Discover Meon Valley February 2013

FEBRUARY 2013

Get Motivated!

More than New Year's resolutions

Your local directory of businesses, services, shopping & what's on

Thank You!

More than good manners

Delivered by Royal Mail into the Meon Valley community

Hello and Welcome January and February are typically the hardest months of the year to live in the UK. The days are gloomy, often cold and wet; coughs and colds are widespread; it’s back to work with any planned holidays still months away. On top of that so many begin the year full of remorse for overindulging at Christmas, and the focus on improving our health is higher at this time than any other.

I’m a real advocate of exercise and believe in it both for the physical and mental benefi ts that it brings. Although Mel and I and our husbands have been lifelong exercisers, for us girls there was always the added incentive that it might help us to lose weight. But on its own – without addressing what we ate – that benefi t always eluded us.

But last year I finally found Utopia: I lost weight, I absolutely know I’ll never put it back on, I wasn’t hungry, it wasn’t (that) hard. Mel joined me a couple of months down the line and she agrees that we’ve

found the solution. I’ve had so many people ask me about it I thought it fun to set up a website and blog. For details see page 21 –if you give it a go, let us know how you get on!

Something I think that does make this time of year more interesting is to get a home project underway. Whether it’s something small such as having the garden tidied, or big, such as fi tted furniture or a new kitchen it’s a great time to improve your property. Have a look through this month’s magazine – whether you are improving yourself or your home, our advertisers can help!

Tania & Mel Sales & distribution: melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk Everything else: tania@discovermagazines.co.uk

EDITORIAL 5

Fun Quiz - Love & Kisses

21

Discover Your Toes

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Thank You!

22

Get Motivated!

10

Sudoku

26

Useful Numbers

14

Short Story - Spring Onions

28

Local Groups

20

Taxing Times

29

What's On

To advertise in a Discover Magazine title contact Melanie Tinson on 023 8026 6388 or visit the Instant Quote Calculator online at www.discovermagazines.co.uk/advertising Discover Magazines Ltd, 57 Wood End Way, Chandlers Ford SO53 4LN REACH 100,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES www.discovermagazines.co.uk/advertising

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DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

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DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

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Love and Kisses 1. Who is the Greek goddess of love?

2. What is the name of the bridge in Venice where, according to legend, lovers will be granted eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset underneath it?

3. Which famous 1913 play has a title that is the name of a sculptor from Greek mythology who fell in love with his statue?

4. “Thus, with a kiss, I die” are the last words of which Shakespearean character?

5. Which American city is sometimes referred to as “the city of brotherly love” as its name was derived from Greek words meaning “love” and “brother”?

6. Which pop group released their debut album Kissing To Be Clever in 1982?

7. According to the first line of the Sinead O’Connor hit single Nothing Compares 2 U, it had been how many days and how many hours “since you let your love away”?

8. Which disease is sometimes referred to as the kissing disease?

9. Which Queen did Judi Dench portray in the film Shakespeare In Love?

10. According to legend, what would you receive if you kissed the Blarney Stone?

Answers: Page 30 w e b: d i s c o v e r m a g a z i n e s .c o .u k , S a l e s : m e l a n i e @ d i s c o v e r m a g a z i n e s .c o .u k

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DISCOVER MONTHLY FEATURE

Thank you!

More than just good manners.

For most of us, saying ‘thank you’ is an everyday occurrence and, face to face at least, the words often trip out of our mouths more out of habit than with genuine meaning. In today’s fast paced world however, far more of our communication is by email, text, phone or social media, and taking the time to acknowledge others’ actions is being overlooked.

But expressing your appreciation has a very important psychological role to play for both the person giving and the person receiving.

Gratitude is more than just good manners; it reassures others that their help was actually valued and it encourages further reciprocal behaviour. Indeed missing this important step can cause resentment and people can feel snubbed by what may have just been an oversight.

You would think that if you’d asked a favour of someone, asking for a second favour would make them feel you were asking too much.

However, if you’ve clearly and personally thanked the giver the first time, they’ll feel good about themselves and towards you, and will be more than willing to help again.

Taking the time to tell someone you appreciate their efforts is also beneficial for you. A bit like if you donate to charity you are doing it to benefit others, but you come away feeling positive about yourself and your efforts. Giving feels good.

The message does have to be commensurate with the act though. A dismissive ‘thanks’ to a reasonable favour won’t cut it. But a gushing

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‘thank you so much, I really do appreciate your help, you are so kind’ to a minor act will sound false and lose its value. But wherever you can, include the person’s name in your message as that’s further endorsement of them as an individual.

