Village Voice June/July 2012

June / July 2012

VILLAGE VOICE Serving the communities of Abbotstone : Bighton : Gundleton : Old Alresford

VILLAGE VOICE Editor and Bighton contact Jill Buss Four Ways, Bighton Lane, Gundleton, SO24 9SW village.voice@btinternet.com

01962 734853

Old Alresford contact To be announced Design and layout Geoff Buss Four Ways, Bighton Lane, Gundleton, SO24 9SW village.voice@btinternet.com Distribution coordinators Jill Buss Bighton and Gundleton Michael Thwaites Old Alresford and Abbotstone

IN THIS ISSUE Page

1

Comment

Page

3

Bighton news and events

Page

5

Bighton & District Flower Show

Page

7

Old Alresford news and events

Page

9

Arle Valley Benefice Educational Fund

Church Services

Pages 9 – 11

Jackie’s County Column

Page 11

Alresford & District - Public Transport, Shopping

Pages 12 – 13

Farm Diary – Goscombe Farm, Gundleton 2012

Pages 15 – 16

From Steve Brine MP

Pages 16 – 17

Memories of Bighton

Page 17

The unkindest cut of all

Pages 17 – 18

Less successful aspects of my business career

Pages 18 – 19

Welcome to the hotel …

Page 20

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service: Water safety

Page 21

Small ads

Page 22

Noticeboard Winchester Villages Trust

Page 23

Clubs page

Page 24

The Alresford Surgery newsletter

01962 734853

01962 734853 01962 733978

COMMENT

Many of us in the villages surrounding Alresford are disappointed to find that we will be left out in the cold when Hampshire gets its superfast broadband. Hampshire County Council expects to have a total budget of around £20m to improve broadband within the county. Their planning assumption is that implementation will commence early in 2013 and be completed in 2015.

They say that the aim of their programme is to ensure that 90% of the premises within Hampshire receive access to 'super-fast' speeds in excess of 24Mbps with the remaining 10% having access to a minimum of 2Mbps. (They emphasise that 2Mbps will be the minimum speed and they expect to push beyond this speed.)

Here’s an example: As some concerned residents have established, Gundleton’s distance from the exchange (around 4km) is provisionally within the hardest-to-reach 10%. In other words, because you live outside the town, you could be penalised.

It won’t matter how urgent your need for fast broadband, your geographical location will dictate the availability, while people in the town will have broadband 12 times faster.

bidders the high level of demand that exists in Hampshire they are more likely to receive a greater injection of private finance which will help them push beyond the 90% target.

So if you haven’t yet registered your demand, I implore you to do so now, and help us get a fairer allocation. If you want to talk to other interested parties, please contact: Barry Edge on barry@barryedge.co.uk Jill Buss

PARISH EDUCATION TRUST For information concerning the Trust, please see the article, Arle Valley Benefice Educational Fund on page 9, in this issue of the magazine.

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Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau at the Alresford GP Surgery IF YOU NEED HELP Contact CAB on 01962 848000 or drop in to the surgery on Mondays between 1- 3pm (not bank holidays) IF YOU WANT TO HELP Please donate to CAB on line at www.winchestercab.org.uk Or send donations to CAB – Alresford, 68 St George’s Street, Winchester, SO23 8AH

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BIGHTON NEWS

Bighton - Friday Bus New pick-up times for passengers who use the minibus from Old Alresford, Gundleton and Bishops Sutton.

To be sure of catching the bus on the outward journey, we suggest that you arrive at the stop with at least 10 minutes to spare.

The Brook 9.30am.

Gundleton crossroads 9.40am.

Bishops Sutton 9.45am.

Arrive at the Alresford Community Centre 9.55am.

Return trip starts at

11.30am.

1st Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion (said) 2nd Sunday 9.30am Parish Communion 3rd Sunday 9.30am Parish Communion 4th Sunday 9.30am Parish Communion

Thursdays

1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday

9am

Holy Communion

11am 11am 11am 11am

Family Service Parish Communion Matins Holy Communion

Village Hall Monthly Draw winners March: £40: £25: £20: £15:

Julie Crawford Andy Brough Gail Johnson Dominique Defelice-Hubbard

April: £40: £25: £20: £15:

Simon McCowen Sarah White Debbie Warren Sandy Scott

Mobile library update Wouldn’t you just know it? No sooner did we give the up-to-date overdue charges in our April / May edition, than they went and cancelled them. According to the Mobile Library driver (just after we went to print at the end of March), the overdue charges have been cancelled for mobile library users, except if they took out their books at a main library. It gets a little complicated according to whether the main library has ‘self-checkout’ but the main point is that if you take out your books at the mobile library and they become overdue, you no longer have to pay charges. Ask the librarian for more details. I’m going to lie down in a darkened room.

Jill Buss PS. To regular users: please note: because of the Diamond Jubilee, the van will be calling a week late in June, on the 26th.

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4

Bighton jumble sale 24th

The sale at Bighton Village Hall on March made £193 (in aid of the village hall). Thanks to all who donated or helped.

Christine Hurn and Sheila Lovett

Mobile Library Service Gundleton opposite Hill Farm 2.55 - 3.25pm

Bighton Three Horseshoes 3.30 - 4.00pm Every four weeks on Tuesdays as listed below:

June

26th THE 2012 FLOWER SHOW

The Bighton and District Flower and Produce Show lives to fight another day – in simplified form!

