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APRIL 2015

PARISH MAGAZINE Of All Hallows, Whitchurch, Hampshire

with St Mary's Tufton, and St James the Less, Litchfield

In this month's issue . . . Page

The Vicar's Letter 5

Special News Reports: Whitchurch Association, Gill Nethercott Centre, Silk Mill, Parish Hall, Whitchurch Festival Association, Testbourne Community Centre, Youth Project, Primary School report, Tennis Club, Planning Applications

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Around the Parish: The rest of the local news 17-27

Registers and Opening Hours 28

THIS MONTH’S COVER: Wall Art in Church Street – by Chris Blackham

THIS MONTH’S EDITORS: Louise Bates, Catherine Geddes, Sarah Owen, Tim Cromarty

The Parish Magazine is published monthly © by the Parochial Church Council of the parish of Whitchurch with Tufton and Litchfield, Hampshire.

Items for the May issue can be submitted to The Old Paper Shop on The Square, or by email to news@whitchurchhampshire.org.uk. Deadline: Friday 17 April.

Advertising and distribution enquiries to: Simon Coomber (893615), advertising@whitchurchhampshire.org.uk

THE PARISH OF WHITCHURCH WITH TUFTON AND LITCHFIELD

Vicar: The Revd Kelvin Inglis, The Vicarage, Church Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7AS; email: kelvin.inglis@tiscali.co.uk. Fridays: urgent calls only

01256 892535

Curate The Revd Victoria Ashdown, revdvictoria@gmail.com 01256 893573 Churchwardens Geoff Knappett 01256 896530 Andrew Cope 01256 892189 Treasurer John Wall 01256 892461 Verger Hilary Gould 01256 893851

Find us on the Web at: www.whitchurchhampshire.org.uk

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CHURCH SERVICES

MAUNDY THURSDAY APRIL 2

All Hallows 7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Supper

GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 3

Litchfield 10am Good Friday Matins (BCP) All Hallows 10.30am Family Service followed by walk and picnic All Hallows 2pm Liturgy of Good Friday

SUNDAY APRIL 5 EASTER DAY

Tufton 8.45am Sung Communion Litchfield 10am Sung Communion (BCP) All Hallows 10am Liturgy of the Resurrection

SUNDAY APRIL 12 EASTER 2

All Hallows 8am Holy Communion (BCP) All Hallows 10am Parish Communion

SUNDAY APRIL 19 EASTER 3

Tufton 8.45am Sung Communion All Hallows 10am Parish Communion Litchfield 10am Matins (BCP) All Hallows 7pm Taizé Service

THURSDAY APRIL 23 SAINT GEORGE Martyr

All Hallows 7.30pm Sung Communion

SUNDAY APRIL 26 EASTER 4

All Hallows 8am Holy Communion (BCP) All Hallows 10am Praise Communion with music from Band and Organ

SUNDAY MAY 3 EASTER 5

Tufton 8.45am Sung Communion All Hallows 10am Parish Communion Litchfield 10am Sung Communion (BCP)

Sunday morning worship at the Baptist Church, Newbury Hill is at 10.30am and at the Methodist Church, Winchester Street also at 10.30am. Sunday Mass at St John Fisher Roman Catholic Church, Bell Street is at 9am.

There will be a joint Methodist and Baptist Good Friday service on Friday 3 April at 10am at the Baptist Church.

Xpect at Whitchurch Methodist Church

‘Xpect’ café-style church will be on Thursday 2 April at 7.30pm.

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Whitchurch in April Page

WEEK 14 30th Monday 3.45pm Easter Egg Hunt, Whitchurch

CofE Primary School 23

4th Saturday 10.30-12.30pm Needle Felting Workshop, Silk Mill 9

WEEK 15 6th Monday 10.30-4pm Newbury Crafters Demonstration,

Silk Mill 9

7th Tuesday 7.30pm History Society: ‘It's About Time!’, GNC

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8th Wednesday 7.30pm Film: Mr Turner, Parish Hall 10 9th Thursday 10am Townswomen's Guild: ‘How to

date your house’, Parish Hall 24

11th Saturday Rusty Racquets Morning, Whitchurch Tennis Club

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11th Saturday 8pm Quiz in aid of St Michael’s Hospice, GNC

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WEEK 16 12th Sunday 2-5pm Daffodil Sunday, Binley 18 15th Wednesday 9.45-3.15pm Testbourne Laverstoke Farm Visit 12

15th Wednesday 10am U3A, ‘The Sultanate of Oman’, St Mary’s Hall, Overton

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16th Thursday Silver Threads Outing, Long Acre Garden Centre

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18th Saturday 10am Oakley Sports Weekend & Fun Run, multiple venues

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WEEK 17 19th Sunday 10am Oakley Sports Weekend, multiple

venues 22

21st Tuesday 10.30-4pm Gwen the Felt Maker Demonstration, Silk Mill

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22nd Wednesday 10.30-1.30pm Beginner’s Sewing Course Session 1, Silk Mill

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22nd Wednesday 7.30pm Film: The Imitation Game, Parish Hall

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22nd Wednesday 7.30-9pm ‘Jack the Ripper’ talk, Testbourne 12

WEEK 18 28th Tuesday 7.30pm Film: The Theory of Everything,

GNC 7

29th Wednesday 10.30-1.30pm Beginner’s Sewing Course Session 2, Silk Mill

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WEEKLY PUBLIC EVENTS Mondays 9.30–11.30am Teapot Baby and Toddler Group, drop-in play

sessions with toys, crafts and singing, Testbourne Community Centre

3–5pm Scrabble Club, Library 2nd & 4th 2pm Silver Threads, Parish Hall 7.30pm Bellringers’ practice, All Hallows bell tower 7.30pm Town Council meetings: 1st Monday: Full

council; 2nd & 4th: Development; 3rd: Leisure & Environment

7–10pm Duplicate Bridge, Gill Nethercott Centre 8.35pm Casual badminton, Testbourne (bookable) Tuesdays 2.30–4pm Ladies Fellowship, Baptist Church 7.30–10pm Youth group (ages 14–19) Youth Suite,

Testbourne Centre 8pm WADS Club night

Parish Hall Wednesdays 9.30am Holy Communion, All Hallows 9.45am Walking for Health, Gill Nethercott Centre 10am–12noon Coffee morning, Baptist Church hall 10am-11.30am Toy Library, Methodist Hall (term time) 3rd 5.30pm Reading Group, Library 6pm Casual badminton, Testbourne (bookable) 7.30pm 'Singing for Fun' rehearsals, Methodist

