THE GAUNTLET

DELIVERED FREE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SOMBORNES AND ASHLEY

POSTED TO ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR £9 PER YEAR

Youth online survey announced 11 to 17 year olds to have say on facilities PAGE 13

Also in this issue:

Prepare for panto Book now!

PAGES 10 and 11

Working Mens’ Club

approaches 100 Special events planned

PAGES 12 and 24

Need an allotment? Time to decide

PAGE 20

Lent Lecture Lunches

launch All the details PAGE 31

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE SOMBORNES AND ASHLEY

FEBRUARY 2012

iii

iv

Nyk Harfield

Romsey Electrical

Services

Domestic, Commercial

and Agricultural

Tel: 01794 322547

v

vi

vii

viii

ix

High quality mixed hardwood logs Seasoned and stored in large sheds adapted for

maximum drying to ensure low moisture content

Hardwood kindling and small logs also supplied in sacks All cut by ourselves and sourced from well managed and sustainable local

woodlands. Various log lengths, sizes and delivery options available.

All year round delivery. Stacking service also offered.

Round logs and cordwood also available.

For best local value call:

Tel: 01794 389603 Mob: 079000 61158 Email: sales@woodlandfirewood.co.uk

The Woodland Firewood Company Ltd

OWTONS TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS

AT KIMBRIDGE FARM SHOP BEEF, LAMB & PORK SOURCED FROM LOCAL FARMERS

QUALITY LOCAL PRODUCE INCLUDING

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Shop.kimbridgeE@btconnect.com KIMBRIDGE FARM SHOP, KIMBRIDGE LANE,

NR ROMSEY, SO51 0LE

01794 341681

x

Grace Accounting

Personal tax and small business accounts

Fed up with the headache of bookkeeping?

Let us handle everything for you...

VAT returns * Annual accounts

Cash flow * Monthly figures

Bank reconciliations

Self assessment tax returns

T 07852 634685

E charlotte@grace-accounting.com

Grace Accounting,

Somborne Estate,

Somborne Park Road,

Little Somborne,

Hampshire, SO20 6QT

xi

xii

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 fitted

All aspects o f Carpentry - Cut Roofing specialists

Ground works - own Plant and Equipment

For free estimates and advice Tel: 01794 884039 Mobile: 07860 924330

xiii

The Somborne & District Society

Talks on Local History and related

Subjects. Visits to places of interest

Visitors always welcome!

Meetings held on the

4th Wednesday of each month

At 8.pm in King’s Somborne

Village Hall

Contact : Mary Pollock 01794 388422 www.thesombornes.org.uk

'An Outstanding Ethos for Learning'

ISI Inspection Report

www.normancourt.co.uk

office@normancourt.co.uk

01980 862345

Between Winchester & Salisbury

xiv

1

Parish Church

Vicar: Rev Rob Stapleton 01794 388223

Reader: Sue Holligan 01794 388484

Wardens:

David Bevan Sandie Pepperell

07769682696 01794 388021

PCC Secretary: David Bevan

07769682696

Treasurer & Gift Aid Sec:

Claire Bevan 01962 820482

Sacristan / cleaning

Tony & Christine Mitchell 01794 388150

Flowers:

Penny Ward 01794 389649

Methodist Church

Minister:

Revd Dr Rosemary Baker 01962 880383 (evenings only)

Steward: Marion Downing 01794 388121

Roman Catholic Churches St Joseph‘s Romsey 02380 273882

St John the Baptist Andover 01264 352829

St Andrew‘s North Baddesley 02380 273882

Village Hall

Bookings: Mary Bradley 01794 388386 vhbookings@thesombornes.org.uk

Epworth Hall

Bookings:Marion Downing 01794 388121

Doctors

Stockbridge surgery 01264 810524

www.stockbridgesurgery.co.uk

Broughton surgery 01794 301210

Out of Hours service 0844 811 3060

Pharmacy

Stockbridge Pharmacy 01264 810624

Schools

Somborne Pre-School

King’s Somborne School

Test Valley School

01794 389587 01794 388381

01264 810555

Police

Crimestoppers Police Station

Urgent calls

0800 555 111 0845 045 45 45

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

Neighbourcare

Transport to essential appointments and other small tasks - details from:

Sue Jackson Jenny Crouch

01794 388884

01794 388882

Village Correspondent Dawn Harrison 01794 388418

Village Website www.thesombornes.org.uk

The Gauntlet

Editor: Harvey Saunders 01794 388029 Advertising: Sue Byram 01794 388521 Distribution: Norman Denison

01794 388889

Please deliver articles for

The Gauntlet to

thegauntletmag@hotmail.com

or The Post Office.

Copy date is no later than 5.00pm on

the 15th of the month please.

Useful names and numbers

2

Allotments Contact: Ray Blackmore 01794 388888

Art exhibition committee Contacts:

Madeline Edmonds 01974 389014 Pam Watson 01794 388429

Badminton Club Every Monday 7.30pm.

Contact: Sue Jackson 01794 388884

Baby & Toddler Group For babies, pre-school children, parents and

carers. Every Wednesday 9.30am -

11.30am during term time.

Contact: Clare Horsfield 01794 388765

Bellringing Every Monday 7.30 - 9.00pm.

Contact: Sue Spurling 01794 388266

Catherine Edwards Trust Provides grants to village students Contact: Frank Cleverley 01794 388399

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.

Contact: Nigel Coleman 01794 388449

Community Responders Contact: John Vanderpump 01794 388647

Dial-a-Ride Trips to Romsey every Wednesday, for

senior citizens and disabled people, at

2.00pm. Fare £2.70. Contact: Dick or Zoe 01264 356808

Drop In Coffee morning at the Epworth Hall.

Every first and third Tuesday at 10.30am.

Friends of King’s Somborne Church Contacts:

Anthony Chilton (Secretary) 01794 388160 David Pye (Membership) 01794 388405

Football Club Contact: Andy Gannaway 01794 388733

Footpath walk Monthly walk on Parish footpaths on the last Sunday of each month. Starting at

2.00pm at the Village Hall car park.

Contact: David Haydon 01794 388120

Alison Seymour 01794 389219

French Twinning Association Regular exchanges with St Paul du Vernay

in Normandy

Contact: Louise & Andrew Causer 01794 389364

Garden waste scheme Garden waste will be collected in w/c 6th

and 20th February 2012.

Home Group Biblestudy 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 6th and 20th

February 2012.

Recyclable household waste (brown bins)

will be collected in w/c 13th and 27th

February 2012.

Village Directory

3

Village Directory (continued)

Mobile Library Tuesday 28th February 2012:

2.00 - 2.25pm Up Somborne

2.45 - 4.00pm Church Road

Information: 02380 267393

Pastoral Care Group Contact: Fi Chilton 01794 388160

Prayer Group Please contact Rev Robert Stapleton on 01794 388223

School Association A group of volunteer parents meeting twice

a term to organize social and fund-raising

events to benefit the school and its pupils.

Contact: Caroline Andrews 01794 389231

Scouts Beavers Wednesdays 5.45 - 6.45pm Cubs Thursdays 6.30 - 8.00pm

Scouts Wednesdays 7.00 - 9.00pm

Contact: Janice Waterman 01794 388588

Somborne & District Society Meetings held on the fourth Wednesday of

each month at 8.00pm, usually in the Village Hall.

www.communigate.co.uk/hants/somsoc

Contact: Mary Pollock 01794 388422

Somborne Needleworkers Meet each Thursday at 2.00pm at

Nutcher‘s, 3 Nutcher‘s Drove. Contact: Eileen Humphreys 01794 388427

Somborne Players Regular, informal play readings and outings.