It’s never an easy decision to take, but I am ever the optimist and can’t imagine July without the Flower Show, so Saturday July 28th is the day.

We have decided to make the Show even more accessible this year by simplifying some of the classes, with fewer veg needed and some delicious recipes to try. Everyone in the village has something to offer the Show – be it some creatively produced craftwork, an easy cake, biscuits, flowers and foliage for the kitchen table (everyone can do that one) or a few herbs. Flowers, fruit and vegetables feature proudly as well, and many more people are growing their own! You don’t need to grow to show, just enter something that is good at the time –

you won’t need many, and you can take them home and eat them afterwards.

Children love making things – any models, drawing or paintings from all ages are welcome. We have a lot of children in the village, and it’s the Bighton AND DISTRICT show, so get friends involved too. Everyone loves to see the white-clothed tables packed with colourful entries, including children’s favourite photographs.

It’s not stuffy and formal, it’s fun and really satisfying to see the fruits of everyone’s imagination and skill laid out in the Village Hall on a July Saturday – it’s great to see tips being exchanged between entrants in the afternoon before going home to a special tea with home-made cakes. Do try to take part, as a village we don’t have many opportunities to gather together, so we look forward to seeing you there! Look for the schedule on the village website www.bighton.org.uk and through your door in June.

Elaine Arnold, on behalf of the Flower and Produce Show organising committee.

Terrana Fantastica Book I The Cypher Annulus

by Geoff Buss A Medieval Fantasy suitable for ages from 16 to 90.

Only available as an e-book now in the Kindle Store at Amazon First review posted said: “An easy-to-read book which lifted me from the doldrums of the day, with chivalrous knights and feats of derring-do. Well worth the money, and I'll keep an eye out for the next two books and download them too. As a little side note, the author has paid much attention to spelling and grammar. Something many books on Kindle lack..”

Rated

5

Old Alresford OLYMPIC Village Fair Saturday 16th June 2012 2 – 4.30pm on the Village Green Come and enjoy this long established Traditional Village Fair Arena events including Dog Show.

Bottle Stall, Grand Draw and BBQ. Bouncy Castle, Duck Race, Plant stall, Bric a Brac , Book and Toy stall.

Produce stalls and much much more.

Displays by Eastleigh Boat Club and Alresford Fire and Rescue Service.

Old Alresford 2012

Contact:- Sarah Richardson 732720, Clive Hancock 736257 or Erica Sisk 732735

Helpers and your generous donations for stalls are needed for

2pm on the Village Green Stall holders will be delighted to receive goods and offers of help, so please get in touch with: Teas - Heather Galley732720 Bottle stall - Mark and Sally Shaw 734199 Plant stall - Sue Alexander 732043 Books - Sarah Richardson 732720 Toys - Alison Byrne 07733010092 Produce - Erica Sisk 732735 Bric a Brac - Jane Culmer 732611 Cakes - (stall holder needed) The Grand Draw - Caroline Kirk 735752 And lots of help will be needed with sideshows, car parking and arena events Clive Hancock 736257 6

OLD ALRESFORD NEWS CHURCHWARDENS At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 22nd April Sarah Richardson and Lady Wakeham stood down as churchwardens after five years of service.

The Rector, Revd. Phil Collins, thanked them for all the work, energy and enthusiasm they had given to St. Mary's Parish Church during their time of office.

Gail Straker and Antonia (Toni) Booth were elected as their successors.

Revd Phil Collins with Lady Wakeham (right) and Sarah Richardson (left)

St. Mary’s Church, Old Alresford Please come along on the evening of

Monday 4th June 7.30pm Bring a picnic and watch the Jubilee Concert from Buckingham Palace relayed to the church.

10.15pm Lighting of the Beacon on the church tower.

10.30pm Watch H.M. The Queen light the National Beacon.

10.45pm Organ music for a Royal occasion.

Wine & fruit juice on sale

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Don’t be embarrassed to call if you can’t set up that TV, DVD, Video or Digibox, for our normal call-out fee we will happily come round and make it work, even if we didn’t supply it. roger.dewey2@btinternet.com 8

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB Interested in farming and the countryside, enjoy meeting like-minded young people, aged between 10 and 26 years? Then why not come along to a meeting of Alresford Young Farmers’ Club. We meet in the Christy Hall, Old Alresford, on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm-9pm. To find out more about Young Farmers and the many varied activities, including competitions, stockjudging, farm visits, 4x4 driving, county shows, social events and much more, please contact: Tim Stevens, Chairman, on 07762 612820 or Emma Bowden, Secretary, on 07979 808927 or by post at: Grove Cottage, Moundsmere, Basingstoke, or at website address: www.hantsyfc.org.

Royal Air Forces Association The Alresford and District branch of the R.A.F.A. meet at the Swan Hotel, Alresford on the first Thursday of each month, at 8pm. New members are always welcome.

Contact Derek Sweetenham (Chairman) on 733559, or Brian Gabriel (Secretary) on 734482 for details.