Church Thursdays 10am–12noon Coffee morning, Methodist Church 9.30–11.30am Tea and Tots, All Hallows Church Room 2.30pm Ladies Fellowship, Methodist Church 7.30pm Choir practice, All Hallows Fridays 9.15am Prayer time, Methodist Small Hall 10am–11.30am Country Market, Gill Nethercott Centre 2.30–3pm Story Time, Library 3–5pm Scrabble Club, Library

7.30–10pm ‘Freedom’ youth group (ages 14–19), Youth Suite, Methodist Church

7.30–10pm ‘Y@H’ youth group (ages 10–14), Gill Nethercott Centre

Saturdays 10am–12noon Coffee morning, Methodist Church 9.30–11.30am Casual badminton, Testbourne (bookable)

♦ ♦ ♦

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THE VICAR'S LETTER

I am never going to get the chance to read all the books, watch all the films and listen to all the music that I know I should. This is my own fault for if I find a good book, I like to read it at least three times. On first reading I find out what happens; on the second I see how the author chooses to tell what happens; on the third I begin to understand what really happens. And so on. Meanwhile many other rich and varied cultural experiences await me but I shall probably never get around to them.

I called into the National Gallery the other day to see a favourite painting, one that I have examined before at length. It repays careful study. It is a scene of Christ crowned with thorns and circled by his tormentors. The Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch painted it some 500 years ago.

There is no blood and violence here, but the

painting is full of menace: all fists and sticks, armour, spikes and thorns. The passive figure of Jesus is surrounded by the energetic forces of the world preparing to do their worst. The figures at top left and bottom right are preparing to do physical harm. Just as vicious are those at top right and bottom left who feign kindness but whose bad intentions are all too evident. The four tormentors stand, I suggest, for all of us who have ever nursed anger and resentment, bitterness or jealousy, self-deception or hypocrisy, or indulged ourselves in scorn and ill-will.

Bosch wants us to see Jesus absorbing all this. As the tormentors glare at him, he gazes at us with a look of patience and love. For me the painting captures something of the joy of the Resurrection. If people of the Christian faith are able to go out into the world and give of themselves in service and love, it is because they know that Jesus has absorbed and does absorb all its evil and violence.

This is the Jesus who knows us and wants us to flourish, who brought healing to those who suffered and who sought to draw people to their feet. He is not resisting the evil around him but, in the power of God, he rises above it. The painting shows us that gentleness and goodness in the name of God has the triumph.

It makes a visit to the National Gallery worthwhile, and I understand there are other paintings there too.

-- Kelvin Inglis ♦ ♦ ♦

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NEWS FROM THE WHITCHURCH ASSOCIATION

The Whitchurch Association (WA) is a local charity, established in April 2007 to work for the benefit of people living in or in the immediate vicinity of the town. It works on, and provides input to, a wide range of local issues, working together with other groups in the town. It also is responsible for running the Gill Nethercott Centre (GNC), which is a terrific local asset for the community, and maintains the official town website: www.whitchurch.org.uk.

New Members and New Trustees Wanted

Membership of the WA costs just £2.50 per year (family membership £5) – in-come from members helps fund the work of the Association, so becoming a mem-ber is a very community-spirited thing to do. Members also benefit from being able to book the GNC, for functions or events of all kinds, at a discounted rate. The WA would also like to attract some new Trustees – you could make a valua-ble contribution to the work of the WA by becoming one. To find out more about what’s involved, please contact Denyse Coles.

Contact: Denyse Coles – 07962 116639

WWWW – World Wide Whitchurch Weekend – Litter Picking

Some litter picking events will be organised for the WWWW, so that we can pre-sent the town to our visitors in the best way possible. If you would like to partici-pate, please contact Barry Jackman. Dates to be confirmed.

Contact: Barry Jackman – 07765 830695 – barry@jacko99.plus.com

Defibrillator

We are still interested in the locations of any defibrillators in the town so that we can plot the coverage areas and put this information on the town website. This will also help the WA to see where one to cover the GNC could be located. Contact Mo Collins.

Contact: Mo Collins – 895534 – morwenna.j.collins@talk21.com

--Barry Carter

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE GILL NETHERCOTT CENTRE

Coach Trip to RHS Wisley Gardens: Tuesday 12 May

Undoubtedly one of the great gardens of the world, RHS Garden Wisley is home to some of the largest plant collections anywhere in the globe. View alpine plants at close quarters in the Alpine Display Houses, and glean planting, design and cultivation ideas for smaller gardens from the demonstration and model gardens. Planting varies enormously, from the mingling of herbaceous perennials and shrubs in the famous Mixed Borders to the lower-maintenance, prairie-style plant-ing in the Glasshouse Borders. There is a lovely cafe serving hot and cold food and plenty of peaceful spots for a picnic. Finish your visit with a splurge in the plant sales or gift shop.

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NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE GILL NETHERCOTT CENTRE Continued…

The coach leaves at 9.30am and arrives home around 6pm. Tickets cost £26 each, although if you have RHS membership you will only pay £15 if you bring your card with you. Tickets available now from the Library and the GNC.

Whitchurch Films @ the GNC: The Theory of Everything (12a): Tuesday 28 April 7.30pm

‘In the 1960s, Cambridge University student and future physicist Stephen Hawk-ing (Eddie Redmayne) falls in love with fellow collegian Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). At 21, Hawking learns that he has motor neuron disease. Despite this -- and with Jane at his side -- he begins an ambitious study of time...’ Starring an Oscar winning performance by Eddie Redmayne, tickets cost £5 in advance from the GNC or Library or £5.50 on the door.

Quiz Night in aid of St Michael’s Hospice Basingstoke: Saturday 11 April 8pm

Get together a group of friends and come and exercise your little grey cells for the evening to support this excellent local charity at the same time. Tickets cost just £6 per person and include a ploughman’s supper. Please bring your own refresh-ments. Book your table by calling Joan or Pat.

Contact: Joan – 896777; Pat – 892151

Singing For the Mind – Mondays 10:45am to 12:15pm: Volunteer drivers needed Every Monday (except Bank Holidays) a happy band of men and women get to-gether to joy each other’s company and sing a few favourite songs and rhymes. Some songs have actions giving gentle exercise which members are finding a huge benefit to their general wellbeing. Much tea and coffee is drunk and there are always biscuits or cakes to enjoy!

We would welcome new people to the group, and are able to provide free transport, so please think about coming along for a try and see what we are all about.

We also need more volunteer drivers to share the job with our current volun-teers, we can provide the necessary minibus training if you are interested. Please contact Sarah Castle for more information.

Contact: Sarah Castle – 896270

Weight Watchers: Every Thursday from 7–8pm

This meeting is growing in popularity and people are experiencing fantastic losses and life changing transformations, come along and see what it’s all about. There's never been a better time to be a better you!

