Page 1
DELIVERED FREE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SOMBORNES AND ASHLEY
POSTED TO ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR £10 PER YEAR
Changes at the Church New arrangements in place
PAGES 4, 5, 30, 32 and 36
Also in this edition:
Double celebrations at
250 year old pub Lots of fun at The Crown
PAGES 6 and 7
Ready for the winter Villagers prepare the stream
PAGE 9
Flower Show threatened Step up now to avoid losing this
village highlight PAGE 14
THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE SOMBORNES AND ASHLEY
FEBRUARY 2017
Page 5
v
For a free site visit : 01794389150 or 07826916114
[email protected] www.stockbridgemarquees.com
Cover your guests come rain or shine.
Dress your event with our stylish marquees and gazebos Ideal for garden parties, weddings or corporate events
Page 7
vii
Stretch and Tone at IYENGAR YOGA CLASSES
suitable for all levels of experience
King’s Somborne:
Mon 9.30-11am & Thurs 9.30–11am in Working Mens Club
Tues 6-7.30pm & 7.30-9pm in Epworth Hall
Houghton:
Wednesday 7.30-9pm & Friday 9.30-11am at Studio Yoga
Carolyn Ryan 01794 388743 [email protected]
Richard Penfold Local firewood production specialist
Seasoned dry stored logs and kindling
Timber sourced only from sustainable woodlands
Firewood available throughout the year
Professional and personal service
Telephone: 01794 389603 Mob: 079000 61158
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CALL PAUL ON 07886 361791 OR EMMA ON 07920 289341
C&S Mechanical Services
Service & Commissioning Of All Heating Systems;
Oil, Gas & LPG
Installations of Oil Tanks, Heating Systems,
Both Commercial & Domestic
Unvented & Vented Hot Water Systems, Radiator
Changes, Power Flushes, Solar Energy Approved
No Obligation Free Quotation on request
£2 Million Liability Insurance.
All Work Guaranteed
No Job Too Small, No Job Too Big
LOGS FOR SALE Seasoned hardwood from
managed woodland in Little Somborne
Available in 200 litre bags or 850 litre truck loads
Free delivery for local customers
Tel: 01264 811362
Email: [email protected]
Page 10
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CORBEN PLANT & CONSTRUCTION LTD
Building Contractors and Civil Engineering
All building works undertaken
New Build
Extensions
Property Maintenance
Experienced in Listed Building Works
UPVC fascias, windows and doors and all purpose-made joinery
supplied and fitted
All aspects of Carpentry - Cut Roofing specialists
Ground works - own Plant and Equipment
For free estimates and advice
Tel: 01794 884039 Mobile: 07860 924330
E-mail: [email protected]
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The Somborne & District Society
Talks on Local History and related subjects.
Visits to places of interest - Quarterly Newsletter
Visitors always welcome!
Regular meetings held on the
4th Wednesday of each month - 8.00pm, in King’s Somborne Village Hall
Refreshments from 7.30 pm
Contact : Gordon Pearson 01794 388662; [email protected]
**********************************************
Why not use the Village Hall as a meeting place or as a venue for your party?
Available for single events or regular meetings
Contact Sarah Pennington (email please):
[email protected] 01794 389354 (evenings)
**********************************************
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LES SMITH PLASTERING CONTRACTOR
Family run business
Over 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Fully insured
TELEPHONE ROMSEY 01794 367319 07798905087 For a free estimate
[email protected]
Lydia Gould Stonemasonry
Stonework specialist on old buildings
Restoration work New build
Flint and brick wall re-pointing and rebuilding, (Ivy damage, Frost damage,
remove bad repairs) Replace worn bricks.
I use traditional materials where appropriate to match the original.
I work locally in Hampshire, but will travel further if required.
No job too small!
Contact details: 2 Lovells Farm Cottage, Up Somborne SO20 6RD
Phone: 01794 389577 Mobile: 07949192180
Email: [email protected]
Greengrass Services
Reliable man
To mow lawns and paddocks
To cut hedges and do fencing
Public liability
Contract work available
Tel: 01794 388750
To advertise here,
Contact:
Sue Byram
01794 388521
[email protected]
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COUNTRY BUILDERS Property Repairs
Alterations
Roofing & Guttering
Painting & Decorating
Patios & Brickwork
Carpentry & Fencing
Pvc Cladding & Windows
Free Estimates
Mob 07747 773327 Tel 01794 516320
Experienced, recently retired YR5/6 Teacher available to offer English and Maths tuition for
YR6 SATS (May 2017), entrance exams and 11+.
Please contact me for further details at [email protected]
LOUISE MARTIN PERSONAL TRAINING
LADIES PERSONAL TRAINING
ANTE / POST NATAL TRANING
NUTRITIONAL & WEIGHT LOSS ADVICE
www.louisemartinpt.com
07866585460
PROTECT THOSE YOU LOVE
HAVE YOU MADE A WILL? IS YOUR EXISTING WILL UP TO DATE?
If you are married do not assume your spouse ‘will automatically inherit
everything’.
As house prices have risen, Inheritance Tax (IHT) affects many more families.
IHT rules applies to individual estates valued at over £325,000.
Unmarried partners may not inherit from one another without a Will.
Have you thought of guardianship for children under 18?
Why not give a legacy to your church or the charities you support?
To help you tackle these issues, at a time convenient to you and in the comfort and
privacy of your own home, please contact your local consultant:
Peter Storey OBE FCIS on 01794 389688
Senior Consultant - Steel Rose Law LLP
Page 15
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Parish Church
Area Dean: Revd Canon Tim Sledge
01794 513125 07884008901
[email protected]
PA to Area Dean:
[email protected]
Licensed Lay Ministers: Sue Holligan
Howard Rowe
01794 388484
01794 388400
Wardens: David Bevan
Sandie Pepperell
07769 682696
01794 388021
PCC Secretary:
David Bevan
07769 682696
Treasurer & Gift Aid Sec:
Claire Bevan 01794 341923
Flowers: Penny Ward 01794 389649
Methodist Church
Minister:
Revd Ruth Fry 01962 882828
Steward: Pam Gravenor 01794 388531
Roman Catholic Churches
Hampshire Downs parish 01962 852804
St Swithun Wells parish 02380 273882
Village Hall
Bookings: Sarah Pennington 01794 389354
(tel. after 7.30pm please) or email
[email protected]
Epworth Hall
Bookings:Marion Downing 01794 388121
[email protected]
Doctors
Stockbridge surgery 01264 810524
www.stockbridgesurgery.co.uk
Broughton surgery 01794 301210
Pharmacy
Stockbridge Pharmacy 01264 810624
Schools
Somborne Pre-School
King’s Somborne School
Test Valley School
07530 893773
01794 388381
01264 810555
Police
Crimestoppers
Police Station
Urgent calls
0800 555 111
101
999
Neighbourhood Watch
Andrew Brock 01794 388227
Parish Council
Clerk: Peter Storey 01794 389688
Borough Councillor
Tony Ward 01794 389649
County Councillor
Andrew Gibson 01264 861138
Member of Parliament
Caroline Nokes MP
Romsey & Soton North Conservatives
01794 521155
Village Correspondent Jo Finch 01794 388462
Village Website
www.thesombornes.org.uk
The Gauntlet
Editor: Harvey Saunders 01794 388029
Advertising: Sue Byram 01794 388521
Distribution: Lin Curtis 01794 389373
Please deliver articles for
The Gauntlet to
[email protected]
or The Post Office.
Copy date is no later than 5.00pm on
the 15th of the month please.
Useful names and numbers
Page 16
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Allotments Contact: [email protected]
Lisa Johnson 07796175875 or 388504
Art and Crafts group
Contacts:
Madeline Edmonds 01794 389014
Pam Watson 01794 388429
Badminton Club
Monday evenings in the Village Hall
Contact: Sue Jackson 01794 388884
Bellringing
Every Monday 7.30 - 9.00pm.
Contact: Sue Spurling 01794 388266
Catherine Edwards Trust
Provides grants to village students
Contact: David Bevan 07769 682696
Cricket Club
Contact: Frank Fahy 01794 388314
Christians Together in Somborne
and District
Welcome all to open and ecumenical
meetings and services throughout the
year.
Community Responders
Contacts: Lesley Everard-Evans
01794 388991
Dial-a-Ride
Trips to Romsey every Wednesday, for
senior citizens and disabled people, at
2.00pm. Fare £2.00.
Contact: Dick or Zoe 01264 356808
Drop In Coffee Morning
Coffee morning at the Epworth Hall.
Every Tuesday (except the second in the
month) at 10.30am.
Epworth Lunch
Lunch for over 50s at the Epworth Hall.
On the second Tuesday in the month at
12.30pm.
Contacts: Sue Jackson 01794 388884
Marilyn Bolton 01794 389356
Friends of King’s Somborne Church
Contact: Brian Orange 01794 388235
Football Club
Contact: Andy Gannaway 01794 388733
Footpath walk
Monthly walk on Parish footpaths on the
last Sunday of each month. Check the
Village Diary or village website for details.
