1. home and garden

A L R E S F O R D & I T C H E N VA L L E Y
FORUM
Watercress Festival 2015
(page 58 & 59)
•
Hampshire People speaks to Jack Stein (page 54)
•
•
Hampshire Hogs (page 60)
Just one simple question (page 74)
•
•
May news and events
Lots of new articles and features
M AY 2 0 1 5 • I S S U E 1 0 2 • W W W. A L R E S F O R D F O R U M . C O . U K • 1 5 , 5 0 0 R E A D E R S *
OLD ALRESFORD
BIGHTON
PRESTON CANDOVER
GUNDLETON
TICHBORNE
ITCHEN ABBAS & STOKE
ROPLEY & ROPLEY DEAN
MARTYR WORTHY
BRAMDEAN
BISHOP’S SUTTON
AVINGTON
CHERITON & NEW CHERITON
EASTON
HINTON AMPNER
NORTHINGTON
BEAUWORTH
1
Phoenix for
Air Conditioning
With summer just around the corner let us carry out a
FREE performance check on your Air Conditioning.
An inefficient system will be less effective and will have to work
harder, putting more strain on your engine and using more fuel.
We have a full service and repair centre here at Phoenix, so why
not call to arrange your FREE check and let us help you keep
cool and save yourself pounds this summer.
Call today: 01962 736343
www.phoenixautoservicesltd.co.uk
Free local collection and delivery service
2
PHOENIX AUTO SERVICES LTD,
PROSPECT ROAD,
ALRESFORD, SO24 9QF
 Every Monday
Alresford Community Choir
Meets every Monday during school
term time, 7.30 – 9.30pm at St. John’s
Church, Alresford. Visitors welcome.
Visit: www.alresfordchoir.com
£12 (half price for those in full
time education). Online:-www.
musicinromsey.ticketsource.co.uk
or Romsey Tourist Information
OfficeTelephone: 01794 512987
Orchestra leader Elizabeth Flower
 Every Tuesday
Children’s Storytime
Afternoon during term time 2.15
to 2.45pm.
Alresford Library,
Broad Street, Alresford, SO24 9AQ.
Alresford.library@hants.gov.uk
 Wednesday 13 May
Alresford and District
Horticultural Society
"Pelargoniums" - Roger Butler.
Held at St Gregory's Hall, Grange
Road, Alresford at 7.30pm.
www.alresfordhorticultural.org
 Every Tuesday
New Class - Dance in a circle
Come along and learn folk dances
from round the world. Have fun
and experience the peaceful joy that
these traditional dances bring. Open
to women and men of all ages and
abilities. From 8 - 9.30pm, Alresford
Community Centre, £7 per class.
Contact: Mira on: 07746 416526
 Until Sunday 3 May
Winchester Chamber
Music Festival
Join the London Bridge Trio
and guests for 4 days of fabulous
concerts in the heart of Winchester
at St Lawrence Church, Discovery
Centre and Theatre Royal. Full
information and listings available
at www.winchesterchambermusic.
com. Tickets available from
Winchester Discovery Centre on
01962 873 603
 Saturday 9 May
Cha Cha and
Rumba Workshop
From 4pm - 7pm at Preston
Candover Village Hall, RG25
2EE. Ever wanted to learn how to
Cha Cha & Rumba Club Style?
Then join us at another one of our
popular Dance Workshops in the
beautiful Candover Valley! Our style
of Cha Cha & Rumba will enable
you to dance it anywhere, at any
Party, Wedding or Function!
£20 pp/ £35 couple. For details
and bookings: Silvia & Max
Salsa y Sol Dance & Yoga
www.dancingwinchester.co.uk
 Saturday 9 May
Winchester & County Music
Festival concerts 2015
For full details go to www.wcmf.
org.uk. Romsey Abbey by kind
permission of the Vicar and in
association with Music in Romsey
Handel: Messiah - Conductor:
Derek Beck. Alison Hill - Soprano
Rozanna Madylus - Contralto.
Matthew Long - Tenor Jamie Hall
- Bass. Itchen Valley Choral Society,
Overton Choral Society, Twyford
Singers. Tickets: £22, £16 and
 Thursday 14 May
Charity Fashion Show
Southampton Hospital Charity
are holding an L K Bennett
fashion show at the Grande Cafe,
Southampton from 7.00pm. Tickets
cost £25 and include a three course
dinner, Michael Bublé tribute,
and goodie bag. Book online or
call 023 8120 8881. http://www.
southamptonhospitalchar ity.org
 Thursday 14th May
Charity Tennis Tournament
in aid of Home-Start
Winchester
At a court near you, with lunch at
Compton Tennis Club SO21 2AB
Play as an individual, group or
court of eight players. Shopping
opportunities and free Reflexology
sessions available. Donation £25 per
player, includes two course picnic
lunch. (Bring chairs or rugs, nonplayers welcome for lunch). Book
with Kerry Coleman on 07748
978652 or email kerry@bigbale.
co.uk
 Friday 15th May
Wine Tasting and Quiz in aid
of the Ropley Church Appeal
From 7pm in Ropley Parish Hall,
SO24 0DU. Simon Evans of The
Naked Grape will lead an evening
of wine tasting with a light hearted
quiz about wine. Tickets £10 (to
include light refreshments). Phone
01962 773603, 772246, 772345 or
773666 (The Courtyard Shop) to
buy your tickets now. This event
is being organised by The Ropley
Society and The Friends of St Peter's
Church.
 Saturday 16 May
Cheriton Singers present A
Night On Broadway
At St. Michaels Church, Cheriton
at 7.30pm. Programme to include
Highlights from Phantom of the
Opera, West Side Story, Chicago
and Oliver. Guest singers: Cheriton
Primary School. Tickets cost £10
with under 16’s free. For further
information please visit
cheritonsingers.com.
www.
 Saturday 16th May
Bramdean Fete
From 2pm to 4.30pm. Bramdean
House Gardens, SO24 OJU.
Traditional stalls and more plus
children's races. Enjoy a classic
village fete in these inspiring and
beautiful gardens, featured in many
horticultural books. Admission
Adults £1, children under 16 free.
 Saturday 16 May
Winchester & County Music
Festival concerts 2015
Winchester Cathedral from 7.30pm
by kind permission of the Dean
and Chapter. Brahms: A German
Requiem. Parry: Blest Pair of Sirens
Conductor: John Sutton. Helen
Bailey - Soprano Andrew de Silva
- Baritone. Botley Choral Society,
Compton & Shawford Festival
Choir, Sarisbury Choral Society,
Winchester City Festival Choir.
Tickets: £30, £22, £16 and £10
(half price for those in full time
education). Winchester Cathedral
Box Office: 01962 857275, email
boxoffice@winchester-cathedral.
org.uk or visit www.winchestercathedral.org.uk Orchestra leader Elizabeth Flower
 Sunday 17 May
Alresford Watercress
Festival
From 10 - 4pm. Town Centre. A
free fun day out for all the family.
This nationally acclaimed annual
festival draws together the local
community and food-lovers from
far and wide. The entire centre
of New Alresford in Hampshire
becomes a huge street festival
and food market, showcasing the
very best local producers. www.
watercressfestival.org. See pages 58
and 59.
 Friday 19 June
Wine and Dine in Style with
a Charity Auction in aid of
Home-Start
Held at Old Alresford Place, SO24
9DH commencing at 7.30pm.
Tickets £50 (Cheques payable to
'PCC of New Alresford') available
from St John's Parish Office and
Six West, West Street, Alresford. For
more information please email:
events@stjohnsalresford.org.uk
or ring the parish office: 01962
733545. Dress code: Black Tie.
 Wednesday 27 May
Alresford Art Society
Gareth Watling demonstrates
bird portraits in acrylic. 7.30 pm.
Alresford Recreation Centre. For
more information: Tel: 01962
736397, Email: jo.may@live.co.uk
or visit www.artsociety.alresford.org
FO R U M | DIARY DATES
DIARY DATES
 Saturday 13th June
23nd Alresford Festival of
Toy Trains 2015
Perins School, Pound Hill, Alresford
SO24 9BS. From 10.30am-4.30pm.
20+ Layouts incl Hornby O, Dublo,
Wrenn, Tri-ang 00, TRIX, Tomy,
LEGO, Lone-Star, Bowman: 80
+ Sales Tables, Music, BBQ, Beer.
Adults £5 Children £3 Family
£14, Early Entry to Sales Hall 9am
(£10.00).bob.leggett@tesco.net
01962 733475 www.alresford-toytrains.org.uk
 Monday 25th May
Garage Sale
From 10.00am - 12noon. 5 Elm
Road, Alresford. Come and grab
a bargain! Includes the sale of:
Sofa, Sofa Bed, Extending Table
and 8 Chairs (all reasonable
offers considered), Pictures and
Ornaments, Books and Bric-a-brac
Percentage of proceeds going to
345 Preschool and Tichborne Park
Cricket Club
 Wednesday 13th to Saturday
16th May
The Old Alresford Dramatic
Society (TOADS)
Present a new spring format with
a Theatre Supper and Murder
Mystery evening; 'Sudden Death
At Old Alresford Manor.' Set in the
50s as a BBC radio play you are
invited to take a light supper, enjoy
drinks throughout the evening and
witness some ‘funny goings on’ as
the audience seeks to uncover the
perpetrator of the dastardly deed.
Complete with newsreader, the
TOADS cast (in character), will
mingle with the audience asking
questions and deriving clues!
Expect jokes, japes and general
jollity. Tickets just £12pp incl
Ploughman’s supper.
Box Office 01962 736257 or
email boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk
If you would like to add
an item to our diary dates
send your copy to editor@
forumpublications.co.uk.
 Monday 25 May
Ropley Pram Race
From 11am. Ropley Village 50th
An extra special event is planned.
3
FO R
RU
UM
M || NEWS
WELCOME
FO
& VIEWS
WELCOME
Welcome to the May Issue of The Forum, an exciting one for two
reasons as we enjoy both the return of our annual Watercress Festival
and the introduction of two new features to the magazine!
On May 17th, Alresford fairly bulges with visitors from far and wide,
flocking to enjoy this increasingly popular festival to celebrate our
local, little green plant! Within our pages you will also find lots of
other local fayres, shows and events happening this month.
This issue also welcomes the arrival of two new features, One
Simple Question (p.74) and Hampshire Hogs (p.60) - we hope
you enjoy them!
The Forum team have well and truly settled in to our offices above
Hellards, and as always, we welcome visitors to pop by and see us.
We welcome new writers, feature suggestions, ideas and feedback positive or negative!
We wish you a wonderful May - enjoy the Watercress Festival and
remember to get your copy to us by May 18th for the June issue!
EDITOR
14
Mark Tubb
editor@forumpublications.co.uk
ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL
T: 01962 735137
E: marketing@forumpublications.co.uk
Office Hours: 9am - 5pm
MARKET SQUARE EDITOR
Emma Sumpster
emijay1970@me.com
COPYWRITER
Gill Grant
gill@forumpublications.co.uk
DESIGN
Luminata Design
design@luminata.co.uk
ACCOUNTS
Sue Messa
accounts@forumpublications.co.uk
PUBLISHING
Forum Publications Ltd
11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9AR
The Alresford Forum contains facts, views,
opinions, statements, recommendations,
advertisements and other content and
links to external websites not owned or
controlled by the magazine. The Alresford
Forum takes reasonable efforts to include accurate, current information on
its pages, but make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy,
safety or value of the published items that are displayed. No liability or
responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions in magazine content.
The Alresford magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views,
opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon
its content is taken at the user’s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum
Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. © Forum Publications
Ltd, 2015
4
NEWS & VIEWS
03 06
14
16
16
22
22
22
30
30
30
32
32
32
36
38
38
46
76
78
Diary Dates
Church Services and News
The Alresford Society - A vital message from the (fairly)
silent majority in Alresford
The Sleep Retreat
South Downs Green Fair 2015
Alresford Voluntary Care Group need to recruit new drivers
Meon Valley Guides big sleep out
Cycle ride from Wells to Winchester Cathedral
Big Sleep Out Winchester
New Forest Spring Fair 2015
Alton Walking Festival 2015
Rotary International of Britian and Ireland youth
speaks competition 2015
Tesco Express charity stall
Alresford Rotary 10K
Collaborate homes launch new group self-build initiative
Serv Wessex
Alresford Eel House development
Watercress Line wins grant to restore its flagship engine
Alresford Chamber of Commerce News
Rum's Eg: Arts and crafts workshops
OTHER
48
50
66
Clubs and Societies
Useful Information
Clubs and Societies
FEATURES
20
24
54
58
60
68
Alresford Town Council Reports
Hampshire Mum - Sparkles and Spuds
Hampshire People speaks to Jack Stein
Watercress Festival 2015
Hamoshire Hogs (New Feature)
Just turn it off? What do you think?
FO R U M | CONTENTS
46
24
58
54
62
74
78
Just one simple question (New Feature)
Alresford & District Neighbourhood Watch
MOTORS 2, 46, 47, 49, 51
THE GARDEN 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13
08
08
12
Chris Nutt's Gardening Column
Pro-grow soil conditioner
Objects of Desire
PARENT & CHILD 10
THE HOME 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 80
HEALTH & BEAUTY 26, 27, 28, 29
26
28
29
Bluebird Care is 'getting loud about MS'
Alresford Surgery News
Bluebird Care look forward to seeing you at the
2015 Watercress Festival
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 31
ESTATE AGENTS 31, 33, 34, 35
BUILDING SERVICES 36, 37
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 38, 39
I.T SERVICES 39
FASHION & RETAIL 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
40
42
The Market Square
New Emporium in Christchurch with over 80 small
businesses - a small indoor shopping village
LEISURE &
ENTERTAINMENT 44, 45, 46
44
45
45
Sparsholt College Countryside Day
The Hampshire Country Fair
Alresford Music Festival 2015
EDUCATION 52, 53
52
52
52
Local boy from Cheriton wins scholarship
Patchwork celebrates after Ofsted inspection
Introducing the new member of the DOFE team
FOOD & DRINK 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62
54
56
58
62
Hampshire People speaks to Jack Stein
Hampshire's chocolate makers impress
Watercress Festival 2015
Hampshire farmer's markets' celebrates national picnic week
LEGAL & FINANCIAL 61, 63, 65, 66,
67, 69, 70, 71
ANIMAL & PET SERVICES 64
64
Biting the hand that feeds you - common reasons for
aggression in rabbits
ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC 70, 72, 74
70
72
72
74
Opera at Rotherfield Park, East Tisted
Good causes concert at St.John's Church, Alresford
The best kept secret in Hampshire
The Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, Alton
HOME SERVICES 73, 75, 76, 77, 79
5
FO R U M | CHURCH SERVICES
CHURCH SERVICES
ST. JOHN THE
BAPTIST
New Alresford
 Sunday 3 May
08.00 Holy Communion
09.30 Sung Eucharist
18.00 Sundays@Six
 Sunday 10 May
08.00 Holy Communion
09.30 Second Sunday
Family Service
18.00 Choral Evensong
 Sunday 17 May
08.30 Sung Eucharist
 Sunday 31 May
08.00 Holy Communion
19.30 Good Causes
Concert
Parish Office
01962 733545
stjohnsalresford.org.uk
ST.MARY'S
Old Alresford
 Sunday 3 May
09.30 Holy Communion
 Sunday 10 May
09.30 Parish Communion
 Sunday 24 May
09.30 Parish Communion
 Sunday 31 May
09.30 Benefice Service
 Thursdays
09.00 Holy Communion -
Old Alresford Place
ST.PETER'S
Ovington
 Sunday 3 May
10.00 First Sunday
 Sunday 10 May
10.00 Parish Communion
 Sunday 24 May
10.00 Mattins
METHODIST
CHURCH
New Alresford
 Sunday Worship
10.30 Every Sunday,
6
Morning Worship
and Junior Church.
Holy Communion, monthly. Please note
that there will be no regular Sunday
evening services
 Fridays
18.30 Youth Club (years 5 Midday Prayers every week
Monday-Avington, TuesdayItchen Abbas, WednesdayMartyr Worthy, ThursdayEaston
Midweek Activities
 Tuesdays
10.00 Come in for coffee 19.45 Youth Club
 Saturdays
09.00 (2nd in each month) with Pause for Thought (1st & 3rd)
 Wednesdays
07.00 Men’s Breakfast,
bible reflection & prayer
14.30 1st & 3rd Thursdays
Women’s Fellowship
 Thursdays
19.00 (term time) Guides 19.30 1st Thursday
Lydia Group
for ladies
 Fridays
14.30 Fridays (term time)
KIDZ Café for
parents, carers,
babies and toddlers
group. Craft, playtime, story time and special events
(years 7,8,9)
Prayer Time
ALL SAINTS
ST.GREGORY'S
New Alresford
Bighton
 Sunday 3 May
11.00 First Sunday
 Sunday 10 May
11.00 Holy Communion
 Sunday 17 May
11.00 Morning Prayer
 Sunday 24 May
11.00 Holy Communion
ITCHEN VALLEY
BENEFICE
 Sunday 3 May
08.00 Avington
Contact: Revd Dawn Carn:
Tel: 01962 735278
www.alresfordmethodist
church.org.uk
and 6)
Parish Communion
Holy Communion
10.00 Martyr Worthy
Holy Communion
11.00 Itchen Abbas
Mattins
 Every Sunday
11.00Mass
All other enquiries:
01962 852 804
UPPER ITCHEN
BENEFICE
 Sunday 3 May
09.00 Bramdean
Benefice Early
Communion
10.15 Cheriton
Benefice All Age
Service
 Sunday 10 May
08.30 Beauworth
Holy Communion
09.30 Cheriton
Rogation Service
NEW FARM
CHAPEL
18.00 Itchen Abbas
10.30 Tichborne
Healing and
Wholeness
11.00 Kilmeston
Alresford
 Sunday 10 May
08.00 Easton
 Sunday Services
10.30 Morning Worship,
Holy Communion
Rogation Service
Family Service
 Sunday 17 May
08.30 Tichborne
10.00 Itchen Abbas
with creche and
KOSMIC for children
16.30 Will vary between talk or discussion
with praise and prayer
09.30 Cheriton
10.00 Easton
Midweek Activities
 Mondays
16.30 Kidz Club
 Tuesdays
10.15 Toddlers Group
 Wednesdays
14.30 Senior Citizens
09.30 Beauworth
Group
19.30 Alternate Bible Study / Prayer
Parish Communion
Holy Communion
1800 Martyr Worthy
11.00 Hinton Ampner
Evensong
 Sunday 17 May
08.00 Martyr Worthy
Holy Communion
Parish Communion
Holy Communion
Prayer and Praise
 Sunday 24 May
09.30 Cheriton
Holy Communion
1800 Avington
11.00 Kilmeston
Evensong
 Sunday 24 May
08.00 Itchen Abbas
Holy Communion
10.00 Martyr Worthy
Parish Communion
1800 Easton
Taize
 Thursdays
10.00 Home Prayer Group
19.00 Encounter Praise  Sunday 31 May
08.00 Easton
Time
10.00 Avington
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Family Holy
Communion
11.00 Bramdean
Family Worship
 Sunday 31 May
09.30 Hinton Ampner
Benefice Holy
Communion
FO R U M | GARDEN
ROPLEY
TREES
PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE
SINCE 1987, SPARSHOLT TRAINED
FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED
CALL LYNDN GAUNTLETT:
TEL 01962 791180
WASP NEST TREATMENTS
DON’T GET STUNG!
CALL FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE NOW
FOR ALL YOUR PEST CONTROL NEEDS:
Wasps, Bees, Rats, Mice, Moles, Cluster Flies, Squirrels,
Cockroaches, Rabbits, Pigeons, Bird-Proofing,
Emergency Wasp Nest Treatments, Mole Trapping Specialist
Call Peter Chivers on: 01256 389124
or Mobile: 07803 096642
ALL AREAS COVERED
ALL AREAS COVERED
PETER CHIVERS PCS
WINNER
Please visit our website
for all the latest news,
information, second-hand
machines for sale; and special
offers in the showroom
Garden Machinery
Dealer of the
Year 2014
Laceys Farm, Bramdean
Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0JT
TEL: 01962 771800
steve.cann@btconnect.com
www.georgecanngardenmachinery.co.uk
BPCA MEMBER - FULLY INSURED
9 STENBURY DRIVE, PRESTON CANDOVER, BASINGSTOKE
MATURE�WORLD�TREES
for
ambitious�landscaping�projects
We supply
BIG PROJECTS such as town & country estates
with
BIG PLANTS for hedging, screening and landscaping
and pass on
BIG SAVINGS as we beneet from our freight company heritage
TRADE AND RETAIL ENQUIRIES WELCOME - NO ORDER TOO SMALL
NOW
OPEN
HAND PICKED
NEW STOCKBRIDGE DISPLAY SITE NOW OPEN - STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT
YOUNG
MATURE
BRITISH
MEDITERRANEAN
PLANTING
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST STOCK WHICH IS REPLENISHED MONTHLY. OVERSEAS SITE VISITS ARRANGED
Call Harko on 07712 191120
or Freephone 0800 334 5552
www.worldtrees.co.uk
WORLDWIDE
______________________________
TREES�SHRUBS�AND�PLANTS
Old Church House
High Street, Stockbridge
Hants SO20 6EX
info@worldtrees.co.uk
7
FO R U M | GARDEN
THE
GARDEN
CHRIS NUTT'S GARDENING
COLUMN
I
was recently talking to a friend and said that I had treated
myself to some tickets to Chelsea this year, someone who
overheard the conversation looked at me rather strangely
and said that they didn’t know I was into Football! I’m not
of course - the only Chelsea for me is the Chelsea Flower
Show and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone who
has not visited before, it is a great source of inspiration for
anything garden related. Last year I was invited to assist in
the construction of a show garden and duly helped out for a
day, it was a fascinating day seeing the trials and tribulations
behind the scenes and seeing the designers at work (some
more than others). One of the designers who impressed was
Jo Thompson who was completing two show gardens one
winning gold and the other silver gilt, this year her show
garden will be on main avenue and features a writing retreat
and swimming pond it will definitely be one to look out for.
Jobs for the month ahead:
• The “Chelsea chop” is executed at the end of the month to
late flowering perennials such as Anthemis, Echinacea,
Helenium, Phlox, Sedum (upright forms) and Solidago. This
means cutting back some of the perennial growth by a third
to half creating shorter plants that require less staking.You
could also prolong the flowering season if you have more than
one plant and cut back some and leave others.
• Dead head any spring flowering bulbs to make sure all the
energy is put into building large bulbs for next year and not
seed, and leave the foliage to die down. If the flowering of any
bulbs was poor lift them and only replant the large bulbs with
some compost to improve the soil.
• Now is the time to put in plants
• Supports for any perennials with tall flower stems that need extra support such as Delphiniums and those with heavy blooms like Paeonias (Peonies). This can be in the form of purpose made supports or you could use twiggy sticks bent over the plant which quickly disappear
beneath lush growth.
• Once the risk of frost has finished plant out runner beans,
planted with a simple wigwam of bamboo canes they will
quickly get going.
• Sweetcorn and squashes can also be planted outside towards
the end of the month.
Finally don’t forget to sit down and admire your efforts at this
glorious time of year!
Chris Nutt: Garden Designer
To contact Chris call: 0776 5692396 or email
chris.nutt2@btinternet.com
8
PRO-GROW SOIL CONDITIONER
P
ro-Grow is a fine grade, peat free soil conditioner, made
from green garden material generated by households
throughout Hampshire. This product is rich in nutrients
and essential trace elements, providing plants with an ideal
growing medium.
This soil conditioner has an open structure that will break
down heavy clay soils and add humus to light sandy soils. It
complies with the rigorous standards of the Soil Association’s
certified product accreditation (Certificate Number I 4430) and
is entirely natural, containing no added fertilisers.
Where is Pro-Grow available?
Online
Pro-Grow soil conditioner can now be purchased online from
www.pro-grow.com either for collection from 10 sites across
the country or delivery.
Bagged
Pro-Grow soil conditioner can be purchased from Household
Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) throughout Hampshire.To
find your nearest HWRC, call 0845 603 5634 or visit www.
hants.gov.uk/recycling.
Home delivery
Pro-Grow can be delivered to your home either in bags, or in
bulk. Please call our Pro-Grow Co-ordinator on 0800 072 2369
for further information about ordering.
Bulk
Pro-Grow is also available in bulk for collection, and if
required delivery can be arranged. Alternatively, visit your local
composting site near Basingstoke or Winchester.
For further information, telephone 0800 072 2369 or email:
progrow@veolia.co.uk
Tree Care and Woodland
Management
by Jacqui
• Tree surgery / TPO applications
• Hedge maintenance
• Fencing / Garden structures
• Woodland management / tree planting
Designing Beautiful Gardens
FO R U M | GARDEN
Gardens
Chris Matthews
Please call for a
free consultation
Mob: 07724 451040
Qualified in arboriculture and countrsyide management. 15 years experience
www.gardensbyjacqui.co.uk
jacqui@gardensbyjacqui.co.uk
Tel: 01962 732498 Mob: 07879 448141
TRADITIONAL
PEST CONTROL
Design & Construction
Driveways Paths Patios
Water Features Pergolas
Fencing Decking
Daren George, your local mole catcher from Alresford
offering a ‘No Mole - No Fee’ service for
Domestic, Commercial and Agricultural properties
Tel: 01962 771 479
Mob: 07879 651 065
Also offering a rabbit, rat, squirrel, fox and deer control service
Fully insured - Discreet service assured at all times
www.geminilandscapes.com
Mobile: 07778 141505
Email: traditionalpestcontrol@gmail.com
For all your garden needs
Hard and Soft Landscaping
Specialising in all
your garden needs
Fully insured . Free estimates
Also specialising in Commercial
gardening work.