Contact: Adrienne – 07989 288040

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NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE GILL NETHERCOTT CENTRE Continued…

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston in Concert: 9 May 7:30pm

In the space of 2 short years, Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston have emerged to become one of the most sought after duos on the English folk roots scene. The striking combination of the flame headed double bass player and virtuoso mando-lin player create music that Folk Roots say is:

‘A musical partnership made in heaven. Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant!’

Well known for the last 8 years as a central component of Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, with his exuberant and flamboyant playing style, has built a reputation as one of the finest mandolin players in the UK. Appearing at the Gill Nethercott Centre for the second time, we are thrilled and delighted to welcome them back…

Tickets are available from the GNC or the Library and cost £10 each. There will be a real ale cash bar available for your enjoyment.

-- Sarah Castle, Community Centre Manager

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NEWS FROM WHITCHURCH SILK MILL

The Mill experience is evolving

Success is breeding success at the Mill – hard work by our enthusiastic volunteers, and an in-creasing number of events, has seen visitor

numbers increase from 10,000 in 2012 to 24,000 in 2014. Our riverside café is now manned by friendly staff, serves delicious soup, sandwiches and cake, and has become a popular local meeting place. There’s no need to pay the Mill en-trance fee if you’re just visiting the café.

Our volunteers get involved in all sorts of activities, such as weaving on handlooms, guiding visitors, maintaining machinery and gardening. Why not be-come a volunteer yourself? We can make use of all sorts of talents.

Become a Friend of the Mill and get benefits such as free admission to the Mill, 25% discount in the café and also one weekend a month in the shop, and re-duced rates at events. Do sign up for our newsletter – see the Mill website or our Facebook page for details.

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NEWS FROM WHITCHURCH SILK MILL Continued

The EDGE Project ‘Silk on Screen’ exhibition

Our riverside café has hosted this hugely successful exhibition throughout March, with many visitors keen to see Whitchurch silk back in Whitchurch in the form of costumes from films and television. A beautiful purple dress worn by Nicole Kid-man in the film ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ has proved particularly popular, and we have been delighted by the large number of visitors from outside the town. Some free promotion on BBC Radio Berkshire’s Anne Diamond show helped us, not only by featuring this exhibition but also by raising the profile of the Mill regionally. There’s still time for you to come and see this exhibition – it runs until 12 April.

Postcard campaign

Volunteers have been busy delivering a promotional postcard to every house in Whitchurch, offering a 10% discount in the shop and the café on presentation of the card. There has been very positive feedback about this campaign and it has already tempted new visitors from within the town to come and see what the Mill has to offer.

Rotations charity shop

At the time of writing, our two-week stint in the charity shop has raised an amaz-ing £1828.15. Thank you to all who supported us by volunteering to serve in the shop, by donating goods for sale or by making purchases.

Forthcoming events

Eggs in a Basket – needle felting – come along to this family event, hosted by Rebecca Anning (felt-by-bex), on Saturday 4 April from 10.30–12.30pm.

Newbury Crafters will be demonstrating on Monday 6 April from 10.30–4pm.

Gwen the Felt Maker will be demonstrating on Tuesday 21 April from 10.30–4pm.

Beginners’ sewing course: Session 1, Wednesday 22 April; Session 2, Wednesday 29 April; Session 3, Wednesday 6 May – all 10.30–1.30pm.

Ball Buddies – needle felting – another family event hosted by Rebecca Anning (felt-by-bex), Saturday 30 May from 10.30–12.30pm.

Textile alchemist Paula Ibberson Groves will be demonstrating her art on Sat-urday 9 May, from 10.30–4pm. If you miss this chance to see her, she’ll be at the Mill again in May and September.

A date for your diary – Sizzling Summer Charity Ball, Saturday 20 June – drinks at 7pm and carriages at midnight.

Contact: 01256 892065 – info@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk – www.whitchurchsilk-mill.org.uk – follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

♦ ♦ ♦

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NEWS FROM THE PARISH HALL

Movies at the Parish Hall are changing days!

‘There are always so many things to do in Whitchurch on a Thursday night, but nothing on a Wednesday night’ say our customers. So during April we will be showing our movies on a Wednesday night. Will this make a difference to our attend-ances? We will have to wait and see, so please watch this space.

Wednesday 8 April: Mr Turner Drama (12A) 150 mins

Mike Leigh’s biography of the British artist J.W.W.Turner, played by Timothy Spall and the usual Leigh repertory of fine character actors. This is one of the most an-ticipated British films of the year, receiving five star reviews on its release. ‘Delib-erately fragmentary and sketchy, it’s not the sort of tidy biopic that Hollywood churns out in batches, but that somehow makes it even truer to the spirit of the Romantic period when it takes place. Timothy Spall delivers a majestic perfor-mance, arguably his best in a rich career, capturing both Turner's quicksilver intel-ligence and energy but also his coarse manners - a lot of his dialogue consists of expressive grunts and growls, like a pig suffering a bad bout of dyspepsia. Alt-hough Leigh's deft handling of actors and humour is palpable throughout, there's none of the satirical sneering that sometimes mars his work. Some might even consider it his best film to date, and in some ways, despite its grounding in biog-raphy and history, his most personal.’ Radio Times

Wednesday 22 April: The Imitation Game Drama (12A) 114 mins

Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film por-trays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. Benedict Cumberbatch’s perfor-mance gained him an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor’. Excellent script and su-perb ensemble of actors make this irresistible viewing for Parish Hall audiences.

Both films start at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets are £5 at the door or from Newbury Building Society. A soft drink and wine bar is available.

♦ ♦ ♦

Christian Aid Week 10-16 May

Each year a house-to-house collection is organised in Whitchurch to help raise awareness and much needed funds for Christian Aid to continue its great work.

This collection could not happen without the wonderful support of lots of people delivering and collecting the envelopes. Could you spare a few hours of your time to help with the collection during Christian Aid Week? If you would like to know more about what is involved please contact members of the local churches.

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NEWS FROM THE WHITCHURCH FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION

May Day Celebrations, Sunday 3 May

We are very pleased to be joining with the Silk Mill for our first event of the year when, together with the crowning of our Carnival Queen, we are planning an af-ternoon of family fun and enjoyment. This year there is to be a theme of Pirates and Princesses. We are hoping you will be brave enough to dress up as a swashbuckling pirate or pretty princess. There will be prizes for both children and adults and all pirates and princesses will be able to parade around the maypole before judging. The maypole dancing will again be a lot of fun with everyone given the chance to join in.

The Overton Black Arrows will also be joining us and running their ‘have a go’ archery sessions and the younger children will have the opportunity to enjoy a colourful carousel. The Silk Mill café will be open for refreshments and the barbe-cue will be providing burgers and hot dogs.