Also not all ‘thank yous’ are equal. Ask anyone under the age of 16 to produce a handwritten letter to be sent in the post, and their reaction is likely to be ‘why’? After all, there’s the phone, texting and email – much quicker and easier.

But actually that’s just the point; such methods are so much easier they don’t hold as much weight to the recipient. Receiving a letter in the post, with its air of mystery as it lands on the mat, the tangible piece of paper and the very personal handwriting means so much more. It is also much more memorable than a text or email which is instantly forgotten.

Not that phone, text and email should be dismissed of course, especially to acknowledge someone you are unlikely to come in contact with again. Better that method than not at all.

There are nominated days to show thanks to your nearest and dearest, with birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and even Valentine’s Day for your ‘significant other’. Again with busy lives, many view having to acknowledge these times as an inconvenience. But put yourself in the other person’s shoes: everyone around them is being appreciated on these occasions, and they want to feel that they are valued by their friends and family too. Remember the gift doesn’t need to be huge, but the gesture means so much.

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DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

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DISCOVER SHORT STORY

Short Story Spring Onions The last rays of afternoon sun filtered through the sitting room blinds. Gavin sipped his tea and listened for the sound of the kitchen door closing.

“Granddad, while Gran’s out of the room there’s something I want your advice about”.

Jack glanced up from his newspaper.

“She may be out of the room lad, but it doesn’t mean she’s not listening”.

“I heard that”, Ivy called from the kitchen.

Jack grimaced and lowered his voice, “What is it then?”

Gavin took a deep breath.

“I’m thinking of asking Abbie to marry me”. He looked at Jack for signs of approval. “What’s the best way to ask so that she’ll say yes?”

Jack suppressed a smile and folded up his paper slowly.

“How long have you been courting, two years?”

“Granddad”, Gavin laughed, “No one says courting these days”.

“Don’t they?” Jack feigned surprise, “Shame”.

“How did you propose to Gran?” Gavin asked.

Jack took off his spectacles and cleaned them on his sweater. “Well, you know in those days your Gran taught at her dad’s dancing school”.

Gavin nodded. He had heard the story of how they met before - how Jack went to dancing classes just to get to know Ivy. “She was a wonderful dancer, your Gran”, Jack smiled to himself. “Wonderful to watch - she could spin them round like scooping ducks off a pond”.

“But how did you actually propose?” Gavin asked.

“Well, there’s a story”. Jack chuckled as he remembered. “That autumn I knew I was going to be posted so I got hold of a sack of daffodil bulbs.

Not easy you know, as there was a war on”. Gavin nodded and dunked another garibaldi biscuit.

“I went round to your Gran’s house in the middle of the night and planted them in her dad’s back lawn”. He grinned at Gavin. “Do you get it lad?”

Gavin shook his head.

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“You see I planted them so that when they came up in the spring they would spell out ‘Will you marry me?’”.

Jack slapped his leg and burst out laughing. The tea cups rattled.

“So, did it work?”

Jack turned unusually sombre.

“Well before I could get an answer I was sent to Dunkirk. I was a prisoner of war for five years and your Gran didn’t know if I was alive or dead”.

The two men were silent for a moment, then Jack remembered the last part of his tale. “When I finally got back I said to Ivy “What do you reckon then?””.

Ivy walked into the room with a plate of buttered scones.

“And I said, ‘Can I have a bit more time to think about it?’” Ivy winked at Gavin and offered him the plate.

She settled herself down on the sofa.

“I was just asking Granddad how he proposed”.

Ivy chuckled and stirred her tea. “Oh yes, the onions”.

“What are you on about?” Jack said. “They were daffodils”.

“You daft fool; they were onions, all growing up through the grass saying ‘Will you marry me?’”.

“You never said”. Jack slumped back in his armchair. “I paid good money for them”. ”We were eating those onions all year”. Ivy laughed, “My dad thought it was marvellous”.

Gavin chewed his scone thoughtfully. Would he and Abbie still surprise each other after fifty years of marriage just like his grandparents did?

He smiled, realising that true love didn’t care whether the proposal was made with onions or flowers as long as there was a happy ever after.

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DISCOVER MONTHLY FEATURE

Taxing Times Some self-employed people are really organised and keep all their receipts and invoices in a safe place and file them properly and do their books every month and, when it’s time to fill in their tax returns, have everything they need to hand and can sail through it in a morning or less.

Not me. And quite possibly not you either.

Actually, I do have a system of sorts – the euphemistically-named “dump file” system.