ARLE VALLEY BENEFICE EDUCATIONAL FUND When the Old Alresford village school was closed in the late 1980s, part of the proceeds of sale of the school buildings and site was put into a trust fund for the Parish. It was established as the Old Alresford Parish Educational Fund, for the provision of religious education, according to the tenets of the Church of England, in the Parish.

For the past 20 years the Trustees have sought to make use of the Fund for the benefit of the Parish, but gradually the number of calls on the Fund has dwindled and the Trustees consider that the time has come to widen the area of coverage of the Fund. When approached the Charity Commission would not countenance the use of the money for any purpose outside the original objects of the Fund.

The Trustees have therefore resolved, - and the Charity Commissioners have said they have no objection, - that the benefit of the Fund for the provision of religious education shall be extended to all four Parishes in the Arle Valley Benefice of which Old Alresford Parish is part.

The name of the Fund has been changed to the title at the top of this article and the appointment of trustees has been changed so that the Rector of the Benefice is the Chairman and each of the four Parochial Church Councils will annually nominate one trustee.

So from May this year the Fund will be open to all within the four Parishes of the Benefice and when the new Trustees meet for the first time they will announce how they will receive applications for financial assistance from the Fund.

JACKIE’S COUNTY COLUMN June The County Council has put forward a proposal for a new primary school to open 2014, following extensive pressure from Councillors. The Consultation for a ‘New School for Winchester’, is currently underway, and closes on June 15th. If you would like to respond, please go to www.hants.gov.uk and click on “have your say”.

Wherever you live in the Division, your community is bound to be having one or more Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. I hope that you enjoy the weekend, and thanks to ALL the volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure that the wide range of ‘Right Royal’ Events goes well.

There’s an unusual website to record problems: it’s called Glum Councillors! I haven’t added anything yet because a number of items on the local waiting list are being done this month, particularly sections of road resurfacing. If you think that your path is poor or road needs resurfacing, please go to www.fixmystreet.com and let me know too.

Parish Plans are underway across the whole division now. These plans are written by Parishioners. The final document is owned by the Parish, but used to inform all those who might need to know what your community sees as priorities. These priorities can be as diverse as setting up more whole village events, to traffic calming, from more 9

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children’s play areas to facilities for outside Tai Chi! The important thing is that the results are evidence based on replies from the whole community, so that Councils and Councillors know that it represents the views of the Parish, not just the few that wrote the plan!

Please get involved if you can. A group of residents who are particularly welcome (but often find it difficult to get involved) are parents with younger children: if you are in this group, please consider how you could exchange and contribute your views maybe via email or Facebook?

Talking of which, by the time you read this, my website should have a Facebook link: go to www.jackieporter.mycouncillor.org.uk and click on the logo‌

ALRESFORD & DISTRICT PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SHOPPING We are all aware of the constant cut-backs in local bus services. This has left many people isolated and reduced the customer base for our local shops in Alresford at a time when the economic climate is difficult for most of us. A group of volunteers has come together to try and devise a way to re-establish local transport and shop support. The purpose of this questionnaire is to see if our initial thoughts are practical, financially viable and heading in the right direction. Our intent is to collect data throughout April to August, and report the findings in September. A copy of this report will be sent to any respondent who gives their email address. The contact information for the members of the groups, and the web link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Alres fordShopsBuses Margot Power

INFORMATION CENTRES WHATEVER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICES IN HAMPSHIRE WHY NOT CONTACT US ON OUR FREE HELPLINE? Councillor Jackie Porter e-mail: Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk www.jackieporter.mycouncillor.org.uk Phone: 01962 791054 Text: 07973 696 085 or write to me at: The Down House, Itchen Abbas, Winchester, Hants SO21 1AX

0800 028 0888 Email: info.centres@hants.gov.uk Textphone: 0808 100 2484 (for customers with hearing or speech difficulties) SMS TEXT Messaging: 07797 877 010 www.hants.gov.uk/info 11

FARM DIARY Goscombe Farm, Gundleton 2012 March continued with regular new arrivals on the farm. The majority of the cows seem to calve at night, and while it is quieter, it’s tiring when you’re on call seven days a week. The Cheeky girls are thriving but twins are not ideal due to various complications: a second cow produced twins a few days after Mrs Jedward but very sadly both calves were stillborn. The death of any of my animals affects me greatly no matter how it occurs; at these times you do not need to be reminded of the old saying ‘When you have livestock you have dead stock’.

Chris (hubby) decided I needed some retail therapy to cheer me up, so after lunch and having arranged a few hours cover for the animals it was into the pickup and off: no! not West Quay or Festival Place but West Sussex to buy a new Charolais breeding bull; he knows how to spoil me!.

I run three Charolais bulls with my 100+ suckler cows. I lost my old bull Sydney last May; he had been with me for nine years, producing many quality calves. He was a much-loved character but needed replacing.

My two other Charolais bulls are firstly, ‘Bromham Careful’, (Bromham being the herd name followed by the breeder choice which has to begin with the prefix letter for the year of birth, so 2007 is a ‘C’, 2008 a ‘D’ and so on). As you can imagine the thought of calling ‘Careful’ across the field 12

just would not work, so he was given the pet name of George (sorry not a ‘C’).