We look forward to seeing you on this afternoon when you will be able to en-joy music, stalls, games (some new) and good company. For more information or if you would like to get involved with this event in any way please contact Cindy.

Contact: Cindy – 893513

The Great Whitchurch Pub Race, Sunday 24 May

This year the event will start at the Kings Arms, with the first team leaving at 3.30pm and after touring the town via the various ‘drinking holes’, and passing through the town centre at least twice, will finish at the White Hart where the tro-phy presentations will be made at approx. 8.30pm.

Teams, in fancy dress, will include a minimum of 3 and maximum of 8 mem-bers and entry forms will be available from all the local pubs from Friday 20 March. Get your entries in ASAP though as there are limited spaces!

We are also looking for Route Marshals to help us on the day. If you are aged 18 years or older then why not step up and become a Route Marshal for the day helping us to guide the teams along the route. If you feel able to help in this way please contact Rob.

Contact: Rob – 07920 262078 – 893515

♦ ♦ ♦

Basingstoke Voluntary Action: 50 years young and going strong

The Mayor of Basingstoke will be recognising Basingstoke Voluntary Action’s contribution to the voluntary and community sector over the last 50 years with a reception for Basingstoke Voluntary Action at the Civic Offices on 15 April to which selected representatives have been invited. The whole team at the BVA is also busy organising celebratory events in the lead up to their 50th Anniversary in October.

Contact: http://www.bvaction.org.uk/

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NEWS FROM TESTBOURNE COMMUNITY CENTRE

As always there is plenty going on at Testbourne:

Circuit Training

Bodyweight, resistance band high intensity class, aimed at improving mobility, muscular and cardio vascular endurance. This class is fast, fun and full of fitness benefits. Classes run 9 April-28 May in the gymnasium 8-9pm (8 weeks). £45 in-dividuals or £80 per couple.

Jack the Ripper Historical Talk

We will be hosting another historical based informative talk from author Rupert Matthews. The talk will be based on new findings from the Jack the Ripper case, looking at the possible suspect. Wednesday 22 April 7.30-9pm. Cost £7. Enrol-ment is essential.

Holiday activities and Laverstoke Farm Visit

Holiday activities for families and children will be running at Bridge Street Pavilion in Overton on 9-14 April.

Laverstoke Farm family visit, Wednesday 15 April. Meet at Testbourne Community School (main reception) 9.45-3.15pm £9 per family (1 adult and up to 2 children), £3 per additional person thereafter. Minimum age 5+.

Come along to an interesting and fun day, where you will see lots of animals, feed wild boar and hens, visit the dairy to see the milking parlour and bottle-feed buffalo calves, and maybe if you have enough time produce some artwork to either take home or display at the educa-tion centre. Please bring outdoor clothing, spare footwear (wellies) suitable for the weather and a packed lunch. Oh,

and don’t forget to bring a spare apple or two to feed the wild boar and pigs. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Parent/guardian must attend.

Volunteers Required

Testbourne Community School is looking for volunteer lunch club assistants from April 2015. Our current team are retiring at Easter and we require new volunteers to keep this much needed and valued service running. The club will meet on Fri-days and the volunteers would be needed from 11.30am until 2.30pm. Our in-house catering team will prepare, cook and supply the meals every week. The volunteers would be required to help serve teas and coffees and provide general companionship for our elderly guests.

It would be great to get a number of volunteers, so we could arrange a rota to share the commitment. So do please tell a friend or relative. We really do need your support to keep this service running for our elderly residents. The school will provide a DBS (old CRB check), and provide suitable training where applicable.

Contact: 892261 – p.bushell@testbourne.hants.sch.uk

--Paul Bushell, Community Centre Manager

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NEWS FROM WHITCHURCH YOUTH PROJECT

April events

To celebrate the return of the sunshine, there’s plenty going on at the Gill Nethercott Centre, so come and join us every Friday from 7.30pm. Please contact Barry Goddard, Club Leader junior club for more information.

Keeping on our toes

While club evenings and special events are fun for members, this only happens because leaders and

volunteers are fully prepared and competent. We ensure this by providing appro-priate training for them, and this month, five people will undertake Young Leader Training. This not only ensures that they can help effectively with the club, but also stands them in good stead when completing a CV.

Club help needed

More volunteers are in the pipeline, but if you would like to help with either of the clubs, and are over 18 and enthusiastic, our trained leaders would be delighted to see you. Freedom club for 14-19 years at the Methodist Hall runs on Fridays from 7.30pm and Y@H for 10-14 years runs in the Gill Nethercott Centre at the same time. One evening a month would make all the difference, so please give us your support and help us to provide a safe, welcoming environment for our young peo-ple during the evenings.

The Hub – giving advice on health and relationships, runs at the Methodist Hall from 6pm every Friday.

If you would like to help on club nights, or at any of the clubs’ events, please con-tact Barry Goddard, Club Leader junior club (for 10-14 years) or Nancy Miller if you are interested in helping with Freedom (for 14-19 year olds).

Contact: Barry Goddard – 07747 802152; Nancy Miller – 07974 344894

--Denyse Coles

♦ ♦ ♦

Worldwide Whitchurch Weekend

Anyone interested in plants will have rich opportunities on the weekend of 18-19 July. Bere Mill gardens are open under The National Gardens Scheme and Ninesprings Nursery, site of one of the oldest watercress beds in Britain and with fascinating gardens, will be open Saturday and Sunday on behalf of the Red Cross. A history of the watermeadow area will be on display.

Twelve lovely oak trees are potted at Ninesprings Nursery ready to be handed to the Whitchurch visitors in July. Due to a chance encounter in the Longmeadow Sports and Social Club it is possible that two more trees will be needed as they have been advised of extra hidden Whitchurches. A special presentation event is being planned to launch the Whitchurch Forest.

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NEWS FROM WHITCHURCH C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

We continue to be as busy as ever this term with children enjoying exciting curricular opportunities. Not only does learning take place in the classroom but also in a range of experiences outside of the classroom.

PGL Liddington

For two days last month we took our Year 4 children to PGL in Liddington. It was a jam packed couple of days with children having a go at exciting activities such as quad biking, canoeing and fencing.

‘PGL was great fun, our instructors were very enthusiastic and persuaded us to get on the activity and that it would be really fun…Quad biking was epic, you had to wait a long time for your go but it was worth it.’ (Natasha Year 4)

‘After the activities we grabbed our teddies and headed for the quiz room. There we did a natural knowledge quiz, after the quizzes we did our teeth and got into bed. Some children stayed awake all night!’ (Emma Year 4)

World Book Day

This month we have celebrated World Book Day as a school. Mr Tromans our English leader led a whole school worship sharing with us the favourite books of some famous people. The theme of the day was ‘Books for Bedtime’. The chil-dren all dressed in their pyjamas, onesies and dressing gowns.