Contact: Duncan Gould 01794 388049
French Twinning Association
Contacts: Louise & Andrew Causer
01794 389364
FunDay Club
Meets after school on Mondays for children
in years Reception to 4
Contact: Sue Holligan 01794 388484
Garden waste scheme
Garden waste will be collected in w/c 13th
and 27th February.
Home Group
Bible study group. Usually third
Thursdays of the month at 8.00pm.
Contact: Nigel Coleman 01794 388449
Horticultural Society
Meets for two talks and one visit per year
and organises the annual Flower Show.
Contact: Pollyann Monk 01794 388482
Household waste
Non-recyclable household waste (black
bins) will be collected in w/c 13th and 27th
February.
Recyclable household waste (brown bins)
will be collected in w/c 6th and 20th
February.
Messy Church
Fun, creative event (with tea!) for children
of all ages and their families. 3rd Sunday
of each month in term time, 3.30 - 5.30pm
at Epworth Hall.
Contacts: Pam Gravenor 01794 388531
Sam Barnes 07742 077114
Village Directory
Page 17
3
Neighbourcare
Transport to essential appointments and
other small tasks.
Contacts: Sue Jackson 01794 388884
Mary Bradley 01794 388386
Parent, Baby & Toddler Group
Informal friendly get-together for babies,
pre-school children, parents and carers.
Every Wednesday 10.00am - 11.30am in
the Village Hall.
Contact: Lisa Johnson 07796 175875
Prayer Group
Contact: Dulcie Witts 01794 388267
School Association
Social and fund-raising events to benefit
the school and its pupils.
Contact: Andy Chadwick 01794 389587
Scouts
Beavers Wednesdays 6:00– 7:00pm
Cubs & Scouts will resume in the New
Year
Contact: Wendy Jarvis 01794 389552
Somborne & District Society
Meetings held on the fourth Wednesday of
each month at 8.00pm, usually in the
Village Hall.
Contact: Chris Kirby 01794 389034
Somborne Music Appreciation Group
Contact: Frank Fahy 01794 388314
Somborne Needleworkers
Meet each Thursday at 2.00pm at
Nutcher’s, 3 Nutcher’s Drove.
Contact: Sally Wilson 01794 388675
Somborne Players
Amateur Dramatics Society. For both
children and adults. Activities every
few months from formal plays to get -
togethers.
Contact: Catherine Cartwright 07950
929957
Sombornes Pre-School
Early Years education for children aged
from 2 to school age.
Contact: Rebecca Hunt 07530 893773
Somborne Sessions
Details: www.sombornesessions.co.uk
Contact: Trevor Ryan 01794 388743
Somborne Singers
Weekly meetings to sing ballads, songs
from shows etc. every Tuesday at 7.45pm
in the Parish Church.
Contact: Howard Rowe 01794 388400
Somborne Sisterhood W I
Meets on the first Friday of each month at
8.00pm in the Village Hall
Contact: Samantha Boot 01794 389554
Table Tennis
Sundays 5.00pm to 6.00pm Village Hall.
Contact : Frank Fahy 01794 388314
Tiny Tots
Meet in the Parish Church each Tuesday at
2.00pm.
Contact: Lucy Wolverson 01794 389241
Village Agent
Contact: Sue Jackson 01794 388884
Women’s Institute
Meets on the second Wednesday of each
month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Contact: Linda Aucock 01794 388542
Working Men’s Club
Various entertainments.
Contacts: Janette Batchelor 07583 163607
Trina Masham 07852 257596
YMCA youth group
Youth group (11-18 years) meets 2nd and
4th Fridays, 6.30pm at Scout Hut.
Contact: Steve Watson 07851 987993
Village Directory (continued)
This month’s edition of The Gauntlet
was edited by Harvey Saunders
Page 18
4
From the Churchwardens Many of you will know that the Revd Jonathan Watkins has moved onto pastures
new and has taken up a position at Romsey Abbey. As there was no publication
of The Gauntlet in January, we are re-printing the letter that was sent out by the
Area Dean in December to all on the Electoral Roll which also includes the
church of St. Mary Ashley and All Saints Little Somborne:
Sunday 11th December 2016
Dear Friends
Following Jonathan’s departure from the Test Valley Benefice at the end of
December, we are writing to let you know of the interim arrangements during the
interregnum. We want to be able to support you as much as possible during this
time of added work and transition as we seek to work together to discern the best
pattern of mission and ministry and leadership for the churches across the
deanery.
As of 1st January, service in King’s Somborne and Ashley will be supported from
the clergy team at Romsey Abbey for 3 of the 4 Sundays in the month. Baptisms,
Weddings and Funeral will be administered from the Romsey Parish Office, and
there will be regular support for Collective Worship in the school and pastoral
work.
Over the past year or so, there has been much discussion and speculation about
the future of the parishes within the Test Valley Benefice. As a result of the
meetings which have taken place within the parishes in the deanery, and also
with the Southern Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committee, we feel that
we need more time to discuss what the best options and possibilities are for
pastoral reorganisation and the best provision of mission and ministry to fulfil
God’s vision for our churches.
Therefore, the Mission and Pastoral Committee have agreed to an 18month
period of consultation with parishes across the deanery to take a wider and
deeper look at the life structure of the Deanery. We pray that over this time we
would seek God’s guidance and purposes and work together and consult openly,
generously and graciously with one another.
At all times, please be assured of our support for you through this long period,
but I hope that taking time and care over this and will bear fruit for us all and
most importantly for the continuing establishment of God’s kingdom in this
beautiful part of his creation.
The scheduled United Benefice service will still take place at King’s Somborne on
January 29th and this will be a chance to say a farewell to the Benefice working
together. This will be the last of such services. Although the benefice will
continue as a legal entity for now, the two separate groupings of churches will
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5
work together for ease of working and organisation. If you have any queries,
please do not hesitate to contact your own churchwardens who will
communicate with us over the coming month.
Canon Tim Sledge, Area Dean
Rev Ron Corne, Assistant Area Dean
Sarah Boothman, Lay Chair, Romsey Deanery
We would like to thank everyone who
so willingly gave of their time to help
decorate the church for Christmas.
From the flower decorators, to those
who hung greenery from most places,
to those who helped put up the
Christmas Tree and decorated it and to
others who helped with tidying up
afterwards. It all takes time when time
is precious anyway, then it needs to be
cleared away again - so to those who
came along to help dismantle the tree,
clear away the flowers and greenery
another big thank you!
The collection of £321.00 from the
‘Christians Together’ annual Carol
Service on Sunday 18th December was
sent to the charity ‘EveryChild’.
Thanks to those who supported the
Carol singing around the village on a
very damp night. Our thanks must
also go to Jo and Tony Brooke-Webb
and Howard and Alwena Rowe who
provided wonderful refreshments at
the start. The evening ended at The
‘Crown Inn’ and grateful thanks to
Jude and Terry for making us so
welcome and providing us with mulled
wine and mince pies to warm us up!
Our collection from this was £372.00
which, together with monies from the
Craft Event, raised £423.00 for ‘Save
the Children’.
The Church was full to the brim for the
Christingle Service held on Christmas
Eve. Our thanks again to ‘D’ and
Brian Orange for providing the
oranges and to the team of volunteers
who prepared them for the service.
The collection of £360.00 was sent to
the Children’s Society.
The Worship Team continues to play
an active part in the worship of the
church as do the children from FunDay
Club in the Family Services. Tiny
Tots is held every Tuesday afternoon
at 2.00pm during term time and
welcomes mothers with babies and
toddlers to join them. It is a great
meeting place, especially if you are
new to the village.
The Education Service which is held
jointly with the School will take place
on Sunday 12th February at 10.00am.
We are so lucky to have such an
excellent Church of England school
next door, so please do come along
and support the children at this service.
Details of our lunchtime Lent courses
are advised on page 31 of this edition
of The Gauntlet. All are welcome.
Women’s World Day of Prayer on
Friday 3rd March will be hosted by our
friends at the Methodist Church at
2.30pm.
David Bevan and Sandie Pepperell
Churchwardens
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On the 15th December the pub
celebrated with a grand party as it was
10 years since Jude and Terry came to
the village to run the Crown. It also
happened to be 250 years since the pub
was built.
It is doubtful if the pub has ever been
more crowded than it was that evening
and fortunately the weather was such
that it was possible for attendees to
spill out into the car park. An added
attraction was that all drinks were sold
at 2006 prices (yes, just 250p for a
pint!) and DJ Feryl Joseph was on
hand to provide early evening
entertainment. Later in the evening,
those present were treated to
entertainment by Misty Lee, who first
appeared resplendent in a chic
Christmas dress, and sipping Rosé
wine.
Jude and Terry have a long friendship,
begun when Jude was still at school
and bought a pair of jeans in Terry’s
shop in Farnham. Both of them
worked part time in pubs as teenagers.
Jude did a catering degree and Terry
built up an empire of five clothing
shops.
Jude’s career blossomed and she
worked all over the world – the
Falklands, Germany, the Balkans,
Kuwait, Afghanistan, for a company
supplying food for the Services. Terry
meanwhile suffered in the recession of
the eighties, had difficulties with
business partners, and lost everything.
