.00 per person payable when you arrive on the day.

Emsworth Museum, 10B North Street is open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30am –4.30pm and on Sundays 1.30pm – 4.30pm. www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk info@emsworthmuseum.org.uk

Emsworth Community Hub Update

The hub started up in January in Emsworth Sports & Social Club along the Havant Road. Open Monday till Fridays 12 till 4 for general drop ins. Tea, Coffee, Rolls & Cakes just £2 everyone raves about the Carrot Cake, Anyone can drop in to have a chat, there are daily newspapers, games on each table and arts & crafts available each week, We put on afternoon music events which are popular too, always free and everyone welcome. We have just had a D Day event, with a swing and jazz singer Katie Rogers, some dressed up in theme and everyone had a free scone, the local community all made poppy’s for a display which will be added to and reused for remembrance day, it was great everyone coming together. Mondays is a general drop in day and in function room there is a Steady and Strong class. Tuesdays is Arts and Craft day and Emsworth

Hook and Yarn have joined us, come along make new friends with the gift of warmth. Wednesdays there is a new Rummikub group, also social singing but term time only in the function room. Thursdays is Crochet Knit and Natter. Fridays from September will be old school youth club! It is Games afternoon bringing young and old together, all home ed children welcome we play all sorts of games from board games, pool, darts & even Bowls when weather permitting.

We still have the function room available on some days, so if you are looking for a community space contact us for more information. We have a Facebook page where you can find full details of all our events, not everyone uses social media so if you want to find out more info feel free to pop in or you can call Clair on 07904 094981.

An image from the D Day exhibition at Emsworth Museum

Goodbye to Chairman Nelson

Patrons, trustees and supporters of Chichester Harbour Trust gathered at Bosham Sailing Club to celebrate the retirement of Chairman John Nelson, and to welcome Nick Backhouse to the helm.

Special guests included His Grace the Duke of Richmond, Dame Susan Pyper, Georgina Duchess of Norfolk, and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson.

Nick celebrated the achievements of the Trust during John’s 11-year tenure, including raising £2.28m in funds to acquire five sites in this time, taking the Trust’s total land holding to 15 properties with over 375 acres now in its stewardship. This land will now be protected

forever, helping to conserve the special landscape of Chichester Harbour National Landscape for future generations.

In a surprise presentation to John Nelson, Ann Briggs, Chair of Chichester Harbour Conservancy, presented him with the Freedom of the Harbour award, recognising his outstanding contribution to the Harbour. Matt Briers, the Conservancy’s CEO, presented the coveted burgee to accompany this award.

Lord-Lieutenant opens site

The Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, officially opened Marina Farm, near Emsworth, on behalf of the Chichester Harbour Trust.

Marina Farm is a former brownfield site within Chichester Harbour National Landscape that had been derelict for many years, until the opportunity finally arose for the Chichester Harbour Trust to buy it in 2022. The Trust already holds the neighbouring property at Eames Farm, which is a haven for wildlife. Over the past year the Trust, together with its project partners, has carried out an extensive programme of clearance and restoration, to remove the derelict buildings and waste material.

The aim was to create a community nature space for local people to enjoy, with a public footpath running through it and new seating areas and information panels to help people learn about the area. A new native woodland area was planted that will grow over time. A new English oak framed gazebo was built to provide replacement nesting habitat for the migrating swallows that used the old stables at the property.

Overall this site provides a mixture of different habitats that will allow nature to thrive, particularly the wide range of birds, insects, (including rare solitary bee species) and reptiles that can be found here. The land will change and thrive over time, in the way that the Trust’s site at Maybush Copse, Chidham

has done over recent years. We hope that all who visit will enjoy spending time in nature and learning about the wildlife that lives here. The project was made possible with grant funding from Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s FIPL scheme, Southern Water’s Nature Improvement scheme, The Friends of Chichester Harbour, Southbourne Parish Council and HM Government’s Trees Outside Woodlands programme facilitated through the District Council’s Tree Chichester District scheme. In addition, the project received significant individual contributions from the local community, for which we are enormously grateful.

www.chichesterharbourtrust.org.uk

Emsworth’s carbon footprint: an uncomfortable truth

Words By Greening Westbourne

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Emsworth is lagging behind when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions from homes. Nationally, homes and accommodation are responsible for 25% of the average person’s carbon footprint. But in Emsworth the number is 27%, Westbourne comes in at 34% and Bosham’s figure is 31%. In Southbourne, the score is a creditable 23%. The overall picture is bad news for our area’s contribution to climate change - and for residents’ energy bills. There might be many reasons for the differences – perhaps the number of older properties, or the proportion of people working from home.

Clearly, effective insulation is where many of us can make a change – helping to make sure our homes are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And after that has been achieved, you might like to give some thought to installing a heat pump. Under the government’s boiler upgrade scheme, you can now get a grant of £7,500 towards one. As an air-source heat pump currently costs, on average, just over £12,500 to buy and install, this means you could have to fork out a lot less than you might have expected. Greening Westbourne recently hosted an event with the national Greening Campaign, the Hampshire Retrofit Consortium and the Sustainability Centre about how to keep our homes warm, thereby reducing energy bills and reducing our carbon footprints. This was a follow-on from a project in which

Clearly, effective insulation is where many of us can make a change

we took thermal images of 21 homes in the village, identifying where heat was being lost. The presenters helped interpret the images, made very useful suggestions as to how this heat loss could be addressed, and pointed people towards funding for energy improvements.

This article was prompted by the information we gained at this event. With the editor’s kind assistance, we hope to pass on more tips in future editions. You can also see more information by searching Greening Westbourne online and looking for the ‘saving-energy-at-home’ page on our website.

Nicky Horter, Lady Emma Barnard and John Nelson at the opening of Marina Farm

Future of Memorial Garden in doubt

Words by Sarah Sanderson

It has been rewarding for everyone concerned to see the Armistice Day Service in the Memorial Garden grow from an isolated sculpture with Virginia Wilson-Smith leading a short service in her full foul weather kit, to a dignified service in an established garden attracting a large congregation of all ages. It is heartening to have so many people in the community coming together to make it the event it has become, and a respectful place to honour the Fallen.

Members of the committee share the organising of the day – our chairman Lulu Bowerman, Maurice Clarke, Pam Palmer and me. This includes liaising with the Church, the Army, the Police, the Fire Service, the Mayor’s office and schools; booking the bugler, sorting out a PA system, publicity, and printing the service sheets. But a garden is a garden all year, and the rest of the year has its challenges.

The Friends are responsible for maintaining the raised bed, hedges and general appearance of the garden, and have a maintenance session at 10 am on the second Monday of the month. Norse have always come up trumps for November 11, to help the Friends prepare the garden for the service. They supply (and take away the filled) purple plastic bags for all our maintenance sessions, and permanently removed the flooding from the garden by installing a permeable path on the recreation ground side of the garden. They are also responsible for the grass and pavers. Norse, however, have always struggled to

maintain their side of the bargain through the year. The Friends are now in the position of being unable to continue after the end of this year, due to reducing numbers and increasing age and infirmity. We desperately need younger people to join us. If you can help with gardening, please email me: sandersongardens@ hotmail.com.

If you can’t help with gardening but would like to help our cause and support the garden, please email all three Emsworth Councillors: cllr.grainne.rason@havant.gov.uk, cllr.reuben. mychaleckyj@havant.gov.uk, and cllr.charles. robert@havant.gov.uk with your thoughts and concerns.

The Memorial Garden is in the south east corner of Horndean Road Recreation Ground, bordered by Horndean Road and Coldharbour Farm Road. http://emsworthmemorialgarden.org.uk/

Chartered Accountants

LETTERS

Please be good enough to print my additional comments to the article in April’s edition of The Ems (page 12) concerning Natural England’s (NE) most recent proposal for a raised boardwalk to be constructed between Warblington Road and Nore Barn Woods.

What We Do Know About The Proposal: The raised boardwalk would be tacked on to the end of the existing raised path and be the same height.

The existing raised path is tidally flooded when the astronomically predicted tide is 4.9 metres or above and when there are adverse weather conditions.

The proposed path would not be a dry footpath, it would be flooded to the same extent as the existing raised path. Using predicted tide chart data, the footpath from the end of Warblington Road to Nore Barn Woods is dry for 98.5% of the time and the raised path would increase this by 1%.

Walkers caught out by a flooded footpath can be directed along Selangor footpath –in NE’s initial report (October 2019) this dry alternative route was deemed unacceptable because it is owned by HBC not HCC: however, NE now accept this alternative dry route which, logically, should cancel the need for a raised path.

The capital cost of the raised boardwalk is just under £40,000; it will take 3 weeks to assemble and it has a predicted 25 year life span. The sea wall protecting Maisemore Gardens properties is regularly inspected

and has a good report. The standard depth of footing of such structures is 750 mm and there is no indication of undermining – the visible bulge at shore level is consistent with liquid concrete ooze between shuttering boards at the time of construction. Coastal engineers advise against attaching a new raised concrete path to the seawall. It is a design very suitable for Yellowstone but not for Emsworth.

What We Do Not Know

· The cost of the three week assembly

· The cost of weekly/daily removal of high tide seaweed and rubbish

· The cost of collecting the rubbish that will gather under the boardwalk

· The cost of annual dismantling of the structure so that seawall inspections can be carried out, and fences and hedges can be maintained

NE, HCC or HBC could all pull the plug on this costly and ludicrous scheme. Bombard them with your thoughts and maybe things will speed up.

Yours in hope Sally Outram

Just two volunteers work hard in the garden in June

Book Reviews

The Farmer’s Stocking Needle by Patrick J Pead. Self-published. £6 + postage. Please contact the author direct: patrickpd357@gmail.com

The discovery of vaccination has been clouded in myth and controversy that still persists. There is a common assumption that it was a medical ‘breakthrough’ - attributable exclusively to one individual: Dr Edward Jenner, the Gloucester doctor. This is a misconception. The true account is more complex, spanning the entire 18th century with necessary reference to earlier times.

Patrick’s book draws on those resources and goes on to establish precisely when and where the first known vaccination took place, as a development of what had gone before. It concerns the little-known Dorset farmer, Benjamin Jesty who performed this extraordinary feat 22 years before Jenner. The doctor’s magnificent contribution is reassessed as a consequence, but why did he finally act after years of reluctance? Did he know about Jesty? Who really discovered vaccination?

Here is the true tale of endeavour, of aristocrats and commoners spiced with human interest. The Farmer’s Stocking Needle is the history of a quest, of attempts to find immunity which straddle a timeline of the globe from Ancient China to the continent of Europe. It was a noble

Benjamin Jesty by Michael William Sharp, 1805 the Blue plaque commemorating his pioneering work at Upbury Farm at Yetminster

resolve that came to fruition in the countryside of Georgian England and provided the foundation for today’s continuing healthcare research in our fight against microbes.

Here is the true tale of endeavour, of aristocrats and commoners spiced with human interest.

WAKES & FUNERALS

BESPOKE PACKAGES AVAILABLE

A short drive from The Oaks Crematorium with a large free car park. Buffet menu and bar available. Two rooms catering for 30 - 120 people

Over As Much Land by P J George Pegasus Publishers. 414 pp Pbk £14.99

A new housing development offers its residents affordability and tranquility in a quaint village setting close to the sea. As buyers keenly sign on the dotted line, the Evergreen estate is soon populated by happy residents. Among them is Barney, returning from London to the village of his childhood. Yet after a while, Barney begins to experience troubling dreams, and the apartment is permanently freezing cold, even in the heart of summer. After Molly, his girlfriend, visits him one weekend, the

Life in a new housing development offering tranquility close to the sea soon takes an unwelcome turn

strange atmosphere of Barney’s home and the village intensifies. Things take a gruesome and sinister turn, as the Evergreen estate becomes the focus of otherworldly attention. Who is the fabled leader of ‘The Order of the Yellow Mountain’? Can Barney defeat those who would enter our reality before it’s too late, or will he become subsumed by the white flesh determined to subject the Evergreen residents to a ‘better’ existence?

Editor. If you are a local author or you know of a book of local interest please contact The Ems and we will be pleased to mention the book. We are also looking for someone who would like to review books for The Ems. Email: editor.theems@outlook.com

Funtington Players

Following the success of The Shadow Factory in April, Funtington Players have been preparing for Funtington Fringe - a revue-style entertainment focusing on the Parish of Funtington and its villages - East Ashling, West Ashling and West Stoke.

In this 75th Anniversary Year the revue is aimed at acknowledging the Players’ Funtington origins, while at the same time raising funds for the village hall, which has long been their home. The show comprises a

miscellany of parish-based stories, sketches, songs and music written by members of the Players and also including contributions from John Gleadall and Greg Moss.

Performances are at the West Ashling and Funtington District Hall on 26th and 27th July. Tickets are available via the website from 5th July on www.funtington.org.uk.

Images from Wikipedia

Care for the poor

By Mike Blatch www.emswalk.co.uk - walking history tours of Emsworth.

For those who find themselves too poor to provide clothing and food for their families or prevented from working due to illness or health, life has always been extremely hard. Historically, the poor and destitute were helped by the local parish. In 1601 the Poor Relief Act gave parishes the right to collect money from ratepayers to help the poor. By the early 1600s workhouses had been set up as an economical way to supply food and basic goods. However, these were usually little more than distribution points. It wasn’t until The Workhouse Test Act of 1723 that the workhouse took on its more ominous reputation. The act was designed to discourage ‘free loading’ by introducing a regime that only the truly needy would endure.

Following a huge rise in poverty and unemployment after the Napoleonic Wars, life in the workhouses was made even worse in 1834 with Victorian changes to the Poor Laws. This stopped localised parish support and concentrated residents in larger centralised locations, which were often harsher. It wasn’t until 1908 that The Old-Age Pensions Act was introduced, and as late as 1948 that a standard system of social security passed through Parliament.