Our school librarian, Mrs Clarke, read stories with all classes in the hall. Mrs Clarke then gave each class a set of books by a particular author. The children’s day focused on activities driven from these books.

Furred and Feathered Friends

Lastly we are extremely lucky to have such extensive grounds and facilities at Whitchurch. Not only do we have an established Forest School programme; our school animals continue to be much loved by the children. Outside we have ten ducks and eight chickens, two rabbits and two guinea pigs. They are all extremely well and healthy and we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Foxcotte Vets who help sponsor our animals.

-- Zoe Newton, Acting Head Teacher ♦ ♦ ♦

Whitchurch Ramblers

Whitchurch Ramblers walks for April include the following:

Monday 13 April: Bell St Car Park via Old Railway/Sheepcrook 2.2 miles

Monday 20 April: Bell St Car Park via Tufton 2.5 miles

Monday 27 April: Larksbarrow via Bradley Wood 4.2 miles

For all rambles meet at 7pm at the Bell Street Car Park.

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NEWS FROM WHITCHURCH TENNIS CLUB

Race Night

It was a case of winners all round at our Race Night in February, when members and friends enjoyed an exciting (and in some cases, lucrative!) evening, and the club raised a total of £572 towards the costs of maintenance. Enthusiastic betting was suc-ceeded by enthusiastic eating, while punters took a break to chat over a tasty fish and chip supper. It seems that a good time was had by all – so much so that we hope to do it all again next year!

And so to tennis!

It is hoped that the first ball of the season will be struck on Tuesday 7 April when, given fair weather, play hosted by a committee member will begin at 6pm and continue until dusk. Club nights are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Rusty Racquets

For those who need a bit of encouragement, there will be a Rusty Racquets morning on Saturday 11 April. This is aimed at players who do not play regularly, or who have not played for a long time – so if this is you, why not dust off those racquets and give it a go. Non-members are welcome, and please bring your friends. Details will be published on our website.

LTA Coach

Whitchurch Tennis Club has an LTA registered resident coach, Carol Rogers, who runs excellent courses for both juniors and adults throughout the year. Full details of the Junior Summer Programme for children from 4½ up to 18 years old are available. Regular adult coaching sessions will be starting on Monday eve-nings from April, so if you are interested, ring Carol for further information or to book your place.

Contact: Carol Rogers – 07939 264999 – carolrogerstennis@hotmail.co.uk

The club is a friendly and growing, and is always looking to welcome new members whether they are experienced, beginners or just want to get back into tennis. There is also the opportunity to join as a social member only, for those who do not want, or have little time, to play tennis.

The club is based at Laverstoke, just outside Whitchurch. With plenty of op-portunities for developing tennis skills at our club sessions as well as a variety of social activities organised for members’ enjoyment, 2015-16 promises to be an-other great year! For more information about the Club, please contact Lynda Frith or Wendy Helsby.

Contact: Secretary Wendy Helsby, secretary@whitchurchtennisclub.org.uk; Membership Secretary Lynda Frith, membership@whitchurchtennisclub.org.uk

♦ ♦ ♦

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR WHITCHURCH

Below are planning application registrations and decisions taken between 14 February and 13 March. Unless otherwise stated, locations are in the parish of Whitchurch, applications are for full planning permission and the date shown is the registration date.

Registrations:

15/00721/LBC 03 Mar 2015 Cole Henley Farmhouse Cole Henley Road Cole Henley: Adaptation of existing roof void in void area to north end of farmhouse to form bat loft with access hole in gable wall (Bat mitigation measures)

15/00606/HSE 24 Feb 2015 24 Newbury Street: Erection of rear extension to replace existing and replacement of roof to single storey side extension.

15/00608/HSE 24 Feb 2015 3 Queens Road: Erection of a two storey rear extension, new bay window to front and retention of existing decking and extension to decking (Amended scheme to that approved under 14/02786/HSE to include bay window)

15/00582/HSE 20 Feb 2015 Peak House Farm Cole Henley Road Cole Henley: Alterations and Extension to existing garage to form annex accommodation, incidental to existing use.

15/00519/LBC 16 Feb 2015 The Limes Bell Street: Replacement of wooden portico with felt roof with a stone portico with lead roof.

Decisions:

15/00089/HSE 12 Jan 2015 91 Winchester Road: Erection of two storey side extension and single storey rear extension. Granted

15/00066/HSE 09 Jan 2015 15 Micheldever Road: Erection of rear conservatory. Granted

14/03866/LDPO 22 Dec 2014 28 Micheldever Road: Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed conversion of loft to living accommodation with roof lights to the rear and side elevations. Granted

14/03885/FUL 22 Dec 2014 Land Adjacent Nine Springs Nursery The Weir: Alterations and additions to existing building (Nine Springs) to form 3 bedroom dwelling. Proposed new studio dwelling, office and plant laboratory linked (existing S106) to Nine Springs Nursery. Application Withdrawn

Source: www.basingstoke.gov.uk ♦ ♦ ♦

Whitchurch History Society

The April meeting of the History Society will take place in the Gill Nethercott Cen-tre on Tuesday 7 April at 7.30pm. The talk will be given by David Poole and is en-titled ‘It's About Time!’ Members are free, visitors £2. Everyone welcome.

Contact: 893437

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Around the Parish

JEANNE TITCHINER

Rest in peace

Families are welcome and encouraged to provide brief biographical details of those with local connections who have died.

We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of:

Terry Walker who died on February 15 aged 78. Terry was born in Bruton in Somerset in 1936 and served his National Service with the pay corps at Hurstbourne Park, where he met Maureen. They married at All Hallows in 1957 and lived all their married life in the house in Micheldever Road. They were parents to Stephen and Julie and in due course grandparents and great grandparents. As well as many years at Portals as a production controller, Terry was a keen cricketer and a member of the Buffaloes. He enjoyed many friendships and in later years a series of memorable travels to far flung parts of the globe.

Doreen Hide who died on February 10 aged 93. Doreen was born in Enfield in 1921 and it was work with the Bank of England that brought her to Overton. She married Jim Hide in 1942 and they spent their working lives at the family drapery and outfitter business in Overton. Among her many interests, Doreen served for many years as a governor at Testbourne School. She spent her last years in nursing care in Whitchurch and is remembered by her son Roger and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Keith Ballantyne who died on February 18 aged 65. Keith was born in Paddington in 1949, the family moving to Australia in the sixties. Keith began a welding apprenticeship and back home worked at the Triplex factory in Coventry, where he started college and eventually was able to secure a post as fabricator-welder at Haskins in Basingstoke. He married Dawn in Roehampton in 1973 and they had a son Craig, moving to Whitchurch in 1987. Among many interests including cars, gadgets, gardening and holidays, Keith developed a passion and considerable achievement in the field of archery. The great joy of later years was the arrival of his grandchildren Grace and Daisy.