Hard Landscaping
Patios . Raised Beds . Pathways
Garden Walls . BBQ Areas .
Garden Lighting . Fencing
Soft Landscaping
Lawn Care . Turfing .
Planting . Hedge Cutting .
Shrub pruning . Patio & gutter cleaning
Tel: 01962 736261 Mob: 07896 027356 info@trimmers-garden-services.co.uk
9
FO R U M | PARENT & CHILD
PARENT &
CHILD
BABYSITTERS /
CHILDMINDERS
 Babysitter available for
daytimes and evenings.
7 years experience as a nursery
nurse, level 3 childcare diploma,
CRB checked and current first
aid certificate. Own transport. Tel:
07575069987
 Babysitter / Childminder
With own transport. Available
mornings or afternoons for school
collection, homework supervision
and more in your own home.
Evening babysitting on request.
Mature and reliable with plenty
of experience and excellent
references. Tel: 07868786885
 Kerry’s House
Home from home childcare.
Ofsted registered qualified
childminder. Alresford area.
Tel: 01962 732564/07799 821376
 Nanny with 10 years
experience
Looking for full time work
Excellent references. Call Sarah on
07827295859.
 Ofsted registered
childminder
Full time vacancies. Excellent
references. Contact Kairen 07799
821376/01962 732564.
CHILDREN’S
GROUPS
 Alresford & Cheriton
Scout Group
Beavers (6-8 yrs) meet on
Monday, Cubs (8-10 yrs) meet
on Tuesday, Scouts (10-14 yrs)
meet on Thursday and Explorers
(15-18 yrs) meet on Wednesday,
all at the Scout Hut off Bridge
Road behind Perins playing field.
Adult leaders required to join a
successful and growing Group.
Contact Group Scout Leader Roy
Naismith on 01962 735607 or
email gsl@alresfordcheritonscouts.
org.uk
 Alresford After School Club
For 4-11year olds, term time
only from 3.30-6pm, we are
now located in Sun Hill Infants
and Junior Schools. For more
information contact Angie on
01962 771709 or 07876 165592.
10
 First Candover
Scout Group
Beavers (6-8yrs), Cubs (8-10yrs)
and Scouts (10-14yrs). All meet on
a Wednesday evening at Candover
Valley Club, Brown Candover.
For membership enquiries
please contact Gwen via email at
gwencwilcox@gmail.com.
 Girl Guiding Alresford
District
Rainbow Guides 5 - 7 years.
Brownie Guides 7 - 11 years.
Guides 10 - 14 years. Senior
Section 14 - 26 years. Adults 18
- 65 years. Friends Of Guiding
Group. Contact Jo Rodgers:
01962 772346 and join a thriving
organisation.
PRE-SCHOOLS
 3.4.5 Pre-School
Playing to Learn
Located in the centre of Alresford
and established since 1969, 345
is open 4 mornings a week (not
Thursday) 9.15 – 12.15/1pm for
children from 3 years. Our highly
experienced and dedicated staff
offer a caring, creative and exciting
learning experience, both indoors
and out.Very good OFSTED
reports and continuity of staff.
For more information: Contact
Taryn Stroud on: 07826 948826
www.345preschool.org
 Busy Bees Pre-School
Located in Bishops Sutton Village
Hall, taking children from 2
years old. Also one of the only
pre-school’s locally to take 2 year
funded children in the area. We are
a thriving pre-school with lovely
grass & all-weather outdoor play
spaces to give active youngsters
the space they need to have
fun and learn through play. As a
pathfinder pre-school, we offer
15 hours per week Monday to
Friday, including some lunchtimes.
Our good Ofsted rating means
your little ones will be very well
taken care of & have oodles of
play & activities to give them a
good start for school. We feed
into Sun Hill Infants, Ropley C
of E & Cheriton C of E School.
We are only 5 minutes outside of
Alresford! Call Caroline Newman
on: 07825 235201 (term time)
www.busybeesbishopssutton.co.uk
or email busybeespreschoolteam@
hotmail.co.uk
 Candover Valley
Pre-School
Candover Valley Pre-School
is situated in the heart of
the Candover Valley. Rated
“Outstanding” by Ofsted, the
pre-school accepts children from
2 years old (no need to be potty
trained!). We are open from
8.45am to 3.15pm (Fri 8.45am11.45am). We have a full-time,
highly qualified and experienced
staff team, working with local
schools (state and independent) to
ensure smooth transitions to “Big
School”. We accept Childcare
Vouchers. Tel: 01256 389008
email:cvpadmin@btconnect.com
www.candovervalleypreschool.
hampshire.org.uk
 Cherry Tree Pre-School
Housed in a purpose built bright
building with the advantage of a
recreation park and tennis court
(fun professionally taught mini
tennis is part of our children's
outside play). We have our own
secure play area and garden where
the children can grow flowers and
vegetables. At Cherry Tree we
pride ourselves that our children
learn through play and there is
nowhere better equipped for
that purpose. Our fully trained
dedicated team ensure the children
have a fun learning experience
every single day. Good Ofsted
report and excellent links with
Sun Hill, Cheriton and all local
schools. For more details please
contact Jo Ferguson 07979230019
or visit cherrytreepreschool.org
 Meon Springs Montessori
Inspirational Nursery for 2-5 yr
olds. Ofsted Rated: Outstanding
- Jan 13. Bramdean Village Hall,
Wood Lane. Open 8am – 4pm
daily. Funded places available
Contact: Gemma O’Reilly:
07779 780228. www.
meonspringsmontessori.co.uk
 Patchwork Day Nursery
Perins School, Alresford. Full time
day care, 8.00 - 6.00: 6 months
to 5 years. N Baxter Tel: 01962
737251
 Ropley Pre-School
Ropley Pre-School offers sessions
from 9am to noon Mon-Fri for
children from 2 years 9 months,
with an optional Lunch Club
from noon to 1pm, in the Village
Hall. We have Pathfinder status so
offer 15 hours of free sessions for
children of 3 and over. We provide
a fun, friendly and stimulating
learning environment with
excellent links to local schools.
Contact: Sarah Harry 07510
684055 during opening hours.
 Hummingbirds
Bespoke Early Years Education
Warm, welcoming, positive
surroundings. Outdoor based
learning. Small group sessions
Music, French, Art, Drama,
Science. Bramdean - www.
hummingbirdsnursery.co.uk
(01962) 771233
TODDLER GROUPS
 Chatterbox Baby &
Toddler Group
A drop-in parent and toddler
group for babies, toddlers and
pre-school children and their
parents or carers. Thursdays 1011.30am all year round (including
school holidays). John Pearson
Hall, Alresford. Contact: Lee
McMackland on: 07808 672432
or email chatterbox.alresford@
gmail.com
 Kidz Café
Parent and carer baby and toddler
group (0-5 year olds). Alresford
Methodist Church, Jacklyns Lane,
Fridays 2:30 - 4:00pm, during
term time. Craft activities, play and
story time. Contact Dawn Carr on
01962 735278 or Sarah Johnson
on 01962 733453
 Medstead Toddler Group
Medstead Village Hall Thursday
9.30-11.30am during school term
times. Contact: Julie Burton
Tel: 01420 562546
 Four Marks Mothers and
Others Toddler Group
Monday 1.00 - 3.00. Children
under 5 with parent/carer. Gospel
Hall, Four Marks. Contact Ruth:
01962 773482
 Itchen Abbas Mother and
Toddler Group
Itchen Abbas Village Hall
Wednesdays 10-12pm. Contact:
Juliet on 01962 779365 or Vicky
on 01962 860935
 Ropley Baby &
Toddler Group
Meet on Wednesdays during term
time from 9.15am to 11.45am in
Ropley Coffee Rooms, next to
the Village Shop. Under 5s. Please
ring Ros Wynne 01962 773374
for details.
 Cheriton Baby &
Toddler Group
A drop-in playgroup in Cheriton
Village Hall for under 5’s
accompanied by a parent/carer.
Mondays 2 - 3.30pm. Biscuit
and drink offered and a selection
of toys/games/crafts. A good
opportunity to meet other mums/
carers in the area too. For more
info call Jo 07946 032526.
FO R U M | THE GARDEN
C&D Trees
All Tree & Hedge Care
Sparsholt college trained & qualified
Free advice & written quotations
15 years experience
www.cdtrees.co.uk
Telephone - 01962 738 420 - 07900 987 609
Bishops Sutton, Alresford
KMB
Fencing Contractor
SPECIALISTS IN STUMP GRINDING,
TREE WORK & THE SUPPLY OF LOGS
All types of countryside
contracting undertaken
• Mobile Bandsawing Service
• Brushwood Chipper Hire
• Concreting
• Hedge Cutting
• Fencing
PETER PAYNE
01962 733866 or 07778 170442
Complete Garden Construction
Professional Garden Design & Construction
LANDSCAPING & BRICKWORK SERVICES • GARDEN MAKEOVERS • PATIOS & DRIVEWAYS
TURFING & FENCING • FLINTWORK • GARDEN MAINTENANCE (LAWNS , HEDGES ETC )
AND GARDEN CLEARANCE
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN BY EXPERIENCED LOCAL TRADESMEN
LOCAL SHOW GARDENS & REFERENCES AVAILABLE
COVERING ALL TYPES OF FENCING
Please call for a quotation
Tel: 07884 408690
OFFICE: 01962 735750 MOBILE: 07766 900092
geoff_amey@btinternet.com www.completegardenconstruction.co.uk
11
FO R U M | THE
GARDEN
GARDEN
Objects of Desire
May is the month when normally if
you want to see what’s new in the
gardening world, Chelsea flower Show
is the place to go. However, a resident
of Hampshire recently pointed out to
Mike Hodges, Head Garden Designer
of Hambrooks, “You have brought
Chelsea to Hampshire!”
A touch of the authentic
Terracotta chimney pots create a focal point in
herbaceous borders of cottage gardens and cast iron
stags grace front doors or provide interest in a wide
expanse of lawn. Weather worn olive oil pots add
a touch of the authentic to areas laid with modern
decorative aggregates, while the smooth curvy lines
of a pair of white doves look spectacular against the
geometric lines of a modern garden.
New Levels
This Hampshire resident was visiting the sixteen show
gardens in Titchfield where Mike has been adorning
the show gardens with fabulous and individual
garden accessories. His selection of carefully chosen
highly desirable objects clearly show that garden
ornamentation has now reached new levels and you
are no longer restricted to the standard pots and
planters or classical statuary.
Imagination
Go Gothic
Mike says,” The trick is to find items that compliment
the style of garden whether it’s modern, traditional
or a large country garden and use your imagination to
make a real feature of it.”
You can buy crumbling Gothic arches to cover in
rambling roses or old apple crates to fill with summer
colour. Original French shutters used to decorate an
ordinary shed turn it from a functional building in your
garden into an attractive feature. Vintage items such
as metal prams and galvanised oval buckets serve as
containers for prolific planting combinations or make
small water gardens.
So, no need to visit Chelsea this year, just pop into
Hambrooks of Titchfield and see what objects of
desire you can find to grace your garden!
of
Est. 45 years
Titchfield
135, Southampton Road, Titchfield. PO14 4PR
01489 779998 www.hambrooks.co.uk
12
the unu
the inte
the diffe
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS
THE ALRESFORD SOCIETY
A VITAL MESSAGE FOR THE (FAIRLY) SILENT
MAJORITY IN ALRESFORD
I
t won't affect me... Perhaps that's what you think about the
Local Plan for Alresford. But it very likely will, whichever
part of town you live in, and there's even the possibility of
ending up with NO PLAN at all.
by-pass. No exit onto the Bishops Sutton Road either.
So where does traffic go: along the self-same residential
and distributor roads that the by-pass was built to
alleviate?
Look at the experience of Alton and East Hampshire District
Council as a reminder of the dangers of having no agreed
plan or just slow making progress. With limited powers to
resist developers, EHDC is having to agree planning for
extra housing, well beyond government requirements.
Is the Winchester-preferred plan for Pearson's Down and
The Dean perfect? Of course not; there are many questions
still to be answered but assessment work has already been
done on every available site and, as a result, these are
proposed as offering the best long term strategy.
. Pearson's Down is relatively straightforward: a huge site,
single ownership, phased over c.7 years with the by-pass
link going in first. The owner will gift 15 hectares
of open space to the town - for play, a drop off zone
to alleviate Sun Lane school traffic, allotments and so on.
Could the same thing happen to Alresford? Winchester
is duty bound to review seemingly reasonable alternative
plans, such as the 'Alresford Professional Group' (APG)
approach. But if you look at that option carefully, it seems
a curious and risky game plan that potentially de-stabilizes
the Winchester-preferred plan but offers nothing deliverable
instead. Leading to NO PLAN?
So why should we all be concerned about the alternative
'APG' approach? Any Local Plan has to be viable, sustainable
(e.g. balance housing and local employment opportunities,
and reduce car travel where possible) and deliverable.
Self-evidently, for housing to be delivered the proposer must
have the sites available.
.APG suggests eight different housing sites across town
but owners of five have not agreed inclusion of their property, whilst remaining sites cannot be accessed
without permissions. Indeed, communication with the
owners has been scant or even non-existent.
.APG says 'no' to a new employment area and ergo,
supporters think, no need for any link to the
14
Without this, what stops future development?
.A new site for business premises with new job
opportunities for existing and future residents, whilst the
by-pass link saves extra traffic on residential roads.
.The water, drainage and sewerage systems will be new,
not feed into existing capacity.
.It works well in conjunction with redevelopment of
The Dean (also talked about for years). Two adjacent land holdings are offered for development here, ideal for
housing for our elderly residents, close to shops and health care services, and some new parking.
If you've supported the alternative plan, weigh up what
it could mean to you and others. As the saying goes, 'Be
careful what you wish for'.
FO R U M | THE HOME
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS
NEWS &
VIEWS
THE SLEEP RETREAT
Attendance at just one Retreat has proved successful in dramatically
improving the sleep – and thus transforming the lives – of our
clients.
“I enjoyed immensely both the individual aspects of the week and
the group sessions, which gave me great comfort and insight. On
my last night I slept for 8 hours and missed breakfast – unheard of!”
– Oliver Hawkins, Senior Executive, IBM
“I think the group dynamic was very nurturing. I now have
powerful tools to take back home with me and I feel much more
refreshed. Thank you all for helping to make that possible” – Gail
Smith, Teacher
“Generally I wake up once an hour on a typical night, but I was
amazed to get a full five and a half hours uninterrupted sleep. I
thought the clock was wrong!” – Michael Gates, Associate Fellow,
Said Business School, University of Oxford
D
o you lie awake at night? Do you worry about not sleeping?
Do you feel exhausted during the day? Are you unable to
concentrate at work?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful…
To sleep properly, to wake refreshed, to be able to give of your best
during the day, and to be confident of each night’s good sleep?
The quality of our sleep can determine the quality of our lives.
Based in a 14th century country house, set in 70 acres of stunning
Hampshire countryside, the Sleep Retreat has a remarkable track
record of success in transforming people’s lives.
The Sleep Retreat offers small groups of people integrated
programmes of activities, in a wonderfully relaxing rural
environment, to give you all of the tools you need to CHANGE
your sleep for good……
. Clinical insight: our “science of sleep” psychologists consult with
each client individually and in a group to explore their insomnia
and ways forward.
. Healthy, healing exercise: we offer massage, yoga, walking, cycling,
tennis, golf, gym and sauna sessions, all focused on giving you
better sleep.
. Arts and aromatherapy: our social programme includes mostly
evening opportunities to enjoy art, music, poetry and aromatherapy.
. Nutritional excellence: our own specially selected chefs design
menus that promote health, taste and of course, sleep.
. Group dynamics: our clients tell us that the group interaction
and communal sharing provide great comfort, support and
enlightenment.
. Environmental elegance: and all of this takes place in the most
peaceful rural setting, in houses and gardens steeped in history.
O soothest Sleep! If so it please thee, close
In midst of this thine hymn my willing eyes – John Keats
Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care – William Shakespeare
Our Sleep Retreats are Full Week (Monday to Friday – five days,
four nights) or Weekend (Friday to Sunday – three days, two nights).
Company retreats: we also offer Sleep Retreats for company staff
who would jointly benefit from better sleep, greater productivity
and increased morale and teamwork.
16
“I just have so much more energy and I feel better overall. It’s
almost uncanny how well I’ve been sleeping. Thank you for a
wonderful week in Beautiful Hampshire, it’s already made such a
difference for me” – Katharina
If you recognise the vital importance of enjoying better sleep, please
call us today to find out more and to discuss your individual needs
confidentially and without obligation.
The Sleep Retreat. Retreat, relax, relearn
For more information visit: www.the-sleep-retreat.com
Tel: 0800 640 9050
SOUTH DOWNS GREEN
FAIR 2015
T
he South Downs Green
Fair. will be held on
Sunday May 10th 2015
from 10am to 5pm. The fair
will include plenty of activities
for all the family, such as circus
skills, belly dancing, campcraft
demonstrations and outdoor
cooking.
It will be a fantastic day out for the whole family with plenty to do
and see, whatever the weather.Whether you are looking for a family
day out with a difference, or to connect with other local people
involved in practical sustainability, or want to enjoy good music
with beer and food thrown in, it's a day that promises all of that and
more. A wide variety of free children's activities throughout the day
will keep all ages busy and amused.
Local food and drink stalls offering Fair Trade and organic wares
and vegan and vegetarian meals from The Beech Cafe on site will
keep all in food supply. Music from local and national bands, some
of which appear at big festivals, will keep the day alive with music.
Interesting presentations and talks from leading speakers on practical,
greener ways of living will also be part of the day.
Entrance Fee: £7.00 for adults (16+) & £3.00 for children
For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/a/
southdownsgreenfair.org/south-downs-green-fair/
We wanted simple elegance, something understated that would not date. I like everything about
‘‘
it and how it has all come together. From the first meeting with Mark all the way through the whole
process he delivered on time, liaised with the builders, kept to schedule and completed on time,
returning to check everything was perfect. Mark and his team have been a real pleasure to deal with
and we would highly recommend Beau-Port.
Liz Burleton
’’
Creating beautiful fine bespoke kitchens handcrafted in Britain
Contemporary, traditional and Shaker style
Contemporary German kitchens by Rotpunkt
New AGA kitchen showroom, plus Mercury and Falcon ranges
Siemens and Bosch appliances
Interiors Too!
Bedrooms, bathrooms, home studies
New media centre display
New bespoke stand alone pantries
Come and visit our 2000 sq ft showroom with a wide
range of full size kitchens and interiors on display
Celebrating 15 years of delivering design expertise and the very highest level of customer service
www.beau-port-kitchens.com
Beau-Port Ltd. 2 & 3 Bellhanger Business Park, Bentworth, Hampshire GU34 5QZ T: 0800 999 88 18
FO R U M | HEADING
Individually designed for you - Affordability provided by us...
FO R U M | THE HOME
e clusive
Double Glazing Ltd
Alresford's Conservatory
and Window Experts
Under New Management
UPGRADE YOUR
WINDOWS & DOORS
WINDOWS, DOORS,
CONSERVATORIES
• Supply & Installation
• New Handles, Letterboxes, Locks
• Broken Sealed-Units replaced
OTHER SERVICES
• Fascias, Soffits & Gutters
• Key Cutting & Locksmith Services
FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE
CALL: 01962 732091
www.exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk
sales@exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk
SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE
OPEN MON - SAT
9AM - 5PM
FOLLY FARM, CRAWLEY,
Beautiful bespoke handcrafted tables,
chairs and furniture made to order
18
WINCHESTER, HANTS,
SO21 2PH
TEL: 01962 776687
BESPOKEOAKTABLES.COM
FO R U M | THE HOME
Tel: 01962 867540
OPEN 10AM - 4PM MONDAY - SATURDAY
D
I N C L VAT
N
L A S E R R A N G E F RO M £ 9 , 9 9 5
LE
LE
SS
M AT T W H I T E
H
A
I N S TA L L AT I O N AVA I L A B L E
G E R M A N E N G I N E E R E D K I T C H E N S M A D E TO O R D E R
M AT T B U R N T O R A N G E
S P E E D R A N G E F RO M £ 9 , 9 9 5
I N C L VAT
I N S TA L L AT I O N AVA I L A B L E
G O TO O U R W E B S I T E TO S E E W H AT O U R C U S TO M E R S T H I N K
WINCHESTER SHOWROOM
FIND US
HERE
JUNC
9
MOO
R
ROASIDE
D
ABOVE BATHROOM WAREHOUSE, UNIT 3, WYKEHAM ESTATE,
MOORSIDE ROAD, WINNALL, WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE, SO23 7RX
TEL: 01962 867 540
EMAIL: INFO@ECO-GERMANKITCHENS.CO.UK
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW. ECO-GERMANKITCHENS.CO.UK
M3
A34
N
O
ST
EA
LN
TESCO
STORE
FO R U M | FEATURE
ALRESFORD TOWN
COUNCIL REPORTS
website www.winchester.
gov.uk/atoz/ is regularly
updated.
LOCAL
PLAN
PART 2
Winchester City Council
will be holding meetings
with the newly elected
council in June to discuss
key issues and to analysis all
points to ensure that what is
put forward is a plan which
meets all prescribed criteria
and is deliverable.
The scheme indicated on the drawing is intended to form the first
phase of the complete upgrading of West Street.
WEST STREET
The start date for the
commencement of works
on West Street has been
issued as 18th May.
DOG BINS
As from the 1st April
Winchester City Council
has confirmed that dedicated
dog fouling bins will stop.
Dog waste can be disposed
of in green bins.
New
Alresford recreation grounds
experience problems with
dog owners leaving their
dog waste in the parks. We
would like to urge you to
use the bins provided and
to encourage all dog owners
to dispose of their waste
responsibly.
Owners are
reminded that not picking
up dog waste is an offense
that carries a penalty.
HANGING BASKETS
This is the last reminder to
order your Hanging Baskets.
Letters have been delivered
and the baskets will be going
up in May in time for the
Watercress Festival.
ELECTIONS
A poll for the election
of Councillors for New
20
Alresford Town Council will
be held on Thursday 7 May
2015 between the hours
of 7.00 am and 10.00 pm.
The number of Councillors
to be elected is eleven. The
names of all fifteen validly
nominated Candidates are
given below in alphabetic
order:Atkins (Robin Vaughan)
Barrett (Keith)
Cattle (John David)
Evans (Simon Lee)
Gentry (Roy)
Gower (Ben)
Griffiths (Lisa Suzanne)
Jeffs (Barbara)
Jeffs (Ernest David)
Kerr-Smiley (Sam)
Pinch (Stephen Hugh)
Power (Margot Julia)
Rowe (Mark)
Saunders (Annie)
Spencer (Irene)
THE A TO Z OF
COMMUNITY
SERVICES
The
Winchester
City
Council website has an
A to Z of all community
services available within the
Winchester District. This
MAY MEETINGS
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Alresford
Recreation Centre
Full Town -14th May
Recreation - 20th May
All meeting dates are
advertised on the Council
Notice boards located in
Broad Street and Mitford
Road. It is advisable to
check these boards as this
is where any changes to
scheduled meetings or
additional meeting dates will
always be notified.
VIEWS
If you have a view or an issue
that you wish to express to
the Council please call or
write to:New Alresford Town
Council, Town Offices,
Alresford Recreation
Centre, The Avenue,
Alresford SO24 9EP.
Tel: 01962 732079
email: skavanagh@
newalresfordtc.org.uk
NEW ARC SUN
BALCONY
Come and sip wine on the
arc sun balcony with one of
the most panaramic views in
hampshire.
JAZZ
AT THE
ARC
Monthly Jazz
The first Wednesday
of the month, from
8.30pm until 11pm,
the ARC hosts
Traditional Jazz
bands.
6th May
CUFF BILLETT’S
NEW EUROPA JAZZ
BAND
Next month’s Jazz
Wednesday
3rd June
THE EXCELL
JAZZMEN
Tickets to Alresford
residents are £8 on
the door.
The ARC has a
60” Television
and the full Sky
Sports package
which shows all
major sporting
events.
No membership is
needed. Everyone
welcome.
We are now open for all your fencing supplies
•
•
•
•
osts&rails
P
Featheredge
Gates&gateposts
RoundpostsinHC4&locally
grownchestnut
• F ittings&fixings
• Bespokegatemanufacturers
• Fencingcontractors&gate
automationspecialists
5% trAde
discOunt
*
Opening hours 7.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday
All the materials you need for your fencing projects.
We can deliver them too!
*availablet
ocr
accountcus edit
tomers
James White Fencing & Gates Ltd, Appledown Lane, Alresford, Hants SO24 9PB
01962 732786 or email info@jameswhitefencing.com
www.jameswhitefencing.com
Beautiful kitchens &
bathrooms as individual
as you are.