Everything related to income tax goes into a big box, and at the end of the year I spend days – two or three, usually – arranging it in some sort of order and turning it into a spreadsheet that bears at least a passing resemblance to what I’ve actually earned and what I’ve actually spent. Then I send it all off to my accountant, who is the rampart that stands between me and HMRC. We all know the quote about death and taxes (although for the life of me I can’t remember who actually said it – Mark Twain?), but in point of fact we very nearly didn’t have income tax.

It was invented in 1799 along with window tax and hearth tax and clock tax and all those other weird taxes that paid for the Napoleonic Wars.

At first it was fairly mild – 10% of all incomes above £60 a year – and as soon as the war was over it was scrapped like all the others.

Even when it was reintroduced in 1842 to recover from a financial crisis, like how never happens nowadays – hah! – it wasn’t expected to be permanent. But it turned out to be one of the easiest of taxes to collect because, in the eyes of the voters (most of whom still didn’t have to pay it), it was the fairest, and – well, we

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still have it. But it was only about 100 years ago that Lloyd George’s Liberal government really started giving it some wellie. In 1874, for instance, it yielded less than 10% of all government income. Then in 1918 Lloyd George whacked the rate up to 30% to pay for World War I, and even though Mrs Thatcher slashed it to 22% it’s still the mainstay of the Treasury’s revenues.

For those of us lucky enough to have a job – or unlucky enough to be chained to a desk, depending on how you look at it – income tax is something that can be taken for granted because since 1944, when PAYE was invented, it’s been docked off wages before you can take it down the bookie’s. For the rest of us – well, it’s not something you want to get wrong. HMRC is actually amazingly patient with dysfunctional arithmophobics like me. They’re always very cheery and patient on the odd occasions when I have to ring them, and although I’m sure they wouldn’t bung me in chokey for an error of a few quid, they do quite reasonably expect to receive any underpayment back as quickly as they refund overpayments (which I’ve always found to be pleasingly quickly). And that can blow quite a hole in my none-too-careful budgeting.

Which is why I have an accountant. She’s not all that cheap, but she’s as comforting as a favourite armchair. No shocks, no surprises, nothing to worry about – and occasionally you even find a 50p stuck down the side..

by Ted Bruning

DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

Discover Your Toes

By Tania Houston, Co-Publisher, Discover Magazines Ltd

Like so many people – women particularly – I’ve always been very conscious of controlling my weight. Despite this, every year I’ve gained an extra pound or two and no amount of exercise or cutting down ever seemed to make a difference.

Following a routine health check, I was classified as overweight and the obese grading was alarmingly close. Obviously, if I carried on as I was (ie dieting plus, I admit, a weakness for sweet food) I’d just continue to grow. I’m a methodical person in nature and love researching the internet so I set out to understand why so many in the West have a weight and appetite control problem.

What I discovered has changed my eating pattern/ relationship with food.

I began to eat more food, more frequently than I ever did, and week by week the weight just

disappeared. This didn’t feel like a diet, it just felt good to eat healthy food, rarely feel hungry, and to be free of thinking about food all the time – it was so liberating. In 3 months, I’ve dropped two dress sizes and I’m confident I’ll never be overweight again – a year ago I’d never had believed I could ever say that Of course everyone wants to know ‘what is it then?’

It’s best to understand why it works but if I could sum it up in a couple of lines I’d say: • Stop eating grains – rice, bread, pasta, leave out the potatoes, don’t eat sugar • Start eating more real unprocessed food, increase the fat in your diet • Make this your way of eating, not a diet to be given up as soon as possible.

As I was asked by so many friends and family for information on what I discovered I set up a website and blog. Want to know more? Go to www. discoveryourtoes.co.uk.

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DISCOVER MONTHLY FEATURE

Get Motivated!

We can all feel de-motivated at times, so if January has passed you by without starting any of those New Year resolutions, turn February into the month you take some positive steps to regain control.

Trying to achieve all that you want in the coming year may feel like an impossible task and it can lead to feeling totally de-motivated. Motivation is key to our creativity, productivity and happiness.

When we are motivated we feel like we can take on any challenge, meet any deadline and work through any problem to achieve our goal, whether that’s personal satisfaction or public recognition for a job well done. But once de-motivation sets in, then even the smallest task can seem insurmountable.

Set small goals

If you’ve given yourself a big goal this year, such as losing a large amount of weight or changing jobs, break it into small, short term goals. Give yourself weekly targets – losing 5lbs or re-writing your CV and then congratulate yourself on achieving them.

By doing this you are building up positive ‘credits’ in your mind, keeping you going for the following week.

Be inspired

Richard Branson has had a few business failures which he’s written about in his autobiographies.