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED… New All Hallows Guidebook

Have you got your copy of the new All Hallows Guide-book? Many bookshelves in Whitchurch and beyond have a copy of the old guidebook but it has now been given a revamp and update, including new photos. Discover how many vicars there have been at All Hal-lows, why the font used to have a lid, who was struck by lightning while riding home from a visit to Winches-ter, which 17-year-old wrote her own epitaph (now tucked away in the bell tower), how many pipes the or-gan has, where the church’s most ancient relic was found, why there are three war memorials here … and much more besides. The guidebook costs £1 and you can collect your copy from the table just inside the church and pop your money in the slot in the wall.

Moonlight Music for Mityana

Jude Monk and Megan Preece present a musical soiree to raise money for their trip to Mityana as part of Testbourne Team Uganda 2016. This will be held at the Gill Nethercott Centre, Whitchurch on Saturday 6 June from 7-10pm. Tickets are £3 from Sarah Monk.

Jude will be playing Beethoven Piano Sonata No 14, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moon-light) 1st Movement, plus other piano music. There will also be more music from The Fourfathers and friends in a less formal style. There will be a cash bar and canapes made by Megan. So come along and enjoy an evening relaxing with a drink, listening to live music and socialising with friends.

Contact: Sarah Monk – 895947 – sarah.monk@pobox.com

Save the Date – The Magical Mityana Charity Ball

This will be held on Saturday 12 September at Testbourne Sports Hall, 7–11pm, in aid of Testbourne Team Uganda 2016. There will be music from two live bands, dancing, cash bar, raffle and charity auction with fabulous prizes. Watch this space for more details!

Contact: Sarah Monk – 895947 – sarah.monk@pobox.com

Daffodil Sunday

Daffodil Sunday will take place on Sunday 12 April, 2–5pm at Binley, St Mary Bourne, SP11 6HA. There will be two glorious gardens with woodland walks, plus home-made teas and an exciting plant stall. Entrance is £3. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome (50p). The event is in aid of Andover Riding for the Disabled.

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Cats Protection

Cats Protection’s recent occupation of the Whitchurch Charity Shop was very successful, raising more than £2200. Cats Protection are al-ways grateful for unwanted books, bric-a-brac and clothing in good, clean condition. Large amounts can be collected. They also collect Felix tokens which they exchange for cash.

The next big event will be a collection out-side Tesco, River Way, Andover on Saturday 9 May. There will be a trolley for cat food so if you have some that your cat won’t touch please bring it along. Strays who have been foraging for food are not so fussy.

Cat of the Month

Obi, last month’s cat, is still seeking his forever home. April’s cat is Betty, a young cat who lived alone in the woods until a kind person handed her in to Cats Protection. She loves the woods but would much rather have a nice home as she is very friendly and loves cuddles.

Contact: Enquiries – 892019 or www.andovercats.org.uk Stories of rescued cats – adrianne.major@hotmail.co.uk Fund-raising/volunteers – adrianne.ma-

jor@hotmail.co.uk Items for resale – 892773 Facebook – Andover and District Cats Protection

Cat Found

An unneutered tom cat has been found in Lynch Hill Park. For further information please contact Teresa.

Contact: Teresa – 07717 203062

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Girlguiding in Whitchurch

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. Run by a ded-icated team of volunteers, the aim is to give girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities. Girlguiding builds girls’ confidence and raises their aspirations, giving them the chance to discover their full potential and encouraging them to be a powerful force for good.

Girlguiding is available in Whitchurch with an active Rainbows unit for 5 to 7 years, two Brownies units for 7 to 10 and a Girl Guide Unit for 10 to 14 years.

To give you a flavour, the Girl Guides this term have had a Mexican themed evening run by an older Guide, celebrated Chinese New Year with games, quiz-zes and food, are out in the dark lighting campfires and playing dark games, are visiting the Gravity Force trampolining centre, are going exploring in Blackwood Forest with a Forest Ranger, will be making sweets and other Easter crafts, and will be helping at the Silk Mill Mad Hatters Tea Party. Next term the focus is on a ‘Midsummer camp under the stars’ challenge, walking in Highclere Estate, treas-ure hunts, BBQs and generally whatever the creative Guides come up with!

If you are interested in knowing more, giving it a try or would like to talk to someone, please contact Sarah Castle.

Contact: Sarah Castle – 07725 057782 – www.girlguiding.org.uk

Rainbows need your help!

After 25 years Sue, the Rainbow Unit leader, is step-ping down at the end of this school year. So this is a plea for new leaders as without some new volunteers the Rainbow Unit will have to close. The Rain-bow unit is currently full with a long waiting list and

losing the unit means that lots of girls will miss out on all that Rainbows has to of-fer.

If you think you or a friend, sister or colleague might be interested in joining the Guiding family please do get in touch. There are many equally valuable ways to help out with guiding from just a few hours here and there – helping out with driving for trips and holidays, fundraising and events planning, or even doing the annual accounts for local groups – to giving more of your time as a Unit Helper, Leader or Assistant Leader for units, providing girls and young women with a space where they can be themselves.

Contact: Tricia Cluett – tricia_cluett@hotmail.com – 893188

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Nature Notes

Jenny Wren writes: April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and is believed to be named after the Greek goddess, Aphrodite.

With lengthening days, bird activity is on the increase as they fly back and forth feeding their young, with Blue Tits visiting their chicks with up to one feed every 90 seconds at the height of the breeding season.

Our native hedgerows really start to come into their own this month, with a flush of fresh greenery, Hawthorn, Elder and Field Maple are among some of the first. The reddish-brown sticky buds of the Horse Chestnut start to un-furl revealing large palmated leaves, followed by white/pink flowers that resemble candela-bras, which once pollinated will go on to pro-

duce spiky green fruit which conceal shiny brown conkers in the autumn.

And of course the quintessential British sign of spring, bluebell woods, with its short flowering period before the tree canopy fully opens. A few unusual fact s about bluebells, Bronze Age people used bluebell glue to attach their feathers to their arrows and its sap was used to bind pages of books to the spine. The Wood-land Trust own over 1000 sites, some are fantastic bluebell sites, so go to their web page where you can find a bluebell wood near you.

