The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019

Thank you to our VILLAGE DIRECTORY in June 2019 deliverers for this issue: Church Warden 810 284 Peter Bramley Father Mark Hogan (RC) 01962 852 804 Andy and Sharon Crabtree Charles Grieve Community Sports Hall TV School 810 555 Becky Griffiths Garden Club 810 794, 810 432 Geoff Merritt Mayflies Youth Club (Liz Howard) 07870 612 127 Boo Milne John & Selina Musters Neighbour Care Scheme for Beth Oliver Stockbridge/Longstock/Houghton 0845 0943 713 Gary Oliver Nigel Rugman Parish Council Clerk 810 752 Thank you also to everyone contributing or Pilates/Yoga 810 549 checking articles & news. Scouts Stockbridge (Mo Collins) 01256 895 534 Please contact the Parish Clerk, on 810752, or Village Hall, Badminton/Bowls 810 459 e-mail [email protected] if W.I. 810 603 you’d like to help with the newsletter in any way, and by Friday 19th July if you’d like to submit EMERGENCY or USEFUL CONTACTS an article or announcement, give us some news, or place an advert. Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 807 060 DUSTBIN COLLECTION Hampshire Fire & Rescue 02380 644 000 Black Fri 7th, Fri 21st June Floodline 08459 881 188 bins Fri 5th, Fri 19th July Southern Electric 08457 331 331 Cole R. by Lane, Longstock Church Photo Brown Sat 1st, Fri 14th, Fri 28th June Southern Water 08452 780 845 bins Fri 12th and Fri 26th July June / July 2019 Chairman’s address Police non-urgent calls 101 or 0845 0454 545 Issue 241 Neighbourcare Andover 336 020, 339 899 Sophie Walters writes: Green bags are collected on Tuesdays of the same week as brown bins. To subscribe please Surgery 810524 The years seem to come around quicker and contact TVBC on 368000. Community Care Team quicker! The Parish Council recently held the Foil is collected at Chilbolton’s West Down car (District Nurses) 01962 893 560 Annual Parish Assembly - details are reported in park & at Andover Garden Centre. Helpline for Carers (Freephone) 08000 323 456 this newsletter. It was nice to see so many villagers Plastic pots are no longer recycled there. Hants County Council information 0845 603 5638 This Newsletter is come to hear what we have been up to these past Test Valley Borough Council 368000 published by Longstock 12 months. There is a collecting box for clean plastic milk Parish Council and delivered bottle tops in the church lychgate, and a Citizens’ Advice Bureau 365534 free to every household in There has been a change to Longstock councillors separate one for batteries. Please don’t put To call anonymously with information Longstock. since I last wrote, as Cllr John Milne did not seek either in plastic bags. Batteries can also be about crime: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 disposed of in supermarkets & should not go in Anyone else may subscribe re-election after 32 years’ service. John’s dustbins. TRANSPORT at £8 a year. contribution to Longstock has been hugely The batteries (small, not car!) will Stagecoach Stockbridge to Winchester appreciated, very many thanks. The other six be taken for safe disposal; and buses number 68 0845 121 0190 councillors remain in post, and we offer a warm clean plastic milk bottle tops with Wheelers Stockbridge to Winchester buses the HDPE symbol will be recycled to welcome to new Cllr John Eastwood who has number 16, & no 15 to Andover 02380 471 800 raise funds for the Gift of Sight’s joined this merry band. research into macular degeneration. Cango buses to Romsey have been replaced with NO OTHER TYPES shared taxis.Register on 01962 846 786 It’s also time to say good bye to John Musters who OF TOPS PLEASE as these are the only Traveline for countrywide travel as clerk and finance officer has kept the ship off the ones accepted now, and PLEASE don’t put info 08712 002 233 rocks and moving ahead for 15 years. We are all batteries in with bottle tops.The consequences Dial-a-Ride (Joyrides Stockbridge) very appreciative of the work John has done and he are DIRE! Minibus to Andover Register on 356 808 has certainly made my job easier. Very many While the White Hart has building work This runs through Longstock on Wednesdays at thanks. We are grateful to Mark Flewitt for 9.30, returning at noon, for £3.75 return. stepping up to take over as clerk. the glass recycling bins have been moved to Register on 356808 or for more information, ring the bus bay at Roman Road. John Musters. 810459 or Dane Oliver Glass and clothing recycling bins are 810839. avalable at Chilbolton Down car park, and at The deadline for newsletter submissions is Friday 19th July Andover Wyevale Garden Centre. if you’d like to submit any news or comment, or offer to help! [email protected] Page 2 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 3 Parish Council Report the local taxation level has been frozen at £141.41 level they would install enforcement cameras. This for an average Band D property. TVBC will run a was disappointing, but we should all spread the word by Mark Flewitt, Parish Clerk Parish Council balanced budget via a combination of savings and and “lean on” local employers to tell their drivers Meeting Dates Annual Parish Assembly (APA). The APA was Monday 10th June at extra income, which will “enable us to grow our and deliverers to ease up. held in the Village Hall on Monday 15th April. 7.30pm potential, continue to invest in Test Valley, and Our streetlights are in need of replacement, and huge Reports were presented from representatives of the Monday 1st July at prepare us well for the major changes ahead”. thanks are due to Cllr Selina Musters for her hard Local Police, Hampshire County Council, Test 7.30pm There have been significant improvements at the work in dealing with this far from straightforward Valley Borough Council, and the Parish Council. Romsey Rapids, and the brand new Andover Leisure task. LPC has agreed Phase 1, with “heritage” lights Centre is now open, at no capital cost to rate-payers. in the main part of the village plus the Carbery Police. PCSO Williams’ report reviewed how our Work continues by Andover Vision and Romsey crossroads, and the remaining nine lights to be area is policed, with the Test Valley neighbourhood You are very welcome to come and hear what Future to rejuvenate our town centres. replaced in due course with a modern design. Thanks team based in Stockbridge and Romsey, supported by goes on at a parish council meeting in the village to our County and Borough Councillors for their Response teams out of Hedge End and Andover for hall or to contact the Clerk with any issue. TVBC delivered 217 affordable homes against a grants towards the lights’ replacement. target of 200, and Councillors Busk and Boulton 999 calls and more urgent matters reported via 101. The Lengthsman has done good work through the Parish Councillors: have been able to award small grants to deserving With the current resources, the Police focus their projects in their Ward, including the recent £700 parish, and we are big fans of this scheme. Many attention on “the right places and on High Risk and Chairman: Sophie Walters towards the Longstock Street Lighting. thanks to Cllr Charles Grieve, who is now the High Harm people and places”, and rely completely [email protected] 07740 443 460 contact point for the lengthsman, and has kept on the public reporting what is happening. Although Peter Boulton and Daniel Busk have both stood abreast of all footpath matters. We now have Councillors: down from their Borough Councillor roles as at the there may be an impression that “crime is so bad David Burnfield, [email protected] 810 529 fingerposts in all the right places. these days”, crime figures do not support that John Eastwood [email protected] May elections, and Longstock will now form part of On Planning, the LPC has considered 9 new perception. In the 90 days before the APA there was 07880 644 977 the much larger Mid Test Ward, with 3 Borough planning and 2 tree applications. After some “head- no reported crime in Longstock. Ivan Gibson, [email protected] 810 002 Councillors representing over 7,500 electors. The scratching” at some recent TVBC decisions, we Charles Grieve, [email protected] 810 580 new councillors are Ian Jeffrey, Alison Johnston and Although the police recognise that the 101 service Becky Griffiths, [email protected] welcomed Paul Jackson to the July LPC meeting to 07803 923 884 Tony Ward. try to understand better their processes. We try very may be “clunky”, the public is asked to be patient Selina Musters, [email protected] 810 459 and it is worth the effort to make the call. Longstock Parish Council (LPC). Cllr Sophie hard to preserve the character of this very pretty Alternatively, there is an on-line reporting system, Clerk Mark Flewitt Walters, Chair of the LPC, presented her report on village, but are sometimes overridden by TVBC who which works very well, and the Police emphasise [email protected] 810 752 take advice from “Experts”, who don’t have to live Colin McIntyre, [email protected] the past 12 months. There have been no changes to “please tell us what is happening”. We are also the seven members of LPC in this past year, but Cllr with the consequences of their decisions. encouraged to follow the Police on HantsAlert and District Councillors: John Milne is not seeking re-election after 32 years’ Affordable Housing Ð no progress on this as per the Twitter. Ian Jeffrey, [email protected] service. Enormous thanks and much appreciation are past 25 years. It seems we either have to sell our 01794 388872 souls to allow Daniel Busk to build 46 houses behind The Local Police Team resources are slowly coming Alison Johnston, [email protected] offered to John Milne for his contribution to up to where they should be, and they hope to be able 01794 517939 Longstock over these many years. Good byes and Roman Road or go without. If only we had a Tony Ward, [email protected] very many thanks were also extended to John philanthropic landowner who would donate ½ acre to get out to local engagements more often in the 01794 389649 future. Musters as clerk and finance officer of LPC, who to the village for this purpose. Many thanks to Cllr County Councillor: “has kept the ship off the rocks and moving ahead David Burnfield for all his efforts on this and all he Hampshire County Council (HCC). Councillor Andrew Gibson, [email protected] for 15 years”. Thanks also to our County and does for the village. Andrew Gibson reported on recent developments. 01264 861138 Borough Councillors, Andrew Gibson (HCC), and The Longstock Newsletter is under new editorship. Local Government is unlikely to receive any Peter Boulton and Daniel Busk (TVBC) for their Jan Greep did 2 years until Summer 2018, then Tim additional funding from Central Government over the support over the past year. Good wishes were Needas stepped up for one edition. Rosie Flewitt and next few years, with any extra resources being calming project in the Wallops. There will be an Heli Helanummi-Cole have now picked up the initial trial period before the solution is fully extended to Peter and Daniel on their retirement at directed to other areas such as NHS and the Police. the local elections. baton. This is such an important organ of village life. Council Tax increased by 2.99% this year (1.99% adopted, but one of the potential consequences may Big thanks to all involved in editing, contributing, HCC, 1% Adult Social Care). Large cuts up to 2017 well be an increase in traffic on the Danebury Rd Roads Ð potholes continue to be a major concern, and distributing. Compliments and huge thanks and were able to be absorbed with minimal service cuts, above Longstock. and it remains to be seen whether the new “quick appreciation also to Jan Greep for continuing to fix” techniques last any longer than before. The but all the slack within HCC has now gone, and Cllr Gibson has been able to pledge £1500 for the manage the website despite her move to Broughton. further cuts will transfer directly to the loss of front street-lighting in Longstock. This is the only village worst cases have been along the Bunny and Bottom The website is another essential organ as all LPC line service in these “difficult times”. in his area that owns its own lighting and is not Road, together with the road beyond Longstock Park material has to be published online, where possible. (which is actually in Wherwell parish). Our roads Cllr Gibson reported on the decision of the covered by the HCC lighting, and he has been very Following GDPR last May, The Leckford Estate, pleased to support the Parish Council in this respect. were never designed for the size and weight of Governors of Test Valley School to close the modern vehicles, and an “unsuitable for HGVs” sign through Colin MacIntyre, Leckford Estate’s non- Swimming Pool because of the £12k annual Finally, Cllr Gibson thanked the Parish Councillors on the Bunny is intended to discourage the worst voting rep on LPC, donated a laptop for the Parish maintenance cost. Subsequent to the APA the closure for their support over the last 10 years, and with offenders. Clerk to dedicate to LPC work. The Clerk and decision has been reversed, and the PTA are special thanks to the retiring Parish Clerk John Councillors now have dedicated Gmail addresses. currently working on funding and sponsorship Musters for his efficiency and organisation. Traffic speed in the village is a running concern, and Thanks also to David Parkinson for setting up the the size of modern agricultural and industrial laptop. We continue to have excellent relations with proposals to ensure the pool remains open in the long Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). Councillor term. vehicles, especially in narrow spaces such as Test Leckford Estate, with Colin attached to the LPC. Daniel Busk presented a report on behalf of himself Lodge. The Police installed a speed data recorder in Cllr Gibson also reported on the proposed traffic and fellow-councillor Peter Boulton. In Test Valley April last year, but speeds were overall below the Our lovely playground is still very popular. The annual RoSPA inspection found a few minor repairs Page 2 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 3 Parish Council Report the local taxation level has been frozen at £141.41 level they would install enforcement cameras. This for an average Band D property. TVBC will run a was disappointing, but we should all spread the word by Mark Flewitt, Parish Clerk Parish Council balanced budget via a combination of savings and and “lean on” local employers to tell their drivers Meeting Dates Annual Parish Assembly (APA). The APA was Monday 10th June at extra income, which will “enable us to grow our and deliverers to ease up. held in the Village Hall on Monday 15th April. 