George is a polled bull (no horns) and his being the dominant gene means the majority of his calves are polled which makes for easier calving due to the shape of the head (plus no de-horning). The second bull, ‘Farleycopse Dictator’, Dickie for short, 2008-born, was bought for his figures which show things like growth rate, ease of calving, muscle depth, maternal traits, and so on. Dickie’s figures put him in the top 1% of his breed and his calves are evidence of that with tremendous growth rate.

Mike, the Scottish Farleycopse Charolais herds man had a choice of three 18 monthold bulls for hubby and me to see and after much debate, coffee, biscuits, and chat about the world, the choice was made: ‘Farleycopse Fitzgerald’ would join the herd in April. Leaving I felt happier although a few thousand pounds lighter.

The fantastic spring weather in March meant that the decision was made to take the freshly-calved cows and their calves from Goscombe to Bighton Bottom Farm (BBF), Gundleton; having the facilities at BBF has enabled my farm business to continually expand and my thanks go to the Terrill family.

The cows and calves thrived in the lovely warm grassy fields but what a difference a month makes! Well I know we needed the rain but April showers were an

understatement this year; the change in the weather has affected the cattle: two cows had pneumonia, one was very poorly with the vet attending twice and several calves also required medication as early signs of pneumonia were detected but thankfully, all are recovered and well now.

The calving slowed down through April so it was great to have eight hours of sleep in one go and I must thank hubby for doing many of the late-night checks and for the help and support he and my family give me.

The new bull ‘Fitzzy’ passed all his vet checks and has now arrived. To help him settle he was put with three cows and their calves and let’s just say, proved himself very quickly.

Those of you passing the farm may have noticed the tiny New Forest/Shetland colt in the roadside paddock; his name is ‘Blakewater Arashi’, Blakey for short. I took a steer to the fat stock show at Salisbury market last December; Harriet came to help.

She went to get me a bucket of water and spotted the ‘poor, tiny little pony on its own looking so lost and sad, how could she leave it there?’ ‘Easy’ was my reply, but as you can see, he came home with us. He is really cute and funny but can be rather naughty like any baby; he was one in May. Update – Polly the house pig gave us a scare in March; one afternoon I noticed she was a bit off-colour and within two hours her head had become very swollen and she was having a problem breathing. A call to the vet was made but it was all rather puzzling.

Medication was collected and administered fairly quickly (not easy with a pig) and within an hour or so the swelling began to subside.

On closer inspection Harriet found what looked like a wasp sting in her neck. Polly is a very lucky pig. She is growing extremely

fast and really strong but became very demanding and started being destructive so it was time for her to move out. She now has a lovely house and play area on the patio, she loves her new space, (the down side is a heat lamp, on 24/7). When the weather dries and warms up she will move again.

All the other piglets are now weaned and growing well, the sows were pleased to have a rest. Last year’s piglets are just about ready to go to Laverstoke; the facilities there are first class and when the butchered pork is returned, I sell direct.

The feedback from the sold beef and pork is 100% positive and all the animals are naturally reared.

Next report to include preparing the cattle for the show season, starting with Alton show. Which reminds me, must fill out the entry form, closing date soon.

Sarah Jackson If you would like more information on Sarah’s farm-produced products please email Goscombe.farm@sky.com

Steve Brine MP and Popcorn support rural industry at Sarah’s Goscombe Lane farm 13

The Children’s Society Winchester Deanery Committee invite you to

Longstock Park Water Gardens, Leckford by kind permission of the John Lewis Partnership.

Sunday, 3rd June 2012 2.00pm - 5.00pm Enjoy an afternoon stroll around the wonderful Longstock Water Gardens Entry: Adults £5, Children under 12, £1 All proceeds go to The Children’s Society

Winchester Bereavement Support WBS: Helping people to come to terms with grief and loss and to move forward with their lives.

Tel: 01962 863626 A confidential free service 14

FROM STEVE BRINE MP As the new parliamentary session gets underway following last month’s Queen’s Speech (I still take a moment to pinch myself when Black Rod knocks on the Commons door!) we are seemingly set for some passionate debate ahead over sentencing reform, gay ‘marriage’, the implementation of the coalition’s welfare reforms and controversial proposals to increase the government’s ability to monitor email, web and social media traffic.

There is also the small matter of House of Lords reform which threatens the entire legislative agenda of the coalition.

Personally, I want to see the Lords reformed but we should start by thinking what we want a second chamber to actually do, not what we need to do to it for the expediency of the coalition. Let's reduce its size (by allowing retirement and introducing disqualification), remove the remaining hereditaries once and for all and create a really independent appointments commission. We can do that now and get on with far more pressing issues facing our country.

It was good for me and Popcorn to get down on the farm recently when we paid a visit to Goscombe Farm in Gundleton to meet Sarah Jackson and hear about the challenges of cattle breeding in the current climate, and running a 350 acre estate, pretty much single-handed.

I am more than happy to support Sarah in her push to grow the business and create new employment in the area and as I do

that I will be reminding local planners of the clear direction Parliament has given them to support sustainable growth and the expansion of business and enterprise in rural areas. The new National Planning Policy Framework clearly promotes the development of agricultural businesses and sets out the special circumstances for new dwellings in the countryside, particularly where there is an essential need for a worker to live at his or her place of work.