So he worked for other clothing
Double celebrations at the Crown
Terry and Jude enjoying their special occasion
Page 21
7
companies for 15 years or so and then
turned round a friend’s pub where
business had been struggling.
So, in 2006, after Jude had been made
redundant and their paths crossed
again, Jude and Terry decided to go
into business together and run their
own pub. After a long search, they
took on The Drum in Petersfield and
came to the Crown in December. This
was a huge gamble as, at first, they had
no security of tenure. They used their
own money to refurbish the pub,
although Punch taverns agreed to put
in new drains! Everything has been
renewed – furniture, carpets, kitchen,
drainage, wiring, thatch and the now
delightful garden - to make the
comfortable pub we enjoy today.
We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to
Jude and Terry. They have given a
focal point for people to meet for
meals or just drinks. They feed us at
Christmas, or when we are too tired to
cook for ourselves. They do catering
for our celebrations, parties and
funerals. They have raised around
£40,000 for local charities with the
weekly Quiz, and special functions for
Myeloma and Children in Need. They
organise theme nights, beer festivals,
and live music evenings. They have
also provided employment and training
for many young people in the village –
Katheryn Travers and Lottie Reynolds
have been with them through all the
years. Many start as washer-uppers
and go on to gain their own licence
and cellar qualifications. Leah Bailey
followed this path and now runs
KSWMC. Craig Paddock started at 14
on work experience and hasn’t looked
back.
All this is thanks to the extremely hard
work put in by Jude and Terry. So
raise a glass to the next 10 years!
Sue Jackson and Jo Finch
Page 22
8
Stockbridge Community Cinema Stockbridge Town Hall
Doors open 30 minutes before the start.
Tickets £5 from John Robinson and Garden Inn in Stockbridge or online via
www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk
Friday 3rd February
Hamlet (12) From its sell-out run at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre comes a film
version of this unique and critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's
Hamlet, with BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake in the title role.
Showing at 7.30pm.
Wednesday 14th December
Life, animated (PG)
The inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to
speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to
communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney
animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he
graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. "A
documentary gem" (The Hollywood Reporter)
Showing at 7.30pm
Wednesday 15th February
I, Daniel Blake (15)
A 59-year-old joiner, unable to work due to a recent heart attack, befriends a
young single mother as they both struggle with the red tape of the British
benefits system. 2016 Cannes Palme d͛'Or winner (director Ken Loach)
starring Dave Johns and Hayley Squire.
Showing at 5.00pm and 7.30pm
Parish Electoral Roll I will be updating the current electoral roll during this month for presentation
at the Annual Church Parish Meeting. If you would like to join, please contact
me for an application form or collect one from the back of the church.
Linda Aucock 388542 or [email protected]
Page 23
9
Over a couple of days last
D e c e m b e r , h a r d y
volunteers removed the
mulched weed growth left
after the Environment
Agency’s end of year
clearance of the borne
where it passes through
the village adjacent to
Winchester Road. This
was to assist with the flow
of water downstream.
Some good humour and
hot drinks provided by
The Crown were enjoyed
by those involved with a
promise to meet again
same time next year.
This is an entirely
voluntary effort by
m e m b e r s o f t h e
community to keep the
water flowing in the event
of heavy rains and rising ground water to minimize the risk of flooding as
happened a couple of years ago.
Riparian owners are reminded that they have legal responsibility to keep their
stretch of the stream free of obstruction all year round.
Peter Storey
Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council
Getting prepared
Up Somborne carolling Letters of grateful thanks to the residents of Up Somborne, for donations of £95
each, have been received from Andover Crisis Centre and Hampshire Air
Ambulance following the village annual Carol Singing held on 19th December.
It was a joyous event commencing at Rookley Farm with singing with piano
accompaniment (many thanks to Emily) mulled wine and nibbles. We finished
at Rookley Cottage with more mulled wine and nibbles while the donations
were counted.
Liz Jones
Page 24
10
C/Cllr Gibson undertook to review
having the all-weather path extended
to connect with Lancaster Green, as
originally planned. Dr Mactintosh, as
Chairman of the Village Hall
management committee, reported on
the installation of anti-vandal paint on
pipes and gutters around the Village
Hall to deter youngsters from climbing
on to the roof. He also reported on
actions by persons unknown which had
frightened the cleaner in the Hall. Cllr
Harwood confirmed damage had been
caused to the cricket store; both
instances had been reported to the
police. Everyone was reminded of the
need to report anything suspicious to
the police on 101, unless life
threatening when 999 should be
dialled, as this was the only way to
indicate a need for more frequent
police patrols in our community.
The largest number of people in recent
years had attended the Remembrance
Day Service at the War Memorial on
Remembrance Sunday.
BT was consulting on the removal of
the telephone box in Up Somborne as
it could no longer justify its retention
as a call box and the Parish Council
had bid to purchase it for £1 and put it
to alternative use; the box being an
iconic landmark in the hamlet.
Test Valley Borough Council had
thanked the community for collecting
40.09 tonnes of glass for recycling
over the past year.
Cllr Hughes had overseen the
installation of a bug house at the Old
Palace Farm entrance
to the John O’Gaunt
field to encourage
children to take an
interest in insects and
nature in general. She
had also planted a variety of seeds
along the pathway in this area.
December is the month when the
Council sets its income and
expenditure budget for the next
financial year. It was decided to seek a
1.99% increase in Precept which will
attract an additional £658 in total next
year. Councillors approved an
expenditure budget of £39,418 and a
Precept of £33,698 with the difference
being met from external grants and
reserves. It was also decided to
increase the recreation ground hire
charges from April 2017.
Following the prolonged loss of
electricity in November last, it was
more important than ever that those in
our community who become more
vulnerable in such circumstances
register with the Scottish and Southern
Electricity (SSE) Priority Services
Register. With this information to
hand, SSE will give priority assistance
to connect them to an alternative
power source in a hurry or provide
them with short term help. If you
know of someone who might qualify
for this help, would you please tell
them of the Service and get them or
help them to sign up accordingly.
Southern Water run a similar scheme
and details of both schemes are on the
respective provider’s website.
Parish Council notes December 2016
Page 25
11
Parish Council notes January 2017
With the increase in petty vandalism
and anti-social behaviour, the Test
Valley Wardens and Police have
agreed to increase the frequency of
their patrols of our play areas and open
spaces. The Village Hall has also
installed CCTV to deter and record
activity in its locality.
Cllr Sutton was researching providers
of parish council websites to see if we
could benefit from a fresh approach to
encourage more use to be made of the
information contained therein. He was
also liaising with EE on their
providing a battery back up to enable
the mobile service to return to normal
more quickly after a power outage. He
was also looking to organise a
community business involvement
event in the Spring to enable local
businesses and individuals to show off
the potential for business opportunity
locally. More details would be
published when available.
Work continued on the replacement of
overhead power lines by SSEN as
evidenced by the increasing number of
poles being erected around the area.
This upgrading would create short
periods of power outage - SSEN would
notify to those households affected
beforehand.
The Clerk reported the receipt of
£1,500 from TVBC in recognition of
the work currently in hand to produce
a Neighbourhood Development Plan
and a further £5,366 from SSEN to
cover the cost of purchasing essential
assets, such as a portable generator and
hi-viz vests, to enhance our resilience
capabilities when power was lost.
All fees and charges for the recreation
ground and Cemetery had now been
agreed for the financial year starting 1
April 2017. Small increases in
recreation ground hire charges had
been approved to meet the increased
maintenance costs and the Exclusive
Right of Burial fee had been increased
to £250 to bring our charge more in
line with other Burial Boards.
Three new seats would be ordered, two
of which would go adjacent to the
Cricket Hut on the King’s Somborne
recreation ground and the third in the
Muss Lane open space. Repairs to the
Hogs Back climbing equipment in Up
Somborne would soon be completed as
would the installation of a replacement
slide.
Work on the Neighbourhood
Development Plan continued with two
successful public meetings to involve
the community in the process and also
explain and provide help, if necessary,
on completion of the recently delivered
independent housing needs survey.
This would give credibility to this
aspect of the NDP and sit alongside
similar information obtained from our
own needs survey of a year ago.
Given the on-going debate within the
Village Hall management committee
about how best to host the Pre-School
and enable it to provide for the
increased entitlement to school hours
funded by the Government, and the
differences of opinion currently extant
on how or if to do this, the Parish
(Continued on page 12)
Page 26
12
Council agreed to redefine its wish list
of future assets within the community.
(This is held by TVBC and used by
them to justify developers’
contributions on new developments.)
The wish list will now reflect the
community’s stated wish from earlier
NDP surveys and meetings to add a
multi-use activity or sports pavilion.
This wide ranging facility would give
the Council maximum flexibility
irrespective of the final outcome of the
Village Hall deliberations.
The Clerk reported on the major hedge
cutting programme to date and the
fence repairs recently completed in the
open spaces and the removal of the
longstanding chalk mound in the
Cemetery opening the way for more
burials in future.