7.30pm potential, continue to invest in Test Valley, and Our streetlights are in need of replacement, and huge Reports were presented from representatives of the Monday 1st July at prepare us well for the major changes ahead”. thanks are due to Cllr Selina Musters for her hard Local Police, Hampshire County Council, Test 7.30pm There have been significant improvements at the work in dealing with this far from straightforward Valley Borough Council, and the Parish Council. Romsey Rapids, and the brand new Andover Leisure task. LPC has agreed Phase 1, with “heritage” lights Centre is now open, at no capital cost to rate-payers. in the main part of the village plus the Carbery Police. PCSO Williams’ report reviewed how our Work continues by Andover Vision and Romsey crossroads, and the remaining nine lights to be area is policed, with the Test Valley neighbourhood You are very welcome to come and hear what Future to rejuvenate our town centres. replaced in due course with a modern design. Thanks team based in Stockbridge and Romsey, supported by goes on at a parish council meeting in the village to our County and Borough Councillors for their Response teams out of Hedge End and Andover for hall or to contact the Clerk with any issue. TVBC delivered 217 affordable homes against a grants towards the lights’ replacement. target of 200, and Councillors Busk and Boulton 999 calls and more urgent matters reported via 101. The Lengthsman has done good work through the Parish Councillors: have been able to award small grants to deserving With the current resources, the Police focus their projects in their Ward, including the recent £700 parish, and we are big fans of this scheme. Many attention on “the right places and on High Risk and Chairman: Sophie Walters towards the Longstock Street Lighting. thanks to Cllr Charles Grieve, who is now the High Harm people and places”, and rely completely [email protected] 07740 443 460 contact point for the lengthsman, and has kept on the public reporting what is happening. Although Peter Boulton and Daniel Busk have both stood abreast of all footpath matters. We now have Councillors: down from their Borough Councillor roles as at the there may be an impression that “crime is so bad David Burnfield, [email protected] 810 529 fingerposts in all the right places. these days”, crime figures do not support that John Eastwood [email protected] May elections, and Longstock will now form part of On Planning, the LPC has considered 9 new perception. In the 90 days before the APA there was 07880 644 977 the much larger Mid Test Ward, with 3 Borough planning and 2 tree applications. After some “head- no reported crime in Longstock. Ivan Gibson, [email protected] 810 002 Councillors representing over 7,500 electors. The scratching” at some recent TVBC decisions, we Charles Grieve, [email protected] 810 580 new councillors are Ian Jeffrey, Alison Johnston and Although the police recognise that the 101 service Becky Griffiths, [email protected] welcomed Paul Jackson to the July LPC meeting to 07803 923 884 Tony Ward. try to understand better their processes. We try very may be “clunky”, the public is asked to be patient Selina Musters, [email protected] 810 459 and it is worth the effort to make the call. Longstock Parish Council (LPC). Cllr Sophie hard to preserve the character of this very pretty Alternatively, there is an on-line reporting system, Clerk Mark Flewitt Walters, Chair of the LPC, presented her report on village, but are sometimes overridden by TVBC who which works very well, and the Police emphasise [email protected] 810 752 take advice from “Experts”, who don’t have to live Colin McIntyre, [email protected] the past 12 months. There have been no changes to “please tell us what is happening”. We are also the seven members of LPC in this past year, but Cllr with the consequences of their decisions. encouraged to follow the Police on HantsAlert and District Councillors: John Milne is not seeking re-election after 32 years’ Affordable Housing Ð no progress on this as per the Twitter. Ian Jeffrey, [email protected] service. Enormous thanks and much appreciation are past 25 years. It seems we either have to sell our 01794 388872 souls to allow Daniel Busk to build 46 houses behind The Local Police Team resources are slowly coming Alison Johnston, [email protected] offered to John Milne for his contribution to up to where they should be, and they hope to be able 01794 517939 Longstock over these many years. Good byes and Roman Road or go without. If only we had a Tony Ward, [email protected] very many thanks were also extended to John philanthropic landowner who would donate ½ acre to get out to local engagements more often in the 01794 389649 future. Musters as clerk and finance officer of LPC, who to the village for this purpose. Many thanks to Cllr County Councillor: “has kept the ship off the rocks and moving ahead David Burnfield for all his efforts on this and all he Hampshire County Council (HCC). Councillor Andrew Gibson, [email protected] for 15 years”. Thanks also to our County and does for the village. Andrew Gibson reported on recent developments. 01264 861138 Borough Councillors, Andrew Gibson (HCC), and The Longstock Newsletter is under new editorship. Local Government is unlikely to receive any Peter Boulton and Daniel Busk (TVBC) for their Jan Greep did 2 years until Summer 2018, then Tim additional funding from Central Government over the support over the past year. Good wishes were Needas stepped up for one edition. Rosie Flewitt and next few years, with any extra resources being calming project in the Wallops. There will be an Heli Helanummi-Cole have now picked up the initial trial period before the solution is fully extended to Peter and Daniel on their retirement at directed to other areas such as NHS and the Police. the local elections. baton. This is such an important organ of village life. Council Tax increased by 2.99% this year (1.99% adopted, but one of the potential consequences may Big thanks to all involved in editing, contributing, HCC, 1% Adult Social Care). Large cuts up to 2017 well be an increase in traffic on the Danebury Rd Roads Ð potholes continue to be a major concern, and distributing. Compliments and huge thanks and were able to be absorbed with minimal service cuts, above Longstock. and it remains to be seen whether the new “quick appreciation also to Jan Greep for continuing to fix” techniques last any longer than before. The but all the slack within HCC has now gone, and Cllr Gibson has been able to pledge £1500 for the manage the website despite her move to Broughton. further cuts will transfer directly to the loss of front street-lighting in Longstock. This is the only village worst cases have been along the Bunny and Bottom The website is another essential organ as all LPC line service in these “difficult times”. in his area that owns its own lighting and is not Road, together with the road beyond Longstock Park material has to be published online, where possible. (which is actually in Wherwell parish). Our roads Cllr Gibson reported on the decision of the covered by the HCC lighting, and he has been very Following GDPR last May, The Leckford Estate, pleased to support the Parish Council in this respect. were never designed for the size and weight of Governors of Test Valley School to close the modern vehicles, and an “unsuitable for HGVs” sign through Colin MacIntyre, Leckford Estate’s non- Swimming Pool because of the £12k annual Finally, Cllr Gibson thanked the Parish Councillors on the Bunny is intended to discourage the worst voting rep on LPC, donated a laptop for the Parish maintenance cost. Subsequent to the APA the closure for their support over the last 10 years, and with offenders. Clerk to dedicate to LPC work. The Clerk and decision has been reversed, and the PTA are special thanks to the retiring Parish Clerk John Councillors now have dedicated Gmail addresses. currently working on funding and sponsorship Musters for his efficiency and organisation. Traffic speed in the village is a running concern, and Thanks also to David Parkinson for setting up the the size of modern agricultural and industrial laptop. We continue to have excellent relations with proposals to ensure the pool remains open in the long Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). Councillor term. vehicles, especially in narrow spaces such as Test Leckford Estate, with Colin attached to the LPC. Daniel Busk presented a report on behalf of himself Lodge. The Police installed a speed data recorder in Cllr Gibson also reported on the proposed traffic and fellow-councillor Peter Boulton. In Test Valley April last year, but speeds were overall below the Our lovely playground is still very popular. The annual RoSPA inspection found a few minor repairs Page 4 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 5 needed, covered by self-help by councillors. resigned. “So I guess you all think we are doing a Future plans and the coming year? The precept was Joyrides shopping bus Volunteers carry out weekly safety checks (please fabulous job and you couldn’t do any better!” increased to £8k, partly to cover the possibility of a The Joyrides umbrella organisation in Andover don’t lose the check list!). Thanks to all volunteers We have a new Clerk, Mark Flewitt, who has kindly contested LPC election, and the entire cost of the (Unity) has confirmed that, for the time being, the and to Leckford for cutting the grass. stepped up and is busy trying on John Musters’ streetlight replacement project, due to reach fruition three weekly services will continue running as Thanks to Cllr Ivan Gibson for maintaining the shoes for size. It is really appreciated Mark Ð many this year. We are grateful to our County and previously with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and cemetery and keeping this haven of tranquillity so thanks. Borough Councillors for the grant schemes Thursdays each taking different routes between beautiful. Thanks also to Peter Moore who keeps the Finally, warm thanks once more to all our contributions to the streetlights (£1.5k from HCC Stockbridge and Andover. cemetery garden such a picture, and to Dave Watts councillors who continue to give freely of their time due in June, and £707 already received from TVBC). Wednesday remains Longstock’s day; leaving the who tends the memorial garden so well. and effort to the good of this very special village. The new LED streetlights need little or no maintenance, so the non-renewal of the SSE contract Grosvenor Hotel in Stockbridge at 9.15 the bus The Allotments continue to be well run and Longstock Parish Council Finance. Retiring Clerk should save us several hundred pounds a year. passes through Longstock before going on through enthusiastically supported, and in March 2019 the John Musters presented his final report on the Wherwell to Andover. Diocese renewed the lease for a further 3 years. LPC’s Finances. After 15 years as Finance Officer, Planning applications The bus leaves Andover again at midday and returns Many thanks to Gareth Evans as Chair of the Society, John once more reported a satisfactory state of Halfway Cottage Ð Replacement of existing rear you and your shopping to your door, where a help- and to Ivan who reports back to LPC. affairs, and a comfortable balance to hand on to his er will carry your bags. successor. conservatory with extension to form garden room: We enjoy excellent relations with the Peat Spade. We removal of existing lean-to extension and erection of Volunteer drivers have run this minibus service for appreciate their welcome to councillors after each The audit again achieved a clean bill of health. single storey side extension to form dining room Ð well over 25 years. To keep it going also in the monthly LPC meeting, and especially their generous Thanks to Patrick Coates, local chartered LPC support subject to retention of existing beech future, do use the service and do spread the word. support of Remembrance Sunday commemoration. accountant, for the internal audit. Income and hedge Thanks to Team Shelley. expenditure were less than £25k, so we are exempt Joyrides, as we have always been known, is a from external audit requirements. For this Sindle Cottage - Tree Works - LPC No Objection friendly service that gives you two hours’ shopping Last November marked the centenary of Armistice. in Andover every week, and takes you and your In preparation, we