Bighton and Gundleton News

BIGHTON GUNDLETON NEWS

THE

MAY 2015

ISSUE 8

Welcome to this newsletter which we hope will keep you up to date with village events. Please send information for inclusion to bobellis@chinthurstbighton.fsnet.co.uk by 22nd May

MIDSUMMER FEAST WITH CEILIDH AND ROAST LAMB SUPPER

DANCING TO THE WOODSIDERS CEILIDH AND BARN DANCE BAND WITH CALLER Saturday, 27th June, 7:00 – 11:30 pm, Bighton Village Hall, and grounds (By kind permission of McCowen Farms)

A fun event for Bighton and Gundleton and the wider community of friends and neighbouring districts !

Proceeds to the St. Andrew’s Church, Myanmar Project More information to follow soon

or please contact bobellis@chinthurstbighton.fsnet.co.uk / 01962773427

NOW FIND ABOUT THE St. Andrew’s Church, Myanmar Project ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, TOMMAWA VILLAGE, PALETWA, MYANMAR (BURMA)

The existing Church

Revd. Amanda at St. Andrew’s

The new foundations

Last autumn, Revd. Amanda Grant, Curate in our Benefice, went on a visit to Myanmar for three weeks as part of her training. This placement visit was possible because of a new flagship pilot scheme which encourages Assistant Curates (as part of their training criteria) to be actively involved with various overseas Diocesan Mission partnerships.

Amanda chose to visit Myanmar because, historically, the Anglican Diocese of Winchester has been linked with the Anglican Province of Burma (now Myanmar) since 1877.

Amanda had previously met Bishop James Mindein (Bishop of Sittwe, Myanmar) in London the summer before her trip, and at this meeting Bishop James invited her to spend 6 days working alongside him in the rural province of Sittwe. Due to the remote locality of Bishop James’ diocese, this opportunity offered a full, interesting and diverse schedule as both Bishop James and Amanda accessed his parishioners (flock) by boat and then on foot.

Amanda was the first woman priest of the Church of England to be hosted in the remote Diocese of Sittwe. She was granted government travel permits, which enabled her to visit a remote region in this diocese. The village of Paletwa was reached by travelling by boat from Sittwe to Paletwa, one of the westernmost towns of Myanmar where Bishop James’ home and offices are located.

While staying in the Bishop’s home, in Paletwa, Amanda was able to visit some of the remote (jungle) villages in the area. In one village, Tommawa, Amanda met Revd. Tarzan (yes, that really is his name!), the priest of St. Andrew’s Church and parish. Revd. Tarzan is an inspirational man, who runs the community and the church, which is central and the only building (other than bamboo houses) in the community. The church building is used every day as a community centre, and many meetings and group functions are held there; these include food distribution, health visits by nurses, women’s sewing groups, a meeting place for mothers and children, the men’s group, Mothers’ Union meetings, community meetings, community and church business meetings and much more. It is also used for educational purposes.

That said, the church is in a bad state of repair; the bamboo walls are eroding and the corrugated iron roof in disrepair. After a church service Revd. Tarzan showed Amanda brick foundations at the back of the church and explained that these were for a new church. When Amanda asked when building was to start he told her that they have no money to actually construct the church, but that his vision is that God will provide and that the new church will be built. He (and the community) are so faithful in this vision that a few years ago they laid foundations for the new church and combined community centre, and every day since they wait and pray faithfully for the money to build the church. The total cost to rebuild St. Andrew’s church is £15,000 and local materials, some from the community and others brought in by boat, will be used; labourers including the men, women and children will all help build the new church.

Amanda’s visit to the Paletwa region was filmed and she has given a number of presentations across the Winchester diocese, which have provoked great interest and enthusiasm for this project. As a result since early February the Arle Valley Benefice has launched a fundraising campaign, supported by other parishes, and to date over £5,000 has been raised.

On hearing about this, an offer has also been made by another charity which supports children in Myanmar to give £3,000 to build a pre-school. Amanda has just had an email from Bishop James to say that they have started building the pre-school; the church is falling down to the extent that they have moved to a temporary quickly-erected structure.