Emsworth’s poorhouse

Emsworth’s poorhouse was built in 1776 and pre-dates the church, which was built in 1842. The poorhouse stood on North Street. It has now been converted into four cottages which are just to the north of the entrance to St James’s Church. Records from 1814 show that there were five men, seven women, ten boys and nine girls in residence. The poorhouse was not somewhere anyone would want to be, but fate could deal a hard hand, particularly to widows, orphans and those with physical or mental health conditions.

Accommodation was very basic and every inhabitant was put to work. Boys over 10 years-old, were often employed in sail making. Emsworth had a thriving shipbuilding trade and cheap labour helped line the pockets of wealthy business owners. Women and girls did needlework and household chores. The men were given an extremely unpleasant chore known as ‘oakum picking’. This involved unpicking the hemp twines from old rope to make caulking (a material that was used to caulk boats by pushing it between the planks of the hull to prevent water from coming in). Oakum picking was vicious on the hands, leaving them bloody and sometimes resulting in permanent disfigurement.

In an account from diaries of Emsworth, covering the late 1700s and early 1800s, the author writes of a small room at the top of one of three spiral staircases. The door was studded with iron nails and had a small square opening at

the top. The author believes this was a cell where ‘refractory tramps’ were kept. These were tramps who became violent or abusive, often from alcohol or mental health. In addition to the cell, there were very basic straw beds for tramps passing through the parish. The tramps were anointed with black sulphur, used to treat skin conditions like excema, and sent on their way the next day.

Whilst conditions at Emsworth’s poorhouse were harsh, we are also told that in 1814 the Master of the house treated the residents well. There were apparently no able-bodied men or women in residence. They ate together and were provided with two hot dinners, three cold meals, one meal of soup and one of bread, cheese and beer per week. Breakfast was gruel, which is like a thin porridge of oats, barley or wheat warmed in milk or water. Certainly not a wholesome diet. Children also received basic education up to the age of ten.

Victorian clamp-down

Between 1795 and 1830 tax collected for the care of the poor had increased from £2million to nearly £8million. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 there was a huge increase in the number of unemployed all over the country, not least

around Havant and Emsworth where the economy relied heavily on the Royal Navy at Portsmouth.

Rather than empathise with the plight of those who found themselves in the utterly unenviable position of being destitute, a new poor law was passed in 1834 that imposed harsh conditions. The idea was to reform and discourage people from becoming dependent. Workhouses replaced almost all the parish poorhouses. Emsworth’s poorhouse residents were moved to Havant. The new Poor Laws were highly controversial and shocked many people. Workhouse life was extremely tough with long days, gruelling work and poor food.

Workhouses were finally abolished in 1930 by the Local Government Act 1929, and their powers and responsibilities were passed to local and national government bodies.

The Havant Union Workhouse by Robert West is a very interesting read if you would like to find out more. https://thespring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ano-46-the-havant-union-workhouse.pdf

If you are interested in Emsworth’s history, you can join a walk at www.emswalk.co.uk - the current theme is ‘Emsworth’s Industrial Revolution’.

Elizabeth Turner Soft Furnishings

The poor boys, Chidham poorhouse (above right), Emsworth poorhouse (right)

Business Operation Jericho: D-day deception or audacious prison break?

With two limited edition watches, Zero West remember the most daring daylight Mosquito bombing raid of WW2.

Showcasing Merlin engine steel, precision wire cut from the crankshaft of Mosquito fighter-bomber HX909 that took part in the raid on Amiens Prison, Zero West have engineered two watches that commemorate this Top Secret mission that helped make D-Day a success. Created as a contemporary design of a vintage watch, the M-1 Mosquito timepieces feature a textured brass dial, and polished brass-coloured hands set in a distinctive ZW case.

This specialist mission, Operation Jericho, paired specialist RAF aircrew, skilled at precision bombing, with the speed and agility of the Mosquito Mk VI fighter-bomber. Created in just 8 days, its objective was to break out 120 French resistance fighters due to be executed shortly after 18th February 1944.

19 Mosquitos led by Group Captain Pickard, a skilled precision bomber and national hero, flew into a storm just 50 ft above the English Channel, before releasing bombs on targeted sections of the high Amiens Prison walls. Resistance fighters and railway saboteurs

condemned to death escaped into green fields liberally doused with snow.

But was there a greater plan afoot linked to the greatest air and sea invasion in history – D-Day Normandy, 6th June 1944? Was there a British Agent incarcerated in the prison who knew details of the Allied invasion of France? Did the raid become a vehicle for ‘controlled leakage of misleading intelligence’?

One mission. Two astounding stories. Zero West create British engineered-British designed timepieces from their bespoke studio and workshop at The Boathouse, Emsworth, Chichester. Old friends and ZW co-founders, Graham Collins and Andrew Brabyn have an obsessive passion for ‘time and place’ and their limited-edition watches embrace important moments of distinctly British engineering on land, sea and air. Zero West have successfully paid homage to many great British aviation moments in engineering history, through timepieces like their DB-1 Lancaster (the Dam Busters raid

New nail bar opens

TT Nail and Spa opened at the end of May at 12 High St, Emsworth. The new business is run by husband and wife team Thanh and Cindy who had previously run a salon for 17 years in the Cascades Centre, Portsmouth.

In addition to nail services they also offer pedicures and services to male customers.

TT Nail and Spa are open from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Bank Holidays) Tel 07946 857777. They are on Facebook and Instagram.

The shop had previously been occupied by Superkidz and Home Oasis who closed their shop on 30 April. The gift shop opened in October 2021 in premises formally occupied by Coral Bookmakers.

Other beauty establishments in Emsworth

SATURDAY VIEWINGS ASSISTANT REQUIRED

To conduct busy Saturday property viewings, around Emsworth & surrounding villages

Alternate Saturdays 9.00am – 4.00pm

Own Car & Clean Driving Licence

Contact Borland & Borland

Independent Estate Agents on Emsworth High Street

e property@borlandandborland.co.uk

t 01243 377655 www.borlandandborland.co.uk

include: Emsworth Nail Room, Glamorous Hair and Beauty, Amaya, Jonathan Ditton, Lullylash and Beauty Aesthetics.

in 1943) and the H2 marking the end of the Battle of Britain and the legendary Hawker Hurricane.

Zero West are vertically integrated and distinctly different. Where else can you walk into a studio, talk with the designers, see the pre-production 3D printed models and look over a salvaged WW2 Spitfire Merlin engine?

https://zerowest.watch/ If you would like more information or would like to visit the studio, please don’t hesitate to call Andrew Brabyn on 01243 376 676.

Qigong classes

Traditional Chinese exercise for health, fitness and well-being.

Tuesdays at 2pm or Wednesdays at 9.30am or 11am. Emsworth Parish Hall, 20A Church Path, PO10 7DP. Visit emsworthqigong.com or contact Lincoln (Advanced Instructor Tai Chi & Qigong Union for GB) emsworthqigong@gmail.com beginners

Farmers’ Market

The market is held on the third Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm in the Square. The dates for the next few months are: Sat 20 July, Sat 17 Aug, Sat 21 Sept, Sat 19 Oct, Sat 16 Nov, Sat 21 Dec

North Street House, 6 North Street, Emsworth

The former doctors’ surgery in Emsworth with planning permission for redevelopment was put up for auction on 12 June with a guide price of £895,000 by Clive Emson Land & Property Auctioneers www.cliveemson. co.uk/ It is currently listed as an unsold lot.

Barbers shop for sale

Steve’s Barbers, 1C South St is being offered for sale for £200,000 freehold by Portsmouth based Trafalgar Property Consultancy. The shop is not believed to have traded since 2016. It was last sold in 2003 for £40,000. https://trafalgarpropertyconsultancy.co.uk/

(May 2024)

Inflation rate

The official consumer price inflation rate as calculated by ONS is 2%.

In Feb 2021 it stood at 0.4%. www.ons.gov.uk

Minimum wage to go up

As from 1 April 2024 the minimum wage increased to the following rates:

• £11.44 Age 21 and over

• £8.60 Age 18 -20

• £6.40 Age 16 -17

Emsworth loves local I am delighted to report that Emsworth Loves Local’s two Mega Markets, where we took over the whole of the ground floor of the Methodist Church, were a rousing success! All our stall holders reported back that they were pleased with how everything went. So good were the reports that we have decided to hold another two Mega Markets on 19 October and 16 November. Please make a note because the next issue of The Ems will not be available until 10 October.

Until then, can I remind you of our Summer Charity Market at the Emsworth Sports and Leisure Centre (43 Havant Road, PO10 7JF). We have two town criers (Bognor and Havant) and the Mayor of Havant coming along who will judge our fancy dress competition and anything else we can think of… Our charity this time is Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital. It’s going to be huge fun and not to be missed. Opening at 10am, come along early and be the recipient of one of our special bags of goodies. Our next charity market will he held on 3 August in Emsworth Sports and Social Club, starting at 10 am and closing at 3 pm. We will continue to hold our usual markets on the third Saturday every month, the same day as the Emsworth Farmers’ Market. See you there.

The Ropemaker (former

Brookfield Hotel) Havant Road, update

Heartwood Inns are on track with their significant refurbishment of the former Brookfield Hotel, on Havant Road, and with less than a couple of weeks to go until The Ropemaker officially opens its doors on Tuesday 23 July.

Illustrations have been shared of what to expect from the bar and lounge areas - an exposed fireplace that is accessible from both the main bar and lounge area and an extensive bar creating a welcoming area for guests, injected with Heartwood’s signature quirky style. As part of Heartwood Inns - a collection of cosy pubs awarded the best Food-Led Pub Group by Restaurant R200 in 2023 along with The Publican in 2024 - The Ropemaker has also been awarded the top 3 star rating from The Sustainable Restaurant Association and is renowned for its seasonal, fresh menus and extensive drinks selection. Visitors to The Ropemaker can also expect cosy snugs, local beers, an airy dining space to the rear, a decked terrace to the front, along with a new extension leading onto a beautiful enclosed terrace and landscaped garden. The pub with rooms will also feature 43 unique characterful bedrooms. Plans for an engaging launch day are well underway and local partnerships have been

made including Hayling Watersports – renowned for kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and paddle boarding – as well as local creative Felix Tabitha offering fused glass and pottery workshops in collaboration with the new pub with rooms. For more information on what to expect, including a complimentary welcome drink at The Ropemaker when you sign up to their database, and for sneak previews of the site head to www.ropemakeremsworth.com.

Editor: At the time of going to press the planning application APP/23/00630 to remodel the front of the hotel was still being considered. A number of residents and the ERF have expressed concern about the reduction in parking spaces at the hotel and the increase in the size of the dining capacity (up to 200 covers).

Election Special

Green fever grips Emsworth

The Greens overturned 25 years of Conservative representation of Emsworth ward in the May 2024 elections. The three Green candidates captured 57% of the vote with the Conservative candidates and former councillors Richard Kennett and Lulu Bowerman coming a poor fourth and fifth. The full results are as follows:

• BOLT, Michael - Liberal Democrats - 477

• BOWERMAN, Carole (Lulu) - Conservative Party - 1177

• BOWMAN, Adam - Liberal Democrats - 285

• DAVIS, John - Reform UK - 287

• KENNETT, Richard - Conservative Party - 1364

• LAWRENCE, Lucy - Conservative Party - 954

• MYCHALECKYJ, Reuben - Green Party - 1976 - Elected

• RASON, Grainne - Green Party - 2457 - Elected

• ROBERT, Charles - Green Party - 1660 - Elected Turnout: 45.18% Spoilt ballot papers: 13

Past results for Emsworth Ward No elections were held in 2020 due to Coronavirus emergency

The hustings at Emsworth Community Centre were well attended

Police and Crime Commissioner

election results

Elections to this office were also held across England on 2 May 2024.

Hampshire

Donna Jones (Conservative) 175,953 Elected (42%)

Prad Bains (Liberal Democrats) 92,843

Becky Williams (Labour) 106,141

Don Jerrard (Justice) 40,691

West Sussex

Jamie Bennett (Liberal Democrats) 48,923

Katy Bourne (Conservative) 122,495 Elected (39%)

Jonathan Kent (Green) 43,105

Paul Richards (Labour) 99,502

General Election

The long awaited election was held on Thursday 4 July. The following candidates stood for the Havant constituency.

• Stefanie Harvey – Labour

• Alan Mak – Conservative

• John Perry - Reform UK

• Gayathai Sathyanath – Liberal Democrats

• Netty Shepherd - Green Party

• Jennifer Alemanno – Workers Party GB

The last general election was held on 12 December 2019 when Alan Mak increased his majority. The Havant constituency has been held by Conservatives since it was formed in 1983. Even during the 1997 Labour landslide election the Tories were able to hold Havant with 39% of the vote.

NOTE; Due to the General Election results not being available until after the Summer edition of The Ems is printed it was not possible to include the results in the Summer edition. There will be a full report in the Autumn edition of The Ems.

2019 Results

Rainbow Coalition to rule Havant

After the election Havant became No Overall Control with no party having a majority. The Tories, despite being the largest party, were to suffer further humiliation when Labour leader Phil Munday was able to put together a coalition of Labour, Lib Dem and Green councillors to rule the Borough. The full breakdown of the new coalition cabinet is as follows:

• Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Corporate Strategy, Performance, and External Relations: Cllr Phillip Munday (Labour)

• Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Finance: Cllr. Philippa Gray (Liberal Democrats)

• Cabinet Lead for Environment and Water Quality: Cllr Grainne Rason (Green)

• Cabinet Lead for Housing: Cllr Amy

Redsull (Labour)

• Cabinet Lead for Commercial: Cllr Paul Gray (Liberal Democrats)

• Cabinet Lead for Regeneration and Communities: Clllr Gillian Harris MBE (Labour)

• Cabinet Lead for Place: Cllr. Richard Brown (Labour)

The elevation to the cabinet of Emsworth Green councillor Grainne Rason is a great achievement as she only became a ward councillor in 2023.

Former Emsworth ward councillor Lulu Bowerman is still serving as a Hampshire County Councillor for Emsworth and St Faith’s division. Congratulations to Lulu as she has now been promoted to the HCC cabinet as Executive Member for Highways and Waste.