Overton Choral Society

Overton Choral Society members will be having a busy time during May. As usual they will be performing with other Hampshire Choirs in the Winchester & County Music Festival, this year in Romsey Abbey on Saturday 9 May. The work they will be singing is Handel’s Messiah, a very popular work with both choirs and audi-ences. Tickets and more information are available from Winchester Cathedral Box Office or Romsey on 01794 512987.

At the end of May, OCS’ friends from Euskirchen will be visiting and the weekend will conclude with a concert on Saturday 23 May in St Mary’s Church, Overton. The program will consist of selections from Brahms Requiem and other works. More information will be available in the May edition of the Parish Maga-zine.

OCS has gained some more new members and if anyone would like to see what they do, then please feel free to go along on a Monday evening to St Mary’s Hall in the centre of Overton at 7:45pm.

Contact: Lyn Hardy – 01256 397507

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

U3A

At the February meeting of the U3A, members and visitors were treated to a very interesting talk by Steven Desmond who is a landscape consultant, writes and lectures and is a regular contributor to Country Life magazine. Steven talked about the history of glasshouses and

explained the difference between orangeries, green houses and conservatories.

Orangeries and greenhouses are working places and conservatories were used to display plants. Orangeries and glass houses were first used in 16th cen-tury Europe to over winter orange trees which were grown in tubs. The earliest in England date back to the late 16th century. Glasshouse construction became more elaborate in the 19th century with building such as Crystal Palace and Kew Glasshouse being constructed. Most orangeries at stately homes are now used as restaurants and tea rooms.

The next Overton & District U3A monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday 15 April and will be a talk by John Bowman on ‘The Sultanate of Oman.’ The talk will take place at 10am in St Mary's Hall, Overton. Visitors are £3. New members are always welcome; refreshments are served after the meeting.

Contact: Laraine Beech – 01256 7780145 – larainebeech@btinternet.com – www.overtonu3a.org.uk

Oakley Sports Weekend and Fun Run

The Oakley Sports Weekend will take place on 18-19 April at a number of venues around Oakley and at Oakley Junior School. Activities over the weekend include:

Lawn Tennis

Football

Cricket

Fun Run

Bowling

Cycling

Table Tennis

Rambling

Health Walks

There will be a fun run on Saturday 18 April with registration from 10am on-wards at Oakley Junior School. The fun run will start from 2.30pm at the Peter Houseman Recreation Ground. There will be three routes:

5km (age 7+)

10km (age 11+)

2.5km kids run (age 5+)

Entrance fees are £6 for adults, £2 for under 16s and £12 for a family (2 adults, 2 children). Please see the website for more information.

Contact: ocaoakley@live.co.uk; ocaoakley.org.uk

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Update from Friends of Whitchurch C of E Primary School

Friends of Whitchurch C of E Primary School (FOWPS) has successfully been awarded a grant of nearly £2,000 from the Ernest Cook Trust to develop the For-est Schools area at the school. This will allow them to enhance the natural habitat to the benefit of the wildlife as well as to improve the outdoor learning experience for the children.

FOWPS had a successful General Meeting on 5 March, updating the sched-ule of events for the rest of the school year, as well as ongoing discussions re-garding succession planning for the committee. They are always looking for addi-tional members to join the committee, and welcome your involvement. From Octo-ber, positions will be available for the roles of Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer. Being part of FOWPS is rewarding, fun, and makes a critical contribution to the school. There is a very committed and experienced team who can give full sup-port to those stepping into the new roles. Please contact FOWPS for more de-tails.

Dates for your diary:

30 March, 3.45pm at Whitchurch C of E Primary School – Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Hat Parade. £1.50 to enter the Egg Hunt. All Egg Hunt entrants receive a chocolate egg and are entered into a draw to win a Giant Easter Egg

10 May, 8.00am–3pm,starting at Whitchurch C of E Primary School – Pri-mary Pedal – find out more at www.primarypedal.org.uk

20 June, 1pm–4pm at Whitchurch C of E Primary School – School Fete – BBQ, raffle, coconut shy, ice cream, bouncy castle, pony rides and lots more!

3 July, 7.30–10.30pm at Whitchurch C of E Primary School – Pig Racing and Hog Roast – an exciting new addition to our event calendar. More details and ticket prices to follow.

To find out more about these events, to book tickets and to volunteer please con-tact FOWPS

Contact: fowps@whitchurch.hants.sch.uk

Crafty Aid is Whitchurch’s Crafty Affairs’ charity group and they are currently seeking donations of towels, bedding, shirts and Double Knitting yarn for their ongoing work in providing items for two maternity units and paediatric wards and an orphanage in Hoima, Northern Uganda. If

you would like any further information about Crafty Aid please get in touch.

Contact: Janin Cromarty – 896897 – craftyaffairs@gmail.com – www.facebook.com/groups/CraftyAid

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Whitchurch Townswomen's Guild

The March Annual General Meeting was well attended, with members at the end showing off their entries for the Easter Bonnet Parade. The entries were all very pretty, colourful and inventive, giving the judge a difficult challenge to decide the winner.

The next meeting will be held at the Parish Hall on Thursday 9 April, com-mencing at 10am. The speaker will be Mr. Richard Tanner, and the title of his talk is ‘How to date your house’. There will be no sales table this month, but there will be a raffle as usual. Visitors are most welcome to attend at a cost of £3 which will include refreshments.

Contact: Vivienne Morris – 892140 – brivimir@talktalk.net

ADVERTISEMENT

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Primary Pedal: Bike Challenge to support Whitchurch Schools; 10 May

On Sunday 10 May Whitchurch will host the second annual Primary Pedal, with hundreds of people cycling 20, 40 or 60 miles through our gorgeous countryside. The ride starts at Whitchurch Primary School and the routes are on very quiet, scenic lanes. There will be signposts at every intersection, and stops for cake and drinks, or on the 20-mile route, a pub lunch at the White Hart, Stoke. Marshalls will be stationed along the route at regular intervals offering lots of encourage-ment and support. Mechanical and medical support will be provided. In the first year 2014 over 230 people participated, 98% wanting to return again and over 80% of them rating it an 8, 9 or 10/10 cycling experience.

80% of the funds raised will be split between Friends Of Whitchurch Primary School (FOWPs) and Testbourne Team Uganda 2016 (www.testbourne-mityana.co.uk). The remaining 20% will be used by the organisers, Test Valley Cycling Club, to promote family-oriented cycling for all ages and abilities for recre-ation, fitness and pleasure in the Test Valley, Hampshire. The entry fee is just £15 with children under 16 being free.

This family fun ride is suitable for all ages with distances depending on cy-cling experience.

20 miles – suitable for novice cyclists 10–11am start

40 miles – suitable for more experienced cyclists 9–10am start

60 miles – suitable for experienced cyclists 8–9am start

Please support and join the ride. Why not make it a challenge for yourself, and seek sponsorship to further benefit the schools? Further information with pho-tos, route maps and details on how to enter can be found online.