The Police had completed their risk
assessments of the areas chosen for the
Community Speedwatch volunteers to
monitor vehicle speeds through the
Parish and the speedwatch co-
ordinator would soon be holding the
first training/operational session.
Information on registering with the
Scottish and Southern Electricity
Networks (SSEN) Priority Services
Register was being distributed with
The Gauntlet magazine. With this
information to hand, SSEN will give
priority assistance to connect
registered vulnerable persons to an
alternative power source urgently or
provide them with short term help. If
you know of someone who might
qualify for this help, would you please
be the good neighbour and tell them of
the Service and get them or help them
to sign up accordingly. Southern
Water run a similar scheme and details
of both schemes are on the respective
provider’s website.
The Parish Council has a dedicated
website, as does Neighbourhood
Watch, and can also can be found on
Facebook and Twitter. Much useful
local information can be found on
these and by liking our Facebook page
or Twitter accounts. Please take a
minute to do this.
As always, a full set of minutes can be
found on the Parish Council website
and in both Cross Stores and Martin’s
Corner Shop.
All Parish Council meetings are open
to the public and we look forward to
seeing you there.
Peter Storey
Clerk to
King’s Somborne Parish Council
(Continued from page 11)
Can you help? We need someone who has the use of a car for approximately one and a half
hours a month to collect 15 bags of The Gauntlet magazines from the Epworth
Hall and then deliver the bags to 13 addresses around the village.
If you can help please call
Lin Curtis 389373 or
Norman Denison 388889
Page 27
13
Somborne Players present…
A Comedy Double Bill Extravaganza
“Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations”
&
a ‘Potted’ Sleeping Beauty
Come along and see
the hilarious Alan Ayckbourn comedy,
followed by the potted tale of
Sleeping Beauty as
you’ve never heard it before!
Friday 24th and Saturday 25th February 2017
Kings Somborne Village Hall Doors and bar open at 7.30pm for 8.00pm evening performances
Saturday matinee opens 1.30pm for 2.00pm performance
Tickets – Adults £6.00, Children £4.00, Family – 2 adults/2 children £17.50
available at the Post Office & Martin Stores, Kings Somborne, and from Elef Art in Stockbridge
NB
1) This amateur production of “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD 2) The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production is a Violation of
United Kingdom copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and an actionable offense.
Page 28
14
We need you! We only have until
the March AGM to save the future of
the traditional Somborne Flower
Show!
This year it will be the Somborne’s
92nd Flower Show. The Show forms
an essential mainstay of English
village life, not just for gardeners but
for the whole community. The fact is
that age has wearied us and the hard-
working local Horticultural Society
committee has been hit by the loss of
many of our long-standing members
over the last year or so and the loss of
more is loomimg.
We currently have a strong, albeit
ageing, membership and sound
finances. We have also launched a
new youth programme to develop the
interests of children and of novice
gardeners of all ages. We believe we
offer an interesting forum for all those
interested in gardens and gardening.
However, the threat now is less to the
Society itself at this stage but mostly to
our annual Flower Show and Fete.
The working team necessary for the
Show is more than 20, we currently
have less than half of that. We have
the other resources at the moment but
we are suffering a lack of team
members to prepare for the Flower
Show itself.
The working team is a relatively light
commitment mainly limited to helping
prepare, run and clear the Show in
July. We also need new Committee
Members to understudy the principal
organisers this year, work in
partnership next year and take over the
duties beyond that. The main skills
required are mostly organisational;
detailed knowledge of gardening and
horticulture is not essential! Our
experience is that it is good fun - it
must be for so many to have served for
so long!
Please consider joining the Society and
offering your energies to help save our
Show. It has been a popular aspect of
community life for nearly a century,
not just with the exhibitors but for the
many visitors to the Flower Show and
Fete too. It would be very sad to lose
another pillar of our local life.
Experience has shown that once gone
(remember the Carnival we used to
have?) these events never return.
Please consider helping, either as an
organiser or on the Show working
party and contact Pollyann Monk
(388482) or David Pepperell (388021)
for more information.
Membership fees for 2017 are now
due for the Horticultural Society
(£5.00 per calendar year).
The membership fees directly support
the running of the Flower Show and
entitle you to free entry to the Exhibit
Hall at the Show. In addition, we offer
two talks each year on subjects of
gardening interest, novice training and
a summer visit to a local garden of
interest as well as a barbecue and
social.
Horticultural Society
Save our Show!
Page 29
15
Kings Somborne & District
Horticultural Society
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held in the Village Hall
Thursday 23rd March 2017
At 7:30 pm
Guest Speaker:
Mr Mike Buffin “Lesser known Gardens of the
National Trust”
Everyone Welcome
Admission Free to Members
Non Members £1
Raffle & Light refreshments
A polite reminder to members of the Horticultural Society that this year’s
subscriptions fall due in January, and will run with the calendar year.
Date for your diary:
Saturday 22nd July 2017 – Annual Flower (& Vegetable) Show. Open to all.
Pollyann Monk
Secretary
Page 30
16
What’s on Your guide to events in and around the district
Winchester Science Centre General opening times: Monday-
Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm, weekends
10.00am – 5.00pm
7, 11 and 25 February: Astronomy
Monthly: The Spring Night Sky
8 February: Space Lecture – Tuning
into the Universe: probing the cosmos
with radio waves
Book 01962 891925 or online
winchestersciencecentre.org
Manor Farm and Country Park Manor Farm is open daily from
10.00am to 4.00pm from November to
March. The country park opens from
8.30am to 5.00pm November to
February
18 – 26 February: Feathered friends of
Manor Farm – activities, crafts and
trails based around the birds.
Mottisfont Abbey Through 17 February, house and art
gallery open 11.00am - 4.00pm;
gardens, cafe and shop open 10.00am -
4.00pm. From 18 February, all open
until 5.00pm.
18 – 26 February: Half-term trail:
scribbles and sketches
1 – 28 February: Rex Whistler: more
than murals exhibition
Hinton Ampner House open 11.00am - 4.00pm.
Through 18 February, estate, garden,
shop and tearoom open daily from
10.00am - 4.00pm; thereafter until
5.00pm.
1 – 5 February: Hampshire Artists’ Co
-operative exhibition
18 – 28 February: Half-term trail
Winchester City Mill Through 19 February, watermill and
shop open 10.00am – 4.00pm every
day. Thereafter, open until 5.00pm.
18 – 26 February: February Half term
family fun trail
4 , 12, 25 February: Baking
demonstrations 11.00am – 3.00pm.
Every Wednesday, Saturday and
Sunday 11.00am– 3.00pm: Traditional
flour milling demonstration
Andover Museum Free admission
Open Tuesday – Friday 10.00am –
5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm.
28 January – 11 March: Andover
Museum Open Art Exhibition 2017
Willis Museum and Sainsbury
Gallery Free admission
Open Tuesday – Friday 10.00am –
5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm.
21 January – 1 March: International
Garden Photographer of the Year
exhibition
Winchester Cathedral Opening times: Monday – Saturday
9.30am – 5.00pm, Sunday 12.30pm –
3.00pm.
Janet Ingleson
Page 31
17
Theatres
Theatre Royal, Winchester 01962 840440
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
18 February: Jonathan Pie Live
27 February: Chris Ramsey: Is that
Chris Ramsey?
Plaza Theatre, Romsey 01794 512987
www.plazatheatre.com
4 February: Constellations
8 February: Ghost Walk
17 February: Kast Off Kinks
21 February: Spring into Science
21 – 25 February: DNA
The Mayflower, Southampton 02380 711811
www.mayflower.org.uk
31 January – 4 February: The
Commitments
7 February – 4 March: Billy Elliot
22 February: Dance with Layton
Salisbury Playhouse 01722 320333
www.salisburyplayhouse.com
2 – 4 February: Meet Fred – in The
Salberg
2 – 25 February: Worst Wedding Ever
10 February: TFW Writers Prize
Readings – The Salberg
13 February: 3 Little Pigs – The
Salberg
15 February: The Super Mega
Rockin’ Rock Show
15 February: Castle Builder – The
Salberg
16 February: This Moment Now –
The Salberg
17 February: We Are Ian – The
Salberg
18 February: Fish Eye – The Salberg
23 February: Cuncrete – The Salberg
24 February: Spillikin – A Love Story
– The Salberg
25 February: Wail – The Salberg
27 February – 4 March: The Play That
Goes Wrong
Salisbury City Hall cityhallsalisbury.co.uk
There are 8 shows at the City Hall
during February. Please see the
website for details.