Tories trashed across Havant

The results across the rest of the borough of Havant were bad for the Tories with them only winning 13 of the 36 seats. Labour won 10, Liberal Democrats 7, Greens 4 and Reform UK 2. Prior to the election, under the old boundaries, the Conservatives had 29 seats, Labour 4, Lib Dems 2 and Green 1, with 2 seats vacant. In 2022 the Conservatives held 35 out of 38 seats at HBC. Former Conservative leader of HBC, Alex Rennie lost his Leigh Park seat to a Reform UK candidate with the other seats in Leigh Park Central and West Leigh being taken by Labour. The two Reform UK councillors elected to HBC were the only members of their party to win seats anywhere in England in the May local elections.

Other local elections

Former Emsworth ward councillor Lulu Bowerman... has now been promoted to the HCC cabinet as Executive Member for Highways and Waste.

Cllr Grainne Rason (Green Party)

Main Priorities:

Protecting our Environment and Green spaces, developing an Action plan for the borough for Biodiversity and Climate.

Thank you so much for re-electing me. My ambition is to continue to be a strong voice for Emsworth, and to serve the needs of our residents at Havant Borough, helped by our team of Green councillors, Reuben Mychaleckyj and Charles Robert. Now that we have a new administration and four Green Party councillors, we are in a much stronger position to influence the strategy, direction and decisions of our council.

Our first task has been to help build the coalition and to develop productive, respectful working relationships with our partners and officers within the council. We are also building relationships with our Hampshire County councillors and with West Sussex councillors on wider issues like traffic and anti-social behaviour so we can get things done.

Under the administration, I have a cabinet position. Local Government cabinets make most of the decisions which helps to speed up the decision-making process. We meet once a fortnight with the senior officers for cabinet briefing and to prepare for the decisions we will need to make. My portfolio covers Environment, Water Quality and Climate change. Green councillor Netty Shepherd from Hayling East is assistant cabinet lead on Climate and Open spaces. We are very busy, learning what these new roles mean and putting together strategies and policies.

Our most immediate task will be revisiting Havant Borough Council’s Climate Action plan to make it more focused and target driven. The Environment Act 2021 will be bringing changes to what we can recycle and how we will do this. Since last year, Havant Borough Council has appointed a Climate Change officer and an ecologist, meaning we have more expertise on the team than before. There is a lot of work to do to improve our recycling across the borough and with negotiations with Hampshire County Council as to how this will be delivered. We also have to work on the Biodiversity strategy. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is included in planning as a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before development. As with most schemes, this is not straightforward but it does create opportunities to protect and enhance our existing habitats as well as creating new ones. We have many challenges ahead and I and our team are excited to take them on.

‘We are also building relationships on wider issues like traffic’

Reuben Mychaleckyj (Green Party)

Main Priorities:

Cleaning our waterways, Infrastructure, engaging young people in politics and increasing trust in local politics.

Hi I’m Reuben Mychaleckyj. I feel very privileged to represent Emsworth on the council. We have a whole new team including a fairly new chief executive that has built a new team of officers over the last few years, and 17 new councillors with a new coalition cabinet.

I see us all as a united force to ensure residents are represented and cared for in the best way. I welcome all councillors new and old and after the new council leader was voted in, I went over to the opposition to introduce myself and express my wishes to work together. Tit for tat party politics drives me (and the rest of you I imagine) up the wall.

I’ve been selected to sit on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The role is to hold the cabinet decisions to account. It’s about exploring all the options in a report thoroughly and making recommendations that are grounded in reality, and don’t waste officers’ time and money. It also allows you to call in external bodies such as the NHS or Water companies for public meetings so they can also be held to account.

I want to be open and transparent, and bring local politics into the 21st century, keeping you updated on what I’ve been doing and making sure I’m easily accessible. As the Havant Green Party’s social media manager I will also do the same for our other Green Councillors. So follow us all on social media to stay in touch. We are working hard and by following us on Facebook you can keep up to date on challenges in your local area.

‘(we can) call in external bodies such as the NHS or Water companies for public meetings so they can also be held to account’

Charles Robert (Green Party)

Main Priorities:

Ensuring the environment has prominence and does not take second place to short term economic decisions.

Hi I’m Charles Robert, I stood as third Green candidate for Emsworth and I was delighted to be elected. My tenure is for two years, I have less time to make an impact! However, now that we have four Green councillors this gives us a strong position in cabinet and we can cover more committees.

I sit on the Planning Committee which means I also attend site visits. I also sit on the Licensing Committee and can be called to sit on the Licensing Sub Committee which makes decisions about applications such as licensing premises and taxis.

The first few weeks have certainly been very busy. Aside from committee work there have been numerous induction sessions. There have been invitations to attend a variety of functions, such as the MIND information day; celebration of 100 years of the coming together of Warblington and Emsworth church; Havant Big Green Week workshops, including Volunteer Archaeology at Staunton Country Park; Bodging workshop in Park Wood, and Meet the Havant Borough Tree Wardens in Yoel’s Copse, to name a few.

An additional role is Tree Champion for the borough. I have met with the Havant Borough Tree Wardens, the Head Forester at Hollybank Woods and will meet with the Tree officer once appointed. We need more affordable homes in the borough; however, we need trees to play a more prominent role in any new development and we need to safeguard our trees. On top of all of that is the day to day case work that comes in from residents seeking advice, support and information. Yes, it’s been busy but it is also exciting. I feel privileged to be a part of a strong team of Green councillors doing our best for all of you.

‘(I am) Tree Champion for the borough...we need to safeguard our trees’

Arts & Entertainment

Chichester Film Festival

The highly anticipated Chichester International Film Festival is set to return this August under new Artistic Director, Walter Francisco, bringing a fresh and dynamic vision to the annual event. Now in its 32nd year, the Festival will run from 9 - 25 August 2024 and promises to offer a programme of exciting film screenings, exclusive premieres and a host of new live events to captivate its audiences. This year’s Festival will once again kick off with the popular Open Air Screenings on 9 – 11 August, but this time with five films. Using bright LED technology, and set against the picturesque backdrop of Priory Park in Chichester, families can enjoy a picnic in the sunshine and watch afternoon screenings of The Lego Movie and Wonka (in aid of Stonepillow). For those wanting to savour the wonder of cinema under the stars, there will be evening screenings of Barbie, Dirty Dancing and Stop Making Sense, the iconic concert film featuring Talking Heads.

The Festival’s opening gala will take place on Wednesday 14 August with a combined supper at Brasserie Blanc, where guests can experience an evening of fine cuisine and cinematic excellence. The restaurant will also host the closing gala supper on 25 August, to mark the end of another successful year of the South Coast’s biggest film festival.

Aiming to take Chichester International Film Festival out to a wider audience, there will be a number of additional host venues across the region including St Paul’s in Chichester, Littlehampton’s Windmill Cinema, The Spring in Havant and Little Lightning in Lurgashall. Walter Francisco says: “My vision is to grow the Film Festival and make it as accessible as possible to everyone living in the region. One of my aims for 2024 has been to partner with other venues to create more opportunities for film lovers to experience the Festival programming on a screen near them.”

Walter has overseen the yearly seasonal programming at Chichester Cinema for two decades and continues to act

as Head of Programming for the cinema. He worked closely with his predecessor, Roger Gibson, and is passionate about building on Roger’s 30-year legacy whilst introducing his own initiatives aimed at developing the Festival to reach a wider audience across the South Coast of England.

“This year’s Festival will include a showcase of Spanish and Portuguese films, a centennial tribute to Marlon Brando, a focus on Greta Gerwig, live music events, world cinema, a series of films by Finnish writer and director, Aki Kaurismäki and much more,” continues Walter. “We will also be presenting many UK and world premieres, and re-introducing a selection of short films. We are excited to be developing lots of new collaborations with local businesses as well as students, fostering new talent and giving a platform to emerging filmmakers.”

The full 2024 Film Festival programme will be released on 24 July. To find out more about the Chichester International Film Festival, visit - chichesterfilmfestival.co.uk

By Emily Gilmore, Arts Correspondent

Bench Theatre at The Spring

There is a lot more to Pygmalion than My Fair Lady without the songs. George Bernard Shaw’s fascinating play is a twentieth century classic. Eliza Doolittle, from London’s impoverished streets, has aspirations. After an accidental encounter with Professor Henry Higgins, Eliza approaches him for speech lessons to improve her prospects. During this life-changing adventure, Eliza learns difficult and often embarrassing lessons that cause her to question Higgins’ preconceived assumptions about gender roles, social class and the importance of education. With a strong cast of fine actors, both established and new to the company, Bench Theatre invites you to enjoy Shaw’s wonderful sense of character, his keen ear for dialogue and his sparkling wit in this explosive satire. And for all the play’s celebratory energy, there is an unexpected poignancy as this very funny play reaches its conclusion.

Bench Theatre will perform Pygmalion at the Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant:

Thursday 4th - Friday 5 July at 19:30.

Wednesday 10 - Saturday 13 July at 19:30.

Matinee on Saturday 6 July at 14:30.

Matinee on Saturday 13 July at 14:30.

For more information, please visit www.thespring.co.uk

The Art of Writing Suspense: A Workshop

For nearly two years I have been the arts correspondent for The Ems, and not once have I included a segment about my true passion - writing. That is until now.

The Summer Season at New Theatre Royal

Simon Armitage

Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, will captivate the audience with an hour-long session of readings where he will share a selection of his celebrated works. The evening will also include an interactive audience Q&A and an opportunity to have a copy of Simon’s latest book personally signed by the author. A former student in Portsmouth, Simon Armitage has garnered numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and an Ivor Novello Award for song writing. Simon Armitage is the author of over a dozen poetry collections, two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers: All Points North, Walking Home and Walking Away A Vertical Art also brings together the vibrant and engaging lectures from his tenure as Oxford Professor of Poetry (2015-2019) His latest book, Blossomise, has soared to become a Sunday Times bestseller, further cementing his reputation as one of the most influential voices in poetry.

Wednesday 10 July – 19.30

Duration – 1 Hour

Prices - £20.00

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-nominated hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, is back on tour and at New Theatre Royal on Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August. This enchanting family show features magical surprises, sing-along songs, and delightful chaos. Ideal for children aged 3 upwards, this captivating stage adaptation of the beloved classic promises to be a delightful hour.

Friday 2 August – 14:00

Saturday 3 August – 11:00/ 14:00

Sunday 4 August – 11:00/14:00

Duration - 55 minutes

Prices: From £17.00

Maisie Adam

Acclaimed comedian Maisie Adam is hitting the road with an allnew show and will appear at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on Saturday 28 September. Fresh from her appearances on Live At The Apollo, A League Of Their Own, and Have I Got News For You, Maisie will be performing what can only be described as the ultimate performance review! Don’t miss this opportunity to see Maisie in her element, delivering sharp wit and hilarious insights. Prepare for an evening filled with laughter.

Saturday 28 September – 20:00

Prices: From £24.50

In June, I was fortunate enough to attend a writing workshop at The Pallant Centre, specifically a workshop to write suspense. What struck me first about the intimate seminar of eight or so people was the different levels of writing amongst us. Some had written several novels, some, like me, had or were working towards a creative writing degree, whereas others were starting from scratch. It was refreshing to see such a diverse level of skill.

The seminar itself reminded me of my university workshops. We all gave and received constructive feedback on our responses to the writing prompts given. The only difference was that in this session I felt comfortable enough to share what I had written. I didn’t have that luxury in university.

‘But part of being a great writer is to embrace that “vomit” draft. Published books have many drafts, so what does it matter if the first one is bad?’

Something that stayed with me after the session was the discussion on writers’ bad habits, such as self-editing as we’re writing. As writers, we simply don’t allow a first ‘vomit‘ draft to be bad. We have to edit as we go along. But part of being a great writer is to embrace that ‘vomit‘ draft. Published books have many drafts, so what does it matter if the first one is bad? It’s supposed to be bad. That discussion created a confidence within myself, and something I will be applying to my own novel in the works. These workshops are priced very fairly compared to more commercial workshops and each session is led by someone with expertise. If writing is something you enjoy, I would highly recommend trying a session or two. Being in a room where everyone is in the same boat, and receiving feedback is incredibly beneficial to the writing process. I would like to say a massive thank you to The Pallant Centre in Havant for allowing me to attend, and I can only hope more writing sessions like these will soon become available.

Simon Armitage

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

By Emily Gilmore, Arts Correspondent

Summer of Discoveries at Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral has unveiled its captivating summer 2024 programme, inviting visitors to discover this beautiful space and immerse themselves in nine centuries of rich history. From the tumultuous Tudor era to the reign of monumental monarchs like Charles I, every corner of the Cathedral holds a tale waiting to be discovered. The summer programme aims to highlight these stories through a diverse array of events and experiences suitable for all ages, including outdoor theatre productions, family-friendly creative workshops and fascinating specialist tours.

Reverend Canon Simon Holland, interim Dean of Chichester, said: “With our 950th anniversary nearly upon us, this summer we aim to celebrate the decades of stories and mysteries that are housed within our Cathedral and bring them to life through a series of tours and activities. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the Cathedral’s local heritage, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Events will explore fascinating and pivotal historical events, such as the sacking of monasteries under Henry VIII, the repercussions of the Civil War on both the Cathedral and the city of Chichester as well as the mysteries of the Cathedral’s architecture over the eras.”

Outdoor Theatre in Paradise Garden

This summer, the Cathedral will be hosting a series of outdoor theatre performances in their tranquil Paradise Garden. From Shakespeare’s Hamlet and The Merry Wives of Windsor to family favourite The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, there is something for all ages to enjoy. With tickets starting from £10, the picturesque backdrop of the Cathedral

provides an idyllic setting for these enchanting open air shows.

Family

Activities: Uncovering History Through Art

The Cathedral will be hosting two free family workshops designed to bring history to life through art and creativity. The first, on Saturday 27 July at 10am, will focus on the turbulent Tudor period and the creation of Lambert Barnard’s panel paintings. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in fun arts and crafts inspired by this period.