Contact: www.primarypedal.org.uk

Whitchurch Traders Association: Pill Box Restoration

The Pill Box Restoration was inspired by the focus this past year on World War I but it reveals a later part of our war history and history during World War II. The Pill Box is part of our historic substance and will be part of the ongoing story here in Whitchurch.

Graham Burgess, who led the project, handed over a memorial to the Mayor Mike Kean on the morning of Friday 15 March outside the Town Hall and this is in the form of a metal box with a military button for each of the 29 Whitchurch men who died in World War II. In the centre are objects found by the metal detector ex-pert, a farthing coin and two lover’s lockets. It will be on permanent display in the Town Hall.

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AROUND THE PARISH CONTINUED…

Walking for Health in Whitchurch

Every Wednesday morning, free ‘Walking for Health’ walks depart from the Gill Nethercott Centre at 10am (registration from 9.45am). Many people are now feel-ing the benefit of regular exercise and enjoying walking around Whitchurch and the surrounding countryside. Every week, whatever the weather, two circular Health Walks take place – one is at a medium pace for around an hour, the other is longer and brisker – with refreshments available afterwards. There are now 14 volunteer Walk Leaders who take turns to plan and lead the walks, so every week there’s something different. We also try to include more adventurous, or themed, walk options from time to time. New walkers are always very welcome – please be sure to arrive by 9.45am if it’s your first time. Come on your own or bring a friend. Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear.

Here is a brief description by one of the volunteer Walk Leaders, recording the longer walk option on 18 February. Advance notice had been given in previ-ous weeks that this walk would be unusually long.

‘Today’s Progression Walk was the longest regular walk on the Whitchurch WFH list: the popular outing to Coopers in the Wood, a circular route of some 6.5 miles. We walked from the GNC, along Bell Street to Bloswood Lane and then up through the Rosebay Willowherb field, taking the footbridge over the railway line, and further on to take the bridge crossing left over the A34. Continuing past Down Farm and over the Harroway to follow the Bridleway up to the Coopers in the Wood turning (which is the halfway point) – then bearing left to take us out onto the little used Egbury road (no cars this time). There were boxing hares on the Egbury Road! The bright sunny morning provided us with a spectacular and very rare treat...a pair of hares performing their well-known yet rarely seen courtship ritual. It brought the walk to a complete standstill while we watched spellbound for approx. 3 minutes. We passed on down the road through Hogdigging Copse, over the St Mary Bourne road and down to New Barn Farm. Careful crossing of the road under the railway bridge at New Barn brought us back into the familiar terri-tory of Cowdown Copse and down to Manor Farm, retracing our steps along Bell Street and back to the GNC for coffee.’

More information can be found at www.basingstoke.gov.uk by searching on Health Walks.

Contact: healthwalks@basingstoke.gov.uk – 01256 845284.

Silver Threads in April

The Silver Threads are going to Long Acre Garden Centre on Thursday 16 April. Tickets cost £19 for members and £20 for non-members. If you would like to go, please contact Brigitte Broad.

Contact: Brigitte Broad – 892577

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Citizens Advice Bureau: Pensions guidance

The rules about how you can use your pension savings in retirement are changing in April. If you’re close to retirement age, this year you’ll be able to get free guidance to help you understand what you can do with your pension pot when you retire. Citizens Advice will be offering free face-to-face guidance sessions. We’ll explain to you:

the different pension types and how they work

your options for what you can do with your pension pot

what’s tax-free and what’s not.

This is part of the pension changes which includes setting up a free and impartial service from the government. You’ll also be able to get guidance over the phone from The Pensions Advisory Service or online through the GOV.UK website. We’ll let you know as soon as we can about how and when to access the guidance. In the meantime, you can get information about pensions from the following:

Online Adviceguide – Pensions

The Pensions Advisory Service at www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk - an independent service which provides free information and guidance on all pension matters

The Money Advice Service at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk – an inde-pendent service set up by government to help people manage their money better

Need further information or Help?

Basingstoke Citizens Advice Bureau, (located within Basingstoke Discovery Cen-tre) can help you with queries you have on budgeting, benefits and debt, relation-ships, immigration, employment issues, and consumer rights. They operate a drop-in service 10-3.30pm Monday to Friday (except Thursday) and Saturday mornings 10-12noon. The Advice Line telephone number is 0844 245 1283. The Basingstoke CAB website can be found at www.basingstokeandtadleycab.org.uk/. Online help from Citizens Advice can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk.

February Weather Statistics from Papermill Farm

The total rainfall in February was 72 mm, 2.83 inches, compared to 186 mm (7.32 ins) in February last year. It rained on 10 days, bringing the total rainfall for the year so far to 191 mm (7.51 ins). This is not surprisingly considerably less than 463 mm (18.22 ins) which was recorded during the same period in 2014. The temperature reached a maximum of 12 C on the 24th and 27th, falling to -5 C on the 1st and 21st.

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FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Baptisms: March 8 Logan Geoffrey Ralph March 8 William James Surtees

We welcome them into God’s family

Funerals at the crematorium: March 5 Doreen Miriam Hide late of Overton March 5 Terence Walford John Walker of Micheldever Road March 9 Keith Ballantyne of Meadow View

May they rest in peace ♦ ♦ ♦

WHITCHURCH OPENING HOURS AND PHONE NUMBERS

Citizens Advice

Town Hall ground flr

Tuesdays 9.30am – 12.30pm

Dentists

Whitchurch Smiles Ltd

893968

Mondays – Fridays 9am – 1pm; 2 – 5pm

Private patients only

Dental Concepts

893517

Mondays – Fridays 9am – 1pm; 2 – 5pm

Doctors 01256 212311 / 0844 477 2547

Mondays – Fridays 8am – 6.30pm

Library 0845 6035631* Mondays 1 – 5pm; Wednesdays 1 – 7pm;

Fridays 10am – 5pm; Saturdays 10am – 1pm

Neigh-bourcare

892791

892140

Helen Knight

Vivienne Morris

Mondays – Fridays 8am – 8pm

Post Office 892108 Mondays to Fridays 9am – 5.30pm

Saturdays 9am – 12.30pm

Station Ticket Off.

Mondays – Fridays 6.00am – 11.15am

Town Hall 892107 Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 9.30 – 11.30am

* Calls handled by Hantsdirect

RECYCLE BIN COLLECTION DATES FOR WHITCHURCH

Paper, card, plastic bottles, food and drinks cans and glass recycling Friday 10 April and Friday 24 April

Garden waste

Wednesday 8 April and Wednesday 22 April

Source: www.basingstoke.gov.uk