had the memorial professionally accounting year our opening balance was £4,888, and we ended the year on £6,988. The additional Recent Parish Council Expenditure shopping back to your front door for the very cleaned, and as an additional tribute we placed large reasonable sum of £3.75 return. poppies on 13 telegraph poles, each with a short bio, £2k relates to contributions for the two replacement Street Lighting Maintenance £130.22 to commemorate the 13 men of Longstock who died streetlights Ð one already underwritten by the village Printing Newsletter £147.60 For more details call Dane on 810839 or John on in WW1. hall committee, and the other through an Street Lighting Electricity £127.13 810459. anonymous donation to the hall. So a truer The Henry Smith charity continues its annual New Clerk Training Course £54.00 comparison shows an increased balance of just Hampshire Assoc Local Councils Levy £237.00 generous grant of £2k, which once more enabled us £100. The following details were noted: to pass on £250 to help those who needed it, £500 to help schoolchildren to join field trips, and £815 for ¥ The precept rose from £6.5k to £7k in the annual seniors’ lunch Ð always a highlight in the anticipation of the streetlight project calendar! ¥ The Newsletter generated a small surplus of The Village Hall is as ever well maintained and run advertising income over production costs as a village focal point and a venue for wider groups. ¥ Income from cemetery burials once again It doesn’t look nearly 30 years old Ð a tribute and down on last year thanks due to the management committee. ¥ A generous £250 donation from Leckford “Our” school, Test Valley, has had some challenges Estate via their Community Giving towards the with falling numbers, but there are hopes for a bigger cleaning of the War Memorial for the Armistice intake in September. LPC once more sponsored a Centenary prize for academic achievement. There was concern ¥ Electricity expenditure appears to more than at the scheduled cost-saving closure of the swimming double (£218 to £485), but this was principally pool, but a petition with 13,000 signatories presented due to delayed receipt of the final SSE bill for to the Governors has saved it. A lottery 250 club the previous year. Additionally the electricity crowd-funding is in place, but they are looking for unit charged was increased twice in the current sponsors. If you feel you could help please contact year our clerk ([email protected]) or talk to Cllr Becky Griffiths, the LPC contact for the school. Overall, after discounting the distortions of the £2k LPC has expressed support for the pool as a streetlight income from the Village hall, income continued asset for Test Valley school. Thanks to exceeded expenditure by 1.1% in line with Becky for keeping the lines of communication open. forecasts. Longstock electors will be able to review the accounts between 17th June and 26th July if The LPC finances continue in good shape, well they wish. controlled by the Clerk aka Finance Officer. The 2019/20 Precept increased to £8k to allow for street With regard to the Henry Smith charity funds lights replacement and in case of a contested election administered by the LPC, the Chair has taken over in May, which was not contested so did not happen. responsibility for local grant awards and will be the Only one person stepped forward, and one councillor contact with the London head office. Page 4 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 5 needed, covered by self-help by councillors. resigned. “So I guess you all think we are doing a Future plans and the coming year? The precept was Joyrides shopping bus Volunteers carry out weekly safety checks (please fabulous job and you couldn’t do any better!” increased to £8k, partly to cover the possibility of a The Joyrides umbrella organisation in Andover don’t lose the check list!). Thanks to all volunteers We have a new Clerk, Mark Flewitt, who has kindly contested LPC election, and the entire cost of the (Unity) has confirmed that, for the time being, the and to Leckford for cutting the grass. stepped up and is busy trying on John Musters’ streetlight replacement project, due to reach fruition three weekly services will continue running as Thanks to Cllr Ivan Gibson for maintaining the shoes for size. It is really appreciated Mark Ð many this year. We are grateful to our County and previously with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and cemetery and keeping this haven of tranquillity so thanks. Borough Councillors for the grant schemes Thursdays each taking different routes between beautiful. Thanks also to Peter Moore who keeps the Finally, warm thanks once more to all our contributions to the streetlights (£1.5k from HCC Stockbridge and Andover. cemetery garden such a picture, and to Dave Watts councillors who continue to give freely of their time due in June, and £707 already received from TVBC). Wednesday remains Longstock’s day; leaving the who tends the memorial garden so well. and effort to the good of this very special village. The new LED streetlights need little or no maintenance, so the non-renewal of the SSE contract Grosvenor Hotel in Stockbridge at 9.15 the bus The Allotments continue to be well run and Longstock Parish Council Finance. Retiring Clerk should save us several hundred pounds a year. passes through Longstock before going on through enthusiastically supported, and in March 2019 the John Musters presented his final report on the Wherwell to Andover. Diocese renewed the lease for a further 3 years. LPC’s Finances. After 15 years as Finance Officer, Planning applications The bus leaves Andover again at midday and returns Many thanks to Gareth Evans as Chair of the Society, John once more reported a satisfactory state of Halfway Cottage Ð Replacement of existing rear you and your shopping to your door, where a help- and to Ivan who reports back to LPC. affairs, and a comfortable balance to hand on to his er will carry your bags. successor. conservatory with extension to form garden room: We enjoy excellent relations with the Peat Spade. We removal of existing lean-to extension and erection of Volunteer drivers have run this minibus service for appreciate their welcome to councillors after each The audit again achieved a clean bill of health. single storey side extension to form dining room Ð well over 25 years. To keep it going also in the monthly LPC meeting, and especially their generous Thanks to Patrick Coates, local chartered LPC support subject to retention of existing beech future, do use the service and do spread the word. support of Remembrance Sunday commemoration. accountant, for the internal audit. Income and hedge Thanks to Team Shelley. expenditure were less than £25k, so we are exempt Joyrides, as we have always been known, is a from external audit requirements. For this Sindle Cottage - Tree Works - LPC No Objection friendly service that gives you two hours’ shopping Last November marked the centenary of Armistice. in Andover every week, and takes you and your In preparation, we had the memorial professionally accounting year our opening balance was £4,888, and we ended the year on £6,988. The additional Recent Parish Council Expenditure shopping back to your front door for the very cleaned, and as an additional tribute we placed large reasonable sum of £3.75 return. poppies on 13 telegraph poles, each with a short bio, £2k relates to contributions for the two replacement Street Lighting Maintenance £130.22 to commemorate the 13 men of Longstock who died streetlights Ð one already underwritten by the village Printing Newsletter £147.60 For more details call Dane on 810839 or John on in WW1. hall committee, and the other through an Street Lighting Electricity £127.13 810459. anonymous donation to the hall. So a truer The Henry Smith charity continues its annual New Clerk Training Course £54.00 comparison shows an increased balance of just Hampshire Assoc Local Councils Levy £237.00 generous grant of £2k, which once more enabled us £100. The following details were noted: to pass on £250 to help those who needed it, £500 to help schoolchildren to join field trips, and £815 for ¥ The precept rose from £6.5k to £7k in the annual seniors’ lunch Ð always a highlight in the anticipation of the streetlight project calendar! ¥ The Newsletter generated a small surplus of The Village Hall is as ever well maintained and run advertising income over production costs as a village focal point and a venue for wider groups. ¥ Income from cemetery burials once again It doesn’t look nearly 30 years old Ð a tribute and down on last year thanks due to the management committee. ¥ A generous £250 donation from Leckford “Our” school, Test Valley, has had some challenges Estate via their Community Giving towards the with falling numbers, but there are hopes for a bigger cleaning of the War Memorial for the Armistice intake in September. LPC once more sponsored a Centenary prize for academic achievement. There was concern ¥ Electricity expenditure appears to more than at the scheduled cost-saving closure of the swimming double (£218 to £485), but this was principally pool, but a petition with 13,000 signatories presented due to delayed receipt of the final SSE bill for to the Governors has saved it. A lottery 250 club the previous year. Additionally the electricity crowd-funding is in place, but they are looking for unit charged was increased twice in the current sponsors. If you feel you could help please contact year our clerk ([email protected]) or talk to Cllr Becky Griffiths, the LPC contact for the school. Overall, after discounting the distortions of the £2k LPC has expressed support for the pool as a streetlight income from the Village hall, income continued asset for Test Valley school. Thanks to exceeded expenditure by 1.1% in line with Becky for keeping the lines of communication open. forecasts. Longstock electors will be able to review the accounts between 17th June and 26th July if The LPC finances continue in good shape, well they wish. controlled by the Clerk aka Finance Officer. The 2019/20 Precept increased to £8k to allow for street With regard to the Henry Smith charity funds lights replacement and in case of a contested election administered by the LPC, the Chair has taken over in May, which was not contested so did not happen. responsibility for local grant awards and will be the Only one person stepped forward, and one councillor contact with the London head office. Page 6 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 7

Very Important Longstockings enjoy reading this extract of Ken Bookham in Chris: Did you like it? In the early 1990s, several eminent Longstockings conversation. Over the coming issues, we will Ken: No! No, I didn’t. feature more of Ken’s and other villagers’ wisdom. hatched a plan to make recordings of elderly Chris: Why not? Longstock residents in conversation, to capture their Ken: Well, I don’t precious memories of distant moments in the long We’ve done our best to transcribe this interview accurately, but there is background noise Ð the interviews were held in the know why I didn’t, I history of this lovey Hampshire village. The tape didn’t anyway. No. My recordings were carefully stored by David Burnfield Village Hall, with an audience of local enthusiasts Ð and of course, Ken’s beautiful Hampshire burr. So if you spot any grandfather built the (thank you, David!), who recently managed to mistakes, then please let us know as our long term plan is to school, built the pub, locate them so that we can now present them to you, collate the stories in a written legacy of these unique village built the chapel and our readers, in serialised format. And what treasures stories. several more things these recordings contain! besides, like. All the It seemed apt to begin this series of conversations flint cottages in the Ken Bookham in conversation with the memories that Ken Bookham shared of his village and on the long life in Church Farm. This recording was made All photographs kindly supplied by Geoff Merritt Down beyond and that. in May 1995, with our then resident QC, Chris Chris: Ken, you have lived in Church Farm all your He built all them. Clark, and then Head of Leckford Estate, Malcolm life, haven’t you? Chris: And then you Crabtree leading the questions. Ken Bookham was Church Farm Ð very similar today to days gone by. Ken: Yes except for the first 18 months. went up to Andover one of Longstock’s greatest characters, who was Grammar? blessed with great heart and humour, and whom Chris: Where were you born? Your Way, I had letters and phone calls and that many Longstockings will remember well - no doubt Ken: Chiddingfold in Surrey, my father’s home. Ken: That’s right, and I left school then when I was about it, and some specialist rose grower from with a most affectionate smile. He came to live in Chris: And am I right in thinking that your sixteen. Oxford said ‘Don’t ever do anything with it, leave it Church Farm at the tender age of just 18 months, grandfather or grandmother came to Church Farm Chris: And how did you get over to Andover in as it is’, because she said there’s one specialist rose where he remained for all but the last few months of sometime in the last century? those days? grower in Oxford where you can buy one but I don’t his very long life. In this issue, we feature just the Ken: Train. Ken: Grandfather and Grandmother came there in know of anywhere else in the country where you first part of Ken’s precious memories Ð which recall 1855 and the family has been there since 1855 