Amanda is very willing to give her presentation in Bighton. If you might be interested in hearing about her amazing experience in Myanmar please contact us so that we can get an idea of numbers and keep you informed. Or if you wish to make a donation please send to Bighton PCC c/o Bob Ellis.

PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING on 21

May at 7.30p.m. in Bighton Village Hall.

All parishioners welcome to attend. st

VILLAGE HALL - LOTTERY Monthly prizes for April were: 1st £50, 2nd £30, 3rd £20, 4th £15.

Prizes were won by: 1st Simon McCowen; 2nd Gina Tufnell; 3rd Johnny Scott; 4th Gail Johnson.

For more information about the Village Hall see www.bighton.org.uk FETE NEWS This year’s fete SUNDAY, 6th SEPTEMBER, 2015 – VINTAGE VILLAGE FAIR The new tents have arrived.

Details of the stalls and sideshows in next month’s issue.

Any offers of help to Bob Ellis at the e mail address shown for Big Gun News or phone 773427 BIGHTON GUNDLETON NEWS As this is the eighth issue of this community publication, it seems timely to ask for any opinions as to whether you find this useful to keep you in touch with ‘What’s happening in Bighton and Gundleton’ (and locally). Our aim was, and continues to be, to let everyone know about events, and we have received some positive feedback. We felt that although Village Voice was irreplaceable, a situation with no publication would leave us all in the dark regarding local happenings.

It seems to have grown as people are sending in their information and advertising forthcoming events. It would be interesting to know your views on this. Is it worthwhile? Is it of interest to you?

THE

CHILDREN’S CONCERT A community idea from Felicia Gray (a talented music and drama student from Gundleton) :Before Felicia goes off to study BA Musical Theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September, she was wondering if there was any interest from parents to involve the children in the community to hold a concert to raise money for the St. Andrew’s Church, Myanmar Project and the Ropley Church Rebuilding Fund.

Felicia is DBS approved and is a singing teacher for Stagecoach Early Stages in Winchester and has been singing in the Hampshire County Choirs for 9 years. She also has experience working alongside West End professionals with the Petersfield Youth Theatre and assisting the production of Bugsy Malone at The Westgate School.

If you would like to be involved or wish to know more, please contact Felicia at sue_mae_gray@hotmail.com and if there is enough interest to make this a feasible project she will contact you with potential rehearsal/concert dates etc. This would be after the June exams.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH Services for MAY at 11a.m.

3rd All age Worship (Ian) 10th Holy Communion (Phil) 17th Morning Prayer 24th Holy Communion for PENTECOST (Bryce) 31st NO SERVICE AT BIGHTON BENEFICE SERVICE 9.30a.m. St.Mary’s, Old Alresford At the Annual Church meetings the following were elected:Churchwardens: Bob Ellis and Mike Manley; Secretary: Sarah White; Treasurer: Sue Gray; PCC members: John Sargent, Ray Jeffrey, Elizabeth Prescott-Decie, Simon Pettinati, Sally Ellis.

A presentation was made to Simon McCowen who was retiring as Churchwarden after many years.

All Saints Church belongs to the whole community, and the elected representatives are here as guardians to look after the Church building and contents for everyone in our community.

Copies of the PCC report and accounts are available form the back of the Church.

An exciting new venture for Bighton and Gundleton families - Community Church Activities

BiG4U! This is an opportunity for families to get together and share a fun time with friends and neighbours in a Christian ethos.

What?

• activities for children (and parents) • short Worship time designed for children to be involved • tea for everyone When? We propose to have these on Saturday afternoons from 4.00 – 5.30 p.m. as follows:• Saturday, 27th June – Summer Celebration • Saturday, 10th October – Harvest Thanksgiving • Saturday, 28th November – Advent and preparation for Christmas Where? Bighton Village Hall (Please note change of day, date and time!)

Do you think you might be interested in this? Is this something your children would like to come along to? We are hoping families would like to be involved in this, but this is intended as a community event for everyone who would like to come along.