•
It is second nature for us to provide beautiful interiors.
•
3D visuals enable us to bring your concept to life.
•
Convenientlyprojectmanagedandfittedbyour
skilled team.
Call: 01420 544995
Visit: propertyperfection.com
Unit12,OldAylesfieldBuildings,FroyleRoad,Shalden,AltonGU344BY
Where reputation matters
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS
NEWS &
VIEWS
A L R E S FO R D VO LU N TA RY
C A R E G R O U P N E E D TO
RECRUIT NEW DRIVERS
T
he Alresford Voluntary Care Group (AVCG) was set up
some 45 years ago to help local people get to their hospital,
GP and other medical appointments, in particular for those
who are elderly, infirm or just not able to drive.The group provides
a valuable service to the local community currently carrying out
some 900 journeys each year over half of which are to Alresford
Surgery, with most of the remainder to the hospitals in Winchester,
Southampton and Basingstoke. Most appointments are scheduled
between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Volunteer drivers use their own cars, transporting people from
their homes to their appointments, and where necessary, helping
them to the appropriate department at the hospital or surgery.
Drivers receive a hospital parking permit and a payment to cover
their fuel costs, plus, of course, the satisfaction of knowing that they
are providing a valuable community service and helping people less
able than themselves. The ‘customers’ themselves make a donation
towards the cost of fuel.
The AVCG operates a ‘pool’ of drivers that can be asked to provide
transport by one of the telephone co-ordinators; these are the
volunteers that customers speak to when they need to arrange
transport to the surgery or hospital. With the gradual reduction
in home visits by GPs, and the cutting back of hospital transport
services, the number of requested journeys continues to grow,
possibly by as much as 20% this year alone. As a result, the AVCG
urgently needs to recruit new drivers, so if you have a couple of
hours to spare each month, and would like to help your local
community, please contact 01962 734408 or 732695, or email
david@casapequena.net to find out more about this worthwhile
voluntary work.
M E O N VA L L E Y G U I D E S
BIG SLEEP OUT
W
e were delighted to hear from the MeonValley Guides
again this year. They have supported our work with
their annual Big Sleep Out in a local church for a few
years now and it's always exciting to hear that their event hasn't lost
momentum.
22
We received this email from Jo, one of the leaders / organisers;
"The Meon Valley Guides held a Big Sleepout in St John the
Baptist church on Friday 20 March. The stone floor and the
church provided a nice chilly environment for the 38 Guides and 5
leaders who braved it! The Guides spent the evening building dens
with cardboard boxes before trying to sleep, and then had a basic
breakfast the next morning.
Each Guide had to raise a minimum of £10 to take part and many
have raised more than that."
Jo also shared some photos with us and we are delighted that we
have permission to share them with you too.
Jo added;
"We do have a lot of fun running this event and the Guides really
enjoy themselves - as well as thinking about the homeless and
supporting the charity."
C YC L E R I D E F R O M W E L L S TO
W I N C H E S T E R C AT H E D R A L
T
he Revd. Graham Bowkett, Rector of the Upper Itchen
Benefice; which incorporates the six villages near Alresford
Winchester, of Cheriton, Bramdean Kilmeston Hinton
Ampner Tichborne and Beauworth, has gathered a dedicated
team of enthusiasts (some not so enthusiastic) to cycle over two
days, the 2nd and
3rd of May from
Wells
Cathedral
in Somerset to
Winchester
Cathedral, here in
Hampshire.
The previous Bishop
of Basingstoke, The
Rt. Revd Peter
Hancock,
now
Bishop of Bath and
Wells will bless the
ride and send them
off on the first leg
of the journey to Salisbury; where they will stay overnight, before
setting off the next day for Winchester. In Salisbury the riders
will be joined by some further enthusiastic riders destined for
Winchester Cathedral, arriving safely in time to attend Evensong
at 3.30pm.
The ride is in aid of two excellent charities. First, Winchester
Cathedral itself, in particular in response to a request for help by
the Dean of Winchester Cathedral, James Atwell. This is for help
with buying a new sound and lighting system. Secondly a Charity
set up by the brother of one of the riders, ‘Walking with the
Wounded’ a great Charity working with those in need following
trauma after Military service.
The riders hope to raise £6000 through generous giving for
these great causes. If you wish to help you can come along to the
Cathedral and welcome the riders as they arrive on the 3rd or you
can donate on line using ‘Just Giving’ – search Graham Bowkett.
FO R U M | THE HOME
Wychwood Furniture Ltd
Traditional & Contemporary Furniture
SOME
ARE READY...
ARE YOU?
Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms
For beautiful bespoke furniture
Free initial consultation
Design & Installation
www.wychwood-furniture.co.uk
WYCHWOOD FURNITURE LTD, BLUERIDGE FARM, LOWER WIELD, ALRESFORD
Tel or Fax: 01256 389788
SUMMER
OFFER
FREE
PRODUCT
UPGRADE *
Messenger
Marquees & Events
O R D E R N O W. F I T T E D F O R S U M M E R .
STYLISH MARQUEE HIRE & EVENT PACKAGES
WITHOUT THE CELEBRITY PRICE TAG
We are a local family run company
providing Marquee Hire & Event Services
The perfect setting for your next special occasion,
corporate BBQ or charity garden party
Marquee hire from £250 and
complete event packages from £350
Please contact us for more information
T: 01420 362445
messengermarquees@outlook.com
www.messengermarquees.co.uk
T 01962 710807
hi@thegreatshutterco.co.uk
visit:
w w w. t h e g r e a t s h u t t e r c o . c o . u k /
summerready
for more details.
* All orders placed will be upgraded to a superior
product grade free of charge. Maximum upgrade value £1,000.
Home consultation must be booked by 15th May
5.00pm GMT and orders must be placed within 7 days
to qualify for free of charge material upgrade.
23
FO R U M | FEATURE
HAMPSHIRE MUM
SPARKLES AND SPUDS
I
texted a photo to my friend, ‘You’re not actually going out in
daylight wearing those are you?, came her reply. Well of course
I wouldn’t! They were strictly for the privacy of my home. And
so it was, I skipped around the house happy in the knowledge
that no one would ever see them…
but then one day...
I was standing at the counter of our Market Town’s palace of
coffee and cake, as I ordered my usual coffee and ‘tiny’ slice, I
caught a glance of disbelief form a fellow coffee quaffer as her
eyes fell upon my bright blue, glitter encrusted brogues; such is
the comfort of my new secret foot attire that I had completely
forgotten to take them off and thus was caught in public.
I gave her a rye smile as if to say, “They are THE thing darling,
didn’t you know?” It was liberating. I felt like I’d ‘come out’ in the
shoe sense.’ My name is Sandra Pagan and I’m a sequin addict’.
Like many things in my life currently I conclude that my Magpie
tendency syndrome- being drawn to all things sparkly- is to do
with burgeoning old age. But the good thing is, I care not a jot
and now embrace my sparkles so, as long as it’s not raining – no
one wants soggy sequins- the blue shoes are on!
Even when I was squashed with others in the tiny Post Office
Collection depot the other day, a very nice man commented,
“Hey great shoes!”, I simply said they make an old woman very
happy, which indeed they do.
Mind you it could be worse, I could opt for killer heels but sadly
that’s not to be. I’ve got this knee you see, well in fact although
it pains me (literally) to say it, the bones and joints are not what
they were.
24
sparkly shoes is good for the soul but not for the pain. So having
researched foods and supplements that would have the restorative
effect, a large lorry arrived delivering all my dietary needs excellent.
Then one day, while peeling spuds I remembered an octogenarian
(“My dear, I didn’t stop climbing ladders until I was 84!”) friend
extolling the virtues of the humble potato and the amazing
curative affect it had on her arthritis. She had produced a potato
from her pocket, which I took to be a fossil; she explained that she
had carried that humble spud in her pocket for over two months.
Far from going rotten or sprouting the potato had gone rock hard
and, she claimed, had rendered her completely pain free much to
the amazement of her consultant.
I examined the last tiny spud in the bag, it’s not like anyone would
miss it, so I slipped it into my pocket and there it stayed for a week
or more. ‘Spud’ my new BF came with me everywhere, we got
along just fine, no rotting or sprouting in fact quite the reverse he
was going wrinkled and hard.
Then I noticed, no pain. I was pain free! How could that be?
Wasn’t placebo because quite frankly it can’t work can it- the
humble spud, the cure-all for joint pain? But in my case, and that
of my friend, it would appear so.
People noticed the strange lump in my back pocket and although
they don’t believe it either, many have taken to carrying a potato
around and most have found relief from their aches and pains. It’s
like a private club, furtive looks left and right when we meet then,
“Have you still got your spud?”
The Husband has given up, “ You’re not still carrying that rotting
spud around are you?”
Stars I and II stare down at my shoes and simply shake their heads,
“You’re nuts Mum’.
It’s pathetic-everything hurts, whether walking, after driving,
getting up even lying flat at night. ‘Wear and tear’ the GP said,
Blimey, I’m only 53!
Perhaps they are right. When you’re old you are meant to wear
purple so they say. I much prefer to carry a potato and wear very
sparkly shoes, so there you go!
‘Heal thy self ’ was the order of the day, tripping around in
Sandra Pagan
25
FO R U M | HEALTH & BEAUTY
HEALTH &
BEAUTY
BLUEBIRD CARE IS ‘GETTING
LOUD ABOUT MS.’
ad8thpOHP nov10 18/11/2010 23:11 Page 1
osteopathy & craniosacral therapy
alresford
osteopath
a gentle approach for the whole family
newborns, toddlers to teenagers, adults of all ages, pre & postnatal care
complimentary session for newborns and infants
07870 23 8899
bronwyn jones
bsc (hons) ost med.nd
alresford-osteopath.co.uk
registered with the general osteopathic council
osteopathy is covered by most health insurance
stockists of:
Bluebird Care host specialist MS event in support of National
Multiple Sclerosis week
Over 100,000 people in the UK have MS. Bluebird Care - Alton &
Alresford’s high quality home care provider hosted a special ‘Getting Loud
About MS’ this week to mark National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Week at
their office on Cross & Pillory Lane in Alton on Thursday 2nd April 2015.
The specialist event was attended by over thirty care professionals, several
local residents, representatives from the MS Society as well as staff and
customers of Bluebird Care. The morning began with an MS information
session delivered by Rebecca Connolly and Rosie Jackson from Bluebird
Care. Allison Flesher, one of the Care Assistants at Bluebird Care then spoke
about MS from a Care Assistant’s perspective, including how she has built
up relationships with the customers and even a method of communication
through blinking.
Bluebird Care customers, Mr & Mrs Carpenter from Alresford who both
have MS themselves, then spoke bravely and honestly about what it is like
to live with the condition. It is very rare to have a couple both be diagnosed
with MS, especially only a few short years after they married. Listening to
Christiana and Paul’s emotional story was incredibly moving and insightful.
In particular hearing first-hand about how MS has affected not only them
individually, but also learning how their relationship has had to evolve in
order to deal with daily life. Christiana and Paul are very close and it was at
first very daunting to admit that they needed help to care for Paul at home,
but they have been delighted with the service from Bluebird Care and are
now very familiar with their regular Carers whom they trust.
Christiana Carpenter, who spoke at the event said: “We are so grateful
to Bluebird Care for supporting our family. Both my husband Paul and I
were diagnosed with MS in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Thankfully mine
is currently benign, however Paul no longer has any mobility and relies
upon his Bluebird Care Assistants to help him with his daily needs. MS has
completely changed our family’s lives for good, but with the support we
receive from Bluebird Care I am able to keep working and I still have some
much needed ‘me’ time. I simply can’t explain how reassuring it is to know
that Paul is safe at home, being cared for by such a lovely team of local care
professionals.”
MS Society Vice Chair, Phillip Edwards attended the event, representing
the local Alton & Petersfield District MS Society.The MS Society works to
help people with MS take control of their lives and provide support to them
& their families, alongside funding research into helping beat MS for good.
Phillip Edwards, MS Society Vice Chair, for the Alton & Petersfield District
said:“We are very happy to support Bluebird Care with their ‘Getting Loud
about M.S.’ event and we would like to thank them for helping to raise
awareness about this widespread condition. One of our goals here at the
M.S. Society is to help people with M.S to continue living happy and
26
26 The Dean Alresford Hampshire S024 9AZ
Tel: 01962 738683
www.studio49alresford.com
Felicity Dwyer
Career Coach
‘Helping you find work you love!’
For a free consultation, call me on:
01962 736 019 or email:
felicity@heartofwork.co.uk
www.heartofwork.co.uk
independent lives and Bluebird Care’s services help make this possible which
is so important within our local community”
Most people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis between the ages of 2040, but it can affect younger and older people too. Roughly three times as
many women are affected than men. Bluebird Care provides high quality
home care and companionship services to customers from as young as 13
and currently their most senior customer is an impressive 103 years. Bluebird
Care enables people in our local community to remain living independently
and happily in their own homes surrounded by their family, friends and
possessions.
For further information on what services Bluebird Care can provide please
call (01420) 550 777. If you or someone you know has suffered from MS
and would like to contact our local MS Society then please visit www.altonpetersfieldmssociety.org.uk for more information.
FO R U M | HEALTH & BEAUTY
Traditional Chinese Medicine· Cosmetic Acupuncture
Alresford· Southampton
• Free consultation
• Pay for 8 treatments and receive the 9th free
• Pay for a course of 8 cosmetic acupuncture
treatments to receive
10% discount
See website for further details
Sally Hogg Pilates
@
MBCPA
Body Control Pilates® Teacher
Variety of term time matwork classes with small numbers (max 8)
allowing close supervision and individual support.
Private Sessions: One to one or small personal group pilates 'individually tailored' also available
Call/Text: 07771 522665 email: sallyhogg@btinternet.com
The Studio: 26A The Dean, Alresford, SO24 9AZ
Better
Better Health
Health -- Naturally
Naturally
Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu
Mary
Mary Walden
Walden
Chiropody
& Podiatry
Chiropody
Chiropody&
& Podiatry
Podiatry
For
comfortable,
healthy
New - Laser foot scanning
forfeet
orthotics
Classes running now in Winchester
MCPH FSSCh DipPodMed MBCha IFA
MCPH FSSCh DipPodMed MBCha IFA
New - Laser foot scanning for orthotics
Sport
injury
Massage
Toenail
correction
and reconstruction
Sport
injurytreatments,
treatments,
Massage
Dermalogica
Nutritional
Therapy Skin
with
Kinesiology
Dermalogica
Skincare
care
Help restore health naturally
Dip ION ProActive-K Cert mBANT
Tim
Dip ION ProActive-K Cert mBANT
Tim Walden
Walden
Allergy
Testing
Nutritional
NutritionalTherapy
Therapy
Kinesiology
++Energetic
BioMarkers
Sports
TherapyActive
Massage
Kinesiology
Energetic
Active
BioMarkers
-a
unique
way
of
assessing
the
body
For
all
of
those
aches
and
pains
-a unique way of assessing the
body
Skin Care
Kate
Bsc
MNIMH
Kate Parker
Parker
Bsc
MNIMH
Dermalogica
Facials
& product
Start training Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu
free today and learn to defend yourself
effectively on the street.
Your first class is FREE with no obligation
to continue training. Drop in this week to
try out Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Popularised by famous practitioners,
such as Bruce Lee and Ip Man, Wing Chun
aims to enable a practitioner to defeat an
agressor by utilising their own power
against them.
- Self-defence suitable for everyone.
- Improve balance & co-ordination.
- Gain strength with correct biomechanics.
- Contract free monthly training plans.
Start training free at uctuk.co.uk, email hello@uctuk.co.uk
or call Gary on 07986 298283 for further information
Western
WesternHerbal
HerbalMedicine
Medicine
Electrolysis
Dr
Kathryn
Fielden
BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
Dr Kathryn
Fielden
BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
Manicures
& Pedicures
Counselling
++ many
other therapies
Counselling
www.healthwaycentre.co.uk
www.healthwaycentre.co.uk
24 The Dean Alresford
24 The Dean Alresford
Telephone 01962 736336
Telephone 01962 736336
1
1
Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu | Self-defence | Private tuition | Jing Wu Kids
www.uctuk.co.uk
hello@uctuk.co.uk
27
FO R U M | HEALTH & BEAUTY
HEALTH &
BEAUTY
ALRESFORD SURGERY NEWS
YOGA
A weekly class every Friday: 09.30 - 10.30
at The Studio, 26a The Dean, Alresford,
SO24 9AZ (behind Studio 49)
W
e have a number of Bank Holiday closures in May. We
will be closed on Monday 4th May & Monday 25th 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 doctor’s 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.
28
This alignment based Yoga flow will improve all over
body strength, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and
calmness of mind. The class will be suitable for people
new to yoga and for those with experience. Adapted
postures will be offered to cater for all fitness levels.
Cost: £60 per six class pass
Private lessons also available
Further information or to reserve your place
(limited to 10) please contact Sarah Munro on:
Tel: 07747 861113
sarah@whitemountainyoga.co.uk
www.whitemountainyoga.co.uk
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 endeavor to help you, but they
may not be able to help you on the same day.
Tuesday 19th 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
B
luebird Care have been taking care of the people of Alresford
and all its surrounding villages for the last three years now and
have been regular attendees at Alresford's annual Watercress
Festival.
Our premier home care services have been recognised as being the
best at both regional and national levels, winning ‘Small Business of
theYear’ at the 2013 Winchester Business Excellence Awards, and 'Best
Care Employer' and 'Care Coordinator of the Year’ at the 2014 Great
British Care Awards for the fantastic continuity of care we provide
to our customers. We have also had formal praise from the national
Bluebird Care network where we have been fortunate to win four
national awards including 'Best Newcomer' and 'Business of the Year'
out of the 200 Bluebird Care offices across the UK and Ireland.
FO R U M | HEALTH & BEAUTY
BLUEBIRD CARE LOOK FORWARD
TO SEEING YOU AT THE 2015
ALRESFORD WATERCRESS FESTIVAL
LOCAL CARERS CARING
FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
We have a fantastic team of local Alresford Care Assistants
as well as a very professional team managing all operations
in the office. We can in most cases start a care package
within a 24hr period to enable your loved one or friend
to perhaps come out of hospital or a care home and be in
the home they love surrounded by their family, friends and
possessions.
We care for people of all ages with varying abilities and disabilities. Our
youngest customer is 13 and our oldest customer who was featured
in last month’s Alresford & ItchenValley Forum is an impressive 103!
We are very passionate about enabling people to remain living
independently in their own homes and whilst elderly care is a major
part of what we do here at Bluebird Care, many people do not realise
that we also provide home care to lots of younger customers too. We
care for people with life limiting illnesses such as MS, Motor Neurone
Disease, Cancer patients and short term care following an operation
or accident.
To us, our mission is clear and will always be – to take care of the local
people of Alresford, Alton, Winchester, Andover and all surrounding
villages the way we would care for our own family or friends.
We offer care visits from 30 minutes, right up to 24hr livein care support.Your care package is completely tailored to
your individual needs and can change as and when your
care needs change with perhaps needing additional help,
domestic services or companionship or can be reduced as
and when you are getting better.
We look forward to seeing you all again at this year’s Alresford Watercress Festival where we will be delighted to have a
chat about any care needs that you, your family, friends or neighbours might have.
For further information please contact Natasha Early at Bluebird Care Alton & Alresford:
T: 01962 856 900 E: alresford@bluebirdcare.co.uk www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
Bluebird Care (Alton & Alresford), 3 Cross & Pillory House, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HD
29
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS
NEWS &
VIEWS
NEW FOREST SPRING FAIR 2015
BIG SLEEP OUT, WINCHESTER
T
he spring Fair will be taking place on Sunday 3rd May and
Monday 4th May 2015, at New Park, Brockenhurst, SO42
7QH. There will be a full programme of events taking
place on both days to include Heavy Horses, Ferret Racing, Dog
Displays…….and lots more! Browse the stalls, savour the tasty treats,
enter our Home Crafts Competitions and enjoy the entertainment
on offer. It truly will be a fun-filled day out to suit all ages.
A
sponsored sleep out in the grounds of Winchester
Cathedral in aid of homelessness charities. Join up to 500
people sleeping under the stars at Winchester Cathedral
and raise money for two of Winchester's homelessness charities
at the same time. Find out more about Trinity Winchester and
Winchester Churches Nightshelter on their respective websites.
It will be a night like no other with live music, games and
competitions all based in this iconic setting. Everyone can come
along and enjoy the evening’s entertainment and then it will be
'Sleepers' only from 10pm bedding down in the grounds of the
magnificent building.
Ticket Information:
Tickets can only be purchased on the gate and must be with cash.
The cost of entry is £5.00 per adult, children are FREE and parking
is FREE too. Why not purchase a programme listing the attractions,
events, trade stands and displays and are taking place for 0.50p.
Opening Times 9.00am - 5.30pm The Showground, New Park,
Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH
ALTON WALKING FESTIVAL 2015
T
The Big Sleep Out is open for people who are over 11 years of age
on 8 May 2015 and any participant under 18 years of age requires
adult supervision.
he town of Alton welcomes you
to a weekend of guided walks that
will give you the chance to explore
the town and the beautiful surrounding
countryside. Whether you are looking to
delve into the town's history, enjoy the
local shops or are a keen walker looking
to enjoy a day out in the East Hampshire
Countryside, our programme will offer
something for all ages and taste. This
year's festival will feature an English Civil
War Walk visiting St Lawrence Church
where the battle of Alton took place in
1643. There will also be a new tree walk
led in the north of the town along with
two brand new ghost walks from Dark
Encounters. The full programme of walks is now available to view
and sign up to online at www.alton.gov.uk
The Big Sleep Out is also a strictly no-alcohol event.
Contact: sleepout@trinitywinchester.org.uk
Phone Enquiries: 01962 842 827
Registration is £10 per person or groups of 4 can submit a team
entry for £30. A minimum of £100 sponsorship is requested.
Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS
All events are free.Times vary. Please see web site for full programme
and booking form: www.alton.gov.uk/AltonTownCouncil/alton_
walking_festival-4531.aspx
Various locations in Alton Hampshire GU34 1HD
Saturday 16 May 2015 and Sunday 17 May 2015
Contact telephone: 01420 83986
The cardboard to sleep on will be provided; you bring the spirit
and warmth to get you through the night. Whether this is your
own personal challenge or you are coming with a team of people,
this is an experience for everyone! If you're extremely competitive,
why not bring your own cardboard and decorations and take part
in the Cardboard Shelter competition?
If sleeping outside is not your cup of tea, get involved with the
fun by creating your own Big Sleep In within the comfort of
your own home with friends and family, make dens and have a
sleepover. Alternatively if you're wanting a little bit more luxury,
speak to the event partners, Hotel du Vin Winchester, who have a
special Big Sleep In rate that you can take advantage of.
30
This year’s chosen charity is the ‘Rose Road Association’ which
provides a range of high quality services for children and young
people from 0 – 25 years old with profound and multiple disabilities
from across Hampshire. For more information, please click on the
following link charity of the year.
A beautiful Bed & breakfast
on the river Charente, in the village
of Bourg-Charente, France
FO R U M | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT / ESTATE AGENTS
Lavandes Deux
Lavandes Deux has one large luxurious suite with stunning views
over the river and village square and one double room. Both
rooms have an en-suite bathroom. Special rates are available
for the booking of both rooms.
Opposite the house, on the other side of the river is the beautiful
Chateau de Bourg-Charente, where they produce Grand
Marnier. Within the village square, there is La Ribaudiere, one of
the very few Michelin star restaurants in the area, with it's garden
reaching down to the river and the local cafe/restaurant with a
fabulous 4 course meal with wine, a different experience, but
equally as nourishing!
$
For more information on the Lavandes Deux visit:
www.lavenders-alresford.com/lavande-deux
or alternatively contact Linda Smith on:
01962 733894 or 01962 735877
Email: lindasmithlavender@hotmail.co.uk
www.facebook.com/pages/Lavandes-Deux/403519239821844
31
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS
NEWS &
VIEWS
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL OF
BRITAIN AND IRELAND YOUTH
SPEAKS COMPETITION 2015
A
lresford Rotary club began to assess the Public
Speaking qualities of our local youths when it began
the first local round of this annual competition at
Perin’s Community School on Tuesday 24th February
The competitors from years 8, 9 and 10 were allowed to
choose their own topic on which to speak in the allotted time
of 10 minutes in teams of three, timings being 2 minutes for
the chairperson, 6 for the main speaker and 2 for the proposer
of thanks.The topics chosen were Is the USA a World Leader?,
How Much Longer Should We Stand For Inequality? and
How Does The Media Influence Us? with the topics of
Why Women Should Have the Choice and University: is it
Feasible? being the most successfully debated in the end.
TESCO EXPRESS
CHARITY STALL
N
ew Alresford Town Trust are pleased to announce that
Tesco Express in Alresford has once again agreed to
sponsor a Charity Stall at The Town Trust Thursday
Market in Broad Street.
If you are a Charity/Group/Playgroup or any other
organisation wishing to raise funds please contact Pam Stevens
on (01962) 734861 or E.mail heatherhollow@btinternet.com
for further information or to book a space.
The Tesco Charity Stall should be up and running by the
middle of May and will continue for a few months dependent
on interest. Give Pam a call to book a date.