Contact: Melanie Haydon 01794 388120

Sombornes Pre-School Early Years education for children aged from 2 to school age.

Contact: Lucy Chadwick 01794 389587

Somborne Sessions Details: www.sombornesessions.co.uk

Contact: Doug Stammers 01794 389192

Somborne Singers Weekly meetings to sing ballads, songs

from shows etc. every Tuesday at 7.45pm

in the Parish Church. Contact: Sue Jackson 01794 388884

Sunday Night at Six (SNAS) Christian youth group for ages 9-13+.

Meets in Epworth Hall on 1st and 3rd Sundays of month in term time, 6.00-

7.15pm, plus outings and other events.

Contact: Sam Barnes 07742077114

sam.ymca@btconnect.com

Tiny Tots Meet in the Parish Church each Tuesday at

2.00pm.

Contact: Christine Ball 01794 388633

Women’s Institute Meets on the second Wednesday of each

month at 7.30pm in the Epworth Hall. Contact: Linda Aucock 01794 388542

Working Men’s Club Various entertainments throughout the

month.

Contact: Carol Black 01794 388027

Youth Housegroup For ages 11-14+. Meetings in members‘

houses or social events monthly.

Contact: Pam Gravenor 01794 388531

4

Your Parish Council contacts: John Werrett 01794 389311

Chairman jwerrett.kingssomborne@parish.hants.gov.uk

Flood Watch/TVA of Local Councils/

Communications & Website

Richard Harwood 01264 810314 Harwood_house@hotmail.com

Vice Chairman Sports Facilities/Biodiversity

Gordon Pearson 01794 388662

Chairman Planning Committee

Andrew Brock: 01794 388227

abrock.kingssomborne@parish.hants.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Watch/Farming Community Liaison/Up Somborne

Liaison/Communications & Website

Roy Curtis: 01794 389373 Royston.curtis@btinternet.com

Schools Liaison/Young People

Frank Fahy 01794 388314 frank.fahy@gmail.com

CPRE/Sports Facilities/Highways/

Communications & Website/

Village Hall Management Committee

Paul Goddard 01794 388187 paulo.goddard17@btinternet.com

Dawn Harrison 01794 388418

dharrison.kingssomborne@parish.hants.gov.uk

Communications & Website,

Horsebridge liaison

Geoff Herbert 01794 388688 gcbherbert@btinternet.com

Vacant Transport

Clerk Peter Storey 01794 389688

clerk.kingssomborne@parish.hants.gov.uk

Tree Warden Colin Matthews 01794 388272

colinmatthews741@btinternet.com

Footpath Wardens David Haydon 01794 388120

Alison Seymour 01794 389219

Open Space Wardens Ron Bevan 01794 388545

Richard Dyke 01794 388525

Roy Pigeon 01794 388501

5

Parish Councillor vacancy A vacancy has arisen on the Parish Council which will be filled by co-option.

Interested persons living in the area and aged 18 or over are invited to submit a

resume of not more than 100 words, outlining what they might contribute to

the community, to the Parish Clerk not later than Friday 10th February 2012. Nominations will be considered at the March Parish Council meeting.

We would like to thank everyone who

so willingly gave of their time to help

decorate the church for Christmas.

Thanks to everyone, 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.

On Sunday 8th January, we held an

Epiphany Service at our 10.00am

service which was led by the Worship

Group who were then ‗Commissioned‘

by our Vicar, the Rev Robert

Stapleton, with assistance from our

Reader, Sue Holligan. We would like

to thank all those who came along and supported us. There are eight

members in the Worship Team, and

we are now getting more confident in

leading some of the services. Again

we value your support in all our work.

Friday 2nd March is Women‘s World

Day of Prayer and this ‗Christians

Together in Somborne‘ service will be

held in the Parish Church this year at

2.30pm. All are welcome to join us

and an invitation goes out to the ladies

of the Stockbridge Benefice to come

and join us as well.

Details of the Lent Courses are on

page 31 of this edition of The

Gauntlet. All are welcome.

Don‘t forget our Annual General

Meeting on Monday 30th April in the

Parish Church, starting at 7.30pm.

More details of this will appear in the

March edition of the magazine. If you

are not on the Church electoral roll and

wish to be, please contact Linda

Aucock on 388542.

We are also in desperate need of some

help with the cleaning of the Church,

so if you could possibly give a couple of hours of your time, perhaps once a

month on a Friday or Saturday, it

would be very much appreciated.

Please contact Christine Mitchell on

388150 if you would like more

information.

David Bevan and Sandie Pepperell

Churchwardens

News from the Churchwardens

6

Work is now well underway on the

latest phase of re-developing the Hall.

The first stage is building the two new

storage rooms. Once these are

watertight and secure we can move

everything out of the old store room,

remove its dividing wall and insert the

new French windows into what will then become the Terrace room. The

walls of the two storage rooms are now

up to full height and next week the

roofs should be going on, so

everything is on schedule.

We have been giving thought to how

the Terrace room might be used. It is

evident that it could be suitable for

many different types of activity, so it

should be welcoming and hospitable

and the décor and furnishings will be

softer than in the committee room.

One key aspect is the lighting; we are

meeting the electrician to discuss the

various options that are available.

We have also been giving some

consideration to the next phase which

will be upgrading the main hall.

Again, we need to replace the harsh

fluorescent tubes with more modern

lights which will operate in a flexible

manner to cover diverse activities

ranging from exhibitions to dances.

When we will be able to start work on

this phase depends on how much

Village Hall news

Broadband bash it out!

The new noticeboard

7

money we can raise and, as yet, we are

not able to be precise about the

estimated cost of the work.

From the fund raising point of

view, the Somborne Sessions and

Broadband Concert have given a

very welcome boost to the Hall‘s

funds, the events are proving to be

very popular and the latest concert

was a sell-out. Our thanks must go

to Doug Stammers and his team for organising these very successful

evenings. At the Broadband event,

I was delighted to be able to

present Ethna Long with some

flowers and her medal because she

had raised a large amount of

sponsorship money from her heroic

marathon run in Dublin.

The next big fund raising event

will be the Clay Pigeon Shoot on

11th May. We hope to make the

Hall available for any celebrations

for the Queen‘s Diamond Jubilee in

June. If your organisation would

like to use the Hall for an event over the Jubilee holiday weekend,

please contact Mary Bradley.

The next meeting of the VHMC will

be on 23rd February

Terry Mackintosh

Ethna receives her flowers and medal

All change at Stockbridge Police Station At the January Parish Council meeting, PCs Simon Beecroft and Sophie

Downie advised on the changes in our local rural policing. Recently retired

PC Williams has not been replaced. His beat has been added to that of PC

Beecroft who already covers a large area that includes Stockbridge, Longstock,

Palestine, Broughton and Houghton. The public should now dial 101, 999 or

0845 45 45 45 for all police related matters. They can also email the Andover

Rural Inbox - andoverrural.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.

Please also note that Stockbridge Police Station will shortly be closing down

and an office will be provided for beat officers within Stockbridge Fire Station.

8

Parish Council meeting January

Public session: PC Beecroft: Recent speed checks along Romsey Road resulted in few offenders being caught and cllrs will further discuss best check positions. PC

Beecroft confirmed an offence is being committed where there is an

obstruction on pavements. There have been four reported crimes in the last

two months. Two were dwelling burglaries, one was shoplifting and the other

was handbag theft from a car parked at Stockbridge Down. Please see page 7

for details of the new changes in our local rural policing.