But these set-backs didn’t stop him - he just tried again. It can be really uplifting to read about other people’s successes. There are also a lot of selfhelp and business books available which can help you to think about what you do and don’t want. A good one to start with is the international bestseller, Who Moved My Cheese? (Dr Spencer Johnson, Vermilion)

Stay focused

Don’t give yourself too many goals to aim for at once. Focus on one, work out how best to achieve it (in small steps, if needed) and work your way through it before starting on your next goal.

Diffusing your energy by trying to change too many

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c a l l D i s c o v e r M a g a z i n e s o n 02 3 8 02 6 6 3 8 8

things at once will just mean you are less likely to keep up your motivation. So prioritise, write yourself a list and start with number one.

Talk about it

A great motivator is other people. If you tell people that you’re going to start writing that novel this month or apply for the local half marathon, you’re much more likely to do it. Talk to friends, family and work colleagues - their gentle nudges or encouragement will help to keep you on track.

Putting up little post-it notes to remind yourself of your goals and why you want to achieve them will help keep you motivated and on track, too.

Reward yourself

For every achievement, however big or small, reward yourself - you deserve it.

Reject negative thoughts

How many times do you find yourself saying ‘I can’t do it’, ‘it won’t happen’, or ‘it’s too hard’?

Negative thoughts can really bring you down, so give yourself a buzz word or mantra to repeat immediately when a negative thought pops into your head. ‘I’m doing it.’

Look at the positive

Starting to exercise, cutting down on unhealthy food, changing jobs, starting your own business.

None of these are easy. Accept that there will be set-backs and bad days or bad weeks. But keep looking at the positives - what did you manage to achieve this week, or how are you going to do better next week?

So plan ahead, have lots of small goals to help you reach your big goal, accept there will be set-backs and look at how other people have done what you would like to do. And keep going - you’re doing great!

DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

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EXTENSIONS • DESIGN & BUILD REFURBISHMENT • LISTED BUILDINGS ROOFING • LANDSCAPING For 30 years, Gary Caws and his team have provided quality building services to many Meon Valley customers from small jobs to large extensions and log cabins. You can be assured of quality workmanship and a professional approach to fixed priced projects.

References and portfolio available

www.target-building.com • 01329 835539 / 07580 291179 Hunters End, Tichfield Lane, Wickham PO17 5NX

Gas appliance services All Aspects of Central Heating Plumbing Repairs and Replacement Power Flushing • Gas Safety Checks Mobile: 07887 947 342 Office: 01489 278412

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c a l l D i s c o v e r M a g a z i n e s o n 02 3 8 02 6 6 3 8 8

PUT SPARKLE IN YOUR HOME Trust Town & Country Architecture to put the sparkle back in your home I Good design needn’t be expensive and is often reflected in resale values I Professional practice with range of services I From small extension work to the larger commercial/housing projects I Fixed fee quotes before we start work I Designs with flair and clarity I Compulsory PI insurance I Local knowledge of sites and Local Authorities I Free on site appraisal I Member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologist

Visit our Website, we’ll be pleased to discuss your future plans

VA TF

4 Foxgloves, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8UW Tel: 01329 238492 Email: paul@towncountry.fsbusiness.co.uk

RE

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useful numbers

LOCAL DOCTORS NHS Direct (24hr helpline)

Acorn Medical, Church Lane, Curdridge Fareham Health Centre

Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham Hemming & Partners, Lower Lane, Bishop’s Waltham West Meon Surgery, Doctor's Lane, West Meon Wickham Group Surgery, Station Road, Wickham

0845 4647 01489 782488 01329 823456 01329 280887 01489 892288 01730 829666 01329 833121

LOCAL CHEMISTS Birchall & Haydock, The Square, Wickham PO17 5JQ Tel: 01329 832115 Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday – closed Boots Pharmacy, High Street, Bishop’s Waltham SO32 1AB Tel: 01489 892603 Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 9am – 6pm, Wed & Sat 9am – 5pm, Sun – Closed Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street, Bishop’s Waltham SO32 1AB Tel: 01489 892499 Mon to Fri 8.30am – 6pm, Sat 8.30am – 5pm, Sun – Closed Rowlands Pharmacy, 7 High Street, Botley Tel: 01489 782065 Mon to Fri 9am – 5.30pm, Sat 9am – 1pm PARISH COUNCILS Bishops Waltham parishclerk@bishopswalthamparishcouncil.co.uk www.bishopswalthamparish council.co.uk Upham uphampc@homecall.co.uk Durley durleypc@homecall.co.uk Soberton norman@soberton.org.uk Droxford clerk.droxford@parish.hants.co.uk Shedfield shedfieldparish@btconnect.com www.shedfieldparishcouncil.org.uk Swanmore clerk@swanmoreparishcouncil.org.uk www.swanmoreparishcouncil.org.uk West Meon Parish Council (Tracy Predeth, Clerk) westmeonpc@googlemail.com Hampshire City Council Winchester City Council Wickham Council clerkwickham@parish.hants.gov.uk Boarhunt clerkboarhuntpc@btinternet.com Southwick & Widley swpc@logosoft.biz