ANYONE OF ANY AGE WILL BE VERY WELCOME. If you are interested, please could you let us know your email address so that we can keep you informed, or for further information please contact Bob and Sally Ellis (bobellis@chinthurstbighton.fsnet.co.uk or 773427)

THE ENGLISH PARTRIDGE

STOP PRESS! THIS WEEKEND, 2nd and 3rd MAY ALE AND CIDER FESTIVAL WITH BBQ AND LIVE MUSIC Every Friday Fresh Battered Fish And Chip Night, selection of fish available. 6.00 till 7.30pm.

Every Other Wednesday Acoustic Guitarist Edward Nichols plays live, Special Menu available; sit back and relax with family and friends in the amazing interior of The English Partridge. 7.45 till 9.15pm. (See board outside for dates.)

Every Other Monday Quiz Night 8.00pm. (See board outside for dates.)

Our Full Menu available Monday to Saturday.

Sunday is Roast Day (why not carve your own roast at your table for parties over 8?, 48hrs notice required) 12noon till 4pm.

The English Partridge, Bighton Dean Road, Bighton, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9RE Tel:- 01962 732859 The Old Alresford Dramatic Society presents: A THEATRE SUPPER & MURDER MYSTERY entitled

'SUDDEN DEATH AT OLD ALRESFORD MANOR' by Chris Lewis & Carol Hutton.

The show will run from 13th to 16th May at The Christy Hall , Old Alresford, SO24 9DH. Doors and bar open at 7.00pm., performance begins at 7.30 pm.

This will be set in the 50s as a BBC Radio play. You are invited to take a light supper (Ploughman's included in your ticket price), enjoy drinks throughout the evening and witness some funny goings on as the audience seek to uncover the perpetrator of the dastardly deed.

Expect jokes, japes and general jollity - but keep your eyes peeled, you may be brought forward for questioning!

TICKETS £12.00 Online www.oa-toads.org.uk Box Office 01962 736257 Email boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk ADVERTISEMENT BEGINNERS MAHJONG LESSONS I am starting a new group to play Mahjong. To put this into motion I am firstly giving lessons in Mahjong for beginners, and welcome all those who may have played in the past but would like a refresher course.

The meetings are every week on a Tuesday, 11.00am - 1.30pm at “The English Partridge”, Bighton.

For more information or to book your place please contact Anne on 01420 563393 or room4therapy@gmail.com

ALRESFORD SURGERY

Newsletter – May 2015

Bank Holiday Closures th th We have a number of Bank Holiday closures in May. We will be closed on Monday 4 May & Monday 25 May. Outside surgery hours urgent medical care is provided by Care UK. The service is available by telephoning 111 or 01962 718697 if 111 is not available from where you are calling.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can provide medical advice and details of the best local service that can provide care.

A team of fully trained call advisers, supported by nurses, assess patients’ symptoms and put them directly in touch with the people who can help; for example, an out of hours doctor, a district nurse or an emergency dentist — or it may be something as simple as a 24 hour chemist. NHS 111 can also send an ambulance, without delay, if required. The Southampton, Hampshire and Portsmouth NHS 111 service is provided by the South Central Ambulance Service, with a call handling centre based in Hampshire.

When should you use it?

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if: • You need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency • You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service • You don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call • You need health information or reassurance about what to do next Urgent GP Appointments If you are feeling very unwell and feel you need to see a doctor on the same day then we operate a duty doctor system.

Each morning and afternoon one of our doctors acts as Duty Doctor who deals with emergencies and has appointments set aside to see patients who are acutely unwell. However, our receptionists do not have access to these appointment slots; instead they will book you a telephone appointment with either the triage nurse or the duty doctor who will call you back to discuss your symptoms. In some cases they may be able to deal with your problem over the telephone or they will book you an appointment which is appropriate for your condition.

Please do not arrive at the surgery asking for an urgent appointment as the receptionist will have to send you home to receive a phone call first.

This telephone triage system is working very well and means that we are able to see patients quickly when they are most in need of medical attention.

Patient Access Queries If you are having any problems with registering with Patient Access for online appointment booking & repeat prescription ordering then please take a look at the Frequently asked questions on the Patient Access website; https://patient.emisaccess.co.uk/Content/Static/HelpCombined.htm if you cannot find the answer to your questions here, please contact the Surgery who will endeavour to help you, but they may not be able to help you on the same day. th

Tuesday 19 May The Doctors will be on a training day on this day, so a reduced service will be operating.