Chris: From Stockbridge? a time that may seem more simple, but which in can get one like that. So she said, never do anything without a break. I told you, if anybody heard the Ken: No, Fullerton! Cheaper. That was the reason. many ways was far more harsh than the lives that with it, and it will bloom every month of the year. Down Your Way, I told you all this on the Down And sure it does. It’s in bloom now. Yeah, they was hard times then. we enjoy today. Your Way. Chris: What’s your first memory of the village? Chris: And you’d walk to Fullerton, would you? We were a little unsure how to present these rich Chris: Well, we’re rather slow, we’ve got to catch Ken: Ooh, wait a minute, first memory of the Ken: Yes, yes, yes. Yes, two and a half miles. So I insights, but in the end, a simple transcription up with one or two things. Is it true that there is a village? That’s getting back a day or two, you know. picked up David’s uncle up the top end of the seemed the most loyal approach. We hope that you rose at Church Farm that has been blooming every I don’t know. footpath up there and we went together, to school year? Chris: Did you go to school? together, all the time, both of us left at the same Ken: Yes, I told you that Ken: I went to school, a private school, David’s time. on Down Your Way. father went there the same time as I did. And Miss Chris: And what are your memories of Andover Chris: Some people may Gulliver had a school in Stockbridge where Nick Grammar? not have heard it. Long lives now I think, and I went there till they Ken: Thrashings and thrasings and thrashings. We Ken: Well I told my went away. had a Head Master who was six foot four and a half great friend, Brian Chris: Did you go to school in Longstock before in his socks, and broad with it, and you only had to Johnston, who’s dead put one word out of place and you had a good that? and gone, my thrashing. And I said to a farmer friend who’s since grandmother planted it Ken: Not before that, no. I started down there when died not long ago. George, I said, I wonder what when she came there in I was six. See my mother was a schoolteacher and would happen in the old man’s time, I said. I September 1855. It’s she taught me until I was six. wonder what would happen. They’d have locked been there ever since. Chris: And then you went to school in Longstock? him up, he said, they’d have locked him up. They Chris: And when does it Ken: Yes for two years until I was old enough to go would have done too, I reckon. Harold Bishop was bloom? Every June, to Andover Grammar School. his name. He was cruel. Yes. He thrashed you for July? Chris: Who was the schoolteacher here in hardly anything at all, and if he seen you had Ken: It’s a monthly rose, Longstock? blisters or anything on your hands, that’s where he’d let the cane in. Didn’t do any harm, mind. No. Bit and it blooms a bloom Ken: I’ve got a postcard of the old school in 1917, more now would do good. every month of the year, and the school mistress then was a Mrs Crofton. Echo Friday 15th February 1980; and when I did Down Chris: You were a sportsman. Did you play football Page 6 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 7

Very Important Longstockings enjoy reading this extract of Ken Bookham in Chris: Did you like it? In the early 1990s, several eminent Longstockings conversation. Over the coming issues, we will Ken: No! No, I didn’t. feature more of Ken’s and other villagers’ wisdom. hatched a plan to make recordings of elderly Chris: Why not? Longstock residents in conversation, to capture their Ken: Well, I don’t precious memories of distant moments in the long We’ve done our best to transcribe this interview accurately, but there is background noise Ð the interviews were held in the know why I didn’t, I history of this lovey Hampshire village. The tape didn’t anyway. No. My recordings were carefully stored by David Burnfield Village Hall, with an audience of local enthusiasts Ð and of course, Ken’s beautiful Hampshire burr. So if you spot any grandfather built the (thank you, David!), who recently managed to mistakes, then please let us know as our long term plan is to school, built the pub, locate them so that we can now present them to you, collate the stories in a written legacy of these unique village built the chapel and our readers, in serialised format. And what treasures stories. several more things these recordings contain! besides, like. All the It seemed apt to begin this series of conversations flint cottages in the Ken Bookham in conversation with the memories that Ken Bookham shared of his village and on the long life in Church Farm. This recording was made All photographs kindly supplied by Geoff Merritt Down beyond and that. in May 1995, with our then resident QC, Chris Chris: Ken, you have lived in Church Farm all your He built all them. Clark, and then Head of Leckford Estate, Malcolm life, haven’t you? Chris: And then you Crabtree leading the questions. Ken Bookham was Church Farm Ð very similar today to days gone by. Ken: Yes except for the first 18 months. went up to Andover one of Longstock’s greatest characters, who was Grammar? blessed with great heart and humour, and whom Chris: Where were you born? Your Way, I had letters and phone calls and that many Longstockings will remember well - no doubt Ken: Chiddingfold in Surrey, my father’s home. Ken: That’s right, and I left school then when I was about it, and some specialist rose grower from with a most affectionate smile. He came to live in Chris: And am I right in thinking that your sixteen. Oxford said ‘Don’t ever do anything with it, leave it Church Farm at the tender age of just 18 months, grandfather or grandmother came to Church Farm Chris: And how did you get over to Andover in as it is’, because she said there’s one specialist rose where he remained for all but the last few months of sometime in the last century? those days? grower in Oxford where you can buy one but I don’t his very long life. In this issue, we feature just the Ken: Train. Ken: Grandfather and Grandmother came there in know of anywhere else in the country where you first part of Ken’s precious memories Ð which recall 1855 and the family has been there since 1855 Chris: From Stockbridge? a time that may seem more simple, but which in can get one like that. So she said, never do anything without a break. I told you, if anybody heard the Ken: No, Fullerton! Cheaper. That was the reason. many ways was far more harsh than the lives that with it, and it will bloom every month of the year. Down Your Way, I told you all this on the Down And sure it does. It’s in bloom now. Yeah, they was hard times then. we enjoy today. Your Way. Chris: What’s your first memory of the village? Chris: And you’d walk to Fullerton, would you? We were a little unsure how to present these rich Chris: Well, we’re rather slow, we’ve got to catch Ken: Ooh, wait a minute, first memory of the Ken: Yes, yes, yes. Yes, two and a half miles. So I insights, but in the end, a simple transcription up with one or two things. Is it true that there is a village? That’s getting back a day or two, you know. picked up David’s uncle up the top end of the seemed the most loyal approach. We hope that you rose at Church Farm that has been blooming every I don’t know. footpath up there and we went together, to school year? Chris: Did you go to school? together, all the time, both of us left at the same Ken: Yes, I told you that Ken: I went to school, a private school, David’s time. on Down Your Way. father went there the same time as I did. And Miss Chris: And what are your memories of Andover Chris: Some people may Gulliver had a school in Stockbridge where Nick Grammar? not have heard it. Long lives now I think, and I went there till they Ken: Thrashings and thrasings and thrashings. We Ken: Well I told my went away. had a Head Master who was six foot four and a half great friend, Brian Chris: Did you go to school in Longstock before in his socks, and broad with it, and you only had to Johnston, who’s dead put one word out of place and you had a good that? and gone, my thrashing. And I said to a farmer friend who’s since grandmother planted it Ken: Not before that, no. I started down there when died not long ago. George, I said, I wonder what when she came there in I was six. See my mother was a schoolteacher and would happen in the old man’s time, I said. I September 1855. It’s she taught me until I was six. wonder what would happen. They’d have locked been there ever since. Chris: And then you went to school in Longstock? him up, he said, they’d have locked him up. They Chris: And when does it Ken: Yes for two years until I was old enough to go would have done too, I reckon. Harold Bishop was bloom? Every June, to Andover Grammar School. his name. He was cruel. Yes. He thrashed you for July? Chris: Who was the schoolteacher here in hardly anything at all, and if he seen you had Ken: It’s a monthly rose, Longstock? blisters or anything on your hands, that’s where he’d let the cane in. Didn’t do any harm, mind. No. Bit and it blooms a bloom Ken: I’ve got a postcard of the old school in 1917, more now would do good. every month of the year, and the school mistress then was a Mrs Crofton. Echo Friday 15th February 1980; and when I did Down Chris: You were a sportsman. Did you play football Page 8 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 9 and cricket at school? Chris: Did you deliver milk in the village? like a robin. Ken: I played cricket, and I played football for Ken: Yes. I delivered it. Sometimes you got your It seems possible that the process of nature is school, yes. I played football when we had a team money and sometimes you didn’t. More times you Letter from Longstock now being reversed and it is the tamer birds who here but we didn’t last long. didn’t than you did. But there you are. Brommer 14th June 1965 have less fear of man who have the better chance of Chris: And when you left school, did you go straight will tell that! survival. Certainly the bird tables, which so many people put out these days, must help the tamer ones back on to the farm? Or did you do anything in Chris: How much was a pint in those days? Time to wait for Cows to survive the hard winters. In the past it has been between? Ken: Two old pennies, tuppence. Yeah. Four pence a the shy birds who survived because they bred a race Ken: Oh no, I did. My father died when I was quart. that avoided man, who was apt to bake four and twelve, you see. Chris: Well now, Malcolm you come in on this. twenty of them in a pie given half the chance. Chris: And it was a dairy farm then, was it? You’re a farmer, you ask Ken a bit about what Nowadays it seems it’s the other way round. Ken: Well it was sort of mixed, you know. farming was like in those days. There can be no longer any doubt about it. We found ourselves recently cutting holes in a Chris: How many cows did you have in those days? The garden has got us on the run and we can’t find brand new nylon fruit net to free a blackbird enough time. We found ourselves getting up very fledgling who had been scrumping our gooseberries Ken: Oh not so very many then. I don’t know, I And there we will leave it for now, dear readers, and early one morning this week to do the sweet peas and had got tangled up in it. It took about twenty can’t remember. Long time ago look, nineteen pick up on Ken’s memories of farming in the next and wondered why we did not do it more often. To minutes and the net still has to be repaired Ð another twenty one or two when I started off. Long time edition. be working on sweet peas on a June morning, with quarter of an hour at least. Later I thought I’d slip ago. the birds singing and the warm sun rising in a down to the village, only a mile away, to get some cloudless sky, sucking up the dew and all the thread with which to mend it. It took me over three morning mist and all one’s neighbours still abed it is quarters of an hour to get there and back what with as near heaven as most ordinary sinners are likely to this and that, though admittedly about ten minutes get. So it was as well to make the most of it. This I were spent waiting for a herd of cows to turn off. think we did, even to measuring some of the better They were followed by a long procession of stalks after we had finished with them. The best was motorists, some of whom seemed very indignant two feet three and a half inches long and had five over the incident, though why I don’t know. A cow flowers on it, of which the top two were still in bud. must travel at a very steady one mile an hour and I don’t know how long show sweet peas go but we possibly a bit faster, which is not bad going were very pleased with this one. We have since compared with what most of the motorists were to The Goldcrest found one stalk with seven flowers on it and this is a meet later on at the Exeter by-pass. record for us. It is in these trivial ways that time Blackbirds seem to be very much on the imperceptibly glides by while the weeds grow, the increase. They also seem to be much less shy than dead flowers accumulate and plants languish for The Goldcrest, along with its close, slightly smaller starting the second clutch before her first brood has relative the Firecrest, is Britain’s smallest bird. they were half a century ago, or is this imagination? water, but I suspect it was ever thus and as one gets fledged - the male feeds the first brood while his Mr Burtenshaw, who works in the gardens at older one finds it less frustrating to wait for a cow to Goldcrests are restless and lively, so they can be mate incubates the