Mr Dyke raised the matter of parishioners who, being required to vacate their

tied cottage, had applied for the new housing but had been turned down. In

response to Mr Dyke‘s query about parishioners receiving priority, the

Chairman replied that there had been a large number of applications for the

new housing and the couple in the tied cottage may have submitted their

application too late. Borough Cllr Ward acknowledged that the eligibility

rules for housing in general may be unfair to dwellers in tied cottages who do

not have the opportunity to amass points but said that the Localism Bill should

rectify this problem.

Council session: Planning matters: Cllr Harwood was elected Vice-Chairman of the Planning

Committee. Cllr Pearson advised councillors of planning decisions made at

the Planning meeting; in particular: the relocation of the bottle banks, that the

relocated cricket score hut be built on a concrete plinth and that a ‗Jubilee

tree‘ be planted to replace one cut down. The councillors supported TVBC‘s

proposed changes to local information requirements for validating planning

applications and will request the proposals to be published on TVBC website.

Highways: Cllr Fahy will contact Hampshire Highways regarding plastic

bollards along Winchester Road and continue efforts to improve highways and

road safety for which he was thanked.

Stream: The Clerk will contact the Environment Agency regarding the

collapse of the stream bank near Martin‘s Shop.

Table tennis: The meeting expressed support for Cllr Fahy‘s proposal for the

establishment of a table tennis club in the Village Hall which it is hoped will

include all age groups.

Youth Working Group: Cllr Fahy reported on the working group‘s survey

into youth recreational facilities. A survey arising out of this Workshop group

will go onto the website.

Community noticeboard: Cllr Fahy was thanked for organising this facility

which is now outside Cross Stores.

9

Financial report and budget monitoring: Please refer to full Minutes.

Recreation ground: There is debris and damage to trees and grassed areas

arising out of a contractor‘s working on overhead power cables. This will be

followed up by the Clerk.

Methodist Church: The Parish Council will continue to make contributions

towards the use of the hall for Parish Council meetings.

Jubilee strategy progress: The Chairman outlined progress to date arising

from the Community Workshop and confirmed the leaders of each

workstream. Volunteers will be sought from the Parish to help with the

workstreams.

VHMC: Cllr Fahy will represent the Parish Council on the Village Hall

Management Committee.

Parish Plan update: The majority of objectives arising out of the update have

been met. There are a few outstanding issues of which nearly all are ongoing.

Discussion was held regarding the need for a litter warden and it was agreed

that impromptu volunteer action would provide the answer for the time being.

Ongoing issues such as the ‗Adopt a Footpath‘ scheme will be reviewed at a

later date.

Self-help transport: The Clerk will circulate information to relevant parties

on this arrangement: to the village representative, new lead councillor on

transport and other interested parties. Information can be found on HCC

website.

Royal Jubilee: The Tree Warden will be approached regarding possible

locations for tree planting to mark the Royal Jubilee.

Forthcoming Council meetings:

Councillors’ Surgery: Monday, 23 January 2012 at 6.15 pm, Epworth Hall

Planning Committee: Monday, 23 January 2012 at 7.00pm, Epworth Hall

Parish Council: Monday, 6 February 2012 at 7.00 pm, Epworth Hall

Dawn Harrison, Village Correspondent

Full Minutes are at the Post Office, Martin’s Stores &

www.thesombornes.org.uk

Subscribe to King’s Somborne Parish Council Newsletter!

Send your email address to the Parish Clerk at

clerk.kingssomborne@parish.hants.gov.uk

Parish Council meeting January

10

This year‘s panto will have a cast of 24

from the parish involving 20 local

families. Because so many people

wanted to be in the panto, Fixit the

Jester has become ‗Fix‘ and ‗it‘. And

we now have two Bad Fairies,

‗Carbolic‘ assisted by ‗Creosote‘.

Most already know their lines. Now it

is just the songs to learn!

Here are a couple of photos of the Bad

Fairies and Jesters

The panto is coming!

Over 50? Want to go to the Village Panto?

Your Village Agents will give you a lift!

Phone Lin on 389373

11

12

King’s Somborne Working Men’s Club

The Club is 100 years old on 12th March 2012

We would like to invite everyone to join us for our celebration weekend.

We are holding a quiz night on Friday 9th March (open to everyone),. On

Saturday 10th we are hosting another gig by local group ―Black Pig‖ (16 and

over only). On the afternoon of Sunday 12th we are having afternoon tea and ―a

trip down memory lane‖ (open to everyone) with Bingo in the evening.

For the ―trip down memory lane‖, the Committee would like to ask the people

of the village if they have any old photographs, film/video/dvd or memorabilia

of the club that we could borrow. This includes its founders, dart teams,

football teams, cricket teams etc and any events that took place in and around

the club within the last 100 years, such as the carnival, flower show, tug of war,

end of eras and new beginnings.

If you can help with any of the above please contact either:-

Janette Batchelor or Trina Masham

Mobile: 07582 552666 Mobile: 07852 257596

Email: kswmcsecretary1@yahoo.co.uk Email: kswmcsecretary@yahoo.co.uk

Your support would be very much appreciated.

Janette Batchelor and Trina Masham

Joint Secretaries

Lost Property

A number of items have been left at the Epworth Hall. If you think

they may be yours, could you either call in at the hall on Tuesday, 7th February between 10.30am and 11.30am or ring Marion on

388121. Any items not collected will be given to charity at the end

of the month.

13

PARISH PLAY/SPORTS EQUIPMENT

11 to 17 year olds HAVE YOUR SAY!

The Parish Council has set up a working group to make recommendations for improving play/sports facilities for the youth

of the parish.

This group has drawn up a list of facilities/equipment considered to be practicable in terms of cost, available space, planning permission

and environmental impact.

Our local IT expert, Tim Long, has set up links that give everyone in the age range 11 to 17 a chance to express their individual top three

preferences anonymously.

Go to the parish website www.thesombornes.org.uk and click the

link on the opening page to ‗Kings Somborne Youth Survey‘.

You must realise that, in today’s economic climate, it will not be

possible to fund all, or even many, of the listed facilities/

equipment.

Frank Fahy

Interested in Courses and Activities for Adults and Young People?

Free Activity Taster & Information Session

at Test Valley School

Tuesday 7th February from 5.30pm-7.30pm

Come along and try a range of sports, crafts and much more for all ages

Contact 01794 523037 if you have any queries

14

And now for something completely

different……..!

The short play that the Friends are

staging on 2nd March (see opposite) is

very di fferent to our normal

performances. John Donne is only known to many as the author of some

slightly ‗doubtful‘ mediaeval poems

about love that one had to learn at

school but in fact he had a fascinating

life. He spent his inheritance on

women; he studied law at Lincoln‘s

Inn; he joined the diplomatic service;

after a secret marriage, his father-in-

law had him imprisoned; his career

ended and he became an MP but lived

in penury for years. Then he took holy

orders. A charismatic preacher he

became a Royal Chaplain and ended

his life as Dean of St Paul‘s, where he

was buried. He remains today one of

England‘s great literary figures.

John Donne is played by James

Clarkson who has had great success staging this in a wide variety of venues

across England and, before Christmas,

in Prague.

“Here lies a king, that ruled as he

thought fit

The universal monarchy of wit;

Here lies two flamens, and both of

these the best;

Apollo’s first, at last the true God’s

priest”

(Thomas Carew)

The monarch of wit

Neighbourcare You may be interested to know some

of the figures behind this enterprise.

Last year, we undertook an amazing

285 journeys to appointments at

hospitals, surgeries, dentists and

opticians for people in the village who were unable to reach their

appointments by other means. I

cannot imagine how many hours of

service this involved! That averages

out at nearly 24 journeys a month,

nearly one every working day. Of

course, some days we have to find

several drivers for di fferent

appointments.