Then on Saturday 10 August from 10am, the Cathedral invites families to become history detectives for the day. Exploring the damage inflicted upon the building during the Siege of Chichester amidst the English Civil War, participants can take part in activities including taking brass rubbings and reimagining the lost treasures of the Cathedral.

Specialist Tours: Delving Into the Cathedral’s Mysteries

Wemsfest: Big-Hitters Will Boost Emsworth Economy

Emsworth is well and truly on the UK music touring circuit and this can only be good for the Emsworth area economy. Musicians such as Quebecois band Le Vent du Nord, Fairport Convention, Capercaillie, and Oysterband (already sold-out) are all on course to attract capacity audiences to St. James’ Church and this will bring extra business to local restaurants, pubs, and accommodation. WemsFest Artistic Director, Mark Ringwood, said, “Next year is our 15th anniversary and I’m very proud that our voluntary team has delivered a programme of over 700 events, which has engaged with so many of our local residents, but has also brought in visitors from as far afield as Iceland and Norway. For a small town, we punch above our weight and it’s become a

common occurrence to see Emsworth listed on major music tours. Wherever possible, we use local accommodation, restaurants, and other services to support these events.”

Artists coming up over the next three months include Gonora Sounds from Zimbabwe, Barry ‘the fish’ Melton from the USA, Le Vent du Nord from Quebec, Veronica and Max from Italy, and Lulo Reinhardt and Yuliya Lonskaya from Germany and Belarus.

The 8th Emsworth Beer, Cider and Wine Festival takes place from 13-15 September with nearly 30 different ales plus ciders and wines carefully sourced from all over the UK.

For more information please visit www.wemsfest.com

On Tuesday 18 June and Friday 19 July, visitors can step into the Cathedral’s stunning Lady Chapel and unlock its hidden tales on a specialist tour. Discover how the architecture of this space has evolved from pre-Reformation times through to Victorian renovations, and learn about the treasure trove of artefacts, each with its own story to tell.

As the Cathedral commemorates the 30th anniversary of women in the church, it will host a specialist tour acknowledging the

Renaissance Choir

Renaissance Choir are back with another splendid event in July, performing their professional rendition of Poulenc’s Gloria and Schofield’s Stream of Life. The choir promises two hours of dream-time music to relax to and reach into the calmer place in your mind. Gloria by Poulenc, accompanied by Karen Kingsley, is one of the best-loved twentieth century choral works. It is contrasted with local composer Ian Schofield’s Stream of Life, freeing stress with the words of the Indian guru Rabindranath Tagore. The programme also contains William Byrd’s Ne Irascaris, Gitanjali Chants by Craig Hilla Johnson and John Cage’s 4’33’’(No 2), a

unheralded women of the Cathedral. Taking place on Monday 8 and Wednesday 17 July, the tour will uncover the intricate narratives of women who left an indelible mark on the Cathedral.

Daily Guided Tours: Enriching Your Visit with Centuries Of Stories

Visitors can also join the Cathedral’s passionate and knowledgeable guides at one of two daily drop-in tours. The expert tour guides will lead visitors on a journey through centuries of stories and secrets, revealing the enthralling histories concealed within the Cathedral’s ancient walls. From the great and the good to hidden gems tucked away in quiet corners, no tour is ever the same as volunteers share their expertise and insights with visitors.

Offered Monday - Saturday at 11.30 am and 2.30 pm, tours start from just £6 per person. Booking is recommended.

To find out more about the full summer programme of events and to book tickets, visit - www.chichestercathedral.org.uk

Zen-inspired work of inner peace. Renaissance Choir will be performing on Saturday 13 July at 7:30pm at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Southsea. Tickets are £15 or £2 if you’re under 25. Furthermore, the choir are currently looking for sopranos and basses to join their team. If you are aged 18 - 28, please do not hesitate to reach out. For more information on events and vacancies, please visit https://renaissancechoir.org.uk/

REVIEW: Shirley Knot the Siren at Chichester Fringe

If you thought this review would be for a one-woman cabaret show about a middle-aged siren, then I commend you, because I never thought I would get to watch something so niche. All jokes aside, Debbie Bridge’s satiric show was a joy to watch at Chichester Fringe. Revolving around a middle-aged siren with a walking stick who left her home under the sea to roam above land, Shirley Knot revealed her life story through music and comedy. From numbers such as Sinatra’s New York, New York, to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Memory, the one hour show had it all. Debbie’s education and background in music was apparent during this show with her operatic, Julie Andrewslike timbre, making us in awe one minute then laughing the next with her clever parody

lyrics. My personal favourite was during Memory; when the song reached its apex, she sang, “Shoot me, put me out of my misery.”

Shirley revealed that she was trained in opera to lure men at sea to their untimely demise, however, she wished she had done musical theatre at ‘Siren University‘, and this show was all about her embracing her new life’s path, hence the show’s set list. Beneath all the laughs and gags, Shirley Knot the Siren had an important, underlying message, one perhaps from Debbie Bridge herself that was targeted towards her audience: You decide where you belong

Capercaillie

Emsworth Artists 2024 Summer Exhibition

Since 1990 we have been holding our Summer Exhibition in the Community Centre, Church Path, Emsworth and this year it will be held from Saturday 24 August until Wednesday 28 August from 10 am till 5 pm. All our artists live within a two mile radius of Emsworth Square and we are delighted to be welcoming some new exhibitors this year.

Everything is for sale and of a very high standard. We produce a wide variety of work including original paintings, ceramics, glasswork, original prints, sculptures, textiles, photographs, metalwork, wickerwork, digital and mixed media - a really exciting collection. The aim of our Exhibition is to raise funds for Emsworth Community Centre and each year we are able to donate well in excess of £1000. We run two internal competitions for which our visitors vote. One for their overall favourite exhibit and one for their favourite watercol-

our. This proves very popular with everyone.

For our Raffle Prize this year is a wonderful photograph kindly donated by Vince Lavender who last year won the Sydney Stokes Award, the visitors’ choice for their favourite exhibit in the show.

Entrance is free and we look forward to welcoming you.

For further information contact. jancopsey@hotmail.com stuartthompson@live.co.uk

Emsworth buzzes with Arts Trail Excitement

Words and photos

by Kate L’Amie

At the end of April and beginning of May, Emsworth sprang into glorious colour as Emsworth Arts Trail returned for its 22nd year. With over 80 artists taking part, there was much to see from painters, printmakers and jewellers, to glassworkers, woodworkers and textile artists. The streets of Emsworth were abuzz with excitement as people walked between venues, with the distinctive blue and yellow guide in hand.

The trail attracted visitors from far and wide; Jenny from Yorkshire said: “We love visiting picturesque Emsworth and try to tie in our annual visit to our friends on the south coast with the Emsworth Arts Trail each year. There is such vibrancy and so much to see!”

Closer to home, the trail chair Carol Price said: “It’s been another fantastic year for the Emsworth Arts Trail. We had quite a few new artists join the trail this year and it was great to welcome them to our community. Feedback has been really positive, with artists and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying the trail.”

With prices to suit all pockets, many visitors went home with new art for their home, gifts for loved ones or greetings cards, whilst others soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with

artists about their work. Some artists put on demonstrations and even gave visitors the opportunity to have a go, creating artworks of their own. It’s not just about the art; local businesses including cafes and pubs did well as Arts Trail traffic stopped for much-needed refreshment breaks. There is no doubt that the Emsworth Arts Trail is a real asset to our community. The Emsworth Arts Trail will return again in Spring 2025.

There is such vibrancy and so much to see! Jenny, visting from Yorkshire

Nic Cowper

Vince Lavender Marion Forster and Carol Price

Emsworth Show: A Celebration of Community and Tradition

Bank Holiday Monday 26 August 1030 am - 5 pm

Emsworth Show 2024, a much-anticipated event that brings together residents and visitors alike for a day of fun, festivities, and community spirit, is scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday 26 August. This year’s show promises to be a spectacular celebration of local culture, talent, and tradition.

Held at the wonderful grounds of One Church, Thorney Road, Emsworth Show has been a staple of the town’s social calendar for over a century. This year, the event will feature a wide array of attractions and activities designed to entertain all ages. From vibrant flower displays and impressive vegetable competitions to lively entertainment, crafts and food stalls and the much loved Dog Show, sponsored by Mary Puppins, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

For those looking for entertainment, the main stage will host a variety of performances throughout the day, including live music, dance groups, and theatrical acts. Children will be delighted by the funfair rides, face painting, and interactive animal displays, ensuring a day full of excitement and laughter.

One of the main highlights of the show is the horticultural competition, where local gardeners showcase their best flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The stunning displays are a testament to the dedication and skill of Emsworth’s green-fingered residents. Visitors can also enjoy the many craft stalls filled with handmade goods from local artisans, and the food market, offering a delicious selection of local produce and culinary delights. Emsworth Show is not just about fun; it is also about community. Local charities and organisations will have stalls at the event, providing information about their work and raising funds for important causes. We are pleased to say that we have kept the ticket price the same this year with early bird tickets being only £5.50 up until 31 July; full price £7

from 1 August with no extra booking fees. Don’t miss out on this cherished community event. Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and join us for a day of unforgettable fun at Emsworth Show. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.emsworthshow.co.uk. Tickets are also available for purchase at Mary Puppins Pet Pantry, 20 High St, Emsworth.

Free bus

Once again Emsworth Show are pleased to announce that we are supplying a free bus service to the show, which will hopefully ease local traffic on show day. Please see website for the timetable and bus route. Anyone visiting Emsworth from further afield can pick up the free shuttle bus from Emsworth having either parked in the car parks or arrived by train.

Free parking at One Church car park (off Thorney Road)

There is ample free parking on site at the very large One Church car park

No parking on Thorney Road

A TTRO (Temporary Traffic Restriction Order) to restrict parking on Thorney Road on Show day will be in place between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Please do refrain from parking on Thorney Road; we have plenty of free parking on site.

Schools and Education

News from Thorney School

It was a pleasure to welcome back Brian Masters, who is an RNLI Volunteer, to work with all the children on water safety. This is an annual event that Mr Hallam (Chair of Governors) likes the children to participate in, especially as the summer months approach and more children will be going to beaches both locally and further afield. Brain tries to make his presentation as practical and interactive as possible, so we split the school into 4 groups with Owl, Osprey and Falcon Classes having individual presentations while Key Stage 2 are spoken to as a group.

Merlin and Raven Classes visit Emsworth for Geography Fieldwork

As part of their topic, ‘No Place like Home’, Merlin and Raven Classes enjoyed a visit to Emsworth, led by Mr Hallam, Chair of Governors, who explained the history of the town. The children completed traffic and shop surveys before walking back to the school. Highlights included visiting St James’ church and listening to the organ, walking around the old school, and of course tasting cakes from Heidi’s bakery. We would like to say thank you to the parents and Mr Hallam who made the visit possible.

Staunton Country Park

Owl Class had a fantastic day at Staunton. The sun shone and a lot of very tired children and adults returned after a very busy day. As always the excellent behaviour of the children was commented on by lots of the public and staff at Staunton.

The Best Days of Their Lives

by Louise New, Education correspondent

So much is said about schools having a ‘broad and balanced curriculum.’ But what does this actually mean? For me it means providing young people with the most interesting, enriching and inspiring experiences of their lives. School is an exciting place if you think about it. Where and when else in our lives do we get the opportunity to one minute be playing the keyboard, the next carrying out experiments in the science lab with chemicals and Bunsen burners; going to break and coming back to a debate about some of the greatest philosophical questions of life, followed by a game of rugby in a PE lesson; then in the afternoon constructing a trinket box out of wood, and finally performing in an improvised piece of drama with a group of friends.

As an English teacher, I was often asked by pupils, ‘Miss, what is the point in studying Shakespeare? How will it help me in the future?’ I could, and sometimes did, respond about the importance of cultural heritage, analysis skills, being a springboard for moral debate etc etc. But more often than not, I simply replied, ‘Because it is great and you will enjoy it.’ And they did. We would laugh at the com-

‘Miss, what is the point in studying Shakespeare?...‘Because it is great and you will enjoy it.’ And they did. We would laugh at the comedies, cry at the tragedies, be shocked at some of the characters’ decisions. Act, understand, debate.

edies, cry at the tragedies, be shocked at some of the characters’ decisions. Act, understand, debate. Just because. Of course, they were also learning and developing, and preparing for an exam, but above all they were enjoying something that I knew many would never look at again, but that was OK, because at least school had given them that experience.

Despite rapid societal changes, school remains a place where children and young adults get to experience things that help inform them what to do next.

But they also get to do things that they may never get a chance to do again, as sadly very few jobs are quite so ‘broad’ and varied as a school pupil’s timetable! I haven’t played rugby since year 6, haven’t done a Science experiment since my GCSEs, and haven’t been on stage since my A Levels. That makes me a little sad really, and I have to admit I am jealous of young people who still get to try out all of those different things every day. If we get it right, school days really should be the best days of their lives.

Tim Wildsmith

Washington Road underpass

In April young people in Emsworth had the opportunity to be involved with the street art project in the underpass in Washington Road.

Building on some work that Lucy Lawrence had done in introducing street art at the November Young People Activity Day she held another work shop in April. The young people were soon absorbed in producing a design of a trainer and a beautiful array of these was ready by late morning for the Mayor to judge. When the judging was complete everyone walked from the Community Centre to Washington Road to meet up with the artists who had almost completed their work. Just one more thing needed doing and that was the young people who came second and third in the trainer competition spray painted a part of the wall and the winner spray painted a design on the bollard at the end. The artists supervised this activity after giving everyone a lesson in how to use spray cans safely.