Website Don’t forget to check our website from time to time. It is updated regularly with news from the surgery, opening hours, doctor’s surgery hours as well as lots of information about minor and long term health conditions.

You can also like our Facebook page or Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with what’s going on at the Surgery.

Twitter: @AlresfordSurg Facebook: facebook.com/AlresfordSurg Travel abroad If you are travelling abroad and think you may need advice and vaccinations from us you must complete a questionnaire (available from reception or from our website) and make an appointment with a nurse. We have become aware that patients are often leaving it too late to seek this help, some vaccinations need a course spread over a few weeks so please make apply in good time – up to 2 months before departure.

You can find more information on; http://www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk/clinics-and-services.aspx?t=4

STOP PRESS! NEPAL EARTHQUAKE DISASTER FUNDRAISING EVENT IN BIGHTON Bighton and Gundleton Book Club is proposing to hold a

Bring and buy book and cake sale with refreshments and a raffle on SATURDAY, 23rd MAY from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in Bighton Village Hall Any offers of help, books, cakes or raffle prizes gratefully received.

Please contact Gail Johnson 01962 736556, bighton.hall.bookings@gmail.com

EVENTS IN MAY 13th to 16th May 7.00 p.m. for 7.30p.m.start, at The Christy Hall , Old Alresford TOADS present 'SUDDEN DEATH AT OLD ALRESFORD MANOR' (A THEATRE SUPPER & MURDER MYSTERY).

17th May Alresford Watercress Festival 21st May at 7.30 p.m. at Bighton Village Hall, PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING 23rd May, 2:30-4:30pm Bring and Buy Book and Cake Sale, Bighton Village Hall 31st May at 7.30 p.m. at St. John’s Church, Alresford, GOOD CAUSES CONCERT, Tickets £20 from Six West, Parish Office or Theatre Royal (01962 840440, theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk).

EVENTS IN JUNE 21st June Alresford Pigs’ Duck Race 27th June BIG4U! Summer Celebration, Bighton Village Hall, 4.00 – 5.30p.m.

27th June Midsummer Feast and Ceilidh, Bighton Village Hall, 7.00 – 11.30p.m.

EVENTS IN 2015 Parish Council meetings: 16th July, 17th September, 19th November Fete Sunday, 6th September BUS SERVICES 240 Timetable Mondays and Thursdays (not Bank Holidays) Departs Gundleton 09.16, Bighton 09.19, arrives West Street Alresford 09.29 Departs West Street Alresford 11.20, arrives Bighton 11.30, Gundleton 11.33 Departs Gundleton 11.46, Bighton 11.49, arrives West Street Alresford 11.59 Departs West Street Alresford 13.50, arrives Bighton 14.00, Gundleton 14.03 Any queries, please call Cresta on 01962 773236 CONTACTS: Arle Valley Benefice Rector Canon Phil Collins 01962 732105 philcollinsrector@yahoo.co.uk Bighton Village Hall bookings Ian Johnson 01962 736556 bighton.hall.bookings@gmail.com Bighton and Gundleton website www.bighton.org.uk Clerk to Bighton Parish Council Sarah White 01962 733216 clerk.bighton@parish.hants.gov.uk Churchwardens , All Saints Mike Manley Bob Ellis 01962 773427 bobellis@chinthurstbighton.fsnet.co.uk

Arle Valley Benefice

www.stjohnsalresford.org.uk www.facebook.com/StJohnsAlresford

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Colin Squibb bighton_nhw@btinternet.com Local area police 101 for non emergencies(calls of any duration cost 15p Alresford Surgery Out of Hours Medical Hampshire County Councillor

Winchester City Councillors Simon Cook 01962 733870 Ernest Jeffs 01962 734629 Margot Power 01962 734167

from landlines)

01962 732345 www.alresford surgery.co.uk 111 Jackie Porter 01962 791054 The Down House, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, Winchester SO21 1AX jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk scook@winchester.gov.uk ejeffs@winchester.gov.uk mpower@winchester.gov.uk

Whilst every care is taken to see that dates, times & other details are correctly stated, we can take no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred for whatever reason.