We now have about 30 drivers and

always do our best to respond to

every request.

If you are

in need of

t ransport

t o a

medical appointment, please phone

Jenny Crouch on 388882 or myself.

We will respond to answer-phone

requests, but it is always best to check that they have been received in case

one of us is away.

If you would like to volunteer to help

us in this very useful service, or

would like further information about

what is involved, we would be

delighted to hear from you.

Sue Jackson

388884

15

16

What’s on Your guide to events in and around the district

Snowdrop walks Don't miss the opportunity to see the

National Collection of Snowdrops in

its last year of opening at Brandy

Mount House, East Street, Alresford.

The gardens are open on 8, 11, 12 and

19 February from 11am to 4.00pm.

Snowdrops can also be see this month

at the following gardens: Bramdean

House, Alresford on 20 February

from 2.00-4.00pm (01962 771214);

Little Court, Crawley on 20-22

February from 2.00-5.00pm (01962 776365); Avon Cottage, Salisbury on

20 February from 11.00am-3.00pm

(01722 782295); and the Down

House, Itchen Abbas on 8 February,

12.00 to 4.00pm.

Half-term activities Children can climb Portsmouth's

Spinnaker Tower for £1 this half-term in a special 'Kids for a Quid'

promotion. Enjoy spectacular views

from the 170m tall tower with

breathtaking 360o vistas of the South

Coast, Solent and Isle of Wight. The

new 'High Spy Interactive Ship Finder'

lets you find out even more about the

bustling harbour. 02392 857520,

www.spinnakertower.co.uk

Learn about the mini beasts of

Mottisfont Gardens in family-based

activities on 11-19 February. Free

with usual admission charges.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

On 15 February, visit Lepe Country

Park to build a bird box or rustic

feeder for the garden. Booking not

required, open from 10am to 3pm.

At Testwood Lakes, adults and

children alike can experience the

pleasures of working with willow, a locally grown, versatile, sustainable

material. Make and take home your

own living animal, plant or garden

structure. 15 February from 1.00-

4.00pm. 02380 667929.

Winchester Discovery Centre 'Matisse: Drawing with Scissors' is a

Hayward Touring Exhibition from the Southbank Centre, London. The

French painter, sculptor and designer,

Henri Matisse, was one of the 20th

century's most influential artists whose

vibrant works are celebrated for their

extraordinary richness and luminosity

of colour. This exhibition, running

until 18 March, features 35

lithographic prints of the famous cut-

outs produced in the last four years of

Matisse's life, and includes many of his

iconic images such as 'The Snail' and

the 'Blue Nudes'. Free entry. Call 0845

6035631 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/

wdc for more information.

Farley Mount

The BTCV is running a Practical

Habitat Management day on 7

February. Join the team in clearing

back vegetation and small tress to

maintain this rich chalk downland

habitat, home to rare and delightfully

named butterflies such as the Grizzled

Skipper and the Dingy Skipper.

Bethan Bennett-Lloyd

17

Theatres

Theatre Royal, Winchester (01962 840440 or www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk) 7 February ‗Thirsty‘ 38 February Simon Callow 15-18 February ‗Summer Holiday‘ 22-23 February ‗Over the Rainbow‘ 29 February – 1 March ‗Private Peaceful‘ _____________________________

Salisbury Playhouse (01722 320333 or www.salisburyplayhouse.com) 17 February ‗Great Gran's Great Games‘ 19 February ‗An Evening with Kit and James‘ ____________________________ Nuffield, Southampton (02380 671771 or www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk) 2-18 February ‗Romeo and Juliet‘ 21-25 February ‗Orpheus in the Underworld‘ 29 February - 3 March ‗Annie‘ 13-15 March ‗Mogadishu‘ 16-18 March ‗The Phoenix and the Carpet‘ ____________________________ The Mayflower, Southampton (02380 711811 04 or www.the-mayflower.com) 21 February – 3 March ‗Sister Act‘

11 March ‗The Magic of Motown‘ 12-17 March ‗Derren Brown - Svengali‘ 27-31 March ‗La Traviata‘, ‗Beatrice and Benedict‘ and ‗The Marriage of Figaro‘, Welsh

National Opera 3-28 April ‗Dirty Dancing‘, first national tour _____________________________

The Screen, Winchester (0871 9069060 or www.everymancinema.com) NT Live 9 February ‗Travelling Light‘, Antony Sher 1 March ‗A Comedy of Errors‘, Lenny Henry Met Opera Live 11 February ‗Gotterdammerung‘ 25 February ‗Ernani‘ _____________________________ Chesil Theatre, Winchester (01962 840440 or

www.chesiltheatre.org.uk) 4-11 February ‗Breaking the Silence‘

18-19 February 10x10 Play Festival 24, 26-27 February Reading and audition for ‗The Rivals‘

by Richard Sheridan _____________________________

Plaza Theatre, Romsey (01794 512987 or www.plazatheatre.com) 21-25 February ‗Frozen‘

18

Village Diary for February

Footpath walk 5.5 miles (8.5 Km) 2.25 hours We leave the village along Winchester Road and up Red Hill

before turning onto the path past Ashley New buildings. At the

cross roads, we take the path across the field past Ashley Manor

Farm and then over the hill to Chalk Vale before returning to the

village past the beef unit and back along Winchester Road.

2nd Needle workers 2.00pm

4th Pre-School

Cake Sale

10.00am

6th Parish Council 7.00pm

Bell ringing 7.30pm

7th Drop in Club 10.30am

Tiny Tots 2.00pm

Somborne Singers 7.45pm

8th Baby & Toddler 9.30am

Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm

WI 7.30pm

9th Needle workers 2.00pm

KSHC 7.30pm

13th Bell ringing 7.30pm

14th Tiny Tots 2.00pm

Somborne Singers 7.45pm

15th Baby & Toddler 9.30am

Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm

16th Needle workers 2.00pm

17th Sleeping Beauty 7.30pm

18th Sleeping Beauty 2.00pm

Sleeping Beauty 7.30pm

20th Bell ringing 7.30pm

21st Drop in Club 10.30am

Tiny Tots 2.00pm

Somborne Singers 7.45pm

22nd Baby & Toddler 9.30am

Dial-a-Ride 2.00pm

23rd Needle workers 2.00pm

VHMC 7.30pm

25th Somborne Sessions 7.30pm

27th Bell ringing 7.30pm

28th Scams Avoidance 10.30am

Tiny Tots 2.00pm

Somborne Singers 7.45pm

29th Baby & Toddler 9.30am

Lent Lecture

Lunch

12.45pm

19

To 3 February See Winchester Cathedral's Great

Nave without chairs and hangings, as it

would have looked in earlier times.

01962 857275. 4 February The High Sheriff of Hampshire and the

Chairman of Hampshire County

Council's Concert. This celebration of

the best of youth music starts at

7.30pm. 01962 857275. 4 February Alresford Art and Craft Show; free

entry, Community Centre. 4 February Choir of the Year 2012; something for

all ages and tastes in the first round of

the UK's biggest choral competition.

The Anvil, Basingstoke. 01256 844244 5 February CLIC Sargent 60ft abseil down

Southampton General Hospital. Raise

money for the UK's leading children's cancer charity in teams or as an

individual. 02380 514043. 5 February Romsey Farmers‘ Market 5 February Retro, antique and collectibles market,

Winchester Broadway. 8 February ‗To Bee or Not to Bee?‘ Local Oliver‘s

Battery beekeeper gives an illustrated

talk on the fascinating life of a honey

bee. Badger Farm Community Centre,

7.30pm. 01962 861182. 8 February ‗Living in the sun‘s atmosphere‘; Dr

Lucie Green from the Mullard Space

Science Laboratory starts the 2012 INTECH monthly lecture series,

6.30pm. 01962 863791.