Watermill Theatre, Newbury 01635 46044
www.Watermill.Theatre@arts-
mail.co.uk
26 January – 25 February: Murder For
Two
Stockbridge Film Theatre [email protected]
3 February: Hamlet
10 February: Life Animated
15 February: I, Daniel Blake
The Haymarket Theatre,
Basingstoke 01256 844244
www.theatresonline.com
2 February: The Wizard of Oz
3 February: Roy Orbison and the
Travelling Wilburys
4 February: Chas and Dave
11 February: The Jungle Book
15 February: Raffles
23 – 25 February: Avenue Q School
Edition
Janet Ingleson
Page 32
18
Village diary for February
1st Baby & Toddler 10.00am
Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm
2nd Needle workers 2.00pm
3rd WI Sisterhood 8.00pm
4th Murder Mystery 7.00pm
6th Parish Council 7.00pm
Badminton 7.30pm
Bell ringing 7.30pm
7th Drop in Coffee 10.30am
Tiny Tots 2.00pm
Somborne Singers 7.45pm
8th Baby & Toddler 10.00am
Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm
W I 7.30pm
9th Needle workers 2.00pm
10th YMCA Youth 6.30pm
11th Soup at the Church 12 noon
Somborne Sessions 8.00pm
12th Education Sunday 10.00am
13th Bell ringing 7.30pm
14th Epworth Lunch 12.30pm
Tiny Tots 2.00pm
Somborne Singers 7.45pm
15th Baby & Toddler 10.00am
Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm
16th Over 50s Minibus
Trip
10.00am
Needle workers 2.00pm
20th Badminton 7.30pm
Bell ringing 7.30pm
21st Drop in Coffee 10.30am
Tiny Tots 2.00pm
Somborne Singers 7.45pm
22nd Baby & Toddler 10.00am
Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm
Somborne Society 8.00pm
23rd Needle workers 2.00pm
24th Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm
YMCA Youth 6.30pm
“Ernie’s Incredible…” 8.00pm
25th Soup at the Church 12 noon
“Ernie’s Incredible…”
and
2.00pm
8.00pm
26th Footpath walk 2.00pm
27th Badminton 7.30pm
Bell ringing 7.30pm
28th Drop in Coffee 10.30am
Tiny Tots 2.00pm
February walk 4.75 miles (7.5km) 2 hours
Sunday 26 February 2017 2:00pm King’s Somborne Village Hall
We cross Palace Field and alongside the churchyard to pick up the Clarendon
Way alongside Cow Drove Hill. We follow the Clarendon Way past How Park
and across the water meadows to Houghton. From Houghton, it is
road walking past the site of Bossington village before taking the
footpath along the line of the Roman road to Horsebridge and the
footpath back to the village.
Page 33
19
District diary for February
1 January – 31 December
Winchester Cathedral
Jane Austen - 200th Anniversary of
Her Death
A series of events, tours, talks and
exhibitions will be held throughout the
year. Full details on
www.janeausten200.co.uk
31 January – 20 February
Hilliers Gardens: Zero Nine – textile
artists exhibition. Free entry
1 February
King John’s House, Romsey
Alfred the Great and the Viking Attack
on Wessex – monthly talk
1 February
Hilliers lecture lunch: Jane Austen.
Book 01794 369319
3 – 4 February
Winchester Discovery Centre
Seven Santas by Jeff Goode
4 February
Hampshire Antiques, Furniture and
Collectors’ Event. Stockbridge Town
Hall. 9.00am – 5.00pm.
5 February
Romsey Farmer’s Market, Alma Road
10.00am – 2.00pm.
6 – 12 February
Winchester Cocktail Week.
winchestercocktailweek.co.uk
6 February
Winchester Discovery Centre
Cafe Scientific – free science talk.
7.45pm
11 February
King John’s House, Romsey
Anglo Saxons Day – come and explore
11 February
Andover Lights
The Lonnie Donegan Story
12 and 26 February
Winchester Farmers’ Market 10.00am
– 2.00pm. Central Car Park
13 February
University of Winchester
Virtues, Values and Variables in a
New Millennium – lecture
17 – 19 February
Watercress Line Spring Gala
www.watercressline.co.uk
17 – 19 February
Hilliers Gardens: Seasonal Floral
Display in Jermyns House
17 February
Winchester Discovery Centre
8.00pm Barnstormers Comedy Night
Tickets in advance or on door.
18 February
Hampshire’s Solent Antiques Fair
Masonic Hall, 10 Lymington High
Street, Lymington SO41 9AA
07711 570069
24 February – 26 March
Hilliers Gardens: Inspired by Nature
Exhibition of paintings
26 February
Tudor House Museum, Southampton
Tour and Tea 2.00pm and 4.00pm
Tel: 02380 834242
28 February
University of Winchester
Five Hundred Years of Englishness –
Simon Heffer. winchester.ac.uk
Janet Ingleson
Page 34
20
Somborne and
District Society Wednesday, 23rd November was a
cold evening, but despite other village
activities, 34 members assembled to
hear Colin Moretti talk about
“Cannibalism in Andover” which
shocked Victorian England. Colin, a
retired physicist from Romsey, told of
how, in 1845, The Times newspaper
reported that inmates in the workhouse
were driven to eat the marrow of
horses and people (?) due to starvation
by their overseers. The inmates’ work
was mainly crushing the bones for the
fertiliser trade which were sold to
farmers, the income allowing the
overseers to live a rich life. When
reported to Parliament, a board of
enquiry was set up to hear evidence
from 50 witnesses. The highly critical
report was published in December
1846 which brought forth many
resignations from the Master of the
workhouse, his wife and most of the
overseers. Ian Anstruther’s book “The
Scandal of the Andover Workhouse”
was published by Geoffrey Bles in
1973.
Following completion of the
digitisation of the society’s
photographic collection, members
were able to watch a changing show of
some of the items prior to Colin’s
presentation, thanks to David
Pennington.
Our popular New Year lunch was held
at Keats restaurant, Ampfield, on the
11th January when 25 members sat
down to a fine meal served in the
newly refurbished dining room. The
recent coughing epidemic kept away
only one member whose place was
taken at the last minute by another.
Over the years, we have often booked
speakers talking about the New Forest
but Peter Roberts’ approach is quite
different. With all the commercial
pressure for development land, have
you ever wondered how the Forest has
survived intact? Queen Victoria’s
government planned to develop it for
the rich to build fine houses in large
plots and many were built. Also, the
introduction of National Park status in
2005 necessitated the boundaries to be
redrawn which caused considerable
concern. Furthermore, pressure for
road-building (A31 dual carriageway)
to cope with traffic growth in the 20th
century all put pressure on the Forest.
This still persists, mainly from fringe
leisure and housing development. On
Wednesday, 22nd February, Peter will
explain how the New Forest has
survived these and other pressures.
His presentation starts at 8.00pm but
feel free to arrive at 7.30pm for a
coffee or tea, etc.
Gordon Pearson (Chairman)
[email protected]
Page 35
21
Computer lessons will start in March
2017 as an informal café drop-in.
These sessions will offer one-to-one
solutions to your questions on
computers with local experts. Bring
your mobile phone, tablet, iPad, laptop
or Kindle and we will be able to get
you up and running without all that
difficult technical stuff. If you don’t
have any of these devices don’t worry
as we will have some equipment for
you to try and learn on. At the same
time, you will be able to enjoy a cup of
tea or coffee in the Village Hall Jubilee
Room.
Some people have already contacted
me for lessons but we need as many as
we can to make this a real success. I
know that lots of people would like to
know how to use their devices, so
don’t be shy, come along and find
simple answers.
We will be helping on:
Browsing the internet
How to use emails
Online shopping
Job searching
Using mobile devices including
tablets and mobiles
Paying bills online
Skype and Facetime
Web safety and security
Booking holidays
We have four local experts and one or
two more would ensure there is always
enough talent on hand so let’s hear
from anyone in the village who wants
to help. If you just want to be part of
the project, how about coming along
and helping to make the coffee? So
there are lots of ways of joining in.
Sessions will be 10.00am – 12 midday
on the first and third Thursdays of the
month
For more information contact me or
Ian Bradley on 01794 388386 or Sarah
Fordham at
[email protected]
Cllr Tony Ward
[email protected]
01794389649
From the Borough Councillor
Computer Café to open on 2nd March
Education Sunday 12th February
At 10.00am in the Parish Church
We would like to invite you to come and support the children,
and admire their work and their enthusiasm.
It would be lovely to see you and any friends.
With refreshments afterwards
Page 36
22
King’s Somborne Working Men’s Club Forthcoming entertainment: Saturday 11th February “The Legends of Swing” 16s and over
Members £4
Non-Members £8
TICKET ONLY - NO ENTRY ON THE
DOOR
Saturday 8th April “Uncle Tom Cobley’s” 16’s and over
Members £4
Non-Members £8
TICKET ONLY - NO ENTRY ON THE
DOOR
Saturday 15th April “Family Easter Disco” Easter Bonnet and Best Decorated Egg
Competitions
Open to everyone
Saturday 27th May “60s Night” More information to follow
Get snappy! The Photography classes for this year’s Flower Show, to be held on Saturday
the 22nd July, 2017 are to be as follows:
1. Clouds in the Sky
2. A place to sit
3. Fungi
4. A Wild Bird.
Photographs entries may be mounted but not framed, and should not exceed 18
cm x 13 cm excluding mount.
Test Valley Villages Lecture Series 15th February 2017 8.00pm Broughton Village Hall
The Leckford Estate; the home of Waitrose in the Test Valley
Speaker: Andrew Hoad, General Manager of the Leckford Estate
Page 37
23
Feeling the cold grip of winter still?