Finally, I am looking forward again to a summer of various events (fetes and festivals galore) in and around Alresford this year. Things start in ambitious frame of mind; I am scheduled to meet celebrity chef Sophie Grigson for her demonstration at the world-famous Watercress Festival as Village Voice goes to press. It will be quite an experience but I am not so sure Sophie will be calling if things don’t work out for me in Parliament! June of course sees the Alresford Music Festival and I pray for some warm sunshine so I can lie back on the grass and watch my freespirited daughter Emily dance to her heart’s content.

Since my last column I have brought the Prisons Minister to HMP Winchester and the Education Secretary (Michael Gove) to Peter Symonds to hear about their remarkable success again this year in getting local students into Oxbridge and the impressive results the college continues to score in maths tuition. I have also visited Copenhagen and Norway with my Justice Select Committee as part of our inquiry into how we might handle youth justice issues in the future. Our report will be out later this year and I will be sure to report what it says to my constituents, including via this column.

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If you would like to get in touch on any issue you feel strongly about or need my help, please don't hesitate to get in touch via steve.brine.mp@parliament.uk

What has changed a great deal is the numbers working on the farm; 25 just after WW2 to three now, with hugely improved productivity as well.

There is also a huge amount of information about my work locally and in Westminster at www.stevebrine.com

No abject poverty, no deaths in childhood from infectious diseases and fewer accidents. A team spirit, (the fete, the Royal Wedding party) that has replaced an unspoken but well-defined social hierarchy. My Dad used to smile wanly when he repeated the comment of a local Lady that… “One might ask one's doctor to tea, but I don't think one would ask him to dinner…!”

Steve Brine MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford 01962 791110 (constituency) 0207 219 7189 (House of Commons) Email: steve.brine.mp@parliament.uk Website: www.stevebrine.com Steve Brine TV: www.stevebrine.tv Sign up to receive Steve’s email newsletter www.stevebrine.com

MEMORIES OF BIGHTON Dr John Sargent remembers …

Writing about the Hebberd family has prompted me to write about Bighton when I was a child.

I was born in the Old Rectory, and those of you who have seen the village film my father took in 1952 will remember me giving a very passable imitation of Little Lord Fauntleroy.

The village was full of characters, some who fought a duel with bottles in the grain drier over a girl, and the wonderful Les'l, a senior farmhand who, with stunning good looks and the self-confidence to go with it used to say “I never got married ’cos I never ’ad to. Anyway, why buy what you can borrow?”… Years later Philly and I went to lunch with Edith Nichol, one of three daughters of the then Squire in the Manor who, gazing into the distance, said quietly of him that he was... “like a cock pheasant....”

Much has changed, but a lot has not.

Houses have been bought and sold, but until Charlie McCowen's grandparents arrived, farm cottages only had an outside privy. Replaced by mansions by comparison, they too are being replaced by more modern housing.

Physically we are the same size, as Bighton numbered 300 souls in the Domesday Book. We no longer have a school, baker or shop, but we have a lovely church, a charming and warm pub, a good village hall, and a thriving community.

As the school closed pupils were bussed into Alresford to The Dean and then on to Perins. As they are now, these excellent schools produced some highly talented pupils; the Bars family of Gundleton springs to mind with three boys with degrees, and one with a PhD.

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And it's still a lucky happy place. If you don't believe me, go and read the War Memorial in the church with 44 names on it. And the inscription above: “In grateful thanks that so many were preserved in danger and spared to return to their homes.” The surnames are familiar. Only three died in the first war and one in the second.

We count our blessings.

sharp, you know the sort of thing?” He should, his boss had done Mary Quant’s hair. I pictured myself leaving the salon looking like Mary.

An hour or so later, I left London, ££££ lighter, but happy with my new hairstyle.

When I got home I went straight to the mirror. What had happened? It was awful.

A pinhead on top of a beanpole! I burst into tears. Thank goodness I was leaving the country next week!

John Sargent

THE UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL I was saddened to read in May of the death of Vidal Sassoon, hairdresser to the stars.

I didn’t know him, but I once had my hair cut in his salon, and the story became a dinner-party regular of mine for years.

It was back in the 70s. I was due to go and live in California for a year, and fancied treating myself to a really good cut before I went. My then sister-in-law said: “Ooh, you must go to my hairdresser – he’s Vidal Sassoon’s top stylist in London.

I’ll make an appointment if you like.” So off I went to catch the Tube into town.

The stylist was having a bad day. He had a streaming cold and was running late with his clients.

“How would you like your hair today?” he asked a trifle impatiently, sniffing disdainfully at my shaggy locks. Trying to sound as if I went there every week I said something like: “I think I’ll have a complete change. Short,

At least six months of ‘growing out’ later I was shopping in Nordstrom (the California woman’s favourite department store, where they even had a pianist at a grand piano on the first floor). An American woman came up to me.

“Excuse me, I was just admiring your hair – I love it. Do you mind my asking where you got it cut? I’d love to go there.”

It had been a small price to pay for such a moment.

“Not at all,” I said. “Vidal Sassoon, Bond Street, London, England!” And swept away feeling like a million dollars!

Belle Walker

LESS SUCCESSFUL ASPECTS OF MY BUSINESS CAREER Bighton is stuffed full of success, so I thought I might redress the balance.