second clutch. Goldcrests eat tiny difficult to spot as they tend not to stay still. Longstock House, told me there is one up there that turn off than to wait for a bus in the rush hour. insects and are very partial to spiders, which again, knows him and who last winter followed him about Goldcrests have a distinguishing, bright flash of makes old thatch an ideal home, where spiders a- yellow over their head, a bare face and dark, beady plenty offer an equivalent to ‘meals on wheels’. eyes that make them look very alert and rather Longstock Water Gardens surprised. The average weight of a fully-grown Goldcrest is only 5-7g, yet despite their tiny size, they are The Water Garden is a delightful place for a day International Waterlily & Water Gardening Despite their constant activity, they are not shy migratory and arrive in the UK in large flocks every out whether you're a keen gardener, a seasoned Society as ‘The finest water garden in the world’. birds, and we are lucky that many mating couples autumn Ð mostly from Scandinavia and northwest horticulturalist, an amateur photographer or if you choose Longstock as a prime location to settle and corners of Europe. Some flocks have been estimated would just like to relax and explore this hidden Open Days in June -July 2019 raise their young. Their tiny nests can sometimes be to number at least 15,000 birds! During migration, it gem. Longstock Park Water Gardens are open on selected Sundays from May to September. The spotted suspended in thatched roofs, neatly woven is believed that they keep in touch with each other The Water Gardens cover around seven acres and out of moss, lichen and cobwebs (both of which are by using a thin, high-pitched contact call. The male were originally created by the Beddington family charity open days represent a local nominated plentiful in ageing straw and reed!), or in twigs near has a particularly loud and rhythmical song, ending during the early 1900s. Since 1942, the gardens charity and staff, with volunteers on hand to talk the end of conifer branches. We once spotted the in a flourish, and can be heard from late winter until have been developed and nurtured as part of the about each charity's work. most exquisite Goldcrest nest carefully crafted out well into the summer. Early ornithologists did not estate, and John Spedan Lewis spent much of his Sunday 2nd June Ð Horatio’s Garden of dry, winter-flowering jasmine petals, neatly believe that a bird so tiny as a Goldcrest could fly later life in these gardens. Whilst the gardens Sunday 9th June - General open day tucked behind a small hole in the wire covering our across the North Sea, and deduced (mistakenly) that remain true to those days, the landscape has thatched roof. A typical clutch may have 9-11 eggs, they caught a ride on the backs of migratory evolved so it remains a vibrant, tranquil and Sunday 16th June - National Garden Scheme which take about 16 days to incubate. Most pairs try woodcock Ð hence the old country name for this beautiful place to visit, with an array of plants Sunday 7th July - Minstead Trust to rear two broods each spring, with the female beautiful little bird is the ‘woodcock pilot’. from around the world. Hosting over forty Sunday 14th July - General open day different waterlilies, it has been described by the Sunday 21st July - Headway, Southampton Page 8 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 9 and cricket at school? Chris: Did you deliver milk in the village? like a robin. Ken: I played cricket, and I played football for Ken: Yes. I delivered it. Sometimes you got your It seems possible that the process of nature is school, yes. I played football when we had a team money and sometimes you didn’t. More times you Letter from Longstock now being reversed and it is the tamer birds who here but we didn’t last long. didn’t than you did. But there you are. Brommer 14th June 1965 have less fear of man who have the better chance of Chris: And when you left school, did you go straight will tell that! survival. Certainly the bird tables, which so many people put out these days, must help the tamer ones back on to the farm? Or did you do anything in Chris: How much was a pint in those days? Time to wait for Cows to survive the hard winters. In the past it has been between? Ken: Two old pennies, tuppence. Yeah. Four pence a the shy birds who survived because they bred a race Ken: Oh no, I did. My father died when I was quart. that avoided man, who was apt to bake four and twelve, you see. Chris: Well now, Malcolm you come in on this. twenty of them in a pie given half the chance. Chris: And it was a dairy farm then, was it? You’re a farmer, you ask Ken a bit about what Nowadays it seems it’s the other way round. Ken: Well it was sort of mixed, you know. farming was like in those days. There can be no longer any doubt about it. We found ourselves recently cutting holes in a Chris: How many cows did you have in those days? The garden has got us on the run and we can’t find brand new nylon fruit net to free a blackbird enough time. We found ourselves getting up very fledgling who had been scrumping our gooseberries Ken: Oh not so very many then. I don’t know, I And there we will leave it for now, dear readers, and early one morning this week to do the sweet peas and had got tangled up in it. It took about twenty can’t remember. Long time ago look, nineteen pick up on Ken’s memories of farming in the next and wondered why we did not do it more often. To minutes and the net still has to be repaired Ð another twenty one or two when I started off. Long time edition. be working on sweet peas on a June morning, with quarter of an hour at least. Later I thought I’d slip ago. the birds singing and the warm sun rising in a down to the village, only a mile away, to get some cloudless sky, sucking up the dew and all the thread with which to mend it. It took me over three morning mist and all one’s neighbours still abed it is quarters of an hour to get there and back what with as near heaven as most ordinary sinners are likely to this and that, though admittedly about ten minutes get. So it was as well to make the most of it. This I were spent waiting for a herd of cows to turn off. think we did, even to measuring some of the better They were followed by a long procession of stalks after we had finished with them. The best was motorists, some of whom seemed very indignant two feet three and a half inches long and had five over the incident, though why I don’t know. A cow flowers on it, of which the top two were still in bud. must travel at a very steady one mile an hour and I don’t know how long show sweet peas go but we possibly a bit faster, which is not bad going were very pleased with this one. We have since compared with what most of the motorists were to The Goldcrest found one stalk with seven flowers on it and this is a meet later on at the Exeter by-pass. record for us. It is in these trivial ways that time Blackbirds seem to be very much on the imperceptibly glides by while the weeds grow, the increase. They also seem to be much less shy than dead flowers accumulate and plants languish for The Goldcrest, along with its close, slightly smaller starting the second clutch before her first brood has relative the Firecrest, is Britain’s smallest bird. they were half a century ago, or is this imagination? water, but I suspect it was ever thus and as one gets fledged - the male feeds the first brood while his Mr Burtenshaw, who works in the gardens at older one finds it less frustrating to wait for a cow to Goldcrests are restless and lively, so they can be mate incubates the second clutch. Goldcrests eat tiny difficult to spot as they tend not to stay still. Longstock House, told me there is one up there that turn off than to wait for a bus in the rush hour. insects and are very partial to spiders, which again, knows him and who last winter followed him about Goldcrests have a distinguishing, bright flash of makes old thatch an ideal home, where spiders a- yellow over their head, a bare face and dark, beady plenty offer an equivalent to ‘meals on wheels’. eyes that make them look very alert and rather Longstock Water Gardens surprised. The average weight of a fully-grown Goldcrest is only 5-7g, yet despite their tiny size, they are The Water Garden is a delightful place for a day International Waterlily & Water Gardening Despite their constant activity, they are not shy migratory and arrive in the UK in large flocks every out whether you're a keen gardener, a seasoned Society as ‘The finest water garden in the world’. birds, and we are lucky that many mating couples autumn Ð mostly from Scandinavia and northwest horticulturalist, an amateur photographer or if you choose Longstock as a prime location to settle and corners of Europe. Some flocks have been estimated would just like to relax and explore this hidden Open Days in June -July 2019 raise their young. Their tiny nests can sometimes be to number at least 15,000 birds! During migration, it gem. Longstock Park Water Gardens are open on selected Sundays from May to September. The spotted suspended in thatched roofs, neatly woven is believed that they keep in touch with each other The Water Gardens cover around seven acres and out of moss, lichen and cobwebs (both of which are by using a thin, high-pitched contact call. The male were originally created by the Beddington family charity open days represent a local nominated plentiful in ageing straw and reed!), or in twigs near has a particularly loud and rhythmical song, ending during the early 1900s. Since 1942, the gardens charity and staff, with volunteers on hand to talk the end of conifer branches. We once spotted the in a flourish, and can be heard from late winter until have been developed and nurtured as part of the about each charity's work. most exquisite Goldcrest nest carefully crafted out well into the summer. Early ornithologists did not estate, and John Spedan Lewis spent much of his Sunday 2nd June Ð Horatio’s Garden of dry, winter-flowering jasmine petals, neatly believe that a bird so tiny as a Goldcrest could fly later life in these gardens. Whilst the gardens Sunday 9th June - General open day tucked behind a small hole in the wire covering our across the North Sea, and deduced (mistakenly) that remain true to those days, the landscape has thatched roof. A typical clutch may have 9-11 eggs, they caught a ride on the backs of migratory evolved so it remains a vibrant, tranquil and Sunday 16th June - National Garden Scheme which take about 16 days to incubate. Most pairs try woodcock Ð hence the old country name for this beautiful place to visit, with an array of plants Sunday 7th July - Minstead Trust to rear two broods each spring, with the female beautiful little bird is the ‘woodcock pilot’. from around the world. Hosting over forty Sunday 14th July - General open day different waterlilies, it has been described by the Sunday 21st July - Headway, Southampton Page 10 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 11 Village News then spoon the mixture into the tin. Smooth the top then scatter over the rhubarb. Try to make sure the Congratulations to Stephanie, daughter of Gary and Recipe of the month Rhubarb & soured cream cake rhubarb does not touch the sides of the tin or it tends Therese Oliver of Carbery House, on her marriage to burn. to Hamish Dobson at St Mary's on Saturday 27th with a ginger syrup April. The skirl of the pipes that could be heard Bake for 1½ hours (in some ovens it might not take wafting over the southern end of the village through this long!) or until the cake feels firm to the touch. the afternoon gave away Hamish's Scottish links! This moist cake is made with new season rhubarb Cover the top with foil after 1 hour if it begins to Having met at Exeter University, Hamish now runs and topped with a sticky ginger syrup. Serve as a brown too much. Leave the cake to cool in the tin his private jet hire business and Stephanie is teatime cake or as a yummy pudding with custard. for 10 minutes, then remove and peel off the paper. pursuing a law career in the City. We hope they will Place the cake on a wire rack to cool completely, be very happy together. 75g unsalted butter, softened then transfer to serving dish. 250g light brown soft sugar In a small pan, gently heat the caster sugar with the 284ml pot reduced fat soured cream remaining ginger and 100ml cold water, until the 2 medium eggs sugar has dissolved. Increase the heart and boil for 3 tsp ground ginger about 5 minutes swirling occasionally but not 300g self-raising flour stirring, until the syrup is golden brown. Spoon the 400g rhubarb, trimmed and roughly chopped hot syrup over the rhubarb cake and cut into wedges 100g caster sugar to serve. Preheat oven to 180C, gas mark 4. New season rhubarb has the best colour, but fruit throughout the season will also work well. The Grease a 23cm springform cake tin and line the base cake will keep for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight with baking parchment container in a cool place. Cream the butter and brown sugar together, then Many thanks to Nina Bates for this delicious cricket Congratulations too, to Peter Woodfine and beat in a little of the soured cream until the mixture tea favourite at Broad Halfpenny Down. Kimberley Haworth who married at St Mary’s on 4th is smooth. Beat in the remaining cream, eggs and 2 May, with only a very short walk to their home at teaspoons of the ginger. Gently fold in the flour, Old Thatch where tepees were erected for the reception. Every good wish for their married life.