9 February Guided winter wildfowl walk around

Blashford Lakes, 2.00-4.00pm.

Booking essential, 01425 472760. 12 and 26 February Winchester Farmers‘ Market 13 February ‗The History of the Hampshire Police‘;

Hampshire Record Office, 7.30pm.

01962 846154. 16 February Led walk to see snowdrops and other

wildlife along the source of the River

Test; Ashe Church off B3400. Starts

10.30am, 01256 326364. 17-18 February Alton Winter Beer Festival in aid of

local charities, featuring 40 different

ales, plus music, food and wine.

Booking essential, 01420 89418. 20 February ‗Pura Vida - The Birds of Costa Rica‘;

illustrated talk by Steve Oakes. 7.30pm at Crossfield Hall, Romsey. 01794

514825. 21 February ‗Family History for Beginners‘; all you

need to know about researching your

family tree. Hampshire Record Office.

Advance booking required. 01962

867490. 25 February British Heart Foundation South Downs

Way Challenge. Hike or run the

circular route with three distances to

choose from. www.bhf.org.uk/events. 26 February Winchester 10k Road Race, now in its

30th year, starts from River Park

Leisure Centre at 10.30am. 0791 299 349.

District diary for February

20

The Somborne

and District Society By tradition, the Society does not have

a speaker in December, instead we

socialize. A large number of members

attended our Christmas Dinner held at

the Abbot‘s Mitre in Chilbolton. The

New Year also started with a Social

Event when 29 members ate a

delicious lunch at Keat‘s Restaurant.

On 25th January, we recommence our

series of talks when Ruth Facer will

tell us about ―Mary Bacon‘s World; A

Farmer‘s wife in eighteenth century

Hampshire‖.

On Wednesday, 22nd February, John

Owen Smith will speak on ―Flora

Thompson, Beyond Candleford

Green‖. This subject may be of

special interest to members of the

reading group.

Visitors are always welcome to attend

our meetings in the Village Hall at

8.00pm.

Want to take on an allotment or

want to pull out?

It‘s not too early to be thinking about

the 2012 allotment season.

A numbered map of plots and a list

of plot holders are posted on the

notice board outside the Cross

Stores/PO. The plot holder list or plot plan may not be completely

accurate. If this is so, please inform

Frank Fahy on 388314.

If you haven‘t got the time or the

inclination to cultivate your plot in

2012, please contact Ray Blackmore

on 388888. Give him your name and

plot number, so that he can allocate it

to someone on the waiting list, which

is only fair.

If you would like to take on a plot,

please call Ray or me.

If you want to be placed on the

allotment club list please contact me

at frank.fahy@gmail.com

Frank Fahy

21

It is a shocking crime statistic that 48%

of the population are targeted by scam

phone calls, letters and e-mails, and

£3.5 billion are conned out of victims

in the UK every year.

These criminals focus on vulnerable people and are very clever at

persuading you that the big money is

just around the corner if only you send

them a small amount now. Once you

reply, your name and contact details

are circulated around the world for

others to make similar offers. Victims

can be drawn into losing huge amounts

of money.

At the end of this month, we are

holding a second talk in the Epworth

Hall to alert you and your relatives to

this dreadful and insidious crime. Julie

Gallagher from the Office of Fair

Trading will let you into the scammers‘ secrets and ploys to steal

your money. It is so easy for them to

convince you that

they are your friend

and have your best

interests at heart. So

do come along,

especially if you

have an elderly

relative or neighbour who may be at risk. Let us all protect ourselves from

these criminals who insinuate

themselves into our confidence.

Remember also that we are here to

help with any other queries you may

have about services or benefits for the

over 50s. We will do fire safety

checks or help with TV digital

switchover. Pick up the phone and

ask, you have nothing to lose, and may

have much to gain!!

Sue Jackson 388 884

Lin Curtis 389 373

Don’t be a victim of scammers

Hampshire Trading Standards

Trading Scams

Epworth Hall

Tuesday 28th February

10.30am All over 50s Welcome

Followed by coffee and cake

Book Your Place on 388884

22

Tickets for Phil Beer

sold out for his gig in

the Village Hall and

rightly so! Those who

were fortunate enough

to get tickets were not

disappointed. The

audience were entertained all evening

with humorous

anecdotes and superb

music and songs from a

range of genres. Phil

showed his ability as an

accomplished

musician: singing,

playing violin and

guitar and clearly

impressing the

audience. Phil was

joined by Miranda

Sykes, an exceptional

double bass player with

an exquisite singing

voice. Miranda often plays with Phil and

Steve Knightly who

form the band Show of

Hands.

Huge thanks must go to

the Somborne Sessions

team who are organising all the artists

in this series of concerts. Phil Beer

spoke passionately about ―reviving‖

village halls and using them for events

such as this. On speaking to himself

and Miranda they both said what a

great evening they had had. It was

really great to see artists who play in

locations such as the Albert Hall so

comfortable in King‘s Somborne

Village Hall!

Let‘s keep on supporting the

Somborne Sessions and all the hard

work the team put in.

Catherine Cartwright

Phil Beer and the Somborne Sessions

– a sell out!

Phil and Miranda in full swing in King’s Somborne!

23

Get set for a New York band that‘s

heading for the top and playing soon in

the Village Hall!

The Wiyos, hailing from Brooklyn, are

the latest act to appear under the

Somborne Sessions banner. They‘re appearing at the Village Hall on

Saturday 25th February 2012 (doors

open 7.30pm for 8.00pm start). A

slick, rhythmic five-piece, darting

between a range of styles that include

ragtime, vaudeville, blues and jazz,

their latest album, ‗Twist‘, has been

widely acclaimed. Robin Denselow

says in The Guardian: ‗This is old-

time music played with contagious

enthusiasm and given a contemporary

twist‘. They‘ve just been personally

invited by Bob Dylan to join him on

tour, so they‘re heading for the stars. But you can catch them in your

favourite local music venue.

New York in the Village Hall: the Wiyos

come to town!

Make sure you don‘t miss out and can

tell everyone that you were there when

The Wiyos came to the Sombornes!

Tickets are £10 each if bought in

advance either via Pay Pal on the web

site (www.sombornesessoins.co.uk) or

from Doug Stammers on 389192 (£12

on the door). And watch out in the next edition of The Gauntlet for details

of legendary singer/songwriter/

raconteur, Richard Digance, playing on

Thursday 29th March 2012. Also

booked are Delta Moon for Friday

22nd June.

24

King’s Somborne Working Men’s Club

Entertainment for ―100th Anniversary Weekend‖:

Friday 9th March Quiz Night Open to everyone

Teams of 4

Entry fee £1.00 per person

Saturday 10th March Black Pig Open to everyone 16 and over

Non-members £4.00 entry

Tickets to go on sale shortly

Sunday 11th March ―A Trip Down Memory Lane‖ With afternoon tea

From 2.30 onwards

Open to everyone

Sunday 11th March Bingo Open to everyone

Country Tree Care Ltd Professional Arboriculture

A friendly and enthusiastic approach to your trees, shrubs and hedges

All aspects of Tree Surgery

Planting plans

Planting of trees, shrubs and hedges

Transplanting trees of all sizes, even

mature

Fire wood

Advice

Contact us about future projects on

Office: 01962 776373

Mobile: 07557 530790

Email: countrytreecare@gmail.com

Web: countrytreecare.co.uk

25

The second half of last term proved to

be a busy time for all those involved

with the pre-school. Our fundraising

committee had pulled out all the stops

to ensure the inaugural Christmas

Wine Tasting event went without a

hitch, making over £400 in the

process. There was also a cake sale and a stall at the Church Christmas

Fair that both helped to make a

satisfying dent in our fundraising

target.