When I was about 35, I was appointed a director of an insurance company and a bank, and became the chairman of a group of estate agents. How so? (indeed, “Why so?” I hear you cry, dear reader).

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I had just finished evening surgery in Ropley (Drs Happel, Biss and Sargent) when the offer came from my uncle of an exciting new challenge with our family company that I could not resist. Everyone deserves a life-changing opportunity now and then.

So it was that I arrived for my first board meeting at Exeter Bank. We always had an informal dinner before in the Forte Crest Hotel, and as P h i l l y climbed into bed beside me (she who now says a night in a hotel is a night wasted) we marvelled at the TV at our feet, and the clean crisp sheets. It didn't last long. At 3am the youth of Exeter routinely walked past the hotel shouting “Wake up you rich ba*****ds”.

And who could blame them?

I was of course the Family Rep on the board, as the bank was a subsidiary of Provincial Insurance founded by my great grandfather. Underneath my cuff I had written in Biro on my wrist "Debtors …

People who owe us, Creditors … People we owe.” So you can see I was a natural.

The highlight of the meeting was when the lugubrious and laconic Loans Manager read out in lurid detail the list of defaulters, fraudsters and plain optimists to whom we seemed to have lent improbable sums of money.

When the bank decided to buy a chain of estate agents that bought and sold pubs, even I wondered at the sense of this decision. Most of the pubs were in Wales with Welsh publicans who were not overfond of their English landlords. There were many frank and meaningful discussions.

In the end, having bought the chain for many millions, I had the ignominious task of selling it back to the very same agents 18

who had sold it to us, for the princely sum of £1.

I realised how nice my family were when I had to explain this to them at the AGM! You can see why I missed being a GP, but it was too late. Someone else had my job and I was committed to commerce.

Dr John Sargent

WELCOME TO THE HOTEL… Belle tries to get a room I have pretty much decided that never again will I attempt to book a room in a hotel. If I decide to spend a weekend in Brighton, I shall sleep on the beach. If the Lake District calls me, I’ll bed down in a tent (on high ground), and if visiting the Norfolk Broads, I shall, of course, lay down my head in a boat.

It started quite simply, with our plan to visit our lovely daughter who shares a house with a manic cat. Sleeping on the sofa bed in the lounge is all very well, except that the cat roams the house and plays chasethe-cat-toy across the wooden floor in the wee small hours. That, combined with the lumpy mattress that dips in the middle, convinced us that we should try for a decent night’s sleep elsewhere.

We decided to give a national hotel chain a go - it was just across the main road, barely 20 minutes’ walk from our daughter’s. Went online, filled in the form, travel dates, number of people, whether breakfast desired, etc. Got as far as credit card details, pressed ‘submit’ and received

a message ‘Card declined – please check with your card issuer’.

Well I don’t want to brag, but that’s never happened before, so I rang the bank.

Eventually spoke to a real person. I wasn’t the first-named on our joint card, so of course they couldn’t speak to me, but luckily PH was sitting next to me, engrossed in some hobby or other. As always, he was delighted to put down his paintbrush to speak to the bank. It turned out that the bank had stopped the card because they had some suspected fraud on certain accounts. On being told that yes, we had made the purchases in question that day, they switched it back on again.

So, back to the hotel chain. Re-submitted the details, and was told ‘Sorry, we cannot process your request at this time – please try again.’ After two more attempts I went to the ‘Contact us’ page. It refused to forward my complaint when I could not give it a reservation number. How could I when I hadn’t been able to make a reservation? It was at this point I noticed that at the very bottom of the complaints page it said ‘We advise you not to make repeated attempts to submit your card details, as you may be charged more than once’. I scoured the website for a phone number – it was not to be found anywhere – in fact they had a statement in the small print that said ‘We prefer you not to telephone us’ (or words to that effect).

rate offered on the website was not available by telephone. By this time, I couldn’t have cared less, but I took the trouble to request a confirmation invoice and spelt out my email address.

By the next day, when no email had arrived, I rang my old friends at the hotel chain for an explanation, giving my brandnew, hardly-used reservation number. It turned out the lad had misspelt my name, and the email had whistled off into the ether, never to be seen again. My new friend apologised, but she couldn’t readdress and resend the invoice. The computer apparently did not allow it. But that was OK because if I went on their website (!) followed the trail to the ‘old’ website, and from there to ‘request a VAT invoice’, I could view my invoice and print off a copy.

Which is when I discovered that, in addition to giving me the wrong initial, it had addressed me as ‘Mr’.

If only I could persuade PH to speak to the bank again, we could find out exactly how many times we’ve been charged for our three-night stay in Cambridgeshire, but I guess we’ll have to wait until the next credit card statement arrives.