Young People Day

The Spring half term holiday was time for another Young People Day. This time the day started with a type of football played with a soft ball. This proved to be very popular and was a great way to use up some energy. Midmorning the large room had the barricades erected and Nerf wars commenced. As always this was a very popular activity and created a wonderful atmosphere. In another room three table tennis tables were in constant use and thanks to the guidance of the volunteers was a way young people could improve their skills. For those who wanted a quiet area and to be creative there was the opportunity to do some art using pastels. There were some problems with the equipment for dance so there was some improvisation in that room with games using cups and balls; also the young people were able to get the equipment to work using the consoles to race cars. Time for lunch – well, it wouldn’t be an Activity Day without pizza so

‘Time for lunch - well, it wouldn’t be an Activity Day without pizza’

they arrived promptly and were soon gone. As the previous day feedback showed they wanted a more exciting dessert than satsumas. So, it was decided that a selection of fresh fruit would be served and bowls of melted chocolate were put on the tables and the fruit was dipped in. Every bit of fruit was eaten and the chocolate bowls scraped clean. Thanks to Tiers Greengrocers who worked with us to provide a delicious selection of fruit.

When the Victoria Road Emsworth Community Garden was opened [see front page], young Beavers and some local children came and did some planting. When this was done, they turned their hands to making scarecrows. Old clothes had been donated and there

were two bales of straw. It was not long before little hands were stuffing clothes with the straw and with help of some adults the scarecrows were made and looked very impressive and hope will keep the birds away. There is an area in the garden for young people so hopefully they can get fully involved.

Scarecrows were made for the Emsworth Community Garden

Behind the Scenes

Visit to Mortons of Horncastleprinters of The Ems

Words and photos by Nicola Eden-Smith

Situated approximately 235 miles north east of Emsworth is the market town of Horncastle nestling in the foothills of the Lincolnshire Wolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is an attractive town not only steeped in history but is also a hotspot for antique and artisan shops. Just outside the town you will find Mortons, an independent, family run and owned printing and publishing business dating back approximately 150 years. It is here that The Ems is now printed on a quarterly basis.

Realising that I would be in the area at the time of the print run, I cheekily phoned to ask if I could see the paper in production and have a tour of the facility. An appointment was duly made and I was met in Reception on the day by Gary Pickford, Morton’s very knowledgeable Technical Manager. Gary was kind enough to show me the whole process and share a lot of background information regarding the history of Mortons, the changes they have had to make to keep up with current market trends and also the printing process itself.

Mortons prints a large number of specialised hobby magazines for fishing, boating, railway enthusiasts and so on and also newspapers for all sorts of organisations and passions such as motorbikes, classic cars and even barge owners.

The production process is very interesting. The first thing you need, of course, is paper which arrives into Mortons as huge rolls of newsprint, a low-cost paper consisting mainly of wood pulp. Mortons receives an electronic PDF file of the newspaper a week or so before the print run. This is produced by Alison Beckett who has been The Ems graphic designer for 10 years. It is checked for any glaring errors then is cleverly transferred electronically onto aluminium sheets in the

Liza Reeves

Fabulous Food

Plating Room. From these aluminium sheets the paper is then printed using a 4-colour printing process. The four ink colours of cyan, magenta, yellow and black are combined to make a wider range of colours. You will see these coloured dots in the fold of the paper.

The quality of the print is constantly checked until the Mortons team are happy with the final product. Any papers that fall below the required standard are rejected and later recycled. After the aluminium plates have been created it takes approximately 1.5 hours to print the required 7,100 copies of The Ems.

The printed newspaper sheets are then cut and sequenced into the required format. As we walked around the facility the completed newspapers were travelling above us on a conveyor system moving from the Print Room to the Packing Area where they are batched up and ultimately moved to the palletiser for onward distribution. Within a few days the newspapers are transported to Emsworth ready for a team of volunteers to distribute them locally and post through your letter box.

It was a fascinating visit and my thanks must go to Gary and his team for sparing their time and sharing their knowledge and expertise.

‘it takes approximately 1.5 hours to print the required 7,100 copies of The Ems’

Part 22: Cocking Down circuit

(about 3.25 miles)

We were intrepid dogs for this walk, Charlie, Callie and I. Not only did we climb the highest we have done so far for The Ems, but we went on the hottest day yet this summer. Now, this might sound a bit stupid to you, but our owners plan these expeditions (I know that, because they wear backpacks) and we went early in the morning, doing the steepest section first.

One bit of planning that didn’t go so well, though, was my owner’s footwear. On her first step when leaving the car park, the bottom of one of her boots began to fall off and was flapping around. We were just above Cocking village, on the Downs, but luckily there was a café right there, where they kindly strapped her up with tape, so she became like a secure parcel and could be safely delivered to our walk. We dogs are quite well designed, with our self-sufficient paws. We look up to horses, but even they have to wear shoes.

We started properly now and headed up the South Downs Way, the path being bordered by hedgerows and banks of wild flowers which my owner admired. Fearless cyclists passed us, skittering down the flinty track. As we climbed Cocking Down, so the

sun climbed in the sky, and we were very glad of stops for water. We also stopped for photographs by a large stone ball, which Callie – who has the longest legs – tried to scale. That would have been a good picture, but even she was defeated by the challenge.

There are lots of these chalk balls, we learnt; a trail of them leading through West Dean woods.

There are lots of these chalk balls, we learnt; a trail of them leading through West Dean woods.

Talking of woods, we were all very pleased when we reached the top of the hill and turned to the right onto a smaller track

in the shade of an umbrella we relaxed dreaming of our latest adventure

leading into the edge of shady woodland. We’d had to keep our wits about us before this, because a number of tracks, both bridleways and Restricted Byways, meet or cross the South Downs Way, and some of the wrong ones looked more appealing to us. In the woods we all had a rest before we began going steadily downhill, catching glimpses of grassy Bepton Down to our left. Before we left this stretch, Callie and I grabbed a chance to go squirrel hunting, bounding off through the trees, but mostly we stayed close and were Very Good Dogs.

The next change of terrain was a very long - and very narrow - old ‘green lane’. It looked an unlikely route, being full of grasses and spiky tendrils way above our heads. If we hadn’t passed three men and a dog emerging from it, we would have thought we were the first explorers to have been there for years. Neither my owner nor Ems Editor David had thought to put a machete in their rucksack. We emerged by a field of sheep, then went straight onto a wider grassy lane which took us down to a farmyard. We hoped a lunch stop could not be too far away. Once past the smart barns, a short, steep path demanded one more burst of our energy before it levelled out to lead us back onto the South Downs Way and a return to the café, this time not for shoe maintenance but for thirst and hunger quenching. Of course, they had a jar of biscuits for us to sample, and my owner and David ate toasted cheese sandwiches in the shade of an umbrella, while we relaxed under the table, dreaming of our latest adventure.

Words by Lupo, photographs by Juliet Walker

Emsworth Community Centre

Activities at the Emsworth Community Centre

Emsworth Community Centre - We are a registered charity - 1181509 Regular Activities

There are many regular activities at the Centre to choose from, including Pilates and yoga, with new ones also being introduced. These include some new Martial Arts for all ages and Singing groups. Details of all the activities can be found on the website and in What’s On leaflets; they can also be obtained at the centre. However, if you fancy starting a new activity or want to extend an existing one there is always room for more. Room hire starts from £10 an hour. We also have the café area free of charge for certain groups starting up. We are also booking rooms for parties and special events at very reasonable prices. Check the website www.emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk email on Info@emsworthcommunitycentre. org.uk or call us on 01243 373805 9:30 -13:30. We are located behind the Fire Station on North Street, Emsworth, through the public car park into Emsworth Community Centre’s private carpark.

Good news for parents/carers

The groups below are still going strong and are very popular:

Baby time at Emsworth Library: every Tuesday 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Come along every week to our free fun play session for babies up to 1 year old. Rhyme time at Emsworth Library: Every Thursday 10:00 am to 10.30 am

Suitable for very young children and their parents/carers. Our Rhyme time sessions involve a mix of songs, nursery rhymes and musical instruments for coordination, language and maths skills, communication, and socialisation.

The Galley Café

If you’re visiting the library, meeting up with friends or just fancy a drink and a chat with someone, the Galley Café is a great place to meet. Open on Tuesday and Friday morning 10-12. It is a great little space and is open to all the community.

The Courtyard - The courtyard is also a safe, quiet place to take your coffee and book or just chat with friends and enjoy the sunshine.

Tech Aid

Tech Aid, is providing a drop in for the people of Emsworth and surrounding areas, to bring in their mobile devices to learn how to use them, ask any queries they have on the functions including downloading apps, completing forms and looking at scams and security - anything you have problems understanding. No question is a silly one and we will answer your questions the best we can; also if we don’t know the answer we will find out and let you know. The sessions are in the

Galley Café every Wednesday morning 11:00 – 12:00; entry is free, and we are offering a coffee or Tea for a £1.

Dementia friendly Gardening

Every first Thursday of the month see P3 for details.

Discovering

Science

7:30 pm Monday 15 July 24,

Airbus: Space on your Doorstep Michael Bolt, who has extensive experience in the UK space industry, will give us a review of its history with his personal perspectives.

The Centre Cinema

Films for a Fiver – New Facility, you can now book films on-line from our Website and Facebook page; there is also a QR code on all posters. Our Community Cinema is at the heart of our social activity programme. This year we have seen a great resurgence in film goers – many of our films having an audience of sixty or more. Showings are always on a Monday 3:30 and 7:30

The next set of filmsFilms for July

8 July - The Holdovers - 2023 – 2hr 13 mins - (15)

22 July – Wicked Little Letters – 1hr 40 mins – (15)

August and September’s listing will be available on the ECC website along with details for tickets.

Other events this quarter:

Emsworth Community Association are hosting their AGM on 11 July 24, starting at 7 pm. The meeting covers all the events and news for the Community Centre from the previous year, and voting in the Trustees for the next year, hopefully welcoming new Trustees and members. Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be refreshments after the meeting. Please note - Only members can vote at the meeting.

Summer Fair

20 July 10 am – 2 pm, free entry - selling jewellery, arts and crafts, chocolates and holistic and well being items. It should be loads of fun with something for everyone. Come and support your Community Centre.

Emsworth Community Centre

Registered Charity no: 1181509 North Street, Emsworth PO10 7DD (accessible via the car park behind the Fire Station)

Tel:01243 373805

www.emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk info@emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk Facebook: Emsworth Community Centre Twitter: @EmsworthC

Words by Grahame Dryden

Bob Smyth 1944-2023 Journalist

In December of last year Emsworth lost one of its great characters. Bob was also a long time contributor to these columns. Many knew the face, but few knew the man behind it. Bob was born in Barnsley. His family then moved to Buckinghamshire where he was educated at High Wycombe Royal Grammar School. This is where his love of writing began.

His first job as a teenager was as a Complaints Manager for the renowned Foyles bookshop in London. Within a short time Bob became the only person who knew how this archaic organisation worked; or more accurately didn’t! He was very adept at dealing with the complaints of some very high profile customers from home and abroad. It was then time to leave and go to university. Bob went to Wadham College Oxford to read English. During his time there he contributed to many magazines and he was Editor of The Isis, then owned by Robert Maxwell.

After leaving Oxford his writing career took off. He worked on Nova magazine which at the time was described as a glossy magazine, politically radical and aimed at intellectual women. Bob found this work fascinating as it involved many assignments. These included interviewing the likes of Roman Polanski, Oliver Reed, Jacques Tati and Noel Coward. After leaving Nova, he was engaged as a features writer for such household names as the Observer colour supplement and The Illustrated London News. Bob then became the features editor of Radio Times

On one occasion when I spoke to Bob – in a pub of

SPECIAL FEATURE

Latterly Bob sat out on the decking of the Blue Bell every day. He had dog biscuits for every dog that greeted him.

course – he told me that during that time he interviewed many people including Jimmy Saville. He said that he came across to him as an arrogant, evil and dangerous man. After leaving Radio Times he became freelance. While Bob was living in Peckham he was at the forefront of stopping Southwark Council’s plans which he regarded as civic vandalism. To further his cause, he was elected as a councillor and subsequently deputy leader of the council. He then became very prominent in many areas of lecturing and in his many pioneering passions of preservation of our architectural heritage and the environment.

Bob went to live in Northern France in 1988. When he returned to the UK in 2000, he shared his writing time with his love of preservation of our heritage through buildings and other city features; in essence, stopping civic vandalism and helping to save notable London landmarks, Bob retired in 2010. He then became the Bob we all knew. He would be seen in many Emsworth pubs either reading newspapers or writing articles for the many organisations and associations that welcomed his copy – but always drinking half pints of beer. Latterly Bob sat out on the decking of the Blue Bell every day. He had dog biscuits for every dog that greeted him. Even throughout the covid restrictions he would be there through wind and rain, wrapped up in his raincoat to ensure that his canine friends did not go without their usual treat.

Bob’s funeral service was held in St James’ at his request. It was extremely well attended. Before the service I asked if it would be possible to bring our two dogs to the ceremony. It was agreed. I then contacted those that I knew would wish to bring their dogs that Bob knew. Four dogs were there at the service. I am sure that Bob would have been so pleased.

Editor: Bob Smyth was a regular contributor to The Ems from 2019 -2022. He wrote articles on many subjects including: Albert Finney, PG Wodehouse, Sir Brian Horrocks, the pubs of Westbourne and the listed buildings of Emsworth.

Haemophilia and blood borne viruses

Words by Jim Strudwick, former medical scientist

Having been involved in the treatment of Haemophilia patients in a small way decades ago, I thought it worth putting my thoughts to paper.

Firstly Haemophilia is not a disease that you catch like pneumonia . It is a potentially life-threatening disorder that is inherited as a failure to clot blood. It is carried in the male Y chromosome; in other words, males of the families affected pass on the failure to clot properly through subsequent generations (such as the ill-fated Russian Royal Family). Let me explain. Clotting is what is known as a Cascade, a sequence of events following a trauma, with over a dozen following events, some of which I shall number, starting with the activation of Platelets forming a jelly-like substance over a wound. This precipitates a number of other factors, including Prothrombin, which is lowered by the anticoagulant Warfarin. The end point is a clot in which the product of this chain is Thrombin which reacts with a natural protein Fibrinogen to form the clot or Fibrin. The inherited deficiencies are Factor 8 - Haemophilia; Factor 9 - Christmas Disease and Factor 10 - Stuart-Prower Disease, the last two being not are quite as serious as the first, in which the slightest trauma can cause very prolonged bleeding, which in the past was often fatal.