Conker Lodge, School Lane, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8AN

We provide high quality, Ofstead registered early years care & education within out prupose built ‘Home Lodge’ th On 8 June there will be a service of blessing, A Poem for Late Spring style building where children have the opportunity to which will be officiated by Canon Graham Trasler, particiate in a wide rantge of intersting activites which for the marriage of Nick Taylor, son of Alison and May Morning promote areas of learning. Simon Taylor, and Lisa Vechamamontien. We wish I lie stretched out upon the window-seat There is free flow access to our fantastic outside space which them every happiness as they begin their married And doze, and read a page or two, and doze, has a covered area for all weather use. life. And feel the air like water on me close, Our dedicated staff team are very experienced, well Great waves of sunny air that lip and beat qualified and provide a high adult:child ratio. With a small noise, monotonous and sweet, Against the window -- and the scent of cool, We offer flexible hours Monday to Friday with various start & finidh times. Frail flowers by some brown and dew-drenched pool Possesses me from drowsy head to feet. Healthy lifestyles are actively promoted and hot lunches Alasdair John Cox are available. Carpentry specialist; garden maintenance; This is the time of all-sufficing laughter Funding for 15 hours free is available for all children from the building work inside & out. At idiotic things some one has done, term following their 3rd birthday and for eligible children following their 2nd birthday. Fully insured, good references. And there is neither past nor vague hereafter. Free quotations; no job too small. And all your body stretches in the sun Funding for 30 hours free is avialable for eligible parents from 2 Manor Farm Cottages, North Houghton And drinks the light in like a liquid thing; the term following a child’s 3rd birthday. 810311 or 07900 621842 Filled with the divine languor of late spring. For further information or to arrange a visit please contact us: Tel: 07931 914238 By Stephen Vincent Benét (1898-1943) Email: [email protected] Lots more information available on our website: www.broughtonpreschool.com Page 10 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 11 Village News then spoon the mixture into the tin. Smooth the top then scatter over the rhubarb. Try to make sure the Congratulations to Stephanie, daughter of Gary and Recipe of the month Rhubarb & soured cream cake rhubarb does not touch the sides of the tin or it tends Therese Oliver of Carbery House, on her marriage to burn. to Hamish Dobson at St Mary's on Saturday 27th with a ginger syrup April. The skirl of the pipes that could be heard Bake for 1½ hours (in some ovens it might not take wafting over the southern end of the village through this long!) or until the cake feels firm to the touch. the afternoon gave away Hamish's Scottish links! This moist cake is made with new season rhubarb Cover the top with foil after 1 hour if it begins to Having met at Exeter University, Hamish now runs and topped with a sticky ginger syrup. Serve as a brown too much. Leave the cake to cool in the tin his private jet hire business and Stephanie is teatime cake or as a yummy pudding with custard. for 10 minutes, then remove and peel off the paper. pursuing a law career in the City. We hope they will Place the cake on a wire rack to cool completely, be very happy together. 75g unsalted butter, softened then transfer to serving dish. 250g light brown soft sugar In a small pan, gently heat the caster sugar with the 284ml pot reduced fat soured cream remaining ginger and 100ml cold water, until the 2 medium eggs sugar has dissolved. Increase the heart and boil for 3 tsp ground ginger about 5 minutes swirling occasionally but not 300g self-raising flour stirring, until the syrup is golden brown. Spoon the 400g rhubarb, trimmed and roughly chopped hot syrup over the rhubarb cake and cut into wedges 100g caster sugar to serve. Preheat oven to 180C, gas mark 4. New season rhubarb has the best colour, but fruit throughout the season will also work well. The Grease a 23cm springform cake tin and line the base cake will keep for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight with baking parchment container in a cool place. Cream the butter and brown sugar together, then Many thanks to Nina Bates for this delicious cricket Congratulations too, to Peter Woodfine and beat in a little of the soured cream until the mixture tea favourite at Broad Halfpenny Down. Kimberley Haworth who married at St Mary’s on 4th is smooth. Beat in the remaining cream, eggs and 2 May, with only a very short walk to their home at teaspoons of the ginger. Gently fold in the flour, Old Thatch where tepees were erected for the reception. Every good wish for their married life.

Conker Lodge, School Lane, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8AN

We provide high quality, Ofstead registered early years care & education within out prupose built ‘Home Lodge’ th On 8 June there will be a service of blessing, A Poem for Late Spring style building where children have the opportunity to which will be officiated by Canon Graham Trasler, particiate in a wide rantge of intersting activites which for the marriage of Nick Taylor, son of Alison and May Morning promote areas of learning. Simon Taylor, and Lisa Vechamamontien. We wish I lie stretched out upon the window-seat There is free flow access to our fantastic outside space which them every happiness as they begin their married And doze, and read a page or two, and doze, has a covered area for all weather use. life. And feel the air like water on me close, Our dedicated staff team are very experienced, well Great waves of sunny air that lip and beat qualified and provide a high adult:child ratio. With a small noise, monotonous and sweet, Against the window -- and the scent of cool, We offer flexible hours Monday to Friday with various start & finidh times. Frail flowers by some brown and dew-drenched pool Possesses me from drowsy head to feet. Healthy lifestyles are actively promoted and hot lunches Alasdair John Cox are available. Carpentry specialist; garden maintenance; This is the time of all-sufficing laughter Funding for 15 hours free is available for all children from the building work inside & out. At idiotic things some one has done, term following their 3rd birthday and for eligible children following their 2nd birthday. Fully insured, good references. And there is neither past nor vague hereafter. Free quotations; no job too small. And all your body stretches in the sun Funding for 30 hours free is avialable for eligible parents from 2 Manor Farm Cottages, North Houghton And drinks the light in like a liquid thing; the term following a child’s 3rd birthday. 810311 or 07900 621842 Filled with the divine languor of late spring. For further information or to arrange a visit please contact us: Tel: 07931 914238 By Stephen Vincent Benét (1898-1943) Email: [email protected] Lots more information available on our website: www.broughtonpreschool.com Page 12 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 13

weddings we had at St Mary’s on 27 April, 4th May Longstock Village Fete Tent. Amesbury Town Band will entertain us and 25 May. The work on the churchyard has meant throughout the afternoon. that the setting for pictures is lovely. Garry Hedley, Chairman of the Fete Committee Bric a Brac, Books and Bottle stalls will be in their This year we are holding an ‘Open Gardens’ event writes: usual places on site but in order to have things to on 15 and 16 June and 8 garden owners have This year’s Fete will be held on Saturday 31 sell the organisers rely on generous donations from agreed to partake. So if you are planning your diary August so please be sure to enter the date in your people living within the village. To this end the and think you would like to be involved, these are diary. We are hoping for a bumper turnout, to usual “Flyer” will be delivered to each household in the dates to reserve. Help will be needed for garden match that of 2018, so please spread the word and early August, asking for unwanted items, so why sitting and teas, including cake making. If you can do come along with family and friends. help, please call 810284 and speak to Maddie not begin sorting through your cupboards now? As well as the usual stalls and events we are On 10 April 2019 we had the Annual Meeting for St regarding teas, or Garry for garden sitting. There is no time like the present. delighted to be able to welcome representatives Mary’s Church (the APCM). The Annual Report Finally, within the next couple of months we will be was presented which showed that the church was Mid-Test Benefice. from Wessex Medieval.Org who will be dressed in producing Draw Tickets for sale. Prizes so far holding its own, despite being more than 2 years in full armour ready to put on a re-enactment display On 23 May in the afternoon, we received the include £100 and £50 in cash; a taster session (under vacancy. Financially we are stable and worshipping following notice from the Winchester Diocese: for our entertainment. Surely something not to be professional supervision) at Spitfire Clay Pigeon numbers are steady. The Electoral Roll has grown to missed. 42 members. Maddie Hedley was re-elected as “We are sorry to inform you that it has become Shoot, WI Hamper and a meal for two at The Peat Churchwarden (there is still one vacancy) and the necessary to defer the licensing arranged for 28th For the children, we will see the return of last year’s Spade Ð all things which are very well worth PCC members re-elected were Beth Oliver, Garry May. We will be working with the appointee on “Adventure Tunnel” Ð much enjoyed by those who winning. One of these prizes could be yours for as Hedley and Richard Robinson. 3 vacancies remain outstanding matters as swiftly as possible next week like gentle “rough and tumble”. Other options for little as £1 but if you don’t win there is always the open. and will provide further information as soon as the children will include races and games, Bouncy pleasure of knowing that net proceeds from the day possible. Considerable work has already gone into Castle, Children’s Corner, Pony Rides, and Coconut On 5 May we had Café Church at St Mary’s. will find their way to local village organisations and organising the licensing and those involved in this Shy. This service was well attended and all who came deserve our thanks.” causes. So please don’t be shy when asked to buy. enjoyed the breakfast Ð and for a change one kind There will be also be plenty of liquid and other As they say, you need to be in it to win it. person Ð Sarah O’Gorman Ð provided us with The Area Dean, Revd James Pitkin, will provide us refreshments on site in the form of the Bar (courtesy with further information as soon as he is able. Thanks and best wishes and I hope to see you on 31 delicious mini bacon baps. The drama of the of our friends at the Peat Spade) the BBQ and Tea August. workers in the vineyard was enthusiastically Meanwhile the wardens and PCC’s will continue to presented by a mixture of adults and young people. ensure that the churches continue to function as they The key message being that Jesus is open to all and have over the last two and a half years. We would it is never too late to believe. like to thank all the volunteers who help keep the churches running, in so many different ways. The church services for June and July are set out in Please pray for all concerned. their usual place Ð but please look out for information about The Pet Service which is R C Church of scheduled for 14 July and will be held in the St. Thomas More Churchyard. This will start a little later than usual at 10.00am. This service is always great fun and it is Behind Rosalind Hill House, lovely to see the variety of pets. The dogs are Stockbridge High Street usually all very well behaved! MASS CELEBRATED at 09.00 each Sunday The church has been wonderfully decorated for the Father Mark Hogan, Parish Priest Tel: 01962 852804 Forthcoming Services at St. Mary’s Details of other services in the Benefice from Church Warden: Maddie Hedley on 810284 Page 12 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 13 weddings we had at St Mary’s on 27 April, 4th May Longstock Village Fete Tent. Amesbury Town Band will entertain us and 25 May. The work on the churchyard has meant throughout the afternoon. that the setting for pictures is lovely. Garry Hedley, Chairman of the Fete Committee Bric a Brac, Books and Bottle stalls will be in their This year we are holding an ‘Open Gardens’ event writes: usual places on site but in order to have things to on 15 and 16 June and 8 garden owners have This year’s Fete will be held on Saturday 31 sell the organisers rely on generous donations from agreed to partake. So if you are planning your diary August so please be sure to enter the date in your people living within the village. To this end the and think you would like to be involved, these are diary. We are hoping for a bumper turnout, to usual “Flyer” will be delivered to each household in the dates to reserve. Help will be needed for garden match that of 2018, so please spread the word and early August, asking for unwanted items, so why sitting and teas, including cake making. If you can do come along with family and friends. help, please call 810284 and speak to Maddie not begin sorting through your cupboards now? As well as the usual stalls and events we are On 10 April 2019 we had the Annual Meeting for St regarding teas, or Garry for garden sitting. There is no time like the present. delighted to be able to welcome representatives Mary’s Church (the APCM). The Annual Report Finally, within the next couple of months we will be was presented which showed that the church was Mid-Test Benefice. from Wessex Medieval.Org who will be dressed in producing Draw Tickets for sale. Prizes so far holding its own, despite being more than 2 years in full armour ready to put on a re-enactment display On 23 May in the afternoon, we received the include £100 and £50 in cash; a taster session (under vacancy. Financially we are stable and worshipping following notice from the Winchester Diocese: for our entertainment. Surely something not to be professional supervision) at Spitfire Clay Pigeon numbers are steady. The Electoral Roll has grown to missed. 