The new term sees a fresh intake of

children which happily sees our

numbers grow to 15 – I‘m sure you‘ll

agree, a fantastic place to be after just

one term ‗in action‘.

We‘re currently registering children

for ‗pre-school to school‘ transition

sessions for those starting at the village

school in September 2012. For more information, including session times,

please call Lucy Chadwick on 01794

3 8 9 5 8 7 , v i s i t

www.thesombornespreschool.org or

log onto The Sombornes website.

The committee are also looking for a

pool of volunteers who would be

willing to help cover occasional staff

absences, if and when needed. You

will need to be CRB checked, which

we can arrange. If you‘re interested in

signing up, please give Lucy a call.

Some dates for your diaries – there

will be a Cake Sale in the car park of The Crown Inn on Saturday 4th

February 10.00am – Midday (donations of cakes welcome from

9.45am), and we are also planning an

open-to-all Jubilee event on Saturday

2nd June. More information to

follow.

Finally, we‘d like to extend a big thank

you to The Crown Inn and all their

patrons who have so generously

donated quiz and raffle winnings to us

over the last couple of months. It is

much appreciated by all on the

committee.

Samantha Boot

Vice-Chair, The Sombornes Pre-

School Committee

Pre-school update

Samba and African

Drumming Take up a fun new hobby for

the New Year.

We meet fortnightly

at Broughton Primary School

7.30- 8.30pm.

£5 / £2.50 Adults/teenagers.

No experience necessary.

For more information contact

Lynda Middleton 01794 388002.

26

Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society

present

Three One Act Plays by Anton Chekov

The Bear, The Proposal and The Anniversary

22nd, 23rd and 24th March at 7.30 pm

Stockbridge Town Hall

Tickets £7.50 (Tickets will be available from Robinson's Butchers in Stockbridge and

Cross Stores in King's Somborne in early March.)

King’s Somborne School Association

There is still time to join the School Association 100 club lottery. A chance to win one of three cash prizes is available every month for an annual membership of just £6 for the rest of this school year. All proceeds go to

support our local school.

Please contact Michelle for further details on 389152

A date for your diary:

Saturday 7th July - School Summer Fête

Ongoing Fund Raising .....

Wessex Petroleum, domestic oil distributors, will donate 0.5 pence to the school for every litre of fuel bought - just quote reference D29 each time.

Telephone 0800 9806175

The School Association consists of volunteers from the local area who organise fundraising events to provide additional equipment and cultural opportunities for our village school.

For further details please contact Louise on 01794 389668

27

Somborne Singers Easter Project –

‘Sing it with Passion’

King’s Somborne Open Golf Competition It has been suggested that a golf competition be held locally in May 2012. This event will be open to any King‘s Somborne resident past or present or anyone

who has a family connection to the village.

The proposed format of the day will be as follows:

Tea/coffee and bacon sandwiches

18 holes of golf (Stapleford rules will apply)

2 or 3 course meal with a prize presentation

Course and fees to be confirmed once numbers are known.

If any person is interested in playing please contact either:

Tony Masham on 07949 293813 Email: a.masham338@btineternet.com or

Dennis Bailey on 01794 388860 or enter your name and contact details on the

list in the Working Men‘s Club.

Britain is about to be hit by a singing

revolution…and you can be part of it.

Somborne Singers are beginning to

rehearse a new song for Easter and

invite anyone who enjoys singing to

come and see what fun it is to sing in a

small choir together.

The song is part of the BBC ‗People‘s

Passion‘, a brand new choral work

which will be performed by choirs

across the country at Easter 2012.

This nationwide premier will unite

singers in a moment of national

harmony as they perform the stunning

new work by Sasha Johnson Manning

with lyrics by poet Michael Symmons

Roberts. It‘s a beautiful work and is

not difficult to learn.

Somborne Singers are a friendly bunch

of people, who rehearse on Tuesday

evenings from 7.45pm to 9.00pm in

King‘s Somborne Parish Church. We

need men and women singers. You

don‘t have to have ever sung in a choir

before and you don‘t have to read

music to sing with us (though you might find yourself gradually learning

to do so as we sing). You are welcome

to sing this work with us without

committing to anything further. Why

not book it in your diary for next

Tuesday?

Howard Rowe

01794 388400

28

It all seems rather a long time ago

now, but the various Christmas

services held in the village were all

very well attended with collections

taken benefitting various charities.

The Family Service held in the Parish Church on 11 December was led by

Sue Holligan. This service was

enlivened by the performance of ‗The

Christmas Rebel‘ with the younger

members of the village telling the very

familiar Christmas story in a novel

fashion. Those performing took on the

characters of members of a class

performing the Nativity story in spite

of one very truculent member of the

class unwilling to adopt any of the

roles given to him! The children

performed beautifully, speaking their

lines clearly and with obvious

enjoyment. The production was

interspersed with carols involving the

whole congregation which added much to the play. It was a lovely start to the

festive season and a welcome respite

from the frenetic run up to Christmas.

The village Carol Singing held on 21

December was attended by over 50

adults and children and finished up at

The Crown where carols were sung for

over half an hour. Many thanks to all

who attended and to The Crown who

made the group so welcome. As a

result of this evening £271.09 was

given to Save the Children fund.

The candlelit Carol Service was very

well attended with lessons being read

by representatives of various village

organisations including the school

reading by Robyn Grace. Following

this a donation of £233.98 was given

to the Christmas Appeal by Christian

Aid.

As usual the church was filled to

overflowing for the Christingle Service

on Christmas Eve with the collection

resulting in £260.72 being sent to the

Children‘s Society.

Many thanks to all who supported these events and gave so generously to

the various charities.

Jo Finch

Christmas 2011 ~ a look backwards

Up Somborne carols What a difference a year makes - 20th December 2011 was a mild mizzely evening compared to deep snow or ice the previous two years when the Up

Somborne Carollers sung their way through the village. A magnificent

£174.35 was raised which was then donated equally between the Andover

Crisis Centre and the King‘s Somborne Village Hall Fund.

Liz Jones

29

Women’s Institute Our President, Thelma Blamey, was in

the chair and welcomed us to our first

meeting of 2012 on 11th January. The

year started auspiciously with the

announcement that two new members

had joined and they were duly

welcomed. It was reported that the

Christmas Party had been much enjoyed and members were reminded

that the New Year Lunch would be

held at the Crown Inn on Wednesday,

18th January. Walks were

recommencing, meeting at 9.15am

outside the Church. The next monthly

meeting of the Book Club would take

place at 7.15pm on 30th January.

Mrs. Blamey then introduced a

familiar speaker, Dr. A. Hobley, whose

subject on this occasion was ―Sutton

Hoo - Burial Place of Saxon Kings‖.

Dr. Hobley promised us a story of

―mystery, treasure and exploration‖.

The story started in a remote and seemingly unpromising area near the

East Anglian coast. The area formed

part of the estate of Mrs. Edith Mary

Pretty, whose interest in spiritualism

led her to speculate on what might lie

under the various mounds on her

property. She decided to have the site

excavated. Work started in 1938 under

the supervision of amateur

archaeologist, Basil Brown. Several

mounds had been robbed, but evidence

nevertheless remained of unusual

cremations and burials and also the

existence of ship rivets. It was

therefore decided to excavate the

largest of the mounds. It soon became

apparent that this was no ordinary site. Basil Brown therefore contacted the

British Museum and

the dig was taken

over by professional archaeologists.