Treatment was a problem. Injecting plasma was not very successful, until the discovery of a way to separate and freeze dry the Factor 8 which could be reconstituted for injection with saline. I knew it was being investigated when I worked for the Blood Transfusion Service, working on blood group genetics and subsequently in hospital work. The problem was that the demand was such that most of the product came from America, where donors were paid for it and often they were most unsuitable. They would have been rejected utterly in this country for they had either the newly discovered HIV virus or Viral Hepatitis, then known as Hepatitis virus Non A Non B, later known as the dreaded Hepatitis C.

In clinical (hospital) practice I had very few patients to deal with and was told very little by the NBTS about these findings, but I was told to use personal protection (PPI) and be very careful when reconstituting plasma for injecting the patient.

I am sure that after several decades I did not catch one of these viruses, but I know that a number of professionals in other hospitals did, often by needle scratch, with sad consequences.

Footnote: about this time when blood was transfused as a whole unit, it was discovered that these viruses could be transfused as well, carried within the white cells, therefore all units were centrifuged to remove the plasma, white cells and platelets, leaving only the red cells for infusion.

What to do in the summer

Summer for university students can often be depressingly mundane; five months away from your university city, your friends and your social life can become dull very quickly. It’s important to have time off from university - but if you’re finding yourself bored and ready to go back to normal life, there are a few options you could use to pass the time this summer.

1. Working

This is probably the most common way to spend the summer for students. Part-time work is a great way to earn some money, so that you have more funds for the next year at university or even just to spend over the summer. Similarly, internships can be very good to add experience to your resume when searching for jobs, and help you to figure out whether that job you wanted is really for you. Some internships can even be paid, so make sure to do your research while looking to apply.

2. Travelling

Travelling is an incredible way to spend your summer and despite popular opinion there are many affordable ways to travel. Return plane tickets around Europe are under €100 even in the summer, and an Interrailing ticket for a month costs about €80. Travelling with friends from university can be fun, or solo-travelling can be a particularly interesting and restorative experience. Although solo-travelling might seem like a big commitment, or too much responsibility, it is a very fun way to spend more time by yourself while exploring somewhere new.

Whether you are working, travelling, volunteering or just relaxing - enjoy your summer break!

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3. Working abroad

Words by Scarlet Davies

Although a lot of travelling opportunities can be very expensive, there are also many affordable options to consider. For the past two summers, I’ve been working at Camp America; it’s a great option for someone who wants to travel but also needs money in order to get around. It’s a good way to make friends to travel with too if solo-travelling isn’t your thing. They pay for your food and accommodation, and give you time off and opportunities to explore America even during the times that you’re working. Camp Canada and other countries also offer the same experience.

4. Volunteering

What better way to spend your summer than helping out a good cause? Last summer I volunteered for the Red Cross and found it incredibly gratifying to help something that I was really passionate about. There are many volunteering opportunities for young people - some volunteering companies even offer partly-funded trips abroad, which is yet another way to travel during your summer. Volunteering is always great to put on your resume, particularly if you can angle it towards your degree or a job that you might be interested in. It shows that you’re willing to dedicate your time to something, even if it’s only once or twice a week, and is a great way to meet new people!

5. Relaxing

Lastly, make sure you take time to relax! Whether that’s learning a new hobby, spending time with friends and family or simply just catching up on sleep, make sure you take some time out for yourself. University can be exhausting, and the long summer holidays are a perfect opportunity to unwind and organise yourself for the year ahead - it’ll be Freshers again before you know it.

Busy start to the new season for Oysterboat Terror

Just a few weeks into the new season for Oysterboat Terror and already bookings are flooding in. With summer hopefully now finally arrived, the many volunteers who man this historic boat can look forward to a busy season ahead.

Conveniently berthed at Emsworth Yacht Harbour and sailing around the beautiful surroundings of Chichester Harbour, Oysterboat Terror can accommodate six paying passengers on regular trips lasting up to three hours.

Terror’s departures from Emsworth Yacht Harbour happen on an almost daily basis throughout the season, but are restricted by tidal access, so do not necessarily happen every day. The sailing schedule and booking schedule can be found on the Terror website www.oysterboatterror.org.uk.

Passengers are encouraged to experience the thrill of sailing the beautifully restored late 19th Century gaff-rigged working boat, and can take the helm under the supervision of the skipper, who, with the rest of the crew, will regale passengers with tales of the famous Emsworth Oyster trade, where millions of oysters were shipped around the country every year. Not only will passengers learn about the history of the Oyster trade, they will also be able to see for themselves the vast array of wildlife that can be found

in the harbour, designated as a National Landscape. Seals, herons, terns, egrets and a host of other species can regularly be seen while enjoying a trip aboard Terror.

Owned by Chichester Harbour Conservancy and operated by a dedicated team of volunteers from Friends of Chichester Harbour, sailing on Oysterboat Terror is a ‘must do’ trip for locals and visitors alike. Trips cost £35 for adults, £20 for children over six years old and the whole boat can be chartered for sole use for just £175. To make a booking go to www.oysterboatteror.org.uk, select ‘make a booking’ and follow the on-screen instructions. Passengers booking a trip on Terror can enjoy a free cup of coffee at The Deck restaurant when ordering other food. The Deck is situated on the waterfront at Emsworth Yacht Harbour immediately adjacent to Terror’s berth. So don’t delay, book today.

For more information contact Chris at info@oysterboatterror.org.uk.

VOLUNTEER ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER WANTED

The Ems is seeking a Volunteer Advertisement Manager. The adverts in The Ems are a means of promoting local businesses but also an important source of income as it pays for the production of the paper, for grants and to support the running of the ERF. This is a crucial role for the community. If you are interested in supporting your community, are organised and happy to speak with local businesses, then we would like to hear from you. Previous experience of advertising sales/invoicing preferable but not essential. The duties would mainly involve a few hours work each quarter in period leading to the publication of the newspaper.

If you are interested in this role then please email chair.erf@gmail.com

The Maritime Volunteer Service Celebrates Its 30 Years

The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a maritime dinner fit for an admiral, on Admiral Lord Nelson’s famous flagship HMS Victory.

MVS members with friends and families from various units around the UK came together for a private tour and four course dinner on HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. “Dining in HMS Victory’s Senior Rates’ Mess and having the entire ship to ourselves for the evening was quite a privilege. To celebrate the MVS’ 30 years in such a significant naval venue made it even more special,” said Paul Marlow, Regional Volunteer Officer, in charge of all MVS units in the Southern Region.

The MVS was formed in 1994 and came about after the disbandment of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS). There are 26

New members who want to learn these skills are encouraged to do so and are assisted by the older members, but there’s no obligation to do so. There are plenty who just want to mess around in boats and that’s fine.

units spread across the UK and each unit has a core of experienced, volunteer members who are qualified to operate the boats and have in depth knowledge of boat handling, maintenance and repair. New members who want to learn these skills are encouraged to do so and are assisted by the older members,

but there’s no obligation to do so. There are plenty who just want to mess around in boats and that’s fine.

The individual MVS units operate in ways that best suit their membership, facilities and location.

On Tuesday evenings some of Portsmouth Unit members go to their headquarters at Tipner for shore-based activities, while others go to Whale Island for an evening on the water practising boat handling on the unit’s 34-foot launch, MVS Arkwright.

The Portsmouth MVS unit also has a role in marshalling the Round the Island Race and carries out other maritime based activities as and when opportunities arise. Occasionally they get a crew together and take the boat for a day trip to some local point of interest; often families and friends are invited to join, so it becomes a combined navigation exercise and social occasion.

If you think you might enjoy the MVS’ activities and would like to join and volunteer with your local Maritime Volunteer Service, contact them now and enquire.

Portsmouth Unit: www.mvsportsmouth. wordpress.com

National MVS: www.mvs.org.uk where there are links to all the individual UK units.

VOLUNTEER DISTRIBUTORS OF THE EMS WANTED

Could you spare a couple of hours once a quarter to hand deliver The Ems to local residents? The newspapers will be delivered to your home address every three months for you to hand deliver to a named street or streets. This is a volunteer position.

If you are interested in joining our team of over 100 volunteer distributors please contact: Jill Millar jandgmil@btinternet.com

Don Manson

the many skipper and crew volunteers who keep Oysterboat Terror spic and span and take passengers out on the waters of Chichester Harbour

Letter from the Chair

Words by Dwynwen Stepien, Chair of the Emsworth Residents Forum

We are celebrating one year of the merged Emsworth Residents Forum. Our AGM was held on 9 May; thank you to our presenters and members who made it a memorable evening.

Presentations

Community Gardens

The Forum is supporting the development of community gardens. Kathy Parker spoke passionately about the work she has led on developing Victoria Road Gardens. So much work has been done in the last three months including paving, orchard planting, installing a shed and raised beds. Well done to Kathy and the team.

Young People’s activities

Well done to Seb, one of our regular attendees at the Young People’s Activity Days, who spoke at the meeting. It was good to hear from young people why it is important to have places for them to relax and meet their friends.

A tribute to members retiring from the Forum

ERF treasurer, Roma Allsop, has done such a good job in managing the accounts and the advertising thus ensuring that the ERF was financially secure.

Chris Fuller in the last four years has led the work on the quality of our sea and rivers. His work and support for Cleaner Harbour Partnership really has made such a difference to residents in Emsworth.

Chris Hallam has led on traffic matters, particularly focusing on improvements around Emsworth Primary School. He continues to support young people’s activity days.

ERF Chair, Theo Schofield, has been tireless in advocating for Emsworth, leading the ERA for many years and helping develop new projects, including services for those with dementia. Theo was fundamental to saving Emsworth Library from closure and the Cottage Hospital from being sold to a

developer. Theo led the merger of the ERA and Neighbourhood Forum. Thank you, Theo, for your dedication and helping make improvements for residents of Emsworth.

Members gave a vote of thanks to our outgoing councillors – Lulu Bowerman and Richard Kennett. The Forum appreciates their hard work in supporting residents of Emsworth; and of course a welcome to our three Green Councillors, Councillor Grainne Rason, Councillor Reuben Mychaleckyj and Councillor Charles Robert.

The meeting welcomed two new ERF committee members, Dan Grove and Andrew Caple.

So how does it feel one year on?

The Forum is developing its role from responding to planning applications to supporting residents in developing their ambitions. New projects have been advanced and we would like to think we can work towards some of our ambitions such as the Town Centre, traffic calming. There is a new council and possibly a new government after 6 July so there are new relationships to build and hopefully new opportunities.

Do you have projects you are interested in taking forward?

Would you like to do some voluntary work but don’t want to commit to joining the committee. Are you interested in improving traffic?

Would be able to offer some support for young people in developing activities?

If so please contact Dwynwen Stepien on chair.erf@gmail.com

Emsworth Residents Forum

PUBLISHER AND PRINTER

The Ems is owned and published by the Emsworth Residents Forum, c/o Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth, PO10 7DD.

The Ems is printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Morton Way, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright of The Ems as a whole is held by the Emsworth Residents’ Forum (ERF). The copyright of all named articles and photographs in The Ems remains with the author/photographer, or with the ERF if no author is identified. Unless otherwise indicated, you may quote from, link to or publish brief excerpts from any article provided that you acknowledge both The Ems and the author as your source. The republishing of any article or large part thereof is prohibited without the express permission of the copyright holder.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS NETWORK (ICNN)

The Ems is a member of the ICNN, which is part of the School of Journalism, University of Cardiff. ICNN is the UK representative body for the independent community and hyperlocal news sector. They exist to promote the interests of community and hyperlocal publishers and to champion new sustainable forms of local digital and print journalism. Their focus is at the local and hyperlocal level; the place where journalism is most valued, but also most at risk.

BBC LOCAL NEWS PARTNERSHIP

The Ems is an official partner and receives content produced by the BBC Shared Data Unit, BBC News Hub and the Local Democracy Reporting Service. WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA

ERF website: www.emsworthresidentsforum.org.uk Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ emsworthresidents

Current and back copies of The Ems can be viewed online at: https://issuu.com/theems

Please note that we have no connection with any other Emsworth websites or social media outlets.

EDITORIAL

Please send letters, press releases and news items to David Harris, Editor: editor.theems@outlook.com Tel 01243 378215 or by post to the above address. The editor reserves the right to edit any submitted material.

COPY AND PUBLICATION DATES

ADVERTISING

For advertising costs and enquiries please contact: editor.theems@outlook.com

Advertisements are accepted in good faith; however, The Ems does not accept liability for advertisements nor endorses any services promoted

in those advertisements. If you have a problem with any advertiser, we recommend you contact them in the first instance. If you do not get a satisfactory response, please email us and we will look into it.

COMPLAINTS

If you have a complaint about any aspect of The Ems please contact the editor. A copy of our complaints procedure can be obtained from our website.

DISTRIBUTION

We endeavour to deliver The Ems to all households in Emsworth, Thorney, Hermitage and Lumley areas. The Ems is also available from Emsworth Library, Emsworth Community Centre, Loretta Café, Tesco and the Co-op. If you do not receive your copy within two weeks of the publication date, as listed above, please email: jandgmil@btinternet.com.

THE EMS TEAM

Editor, Reporter and Photographer: David Harris editor.theems@outlook.com Tel: 01243 378215

Arts Correspondent: Emily Gilmore arts.theems@gmail.com

Major Event Photographer / Days out with Dogs / Proof reader: Juliet Walker

Sports Correspondent: Suzy Gardiner sport.theems@gmail.com

Youth Correspondent: Scarlet Davies

Education Correspondent: Louise New Book reviews: Vacancy (please contact editor if you are interested)

Advertisement Manager: Vacancy (please contact editor for any enquiries)

Design: Ali Beckett www.alibeckettdesign.co.uk

ERF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair: Dwynwen Stepien (Housing) Chair.erf@gmail.com

c/o Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth, PO10 7DD.