The Thursday Market in Alresford still has a few spaces to sell
your goods, so if you are interested please call Pam to either
book a space or go on the waiting list. We do not duplicate
our stalls so if you are selling a product, and we already have
someone selling your product, we can put you on the
waiting list.
A L R E S FO R D R OTA RY 1 0 K
The winning Intermediate team of Angelika Kuzminska,
Mojo Akinyemi and Jess Blake from Year 9 and the Senior
team of Rachel Wood, Ella Vincent and Corinna Cazalet were
each selected to compete with teams from Henry Beaufort
and King’s Schools for a place in the Rotary Wessex finals in
Andover.
A special mention as Chairperson goes to Katie Willis of Year
8 for the support she gave her team members.
In the subsequent round, held in The Hub at Perins on March
3rd., the Intermediate ‘home team’ was selected to represent
the Winchester District in the regional round whilst the
Senior team from King’s School was selected to go forward,
their chosen topic being Pushy Parenting, a subject which,
combined with their witty delivery, caused some amusement
amongst the audience.
At the District finals held at John Hanson School, Andover the
teams selected for the Regional competition were Rookwood
School and Guernsey Grammar who will compete in
Shaftesbury in two week’s time for a place in the national
finals in April .
The Rotary Clubs of Alresford and Winchester would like
to congratulate all of the contestants on the quality of their
background research and their contributions to debate, the
teachers of all three schools who supported the competition
and the impartial judges Catherine Sousa of Sousa Richards
partnership in Alresford and Brian Rothwell of the Alresford
Historical and Literature Society who have given of their time
and expertise so generously in judging the contestants skills in
all three rounds of the competition.
32
S
unday 21st June at Arlebury Park. Registration opens
at 8.30am. Children's races organised by Sun Hill Junior
School from 9.30am. 10k Road Race at 10.00am. Run
through the town and into the fabulous Alresford countryside.This
is the 8th running of this popular summer event. Last year over 300
runners took part. There will be T-shirts and medals sponsored by
the Alresford Salads and the Watercress Company and watercress
for all the runners.
Cash prizes for the male and female winners plus prizes donated by
local businesses for age category winners. Enter online at: http://
alresford10k.co.uk/entry/ and save £2 on the on the day entry
price. Make it a family day out; run in the morning, visit the Broad
Street gardens and have lunch in town before heading down to
Wier House for the Alresford Pigs Duck Race.
Are ewe looking to
move this spring?
Call us now for a free market appraisal of your home
Winchester office
t 01962 857427
e winchester.sales@smithsgore.co.uk
One of the oldest properties in the town,
located at the bottom of Broad Street
Guide Price: £895,000
Guide Price: £795,000
S FO
A R
LE
A beautiful thatched cottage with much
character and stunning countryside views
S FO
A R
LE
ALRESFORD
ALRESFORD
Spacious bungalow at the head of the close
with secluded garden and views over fields
Stunning contemporary refurbishment of a
town centre property with excellent garaging
Guide Price: £450,000
Guide Price: £595,000
S FO
A R
LE
CHERITON
S FO
A R
LE
34
S FO
A R
LE
S FO
A R
LE
FO R U M | ESTATE AGENTS
ITCHEN STOKE
ALRESFORD
ALRESFORD
Mews house in an exclusive development within
walking distance of the town centre
A modern family house with a larger than
average ground floor accommodation
Guide Price: £450,000
Guide Price: £325,000
LE
T
TO
FO R U M | ESTATE AGENTS
A LRE SF ORD & SURROUNDING VILLAGE S
“A first class team with excellent
ITCHEN ABBAS
A wonderful character property enjoying
spectacular views over the River Itchen
TO LET: £3,250 pcm
knowledge and a reliable,
professional yet friendly approach
was invaluable in the sale of our
property. Hellards has to be
TO
LE
T
highly recommended.”
Hellards has been selling and
letting residential property in the
Alresford area since 1988. Now with
new direction and impetus, we aim
to become the agent of choice for
property owners who are looking
for the highest standards of service
ALRESFORD
A spacious bungalow with a secluded garden
within walking distance of the town centre
TO LET: £1,400 pcm
and integrity.
Whether you are looking to sell or
let your property, or just want some
honest advice, call us or pop into our
TO
LE
T
Broad Street office to find out why
Hellards is the estate agent
everyone is talking about.
S A L E S • L E T T I N G S • P R O P ER T Y M A N AG EM E NT
ALRESFORD
A modern four bedroom town house in Broad
Street with a garage and a pretty garden
Guide Price: £1,850 pcm
TE L : 01 9 62 736333
W W W .HE L L A R DS.C O.UK
11 B R OA D STR E E T A L R E SF OR D SO24 9 A R
35
‘A family company built on a solid foundation’
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS / BUILDING SERVICES
BUILDING
SUPPLIES
& SERVICES
ties, Classifieds
BUILDING
SUPPLIES
& SERVICES
MELODY
MELODY
NEWS
&
ART
ART
VIEWS
COLLABORATE HOMES LAUNCH
NEW GROUP SELF-BUILD
INITIATIVE
MELODY
ART
MELODY
W
orking with a group to create your own home can have many
advantages’ writes Paul Jenkins, the principle architect at place and
director of Collaborative Homes, the newly formed Winchester
based company.
ART
Collaborative Homes have launched a new initiative that facilitates the formation
of well informed and motivated groups to develop their own new homes and
provides professional services to help project manage and design the project where
required. In 2013, 1 in 8 of the population, that’s 6 million people, expected to
actively research the possibility of building their own home within the coming
year 1. 2%, over 1 million, expected to start the process during the coming year,
but in reality only about 10,000, a tiny 0.02% achieved this ambition.
More surprisingly a YouGov survey commissioned by the Building Societies
Association (BSA), published in October 2011, suggested that 53% of people
in the UK would consider building their own home given the opportunity.
Although the poll showed interest across wide income, age, educational and
socioeconomic bands, the achievers were biased towards those with incomes
over £60,000, over 45, with a knowledge of the process, who had time and craft
skills to invest some ‘sweat equity’ in their project.2
Overall this represents only 7-10% of all homes built that year, but not surprisingly
given the profile of the achievers, 28% of detached new homes. In France the
percentage is closer to 60% and in Austria a staggering 80% of all new homes are
‘self-build’. I should stress that in this context self-build doesn’t have to involve
laying bricks or digging drains; investing ‘sweat equity’ to use the jargon. It means
being the developer, buying the land, commissioning the design, employing the
builders and taking the risks and, most importantly, the rewards.
So why such a disparity between ambition and fulfilment? The York survey
identified a number of key issues preventing people getting started.
Knowledge
Despite the popularity of Grand Designs and other self-build programmes, only
a very few people really understand how to go about what is a very complicated
process. There are many sources of information, some well-founded and some
just plain wrong. However it is challenging for an individual to acquire enough
knowledge through the media and especially to know whose opinion to trust.
Collaborative Homes has planned a programme of seminars and lectures
by leading local professionals on the legal, financial, planning, design and
procurement issues surrounding both individual and group self-build projects.
Land
‘As rare as hen’s teeth’ is how most agents will describe self-build plots if you
enquire at their offices. The reasons why are diverse and tied up with the
structure of the house building and selling industries and the planning system.
However local authorities now have an obligation to help identify potential
self-builders and allow for them in their plan preparation. Existing land owners
and developers can fulfil some of their obligations by partnering with self-build
groups and in rural areas groups of local people can apply for rural exemption
permission to develop land otherwise classified as countryside. Collaborative
Homes is working with a range of agencies and land owners to identify potential
sites for group self-build development, assess development options and seek preapplication advice. These projects will be available to newly formed groups.
Planning
The identification of housing need and the type required, as well as the allocation
of land for housing, is a central obligation of local planning authorities. Under
29
Michael Hoggard Ltd
Michael Hoggard Ltd
Quality Building Contractors
Quality
Building
‘A family
company
built on aContractors
solid foundation’
‘A family
company
built
on acompany
solid foundation’
Michael
Limited
isisaafamily
built
MichaelHoggard
Hoggard
Limited
family
company
builton
onaa
Michael Hoggard Limited is a family company built on a
solid
foundation.
one
the
longest
trading
building
solidfoundation.
foundation.ItItItisisisone
one
of
the
longest
trading
building
solid
ofof
the
longest
trading
building
firms
locally,
having
been
established
inin1967.
firmslocally,
locally,having
having
been
established
1967.
firms
been
established
in 1967.
“We
deal
with
every
aspect
building
construction”
“Wedeal
dealwith
withevery
everyaspect
aspect
of
building
and
construction”
ofof
building
andand
construction”
mhoggardltd@btconnect.com
Office phone/fax:
01962 732985
mhoggardltd@aol.com
Phone/Fax:
01962
732985
mhoggardltd@aol.com
Office
Phone/Fax:
01962
732985
mhoggardltd@aol.comOffice
Office
Phone/Fax:
01962
732985
Michael
Hoggard:
(Home)
01962
732494
(Direct)
07802 418079
Michael Hoggard: (Home) 01962 732494 (Direct) 07802 418079
Michael
MichaelHoggard:
Hoggard:(Home)
(Home)01962
01962732494
732494 (Direct)
(Direct)07802
07802418079
418079
Michael Hoggard Limited is a family company built on a
solid foundation. It is one of the longest trading building
firms
locally,
been established
1967.
recent legislation
town
and having
parish councils
can developinlocal
plans which can
include “We
for local
housing
assessment
and
location and
identification.
This process
deal
with every
aspectis
of building
construction”
Michael
Hoggard
Limited
familyincompany
a
is well
underway
in Winchester
and hasa started
Test Valley. built
Other on
district
solid
foundation.
It
is
one
of
the
longest
trading
building
councils will be encouraging and supporting the development of local plans in
the coming
years.locally,
Collaborative
Homes
is actively
lobbying in
these
organisations
firms
having
been
established
1967.
to ensure that a proportion of these sites are allocated to self-build projects, both
individually
andwith
for groups,
to helpof
thebuilding
authoritiesand
identify
suitable groups
“We deal
everyand
aspect
construction”
mhoggardltd@aol.com Office Phone/Fax: 01962 732985
to take these project
forward.
Michael Hoggard: (Home) 01962 732494 (Direct) 07802 418079
Finance
A number of initiatives have been launched by the current government, with the
general support of all parties, to encourage self -build projects. These can reduce
the cost of a new home by up to 15%. Add to this the benefits of cutting out the
developers
profit, the stamp duty on Office
a new Phone/Fax:
home and the
benefits
of sharing the
mhoggardltd@aol.com
01962
732985
professional
andHoggard:
construction
management
cost, (Direct)
then a group
Michael
(Home)
01962 732494
07802self-built
418079 home
can be up to 35% cheaper than a new home brought from a developer. Even
though obtaining borrowing to finance individual self-build has become easier,
group-self builders need access to specialist lenders and cash flow support to be
able to benefit from the full savings. Collaborative Homes and its professional
advisors have identified potential sources for such funding and can help arrange
finances, manage budgets and do the book keeping as well as advising on the
optimising of VAT and other tax obligations.
Group dynamics
Having completed two major renovations and one new build house in the past
twenty years I can confirm that going it alone can test the commitment of even
the most informed and experienced self-builder. Sharing the development is
not only a way to share cost but also to share the stresses and strains that are
Issue 24 November 2008
connected to all new build projects.
When people enter with the right expectations
the
group development
Issue
2008
Issue24
24 November
November
2008
experience can create a neighbourhood community that supports the members
long after the build is finished. Self-builders stay in their home 3 times longer
on average than the normal owner occupier. Shared facilities such as district
heating, common land and allotments, car-sharing and privately managed access
can create far more sustainable developments than the average developer led
project and create a better and more economical local environment. Obviously
getting the right group together is essential for this. Collaborative Homes is
offering a ‘marriage broking’ service to help like-minded people connect and
support the creation of suitable legal structures that suit the group and the form
of development. The structure for a group of three wishing to build detached
dream homes will be very different to twelve first time buyers wishing to be part
Issue 24 November 2008
of a controlled cost housing development
To find out more about the initiative visit: www.collaborativeHomes.org
or call Paul Jenkins or Marion Mason at place on 01962 841 411
1. Mori poll for NaCSBA 2013
2. University of York survey 2013 sponsored by Lloyds Bank
3.
Self-build and custom build housing sector; Parliamentary
Note: SN06784 Dec 2014
Standard
36
Issue 24 November 2008
29
NEW HOMES
EXTENSIONS
LOFT CONVERSIONS
REFURBISHMENTS
•DESIGN
•INTERIORRECONSTRUCTION
ANDREFURBISHMENT
•BATHROOMS
•KITCHENS
•EXTENSIONAND
CONVERSIONS
•GENERALBUILDINGWORKS
With over 30 years experience, fully
qualified and insured, I am happy to talk
through what you need to help create
your design and give a FREE no
obligation estimate.
Contact me now, I’m here to help.
ANDY CLIFF TEL: 01962 738883
V
V
CONSTRUCTION
FO R U M | BUILDING SERVICES
CPFM
EXPERIENCED
LOCAL BUILDER
& PEACE OF MIND
Email: cliffbuilding@googlemail.com
VOLLER ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
V
V
ALL WORKS GUARANTEED
VOLLER ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
•
V
V
info@cpfm.co.uk
www.cpfm.co.uk
Tel: 01962 732 970
Mob: 07947 812 412
Extensions and Conversions • Alterations • New Build
Refurbishments • Loft Conversions • Listed Buildings
• Planning Applications • Planning Appeals
• Building
Regulations Applications
VOLLER
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN
• Projects modelled in 3D CAD for clear visualisation
• Residential Development and Masterplanning
•
For a free initial consultation call James Voller 07962 055862
or email jamesv@vollerarchitectural.com
New builds
Conservation work
Painting & decorating
Extensions & alterations
Conservatories
Roofing
Brick & flint specialist
Groundworks
Structural works (steel)
Office: 01962 734978 (9am-5pm)
Mobile: 07979 506416
email: enquiries@grantandwimbleton.co.uk
18 NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 9QP
37
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS / PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
NEWS &
VIEWS
SERV WESSEX
P
eople will have seen the
National Blood Service vans
driving around, but how many
people realise that they do not deliver
to the hospitals during the night,
weekend or bank holidays? During
these hours, hospitals usually end up
paying for a courier. This costs the
NHS thousands of pounds each year.
This is where SERV comes in. SERV stands for Service by
Emergency Rider Volunteers and is often referred to as the
Bloodrunners. The SERV Hampshire branch has grown in the
number and region of hospitals supported to cover as far west as
Poole and Dorchester, north to Swindon, and East to Guildford.
We are now known as SERV Wessex to better reflect the regions
we cover.
Riders give up their time to deliver blood, platelets, plasma, and
samples during these out of hour’s periods. The volunteers don’t
get paid for their time or for the petrol used when they use
their own bike. We have a couple of marked up bikes, but most
volunteers use their own transport.
In 2014, we delivered 1,362 boxes, and covered 90,854 miles! As
well as providing urgent blood to the hospitals we also supply
fresh blood every 48 hours to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Air Ambulance based in Thruxton. They have recently been
given permission to carry blood and use a specially designed box
developed for use by the military.
SERV Wessex is run entirely on donations; we don’t receive any
funding apart from charitable donations.
For more information about our charity please visit:
http://servwessex.org.uk/. Donations also welcome via:
https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/servwessex
ALRESFORD EEL HOUSE
DEVELOP MENTS
O
ver the winter progress has been made towards our long-term
goal of restoring the Eel House to its functioning purpose
- further boxes have been ticked with the Environment
Agency regarding the installation of sluices, which we hope may be
completed this autumn.
The old chipboard floor has been removed and a steel grill flooring
is being prepared for installation shortly which will enable visitors to
see the charming arched conduits below (as well as the raging river!).
Sadly this work is not quite complete and will not be finished until
after Easter, which means that our scheduled opening on 5th and 6th
of April will not be possible. Our first Open Day will therefore be on
17th May for the Watercress Festival.
38
Banners
Flags
Branded Clothing - Embroidery & Print
Vehicle Graphics
Signs
lse
e
t
wha
Print
See e do at
w
Displays
Stage Sets & Backdrops
T: 01962 734477
www.setimage.co.uk hello@setimage.co.uk
Unit 1 Prospect Business Centre, Prospect Rd, Alresford, Hants SO24 9UH
Computer Repairs
• For all computer, laptop and tablet needs
• Broken screens replaced from £80 (fitted)
• We fix wireless ‘dead spots’ in 30 minutes
• Business and private customers welcome
Contact: 01962 734750 or 07808 480344
For more information visit:
www.alresfordcomputers.co.uk
repairs@alresfordcomputers.co.uk
Oakleaf Stationery Ltd
OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
FO R U M | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES / I.T SERVICES / FASHION & RETAIL
Computer
Problems?
OPENING TIMES
Mon to Fri - 9am - 5pm
Sat - 9.30am - 1pm
Why travel all the way to Winchester for office supplies
when we have a comprehensive range available on your doorstep
A wide range of print cartridges in stock
Services available:
Photocopying, Laminating, Document Binding, Faxing,
Scan to Email, Professional Personalised Printing Agent
56 West Street, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9AU
Tel:01962 736116 info@oakleafstationery.co.uk
ADVERTISE WITH US!
and reach up to 14,900 readers
in Alresford and the Itchen Valley
Eighth page placements: £43
Quarter page placements: £75
Half page placements: £141
Discounts are available on 3, 6 and 12
month bookings. For more information
email: marketing@forumpublications.co.uk
39
FO R U M | FASHION & RETAIL
MARKET SQUARE
UNIQUE - BESPOKE - ECLECTIC - LOCAL
Alresford Beauty
Ragamuffin
Vivien Sheriff Wave Headpeice - £799
35 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AB
Tel: 01962 733277 | www.modarosa.co.uk
Vanessa Bee hessian shopping bags with luxury padded
handles in a range of designs - £6.99 - £7.99
Tel: 01962 735553 | www.alresfordbeauty.co.uk
Frugi organic smocked gypsy dress - £28.00
2 Bakehouse Yard, New Alresford, SO24 9AU
Tel: 01962 734488 | www.ragamuffin-uk.com
SQU
AR
E · MARKE
T
40
ET S QUARE
ARKET SQ
U
Luxurious cashmere and fine merino mix v neck jumper
in lime green. Also available in soft turquoise - £116
Tel: 01962 733894 | www.lavenders-alresford.com
RK
·M
Lavenders
May brings the
Watercress Festival to
town, when our streets
are filled with visitors,
scrumptious food stalls
and festivities! Why not
celebrate the start of
summer by supporting
the wide variety of
local retailers, eateries
and businesses in our
beautiful town?
ARE · M
A
Moda Rosa
Naked Grape
La Cress Watercress Belgian Lager - Exclusive to The
Naked Grape - To be launched at the Watercress Festival
Tel: 01962 7320O2 | www.thenakedgrape.co.uk
Design Realities
Alresford Cricketers
Long Barn
Spoil yourself with a luxurious Dr Vranje home fragrance
250ml Reed diffusers £49.50, Room Spray £27.00
Tel: 01962 732507 | 36 West Street, Alresford
Family friendly pub with large car park & play area.
Jacklyns Lane, Alresford, SO24 9LW
Tel: 01962 732463 | www.alresfordcricketers.co.uk
Lavender now in, plus a bumper range of spring and
summer plants. Lavender stoechas from - £3.95
Tel: 01962 738684 | www.longbarn.co.uk
PROVIDE READERS WITH SEASONALLY EVOCATIVE,
RK
ET S QUARE
·M
SQU
ARKET SQ
ARE · M
A
INSPIRATIONAL GIFT AND STYLE IDEAS.
FO R U M | FASHION & RETAIL
A PLACE FOR LOCAL RETAILERS TO DISPLAY THEIR WARES AND
U
AR
E · MARKE
T
Delilah Boutique
More by Design
Interior Style
Ilse Jacobsen glitter flip flops - £24
34 West St, Alresford, SO24 9AU
Tel: 01962 738470 |
Delilah Boutique
Alphabet Cushions - 45cm x 45cm
£20 each including the pad
Tel: 01962 734504 | www.morebydesign.com
Hand made dancer Sculpture - £160
29 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AB
Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz
The Wessex Dog Walking Co.
Andrew Smith & Son
D.Barker & Son
Honest and reliable local dog walking and
pet-care service
Tel: 07450 575284 |
wessexdogwalks
Monthly Antiques and Interiors Auction 9 May - Fine Art,
Antiques, Interiors and Collectables 19 and 20 May
Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com
Novus Spirit Flask in Pewter with
leather sleeve - £70
Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
Jasmine China Hire
D.Barker & Son
The Alresford Gift Shop
Planning a party? We offer an extensive range of China,
Cutlery, Glassware, Linen & more for all your hire needs
Tel: 07836 745603 | www.jasminechinahire.co.uk
Trollbead Mythic bracelet special offer:
was £80, now £50!
Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
High gloss melamine coasters & place mats £3 & £8 each. See
us at the Watercress Festival and see our NEW Alresford mugs
Tel: 01962 732192 | 10 West St, Alresford, SO24 9AT
41
FO R U M | FASHION & RETAIL
FASHION &
RETAIL
carving/working, cabinet making, pottery as well as vintage
and antique sellers, some new products such as hampers and
log baskets, frames and children's toys and crafts, used and all
types of up-cycled products and furniture, animal products
and homemade foods.
NEW EMPORIUM IN
CHRISTCHURCH WITH OVER
80 SMALL BUSINESSES - A
SMALL INDOOR SHOPPING
VILLAGE
“We are hunting out original items from the best creative
small businesses in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire and
bringing them together in one place, making it easy for
people to browse, shop and buy direct from small business
owners” Say’s Lesley-Ann
When you speak with Simon and Lesley-Ann, the Directors
and founders of Christchurch Emporium, you soon realise
just how passionate they are about hand-picking creative
small businesses, making it simple for customers to be inspired
by the personalised, stylish and unique things that will be on
offer. They are not interested in being the same as everyone
else and do not wish to become a market or compete with
the high street, they describe themselves as a indoor shopping
village for small businesses with a difference and are very
passionate about supporting British talent and helping to
generate more footfall into Christchurch.
Customers will be buying directly from the artists, designers
and curators who make up the majority of the collection of
sellers. By shopping at Christchurch Emporium you will be
doing business with diverse, talented independent sellers who
care about quality, innovation and style, as well as supporting
the future growth of creative talent and small business owners.
When you walk into the emporium you will find streets of
different types of traders and sellers such as Antiques Walkway,
Vintage Road, New Street, Up Cycled Chic, Nearly New
Road, Artists Alley and Paws Place. The layout is similar to
departmental stores, where similar products and designs are
displayed together. In Vintage Road, you will find all things
vintage.
C
hristchurch Emporium are taking on companies
like notonthehighstreet.com with the opening of
their new “Indoor retail area emporium for small
businesses”, located at the old Mostyns Factory in Bridge
Street. The idea is that Christchurch Emporium will be the
quaint individuality of a village fête with the creative style
of a boutique store, selling uniquely crafted items that are
different to those sold by big brand chains and shops on the
high street.
The inspiration behind Christchurch Emporium is based
on craft & antique fairs that you find in and around the
UK. “Craft and antique fairs have a variety of inspiring and
creative exhibitors and are very successful, we’ve gone one
stage further, by giving these small businesses the exposure
of a regular sales area to help them really expand their sales,
freeing up their time, as we do the selling for them,” says
Lesley-Ann, director and one of the founders of Christchurch
Emporium.
Christchurch Emporium currently has over 80 individual
small businesses such as artists and crafters of earthenware,
glassware, stained glass, quilting, needlework, knitting, wood
42
In New Street, you will find new products such as Holly’s
Handbag and everything you need for a Great British cup
of tea.
In Antique Walkway you will find a whole array of lovely
antiques and in Nearly New they will be offering re-cycled
products such as pine furniture, baby clothes and prams and
Macmillan Caring Locally who are opening their first retail
shop.
In Artist Alley you will find Lucy Tidbury and Paul Doleman
as well as other artists. Paul Doleman is going to be a
resident artists, his studio is at Christchurch Emporium and
you will be able to see him paint and he will be offering
classes for children and adults at the Activity Centre within
Christchurch Emporium.
Opening Saturday 18th April at 10am to 5pm and then
Tuesday to Saturday: 10-5 and Sunday's: 11-4pm.
Christchurch Emporium is situated behind the new Churchill
Retirement development, The Old Mostyns Factory in
Bridge Street, Christchurch. Their Facebook page is: www.
facebook.com/christchurchemporium.
FO R U M | LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
LEISURE &
ENTERTAINMENT
THE OLD ALRESFORD DRAMATIC SOCIETY
INVITES YOU TO DI(N)E WITH THEM…
SUDDEN
DEATH
A THEATRE SUPPER & MURDER MYSTERY
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
COUNTRYSIDE DAY
AT OLD ALRESFORD MANOR
by Chris Lewis & Carol Hutton
WED 13TH SAT 16TH May 2015
7.00pm - Bar & hall open
7.20pm - Ploughman’s supper
7.30pm - Performance begins
C
elebrate 100 years of progression through the ages at
Sparsholt College. Come and enjoy Countryside Day on
Saturday 16th May. A fun day out for the family and much
to find out about Sparsholt College. Explore the development
from traditional agricultural methods to the high-tech industry
we have today.