The mound had been plundered but the

robbers had given up before they

reached its remarkable treasure of

gold, silver, gems and artefacts,

evidence that this had been the grave of a very important person. The items

found were adjudged not to be treasure

trove and were therefore the property

of Mrs. Pretty, who donated them to

the State. Work ended in August 1939

and the site was temporarily filled in,

becoming a tank range for the duration

of the War.

After the War, further excavations led

to the conclusion that this was the

burial site of the Kings of the East

Saxons. Many of the items found were

of very high status and intricate

workmanship and hailed from as far

afield as Constantinople and Egypt. The most likely candidate for the

occupant of the coffin was Raedwald,

who claimed dominion over all of

England. From the objects buried with

him, he would seem to have been a

great warrior, hero and carouser. All

this information was imparted most

amusingly with Dr. Hobley's

customary gusto and Mrs. Blamey

thanked him for a most enjoyable

evening.

The next meeting will be on

Wednesday, 8th February, at 7.30pm

in the Epworth Hall, when Mr. Geoff

Herbert will talk to us about ―A

Voyage to Antarctica‖. All are welcome.

Beryl Fahy

30

Sir John Hervey-Bathurst Bt

April 1934– December 2011 Sir John Hervey-Bathurst combined

the best qualities of the traditional

English gentleman with a razor-sharp

intellect and understanding of the

changing demands of the modern

world. His robust approach to life

(especially when dealing with any

kind of bureaucracy) was matched

by his profound sense of history and

detailed knowledge of parish and family matters stretching back to

medieval times. His lively ‗History

of Little Somborne‘ was informed by

his lifelong ties to the area— he spent

most of his childhood at Hermit

Lodge, Stockbridge, and visiting his

grandfather at Somborne Park.

During his twenty-year chairmanship

of Little Somborne Parish Council,

John played a vital role in saving the

Stockbridge Pharmacy from closure.

After the disastrous floods of 2000,

he and his Up Somborne neighbour,

Harold Quitman, safeguarded Little

Somborne from the worst effects of

future flooding by ensuring that local council officials undertook to

maintain vital drainage ditches and

swales.

John arranged the safe transfer of the

Anglo-Saxon church of All Saints‘

Little Somborne to the Churches

Conservation Trust and warmly

encouraged its restoration, including,

with the Monk family, fundraising

for the new harmonium, and inviting

‗Far From the Madding Crowd‘ to

perform at services. Until his

retirement, John had a busy and

distinguished City career, so he

especially welcomed and enjoyed

the tea parties after the Harvest and

Rogation services and the Sunshine

Club Christmas parties—a wonderful

opportunity to meet local friends and

neighbours.

When John inherited his family home

in 1962, it had fallen into a state of

decay. Its painstaking restoration was

to become a lifelong project and abiding love for both John and

Caroline. They undertook this

gar gantuan t ask l argely b y

themselves, with John, helped by

Fred Oram, doing all the fencing and

coppicing at weekends.

Shortly after his retirement, John

developed cancer. He bore his

malady with wonderful stoicism for

18 years, supported unfailingly by

Caroline and his children and

gr a n d c hi l d r en . D e spi t e th e

31

discomfort which he overcame daily,

his happy marriage enabled him to

find joy in every aspect of life: he

retained his delight in natural beauty, his pleasure in seeing friends and his

enthusiasm for extending his already

formidable knowledge of almost all

subjects. He will be remembered for

his courage, his absolute integrity,

his sense of honour and his care for

others.

Sir John Hervey-Bathurst, 7th

baronet, was born on April 23rd,

1934 and died on December 5th,

2011, aged 77.

CHRISTIANITY TODAY – Lent Lectures

‗Christians Together in Somborne and District‘ will be holding talks to discuss Christianity today.

Venue: Village Hall Committee Room

Times: 12:45pm—2:15pm

The Dates are Wednesdays:- 29th February 7th March 14th March 21st March 28th March. Topics will be:-

1. WHY CHURCH? 2. WHY READ THE BIBLE? 3. WHY PRAY? 4. DOES GOD HEAL TODAY? 5. GOD AT GROUND LEVEL

Questions and Answers after each talk.

LUNCH PROVIDED

For more information contact Nigel Coleman 388449

32

S.N.A.S. SNAS is a group for School Years 4 to 7 that meets from 6.00pm to 7.15pm on

the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

This group is open to all who fall within the age range. There is a registration

form which needs to be completed. The session cost is 50p which helps to

purchase various things for the club.

If you would like to know more why not give me a call on 07742077114 ?

Sam Barnes, Methodist Circuit Youth Worker

Many thanks to everybody who

helped over the Christmas period

to make both the Carol Concert

and Christmas Day service such a

success.

The concert was led by the Somborne Singers and the carols

were interspersed with readings,

some of which were poetic and

others comical. The evening was great

fun and was rounded off with excellent

mulled wine and mince pies.

The service was packed with more

than sixty people and there was a truly

festive atmosphere. It was lovely that

so many relatives of people from the

hamlet were able to come and join us

and enjoy both the service and Bucks

Fizz! The collection, amounting to

£280, was the most we have ever

raised and this will be divided equally between the Parish Church and the

Churches Conservation Trust.

The coming year will be one of great

change with the formation of the

united benefice but we are hopeful that

we will be able to retain the three

services which are held each year at

Ashley St. Mary. Our first service in

2012 will be on Palm Sunday.

Terry & Nola Mackintosh

(Hon.Secs. Friends of Ashley St. Mary)

Ashley St Mary

33

Winchester Methodist Circuit invites you to its

HALF-TERM HOLIDAY CLUB:

―ON YOUR MARKS……‖

LOADS OF OLYMPIC–THEMED GAMES, CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

FOR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL YEARS 1 -6

THURSDAY 16TH – SUNDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

10.00AM – 12.15PM

WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH, WEEKE, WINCHESTER

(LESS THAN 15 MINS BY CAR FROM KING‘S SOMBORNE! KING‘S SOMBORNE CHILDREN VERY WELCOME)

ONLY £2 PER SESSION (SUNDAY SESSION IS FREE) TO

INCLUDE ALL CRAFT MATERIALS AND REFRESHMENTS

THIS IS ALWAYS A POPULAR EVENT AND PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED, SO BOOK

YOUR CHILD‘S PLACE NOW – PLEASE

CONTACT PAM GRAVENOR, TEL: 01794 388531

34

From the Parish Registers

23 December 2011 Funeral Gordon Geary

28 December 2011 Funeral Ethel Marjorie Deadman

Also:

Private funeral of Sir John Hervey-Bathurst at Little Somborne

Funeral and Thanksgiving for John Chapman (former Parish and Borough

Councillor) at Yeovil on 3 January 2012.

Home Group We meet at 8.00pm usually on the third Thursday of each month. We are a relatively small group of Christians from different traditions

who meet for informal study, discussion and fellowship and we would very

much welcome any newcomers who care to come along and join us.

Contact Nigel Coleman on 01794 388 449 for more information.

Prayer Meeting We hold our prayer meetings on the first Monday of each month at 2.15pm. We meet for about an hour at Margaret Babb‘s house at ‗Ferndale‘,

Winchester 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

Rosemary or the Revd. Rob Stapleton on 01794 388223.

Our meeting is very informal and we should be pleased to welcome new

members.

Dulcie Witts 01794 388 267

Do you know anyone who is new to the

village, is lonely or housebound and who might need some

support? If so, please ring Fi Chilton on 01794 388160 and we

can arrange for one of our visitors to drop in and see them.