Belle Walker

I hadn’t realised I was commenting on my progress out loud, until PH said impatiently ‘Here: I’ve looked up their number – ring them!’ An initially helpful young man took my complaint and eventually asked if I would like to book with him. I did so, and discovered at the end that the preferential 19

Water Safety Young people who drown are often victims of their own misjudgement of their swimming ability. They may view a river or a lake as a tempting means of cooling off in a hot spell, but fail to appreciate the harmful effects that the cold water can have on stamina and strength. Ÿ Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death among the under 16s. Ÿ Spot the dangers. Water may look safe, but it can still be dangerous. You may swim well in a warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be able to swim in cold water outdoors! Ÿ Always take extra care around the water's edge, cliff faces and open mudflats. Ÿ Take safety advice: always follow the flags on beaches and notices that may warn you of danger. Ÿ Don't go alone: children should always be accompanied by an adult. Ÿ Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Ÿ Learn how to help: you may be able to help yourself and others if you know what to do in an emergency. Ÿ If you see someone in difficulty tell a Lifeguard or go to the nearest telephone, dial 999, ask for the Police or the Coastguard.

RoSPA website: http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/adviceandinformation/watersafety/ water-safety-signs.aspx You can download a copy of our home fire safety leaflet at:

www.hantsfire.gov.uk/homesafetyinformation.pdf Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service homepage: www.hantsfire.gov.uk Community Fire Safety Department: 02380 626809 Email: community.firesafety@hantsfire.gov.uk 20

SMALL ADS BABYSITTERS AND CHILDMINDERS

GENERAL ITEMS

College student, experienced; St John Ambulance trained; references available.

Old Alresford and nearby. Please ring Cecily Mattock 01962 734044.

I am 16 and an experienced babysitter. I am available for babysitting most evenings and weekends. I live locally and am First Aid trained. I love working with children and you will find me reliable, caring and sensible. I also love working with animals and would be happy to care for your pets when you are away.

Please contact Jessica on 01962 773248.

Reliable and mature 15 year-old. Both parents are CRB checked if required.

Please contact: Katie Brookes 01962 735315.

Lewis’ Lawns – Local college student to mow lawns, can provide own mower, happy to provide one-off or regular service, reasonable rates.

Call 07923 360357.

Manure for sale: £2 per bag or £5 for three bags.

For more information: Call 01962 733969.

Ironing – Too busy or just hate ironing, then let me help. If you need regular bookings or just need help to catch up, give me a ring. I can come and collect. Tracy, 01420 562740 (Old Alresford) New yoga class to start Tuesdays 10.4512.15 at the Christy Hall, Old Alresford.

Gentle Hatha Yoga, Beginners welcome.

For more info please ring Helen 01962 793195 or email stillnesswithin@hotmail.co.uk

Domestic, commercial & landscaping services

Established gardener since 1992 FREE QUOTES COMPETITIVE RATES

21

NOTICEBOARD JUNE 3rd Bighton - Diamond Jubilee activities There will be a church service followed by a hog-roast lunch in the village hall car park.

Longstock Water Gardens Open from 2.00pm - 5.00pm.

In aid of The Children’s Society.

Entry: Adults £5, Children under 12, £1.

16th Old Alresford 2012 Fair On the Green: 2pm.

JULY 19th Old Alresford Parish Council meeting Christy Hall, Old Alresford: 7.30pm.

Bighton Parish Council meeting Village Hall, Bighton: 7.30pm.

WINCHESTER VILLAGES TRUST The income from this trust is available to provide assistance for those in need, where and when help is not available from public funds, or to help in emergencies.

This may include: 1) Grants of money to relieve sudden distress, sickness or infirmity.

2) Payment of transport costs for people entering hospital or residential homes or for 22

28th Bighton & District Flower and Produce Show Village Hall, Bighton: Doors open 3pm.

SEPTEMBER 6th Old Alresford Parish Council meeting Christy Hall, Old Alresford: 7.30pm.

9th Bighton Fete & Dog Show Sports field, Nettlebeds Lane: 1.30 - 4pm.

20th Bighton Parish Council meeting Village Hall, Bighton: 7.30pm.

NOVEMBER 22nd Bighton Parish Council meeting Village Hall, Bighton: 7.30pm. relatives visiting such persons.

3) Gifts in kind to help those in need such as furniture, bedding, clothing, food, fuel and heating appliances.

4) Provision of tools, books, fees for examinations or tuition or travelling expenses to help obtain employment.

5) Help for children and young persons to take part in extra curricular school activities where parents cannot afford these costs.

To make an enquiry if you live in Bighton, contact: Gail Johnson, Chautara, Bighton, Hants SO24 9RB – 736556 or if you live in Old Alresford, contact: Sue Alexander, The Hyde, Old Alresford, Hants SO24 9DH – 732043

CLUBS PAGE If you would like your club’s details to appear on this page, please contact one of the editorial team.

ALRESFORD HISTORICAL & LITERARY SOCIETY Meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at the Methodist Hall, Jacklyns Lane, Alresford.

Visitors welcome. Enquiries: Robert Fowler [01962] 734125; Glenn Gilbertson [01962] 732726 ART Mondays, 10.00 - 12.00, Christy Hall.

BIGHTON POTTERY CLUB Meets on Thursday evenings from April.

Individual tuition also available.

Contact Roy or Christine Hurn on 772330.

OLD ALRESFORD CRICKET CLUB For further details ring J Stanbrook on 733612.

THE OLD ALRESFORD DRAMA SOCIETY (T.O.A.D.S.) For details contact Helen Gard on 735228 or Jo Stokes on 732060.

OLD ALRESFORD MIXED CLUB Meet in the Christy Hall every Tuesday from 7.30 to 9.30pm, and play snooker, billiards, darts, table tennis and table skittles.