Fear not, the Somborne Sessions crew
have been busy toiling away to bring
you a host of foot-tapping treats and
heart-warming music to reinvigorate
you in the New Year.
To kick-off our 2017 gigs, first up we
have the super-talented
Sound of the Sirens on
Saturday, 11 February.
For the uninitiated, Sound
of the Sirens have been
plugging away building up
a strong following on the
live circuit, honing their
s o n g - w r i t i n g a n d
performing skills and now,
with a brand new album to
promote, we’ll welcome
them to King’s Somborne
(previous appearances at
Glastonbury et al were
merely a warm up for this
gig!). “Hot on the heels of
countless TV and radio
appearances and heavy
touring schedules, Sound
Of The Sirens are a foot-
stomping, tear-jerking,
crowd-engaging female
folk/rock duo whose strengths lie in
their passion, conviction, chemistry
and beautifully crafted songs. An
evening spent with Sound of the Sirens
and you’ll be spellbound by the sheer
b ravado and sp i r i t o f t he i r
performance” – this is not a night to
miss!
As ever, the gig is at King’s Somborne
Village Hall on Saturday, 11 February;
doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are on
sale now (along with details of other
gigs lined up for the Spring) from our
website:
www. sombornesessions.co.uk
Tickets cost just £12 (or £14 on the
night – if available).
Keith Watson
[email protected]
Page 38
24
It has been a difficult month. On the
positive side, we now have several
CCTV cameras in place and they take
excellent images. As a result of
installing the CCTV the incidence of
vandalism seems to have decreased
and the people involved appear to have
moved elsewhere. We did take an
image of one person interfering with a
camera and this has been forwarded to
the police.
The other positive move is that the
VHMC have agreed to ask the Parish
Council to recognise the Village Hall
as the Community Activity Centre for
the village. The Hall is the main focus
for many activities in the community
and is open for any organisation or
individual to hire. Of course, we do
not have infinite capacity in terms of
space or hours but we try and
accommodate everybody.
We have had several meetings to
discuss the government’s plan to
entitle all 3-4 year olds to 30 hours pre
-school education a week. This is
proving difficult to resolve in spite of
our best efforts. We have no idea how
many families will want to take up this
option and the criteria for accessing
the government grants are strict. We
have looked at several options for
adapting the fabric of the Hall but none
has proved acceptable to everybody
involved. However, it is just possible
we might be able to provide the extra
hours needed if the Hall is used more
efficiently. We will study this
possibility in the hope that it will carry
us over until we know how big the
demand will be. Once we have more
definitive information we will be able
to move forward.
Terry Mackintosh
Village Hall news
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday, 3rd March 2.30pm
at the Methodist Church
Prepared by the women of the Philippines
‘Am I Being Unfair To You?’
All are welcome
On the 4th February from 11.15am until 12.00, the Ladies Guild of Bell Ringers
will be at the church.
Page 39
25
Services for the over 50s
Epworth Lunch and Games
Tuesday 14th February 2017 12.30pm £5
*Chicken Casserole, rice, sweet corn & peas*
*Chocolate Gateau & Cream*
*Coffee & Mints* At The Epworth Hall
Over 50s Minibus Trip
Thursday 16th February 2017
Rosebourne Garden Centre
Pick up 10.30am
Home for 3.00pm £6
Booking essential - phone Sue 388884 or Lin 389373
Winter is upon us, so make sure you
keep warm and take care when out and
about not to slip in wet and icy
conditions. It is better to use a stick or
a frame to prevent those falls which
can land you in hospital. If you are
worried about paying for your heating,
do get in touch as we may be able to
help.
These short winter days can be very
hard if you are feeling isolated and
alone. Do think about joining us for
the Epworth Lunch and the Minibus
Trips. The food at the lunch is
excellent and the welcome equally so!
If you have dietary needs we can
always adjust to suit .
The Minibus outings can require some
mobility, but we try to have a variety
so that even if you have problems
walking, some of the
t r ip s a r e ea s i l y
accessible for you. Do
get in touch if you
would like to join us and we will
always do our best to accommodate
your needs.
My job is to put you in touch with help
to solve those day to day niggles or
more pressing concerns. You would
be surprised to find out what help is
available to you!
Sue Jackson 388884
Would you like to help as
Village Agent? Phone me
for more information.
Sue Jackson 388884
Page 40
26
Christmas Fair As always, the first Christmas event of
the year was the Christmas Fair,
organised by Janet Ingleson and held
in the Village Hall in November. A
packed hall was made very festive
with the wide variety of seasonal items
on sale with something to attract all
ages, tastes and pockets. Delicious
cakes, homemade preserves, gifts,
home crafted items, books, Christmas
cards, bottle tombola and various
draws in addition to the grand raffle all
helped to boost funds for the church.
Special thanks must go to the year 6
pupils from our village school who
organised and manned the toy stall and
worked tirelessly throughout the
afternoon, with help from Headteacher
Ms Bidois and class teacher Mrs
Windsor.
Refreshments were on hand when
energy levels dipped and the Jubilee
Room was a hive of activity thanks to
the Messy Church stalls.
Methodist Carol Service The Methodist chapel was full to
capacity for the carol service held in
the Methodist chapel on the second
Sunday of Advent. Led by the Revd
Ruth Fry, the theme of the service was
‘Jesus the light that shines in the
darkness’ and included prayers, poetry,
readings and crafting.
The service opened with the lighting of
the Advent candle by Harry and
Phoebe and the carol ‘O Little Town of
Bethlehem’. This was the first of
several carols which had been
identified as favourites of children
attending ‘Messy Church’. This was a
very ‘hands on’ service for the
children as they made lanterns, helped
by Ruth and Ellie, to a background of
Christmas music.
During the service all present
remembered someone special to
entrust into the care of Jesus, writing
their names on stars which were then
hung on the Christmas tree.
The service concluded with the ever
popular carol ‘Hark the herald angels
sing’, after which everyone enjoyed
the lovely refreshments served in the
Epworth Hall.
Family Service and Nativity On the third Sunday of Advent the
family service held in the Parish
Church included a delightful
dramatization of the Nativity, directed
by Sue Holligan and performed by
children from our village school. The
Revd Jonathan Watkins welcomed all
to the service, after which the hymn
‘Jesus good above all others’ was sung
and children from the school lit the
advent wreath. Prayers of praise and
thanksgiving were led by Samuel and
Toby Waters and Harry Masters.
The dramatization of the Nativity, ‘A
special night in Bethlehem’ was
performed by Hannah Stevens, Eloise
Beck, Jack Burrows, Angus Christie,
Daniel Hardy, Harrison Scard, Josie
Waters, Sam Judges, Oliver Burrows
and Edward Black. The children are to
be congratulated on a lovely
(Continued on page 27)
Remembering Christmas
Page 41
27
performance, which really brought the
Christmas story to life. They were all
word perfect, spoke clearly and
confidently and looked lovely in their
costumes and didn’t the group of
shepherds speak in unison brilliantly!
School Christmas Service The Parish Church was the setting for
the school’s Christmas Service during
the last week of term. Reverend
Jonathan welcomed all to the service,
saying that what made it so special was
the fact that it was all about what the
children had been preparing in school.
The school band conducted by Becky
Stephens opened the service by
playing ‘In the bleak midwinter’. The
eleven short readings which followed
recalled the Christmas story from the
angel’s visit to Mary right through the
journey to Bethlehem and birth of
Jesus, the visit of the shepherds and
visit of the kings and ending with the
flight to Egypt. In between readings
other contributions included poetry
from Eagles, singing from Hedgehogs
and Badgers, the band playing ‘Silent
Night’, and the choir singing ‘Love
shone down’, which included solo
lines sung beautifully by Aeoife Long.
The band ensured that the service
ended on a rousing note with their
playing of ‘Jingle Bells’.
At the end of the service, Revd
Jonathan’s last school one as Vicar, he
was presented with cards and a gift
from the children.
Jo Finch
Scout Hut reopened The recent official reopening of the
newly refurbished scout hut provided
an excellent opportunity for all to
view the improved facilities and also
to catch a glimpse of the activities of
the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. The
opening ceremony was performed by
local MP Caroline Nokes who cut the
tape and wished the groups every
success in their new hall.
Visitors were able to admire the
lovely new kitchen, made possible by
a Lottery grant of £10,000 which was
organised by Rachel Murdoch,
assisted by Mum Pippa, as part of her
Duke of Edinburgh Award. The new
toilet and shower facilities were
funded by money raised by the
groups themselves – so warmest
congratulations to all involved for
their hard work.
There was also opportunity for
youngsters to participate in activities
- including Archery - and to learn a
little about the aims and aspirations
of the groups through attractive wall
displays and literature available.
Refreshments were also on hand.
Any new members can be assured of
a very warm welcome so in the words
of the Scouts -‘Life is an adventure –
Live it!’