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01489 892323 01489 860236 01489 860236 01489 877378 01489 877470 01329 830060 01489 890651 01730 301606 01962 841841 01962 840222 01329 835019 01489 891321 023 8046 3228

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LOCAL SCHOOLS Bishop’s Waltham Infants

Bishop’s Waltham Juniors Curdridge Primary Droxford Juniors Durley Primary Kings School Meonstoke Newtown Infants St. Johns Primary Swanmore Primary

Swanmore College Upham Primary West Meon C of E Primary School Wickham Primary Wyvern Technology College

01489 892375 01489 892368 01489 782613 01489 877537 01489 860207 01962 861161 01489 877568 01329 833161 01329 833141 01489 894555 01489 892256 01489 860355 01730 829213 01329 833065 02380 692679

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS All dates taken from http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/holidays.php Spring Term Half Term: Mon 18/2/13 – Fri 22/2/13 Easter: Fri 29/3/13 to Friday 12/4/13 (inc.)

LOCAL LIBRARY www.hants.gov.uk/library/bishopswaltham Bishop’s Waltham Library, Bank Street, 0845 603 5631 Mon/Thur: Closed, Tue: 2pm – 7pm, Wed/Fri: 10am – 5pm, Sat: 9.30am – 1pm MOBILE LIBRARY Wickham Square Mobile Library, every Wednesday 9:20 to 12:20 Knowle Village Mobile Library, first Friday of the month, 10:45 to 11:45 CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Bishops Waltham Wickham Community Centre, Fareham

01489 896376 01329 223119

EMERGENCIES Police, Fire or Ambulance Services 999 Police (Incident Reports) 0845 045 45 45 Portsmouth Water - Fresh Water Supply 02392 499888 Portsmouth Water - Leaks to Report (Out of hours 24hr) 02392 477999 Southern Water - Sewage 0845 272 0845 Southern Water - Tech Support 0845 278 0845 Gas – National Grid 0800 111 999 (If you smell gas, then call us immediately) Electricity 0845 7708090

DISCOVER MEON VALLE Y FEBRUARY 2013

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You can trust and rely on our ex forces personnel who are military trained to have various skills within home improvements.

Our expertise include: Flat Pack Assembly • Plumbing Decorating • Tiling • Odd Jobs Repairs and Maintenance Bike Maintenance, Assembly and Repair We will repair and refurbish before we replace saving you expensive bills whilst being kind to the environment.

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DISCOVER INFORMATION

local groups WALKS FOR HEALTH Every Thursday 10.15 BishopsWaltham Square, contact Lydia Lockhart 01962 848725 UNIVERSITY OF THE 3RD AGE Tuesday twice monthly 1.30–3.30 Wickham Community Hall Contact 01329 833384 THE HEALING TRUST Healing Centre, Wickham Community Centre, Wickham. Every 4th Saturday of the month 10am til 12.30pm noon. Marjorie Nutland 01329 832637 SOUL CONNECTIONS – SPIRITUAL GROUP Priory Park Hall, Bishops Waltham. 3rd Sunday each Month, £5.00 Sue Murray 01489 799740 www.suemurrayhealing.co.uk NETBALL GROUP We train every Wed 5.30pm -7pm Swanmore College of Technology.

First session would be free. Call Dee 07979917202

Curdridge Amateur Drama Group Productions are twice a year – spring and autumn. Rehearsals – Mondays 7.45pm and Thursdays 7.30pm at the Reading Rooms, Curdridge. From time to time we run workshops and other social events. Phone Teresa 01489 895170 for more information.

DRAMA GROUP Every Monday at Jubilee Hall 4pm - 5.15pm (Junior) & 5.15pm - 6.30pm (Senior) Second youth centre-Helena Fox 01962 844600 Meon Valley Carers Group The Meon Valley Carers Group is a support group for the carers of people with Dementia. We meet every month for a pub lunch and also for a support group meeting. Cared for are welcome.

Phone Debbie on 01489 895444 Mon or Thurs 9.00-13.00 for details.

Swimming Club Hamble Aquatics are a local swimming club who are always looking for new members to help them realise their full swimming potential as well as keeping them fit and healthy. Full details at www.hamblequatics.org or call Paul Dollery 07849 853039 to discuss arranging a free trial.