42 members. Maddie Hedley was re-elected as “We are sorry to inform you that it has become Shoot, WI Hamper and a meal for two at The Peat Churchwarden (there is still one vacancy) and the necessary to defer the licensing arranged for 28th For the children, we will see the return of last year’s Spade Ð all things which are very well worth PCC members re-elected were Beth Oliver, Garry May. We will be working with the appointee on “Adventure Tunnel” Ð much enjoyed by those who winning. One of these prizes could be yours for as Hedley and Richard Robinson. 3 vacancies remain outstanding matters as swiftly as possible next week like gentle “rough and tumble”. Other options for little as £1 but if you don’t win there is always the open. and will provide further information as soon as the children will include races and games, Bouncy pleasure of knowing that net proceeds from the day possible. Considerable work has already gone into Castle, Children’s Corner, Pony Rides, and Coconut On 5 May we had Café Church at St Mary’s. will find their way to local village organisations and organising the licensing and those involved in this Shy. This service was well attended and all who came deserve our thanks.” causes. So please don’t be shy when asked to buy. enjoyed the breakfast Ð and for a change one kind There will be also be plenty of liquid and other As they say, you need to be in it to win it. person Ð Sarah O’Gorman Ð provided us with The Area Dean, Revd James Pitkin, will provide us refreshments on site in the form of the Bar (courtesy with further information as soon as he is able. Thanks and best wishes and I hope to see you on 31 delicious mini bacon baps. The drama of the of our friends at the Peat Spade) the BBQ and Tea August. workers in the vineyard was enthusiastically Meanwhile the wardens and PCC’s will continue to presented by a mixture of adults and young people. ensure that the churches continue to function as they The key message being that Jesus is open to all and have over the last two and a half years. We would it is never too late to believe. like to thank all the volunteers who help keep the churches running, in so many different ways. The church services for June and July are set out in Please pray for all concerned. their usual place Ð but please look out for information about The Pet Service which is R C Church of scheduled for 14 July and will be held in the St. Thomas More Churchyard. This will start a little later than usual at 10.00am. This service is always great fun and it is Behind Rosalind Hill House, lovely to see the variety of pets. The dogs are Stockbridge High Street usually all very well behaved! MASS CELEBRATED at 09.00 each Sunday The church has been wonderfully decorated for the Father Mark Hogan, Parish Priest Tel: 01962 852804 Forthcoming Services at St. Mary’s Details of other services in the Benefice from Church Warden: Maddie Hedley on 810284 Page 14 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 15 The Village Hall’s Year In addition, the committee had agreed to give £1,000 to the parish council as part of the required Parish council Facebook John Musters writes: replacement of all street lights in the village and, At the village hall AGM on 9th May, chairman John The parish council’s Facebook through an anonymous donation, had been able to page QR code Musters welcomed committee members and the finance another street light. For all those reasons, chairman of the parish council, Sophie Walters. overall expenditure for the year exceeded income by He particularly welcomed onto the management some £2,360, but the end-of-year balance was a committee Louise Pettigrew, who had taken over as healthy £17,364 and committee members were well representative of the Mayflies after Malcolm satisfied that it was a very comfortable financial McMaster’s decision to stand down after 16 years. cushion going forward. Longstock’s website Chairman paid tribute to Malcolm who, he said, was The annual review of committee membership www.longstockvillage.com rightly quick to question assumptions and keep the confirmed the six representative members and three [email protected] committee properly on its toes. Chairman spoke for ‘elected’ members as follows: all in recording very warm thanks to Malcolm for his services and was pleased that he would continue Parish Council (Charles Grieve); PCC (Richard his connection with the hall as a member of Dane Robinson); Allotments (Gareth Evans); Garden Oliver’s maintenance team. Club (John Musters); Badminton (Miles Bulpitt) and Mayflies (Louise Pettigrew). The three The parish council is Custodian Trustee of the hall ‘elected’ members were Richard Cole, Selina and Sophie Walters was kind enough to say: Musters and Margaret Taylor; in addition Dane “to all those who manage and care for this village Oliver would continue running the maintenance hall, it is the envy of a lot of villages. I know only team and Triston Lakin would continue as our too well the amount of work that goes into keeping it Licence Holder. going, clean and presentable at all times. It’s a Following confirmation of those posts, which were huge asset for us, used frequently and covers its all agreed, and signing of the Acceptance of own costs to boot. On behalf of the parish council I Trusteeship register, the following officers were would like to take this opportunity to thank the hall voted in again unanimously: John Musters as management committee for your donation towards chairman and treasurer, Gareth Evans as minutes our new street lights and for all your hard work.” secretary, Selina Musters as executive secretary and Reviewing the past year, Chairman said that all the (a new post) Dane Oliver as Safeguarding Officer regular clubs continued and that income from following endorsement of his draft Safeguarding lettings (£7,980) and badminton (£865) was close to Policy. last year’s figures, so income was steady and Looking ahead, the Leckford Estate had been asked healthy. to have a look at the row of tall trees on the south It had, however, been an expensive year for side of the hall, which were of increasing concern. replacements and repairs and, although the hall It was hoped that they could be considerably looked amazing for its nearly 30 years constant use reduced in height if not actually felled. (which was tribute to Dane Oliver’s maintenance team and Margaret Taylor’s cleaning routines), HORSEBRIDGE ROAD, HORSEBRIDGE, SO20 6PU some major work had been necessary, including Stockbridge Community Telephone: 01794 388644 £1,013 to re-do the lighting system, so we now had Cinema Johnofgaunt.co.uk separate banks for the tube lights and uplights, which at last switched off when turned off! We also We are on the Test Way, midway between Stockbridge and Romsey in the picturesque village of had £964 worth of roof repairs carried out; a new Horsebridge. We are ideally suited for groups of ramblers or cyclists with a pre booking service available. water heater fitted in the gents’ basin (£618); as well We are a Free House specialising in fine ales, wines and home-cooked locally-sourced food. as numerous other electrical and plumbing jobs. All Shoplifters— Friday, June 14 Choice of freshly cooked roasts every Sunday. those works together came to £4,614. 7:30pm Expenditure (£2,881) on electricity for lighting and A Private War— Wednesday, June 19 We are open throughout the day from 9.30 am and will not close before 10pm, or later if we have customers. Food served between 9.30 am until 8pm, and later if pre-booked. (especially) heating was again of some concern, due 4:30pm and 7:30pm in part to an 18% rise in charges last May. But there We have 30 covers inside and 32 seats available in our garden to the rear. is also a lot of waste, and all hirers would be Can You Ever Forgive Me — Friday, July 19 For those who like fishing, we have the John O’Gaunt Fly Fishing Club exhorted yet again to ensure doors are kept shut 7:30pm with regular club days on Pittleworth Lakes. when heating is on and that all switches are turned off on leaving. Stan & Ollie — Wednesday, July 24 Parking in the Test Way Car Park, and Horsebridge Station Road. 5:00 pm and 7:30pm Free Wifi and Dog friendly Page 14 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 15 The Village Hall’s Year In addition, the committee had agreed to give £1,000 to the parish council as part of the required Parish council Facebook John Musters writes: replacement of all street lights in the village and, At the village hall AGM on 9th May, chairman John The parish council’s Facebook through an anonymous donation, had been able to page QR code Musters welcomed committee members and the finance another street light. For all those reasons, chairman of the parish council, Sophie Walters. overall expenditure for the year exceeded income by He particularly welcomed onto the management some £2,360, but the end-of-year balance was a committee Louise Pettigrew, who had taken over as healthy £17,364 and committee members were well representative of the Mayflies after Malcolm satisfied that it was a very comfortable financial McMaster’s decision to stand down after 16 years. cushion going forward. Longstock’s website Chairman paid tribute to Malcolm who, he said, was The annual review of committee membership www.longstockvillage.com rightly quick to question assumptions and keep the confirmed the six representative members and three [email protected] committee properly on its toes. Chairman spoke for ‘elected’ members as follows: all in recording very warm thanks to Malcolm for his services and was pleased that he would continue Parish Council (Charles Grieve); PCC (Richard his connection with the hall as a member of Dane Robinson); Allotments (Gareth Evans); Garden Oliver’s maintenance team. Club (John Musters); Badminton (Miles Bulpitt) and Mayflies (Louise Pettigrew). The three The parish council is Custodian Trustee of the hall ‘elected’ members were Richard Cole, Selina and Sophie Walters was kind enough to say: Musters and Margaret Taylor; in addition Dane “to all those who manage and care for this village Oliver would continue running the maintenance hall, it is the envy of a lot of villages. I know only team and Triston Lakin would continue as our too well the amount of work that goes into keeping it Licence Holder. going, clean and presentable at all times. It’s a Following confirmation of those posts, which were huge asset for us, used frequently and covers its all agreed, and signing of the Acceptance of own costs to boot. On behalf of the parish council I Trusteeship register, the following officers were would like to take this opportunity to thank the hall voted in again unanimously: John Musters as management committee for your donation towards chairman and treasurer, Gareth Evans as minutes our new street lights and for all your hard work.” secretary, Selina Musters as executive secretary and Reviewing the past year, Chairman said that all the (a new post) Dane Oliver as Safeguarding Officer regular clubs continued and that income from following endorsement of his draft Safeguarding lettings (£7,980) and badminton (£865) was close to Policy. last year’s figures, so income was steady and Looking ahead, the Leckford Estate had been asked healthy. to have a look at the row of tall trees on the south It had, however, been an expensive year for side of the hall, which were of increasing concern. replacements and repairs and, although the hall It was hoped that they could be considerably looked amazing for its nearly 30 years constant use reduced in height if not actually felled. (which was tribute to Dane Oliver’s maintenance team and Margaret Taylor’s cleaning routines), HORSEBRIDGE ROAD, HORSEBRIDGE, SO20 6PU some major work had been necessary, including Stockbridge Community Telephone: 01794 388644 £1,013 to re-do the lighting system, so we now had Cinema Johnofgaunt.co.uk separate banks for the tube lights and uplights, which at last switched off when turned off! We also We are on the Test Way, midway between Stockbridge and Romsey in the picturesque village of had £964 worth of roof repairs carried out; a new Horsebridge. We are ideally suited for groups of ramblers or cyclists with a pre booking service available. water heater fitted in the gents’ basin (£618); as well We are a Free House specialising in fine ales, wines and home-cooked locally-sourced food. as numerous other electrical and plumbing jobs. All Shoplifters— Friday, June 14 Choice of freshly cooked roasts every Sunday. those works together came to £4,614. 7:30pm Expenditure (£2,881) on electricity for lighting and A Private War— Wednesday, June 19 We are open throughout the day from 9.30 am and will not close before 10pm, or later if we have customers. Food served between 9.30 am until 8pm, and later if pre-booked. (especially) heating was again of some concern, due 4:30pm and 7:30pm in part to an 18% rise in charges last May. But there We have 30 covers inside and 32 seats available in our garden to the rear. is also a lot of waste, and all hirers would be Can You Ever Forgive Me — Friday, July 19 For those who like fishing, we have the John O’Gaunt Fly Fishing Club exhorted yet again to ensure doors are kept shut 7:30pm with regular club days on Pittleworth Lakes. when heating is on and that all switches are turned off on leaving. Stan & Ollie — Wednesday, July 24 Parking in the Test Way Car Park, and Horsebridge Station Road. 5:00 pm and 7:30pm Free Wifi and Dog friendly Page 16 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 17