Jo Finch
Page 42
28
Things are going from strength to
strength at the pre-school, and we are
preparing for our busiest spring term to
date. Although we have recently said
goodbye to Alison, who had been
working at the pre-school for just over
a year, we now welcome Siobhan
Dinsdale to the staff. Siobhan brings
with her some great experience, having
previously worked at the Farley pre-
school in Wiltshire.
As some of you may be aware, the
government is committed to doubling
the amount of free childcare for
qualifying 3 and 4 year olds to 30
hours a week from September. The
preschool is committed to extending
our opening hours where we can next
year. The committee have had
extensive discussions with the Village
Hall Development and Management
committees in trying to establish a
more permanent space within the
Village Hall. Our preferred option was
rejected at a
vote of the
VHMC on 10th
January, but we
are still hopeful that we can come to an
agreeable option for permanent space
in the Village Hall. For any parents
who are considering us for the extra
hours from September, we are still
working hard on a solution.
As ever we are always on the look out
for new committee members to join
the team, you don’t have to be a parent
to get involved, but if you feel you
have some time or skills to add, please
fee l f ree to co n tac t me a t
[email protected]
with any questions you may have.
Richard Masters
Treasurer
The Sombornes’ Pre-School
Committee
Pre-school news
COFFEE MORNING All will be welcome at a Coffee Morning to be held
in the Jubilee Room
on Saturday 18th March starting at 10.00am
Coffee/tea and cake £2.50
Produce/Bring and Buy Stall, Raffle
Proceeds in aid of Village Hall funds
For further information or to arrange a lift
please contact Eileen Reynolds on 388107
Page 43
29
Our January meeting was opened by
our President, Thelma Blamey, who
wished everyone Happy New Year.
She was able to report that the walks
and the book club were going well.
Our Secretary, Linda Aucock, said that
the visit to Hinton Ampner and the
Christmas Party had been great
successes and suggestions for future
events were being sought from
members.
It was with much sadness that Thelma
reported the death of Joan Riley, a
much loved and respected member of
the WI who had been our president for
three years, bringing her own loving
elegant personality to the role. She
will always be remembered with great
affection.
Our speaker for the evening, Caroline
James, was then welcomed. Caroline,
whose mother Kath is one of our
members, had recently completed a
trek in the Mont Blanc region with her
two sisters, Jane and Ruth, and her
brother Guy and his partner in aid of
Parkinsons UK which had raised
£7,750. As many will know, their
father, Paul Schwabe, who was well
known and respected in the village,
suffered from Parkinsons decease for
many years.
In advance of the trek all had trained
hard, mostly on the coast in Dorset.
This was vital and stood them in good
stead when the trek began in June.
The trek, which lasted three days,
started at Le Tour. The group of
fourteen in all with two guides
followed the River l’Arve and then
crossed snow
fields, in all a
climb of 800m,
to reach the Col
de Balne. Unfortunately, the weather
was wet and cold and lovely views of
Chamonix and Mont Blanc did not
materialise! After 14kms of difficult
walking, the night was spent at La
Fouly in a primitive dormitory with
mattresses on the floor. The second
day started in Val Ferret and ended
after a 300 metre climb at Champex du
Lac where Jane and Ruth paddled in
the icy water. On the third day the
party completed 18kms and climbed to
Champex with a final climb to 2,300
metres and then a steep descent back to
the valley including crossing three
rivers without getting wet. As the
weather had warmed up, this was all
extremely challenging.
Throughout the trip the fauna and flora
were sensational. There were chamois
goats and cows. Each herd is led by a
queen cow some of which are taught to
fight at a local event – Queen Cow
Day. It was noted the bigger the cow
the bigger the bell.
Thelma thanked Caroline for sharing
her adventure with us and said how
proud Paul would have been of his
Family’s achievement.
The next meeting will be on the 8th
February when Mrs D Goetz will
speak on the History of Salisbury. All
are welcome. For further information
contact Linda on 388542.
Eileen Reynolds
King’s Somborne WI
Page 44
30
Thank you from Jonathan In the December-January magazine I wrote to let everyone know that I would be
moving on from the Benefice in January 2017. Now I really want to say a huge
THANK YOU for the farewells that have taken place. Most were over the
weekend of the 17 and 18 December. On the Saturday Longstock and Leckford
gathered together for tea in Longstock Village Hall, Somborne with Ashley
made a presentation to me at the end of the Sunday morning Communion and
Stockbridge concluded the Carol Service on the Sunday evening with a
presentation. This was more than enough but there was one more to come. My
very last Sunday service in the parishes was on Christmas morning in Ashley
and another gift was given. The generosity of the cheques I have received has
been overwhelming. They will certainly be put to good use as I move to
Romsey. Pictures of All Saints, Little Somborne and St Mary’s, Ashley,
painted by those who worship there will be beautiful reminders of these
churches. The carefully chosen and thoughtful words used by wardens and
others who spoke at the farewells were also very moving. So many from the
wider communities beyond the churches have also spoken or written to me
personally and this has been much appreciated.
On Sunday 8 January I was welcomed into my new work as a member of the
clergy team at Romsey Abbey. Once again it was a great encouragement to see
20-30 people from around the parishes who came down to support me there.
Please be assured of my prayers in the changes that will be taking place for all
of us during 2017.
Thank you again, Jonathan
Women’s Fellowship is held on the
fourth Friday of each month in the
Epworth Hall at 2.30pm. We have a
variety of speakers booked for this
year and welcome anyone who would
like to join us for these informal
meetings. Each meeting is followed
by refreshments.
Our first meeting of the year is on 27th
January when we will be Circle
Dancing with Helen Cornick. This is
new to most of us so could prove to be
quite entertaining!
On 24th February our
new Methodist Minister,
Rev Ruth Fry, will be speaking to us
about ‘Getting to Know You’.
Although some of you will have met
her already, this is a chance to get to
know her and ask any questions you
may have.
For more details contact Marion
388121 or Marilyn 389356
Women’s Fellowship
Page 45
31
CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN SOMBORNE & DISTRICT
invite you to a series of
LENT TALKS
WHY DOES EASTER MATTER?
Speaker
8 March Jesus - rides into Jerusalem David Snuggs
15 March Jesus - the Widow’s offering David Fenton
22 March Jesus - the Last Supper and Sue Hardwidge Arrest
29 March Jesus - carries His Cross and is Peter Cornick
Crucified
5 April Jesus - the road to Emmaus David Webster
Where: Village Hall, King’s Somborne
When: Wednesdays, 12.30pm – 2.00pm
A light lunch will be served
My heartfelt thanks I would like to say a very big thank you to all the ladies on the church Flower
Arrangers Rota and the ‘Budding Flower Arrangers’ we have in the village who
came to my house and the church to help create and install the fantastic Christmas
decorations. This time of year is so busy for us all but they came to help and take
part in what was a mammoth, satisfying and fun task. This year the Romsey
Advertiser read my advert in The Gauntlet and rang to ask me about what it was
all about. They wrote a paragraph published on Friday about what we were doing
and telling the public to go and see the church.
I have had so many comments on how wonderful it all looked and indeed the
word exceptional was used many times. Thank you so much for your dedication
and the fun and laughter that accompanied it.
Penny Ward
Page 46
32
We had two very joyful events during
the Christmas period, the first was the
annual carol concert led by the
Somborne Singers who as usual were
in very good voice. The church was
packed and the audience joined in the
carols with gusto! We also had some
excellent readings and in particular we
were entertained by Lydia Newberry
who sang some modern pieces
accompanying herself on the guitar.
On Christmas Day we had a lovely
service conducted by Jonathan
Watkins but this happy event was
tinged with sadness because it was
Jonathan’s last service in the Benefice
before he
moved down
to Romsey
Abbey. He
has never missed a service at Ashley
and in thanks the Friends were
delighted to be able to present him
with a lovely picture of the
church painted by Thelma Blamey.
We will miss him and wish him well
for the future.
Terry Mackintosh
Ashley St Mary
We are looking for volunteers in your community As a Volunteer Befriender your role will be to provide social companionship to
patients who have a chronic or life limiting illness and who are isolated or
lonely. Visiting patients in their own homes, you will help them to feel more
supported and help to improve their emotional well-being and confidence. Just
2-hours a week, or less, can make a real difference to a patient living in your
local community. All relevant training will be given, as well as regular and on-
going support and supervision.
For further information contact Caroline Nash, Befriending Manager on: 01264
835293. Email: [email protected]
Interested volunteers will be invited to an informal interview and the role is
subject to references, simple health checks and DBS clearance.
Page 47
33
It had been great to welcome the
children back to Tiny Tots after the
Christmas break. We kicked off the
term by learning about New Year’s
resolutions. The children considered
things that they might like to get better
at in the coming year before playing
the instruments a long in an
enthusiastic rendition of Auld Lang
Syne! As the term continues we have
some great crafts planned to help us
explore some of the stories of the Old
Testament.
Unfortunately our numbers have been
dwindling recently so it would be
really great to see a few new faces
coming along to our sessions. We are
a really friendly
informal group
and you can be
assured of a warm welcome when you
join us. We meet each Tuesday
afternoon in term time, starting each
session at 2.00pm with a drink and
biscuit (for adults as well as children)!