SCOUTS www.meonvalleyscouting.org.uk Beaver Scouts 6-8, Cub Scouts 8-10, Scouts 10-14, Explorer Scouts14-18, Scout Network 18-25, plus Adult volunteers (18+) are always required as supporters, Leaders, Managers and Administrators. Meon Valley Scouting is centred in Bishops Waltham (inc Cudbridge & Durley), Droxford, Shedfield, Swanmore and Wickham. For further information, including Scouting in other areas, please contactus@meonvalleyscouting.org.uk

LUNCH CLUB Every Monday Jubilee Hall 1 - 2pm Christine Argyle 01489 894054 Tuesday Gwyn West 01489 891663 Thurs Gill Stainer 01489 893384

COMMIT TO GET FIT Circuits, Pilates, Zumba and Yoga classes in Bishops Waltham on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

See www.FitnessPilatesHampshire.com for details or call Carole on 02380 695136

JUBILEE WRITERS Thursday (Twice Monthly) 2pm – 4pm Stables Hall, Bishops Waltham Elizabeth Watt 01489 892224

COUNTRY MARKET Every Friday 9.30 – 11.00am Jubilee Hall, Bishops Waltham

Computer Classes West End Library Thursdays and Friday at 10am Waiting list, however if interested contact 0845 603 5631 /01329 225398 VT Cricket Club Portsmouth Rd, Sholing, Southampton SO19 9PW tel 02380 341745

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GARDENING CLUB Memberships only £6 call Keith Fry 01489 893755 BW YOUNG FARMERS CLUB 14-26 yrs – Thurs Anne 860236 MOBILE LIBRARY WICKHAM SQUARE Wednesday 9.20am – 12.20pm

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ART CLASSES 3 classes every Wed - Helena Hines Bishops Waltham Jubilee Hall WICKHAM CENTRE www.wickhamcentre.org.uk Keep Fit Monday 6 – 7pm Rifle Club Mon 7.30-9pm, Sat 10am-12noon Ladies Circuits Tues 9.30am – 10.30am Scallywags Dog Training Tues 6.30pm Wickham Indoor Bowling Tues & Fri 7.30pm Brownies Tuesday 4.45pm Church Room Lunch Club 11.30am Wed, Church Room Home Start Mother & Toddler Fri 9-12 noon Poppins Play Group Thursday Yoga with Paula Wed 10 -11.30am Wickham Community Centre Thu 10 -11.30am Jubilee Hall, Bishops Waltham Paula Dixon 01489 893648 Waltham Priory Probus Club We are a mixed Club of retired & semi-retired professional and business men and women. We meet once a month on the first Tuesday of each month at Brook House, Brook Lane, Botley at 10.30 a.m. for coffee followed by a Speaker, and lunch at 12.30 p.m. We have a wide selection of speakers on many interesting subjects, but also enjoy ourselves with some social events be it a coach trip, garden party, barbeque, conducted walks led by a guide followed by supper, and a variety of other events. Anyone wishing to find out more would be very welcome to contact our Secretary, Barry West on 01489 891663.

MEON VALLEY FLOWER CLUB Demos, workshops at Meonstoke Village Hall Ann Hammant 01730 829469 EVENTS AT SWANMORE Swanmore Baby & Toddler Group Every Tuesday (term-time only) 10am-11.30am Swanmore Village Hall Contact Layla Oates 07837 473590 Charities, free or very low cost events are listed above without charge and can be submitted by emailing Tania@discovermagazines.co.uk For other events a small charge is made starting from just £7 a month.

For more details email Melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk or call 023 8026 6388

DIS COV ER WHAT ’S ON PETER AND THE WOLD 22 Feb 2pm Royal Victoria Country Park SO31 5GA Head into the dark Russian woods and meet Peter, his grandmother and Sergei Prokofiev's other wonderful characters. With a chance to meet the puppets after the show. Suitable for 3+ Supported by 'Hog the Limelight'.

In the Heritage Visitor Centre. £5 pp.

what’s TREASURE ISLAND PANTO 23-26 Jan 7.30 (doors open 7.00) Sat matinee 2.30 (2.00).

Bishopstoke Memorial Hall, Riverside, Bishopstoke ‘Treasure Island, the Panto’ is a marvellous re-telling of the children’s classic adventure novel with all the fun of pantomime! There’s swashbuckling upon the high seas, treasure on a desert island, pirates and parakeets, a Dame with a vast behind and love and romance. Tickets £7 (£5 under 16s) from 023 8069 3032, e-mail bishplayers@btinternet. com, or link from website.