35

Church services in February

Parish Church

5th February—Candlemas 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) 10.0 am Parish Communion (CW) * Readers:

Terry Mackintosh: Malachi 3.1-5

Patricia Mallock: Hebrews 2.14-end Linda Aucock: Luke 2.22-40

12th February—The Second Sunday

before Lent 8.00am Holy Communion (1662)

10.00am (Service of the Word)

Led by Alwena and Howard Rowe Readers:

The Horsfield Family

19th February—The Sunday next

before Lent 8.00am Holy Communion (1662)

10.00am Parish Communion (CW) * Readers:

David Evans: 2 Kings 2.1-12 David Pye: 2 Corinthians 4.3-6

Sandie Pepperell: Mark 9.2-9

22nd February—Ash Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion (1662)*

7.30pm Holy Communion (CW)

26th February—The First Sunday of

Lent 8.00am Holy Communion (1662)

10.00am Matins (followed by a short

Holy Communion service) Readers:

Brian Orange: Genesis 9.8-17

Guy Boney: Mark 1.9-15

6.00pm ALiVE

(Speaker: Jonathan Kitching)

Wednesdays

10.00am Holy Communion (1662)*

*Stay for coffee and biscuits after

services marked *

Methodist Church

Sunday 5th February 10.30am Pam Gilbert

Sunday 12th February 10.30am Rev Debbie Borda

Holy Communion

Sunday 19th February 10.30am Mrs Beth Sharratt

Sunday 26th February 10.30am Mr Nick Langham.

St Thomas’ RC Church

Stockbridge 9.00am every Sunday

St Joseph’s RC Church Romsey

St Andrew’s N. Baddesley Tuesdays: 10.00am—St Andrew‘s 6.00pm—St Joseph‘s

Thursdays: 6.00pm—St Joseph‘s

Fridays: 10.00am—St Andrew‘s

Saturdays: 6.00pm—St Joseph‘s

Sundays: 9.15am—St Andrew‘s

11.00am—St Joseph‘s

36

The Vicar has the last word

Printed and published by the Parish of Somborne with Ashley, Church of St Peter and St Paul,

King‘s Somborne, Hampshire

Dear All,

Firstly, thank you very much to everyone who sent us cards and gifts at

Christmas. We are not able to reply to all of them but we are glad of this

opportunity to say thank you for your thoughtfulness.

It was good to see so many people joining us for worship over the Christmas

period. I recently heard somebody describe the period between Christmas and

New Year as ‗Twixmas‘! I think that misses the point that the Christmas season

lasts well into the next year, but it does say something about the days between the

big festivals. February is the month when we see a major turning point in the

Church‘s year. At the beginning of the month the celebration of Candlemas, the

Presentation of Christ in the Temple, marks the end of the Christmas season.

Then we turn our attention to the season of Easter. Easter may be a long way off

(early April) and we have to go through Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday

(22nd February) before we reach it, but at least we are on our way.

I recently acquired an Edwardian conjuring trick. It consists of a rectangular

sheet of leather with various playing cards stuck onto it. Different cards will

appear in the centre depending on how the sheet is folded. It‘s a bit of fun but it

reminds us that how we see the world often depends on how we ‗fold‘ the year.

Some people fold the year according to school terms and holidays, whereas others

fold it according to birthdays and annual family celebrations. Different types of

farmers fold the year according to the seasons of the natural world. For sheep

farmers, the autumn and early spring have traditionally been the important

seasons for buying, selling and lambing. For arable farmers, sowing in the

autumn or spring will determine the time of harvest in the summer or following

autumn.

The Church‘s year is a helpful way of folding the year because it highlights the

major festivals that have traditionally marked the seasons of Easter, Whitsun,

Harvest and Christmas. For most of the year, we have to struggle through the

grey Twixmas days, but these are given light by the festivals that surround them

and give them meaning.

Yours in Christ,

xv

UPHOLSTERY LOOSE COVERS

BLINDS OF ALL TYPES

Home visits for friendly and expert advice, measuring and fitting.

~All work completed promptly and professionally~

Tel: Sue Byram 01794 388521 E-mail: subyram@aol.com

MANOR FARMHOUSE - WINCHESTER RD - KING’S SOM-

xvi

xvii

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xix

A.H. CHEATER FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Simon & Michael Peace, Nigel Mayor & Giles Sadd

PRIVATE CHAPEL OF REST

122, THE HUNDRED, ROMSEY , HANTS

DAY AND NIGHT SERVICE - TEL:01794 513393

PRE-PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

MARTYN DENNIS

Painter & Decorator

Fully Qualified

15 Years Experience

Interior & Exterior

Tel: 01794 501587

Mob: 0794 8066292

E-mail: mdennis77@hotmail.com

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xxi

xxii

WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL POLITE AND

COURTEOUS DRIVER FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION?

Weddings London Sports events Ascot Cheltenham Goodwood Henley Wimbledon Cricket Rugby Entertainment Glyndebourne

Business meetings Travel Airports & Docks

USING YOUR VEHICLE FOR THAT PERFECT DAY

WITH A SMARTLY-SUITED, OR FULL-CHAUFFEUR-LIVERIED, DRIVER WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH

THAT SAVES YOU EFFORT AND MONEY. OFFERED BY A MATURE TRAINED

AND SECURITY-CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUAL.

To discuss your requirements why not give me a call - mike clark

Telephone 01794 388944 or mobile 07789246906

2 dairy cottages ashley king’s somborne stockbridge SO20 6RQ

xxiii

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

xxiv

JOHN E. SHELDON Builder, Carpenter & Joiner Est 1969

Alterations Renovations

Purpose made joinery,

Kitchens, Wardrobes, Cupboards fitted. General Property Maintenance

HERON COTTAGE, LOWER BROOK KING‘S SOMBORNE, STOCKBRIDGE, SO20 6QR

Telephone/Fax: 01794 389559 Mobile: 07721 322051

Contact Mary Bradley

017984 388386

vhbookings@thesombornes.org.uk

xxv

How Park Farm is the mellow family home of Caroline Halse, She is a member of Wolsey Lodges, a consortium of privately owned homes and Britain’s most prestigious group providing home hospitality. Complete with cats, dogs, guinea fowl, chickens and peafowl, it is set in 7 acres with a lake and woodland - perfect for visitors to relax and enjoy.

Tel: 01794 388716 Website : www.howparkfarm.com

E-mail: chalse@btinternet..com

HOW PARK

FARM

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

Add Sum

Accounting and Book Keeping

Services

IAB Registered

Small Business & Self Employed

VAT - CIS - PAYE - Self Assessment

Management Accounts

Sage set up and training

01962 855561

07710968931

23 The High Street, Wherwell, Nr Andover

Hampshire SP11 7JG Tel: 01264 860400

Christopher, Hazel, Lizzie and the team at William Stewart look forward to welcoming you to our charming salon in Wherwell.

As a premier Kerastase and L’Oreal salon we have built up an exceptional reputation for our professionalism and technical ability, Particularly in all forms of colouring and for our total commitment to

customer care and satisfaction.

Our hours of business are:

Tuesday - Thursdays 9 a.m - 5 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m - 6 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

With the benefit of an advanced Royal Horticultural Society education, I am able to offer a professional, friendly and reliable service, tailored to

your individual needs.

My services include:

A structured lawn improvement programme Border maintenance programme and soil analysis

Hedge cutting, pruning and ground clearance Pest, disease and weed control General garden management

Fully insured

For further details, or a free consultation, please contact:

Richard Townsend - 07920 147 516 References supplied on request