Here is a list of things to see and do:
• Tractor rides, circus skills workshops
• Loads of live music from across the decades
• Craft fair and food hall
• Vintage and modern machinery
• Re-enactment groups engaging with children of all ages
• New climbing wall open
• Plant sales
TICKETS
BUY TICKETS
Online www.oa-toads.org.uk
Box Office 01962 736257
Email boxoffice@oa-toads.org.uk
£12
Ploughman’s supper
included
Set in the 50’s as a BBC Radio play, you are invited to take a light supper,
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!
JOIN US AT THE CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD
Tickets will be available to purchase online (with a 15% discount
on the standard prices). Please check the website for full details:
www.sparsholt.ac.uk/events
FIND & FOLLOW
In partnership with
Home of Thomas & FriendsTM toys
Westley Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2NF
Tel: 01962 776441 Adult £10.00 per ticket, Child £8 per ticket
Family (2+2) £28.00 per ticket Senior Citizen £9.00 per ticket
THE HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY FAIR
N
etley Marsh (Hampshire) Country Show. It’s our second
year in this fantastic venue. We are welcoming back top
arena attractions such as our scurry drivers, racing each
other or taking on the might of the Izuzu in our Machine v Beast
challenge. Then there are the horseboarders – and adrenaline
packed set of races, when the competitors basically skateboard
behind a galloping horse! Chase the Bunny is back, and there are
the usual demonstrations of gun dogs, ferrets and birds of prey, as
well as your opportunity to meet and greet the packs of hounds
from New Forest Hounds and South Downs Bloodhounds Then
there are the hamsters, the horses, the hawks, the hot dogs…
Mark Lloyd and his team of chefs demonstrating recipes from the
countryside. The will be fair rides for the children and a bar tent
for the adults.You can have a go at fishing or ferret racing, painting
a pot or paint balling, all in all a great day out.
Open 10am - 6pm Daily. Adults £12 Over 65’s £11 Child £4
Netley Marsh Showground, Netley Marsh, Hampshire, Hampshire
SO40 7GY Sunday 3 May 2015 and Monday 4 May 2015
www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk
44
Join Thomas & FriendsTM
at a heritage Railway near you.
Experience a ride on a real steam engine
and take part in Thomas-themed activities.
MID HANTS RAILWAY
‘WATERCRESS LINE’
Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG
3 - 12
RD
TH
2015
www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk
Day Out With ThomasTM Thomas the Tank EngineTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry.
© 2015 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas
are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2015 HIT Entertainment Limited.
FEATURI
G FOUR
STAGES N
OF LIVE
MUSIC!
REE
F
E
H
T
H
C
T
CA
US…
B
E
L
T
T
U
SH
HESTER
NC
FROM WI ESFORD
TO ALR
FAMKIELTY
TIC
- ONLY
OFFER
£40
UNDER
9s
GET IN
FREE!
Arlebury Park, The Avenue, Alresford, Nr. Winchester
ADVANCE TICKETS FROM £10 - CAMPING £5
RINGWOOD FINE ALE BAR • CIDER & COCKTAIL BARS • ZORBING • CIRCUS ACTS
FOOD STALLS • FESTIVAL VILLAGE • AFRICAN DRUMMING • ART SCULPTURES
STREET THEATRE • MUSIC & DANCE WORKSHOPS & MUCH MORE…
BUY ONLINE & SAVE £5 PER PERSON
www.alresfordmusicfestival.com
Principal sponsors of the Alresford Music Festival:
Photographs kindly supplied by Allan Jones (www.rockstarimages.co.uk) and Richard Turner Photography.
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS / MOTORS
NEWS &
VIEWS
WATERCRESS LINE WINS
GRANT TO RESTORE ITS
FLAGSHIP ENGINE
AVAILABLE
FOR:
PRESTIGE CARS
OF ALRESFORD
TEL: 01962 865602
MOBILE: 07752 570787
OR VISIT
PRIVATE HIRE
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
OTHER
JOURNEYS
WWW.PRESTIGECARSALRESFORD.CO.UK
No r t h
Mo to r
Company
North Motor Company, Holden Farm
Cheriton, Alresford, Hants SO24 ONX
www.northmotor.co.uk
info@northmotor.co.uk
Over 30 years experience
• Service
• Repairs
• On site MOTs
All makes of car catered for
Full Saab, Subaru diagnostics
Free collection, delivery and
courtesy car (when available)
Independent Specialists
Fully equipped workshop
Telephone Nigel or Gary on
Canadian Pacific in full steam on the Watercress Line, © Matt Allen
F
ollowing its recent high profile cosmetic restoration of the
Winston Churchill steam engine for the National Railway
Museum, the Mid Hants Railway in Hampshire has been
awarded a large Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to restore its
own flagship engine, Canadian Pacific.
Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year the Mid Hants Railway,
or Watercress Line as it is famously known, is a popular visitor
attraction in the south. It bought the Southern Railway Merchant
Navy Class No.35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ locomotive in 2006 and
it ran on the railway until 2008 when its statutory overhaul was
due. All of these giants of British engineering require an overhaul
every 10 years to keep them safely in steam. At 74 years old this
95 ton engine can now be completely stripped down and rebuilt
by the railway’s growing team of skilled engineers and apprentices.
The three year restoration project has been awarded £895,000 by
the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the total cost of £1.5m. The
remainder of the project’s costs will be met through fundraising
and donations to the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society, the
charity behind the Watercress Line. The project also involves the
restoration of two wooden framed coaches designed by the same
Southern Railways engineer, Oliver Bulleid.
Once restored to their former glory the locomotive and coaches
will become the focal point of Watercress Line activities. Managing
Director Colin Chambers said: "We are extremely grateful to the
Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting this project and the aims
of the Mid Hants Railway. We look forward to sharing progress
of the restoration process itself and it will be fantastic to have this
beautiful southern locomotive back in steam and at the heart of
the railway."
46
01962 771331
01962 771881
Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East,
said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting this project that
provides an excellent opportunity to secure the long-term future
of Hampshire’s railway heritage. The exciting plans to restore the
‘Canadian Pacific’ and Bulleid coaches to their former glory will
help conserve this important heritage for generations to come,
and through the enhanced visitor experience and extensive
volunteering and training opportunities, more people will be able
to learn about the social, political and economic significance of our
historic railways.”
Canadian Pacific was originally built just a few miles away from the
Watercress Line in the railway town of Eastleigh in 1941 and, in a
neat turn of events, this is where the locomotive’s restoration will
begin. Eastleigh Works have kindly rented out part of the building
where the 30 Merchant Navy Class engines were originally built
so that the project team has space to strip down and rebuild her.
Component parts will be brought back to life at the railway's own
extensive engineering facilities at its Ropley site, which are on view
to visitors.
The project has a huge community focus for the railway and the
town of Eastleigh as the Watercress Line pulls together the story
of the builders, drivers and passengers of the 1940’s and 50’s steam
era. Local memories of that time are actively being sought by the
railway to bring the story to life. People will be able to closely
follow the restoration process through the Watercress Line’s website
and social media, with regular blogs and updates as it progresses.
MOT TEST CENTRE
•
•
•
•
•
Welding specialists
Tyres for cars and motorcycles
4 wheel laser alignment
LPG for sale for cars
Recovery services
• Free collection
• Diagnostic testing
(including Landrover)
• Courtesy cars
• Certificated engineers
MOT TEST CENTRE FOR:
Cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3,000kg.
All makes serviced and repaired.
Class 4 MOT's
Andrews Autosource
FO R U M | MOTORS
ALRESFORD MOTOR
SERVICES LTD
Quality Used Cars, Carefully Selected
Approved by trading standards
CARS LIKE THE ONES WE SELL, CASH PAID
THE FOLLOWING CARS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY
SELECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR LOW MILEAGE,
EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SERVICE HISTORY.
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycles
MOT's WHILE YOU WAIT
Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 5.00pm
2013 (13) Ford Grand C-Max Titanium X
2.0 TDCi Automatic, only 13,000 miles £14795
2012 (61) Mini Cooper 1.6
1 owner, only 9,000 miles
£10795
2011 (61) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SRi Estate
1 owner, only 9,200 miles
£9495
2010 (60) Citroen DS3 Black & White
1.6 HDi Special, 2 owners, only 28,000 miles £8495
2012 (12) Nissan Note N-Tec 1.4 sat nav
1 owner, only 8,500 miles
£8495
2009 (09) VW Passat R Line 1.9 TDi Estate
2 owners, only 47,000 miles
£8695
2013 (13) Smart Four Two, Pulse
Free road tax, only 6,000 miles
£6950
2012 (12) Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 Automatic
1 owner, only 8,400 miles
£6495
2012 (62) Peugeot 107 Active 5 door,
1 owner, Free road tax, only 14,000 miles £5995
2005 (05) Peugeot 307 S 1.6 Automatic,
1 owner, only 43,000 miles
£3295
2006 (06) Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 SE
3 Owners, only 54,000 miles
£2895
APPOINTMENTS CAN BE
BOOKED IN ADVANCE
VIEW OUR CURRENT STOCK AT
UNIT 5, SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE
Tel: 01962 733888
e:mike1ams1@aol.com
ID VALETING
BESPOKE SERVICE
ALRESFORD
PROFESSIONAL VALETING
GET THAT NEW CAR FEELING BY
BOOKING A FULL VALET
FOR THE NEW YEAR
OPENING TIMES
All weather facility, dry and
warm waiting area
ID VALETING, UNIT 4, SHELF HOUSE INDUSTRIAL
NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE
TEL: 07967 730584 idt45@btinternet.com
www.andrews-autosource.co.uk/vehicle-stock
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CARS
HAVE SERVICE HISTORY
TAYLORS GARAGE, HIGH STREET, DROXFORD, SO32 3QL
TEL: 01489 878 879 EVENING TEL: 01962 732995
47
FO R U M | CLUBS & SOCIETIES
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
ARTS, CRAFTS
& MUSIC
 Alresford Area Craft Club
Welcomes crafty people through
out the area who enjoy being
creative. Or if you would like to
take up a craft and learn something
new. This is the start of a new club
which will be held during the
morning twice a month. For details
of venue and dates, please contact
Sandy on 01962 732995
 Alresford Art Society
Meetings from September to June
at The ARC, Alresford, on the last
Wednesday of the month. Painting
days at venues around Hampshire
in the summer. Paintings are hung
in the surgery and the ARC.
www.artsociety.alresford.org
Tel: 01962 736751
artsociety@alresford.org
 The Alresford
Community Choir (Acc)
Meet every Monday in St. John’s
church at 7.30pm. We hold several
concerts a year and sing a variety
of music to suit all tastes. This
large, friendly and thriving choir
welcomes new members and
audiences alike.
www.alresfordchoir.com
 Alresford Ukulele Jam
We would like to welcome new
people to join our Jam whether
people would like to sing, play an
instrument or do both then we
would like to see people at our Jam
evenings. We meet up on Tuesday
evenings at the Swan Hotel from
7.30pm until 9.30pm.
Our contact information
alresfordukejam@outlook.com
Tel: 01962 710385
http://facebook.com/
AlresfordUkeJam
 A.C.T.S - Alresford
Community Theatre Society
New members welcome, to ensure
the continued success of our local
theatre group. If you are interested
in becoming involved, either on
stage or behind the scenes. Contact
Debbie: 01962 732055 debbie@
holliday34.plus.com
 Alresford Historical and
Literary Society
Meetings (generally there is a
talk followed by a ‘get together’)
are held at the Methodist Hall,
Jacklyns Lane, Alresford at 7.30pm
on the third Wednesday of most
months. For more information
please contact Glenn Gilbertson,
26 Grange Road, Alresford,
SO24 9HB. Tel: 01962 732726.
glenngilbertson@btinternet.com or
Bob Fowler: 7 Sun Hill, Crescent,
Alresford, SO24 9NJ. Tel: 01962
734125 bob_fowler@tiscali.co.uk
48
 Bishops Sutton Handbell
Ringing Team
We meet every Tuesday 2.30 3.30pm in the village hall and we
would welcome new members. It
is not essential to be able to read
music. Why not come and have a
go - it's lots of fun. Contact:
01962 736211 or just turn up.
Meetings are held at St Gregory's
Church Centre, Grange Road,
Alresford on the second Wednesday
of the month (no meeting in
December) from 7.30pm until
10pm. At least three outings are
organised annually and a holiday is
arranged visiting gardens. Contact:
Clare Read..01962/735172.
 The Candover Valley
Bell Ringers
Are you looking for a way to
meet new people, support your
community or learn a new skill?
Why not become a church bell
ringer. Join us for learning and fun
at our practice night every other
Monday at St Peter’s Church in
Brown Candover at 7.15 pm, or
Contact Carol: 01256 389387
 Alresford Flower Club
Come and join us at 7.30pm
on the last Wednesday of the
month at St.Gregory’s Catholic
Church, Grange Road Hall,
Alresford. Friendly, lively meetings,
professional flower arrangers and
beautiful flowers. New members
and visitors most welcome.
Pearl Court: 01962 734441
 The Cheriton Players
Active local theatre group that
puts on two productions a year
and welcomes new audiences and
members alike. Online ticketing
for upcoming events www.
ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers.
Follow us on Twitter @
CheritonPlayers www.facebook.
com/groups/120589672533.
David Cradduck 01962 771700
davidncradduck@gmail.com. www.
thecheritonplayers.org.uk
 The Cheriton Singers
Active local choir that puts
on two concerts a year plus a
Carol Concert at Christmas
and welcomes new members
and audiences alike. For more
information call 01962 771796
or visit www.cheritonsingers.
hampshire.org.uk.
 Itchen Reading Group
Meets at Alresford Library at 2.00
pm on the first Thursday every
month. We read a wide variety
of books chosen by members and
provided by the Library Service.
New members and visitors are very
welcome. Contact Jill Clayton on
01962 735482
 The Medstead Players
Lesley Rae, Fiver, High Street,
Medstead. Tel: 01420 56563916
www.medsteadplayers.co.uk
 Four Marks Folk Band
Folk Music Workshop, 1st & 3rd
Mondays of each month. 7.30
-10pm at Four Marks Village Hall.
Instrumental musicians of all ages
& abilities welcomed. The band is
available to play for dances etc, for
charities. Enquiries: Peter Treacher
01420 562794
OTHER CLUBS /
SOCIETIES
 Alresford & District
Horticultural Society
 The Alresford Ladies Group
Meet for fun and friendship on the
second Thursday each month in the
John Pearson Hall at 7.30pm. We
have a varied programme of walks,
talks, trips out and social evenings.
Please come along and join us
Contact Pearl Page:
01962 734665
 Alresford Rotary Club
Rotary carries out local and
international community service
projects . With members from
Alresford and surrounding villages,
and open to men and women. We
meet most Monday evenings at the
Swan. www.alresfordrotary.co.uk or
contact Secretary Jon Pittam: 01962
733903
 Alresford Royal Naval
Association
On the second Tuesday each
month, at 7.30pm in the Swan
Hotel, Alresford. Membership
is open to all members and exmembers of the Naval Service, and
also to anyone who supports the
Naval Service. Our Mess Nights
combine some formal business with
time to chat and socialise (with the
help of an adjacent bar) and, most
months, a guest speaker. Secretary
- Lesley Jones: 01962 736573
family@jonesberry.net
 Alresford Twinning
Association
Would you like to be involved
in developing relationships with
our Twin Town in Bricquebec,
Normandy, or just join us for
a wide range of social activities
through the year. Contact Jean:
01962 733131 email: jahalresfordtwinning@yahoo.co.uk
 Bramdean & Hinton
Ampner W.I.
We meet on the third Wednesday
of every month in Bramdean &
Hinton Ampner Village Hall at
7.30pm for an interesting talk,
refreshments and a raffle. We
organise trips to gardens, pubs and
restaurants and craft mornings.
Sarah: bramdeancrafts@yahoo.co.uk
or Judith: 01962 771655
 New Alresford W.I.
We meet on the first Wednesday
of each month at St.Gregory’s
Pastoral Centre, Grange Road at
7.30pm. We have many interesting
speakers, trips, craft workshops and
much more. New members and
guests are welcome. Contact Kate
at kitcat1108@aol.com or: 01962
733785
 The Alresford Society
A Civic Society for people
interested in their local
environment. We aim to encourage
high standards in planning and
preserve and enhance the town,
village and surrounding
countryside, encouraging
community interest in these. We
circulate to our members about
local issues as they arise and
seek their input. We also have an
interesting social programme. Sue
Alexander 01962732043 suealex13@
gmail.com
 The Giles Group
A club for people with disabilities,
and their carers, who meet in the
Community Centre every Tuesday
morning for a coffee and chat, and
monthly on the second Monday
afternoon for a talk or quiz. Bus
transport is available, and longer
outings are monthly, every third
Monday. Drop in and see us, or call:
01962 732978
 Royal Air Forces
Association
Were you, or are you, in the
Royal Air Force? 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 8:00 p.m. New
members always welcome. Derek
Sweetenham (Chairman) on
01962 733559, or Brian Gabriel
(Secretary) on 01962 734482
 The Royal British Legion
To become a member please
contact our sub-branch in
Eastleigh. www.britishlegion.org.
uk/branches/eastleigh.
 The Swan Ladies Club,
Alresford
Offers an evening of fun and good
company. Dinner comprising two
courses of excellent food, glass
of wine plus coffee and mints
are followed by interesting talks,
demonstrations and quizzes etc.
We also enjoy theatre trips, and
days out. Meet at 7.00/7.15 pm
in the Swan on the third Tuesday
of each month. Dinner served at
approx. 7.30 pm in the Restaurant
or the Undercroft. New members
welcome. Ring Liz Garton: 01962
733125 or Swan Hotel: 01962
732302 if you are interested.
FO R U M | MOTORS
49
FO R U M | USEFUL INFORMATION
USEFUL INFORMATION
EMERGENCY
SERVICES
HOSPITALS
 Emergency Only
(Ambulance, Fire, Police)
Tel: 999
Alton, Hampshire
Tel: 01420 82811
 Non Emergency Medical
Services: Tel: 111
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Tel: 01256 473202
 Electricity Emergency
24hrs, 7 days a week
Tel: 08457 708090
 Gas Emergency
24 hrs, 7 days a week
Tel: 0800 111 999
 Water Emergency
24 hrs, 7 days a week
Tel: 0845 278 0845
ALRESFORD
POLICE
 Alresford Police Station
Closed
Alresford Police are now located at
the Fire Station (no public access)
www.hampshire.police.uk
101 Service
For non-Emergency Services
Call Hampshire Police using: 101
CITIZENS
ADVICE
 Winchester Citizens
Advice Bureau
Winchester Citizens Advice
Bureau is back at the Alresford
Surgery
 North Hants Hospital
 Royal Hampshire
County Hospital
Winchester, Hampshire
Tel: 01962 863535
LIBRARY
 Alresford Library
Monday 10.00 - 1.00
Tuesday 2.00 - 5.00
Wed/Sun Closed
Thursday 10.00 - 1.00
Friday 10.00 - 7.00
Saturday 10.00 - 1.00
alresford.library@hants.gov.uk
www3.hants.gov.uk/library.htm
NEIGHBOURHOOD
WATCH
 Alresford and District
Neighbourhood Watch
Association
Our newsletter will be included
bi-monthly in the Forum and
are available at www.alresford.
org/neigbourhoodwatch. To
report a crime anonymously call
Crimestoppers: Tel: 0800 555 111
Enquiries contact: Administrator
Jennie Roberts Tel: 01962 736505
e-mail jenniero987@gmail.com
RECYCLING
If you need help
Contact CAB on 01962 848000
or drop in to the surgery on
Mondays between 1- 3pm (not
bank holidays)
 Prospect Road
Recycling Centre
Open seven days a week
Tel: 01962 735961
COUNCILS
SCHOOLS
 Alresford Town Council
Arlebury Park, The Avenue,
Alresford, Hants. SO24 9EP. Clerk:
Mrs Stevie Kavanagh, email:
skavanagh@newalresfordtc.org.uk
Tel: 01962 732079
 Cheriton Primary School
Cheriton, Alresford, SO24 0QA
Tel: 01962 771278
 East Hampshire
District Council
Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31
4EX www.easthants.gov.uk
Tel: 01730 266551
 Itchen Abbas County
Primary School
Itchen Abbas, SO21 1BE
Tel: 01962 779310
 Hampshire County Council
The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UJ
www.hants.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 603 5638
Winchester City Council
City Offices, Colebrook Street,
Winchester, SO23 9LJ
www.winchester.gov.uk
Tel: 01962 840222
50
 Alton Community Hospital
 Four Marks Primary School
Four Marks, Alton, GU34 5AS
Tel: 01962 772200
 Perins School
Pound Hill, Alresford, SO24 9BS
www.perins.net
Tel: 01962 734361
 Ropley Primary School
Church St. Ropley, SO24 ODS
Tel: 01962 772381
 Sun Hill Infant School
Sun Lane, Alresford
www.sunhill-inf.hants.sch.uk
email: beverley.minall@sunhill
-inf.hants.sch.uk Tel: 01962
732632
 Sun Hill Junior School
Sun Lane, Alresford
www.sunhill-jun.hants.sch.uk
Tel: 01962 732801
SURGERIES &
CHEMISTS
 Alresford Dental Care
4 Pound Hill, Alresford
www.alresforddentalcare.co.uk
Surgery Hours: Monday to
Thursday 9:00 to 17:15.
Friday 08:00 to 13:45
Tel: 01962 733580
 Alresford Pharmacy
1 East Street, Alresford
Tel: 01962 732858
 Alresford Surgery
Station Road, Alresford
www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk
Tel: 01962 732345
 Mansfield Park Surgery
Lymington Bottom Road,
Medstead, GU34 5EW
Tel: 01420 562922
 Out of Hours Service
Anyone requiring a chemist
service out of practice hours
will find their nearest point is
either Winchester, Basingstoke or
Andover. Call one of the below
for details. Out of Hours Service
- Tel: 0844 8113060
 Wessex Pharmacy
Broad Street, Alresford.
Tel: 01962 732445
 Winchester Cancer
Support Centre
Offering free, non-clinical support
to anyone affected by cancer.
2nd Floor, 68 St Georges Street,
Winchester. Chat to trained
befrienders, try a complementary
therapy or use our professional
counselling service. Tue to Thur,
10am to 4.30pm. Tel: 01962
868576 or email winchester@
wessexcancer.org
TOWN &
VILLAGE HALLS
 Alresford Community
Centre
Two halls and committee room
available for hire with concessions
for local groups. Secretary: Robbie
Winters (after 6pm)Tel: 01962
733950
 Beauworth Village Hall
A former national school in 1873
and listed building. The hall is
heated. There is an enclosed patio
and grass area ideal for children’s
parties. Heating and kitchen
facilities included. Please contact
Felicity Morrogh. Tel: 01962
793075
 Bighton Village Hall
Large hall with ample car
parking adjacent to a picnic
area, has kitchen facilities and
is fully heated. Gail Johnson:
01962 736556 e: bighton.hall.
bookings@googlemail.com.
www.bighton.org.uk
 Bishop’s Sutton Village Hall
Perfectly suited to all kinds of
functions. Ample car parking,
full disabled access with a seating
capacity of over 100. Crockery
and cutlery available for hire. An
attractive outlook over farmland.
Please contact Vera 01962 736211
or email veralipscombe@gmail.
com to place a booking or to
arrange to view the hall.
 Bramdean and Hinton
Ampner Village Hall
Large, bright, centrally heated hall
with stage. Well-appointed kitchen
with commercial dishwasher.
Car park, garden at the rear, full
disabled access and facilities.
Tel: 01962 771945
 Cheriton Village Hall
Available throughout the year for
clubs, classes, meetings, parties etc.
Tel; Penny: 01962 771263
 Christy Hall, Old Alresford
Available weekday mornings and
some afternoons for bookings.
Seating for up to 75 people.
Hire costs include the use of the
heating and all kitchen equipment.
Diane Cox: 01962 735388
 Itchen Abbas Village Hall
Jenny Sloan - Tel: 07969 113630
www.iaavillagehall.co.uk
 Kilmeston Village Hall
Perfectly suited for all
kinds of functions. www.
kilmestonvillagehall.co.uk or
phone Melanie Hill: 01962
771388 or email bookings@
kilmestonvillagehall.co.uk
 The Old Chapel in
The Dean
Does your group or organisation
need a comfortable, well equipped
meeting place in the centre of
Alresford, with full disabled
facilities? Contact Jon: 07738
546921 or Eva: 07834 322183.
 Ropley Coffee Room
Church Street, Ropley, Alresford,
SO24 0DS. For bookings contact
David Ottley: 01962 772440
 Ropley Parish Hall
Vicarage Lane, Ropley, SO24
0DU. For bookings contact
Norma Day: 01962 772267
irey Tuning Co.