TOY & MODEL COLLECTORS’ FAIR 2 Feb 10:30am-2pm Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop’s Waltham, SO32 1ED A new Saturday Toy & Model Fair in Hampshire. This event should feature a wide range of collectable toys and models. Road, rail, air etc. Parking at the Hall is limited, so please use the town centre car park. From here it is a short, signposted walk to the Hall.

Adults £1.50, seniors and children £1.00.

BRAMDEAN HOUSE - OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS 17 Feb Bramdean House, Hampshire Garden famous for its mirror-image herbaceous borders. Carpets of spring bulbs especially snowdrops. A large and unusual collection of plants and shrubs, vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Small arboretum. Admission £4, Children free. 01962 771214. For

other opening times and information, by the Friends of Portsdown Hill. please phone or email. Open for £2, including refreshments. Alan charity.

Thurbon on 023 9232 5570 for further information, or www.portsdown.

KNIT ONE PEARL ONE hampshire.org.uk/ 2 Feb & 3 Feb 11am - 4pm Manor Farm Country Park, Pylands BRICKS, STEAM AND GUNS: THE Lane, Bursledon SO31 1BH VICTORIAN FORTS If you're a beginner or an expert, 13 Feb, 7:45pm come along and join us in the Church of the Resurrection Hall, Farmhouse this weekend. Bring your Brecon Avenue, Drayton, PO6 2AW own knitting, ask the experts or Portsmouth is surrounded by maybe give it a go for the first time. the most extensive and dramatic Price is included in normal Farm Victorian forts of the British Empire. admission charge. www.hants.gov. Geoff Hallett, secretary of the uk/manorfarm. 01489 787055 Palmerston Forts Society, will explain why and where they were built and MANAGING HYDEN WOOD: TALK how they were armed. £2 including 4 Feb 7:15 for 7:30pm refreshments. Call Alan Thurbon on East Meon Village Hall GU32 1PD 023 9232 5570 for more info, or see Presented by East Meon Garden Club, www.portsdown.hampshire.org.uk/ Coppice & its craftsmen. Christine Westcott will explain the whys and WINTER BIRD WALK wherefores regarding woodland 17 Feb, 11am to 1pm mangement, illustrating her talk with Manor Farm Country Park, examples from the management Bursledon of nearby Hyden Wood. Members A great time of year to join one of our free and visitors welcome for £1.00 Rangers and a local expert to discover each, payable on the door. www. the birds that are using the country eastmeongardenclub.com park in winter. Meet at: Barnfield Kiosk. £3 pp. Booking essential.

BRICKS, STEAMS & GUNS: THE www.hants.gov.uk/manorfarm VICTORIAN FORTS 01489 787055 13 Feb 7:45pm Church of Resurrection Hall, JUGGLING JAKE CIRCUS Brecon Avenue, Drayton PO6 2AW WORKSHOP Portsmouth is surrounded by 18 Feb 11am to 3pm the most extensive and dramatic Royal Victoria Country Park SO31 Victorian forts of the British Empire. 5GA Geoff Hallett, secretary of the Come and have a go! Great fun for Palmerston Forts Society, will explain the whole family. Just pop into the why and where they were built and Empire room / tearoom. Supported how they were armed. Talk presented by 'Hog the Limelight'. FREE

MUSICALS EVENING 23 Feb, 7pm Bitterne United Reformed Church, Bitterne Precinct (above Iceland), SO18 5EF We will be singing some of the musicals our fellowship presented between 1977 and 2002, such as Spirit, Son of Man, Jesus Folk and others. Do come along and join in.

Refreshments available. Retiring collection.

LITTLE COURT - OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS 22, 24, 25 Feb, 2pm to 5pm Little Court, Crawley, nr Winchester SO21 2PU 3 acres incl paddock; alpacas to see. Tree house (for all ages) and beautiful south views. Remarkable carpets of scented crocus and many other naturalised spring bulbs. Flint and brick walls throughout, with succession of good plants and colour.

Traditional kitchen garden and motley bantams. Peaceful, naturalistic and sheltered, many seats Also open Sun 25 Mar (2-5); Mon 9 Apr (2-5.30). £4, Children free. 01962 776365. Visitors also welcome by appointment Feb to Oct. Open for charity. www.ngs. org.uk/

WHERE TO LOOK FOR MORE WHAT’S ON: www.visit-hampshire.co.uk www.hants.gov.uk/events.htm http://www.southampton. gov.uk/news-events/events/ home.asp www.wherecanwego.com

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DISCOVER INDEX

For Advertisers offering multiple property services look under Property Maintenance, otherwise see specific trade e.g. electrician, carpenter etc.