Secretary: Mike Ridley (Transport) Secretary.erf@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jill Millar jandgmil@btinternet.com

Mike Bateman (Planning) mikebateman20@gmail.com

Ellie Turnbull (Youth) 01243 374893 Youth.erf@gmail.com

Dan Grove - (Environment)

Andrew Caple –new member

Roger Tyrrell – new member

ERF PUBLIC MEETING DATES

All residents are welcome to attend our public meetings which are held at Emsworth Community Centre, North St, Emsworth at 7.00 pm (refreshments available from 6.30 pm)

• Monday 28 October Green Network

Reflections of the Emsworth Residents Forum Committee

Words by Mike Ridley, Secretary

The Neighbourhood Plan is our bible. It was a great achievement by the community to produce it and get it approved but it represents the end of the beginning rather than the end. There has been some satisfying progress on important topics over this first year. As the Forum enters year two we are planning more of the same but also aim to grapple with some challenging topics which have been in the ‘difficult’ tray for a number of years.

Progress: Actions not just words

The creation of a Young People’s services working group:

Bringing together people with common interests to start patiently adding to the variety of social opportunities for our young people.

The delivery of a new children’s play area at Spencers Field:

Supporting the Spencers Field Residents group by contributing funding but, more importantly, making clear to Havant (via the Infrastructure Panel) that this was a priority for Emsworth and should be funded from CIL.

The success of the Clean Harbours Partnership:

They have achieved nationwide publicity for their research and water quality campaigns. Seedcorn funding to a well-organised and professional local group.

Hampshire Farm Meadows arboretum project.

Funding support. Helping to raise the profile of this ‘hidden gem’ while exploring other opportunities for grant funding and strategic development.

Southleigh Spine Road campaign:

A venture with councillors and community organisations representing those parts of the borough most affected by this strategic development site. The ERF initiated this campaign and expects to perform a central role.

Community Gardens Initiative:

Returning neglected public assets into use

for social and recreational purposes. Through the efforts of local enthusiasts, the ERF has been a prime mover in seizing the opportunity of grant funding and giving the first initiative in Victoria Road take-off momentum. The plan is that the ERF will pass the leadership to a free-standing community group.

Moving on from reflections to projections

There are two areas where we are proposing to commit our energy and expenditure of some of the accumulated reserves of the Forum:

Traffic

Traffic is a prominent topic in the NP and this was reinforced by the public consultation session held in October when attendees put it at the top of the concerns list. There are no other community groups which ‘own’ the topic so it is a vacuum that has to be filled the ERF. Highways works are expensive but that doesn’t mean there is nothing affordable

that can be done to calm traffic and make our roads safer by adjusting the geometry of junctions, landscaping, signage, different surface colours and so on.

We can also make the road and the roundabout much more beautiful with some TLC, revisiting some of the tired design flourishes which are 20+ years old and could do with a refresh, getting rid of obsolete street furniture and tidying up unloved planting and hedges.

We need to get beyond general prescriptions to more detailed work so we can put pressure on HBC and HCC. To do this requires some professional support and we have allowed a fee budget for this purpose.

Linked to this is the campaign for Southleigh Spine Road to head off traffic impacts from the planned Southleigh Strategic development. We have made an allowance for part of the cost of hosting a traffic conference to include all the main stakeholders and raise profile and priority.

Public Spaces.

There was an extensive consultation led by Theo Schofield and the ERA in 2021 about proposed changes to St Peter’s Square and surrounding areas which were overwhelmingly endorsed by the remarkable number of respondents. Engagement with HBC was underway when Covid 19 intervened and momentum was lost. We are planning to pick this up again and craft a practical and affordable scheme that we can consult over and campaign for. This will need to be in partnership with the other stakeholders in the town centre and will require professional support for which a fee provision has been allowed.

Emsworth Horticultural Show

We look forward to meeting with many of you at our Marquee at Emsworth Show – always a highlight of the year. Well done to all the volunteers that really put Emsworth on the map by providing such an excellent day for the community to come together.

The Emsworth Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Words by Andrew Caple

8 July 2024 marks the third anniversary of the Emsworth Neighbourhood Plan referendum. The question was ‘Do you want Havant Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood plan for Emsworth to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

Following a resounding 91% Yes vote the Plan was adopted on 22 September and is now part of the statutory development plan for the Council. However it was a long road to get to this point.

The Neighbourhood Plan traces its roots back to the Localism Act 2011 which created this mechanism for communities to specify planning policies for their local area. This would be owned by a ‘Neighbourhood Forum’ made up of representatives of the community. The policies would then be considered by the local authority in planning decisions alongside the Council’s own Local Plan.

Several Emsworth residents expressed an interest in this idea and, in 2014, the Emsworth Forum, chaired by Stephanie

Elsy, was ‘formally designated’ having met the legislative requirements. There followed many years on various consultations with residents and other experts about what should go into the Plan, a significant undertaking needing many hours from the Forum volunteers. The policies cover several areas including community, housing, heritage, workplace and design. Finally the draft plan was circulated for consultation in 2019.

Following independent examination, the Plan was accepted by Havant Borough Council and (after a delay due to the pandemic) a date for the referendum set. To date Emsworth is the only area in the borough to have a Neighbourhood Forum and Plan. The Plan is now managed by Emsworth Residents Forum, following the merger of Emsworth Forum and Emsworth Residents Associate in 2023.

More information on the Plan can be found on their website at www.emsworthresidentsforum.org.uk

Top left: Spencers Field play area; bottom left: community garden; right: Hampshire Farm Meadows

By Suzy Gardiner, Sports Correspondent

Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024

The biggest event in the Harbour is back for 2024! Race Week 2024 will commence on Monday 19 August and the dedicated website for this year’s event is now live.

This is the biggest dinghy and keelboat regatta in the UK. Hayling Island Sailing Club will again host this enormous event which this year celebrates the centenary of Chichester Harbour Federation and the 60th year of this race week.

Hugely popular within the clubs of Chichester Harbour, the event last year drew racers from nearly 50 clubs all over the UK. Being one of only four RYA Coastal Centres of Excellence in the UK, HISC offers top class racing; four separate race teams will manage an anticipated 400 boats with 20 separate fleet starts, ranging from demon Optimist juniors to former Olympians racing keelboats in Hayling Bay. There will be plenty of social events to keep around 600 competitors

occupied and to recognise the anniversary of this event, once known as Fed Week. The Sailing Secretary of the Federation, Pam Marrs, said, “This is the highlight event of the year in the Harbour and is a great opportunity for the Fed to promote its ethos of encouraging Harbour users to get out on the water in our centenary year”. Early Bird Entry is now open on the event website, so sign up and secure your place for a fantastic week’s racing in stunning surroundings.

https://chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net/

Get Up and Go secures funding to extend its services

Havant Borough Council’s outstanding Get Up and Go programme - aimed at helping residents with physical/mental health conditions stay active through various physical activities - has been awarded funding to extend its services.

Get Up and Go has received £72,400 of funding from Hampshire Active Health, which will go towards the growth of the programme - including developing new personalised activities, increasing the capacity of courses, and increasing resident participation.

The programme is open to people of all ages and experience levels - everyone deserves to have fun and stay active! Upcoming courses for 2024 include a 5 week Introduction to Sea Swimming for 16-18 year olds starting 19 July. This is a valuable resource and costs just £15 for the whole course. In addition there are a couple of Family Bowling taster days including Sunday 14 July at Waterlooville Bowling Club. We have reported in recent months on the popular women’s Netball, Strength Training at The Hub in Havant, and more. Full details of all the above courses and activities are clearly laid out on the Get up and Go website: www.getupandgohavant.com. As well as the opportunity to take part in any of these, locals are also invited to suggest ideas for new activities – also via the website. Please consider whether you or someone in your family could benefit from this council-funded resource.

Emsworth Town

Football

Team (The Oystermen)

Emsworth Bowling Club

The Emsworth Town Reserve Team, managed by Luke and Steve Woolcombe, had a great season winning the Portsmouth Divisional FA Cup Sunday Plate and City of Portsmouth Sunday Football League Division 7 double. They also reached two quarter finals. Meanwhile the Emsworth Town First Team reached round of 16 in the Hampshire FA County Cup. Another great year for a great club. In the 2024/25 season, the club will be entering a new team into the Mid Solent Football League on a Saturday. Check them out on:

https://www.facebook.com/ EmsworthTownCommunityFootballClub/

Emsworth Bowling Club opened in April for the summer season and held three open days in May. They were extremely lucky with sunny days and had a good response throughout. As a result they have already signed up several new playing members and also one or two social members.

If there are people who could not attend the open days, but would still like to come and try bowling, the details can be obtained from the website: www.emsworthbowlingclub.com

Peter Hickson

Sarah Labuda

Community Groups & Activities

Arts & Crafts Groups

Bench Theatre: Club nights first and third Thursday of month at The Spring, East Street, Havant. Contact: Janice Halsey secretary@benchtheatre.org.uk

Bourne Quilters: 7.15pm, first Monday of month, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact Chris Barrell 07585 55916

Emsworth Art Group meets at the Emsworth Community Centre on Wednesday mornings. We are an active and cooperative group of artists working at all levels and with two exhibitions per year. There is a waiting list to join. Please contact the secretary, Trevor Smith on atrevorsmith@gmail.com

Emsworth Flower Club: 2pm, fourth Friday of month, St James’ Church Hall, Church Path. Contact Claire Nutbrown, Secretary emsworthflowerclub@gmail.com

Emsworth Meridian Singers and Choir: 7.45pm-9.15pm, main choir meets Thursdays, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact Louise Russell 07985 606670 louise. slrussell@outlook.com

Emsworth Players: Drama group. Contact Jim Strudwick 01243 372543, jim.strudwick@ yahoo.co.uk

Emsworth Watercolours for Improvers. 1.45 – 3.45 Mondays at The Waterside Church Hall, Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact David Moignard 02392 267498 or 07308258669 Havant Light Opera: 7.30pm, Mondays at The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, East Street, Havant. Contact Judy Halpin 02392 570545, www.havantlightopera.co.uk

Hole in the Wall Group, Clive Yeomans Pottery: Facilities are behind the Emsworth Community Centre. Email: hitwg.pottery@ gmail.com

Heart Art Club. Classes held at rear of Jingles Hotel, Horndean Road, Emsworth. Email: iheartartclub@gmail.com. Thursday 6-7pm secondary sketch club. Friday 10-11am adult art club. Saturday 10-10.45 Saturday sketch club. All at Blooms Cafe.

Institches Stitch group. Knit, stitch, crochet. Fridays, free drop in, 10am to 12pm at Methodist Church in The Square Emsworth. We are about friendship, fun and laughter. Contact Judy Williams on Judywilliams9@ googlemail.com. or 07906 214963

Renaissance Choir: Rehearsals, 7.30pm9.30pm, Fridays at Emsworth Community Centre. More info www.renaissancechoir.org. uk

Social Singing for retired people. The group consists of a cup of tea, a biscuit, a chat and some singing of some pop songs and show tunes. The main purpose of the group is to get people out, sing a few memorable tunes and meet some new faces. This group meets

at Emsworth Sports & Social Club, Havant Road, Emsworth on Wednesdays 2.30pm -3.30pm (term time only) For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

Solent Male Voice Choir: 7.30pm, Tuesdays at in The Pallant Centre, Havant. Membership open to all men 18 years+. No musical ability required, just enthusiasm. Contact Dave McVittie dmcv@solentmalevoicechoir.org, www.solentmalevoicechoir.org

Village Voices Choir, Emsworth. We rehearse at The Methodist Church EmsworthWednesdays 7.30pm. We welcome interest from singers with experience singing in harmony and knowledge of following scores - see website: http://emsworthvillagevoices.org Next Concert: 25th June 3.30pm Southbourne Village Hall.

Children & Youth Groups

Babies, Biscuits and Banter: Suitable for babies and young toddlers. 10am to 11:30am in the Parish Office, next to the Parish Hall in Church Path PO10 7DP. Contact Parish Administrator 01243 372428, parishofficewwe@gmail.com

Boys’ Brigade (3rd): 6.15 pm-7.30 pm, Tuesdays in term time, for boys from Year R to Year 9. We are now based at Christian Youth Enterprises (CYE), Chidham, PO18 8TE. Contact the Captain: Mark Gidney 07837 005876. Email captain@emsworthboysbrigade.co.uk

Girls’ Brigade (1st): 5.45 pm-7.15 pm, Tuesdays, for 4-10 years and 7pm-8.30pm, Tuesdays, 10-18 years, Emsworth Baptist Church Hall, North Street. Contact: Eleanor Day 0776 250 2380

Melana Dance: classes for young people up to 20 years, pre-school ‘music and movement’ classes and adult tap dancing at Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact: Louisa Chandler 07717 327200

Mumbabas Monkeys is important for mums with young toddlers, to meet other mums and have a fun time. They perform traditional nursery rhymes and action songs which are accompanied by Becky on keyboards. Wednesdays (term time only) from 9.45am –10.30am at Emsworth Sports and Social Club , Havant Rd, Emsworth. For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

Mumbaba Ducklings for mothers and babies. They perform traditional nursery rhymes and action songs which are accompanied by Becky on keyboards. Wednesdays (term time only) from 10.45am – 11.30am at Emsworth Sports and Social Club , Havant Rd, Emsworth. For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

One Youth - We meet every Friday during term time, 7-9pm at One Church (formerly New Life Church), Thorney Road. For young people in years 6 - College. 01243 373566. youth@onechurch.fyi

Scouts: Livingstone Cub Pack, Beaver Section, Drake Cub Pack, Explorers, Scout Troop, all meet at the Scout Hut, Conigar Road. Contact: membership@emsworthscouts.org.uk

Topspin Table Tennis: 6pm-7.30pm, Tuesdays during term time, for 9-18 years with coaching and development at Emsworth Community Centre, just turn-up and play. Contact: 01243 373566

Churches & GroupsReligious

Baptist Church: North Street, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 375606

Methodist Church and Pastoral Centre: The Square, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 373773