FO R U M | MOTORS
A
With over 24 years on the rolling road
we can solve all your problems up to 400 b.h.p
• Classic and historic car engine tuning
• Setting up of classic and vintage cars
for modern fuels
• Carburettor tuning and extensives spares
for SU, Stromberg, Solex, Weber and Delorto
• Full rolling road tuning for performance
or economy or both
• While you wait service
(Bramdean) 01962 771845
www.aireytuning.com
New Farm
Motor Services Ltd
New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QE
01962 732338
L.P.G.A approved autogas conversions
www.autogas.com
Allows your petrol engine vehicle to run on Autogas, a fuel costing
approximately 76p per ltr, with the environmental benefits of a 20% reduction
in carbon dioxide production and 2000 times fewer particulates produced from
the exhaust fumes when compared with a diesel. Widely available across the
country and locally in Winnall, Winchester and West Meon Hut service station.
The government has committed to this fuel difference for the future.
M.O.T Testing Centre
• FREE COLLECTION
• COURTESY CARS
Class 7 Vans from 3,000 - 3,500kg
Class 4 Cars and Vans up to 3,000kg
All makes of cars and vans serviced and repaired
All makes of truck and horsebox up to 7500kg maintained
and prepared for ministry plating tests
CERTIFICATED ENGINEERS •
RECOVERY AVAILABLE •
51
FO R U M | EDUCATION
EDUCATION
LOCAL BOY FROM CHERITON
WINS SCHOLARSHIP
Patchwork, based at Perins School in Alresford, Hampshire
provides flexible childcare places for 39 children aged from 6
month to 5 years, with part-time and full-time places and crèche
sessions available. Government funding is also available for 3 and
4 year olds.
Patchwork is proud of the relationship that they have built with
parents and it was highlighted that the ‘Partnership with parents is
a real strength of the setting underpinning the continuity of care
and learning for each child.’ Nursery and Pre-school Manager,
Nicola Baxter, commented, “We are delighted with the outcome
of the inspection and we would like to thank all our parents for
their commitment to help us get to where we are today.”
Staff at Patchwork remain focused to becoming an outstanding
setting and as confirmed in the report, ‘The senior managers have
a clear vision for the setting. They continually develop systems
and procedures, to fully involve the staff team and parents.’ Ms
Baxter, continued, “All at Patchwork work incredibly hard to
ensure exceptional care for all children. The team will continue
to work hard to ensure that Patchwork’s successes will carry on
into the future.”
L
ocal boy Lewis Clark from Cheriton wins special Academy
Scholarship to The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
in London. As this is only part funded we need help with
sponsorship/funding, it is a great opportunity for him.
He has trained very hard for this, he currently trains with The
Florian School of Dance and every other Sunday he attends a
Classical Ballet Academy at Tring Park School for the Performing
Arts.
We are looking for sponsorship to raise the rest of the money. If you
can help Lewis to live his dream please contact michellepclarkuk@
yahoo.co.uk
PATCHWORK CELEBRATE
AFTER OFSTED INSPECTION
INTRODUCING THE NEW
MEMBER OF THE DOFE TEAM
I
started to do my Duke of Edinburgh award because my older
sisters both did it and really enjoyed it. I did my Bronze, silver
and gold expedition sections straight after each other but didn’t
start doing the other sections until later on.
I volunteered for a charity shop for my bronze but after starting
work it’s hard to find time to volunteer in shops because, I would
only be able to volunteer on weekends. A friend who did her
expedition sections with me was helping out at our DofE centre
and suggested that I might like to try that. It would be two hours
every other Thursday which was great because it would fit around
work.
I was slightly worried at first that I wouldn’t remember things so
I wouldn’t be too helpful but I started going along to a bronze
evening and it went really well. I started helping with a Bronze
Team and it was really great helping them to achieve their award
and going on walks and expeditions with them. I completed my
silver volunteering and felt a great achievement on seeing a group
achieve their award this then encourage me to keep volunteering
at DofE for my gold volunteering but this year I am helping out
with a silver group which is slightly more challenging because
they are at a higher level than the bronzes.
I am really enjoying myself and not only am I helping the DofE
group by volunteering I am also improving my confidence and
leadership skills and looking forward to seeing my Silver Team
achieved their Award.
P
atchwork Day Nursery & Pre-School is celebrating
following a visit from Ofsted. The final report saw the
setting change to ‘good’ and confirms that Patchwork are
well on their way to becoming an outstanding setting. The report
states that the children in both settings ‘interact and play well
together’ and ‘enjoy the free flow between the rooms and garden
enabling them to take responsibility for where they play.’
52
Remember that DofE does not stop when you finish your award!
HCC DofE always needs new volunteers and where best to look
for them than among those who have been through the process!
Here is an example of a young person who has done just that!
If you know anyone who wishes to join the DofE Leader team,
please contact the DofE office on 01962 876 323 or e mail: dofe@
hants.gov.uk
We would love to have you on board!
By Lilian Cryer - Basingstoke ODC
italian for beginners & improvers
for travel, business, exams,
or just for pleasure!
FO R U M | EDUCATION
parliamo italiano!
stella hawkins
ba hons mod langs
t. 01420 561654
stella.e.hawkins@gmail.com
ADVERTISE WITH US!
and reach up to 14,900 readers
in Alresford and the Itchen Valley
Eighth page placements: £43
Quarter page placements: £75
Half page placements: £141
Discounts are available on 3, 6 and 12
month bookings. For more information
email: marketing@forumpublications.co.uk
FRENCH
TUITION
Offered by experienced
teacher, UK and France,
who is happy to teach
all levels of ability.
For more
information call:
01962 734007
53
FO R U M | FEATURE
HAMPSHIRE
PEOPLE
S P E A K S TO JAC K S T E I N
J
ack Stein is a man on the move. When not working
hard in the newly opened ‘Rick Stein’ restaurant in
Winchester he is travelling, not only to and from
Cornwall, but all over the world sourcing new and
exciting ways to cook food.
The ‘Stein philosophy’ seems to be:- fantastic fresh food cooked
simply and to perfection so that we get a whole range of
exciting flavours. Would you add to that statement?
I’ve tried to disprove this by experimenting with more
complicated styles of cooking and quite quickly realised my
family were right.
The Forum manages to catch a moment or two in Jack’s busy
schedule to talk about his obvious passion for food and his
excitement for cooking ‘live at this years’ Alresford Watercress
Festival.
What drew you to Hampshire?
My brother and his family live in Winchester and have always
raved about the produce from Hampshire and the New Forest.
After visiting over the last decade, it was an obvious choice.
Do you have a favourite place here?
My brother got married in a beautiful place called Preshaw
Estate - that is filled with great memories for me.
What is your mantra for life?
“It’s better to have complicated simplicity than just being
simply complicated” – that’s basically Rick’s “fresh fish, simply
cooked” motto updated!
What three things couldn’t you do without?
My cocker spaniel, Bocca, the ocean and travel.
We hear a great deal about the ‘signature dish’ of a professional
chef, but when you’re not working what is the dish you enjoy
cooking just for you?
Ruby Red sirloin on the bone with baked potato and tomato,
basil and mozzarella salad – it’s a random combination but my
comfort food.
54
Recently my husband attended a seafood cookery day down in
Padstow (which was fabulous); they had a long discussion about
the use of salt in cooking. Do you see salt as the bad boy of the
ingredients world?
The best way to use salt, is to use unrefined sea salt and to add
it at every stage of cooking as this reduces the overall amount
that you have to use. You need to layer up the flavours to get
the best combination.
FO R U M | FEATURE
This year for the first time you are kindly coming to demonstrate
at the Alresford Watercress Festival, do you enjoy cooking for a
live audience?
Yes I love it – my style is quite rambling, but I find it very
easy to talk to a crowd and share my enthusiasm for cooking.
I’m really looking forward to demoing at Alresford Watercress
Festival for the first time.
You have a BSc in Psychology and a MA in Ancient History
has cooking totally taken over from those interests?
Absolutely not, I use psychology on a day-to-day basis at work
and my ancient history degree informs my future direction in
terms of historical cooking methods
Can you remember the first dish you cooked for your
mum and dad?
I made them hummus when I was 12 and working at The
Seafood Restaurant, Padstow. That’s our flagship restaurant
which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
How important do you think it is to educate children how to
cook and install a love of fresh ingredients?
Extremely important – we are actively involved in Cornwall
working with local schools to teach healthy eating and cooking
with our ‘adopt a school’ project. We are currently introducing
our Winchester team to this project so we can bring this to
Winchester too.
What next for Jack Stein?
I’m currently working with a local farmer on an exciting
project in Padstow, so watch this space!
Having travelled so extensively, Europe, the Far East and
Australia have you found anywhere that you would like to settle
permanently, and what brings you back to the UK?
I’d love to buy some land in Northern Sumatra as the surf is
epic, the people are lovely and it’s so peaceful, but I would never
want to move from the UK permanently.
With Jack’s boundless energy, passion and enthusiasm he’ll soon
have another success on his hands.
What is the style of cooking that informs most of your dishes?
British World food – bringing world flavours to British
ingredients.
Cooking is now such a life-style phenomena with so many
brilliant amateur chefs how do you ensure that you continue to
be fresh and innovative?
Constantly visiting new suppliers and travelling to see how
other food cultures create flavours etc.
Having just opened a beautiful restaurant in Winchester are you
missing coastal life?
I split my time between Winchester and Cornwall so just spend
twice as many hours in the sea when I get home!
You too may have a chance to meet Jack Stein at the Alresford
Watercress Festival on Sunday 17th May where he will be
cooking live in the Festivals outdoor kitchen in Broad Street.
GG.
For more information on Jack Stein visit: www.rickstein.com
For more information on the Watercress Festival visit:
www.watercressfestival.org
55
FO R U M | FOOD & DRINK
FOOD &
DRINK
HAMPSHIRE'S CHOCOLATE
MAKERS IMPRESS
(TUE - SAT)
T
wo Hampshire Fare members impressed judges this week at the
Academy of Chocolate Awards. Winchester Cocoa Company was
awarded a bronze for its Earl Grey with Lemon chocolate and gold
for a Ginger and Muscovado chocolate. Meanwhile Chocolate by Miss
Witt was awarded bronze for her Seasalt and Caramel Water Ganache.
This year’s Awards received a record number of entries with over 500
products. As a result more judges were involved in the jury panel and
the judging, which took place at Westminster Kingsway College, was
extended to five days. Chaired by globally respected wine expert Charles
Metcalfe, judges included chocolate experts and buyers, pastry chefs, food
professionals and food journalists.
Judges included food writers and bloggers: Xanthe Clay, Andrew Baker,
Jennifer Earle, Lee McCoy, Zoe Perrett, Spencer Hyman, Jill Norman,
Henrietta Green, Aggie McKenzie, Jenny Linford, Joanna Wood, Janie
Suthering; Buyers from Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Selfridges, Marks
& Spencer; Chocolatiers/Patissiers: Cecilia Tessieri, Iain Burnett, Amelia
Rope, Claire Clark MBE, James Petrie and Steven James from the
University of West London; and AoC members: Kate Johns, Christopher
Reeves and John Adams. The Grand Jury comprised: Charles Metcalfe
(Chairman); Sarah Jane Evans; Fiona Gately; Judith Lewis; Marie-Pierre
Moine; Sara Jayne Stanes; Janie Suthering; Paul a Young.
Both Hampshire chocolate makers support local producers. Kerry Witt,
founder and owner of Chocolate by Miss Witt, uses Hildon Natural
Mineral Water to make H20 ganache which enhances the true taste of the
flavours within the different cacao beans. Kerry also uses jam from local
producer, naked jam.
The Winchester Cocoa company recipes feature local Summerdown Mint,
Twisted Nose Gin and coffee from Winchester Coffee Roasters.
Kerry Witt commented on the announcement: “I am delighted with the
bronze award. I am ever so pleased for Winchester Cocoa Company too.
We are both relatively new to chocolate making which makes it an even
better achievement. I feel that here in Hampshire we are catching up with
many of London’s top chocolatiers.”
56
SET
VISIT OUR STREET KITCHEN
AT THE ALRESFORD
WATERCRESS FESTIVAL 2015
Drop in for our exclusive new arrivals from across the world
Drop in for our exclusive new arrivals from across the world
FO R U M | FOOD & DRINK
Marvellous
May
Marvellous May
Drop in for our exclusive
new arrivalsMay
from across the world
Marvellous
Drop in for our exclusive new arrivals from across the world
Drop in for our exclusive new arrivals from across the world
5% 0ff
any 6
5% 0ff
any 6
ffff
55%%00
5a%nny0yf6f6
a 6
threeJust
of our
great
newgreat
Spring
allwines
sourced
anyall
three
of our
newwines
Spring
s
99
Les Parcelles Les
Sauvignon
Blanc
, Loire Valley,
France
Parcelles
Sauvignon
Blanc
, Loire Valley, France
by Simon
sourced
by Simon
£12.99 ea
“ Produced
the Sancerre
style,
superb
elegant
fruit
flavour
“great
Produced
in the
Sancerre
style,
superb
elegant
fruit flavourby
“
three
ofinour
new
Spring
wines
all“ sourced
£12.99 ea
Just
Simon
Domaine
3 Source
Rose
, Source
Provence,
France
£13.99
JustJust
three
of Parcelles
our
wines
sourced
bySimon
Simonea
three
of
our
greatnew
new
Spring
wines all sourced
by
Domaine
3great
Rose
,Spring
Provence,
France
£13.99
Les
Sauvignon
Blanc
, Loire Valley,
France
£12.99ea
ea
“ Pale pink and just
delicate,
just
about
as
good
as itabout
getsflavour
“ good
“ Produced
in theand
Sancerre
style,
superb
elegant
fruit
“ as it gets “
“ so
Pale
pink
just
so delicate,
just
as
Parcelles
Sauvignon
Blanc
, LoireValley,
Valley,France
France
£12.99
eaea
Les Les
Parcelles
Sauvignon
Blanc
, Loire
£12.99
Domaine 3 ,Source
Rose
, Provence,
France
£13.99ea
ea
“
Produced
in
the
Sancerre
style,
superb
elegant
fruit
flavour
“
Mas Tarrone Mas
Grenache
Cataluyna,
Spain
£8.99
“ Produced
in the Sancerre
style, superb
elegant fruit flavour “
Tarrone
Grenache
, Cataluyna,
£8.99 ea
“ Pale
pink and just so
delicate, just Spain
about as good as it gets “
“Domaine
amazing value
from
this
winery,
big
juicy
red fruits
“ soft red fruits
“ amazing
from
thissoft
winery,
big juicy
“ ea
3
Source
Rose
, value
Provence,
France
£13.99
Domaine
3 Source
Rose
, Provence,
France
£13.99
Mas Tarrone
Grenache
Cataluyna,
Spainjust about as good as it gets “
£8.99
ea ea
“ Pale
pink and ,just
so delicate,
amazing
from
this winery,
big juicy
redasfruits
“ “
“ Pale“pink
and value
just so
delicate,
just about
as soft
good
it gets
Mas Tarrone Grenache, Cataluyna, Spain simon@tngwine.co.uk
£8.99 ea
simon@tngwine.co.uk
Mas Tarrone Grenache
, Cataluyna,
Spain
£8.99 ea
“ amazing value
from this
winery, big juicysimon@tngwine.co.uk
soft red fruits “
Wines
Wines
FromFrom
£5.99
£5.99
Wines
From
Wines £5.99
From £5.99
01962 732002 40
Alresford Four
01962
732002 01420 56206040
Marks
Four Marks
01420
562060
Imported
simon@tngwine.co.uk
Four
Marks 01420 562060
01962
732002
Alresford
“ amazing value from this winery,Alresford
big juicy soft red
fruits
“
simon@tngwine.co.uk
Alresford
01962 732002
Four Marks 01420 562060
Alresford
Four Marks
01962 732002
01420 562060
Imported
Lagers
Lagers
40
40
Imported
Lagers
40
Imported
Lagers
Imported
Lagers
Come and Celebrate the start of spring with us
with tea, cake and the best of local produce in the
beautiful setting of Longstock Park
Enjoy our Shop, Café and Nursery
Open 9-5.30 Sunday 10-4
Longstock Park Nursery, Stockbridge SO20 6EH
.
Telephone 01264 810270
57
TTE ES STTVA
VALLLLEEYY
FORUM
FORUM
T
T EE SS T
T VA
VA LL LL EE Y
Y
NOW
NOW reaching
reaching 6,000
6,000
more
more readers
readers (see
(see page
page 22)
22)
•
•
•
NOW reaching 6,000
Hampshire
speaks
• NOW People
reaching
6,000
Hampshire
People
speaks
more to
readers
(see
page
22)
Jack
Stein
(page
40)
to Jack Stein (page 40)
•
•
more readers (see page 22)
• Hampshire
People Events
speaks
• May News
• May News &
&
Events
• Hampshire
People speaks
•
•
M AY 2015 • I SS U E 83 •
M AY 2015 • I SS U E 83 •
STOCKBRIDGE
STOCKBRIDGE
HORSEBRIDGE
HORSEBRIDGE
to Jack Stein (page
(page 40)
Hampshire
Hampshire Hogs
Hogs (page 38)
38)
to
JackNews
Stein&(page
40)
• May
Events
• May News & Events
(page
W W W. T E S T VA L L E Y FO R U M . C O •
. UHampshire
K • R E AC H I NHogs
G 19,900
R E A D 38)
ERS
W W W. T E S T VA L L E Y FO R U M . C O . U K • R E AC H I N G 19,900 R E A D E R S
• Hampshire Hogs (page 38)
KING’S SOMBORNE
KING’S SOMBORNE
HOUGHTON
HOUGHTON
NORTH HOUGHTON
NORTH HOUGHTON
BROUGHTON
BROUGHTON
LECKFORD
LECKFORD
LONGSTOCK
LONGSTOCK
CHILBOLTON
CHILBOLTON
GOODWORTH CLATFORD
GOODWORTH CLATFORD
UPPER
WALLOP
OVERRWALLOP
WHERWELL
ABBOTTS ANNR LITTLE
M AY 2015ROMSEY
• I SS
U ECLATFORD
83 • NETHER
W W W.
T E SMIDDLE
T VA WALLOP
L L E Y FO
U M . CCRAWLEY
O . U K SPARSHOLT
• R E AC
H I N G 19,900
E A DANN
ERS
ROMSEY
UPPER CLATFORD
NETHER WALLOP
MIDDLE WALLOP
OVER WALLOP
CRAWLEY
SPARSHOLT
WHERWELL
ABBOTTS ANN
LITTLE ANN
M AY 2015 • I SS U E 83 • W W W. T E S T VA L L E Y FO R U M . C O . U K • R E AC H I N G 19,900 R E A D E R S
ISSUE 83 TEST VALLEY.indd 1
ISSUEHORSEBRIDGE
83 TEST VALLEY.indd KING’S
1
TOCKBRIDGE
SOMBORNE
HOUGHTON
NORTH HOUGHTON
BROUGHTON
LECKFORD
LONGSTOCK
CHILBOLTON
20/04/2015 14:12:09
20/04/2015CLATFOR
14:12:09
GOODWORTH
ROMSEY
UPPER CLATFORD
NETHER WALLOP
MIDDLE
WALLOP
OVER WALLOP
CRAWLEYLECKFORD
SPARSHOLTLONGSTOCK
WHERWELL CHILBOLTON
ABBOTTS ANNGOODWORTH
LITTLE ANNCLATF
KBRIDGE
HORSEBRIDGE
KING’S SOMBORNE
HOUGHTON
NORTH
HOUGHTON
BROUGHTON
FORUM
FORD
T
T EE SS T
T VA
VA LL LL EE Y
Y
On Sunday 17th May 2015, this nationally acclaimed annual festival brings
together the local community and food lovers from far and wide to celebrate
watercress - the superb locally grown, delicious and versatile crop
On Sunday 17th May 2015, this nationally acclaimed annual festival brings
together
localCountry
community
andMarket
food Town'
lovers
from
far and
wide
to celebrate
Alresfordthe
was voted
Life's 'Favourite
in the
South-East.
So it is
no surprise
that
the entire centre
of New
Alresford
in Hampshire
becomes
a huge and
street versatile
festival, withcrop.
Hampshire Farmers'
watercress
- the
superb
locally
grown,
delicious
Market and others creating a large food market showcasing the very best local producers.
Alresford was voted Country Life's 'Favourite Market Town' in the South-East. So it is no surprise that
the
entire interested
centre of in
New
in Hampshire
becomes
a huge
street
festival,
Farmers'
If you're
arts,Alresford
crafts, jewellery
and clothing,
items
for house
and
garden,with
you'llHampshire
find them and
Market
a large
foodmarket.
marketMusic
showcasing
the are
very
best local
producers
muchand
else others
besidescreating
in the large
festival
and dance
central
to theproducers.
festival, so find time to
enjoy performances by the bands, Morris dancers and local school children.
If you're interested in arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing, items for house and garden, you'll find them and
much else besides in the large festival market. Music and dance are central to the festival, so find time to
One of the main highlights of the festival is the street cavalcade at 10.30am with jazz musicians, Morris
enjoy performances by the bands, Morris dancers and local school children.
dancers and local school children accompanying the Watercress King and Queen who sit atop a horse and
One of the main highlights of the festival is the street cavalcade at 10.30am with jazz musicians, Morris
cart. The children will be distributing the first of the season’s watercress harvest to festival-goers.
dancers and local school children accompanying the Watercress King and Queen who sit atop a horse and
the day,
is provided
many
musicians
and performers
cart. Throughout
The children
willentertainment
be distributing
the firstbyofthethe
season’s
watercress
harvest and
to there
festival-goers.
are
activities
for
children
of
all
ages,
including
circus
skills
workshops,
face
painting
and
a
petting
Throughout the day, entertainment is provided by the many musicians and performers farm.
and there
Now
a
Guinness
World
RecordTM,
the
“World
Watercress
Eating
Championships”
continue
by
popular
are activities for children of all ages, including circus skills workshops, face painting and a petting farm.
demand,
will youWatercress
be a record Eating
breaker?Championships” continue by popular
Now a Guinness World RecordTM,
the “World
demand, will you be a record breaker?
CookeryDemo
Demoin
inBroad
Broad Street
Cookery
Street
Watch
well-knownaward-winning
award-winning
chefs
food
writers
demonstrate
Watch well-known
chefs
andand
food
writers
demonstrate
their skills and some mouth-watering recipes.
their skills and some mouth-watering recipes.
Andy
Chef
Exclusive
Chef
's Academy
AndyMacKenzie
MacKenzie- -Executive
Executive
Chef
Exclusive
Chef's
Academy
Rosemary
Moon
food
writer
and
broadcaster
Rosemary Moon - food writer and broadcaster
Jack Stein
Stein--Rick
RickStein
SteinSeafood
SeafoodRestaurant,
Restaurant,
Winchester
Jack
Winchester
Miff
Kayum --Bengal
BengalSage
Sage&&Kyoto
KyotoKitchen
Kitchen
Restaurants,
Winchester
• NOW reaching
Miff Kayum
Restaurants,
Winchester
NOW reaching 6,000
6,000
more
readers (see
22)
more
(see page
page
22)
We hope
thatthat
youyou
will
with
what
the festival
and
of
We hope
willbe
bedelighted
delighted with
what
the festival
and thereaders
townthe
of town
• Hampshire People speaks
• enjoyable
New Alresford
have
offerand
and that
have
a thoroughly
day out!
New Alresford
have
to tooffer
thatyou
you
have
a thoroughly
enjoyable
day out!
Hampshire
People
speaks
to
www.watercressfestival.org @watercressfest
www.watercressfestival.org
@watercressfest
to Jack
Jack Stein
Stein (page
(page 40)
40)
• May News & Events
• May News & Events
•
•
•
Hampshire
Hampshire Hogs
Hogs (page
(page 38)
38)
M AY 2015 • I SS U E 83 • W W W. T E S T VA L L E Y FO R U M . C O . U K • R E AC H I N G 19,900 R E A D E R S
M AY 2015 • I SS U E 83 • W W W. T E S T VA L L E Y FO R U M . C O . U K • R E AC H I N G 19,900 R E A D E R S
STOCKBRIDGE
STOCKBRIDGE
HORSEBRIDGE
HORSEBRIDGE
ROMSEY
ROMSEY
KING’S SOMBORNE
KING’S SOMBORNE
UPPER CLATFORD
UPPER CLATFORD
ISSUE 83 TEST VALLEY.indd 1
ISSUE 83 TEST VALLEY.indd 1
HOUGHTON
HOUGHTON
NETHER WALLOP
NETHER WALLOP
NORTH HOUGHTON
NORTH HOUGHTON
MIDDLE WALLOP
MIDDLE WALLOP
BROUGHTON
BROUGHTON
OVER WALLOP
OVER WALLOP
LECKFORD
LECKFORD
CRAWLEY
CRAWLEY
LONGSTOCK
LONGSTOCK
SPARSHOLT
SPARSHOLT
CHILBOLTON
CHILBOLTON
WHERWELL
WHERWELL
GOODWORTH CLATFORD
GOODWORTH CLATFORD
ABBOTTS ANN
ABBOTTS ANN
LITTLE ANN
LITTLE ANN
20/04/2015 14:12:09
20/04/2015 14:12:09
FO R U M | FOOD & DRINK
HAMPSHIRE
HOGS
THE FORUM SEEKS OUT
INDEPENDENT HAMPSHIRE
FOOD, WINE AND ALE
PRODUCERS
H
ampshire born, Hampshire bred. Strong in the arm
and thick in the head, so the saying goes. Strong
in the arm for sure, but thick in the head? I don’t
think so! Across Hampshire local producers are creating
the most traditional, delicious and exciting products.