We then enjoy a story and fun activity
together, followed by crafts and end by
3.15pm (in time for school pick-up)
with songs and music. If you find your
children are napping at 2.00pm, you
are very welcome to join us mid-
session. It would be really great to see
you and your children there!
Hayley, Katie, Becky and Lucy
Our Messy Church family continues to grow, and we’re delighted to say we had record numbers at our January session.
Why not come along and see what it’s all about? Our next Messy Church will be:
No entry charge, no need to book – just turn up!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information please contact Pam Gravenor on 01794 388531 or email [email protected]
Sunday 19th February, 3.30 – 5.30pm,
King’s Somborne Methodist Church
Theme: Hidden Treasure!
Lots of crafts and other fun activities for all the family –
Bible story – songs- food
Page 48
34
From the Parish Registers
15th January Baptism Stella-Barbara Molly Krystal Thornton
Robert-James Harold Albert Thornton
Prayer Meeting We hold our prayer meetings on the first Monday of each month
at 2.15pm. We meet for about an hour at Shappon, Romsey
Road, when we pray for our parish, families, friends and anyone else in need.
If you have any prayer requests there are slips on the table at the back of the
church which you may put into the box provided or alternatively phone me,
Dulcie Witts on 01794 388267.
Our meeting is very informal and we should be pleased to welcome new
members.
Christians Together in Somborne and District
Homegroup We are a small, inter-denominational group who
enjoy discussing the meaning of the Bible which
inspires and guides our Christian Faith.
If you are interested in joining in our informal study of scripture, you
will be very welcome!
For further information please contact Nigel Coleman 01794 388449
Youth
Every 2nd and 4th Friday 6:30 - 8:30
At the Scout Hut
For young people in Year 7 - Sixth Form
(Sponsored by Parish Church outreach)
Page 49
35
Church services in February 2017
Parish Church 5th February—Fourth Sunday
before Lent
10.00am Parish Communion * Readers:
Antony Chilton: Isaiah 58.1-9a(b-12)
Fi Chilton: 1 Corinthians 2.1-12(13-16)
Linda Aucock: Matthew 5.13-20
12th February—Third Sunday
before Lent
8.00am Holy Communion (1662)
10.00am Education Sunday Service * Readers: The School
19th February—Second Sunday
before Lent
8.00am Holy Communion (1662)
10.00am Matins * Readers:
David Evans: Genesis 1.1-2.3
Brian Orange : Matthew 6.25-34
26th February—Sunday next before
Lent
10.00am Parish Communion* Readers:
Patricia Mallock: Exodus 24.12-18
Thelma Blamey: 2 Peter 1.16-21
Alwena Rowe: Matthew 17.1-9
6.00pm ALiVE!
First and third Wednesday
10.15am Holy Communion (1662) *
*Stay for coffee and biscuits after
services marked *
Methodist Church Sunday 5th February
10.30am Rev John Archer
Holy Communion
Sunday 12th February
10.30am Mr Brian Merriman
Sunday 19th February
10.30am Mrs Jane Roger
3.30pm—5.30pm Messy Church
Sunday 26th February
10.30am Miss Barbara Hillier
Roman Catholic Churches St Thomas’ Stockbridge
9.00am every Sunday
St Joseph’s Romsey St Andrew’s N. Baddesley
Saturdays: 6.00pm—URC Hall Sundays: 9.00am—St Andrew’s 11.00am—St Andrew’s
For details of services at RC churches, see: www.hampshiredowns.org.uk www.stswithunwellsparish.org.uk
Page 50
36
The Area Dean has the last word
It’s a great pleasure to be writing to introduce ourselves in The Gauntlet!
There are two “vicars” you will see more of over the next year. I am
Canon Tim Sledge, Vicar of Romsey and Area Dean of Romsey – and
Revd David Potterton, Assistant Curate in Romsey.
We have agreed that the church in Romsey will provide the lion’s share of
support to King’s Somborne parish during what is called an interregnum –
this is the unknown time when one vicar leaves and you don’t know what
is happening next. And I know that with this, there can be a sense of
insecurity and instability and “what and who are we getting next?”
Well we want to try and do things a little bit differently, to ensure a bit of
stability in unstable times.
I have been so impressed already by the sense of community and “can do/
give it a go” attitude in King’s Somborne. There is a remarkable
community spirit and pride in the village. The church, school and pub
form a nucleus and hub and provide for a variety of other village
activities.
I look forward to meeting you and hearing from you. One of the big
questions we need to ask and answer and grapple with is “What do you
want to see from the church in King’s Somborne, and how can we serve
you to help you with your lives – whether day to day or when you need
the church?” There are no easy answers, and we are not pantomime
genies, but we look forward to finding the space over the next year to
explore this and other questions and joys with you.
You can contact me on [email protected] or 01794 513125.
Tim Sledge
Page 52
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P R Vane
Heating and Plumbing
Bathrooms and Tiling
Free estimates Fully insured
Call 07714409995 or 01794 514823
Sales | Lettings | Management 02392 632 275
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13 The Gorrings
Kings Somborne
Stockbridge
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SO20 6NT
01794 388603 (Workshop)
01794 388026 (Home)
[email protected]
Page 54
xviii
To advertise here,
Contact:
Sue Byram 01794 388521
[email protected]
Page 55
xix
Neat Sweeps Chimney Sweeping
Chimney need sweeping? Need a specialist survey or inspection of your chimney? Thinking about having a solid
fuel stove installed or reinstating a fireplace?
Neat Sweeps are an established local chimney sweeping
business and we can help!
We issue sweeping certificates, essential for insurance
purposes.
For more information phone
01794 341812 or email [email protected]
Page 56
xx
Call Beverley
CROSS STORES AND POST OFFICE News agent National Lottery Off licence
Shop: 01794 336555
7.30-7.00 Monday-Friday
8.00-7.00 Saturday
9.00-1.00 Sunday
Post Office: 01794 388341
9.00-5.30 Monday-Friday
9.00-12.30 Saturday
We are a family owned traditional Post Office, Newsagents, off licence, and convenience store. We stock fresh bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, frozen foods, stationary and gifts, winter fuels and BBQ fuels, a bit of almost everything really!
See our Facebook page for local news and events: www.facebook.com/crossstoresltd
Page 57
xxi
A.H. CHEATER FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Simon & Michael Peace, Giles Sadd
PRIVATE CHAPEL OF REST
122, THE HUNDRED, ROMSEY , HANTS
DAY AND NIGHT SERVICE - TEL:01794 513393
PRE-PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE
HANDYMAN Home and Garden
Maintenance and improvements
Painting and decorating
General repairs and improvements
Fencing
Brickwork
Garden renovations and
maintenance Shed roofs and repairs etc.
(Liability Insured)
Tel : Chris Johnson 01794 399917
Promotional Video/DVD’s Birthdays, Anniversaries DVD Production VHS tapes transferred to DVD WEBSITE VIDEO PRODUCTION - edited video clips to bring your website alive
CALL MARTIN ON For a Professional Service: 01794388668 EMAIL: [email protected]
Page 59
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Domestic Appliance Repairs
Tel 01794 390055
All Leading Makes Repaired
Over 20 Years Experience
Washing Machines, Tumble Driers. Dishwashers
Fridges, Freezers and Electrical Cookers/hobs
Guaranteed work - Qualified Electrician
Mr C. Cairns, Moorlands,
Oakleigh Drive, Landford Wilts SP5 2AT
TW Glazing and
Window Repairs 01264 860129 / 077 652 60922 / 077 878 53289
Replacement misted double-glazed units and single-glazed units
into existing frames. Also hinges, handles, locks and gaskets.
Cat-flaps into UPVC doors and greenhouse glass installation.
Face-puttying where needed and for listed buildings.
FREE QUOTES AND ADVICE. OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK.
Please go to www.twglazingandwindowrepairs.com
Vintage Tea Parties
Delicious teas delivered to your home or venue.
Crockery and everything you need, with collection. No washing up for you!
Box of hats and other props supplied.
For menus and prices: Tel 07710 968 931
Page 61
xxv
Tree surgery
Tree surveys
Hedges
Stump removal
Planting
Logs
Qualified (ND Arbor) and
fully insured to £10m Public Liability
Tel: 01794 341939 Mob: 0794 336 6573
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It's amazing how much space you can create with a bit of re-organization.
I am currently offering 50% off my usual fees in return for testimonials or before/after photos. So, if you'd like a helping hand, please give me a call on
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I look forward to hearing from you.
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Page 62
xxvi
N.W. Autos
London Hill Farm
Stockbridge
Servicing, Repairs & Maintenance
Experienced mechanic
offering a reliable service to all cars
& light commercial vehicles
MOT’s arranged
Local collections & delivery arranged
Contact Neil
01264 810449 07789 075956
Page 64
01794 322999
[email protected]
www.charles-powell.co.uk
CHARLES POWELL E S T A T E A G E N T S
ROMSEY
SOUTHAMPTON
NEW FOREST
SALISBURY
WINCHESTER