One Church (formerly New Life Christian Church): Thorney Road. Main contact: 01243 373566. Chapel every Wednesday during term time at 10am, Sunday 9:30am & 11:30am

St James’ Church (CofE): The Rectory, Church Path. Contact: 01243 372428

St Thomas’ Church (Roman Catholic): 24 New Brighton Road. Contact: 02392 484520

St Thomas à Becket (CofE): Church Lane, Warblington. Contact: 01243 372428

Waterside United Reformed Church: Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 371718

Community Organisations

Community First: Services in the area such as community transport and Shop Mobility. Contact 0300 500 8085, support@cfirst.org. uk, www.cfirst.org.uk

Ems Valley Community Transport: Volunteer driver car service for those unable to use public transport. Journeys to hospital, GP surgery, dentists, social events and shopping although medical journeys take precedence. All enquiries including how to volunteer contact: Tel 07481 179 203, 01243 371093 email. evctsec@gmail.com www.evctcars.org

Emsworth Business Association: Networking and profiling association for local businesses. Join via its website: www.emsworth.org.uk/ about/the-eba/join-the-eba/. Queries sent to Lulu Bowerman, Chair lulu.bowerman@ havant.gov.uk

Emsworth Community Association: To promote the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants of Emsworth and neighbouring areas by providing education, recreation and social activities in premises which are both comfortable and accessible to all. Emsworth

Community Centre, North Street. 10am-12 noon, Monday to Friday. Contact: 01243 373805, info@emsworthcommunitycentre. org.uk

Emsworth Community Land Trust: Creating affordable homes and community spaces. New members and volunteers welcome. Contact: Ellie Turnbull, Secretary 01243 432548, info@emsworthclt.org. uk, www.emsworthclt.org.uk

Emsworth Forum: (see Emsworth Residents Forum)

Emsworth Good Neighbours: Offers help with transport to hospitals, medical appointments, shopping, befriending, collecting prescriptions etc. Contact: 01243 430999, info@ emsworthgoodneighbours.org.uk, www. emsworthgoodneighbours.org.uk

Emsworth Horticultural Society: Organises Emsworth Show, horticultural supplies hut at Washington Road, talks and coach outings. Contact: Lyn Davies, Chair, 01243 373810 ehschair@outlook.com www.emsworthhorticulturalsociety.org.uk

Emsworth Library: Opening hours are: Tuesday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Thursday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Friday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Saturday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm. (Closed Monday, Wednesday and Sunday) Now based at Emsworth Community Centre, North St, Emsworth. Contact: 0845 6035631 emsworth.library@ hants.gov.uk, www.hants.gov.uk/library

Emsworth Morning Women’s Institute: Meetings held on the 2nd Friday of the month at 9.45 am (except August) in Emsworth Community Centre. Contact: Diana Pallett (President): 01243 681910

Emsworth Museum: 10B North Street (on the first floor of the building – above the Fire Station) Access from the adjacent car park. Open to visitors from April – October on Saturdays, most Bank Holidays and Fridays in August 10.30 am – 4.30 pm and on Sundays 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Admission free. Stairlift available. For more information 01243 378091 info@emsworthmuseum.org. uk www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk

Emsworth Probus Club: Retired businessmen who meet at the Brookfield Hotel for lunch on the last Monday of each month. Contact: P Keough 01243 373436 or Peter Spreckley 01243 371390. Annual subscription is £15.00 plus lunch costs.

Emsworth Residents’ Association (see Emsworth Residents Forum)

Emsworth Residents Forum: Formed in 2023 through the merger of Emsworth Residents’ Association and Emsworth Forum. Independent, non-partisan organisation run by volunteers that work to represent the interests of the whole community to help make Emsworth a pleasant, safe and caring place to live and work. The organisation is recognised by Havant Borough Council as

Emsworth Community Garden

a statutory consultee on planning matters. New members and volunteers are always welcome. www.emsworthresidentsforum. org.uk. Publisher of The Ems newspaper editor.theems@outlook.com. https://issuu. com/theems

Emsworth-St Aubin Twinning Association: For information and activities between both towns contact John Auric, Membership Secretary 01243 379018 or Judi Milburn, Chair 02392 471645, www.emsworthstaubin. org.uk

Emsworth Trefoil Guild: Social group for all ex-guiders or girl guides. Meets at Methodist International Hall, The Square, Emsworth on the first Monday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 pm. New members welcome. Contact: Marion Lea 01243 376886, marionlea7@ hotmail.com

Friends of Emsworth Community Health: Supports organisations providing health-related facilities in Emsworth. Contact Irene Craig 01243 378635 Email: irenecraig71@ gmail.com

Havant Friends of the Earth: Contact Patricia Williamson 01243 378560. Membership secretary p.ivy@tiscali.co.uk

Havant Rotary Club: Meets every Monday at 6pm at Bear Hotel, East Street, Havant. Contact: Ian Swinton 01243 251776

Hewitt’s: 35 South Street. Art gallery, gift shop and hall for hire. Contact: 01243 213600

Love Your Neighbour Campaign - to support families and individuals who may be struggling financially, or require food parcels. Together with support from local councils, schools and healthcare professionals they receive referrals of people who would benefit from this initiative. For more information and referrals, call 07835 441076.

Mothers’ Union: Contact Margaret Cornick, Secretary 01243 378044

Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Emsworth Branch: Contact Caroline Tilley 01243 699451 Email: Carolinetilley@yahoo. com

St John Ambulance: Fraser Road, Havant. Contact: Jennifer.quibell@sja.org.uk

University of the Third Age, Emsworth u3a: Over 30 subject groups that meet monthly. 10.15am, third Friday of month, except August and December. General meeting at St James Church Hall, Church Path. Contact: Hazel Irwin, Membership Secretary, 01243 940310, Hazel.i@btinternet.com www. emsworthu3a.org.uk

University of the Third Age, Ems Valley u3a: Over 50 subject groups that meet monthly. General meeting on fourth Thursday of month a t 2pm (except August and December) at Emsworth Baptist Church, North St. Contact: Tim Mathews, Chair www. emsvalleyu3a.org.uk

Westbourne Bell-Ringers: Westbourne Church, Westbourne Road. Practice 7pm-9pm on Mondays. Service ringing on Sundays. Contact: Tower Captain Peter Wilkinson, westbourne@SCACR.org.uk or Jason Crouch 07802 474899.

WemsFest: World music and comedy at local venues. Contact: Mark Millington-Ringwood, Artistic Director 01243 370501, 07802 500050, www.wemsfest.com

Health Organisations

Arthritis First: Exercise classes for those with mobility problems, or any type of arthritis wishing to increase your strength, flexibility, balance and mobility. Run by experienced Chartered Physiotherapist Shirley Inkpen. All ages and abilities welcome. Exercises individually tailored. Emsworth Community Centre. Tuesdays at 9.55 am and 11.05 am. (Zoom available at 09.55). Contact Shirley 07809 255152, email islandphysioshirley@ gmail.com

Brendoncare Emsworth Keep Fit 1: shape up with Sally, 10am-11am, Thursdays term time. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www.brendoncare. org.uk/clubs

Brendoncare Emsworth Keep Fit 2: shape up with Sally, 11.30am-12.30pm, Thursdays term time. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www. brendoncare.org.uk/clubs

Brendoncare Emsworth Kurling Club, 2pm-4pm, Mondays. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www.brendoncare.org.uk/clubs

Emsworth Medical Practice: 6 North Street. Contact: 01243 378812. www.emsworthmedical.co.uk

MHA Singing for the Mind: dementia friendly singing group. 10am-12noon, second Friday of each month. St James’ Church Parish Hall. Contact: 023 9387 8777, havant@rightathomeuk.com

Patient Participation Group (PPG). For more information contact: Jim Strudwick, Chairman. j.strudwick35@gmail.com 01243 372543

Southbourne Surgery: 337 Main Road, Southbourne. Contact 01243 388740, www. southbournesurgery.com

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks in Emsworth (formerly Walking to Health) Wednesdays 10:30 am starting at various local locations. Free, short, safe walks aimed at all ages and abilities. Walks are in and around Emsworth and neighbouring villages. Contact: Rob Self 02392 484412 / robertself@ntworld.com or John Bond 01243 376302 bond.jab7@gmail. com

Sing2Health Emsworth. Breathe, move, sing, and smile. Join our fun, friendly and inclusive singing group using evidence-based exercises and songs to support health and wellbeing. Thursdays 11-12, Emsworth Community Centre. Info: www.sing2health.com/groups. Contact Ruth: reroutledge@gmail.com

Nature Conservation

Brook Meadow Conservation Group: 10am-12noon, first Sunday and third Thursday of every month. Meet at Seagull Lane entrance by HQ/Tool store. Tools and gloves supplied, and refreshments. Contact:brookmeadowcg@outlook.com, 07779 759696

Emsworth Tree Wardens: Taking care of trees in Emsworth and surrounding area. Various ongoing tree-related projects. Contact Yvonne Copeland 01243 389877

Friends of Emsworth Memorial Garden: Helping to maintain the garden on the southeast corner of Horndean Road Recreation Ground. Work sessions 10 am, second

Monday of each month, contact 01243 371486

Friends of Hampshire Farm Meadows: A conservation group holding monthly work parties all year round at Hampshire Farm Meadows, a 42 acre area of open space in North Emsworth. Contact hfmfriends@gmail. com

Friends of Nore Barn Woods: Work sessions: 9.30am-12noon, second Saturdays of each month. Tools, coffee and biscuits provided, bring gloves. Meet at shore end of Warblington Road. Contact Roy Ewing 01243 370705

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: Holds monthly talks between SeptemberMarch, plus weekly wildlife walks and nature notes. Contact www.hiwwt.org.uk

Slipper Mill Pond Preservation Association: Protects and conserves the wildlife and natural environment of Slipper Mill Pond for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of the public. Contact: Jo Greenfield (Chair) 01243 371134 info@smppa.org.uk, www.smppa.org.uk

seats)

Grainne Rason (Green Party) (2024 -2028)

c/o Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX. 07584 168545 grainne.rason@havant.gov.uk

Reuben Mychaleckyj (Green Party) (2024 –2027) c/o Havant Borough Council, The Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX Email: cllr.reuben.mychaleckyj@havant.gov.uk Mobile: 07528 688227

Charles Robert (Green Party) (2024 – 2026 c/o Havant Borough Council, The Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX Email: cllr. charles.robert@havant.gov.uk Mobile: 07722 961475

Hampshire County Council – Emsworth & St Faith’s Division (1 seat)

Lulu Bowerman (Conservative) (2021 – 2025) 101 Havant Road, Emsworth PO10 7LF. Contact 07738 289842, lulu.bowerman@ hants.gov.uk

Chichester District Council – Westbourne Ward (1 seat)

Roy Briscoe (Conservative) (2023 -2027) Bumblebee Cottage, Duffield Lane, Woodmancote, Westbourne PO10 8PZ. Contact 07877 070591. rbriscoe@chichester. gov.uk

Chichester District Council – Southbourne Ward (2 seats)

Oona Hickson (Liberal Democrat) (2023 -2027) Five Acres, Prinsted Lane, Prinsted, Emsworth, PO10 8HS Contact 01243 379964 email: ohickson@chichester.gov.uk

Tracie Bangert (Liberal Democrat) (2023 -2027) 209 Main Road, Southbourne, Emsworth PO10 8EZ. Contact 01243 375782, tbangert@chichester.gov.uk

West Sussex County Council – Bourne division (1 seat)

Andrew Kerry-Bedell (Liberal Democrat) (2021 – 2025) Drifters Reach, Drift Lane, Bosham, Chichester, PO18 8PR Contact: 07899 741939 andrew.kerry-bedell@westsussex.gov.uk

Members of Parliament

Havant (including Emsworth): Result pending Chichester (including Southbourne and Westbourne): Result pending Police and Crime Commissioners

Hampshire

Donna Jones (Conservative) (2024 -2028) www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk

Sussex (West and East)

Katy Bourne (Conservative) (2024 -2028) www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk

Badminton club: Friendly badminton club, for all abilities. 8pm-9.30pm every Thursday. Bourne Leisure Centre, Southbourne. First evening free. Contact carolbaptist@aol.com

Bourne 55 Archery Club. Based at the Bourne Leisure Centre, Southbourne PO10 8PJ. We offer beginners courses twice a year, the next one starts on Sunday 25 September, 10 - 12 for 5 weeks. See website for full detailswww.bourne55.com

Circle Dancing: 2.30pm-4.30pm, second Sunday of month. Westbourne Parish Hall, Westbourne Road, Westbourne. Contact Jane Richards 01243 378531

Emsworth Bowling Club: Plays April to September plus bridge/cribbage October to March and other social events. Jubilee Recreation Ground, Horndean Road, Emsworth. Contact Martin Roberts 02392 412759 www.emsworthbowlingclub.com

Emsworth Bridge Club: 7pm-10pm, every Tuesday evening, Emsworth Sports & Social Club, 43 Havant Road. Contact 01243 376037

Emsworth Chess Club: 7.30pm, Thursdays. Emsworth Sports & Social Club, 43 Havant Road. Contact: Phil Pinto Tel. 07500 413686 mail@emsworthchessclub.co.uk, www. emsworthchessclub.co.uk

Emsworth Cricket Club: Contact emsworth. play-cricket.com

Emsworth & Havant Homing Society: Contact admin@kdwebsolutions.com, www.ehhs. kdwebsolutions.com

Emsworth Sailing Club: 55 Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact 01243 372850, membership@emsworthsc.org.uk, www.emsworthsc. org.uk

Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club: Quay Mill, The Quay, South Street, Emsworth. Contact 01243 372523, secretary@emsworthslippersc.org.ukm, www.emsworthslippersc.org.uk

Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club Radio Sailors: 10am-12noon, Thursdays, and 10am-12noon Sunday (winter only). Contact John Galyer 07971 827995, 02392 355745

Emsworth Sports & Social Club: 43 Havant Road. Contact the Steward 01243 376037, www.emsworthssclub.co.uk

Listing your community group

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Havant Borough Council (HBC) - Emsworth Ward (3

Political Representation