Architect: R & G Design Town & Country Architects Bathrooms: See Plumbing Beauty: Dr Ben Inglis Bedrooms: Deanes Interiors Swan Systems Blinds: Waterside Blinds Builder: R & G Gamblin General Builders Target Building Butcher: Bishop's Waltham Butchers

5 25 9 3 19 4 16 24 23

Carpets & Flooring: Wilton Carpets Chimney Sweep: Pebble Beach Sweeps Cleaning: JB Domestic Cleaning Computer Services: Plates PCS

11 27 4

Dentist: Simon Smyth Dentistry Drain Services: Cleansing Service Group

15 13

23

Electrician: Assure Electrical Ltd D.Daniel Electrical Services Ltd Fencing: Colourfence Financial Services: Newman Cozens Financia Mg. SBA Financial Furniture: Deanes Interiors Swan Systems Garage Doors: Fix Quick Garage Doors Solent Garage Doors Garage Services: Scuffs 2 Scratches Wickham Tyre & Auto Centre Garden Design & Services: Arbor-Call Tree Surgeons Davis Tree Care Jon Curtis Tree Surgery & Garden M. Lawn Tech Revitalise Gardens Woodleigh Landscapes Gas Services: See Plumbing Locksmith: Winlocks

Distribution - Discover Meon Valley is published every month and distributed by Royal Mail to two alternating areas. In January, March etc it goes to homes and businesses in the SO32 1, SO32 3 and GU32 1 sectors.

In February, April etc it goes to SO32 2, PO17 5, PO17 6 sectors. This is a total of around 13,300 properties over the two month distribution.

Advertising - We understand that the needs of a small business are quite different to those of a big company, and our advertising service is very much targeted at independent and local businesses. From advert design to general advice we are here to help you grow. For more details call Melanie on

023 8026 6388 or email melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk

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c a l l D i s c o v e r M a g a z i n e s o n 02 3 8 02 6 6 3 8 8

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Plumbing Services (including bathroom installation and gas and boiler services) see also Property Maintenance: Gair Gas Gas Appliance Services Pipe Dreams Tom Mitchell Plumbing TP Watts Printer: Warwick Printing Company Property Maintenance & Improvements: BBI Dream Doors Hire A Handy Hero R & G Gamblin General Builders Target Building Solar Panels: Energy My Way

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Tree Surgery: See Garden Veterinary: Shield Veterinary Centre

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Although every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error or omission in the printing of an advert. Discover Magazines Ltd does not officially endorse any advertisers included within this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of the publisher. Publisher: Discover Magazines Ltd, 57 Wood End Way, Chandlers Ford SO53 4LN.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS SUDOKU

PICTOGRAM - Love and Kisses 1. Aphrodite, 2. The Bridge of Sighs, 3.

Pygmalion, 4. Romeo (from Romeo and Juliet), 5. Philadelphia, 6. Culture Club, 7. 7 hours and 15 days, 8. Glandular Fever, 9. Elizabeth I, 10. The gift of the gab

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Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning ÒMaking sure the right money, goes to the right people, at the right timeÓ Ð The SBA Philosophy You will learn: ¥ How to reduce Inheritance Tax. ¥ How to protect your family home from ravages of Long Term Care costs. ¥ How to protect your ChildrenÕs Inheritance from divorce. ¥ How to keep your money in the family bloodline. ¥ How to get peace of mind, that you have the right Will in place.

About our Speaker Steven Blofield is a highly qualified Financial & Estate Planner and has been helping his clients for over a decade. Steven is a popular local speaker, who can explain complex financial issues in an easy to understand and entertaining way. He is also proud to be the financial expert columnist for the Meon Valley News and the Chichester Observer.

We have two workshops available on Thursday 28 th February 2013 at Wickham Community Centre at 3.30pm to 5.30pm and 7pm to 9pm.

Only 20 places available to book, please call us NOW on 01489 878290 ÒWe were blissfully unaware of what we were losing out on until we met you and now that we have benefited personally so much from your expertise and knowledge we feel secure now in our future plans.Ó Ð Mr. & Mrs. Clarke (Hayling Island)

Michelmersh Barn, St Clairs Farm, Wickham Road, Droxford, Southampton SO32 3PW Tel: 01489 878290 Fax: 01489 877547 E-mail: enquiries@sba-financial.co.uk Website: www.sba-financial.co.uk

SBA Financial Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Registered in England and Wales: 5669998. Registered Office: Wellesley House, 204 London Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7AN

Will you or won’t you?

Around 70% of the UK population donÕt have a will!

Come to our FREE Wills & Estate Planning Workshop Thursday 28th February 2013 Wickham Community Centre at 3.30pm and 7pm!

Please turn over for more details insideÉ