In a new column the Forum seeks out our very own
independent Hampshire food, wine and ale producers.
We find out the story behind their passion for excellence
and celebrate produce that is putting Hampshire on the
culinary map.
We start this celebration with a pop as we visit the
beautifully situated Danebury Vineyards and chat to Faith
in the estate office, the manager, Patrick and marketing
manager Caroline, who has placed Danebury wines at
prestigious outlets throughout Hampshire and in London.
It is a privately owned estate located near Stockbridge, in
the heart of Hampshire, on the paddocks of what was a
famous nineteenth-century racehorse training yard. The
vineyards cover seven acres of sheltered, south-facing fields
on chalk and flint-stone soil.
Our long summer days allow for maximum ripening,
strong fruit flavours and a balanced level of acidity, and the
chalk and flint soil, characteristic of the region, lends the
wine its minerality.
We are proud that the quality of our wine is reflected by
the awards they have won at international wine tasting
competitions and that our wines are poured in some of
the top establishments in Hampshire, and London.”
I asked Caroline and Faith about their particular favourites:
they chose ‘Cossack’, a vintage brut sparkling wine which
is made from a blend of Auxerrois and Rulander grapes, in
the traditional method of fermentation in the bottle, then
laid on its lees for four years. This fabulous fizz is ideal for
summer meals, to drink on its own, or for celebrations,
it’s perfect.
And now the warmer weather is on its way - Madeleine
Angevine, which was awarded a Commended medal
in the Sommelier Wine Awards 2014. It’s made from a
white grape originating in the Loire Valley and suited to
the cooler English climate, and produces an elegant fruity
wine with a flowery nose. It’s crisp and dry and is an ideal
accompaniment for summer seafood, or just sipping in the
sunshine. The great news is, the 2011 vintage currently
on sale has only 94 calories for a 175ml glass, so you really
can spoil yourself!
Patrick explained: “Our first vines were planted in 1988
and today we produce our flagship vintage brut sparkling
wine ‘Cossack’, two varietal still white wines Madeleine
Angevine and Schönburger, and the Danebury Reserve,
a blend of all our grape varieties. Although England is
on the very fringes of the wine producing regions of the
world, we can produce outstanding and distinct wines.
60
You can buy Danebury wines from ‘Wine Utopia’ 4 St.
Thomas St, S023 9HE, Winchester (01962 706666).
For more information about Danebury Vineyards, visit
www.danebury.com.
Sousa Richards
Solicitors
Spring into summer with
new beginnings!
Sousa Richards solicitors are based in Alresford and Southampton. Lucy Clarke, of our conveyancing department
has been practising residential and commercial property law since she qualified in 2007.
Lucy lives in Alresford and joined the firm in November 2014, in that time she has built up a fantastic client base
and is actively involved in the local community. Whether you are starting summer by moving home, a first time
buyer or starting a new business we can provide the positive and constructive property law advice and assistance
you will need. Our primary focus is always exceptional client care and communication so that you know where
you are every step of the way.
If you would like a quote for the costs of moving home or office, or any other property issue
please contact us for a free initial appointment: 01962 670510 or visit our website
www.sousarichards.co.uk for more information.
Why choose us?
• Free initial, no obligation consultation – however long it takes
• No hidden costs – the price we quote is the price you will pay, we also offer
payment plans and fixed fees where appropriate
• Responsive & proactive – same day response
• Direct personal contact – direct contact with your solicitor
Legendary House • 4a Broad Street • Alresford • SO24 9AQ
Legendary House • 4a Broad Street • Alresford • SO24 9AQ
Tel: 01962 670510 www.sousarichards.co.uk
Tel: 01962 670510 www.sousarichards.co.uk
enquiries@sousarichards.co.uk
enquiries@sousarichards.co.uk
16 College
Place • SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton • SO15
2FE T:
02380
713060
16 COLLEGE
PLACE
• SO15
2FE
T: 02380
713060
61
FO R U M | FOOD & DRINK
FOOD &
DRINK
HAMPSHIRE FARMERS’
MARKETS CELEBRATES
NATIONAL PICNIC WEEK
M
ost of us have happy memories of family and friends'
picnics from our childhood or as adults, bringing
together the important people in our lives to enjoy
our favourite foods in beautiful places.
Hampshire not only has an abundance of beautiful places to
hold picnics, it also has an abundance of award winning local,
in season, fresh produce - with a vast range available all in
one place, from the renowned Hampshire Farmers’ Markets,
a community, not for profit organisation that supports local
producers, the rural economy and helps to protect rural
employment.
The Hampshire Farmers’ Markets will be celebrating National
Picnic Week from 13th - 21st June and Alex Handford, the
HFM Business Manager commented: “We have such a wide
selection of delicious food at our markets that are perfect
picnic hamper fillers, with our award winning cheeses, handmade pies, quiches, pastries, artisan breads, cakes, fruit, salads,
all kinds of meat, game, fish, vegetarian options and locally
produced wine, beer and juices.”
Picnic shoppers can find all they need for a memorable day
out by strolling around the stalls at one of the Hampshire
Farmers’ Markets held at Petersfield, Romsey, Alton,
Emsworth, Southsea and Ringwood each month, with
Winchester holding fortnightly mid-month and end of
the month markets. The vibrant market atmosphere and
colourful stalls attract shoppers who can see, sample and
savour the wide range of high quality produce on offer - all
local, seasonal, fresh and fully traceable, with every producer
having to meet the strict high criteria set down by the
Hampshire Farmers’ Markets.
62
“Anyone who wants to plan a picnic can also have a lot of
fun coming to our markets to shop, meet the people who
have produced the food, get to sample the food and to enjoy
the vibrant market atmosphere,” continued Alex Handford.
“Visitors to our markets are also pleasantly surprised by
how affordable our produce is and we regularly do price
comparison surveys to ensure good value, plus we have
special offers on the day and on our website.”
There is always a wide range of delicious picnic produce
at each market including award winning cheeses, delicious
pickles and chutney, smoked trout, fruit, vegetables, salads, sun
drenched tomatoes, fresh caught fish from the Solent waters
and award winning sausages. There are also sweet treats too
with homemade cakes, fudge and soft seasonal fruits such as
strawberries, which make a perfect end to a picnic.
“Many of our shoppers enjoy their own picnic as they shop
in the market, gazing, sampling and tasting as they wander
around, enjoying a breakfast bap or some cheese and artisan
bread or from our wide range of to go foods,” continued Alex
Handford. “A visit to the market is a lovely way to spend a
Sunday morning and where picnic planners can come and
gather up all they need for their picnics.”
For more information about the Hampshire Farmers’
Markets - held in Winchester and also their other markets
at Petersfield, Romsey, Alton, Emsworth, Southsea and
Ringwood each month, and additional Summer Food
Festivals at Southampton Bedford Place on 21st June and
The Southsea Food Festival on 19th July visit: www.
hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk
Baking the
perfect cake
can be tricky.
Choosing the
right Solicitor
need not be.
While we can’t advise you on
how to be the ‘Star Baker’, we can
advise you on all things legal.
As a highly respected law firm
working with both local and national
clients, we understand that for many,
selecting the right solicitor can be a
difficult process. We’re here to make
the decision easier for you.
Wills, Inheritance Tax Planning, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Trusts,
Cohabitation Agreements, Pre & Post Nups, Separation, Divorce, Child Contact,
Buying and Selling Houses, Employment Law
G ODWIN S
SOLICITORS
Tel: 01962 841484 Email: info@godwins-law.co.uk www.godwins-law.co.uk
12 St Thomas Street, Winchester SO23 9HF
FO R U M | ANIMAL & PET SERVICES
ANIMAL &
PET SERVICES
BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS
YOU, COMMON REASONS FOR
AGGRESSION IN RABBITS
R
abbits are a prey species, this inturn is responsible for much of the
behaviour we see in our domesticated bunnies. The only time a
rabbit in the wild would be picked up is once it has been predated
by a larger animal.This instinct is still present in pet rabbits and will explain
why most of our rabbits will kick, scratch or even bite when we go to
pick them up. The key to this is regular, safe handling from a very young
age. Many people who get rabbits at an older age will have their hands full
when trying to handle a rabbit that is not used to being held. Rabbits have
relatively fragile skeletons with strong muscles and correct support when
they are picked up is essential. This includes support under the bottom and
the chest; this helps them to feel secure.
Hormones also play an important part in rabbit behaviour. Entire female
rabbits can be incredibly aggressive and protective over their living quarters.
If this behaviour is not acted upon at an early age then it can be very hard
to rectify. Neutering can assist this aggression by reducing hormone levels
in both male and female rabbits, but earlier neutering of a young rabbit
is advised before this becomes a learnt behaviour. There are important
medical reasons for neutering rabbits as well; it has been reported that over
80% of female rabbits over the age of two years will develop uterine cancer.
Testicular cancer is also seen in domesticated male rabbits. Other reasons
for aggression in rabbits can include pain of some type. Dental disease is a
common problem in pet rabbits, it can cause pain and discomfort in the
mouth, head and eye area, regular checks with your veterinary surgeon are
advised to monitor this and feeding a correct diet is of the upmost importance
in helping to prevent this. Some rabbits however will never be happy to be
handled despite correct handling, neutering and providing all the comforts
necessary to make them feel entirely safe. There is much more to rabbits
than has historically been thought. A lone rabbit in a hutch at the end of
the garden is now not enough. For more information regarding rabbits or
aggression in rabbits why not have a look at some of the rabbit related events
on for rabbit awareness week this year running from 9th-17th of May.
THE WESSEX
DOG
WA L K I N G
• Group/Sole Walks
• Home Visits
• Fully Liability
Insured
• Small pet care
Co.
E MMA SUMP ST E R T: 07450 57528 4
E : E MIJAY1970@ME .COM
WE SSE X DOGWALKS
aIndependent practice with free onsite parking and
convenient location
a24 hour emergency service provided by our own staff
aFully equipped on site laboratory for quick
diagnostic results
aPractice health care plan to spread the cost of
routine treatment
aHome visits available for your convenience
A dedicated team working together to
improve the health and wellbeing of your pets
ALTON:
01420 82163
ALRESFORD: 01962 732535
FOUR MARKS: 01420 562048
64
cedarvet.com
facebook.com/cedarvet
FO R U M | HEADING
65
FO R U M | CLUBS & SOCIETIES / LEGAL & FINANCIAL
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
SENIOR CITIZENS
 Alresford Day Care Centre
Chiltern Court, Beech Road Tuesday and Thursday. Run by a
professional and volunteer team. A
sociable and enjoyable day out for the
housebound elderly. Gives carers a
break. Transport and lunch provided.
Part funded by Age Concern.
Tel: 01962 735612
 Senior Citizens Hour
Meetings are held each Wednesday at
14:30 at New Farm Chapel. Meetings
are informal and consist of quizzes,
talks, craft and refreshments. New
members are always welcome.
Contact: Mrs Jill Hardiman,
6 Mallard Close, Alresford.
Tel: 01962 733765
 Alresford Senior Citizens
Lunch Club
At the Methodist Hall – Alresford
Do you have some free time?
Would you like to help elderly people
in your local community? Volunteer
helpers, men or women, are urgently
needed to join our friendly team
to set up tables, serve and clear/
wash up (fast dishwasher), after a 2
course lunch for the elderly ladies
and gentlemen of Alresford every
Thursday in the month starting at
11.00, or can you collect the money
before the meal? Come along and
see what we do. The ladies and gents
are a very cheerful bunch and have
many stories to tell. If you can spare
2/3 hours whenever possible on a
Thursday morning please contact:
Liz Garton: 01962 733125 or
Elaine Secluna: 01962 733192
Many thanks
 Saturday Evening Bridge
Join us for Duplicate Bridge; we are a
small friendly club playing in Makins
Court. No partner required - any
standard of play. Contact Margot
Power, 01962 734167 or Ron Turner
01420 543187.
SPORTS CLUBS
 ACA Badminton Club
Friendly club seeks new members,
plays on a Monday evening 7.3010.00pm at Alresford Community
Centre. All levels welcome.
Call Clive Earthy: 01962 733812 or
Caroline Lowman:
01962 733155
 Alresford Badminton Club
We are a friendly club that caters for
all abilities up to local league standard
66
and all ages from 14yrs and up.
Membership is available, or just turn
up to play and pay on Wednesday
evenings at Perins Sports Hall from
19.00 hrs. Come and give us a try,
your first visit is free, we look forward
to seeing you.
Contact: Ralph Pointer 01962
734833 or ralph.judyp@
tiscali.co.uk www.alresford
badminton.co.uk
 Alresford Bowling Club
Sun Lane - Our season is from
April to September and we meet for
roll-ups on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 10.00 - 12 noon and Thursday
evenings from 6.00 -8.00p.m. Lawn
bowls is a great game, not just for the
retired but for adults of all ages and
we can provide bowls for you to have
a go. Further information from
Gail Straker (club secretary): 01962
732438 and on the club website www.alresfordbowlingclub.org.uk
 Alresford Golf Club
The Secretary, Cheriton Road,
Tichborne Down, Alresford.
Tel: 01962 733746.
secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk
www.alresfordgolf.co.uk
 Alresford Netball Club
Meets on Thursdays at Perins School,
6pm - 7.30pm on the tennis courts.
New members welcome. First session
free, thereafter £10 per month.
Opportunity to affiliate and play in
local leagues should you wish to. Or
just come for training sessions, to get
fit and meet new friends.
Donna Birtles: 01420 561755 or
07860 931150. donnabirtles@
fsmail.net
 Alresford Rugby
Football Club
Tuesday evenings at 6.30 for 7.00pm
start – newcomers welcome. Minis
sessions are held at Perins School on
Sundays at 10.00am for one hour
(during term time).
Seniors’ Head Coach: 07964 423001.
Minis Secretary minis@alresfordrfc.
co.uk or visit www.alresfordrfc.co.uk
 Alresford Tennis Club
Howard Lewis: 01962 733818
 Alresford Su-Ha-Ri
Karate School
For children ages 5-16 years, Thursday
7pm - 8pm at Alresford Community
Centre. Contact Cassie & Tony
Whelan on Tel: 01420 568135
act4health@hotmail.com
 Alresford Yacht Club
We welcome all interested in boats,
sailing or power, large or small,
modern or classic. Whether you are
a newcomer to the sport or an old
hand, both if you own a boat or
would like to crew. Meetings will be
held at Alresford Recreational Centre
on the 3rd Monday of each month
until April at 7.30pm.
Contact Valerie: 01962 808827
valeriej.powell@tiscali.co.uk
 Chawton Park Indoor
Bowls Club
Six rinks available throughout
the year. Information from
Centre Manager.
Chawton Park Road, Alton.
Tel: 01420 541546
 Cheriton Cricket Club
Are you interested in playing Sunday
afternoon friendly cricket? Contact
Nick: 07931 456214 ,
info@cheritoncc.com
www.cheritoncc.com
 Cheriton Tennis Club
Coaching with Mike Aggiss. Adult,
junior and mini courses including
Cardio Tennis. Ladies Tennis
Morning with Mike on Thursdays
9.30-10.30am. Pay and play session
open to members (£4) and non
members(£5.50).
Enquiries to Donna at Don
Perrin Tennis: 07928 855175
www.cheritontennisclub.co.uk
 Children’s Judo Club
Lance Wicks
Telephone: 07787565233
Email: lw@judocoach.com
 Cyclists’ Touring Club
South Hampshire. Easy rides, day
rides, social events and more!
Tel: 01962 864479
www.southhampshirectc.org.uk
 Judo Club
Perins School on Monday nights.
From 7-8pm - Year 3 to year 6
children. From 8-9pm – Year 7+
children. Contact: Steve Fullick, 10
Perins Close, Alresford
Tel: 01962 732883
 Old Alresford Cricket Club
Home pitch - Upton Park
Farm, Old Alresford. New
Players welcomed at any time.
John Stanbrook: 01962 733612
or Mike Armitage: 07878008853
Tel: 01420 568135
act4health@hotmail.com
 Practical Wing Chun
Classes
Adult self-defence classes Tuesdays
and Thursdays at 7pm - 8:30pm in
The Studio on The Dean, Alresford.
Additional classes in Winchester.
Contact Gary: 07986 298283 or see
www.uctuk.co.uk
 Ropley Tennis Club
Located at rear of Ropley playing
field. New members welcome.
Coaching sessions throughout week
for all levels
www.ropleytennis.org.uk
 Tai Chi
New beginners classes starting soon
at Community Centre Tuesday
afternoons and evenings. Men only
class also possible. Suitable for all ages,
no floorwork. Call: 02380 651223
or email taichienquiries@gmail.com
for details.
 Tichborne Park
Cricket Club
14 Benenden Green, Alresford,
SO24 9PF.
Contact: Andy Joyce Tel: 01962
734316 andypjoyce@hotmail.com
Anne Allen LL.B
Willmanage.com
Your local professional Wills specialist
CRB checked. Member of the
Institute of Professional Willwriters
WILLS FROM £130
POWER OF ATTORNEY £130
(PLUS REG. FEE)
PROBATE (FIXED FEE)
Richard Steel
& Partners
Family Owned Funeral Directors
Alderman House,
12-14 City Road,
Winchester (01962) 862333
Richard Steel • Iain Steel • Mark Allery
• Personal 24 Hour Service •
www.winchesterfunerals.co.uk
HOME VISITS IF REQUIRED
Tel: 01962 734981
Mob: 07745 406046
anneallen@willmanage.com
Institute of
Professional
Willwriters
• MEMBER •
FO R U M | LEGAL & FINANCIAL
WILLS & LASTING
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
PROBATE
Four
Generations
Since 1860
Warner&RichardsonSolicitors
Warner & Richardson was founded over 200 years ago and has built a reputation for personal service
and high quality advice. With the longest record of service of any Winchester firm we are committed to
providing innovative solutions to our clients’ problems and needs based on a strong foundation of local
knowledge, experience and pragmatic advice.
Wills, Probate and Trusts
Our Wills, Probate and Estates department consists of two partners. Our two consultants have close
connections to the department and all our practitioners dealing with Wills, Probate, Trusts and Estate
advice are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ensuring the quality of their work.
Please see our website at www.wandr.co.uk for further details
Katharine Palmer - kpalmer@wandr.co.uk
Robert Goodchild - rgoodchild@wandr.co.uk
29 Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RR
Tel: 01962 868366 • Fax: 01962 840607 • DX2511 Winchester
Email: lawyers@wandr.co.uk Website: www.wandr.co.uk
67
FO R U M | FEATURE
JUST TURN IT OFF?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
W
hen I was young the worst thing you could say to your
parents was ‘I’m bored’. Their response was usually
along the lines of ‘well go and find something to dogo outside and play’.
Going swimming or to the cinema was a treat and, although it
really wasn’t that long ago, there were few facilities such as a dry ski
slope, go- kart track or ‘Go Ape’ trail locally - or the funds to pay
for it if there had been.
When we went off for walks or cycle rides I’m sure our parents
were content in the knowledge that we would return safely at
some point.
It’s not so very different now. I meet the word ‘bored’ with similar
advice that my parents gave me. Our kids play sports, can be bribed
to walk the dog, ride their bikes and go out with their friends.
But they have something we didn’t – electronic games and their
accompanying gadgetry. Whether on an X-box, laptop, tablet or
phone there seem to be more games available than there are ants
on the planet. It’s an industry that is worth 1.72 billion per year in
the UK alone.
The amount of time our young spend playing games on devices
various and the potential harm it can do them is well documented.
The affects ranging from concerns regarding lack of exercise, an
inability to differentiate between game violence and the real thing,
(i.e. people don’t come alive again) the stunting of conversational
skills and interaction with others, mood swings through to serious
addiction- playing for hours often into the night without realizing
or acknowledging how much time has passed.
But it’s not all bad news, research has shown that game playing
can increase dexterity and improve eye-hand co-ordination.
All children’s lives and many skills may well be embedded in
technology but I personally rue the day a games console arrived
at our house – needless to say it wasn’t bought by me. Yet I freely
68
confess there have been times when the ‘electric nanny’ has saved
my bacon. On a wet and windy afternoon with a room full of
excitable boys, it may be the only resort you have left.
But when I stopped and actually looked at just how much time my
two were spending on games it was scary. Attempting to apply time
limits created so much angst it became a nightmare. Far too much
time spent negotiating how long they could play that it became
nonsense. The game console had taken us hostage. So I woke up
and got brave, (not sure why I say ‘brave’ but it is indicative of the
hold game playing has on our lives perhaps). I simply not only
turned it off but unplugged it too and now the console is now
gathering dust somewhere.
I expected the sky to fall in and prepared for battle but strangely
they appeared to be almost relieved. My eldest analysed the amount
of time ‘wasted’ playing and concluded that it was far too long.
My youngest became interested in just how much he would get
if he sold all the games. And of course that’s the other issue - the
amount of money spent on games over the years! I daren’t calculate
it.
My eldest now watches the BBC News, plays his guitar AND
revises more! While my youngest practices drums and guitar, is less
temperamental and keen to go out on dog walks, trains on the
exercise bike and wants to take up running.
It’s not as though they have sprouted wings and halos, they will still
play a sneaky game on their phones if they can, but the situation is
happily manageable.The wondrous tool that is the Internet is now
utilized as a mind enhancer not a brain number.
All in all it’s been a great decision. The kids are far more creative
and I think happier actually. As is family life.
So just turn it off?
What do you think?
GG.
FO R U M | LEGAL & FINANCIAL
“Xero is a fantastic cloud based
system which allows you to keep a
real handle on your accounts,
simply and easily.”
Frances Cowan – Alresford Interiors
Do great business with Stratus Online and Xero
At Stratus Online Accounting, we believe great business starts with
good looking numbers. Xero is online accounting software that gives
us a live view of your business finances. So no matter what you do
or where you do it, with Xero we can help you do great business.
Call Mike Warner FCA or Charlotte Bellfield
on 01962 832600 to find out more
www.stratusonline.co.uk
AICB
 Full range of Accountancy, Auditing, Taxation and
Payroll services tailored to suit your needs
 Small Business Consultancy and Business Start Up
 Farming and Equine Specialists

FREE Half Hour Initial Consultation
For friendly, professional, proactive advice
please contact:
Gibbons Solicitors Limited Authorised and Regulated by the
Solicitors Regulation Authority no. 617854’
Bennett House, The Dean, Alresford,
Hampshire, SO24 9BH
Tel: 01962 735544
Email: j.butler@butler-co.co.uk
www.butler-co.co.uk
69
FO R U M | ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC / LEGAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES
ARTS,
CRAFTS &
MUSIC
their youth club, their playground, their place of security and calm as
they huddled around the brazier in the centre of the room. Later, in
the 1970s and 1980s the Hut played host to pantomimes, flower shows,
plays and concerts, and more recently it has launched the careers of
Ward Thomas, the up-and-coming Country and Western duo.
Today, the Empshott Hut is in need of total renovation to save it from
demolition. £15,000 has been raised so far, and with the generous
support of Sir James and Lady Scott who are donating the proceeds of
this performance to the Renovation Fund, the target is in sight.
OPERA AT ROTHERFIELD PARK,
EAST TISTED
The performance is by kind invitation of the owners of Rotherfield
Park, Sir James and Lady Scott, who lived for some time in nearby
Empshott village. Sir James said "I remember the Hut as a child where
we had such fun as a village putting on plays and other events. It
is a historic building and it would be a real shame to lose it. I was
delighted to be able to help by offering our garden for this wonderful
performance by the hugely talented Popup Opera Group, with all
proceeds going to the Empshott Hut Fund".
The opera tells the story of Isabella, the Italian girl, who is one of the
wisest and most formidable women you will find in opera. Nobody
would dare call her a girl, and by the time her story ends, no-one including her captive lover - is willing to stand in her way. Elvira, wife
of the powerful Mustafa, thinks he no longer loves her. He is indeed
tired of her and sets her up with Lindoro, a young Italian man recently
captured on the high seas by Mustafa's pirates. What Mustafa really
wants is an Italian girl. Cue a shipwreck and all havoc breaks loose…
Tickets are available from www.popupopera.co.uk and cost £20 for
adults; £14 for under-18s; or a family ticket for two adults and two
children (u18) costs £60 (all plus booking fee).
If law is the question
A
performance of Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri (The Italian girl
in Algiers) will be staged on the lawn at Rotherfield Park,
East Tisted, on midsummer's day, 21 June 2015. Rotherfield
Park is one of Hampshire's most interesting country houses and the
lawns where the performance will take place have been landscaped by
the famous garden designer, Kim Wilkie, creating a perfect outdoor
auditorium. Come early, bring a picnic, relax and enjoy a very special
midsummer musical event. The gardens will be open for picnics from
5.30 pm with the performance starting at 7.30 pm.
70
Whether you are running a business,
or acting in a personal capacity,
there are times when a good lawyer
can give you the kind of support
that no-one else can.
The performance is to raise funds for the nearby Empshot Hut, a
historic 1920s wooden pavilion which has been used as the village
hall for nearly 100 years. It is in desperate need of updated facilities
to take it into the 21st century. Without the renovation its continued
existence is in serious doubt. (See empshotthut.org for more details).