OLD ALRESFORD MOTHERS’ UNION FOR THE ARLE VALLEY BENEFICE Meet at Old Alresford Place.

For details please contact the Branch Chairman, Carol Beetham on 732997.

R.A.F.A. (Alresford and District) First Thursday of each month, 8pm.

The Swan Hotel, Alresford.

Contact Brian Gabriel on 734482.

SHORT MAT BOWLING Tuesdays 6 - 8pm and Thursday afternoons 2 - 4pm in the Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall.

For further information contact Peter Bell [01962] 779285 or David Cherrett [01962] 732952 TICHBORNE PARK CRICKET CLUB We field three men’s teams and currently three Colts’ teams.

The Colts are respectively: Under 11s, Under 13s and Under 15s.

For further details contact Garry Allam on 735608.

YOUNG FARMERS Wednesdays, 7.30pm, Christy Hall.

For details contact the Chairman, Tim Stevens on 07762 612820, or the Secretary, Emma Bowden on 07979 808927.

YOUTH CLUB, OLD ALRESFORD Friday evenings in the Christy Hall from 7.15 to 8.45pm, for school years 7 to 11.

Contact David Hanks 01962 738559

23

The Alresford Surgery Newsletter Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JL Telephone No. 01962 732345 Fax: 01962 736034

Web site – www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk For general advice or reassurance NHS Direct 0845 46 47

OUT OF HOURS 0300 300 2012

Are you or do you have a carer?

Carers Together offer information, advocacy, advice, benefits advice, support planning and opportunities for carers and older people to take a break.

To learn more go to their website: www.carerstogether.org.uk They suggest completing your profile at www.sayitonce.info site to avoid the need to regularly provide the same personal information to different health and social care professionals.

If you consider yourself to be cared for, or a carer, it is worth registering this with us, forms are available from our reception desk. In addition there is a section of our website with lots of useful information for carers, have a look at the website www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

Buses in the Alresford area Following the cut-backs in our local bus services we are pleased to support the pressure that is being exerted to improve matters by a group of volunteers. They would like residents to complete a survey which is available from reception here or by going online to the website www.surveymonkey.com/s/Alresford ShopsBuses 24

Hampshire Health Record This has been under the spotlight on radio news of late. The Hampshire Health Record allows local hospitals to access part of patients’ GP records with a view to improving the care they can provide and can be vital in emergency situations.

Unless patients opt out (which they can do by writing to us) their records can be made available in this way. This is separate to the NHS Shared Record. More information can be found at www.hantshealthrecord.nhs.uk leaflets are in our reception display board.

General invitations From time to time we use a mailing agency for routine invitations for appointments. No clinical information is included in letters posted in this way.

Appointment Reminders We are looking closely at using SMS text messaging to remind patients about forthcoming appointments. Patients may be asked for up-to-date mobile telephone numbers or email addresses over the next few months as we trial the service.

Message to our readers:

THE DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2012 EDITION IS SUNDAY, 1ST JULY 2012

ADVERTISING RATES (Revised 1st April 2010) Advert size

Per issue

Per year (6 issues)

¼ Page (approx. 9 x 6 cm)

£18

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½ Page (approx. 9 x 12.25 cm)

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Whole Page (approx. 18.25 x 12.25 cm)

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Small ads are charged at 20 pence / word. 10% reduction if booked for 6 issues.

We charge for commercial advertising and non-residents’ small ads. There is no charge to residents for community or small sale / wanted ads. Please contact a member of the editorial team. All advertisements will be reproduced in black and white only.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (1st April 2008) The magazine is issued free to residents of Abbotstone, Bighton, Gundleton and Old Alresford. However, the magazine is available to non-residents for an annual subscription of £7.00 for six issues per year. Please make your cheque payable to Village Voice and send it to the Treasurer (see inside front cover for address details).

Opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the editorial committee.

Every care is taken to see that details printed are accurate. However, we can take no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred for any reason, nor can we take responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Arle Valley Benefice Curate

Revd Bryce Fletcher

01962 735568

bryce@newalresford.plus.com Arle Valley Benefice Rector

Revd Phil Collins

Bighton Village Hall bookings Bighton Village website

Gail Johnson

Clerk to Bighton Parish Council

Sarah White

01962 733216

Churchwarden, St. Mary’s, Old Alresford

Gail Straker

01962 732438

Churchwarden, St. Mary’s, Old Alresford

Antonia (Toni) Booth

01962 735293

Churchwarden, All Saints’, Bighton

Bob Ellis

01962 773427

Clerk to Old Alresford Parish Council

Mrs Bobbie Smith

01489 781060

Christy Hall bookings / information

Michael Thwaites

01962 733978

Hampshire County Councillor

Jackie Porter 01962 791054 jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk

Winchester City Councillors

Simon Cook

01962 733870

Margot Power

01962 734167

MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford

01962 732105 01962 736556 www.bighton.org.uk

Ernest Jeffs 01962 734629 Steve Brine 01962 791110 steve.brine.mp@parliament.uk

Old Alresford Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

Roy Wyeth

Bighton Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

Colin Squibb bighton_nhw@btinternet.com

Local area Police

01962 732298

0845 045 45 45