You’ve found the answer
The Hut has hosted many and varied activities. In August 1939 a
group of child evacuees were sent to Empshott as part of Operation
Pied Piper which saw 3m people, mostly children, transported from
London and other cities to the countryside for safety. The Hut was at
the centre of their life for the duration of the war - it was their school,
main@shentons.co.uk www.shentons.co.uk
Alresford-Forum-Ad.indd 1
01962 844 544
Shentons Solicitors & Mediators
Star Lane House | Staple Gardens
Winchester | Hampshire | SO23 9AD
11/02/2015 13:59
Services we provide
Residential and
Commercial Conveyancing
We aim to make any property transaction as swift
and seamless as possible. We hold the Law Society’s
Conveyancing Quality Standard (“CQS”) Accreditation. We
offer a personal service in the following: Sales, Purchase,
Leases and Tenancy Agreements, Transfers of Equity,
Remortgages, Shared Ownership, Declarations of Trust.
FO R U M | LEGAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES
Taylor Fordyce Solicitors
open a new office in
Broad Street, Alresford
Wills
Wills are important legal documents which allow you to
specify how your estate is distributed after death. If you do
not have a Will your estate will be distributed on intestacy
and those you would like to benefit may not benefit
under those rules.
Family
You will need the best family law advice available when
going through a separation, divorce or family breakdown.
We can help you make critical choices about your future,
your children, business and finance. Our aim is to provide
our clients with the knowledge and information to enable
them to make valid lasting decisions impacting on
their future based on the best available from our highly
experienced team of lawyers.
Our full range of services:
 Commercial • Property • Conveyancing • Construction • Planning • Corporate • Civil and Commercial
Litigation • Wills and Probate • Trusts • Matrimonial and Family Law • Employment
First Floor Offices at: 11 Broad Street and 26 West Street, Alresford
www.taylorfordyce.co.uk enquiries@taylorfordyce.co.uk Tel: 01962 735705
1 & 2 CITY BUSINESS CENTRE
HYDE STREET
WINCHESTER
SO23 7TA
TEL: 01962 841041
61 CHOBHAM ROAD
SUNNINGDALE
BERKSHIRE
SL5 0DT
TEL: 01344 637960
24 UPTON LOVELL
WARMINSTER
WILTSHIRE
BA12 0JW
TEL: 01985 851206
71
FO R U M | ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC
ARTS,
CRAFTS &
MUSIC
THE BEST KEPT SECRET
IN HAMPSHIRE
GOOD CAUSES CONCERT AT ST
JOHN'S CHURCH, ALRESFORD
A
Good Causes Concert is being held at St John’s Church,
Alresford on Sunday 31st May at 7.30pm. Young Carers,
the Winchester Night Shelter and the Optimum Health
Clinic Foundation who were so supportive to Claire Jones during
her recent battle to recover from myalgic encephalomyelitis also
known as ME.
All the ticket sales revenue will go to support good causes thanks to
generous contributions received from our main sponsor, Seaward
Properties as well as Richard Steel & Partners and The Country
House Company.
Steve Culpitt of Seaward Properties commented: “Seaward
Properties is delighted to support the Good Causes Concert in
Alresford and the local charities benefitting from the evening’s
proceeds. It’s a great community event which we are ecstatic about
being part of.”
The concert stars Claire Jones, Former Royal Harpist and her
percussionist husband, Chris Marshall who together form a
unique duet known as C2. Concerts are as informative as they are
enjoyable as audiences appreciate a majestic harp and an eclectic
collection of percussion instruments. Their repertoire is very
broad from well known classical works, Chris’s own compositions
extending to pieces from River Dance and West Side Story.
In addition we are delighted to welcome Juliet Howland who is
a locally based singer songwriter and Sophie Pentecost who sings
‘fun vintage jazz with a hint of blues’ accompanied by her own
pianist.The line up is completed by the St John’s Choir conducted
and accompanied by their Musical Director Richard McVeigh.
Tickets costing £20 each including a free drink are now available
in person from Six West and St John’s Parish Office or by calling
the Theatre Royal Winchester on 01962 840440 via their website:
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
72
D
id you know there is a top-class choir based in Alresford?
Who knew that one tiny notice in a local magazine could
elicit such a response? After Keith Clark asked “Would anyone
like to join a community choir?” he entered St John’s church one
Monday evening in 2012 to find more than eighty people waiting.
Hampshire Music Service had asked Keith to assemble a choir
for a new African-inspired work, ‘Zimbe!’ by Alexander L’Estrange,
in Winchester Cathedral. This stunning work was later repeated
twice in Alresford due to popular demand.
Was it the effect of TV shows about choirs? Or maybe scientific
research showing that singing benefits your physical, emotional
and spiritual wellbeing? Whatever it was, no-one wanted to stop
singing, and Alresford Community Choir (ACC) was born.
More than 100 members meet at 7.30pm every Monday night
in term-time in St John’s church, Alresford. Their enthusiasm
has resulted in a large, welcoming family of singers, performing
anything from the pops to opera, to a very high standard. The
atmosphere is friendly and humorous but hard-working, under
inspirational director Keith Clark. (Recently a member was heard
to remark after rehearsal: “I almost didn’t come because I was so
tired after work. I’m glad I did – I feel energised!”.) There is no
audition: whatever your age, if you love singing, at whatever level,
you will fit in. The free Vocal Coaching, Sight Singing and Theory
classes introduced for members in 2014 are proving a great success
and already resulting in improved performance.
Since 2012 the choir has progressed from an enthusiastic bunch
of ‘newbies’ to an acclaimed ensemble aiming for excellence in
singing. Its most recent performance was ‘Ahoy! Sing for the Mary
Rose’ with St Swithun’s School choirs. Future concerts include
‘Stars and Stripes’ (July 4th 2015) and ‘The Messiah’ (March 2016).
For more information visit www.alresfordchoir.com or come to
see and hear the choir at the Watercress Festival.
FO R U M | HOME SERVICES
Alresford Floors
Luxury Vinyl Tiles:
Amtico, Spacia
Karndean, Polyflor
Rubber Flooring
Carpet Tiles
Solid Wood
Engineered Wood
Wood Floor Sanding
Wood Floor Repair
For an appointment to discuss your requirements, please call
Fabulous Clean Carpets
Approved Amtico Installer & NVQ Certified
SUPER-FAST
15 MINUTES
DRYING
very reasonable prices,
and courteous
friendly
ADVERTISE WITH
serviceUS!
from people you can trust in your home
is cleaning local, near-
neighbours
for a
Eighth page placements:
£43of thecarpets
fraction
normal cost
Quarter page placements: ear
£75
Stockbridge Forum
Reader,
Half page placements:Value
£141
conscious local residents
D
love a great deal.
Discounts are available on 3, 6 and
12 need your carpets
If you
cleaned and are looking for an
month bookings. For more information
award-winning company who
will arrive on time, will be
email: marketing@forumpublications.co.uk
courteous, respectful and above
DE
ING & HEAT
UMB
IN
L
P
G
The Carpet Care People
Our approach is simple:
We are proud to run a
celebrated professional carpet
and
upholstery
cleaning
business, and we insist on
providing you with good oldfashioned service and value.
Call now and find out why
our award-winning service is
probably Have
the most
requested
any three
of
carpet cleaning in the local
your
carpets
cleaned
Stockbridge area
for justfor
£87you
total!to do
The next thing
is call us on 01962 690 005 we’ll welcome your call, answer
your questions and take care of
everything for you.
Upholstery
w
cleaning and refreshin
(at our current offer
Fabric Master, our sp
and cleaning system
and very effective. Fib
to their original beaut
you’ll see!
Deal 2
Have your three piece
suite freshened up for
just £97!
Tel 01962 690 00
Frequently Asked Questions
Deal 3
Tel: 01962 690 005
Carpet Price
2
£77
Carpet Price Carpet
3
£97
4
FULL OFFER PRICE LIST
1 £47
Carpet Price
2 £67
De
Have any
and your
freshened
£177!
Deal 1
Price
Full Offer Price List Carpet
1 £57
Carpet Price
De
Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions especially for you sceptics (y
1. When you say ‘carpet’ what do you mean? We mean average size areas,
don’t quibble if the areas are a little larger - it’s all done on fairness really. 2. D
Have
anythe
three
Our pricing policy
reflects
timecarpets
it takes to clean working around furnitur
That said, we are and
for example,
happy
to move your three piece suite backward
your three
piece
under it and replacing it back into position. What we don’t price into the job a
suite
for
moving large pieces
of freshened
furniture likeup
bookcases,
sideboards or wardrobes. Sim
to move electricaljust
items,
in particular flat-screen tvs. Again we apply common
£167!
situation and inevitable we do end up moving some furniture around, even at
Are there any ‘hidden’ extra costs? The prices quoted above are fully-incl
prices you will pay.
L
TD
AN
all trustworthy -- then you’re invited to take
advantage of one of the three
extraordinary
value,
high
quality, carpet and upholstery
cleaning deals we’re offering
new customers this month -- because we want to give
you the chance to get to know
our service and to find out how
impressively new, fresh and
bright your carpets will look
when cleaned and freshened by
The Carpet Care People.
Very reasonable
Winner
prices, and
courteous
friendly service from
people you can trust
in your home.
De
Have any
your carp
for just £9
Have you
suite fresh
just £97!
Fabulous Clean Carpets,
Upholstery and Curtains
3 Great Deals!
and reach up to 14,900 readers
Here’s why one of the
Stockbridges’
most trusted
in Alresford and the Itchen
Valley
carpet cleaning companies
3 Great Deals!
SUPER-FAST 15 MINUTES DRYING
Tel: 01962 732643 or Mob: 07734 459748
www.alresfordfloors.co.uk
Carpet Price
3 £87
Carpet Price
4 £107
Carpet Price
5 £127
Barnes & Liddiard
Electrical Contractors Limited
All aspects of electrical work undertaken
Fully compliant to part ‘P’ of the building regulations
Domestic Commercial Industrial Garden Lighting
Tel: 01962 733272
73
Price
£117
FO R U M | ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC / FEATURE
ARTS,
CRAFTS &
MUSIC
JUST ONE
SIMPLE
QUESTION
THE CURTIS MUSEUM AND
ALLEN GALLERY, ALTON
This month the Forum starts a new column
celebrating the business community in Alresford
and surrounding villages. The Forum values and
will always encourage the use and support of
all our local businesses. The slogan ‘If you want
to keep them use them’, has never been more
poignant!
By asking one simple question we get a glimpse of the
personalities behind the very individual businesses that makes
this area unique.
This month we ask Sharon who,
along with husband Chris, is the
owner, manager, chef, buyer and
driving force behind the award
winning ‘Tiffin’s Tea Room”
which is celebrating it’s tenth year
this year;
T
he Curtis Museum opens 10am to 5pm and the Allen
10.30am to 4.30pm for the Allen Gallery, Tuesday to
Saturday. Entry is free to both. For more information call:
01420 82802
In the Curtis Museum
Saturday May 16th - Made for Walking - 11am -1pm. Join us as
we celebrate Alton’s Walking Festival by getting hands on with
our collections and exploring shoes from the past. Free drop-in
session, donations welcome.
Saturday May 23rd - Saturday May 30th - Hampshire Vehicles Find out more about the vehicles we look after across Hampshire
with our self-led trail. Free drop-in, donations welcome.
My business, we’ve just re branded and extended the tearoom
so I was able to incorporate my favourite colour blue into the
design and indulge my passion for textiles. I’m an absolute
workaholic, so my sons tell me, but it’s about supporting
them. My family is very important to me obviously.
In the Allen Gallery
Saturday May 9th - 70th Anniversary of VE Day - Drop in and
investigate some real WWII artifacts first hand.Try our Street Party
Challenge – can you pool your rations with your neighbours’
and find enough food for a good knees-up? Free family activity,
donations welcome.
I must have cats in my life too, I’m a real people person so
cats are a funny choice because they don’t really need us but
we need them. I have two cats and I love them dearly. Oh and
our beach hut, I go there to escape and relax.There’s nothing
like sitting down by the sea with fish and chips and maybe a
glass of wine!
May Half Term
Tuesday May 26th - Still Life Photography - 1pm -3pm. Work
with a member of the Museum team to explore some of our
collections through photography. Pre-book family activity, £5 per
accompanied child.
I love to Jive too so one day, when I have more time, I shall
learn how to dance properly!”
With the prospect of the busy summer months coming
Sharon won’t have time just yet.
Thursday May 28th
Trading Places: Interaction and exchange in the Bronze Age
Middle East, Helen McGauran - Helen is Senior Curator at the
British Museum. This talk presents the results of her research
into complex Bronze Age Middle Eastern exchange networks,
examining softstone artefacts as markers for those networks.
£5 per ticket, available from the Allen Gallery. Please book in
advance; we are limited to about 40 and have had to send some
disappointed people away recently who wanted tickets at the door.
Talk begins at 7.30pm.
74
What are the most important things in her life?
“Oh puddings! Making them and eating them,
there’s nothing better than a really good desert!”
GG.
Plant Sale
In addition to all these delights,The Friends of the Curtis Museum
are holding a Plant Sale in the charming Allen Gallery garden on
Saturday May 23, 11am – 4pm.
Enquiries to the Curtis Museum on 01420 82802
Curtis Museum, High Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1BA
www.hants.gov.uk/museum/curtis
Adrian Cobb
Plumbing & Heating
M: 07774 979 325
T: 01962 735354
No job too small – No call out charge
Free quotations available
ALL ASPECTS OF
PLUMBING & HEATING
Reliable local plumber
PLACE A
MINI-AD IN THE
FORUM FOR AS
LITTLE AS £22
A MONTH
ADVERT SIZE
44mm x 62mm
Peter Evans
Plumbing, Heating & Bathrooms
Plumbing, Heating, Bathrooms, Tiling,
Oil-fired boilers installed and serviced
Alton Hampshire - 01420 89910
31/1/10
12:38
Page 1
Maid Marian
PROFESSIONAL DOMESTIC SERVICES
High quality domestic services Guaranteed
FO R U M | HOME SERVICES
Maid Marian Ad 90 x 135
One less thing to think about.
We can help.
• Regular cleaning and end
• of tenancy cleaning
• One off spring cleans
• Washing and Ironing
• Carpet cleaning
• Building maintenance
• including painting and
• decorating
• Shopping
• Man with a van
telephone: 01962 736713
email: enquiries@maidmariancleaners.co.uk
web: www.maidmariancleaners.co.uk
Family run company est. 1973
Professional friendly service
All aspects of Interior and Exterior
Domestic and Commercial
Email: paul@dcbestandsons.co.uk
H: 02380 448959
M: 07740 797163
www.dcbestandsons.co.uk
75
FO R U M | NEWS & VIEWS / HOME SERVICES
NEWS &
VIEWS
PR AERIALS
DIGITAL TV & SATELLITE SPECIALIST
ALRESFORD CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE NEWS
Paul Rolfe
Free Quotes • Service & Repairs • Full Year Guarantee on parts • OAP Discounts
TV installations considered • Freeview achieved where others have failed
Membership Renewal
Alresford Chamber of Commerce membership renewal was
due 1st April 2015. The renewal fee for the next year is £58.
You should have received your renewal reminder in the post
along with your new window sticker for 2015 and a calendar of
chamber events over the coming year (made by Richly Creative)
T. 01420 80650
JOYCE
& BROS
Eggcellent Alresford Easter Egg Hunt
The Alresford Easter Egg Hunt was so popular, that more maps
(made by Richly Creative) needed to be printed by Winchester
City Council during its second week of running. Several of our
members were involved in supporting the events, including;
Ragamuffins, Sousa Richards, Alresford Interiors, Caracoli,
Charters, Eddolls, Jaga Designs, Laurence Oxley Ltd, Mange2deli,
The Naked Grape, Oakleaf Stationery & Hellards Estate Agents.
Painters &
Decorators
•
Gutter Clearing
01962 735273
07767 711497
The handmade chocolate prize was kindly supplied by
Chocolate Craft & the raffle prizes were donated by The
Alresford Cricketers, Maddie Attenborough Photography & The
Mid Hants Railway.
joycebrospainters@btinternet.com
M. 07918 913194
CJ The Plumber
Colin Joyce
• Reliable friendly service
• Repairs or installation
• Kitchen, bathroom, shower
• Outside tap, cold water
• Storage cisterns, taps, WC
• No call out charge
01962 776545
Domestic plumbing
Alresford Show 2015- Saturday 5th September
Would you like a greater presence in Alresford and the
surrounding area? If yes, then why not book a stall within the
Chamber of Commerce tent. We require a £50 deposit to secure
your booking & the balance to be paid in full 6 weeks before
the Show. If you would like a space, please contact the Chamber
Secretary on 07769 722985 or info@alresfordchamber.co.uk for
a booking form.
Chamber Chat /AGM – Tuesday 12th May
Our Chamber Chat/ AGM is being held on Tuesday 12th
May at 6pm at Mange2Deli, 44-46 West Street, Alresford. Join
us for canapés by Mange2deli with wine tasting with Simon
from The Naked Grape. Please RSVP your attendance to Liz
Brown – Chamber Secretary by Friday 8th May via info@
alresfordchamber.co.uk
Is your business on Facebook or Twitter?
The Chamber of Commerce would like to encourage all
members to like our Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter.
Members can use this benefit by submitting short info plus
photo’s to the Chamber Secretary for re-posting & sharing on
Facebook or
re-tweeting on Twitter.
Facebook.com/AlresfordCofC
Twitter.com/AlresfordCofC
Collated & Written by Liz Brown – Chamber Secretary
.
MICHAEL J SLY
Plumbing and Heating
All plumbing and heating works
from fixing a leak to installing
a full Heating System or Bathroom Suite
Plumbing and Heating
Complete Heating Systems
High Efficiency Boiler and System Upgrades
Power Flush and System Treatments
Gas Boiler Service
Water Softeners
Bathroom Installations
Complete Bathroom Installation
Cloakroom and En-suites
Power Showers and Electric Showers
Tiling and Flooring
Free competitive quotations
Tel: 01962 771285
Mobile: 07973 407996
Est. Locally for over 30 years
76
We use a pure water, reach and wash
system which allows us to clean even
the most difficult windows
Barnes & Liddiard
Electrical Sales
FOR YOUR HOME ELECTRICAL NEEDS
FO R U M | HOME SERVICES
Basingstoke Window
Cleaning Services
We also offer the following services:
• Windows cleaned inside
• Conservatory roofs cleaned
• Guttering cleared and cleaned
• Soffits and fascias cleaned
For a free no obligation quotation,
please give us a call
on 01256 886241
Simon 07852 117361
Dan 07712 885345
www.BWCS-Online.com
LED, Low Energy and Halogen Bulbs
We have a comprehensive range available
(fitting service can be arranged by request)
Plugs, Fuses, Extension Leads Etc...
We also offer a restoration and repair service
for most fittings
26 The Dean, Alresford, SO24 9AZ
Tel: 01962 733272
Barnes & Liddiard
Electrical Contractors Limited
Your local
storage company
EASY ONLINE HIRE
ALL ENQUIRIES:
www.selfstore.co.uk
01962 600220
77
FO R U M | FEATURE /NEWS & VIEWS
ALRESFORD & DISTRICT
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
ALRESFORD WELCOMES NEW POLICE COMMUNITY
SUPPORT OFFICER (PCSO)
As part of the new Police Structure PCSO
Rhys Griffiths joins the Winchester Rural
Neighbourhood Policing Team based
at the Fire Station in Pound Hill. Rhys
spent 4 ½ yrs as a Community Safety
Officer in Winchester and consequently
has a good background with low level
crime and anti social behavior. Rhys
joined Hampshire Constabulary last year
and was initially based in Winchester
before his recent move to Alresford. We hope his time here in
Alresford will be happy and we wish him well.
The Chief Constable has recently given PCSO's more powers
to use to help them in their new enhanced role. These include
new dispersal powers and associated powers in designated areas
when authorised by senior officers. There will be more powers
available to them in the future and we will keep you updated as
these happen.
The number of people registering to use Hampshire Alerts
increased last month with 1,362 new sign ups and it is hoped that
this will continue to grow rapidly as more of Neighbourhood
NEWS &
VIEWS
RUM'S EG: ART & CRAFT
WORKSHOPS
Collage with Rachel Reynolds
Wednesday 13 May: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Enjoy creating a series of beautiful paper collages, finishing with
a mini block canvas collage artwork. Found objects, papers and
collected memorabilia will be the inspiration. Painting, printing,
tearing and sticking will all be involved! £58. All materials
provided, which includes box canvases, papers & paints. Suitable
for all levels. Max. 12 students. Rachel will also be running this
workshop on 21 October.
Felted Bookcovers with Sarah Waters
Sunday 17 May: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Make a seamless book cover using wet and needle felting
techniques. This workshop is about design, colour mixing and the
use of pre-felts to produce your own unique cover. If time allows
the students can embellish with stitching. £55. Please ask for a
materials list from Rum’s Eg. Suitable for all levels of experience.
Max. 12 students.
A Book Full of Prints with Tozzy Bridger
Wednesday 3rd June: 10.30am - 4.30pm
A full day of printmaking to create your own artist book capturing
78
Policing teams start to use it as their primary engagement
channel. You can register to become part of this initiative and
receive alerts of crime in our area on www.hampshirealert.co.uk.
During the last month there have been a number of calls to 101
reporting suspicious behavior. Many of these turned out to be
genuine. If you see any actions which you think are suspicious
please phone 101 as this is important to the Police in preventing
crime and disorder.
In Alresford since the middle of March the Police have responded
to 3 Anti Social Behaviour incidents, 1 assault which resulted in
criminal damage, 1 Public Order offence and two thefts. There
were no reported burglaries. Unfortunately Kingsworthy has
seen a number of thefts from garages and garden sheds. Bicycles
and gardening equipment worth more than £2,500 were stolen
between February 23 and April 3. Hampshire Constabulary’s
Crime prevention team said garden crime is becoming more
common pointing out that many people take a great deal of
trouble securing their home and property while at the same time
leaving valuable garden tools and cycles in a shed that is either
unlocked or not maintained.
a range of prints. £57. All materials provided but please bring any
images to work from and an apron or old shirt. Suitable for all levels
of experience. Max 12 students.
Life Drawing with Jane Price
Sunday 7 June: 10am - 1pm
An opportunity to improve your artistic skills in this one-off
workshop, through drawing the human form in a relaxed and
encouraging environment. £38. Please bring an A2 cartridge
sketch pad, charcoal, putty rubber & drawing pencils. Some
materials supplied.Suitable for all levels of experience. Why not
book Jane’s short course (below) in September?
(Short Course) Life Drawing with Jane Price
Sundays 6, 13 & 20 September: 10am - 1pm
See materials list above. £99 for all 3 sessions. (or £38 per session).
Attending all 3 sessions is highly recommended. Max 8 students.
Please take note of any materials you may need to bring with
you and arrive 15 minutes before the start of your workshop. Tea,
coffee and biscuits are complimentary. Light lunches available in
Rum's Café - 10% discount for workshop students. Early booking
is advised. Please pay at time of booking. A refund cannot be given
unless we can fill your space. In the unlikely event that a workshop
you have booked has to be cancelled by us, an alternative workshop
or date will be offered.Where this is not possible or not acceptable
to you, a full refund will be paid.
Rum’s Eg, 27 Bell Street, Romsey SO51 8GY. Tel: 01794 511220
www.hampshireartandcraft.org info@hampshireartandcraft.org
Reliable and experienced painting and decorating
service at very competitive rates
Free quotations • Fully insured • References available
Wallpaper Specialist
D E C O R AT I N G I N H A M P S H I R E S I N C E 1 9 8 0
FO R U M | HOME SERVICES
JJ DECORATING
SERVICES
Tel: James - 07919 487821
james.jimjamie@googlemail.com
City and Guilds Qualified
COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • DOMESTIC
Providing a comprehensive electrical installation service
• Home automation • Lighting schemes • Electric gates • Emergency lighting • Electrical installations
• Home entertainment • Fire alarms • Burglar alarms
T: 01962 735397 w: butlerandking.co.uk e:info@butlerandking.co.uk
Unit G, Prospect Commercial Park, 4 Prospect Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9QF
WHITE
WORXS LTD
ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING AND
CARPENTRY UNDERTAKEN
Loft conversions
Extensions/Renovations
Kitchens - design, supply & installation
Bathrooms - complete refurbishments
Flooring - laminates to hardwood
Repairs & maintenance
KEITH WHITE
Tel: 07714 105967 / 01962 733554
Email: keith@whiteworxsltd.co.uk
Blinds & Awnings Ltd
We offer a full measuring, manufacturing and installation
service for all types of high quality
Blinds - Awnings - Shutters
Full 5 year guarantee
Other services include:
Awning and canopy restoration (including re-covering)
Blind servicing and repair work
For a free, no obligation quote in your own home or office:
Tel: 01962 736836 or 07711 007079
email:enquiries@drblinds.co.uk
79
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
We specialise in full bathroom design & specification using exclusive European
brands and bespoke pieces. We also sell stunning ranges of tiles, towels and
accessories. Call us to book a consultation or visit our showroom soon.
NO. 7 CHESIL STREET, WINCHESTER, SO23 0HU
Open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm & Saturday 10am to 5pm
T: 01962 850237 E: info@soapbathrooms.co.uk W: www.soapbathrooms.co.uk