Stockbridge Music von Bingen’s 12th century O ecclesia, occuli tui; Perfect diction, clarity, ensemble, balance, We will also have a celebration barbeque, a pub Concert by The Gesualdo Six Phos hilaron written by the group’s conductor pronunciation, dexterity Ð the superlatives don’t stop; lunch, a visit to Longstock Water Gardens, and are St Peter’s Church Ð 3rd May 2019 Owain Park; and Ad te clamamus by Christopher and no wonder the packed church was aghast when it making a wall hanging for the Town Hall, so this James Montgomery writes: Tye from the 16th century. heard the singing of the twentieth century Ligeti’s milestone year will be much celebrated. Elsewhere, Italian madrigals from a set by various nonsense madrigal The Cuckoo in the Pear-Tree; the Although life is very different for women nowadays, This group’s composers commissioned by a Venetian nobleman group’s rapid, precise juxtaposition of voices was the fundamental aims of fun, friendship and learning style is called Leonardo Sanudo as a tribute to his wife and breathtaking Ð and humorous. continue, so if you’d like to learn more about the extremely each ending with the words Viva La Bella Dori (a Encores ending with Rheinberger’s Abendlied lively group, please ring Micki Nadal on 810567, difficult to sea-nymph representing her) were sung with rounded off this inspirational evening. Sylvia Shepard on 810603, or Selina Musters on define. Every geniality. Such is the group’s clarity of diction, you 810459, [email protected]. one of the six can hear every Italian word, as they showed later in young men the love song Potro viver io piu se senza luce (I (seven in fact Women’s Institute would live more without light Ð interpret as you This is the hundredth anniversary year Longstock Walkers with the will…) by the sixteenth century composer conductor, but for Longstock and Leckford W.I., so The Longstock walking group, started by Brian Marenzio. many celebrations are planned. he joins the group from time to time) possesses the Woodward eleven years ago, is continuing, in spite Fine illustrations of the skill Thomas Tallis The first meeting was held in July 1919 at the home of his current illness. Walks are on the third most individual wonderful richness of sound. And employed to juggle allegiances between Protestant yet their pitch point perfect voices, from counter of Miss Winifred Beddington, who was the first Thursday of each month, and are about eight miles and Catholic in the fifteen hundreds were If Ye Love president. She and Mrs Mabel Goater (grandmother tenor (male alto) to bass, blend like cream one with Me (incidentally sung here beautifully one to a with lunch in a pub halfway along; they are being the other. Remarkable. of Anne Roberts, mother of Mid Goater) had visited voice, also five tones down from the norm today!) every house in Longstock to invite women to join, planned now by Peter Moore (Tel: 810205 or The performance, a textbook example of the finest and, from the Latin mass, Loquebantur variis and eventually meetings moved to the village hall, [email protected]), and he or John Musters singing in the British choral tradition, gave us works linguis. although they are now held in Stockbridge Town (Tel: 810459 or [email protected]) can be that fused the 12th and 16th centuries with the 20th A Christina Rosetti poem set to music by the Hall. contacted for more details. It is a splendid way to and 21st Ð a separation of more than 600 years. The contemporary composer Sarah Rimkus for the clever choice of repertoire though yielded musical The photo of that first meeting shows all the ladies explore the countryside in good company. Gesualdo Six, My heart is like a singing bird was a in smart hats and ‘Sunday best’, and we hope to We thank Brian for getting the group started all character not that dissimilar. surprise delight. This charming, dissonant but easy- recreate it, wearing our more usual clothes without those years ago, and wish him and Maggie well. A fine example was their singing of three different to-listen piece is worthy of becoming a standard. any hats! works that flowed as if they were one Ð Hildegard Page 16 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 17

Stockbridge Music von Bingen’s 12th century O ecclesia, occuli tui; Perfect diction, clarity, ensemble, balance, We will also have a celebration barbeque, a pub Concert by The Gesualdo Six Phos hilaron written by the group’s conductor pronunciation, dexterity Ð the superlatives don’t stop; lunch, a visit to Longstock Water Gardens, and are St Peter’s Church Ð 3rd May 2019 Owain Park; and Ad te clamamus by Christopher and no wonder the packed church was aghast when it making a wall hanging for the Town Hall, so this James Montgomery writes: Tye from the 16th century. heard the singing of the twentieth century Ligeti’s milestone year will be much celebrated. Elsewhere, Italian madrigals from a set by various nonsense madrigal The Cuckoo in the Pear-Tree; the Although life is very different for women nowadays, This group’s composers commissioned by a Venetian nobleman group’s rapid, precise juxtaposition of voices was the fundamental aims of fun, friendship and learning style is called Leonardo Sanudo as a tribute to his wife and breathtaking Ð and humorous. continue, so if you’d like to learn more about the extremely each ending with the words Viva La Bella Dori (a Encores ending with Rheinberger’s Abendlied lively group, please ring Micki Nadal on 810567, difficult to sea-nymph representing her) were sung with rounded off this inspirational evening. Sylvia Shepard on 810603, or Selina Musters on define. Every geniality. Such is the group’s clarity of diction, you 810459, [email protected]. one of the six can hear every Italian word, as they showed later in young men the love song Potro viver io piu se senza luce (I (seven in fact Women’s Institute would live more without light Ð interpret as you This is the hundredth anniversary year Longstock Walkers with the will…) by the sixteenth century composer conductor, but for Longstock and Leckford W.I., so The Longstock walking group, started by Brian Marenzio. many celebrations are planned. he joins the group from time to time) possesses the Woodward eleven years ago, is continuing, in spite Fine illustrations of the skill Thomas Tallis The first meeting was held in July 1919 at the home of his current illness. Walks are on the third most individual wonderful richness of sound. And employed to juggle allegiances between Protestant yet their pitch point perfect voices, from counter of Miss Winifred Beddington, who was the first Thursday of each month, and are about eight miles and Catholic in the fifteen hundreds were If Ye Love president. She and Mrs Mabel Goater (grandmother tenor (male alto) to bass, blend like cream one with Me (incidentally sung here beautifully one to a with lunch in a pub halfway along; they are being the other. Remarkable. of Anne Roberts, mother of Mid Goater) had visited voice, also five tones down from the norm today!) every house in Longstock to invite women to join, planned now by Peter Moore (Tel: 810205 or The performance, a textbook example of the finest and, from the Latin mass, Loquebantur variis and eventually meetings moved to the village hall, [email protected]), and he or John Musters singing in the British choral tradition, gave us works linguis. although they are now held in Stockbridge Town (Tel: 810459 or [email protected]) can be that fused the 12th and 16th centuries with the 20th A Christina Rosetti poem set to music by the Hall. contacted for more details. It is a splendid way to and 21st Ð a separation of more than 600 years. The contemporary composer Sarah Rimkus for the clever choice of repertoire though yielded musical The photo of that first meeting shows all the ladies explore the countryside in good company. Gesualdo Six, My heart is like a singing bird was a in smart hats and ‘Sunday best’, and we hope to We thank Brian for getting the group started all character not that dissimilar. surprise delight. This charming, dissonant but easy- recreate it, wearing our more usual clothes without those years ago, and wish him and Maggie well. A fine example was their singing of three different to-listen piece is worthy of becoming a standard. any hats! works that flowed as if they were one Ð Hildegard Page 18 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 19

Open Gardens in Longstock Stockbridge Community Fete Sat 15 and Sun 16 June 2019 Saturday 8th June 2019 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm each day 12:00pm Ð 4:00pm Adults £8 (incl both days), under 16s free £2, Children go free 8 Gardens in Longstock, some of which have never previously been seen by the general public, the Village Allotments and St Mary’s Church will join Hampshire’s list of Open Gardens Events in June. Farmers’ Markets Programmes will be on sale in the Village Hall and also at one of the designated parking areas in the Stockbridge Country Market — 9.30 ‘til 11.30 village. Watch out for the signs. A limited amount Stockbridge Town Hall, every Thursday of free - mini bus - transport will be available to take people up and down the village. Winchester — 9 ’til 2 Winchester High Street, 30th June, 14th & 28th July Teas will be served in the Village Hall on both afternoons starting at 1.30 pm, where there will also Romsey — 10 ’til 1 be a Plant Stall with many quality plants and Alma Road Car Park, 2nd June, 4th July bargains to be had. Unfortunately dogs will not be allowed to enter any of the gardens. Andover — 10 ‘til 2 High Street 16h June All proceeds are in aid of St Mary’s Church, Longstock. For queries please contact Garry Hedley Salisbury Ð 9 ‘til 2 (Church Treasurer) on 01264 810284 or by e mail Poultry Cross, [email protected] first and third Wednesday of each month Page 18 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019 Issue No 241 June/July 2019 The Longstock Newsletter Page 19

Open Gardens in Longstock Stockbridge Community Fete Sat 15 and Sun 16 June 2019 Saturday 8th June 2019 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm each day 12:00pm Ð 4:00pm Adults £8 (incl both days), under 16s free £2, Children go free 8 Gardens in Longstock, some of which have never previously been seen by the general public, the Village Allotments and St Mary’s Church will join Hampshire’s list of Open Gardens Events in June. Farmers’ Markets Programmes will be on sale in the Village Hall and also at one of the designated parking areas in the Stockbridge Country Market — 9.30 ‘til 11.30 village. Watch out for the signs. A limited amount Stockbridge Town Hall, every Thursday of free - mini bus - transport will be available to take people up and down the village. Winchester — 9 ’til 2 Winchester High Street, 30th June, 14th & 28th July Teas will be served in the Village Hall on both afternoons starting at 1.30 pm, where there will also Romsey — 10 ’til 1 be a Plant Stall with many quality plants and Alma Road Car Park, 2nd June, 4th July bargains to be had. Unfortunately dogs will not be allowed to enter any of the gardens. Andover — 10 ‘til 2 High Street 16h June All proceeds are in aid of St Mary’s Church, Longstock. For queries please contact Garry Hedley Salisbury Ð 9 ‘til 2 (Church Treasurer) on 01264 810284 or by e mail Poultry Cross, [email protected] first and third Wednesday of each month Page 20 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 241 June/July 2019

Thank you to our VILLAGE DIRECTORY in June 2019 deliverers for this issue: Church Warden 810 284 Peter Bramley Father Mark Hogan (RC) 01962 852 804 Andy and Sharon Crabtree Charles Grieve Community Sports Hall TV School 810 555 Becky Griffiths Garden Club 810 794, 810 432 Geoff Merritt Mayflies Youth Club (Liz Howard) 07870 612 127 Boo Milne John & Selina Musters Neighbour Care Scheme for Beth Oliver Stockbridge/Longstock/Houghton 0845 0943 713 Gary Oliver Nigel Rugman Parish Council Clerk 810 752 Thank you also to everyone contributing or Pilates/Yoga 810 549 checking articles & news. Scouts Stockbridge (Mo Collins) 01256 895 534 Please contact the Parish Clerk, on 810752, or Village Hall, Badminton/Bowls 810 459 e-mail [email protected] if W.I. 810 603 you’d like to help with the newsletter in any way, and by Friday 19th July if you’d like to submit EMERGENCY or USEFUL CONTACTS an article or announcement, give us some news, or place an advert. Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 807 060 DUSTBIN COLLECTION Hampshire Fire & Rescue 02380 644 000 Black Fri 7th, Fri 21st June Floodline 08459 881 188 bins Fri 5th, Fri 19th July Southern Electric 08457 331 331 Brown Sat 1st, Fri 14th, Fri 28th June Southern Water 08452 780 845 bins Fri 12th and Fri 26th July June / July 2019 Police non-urgent calls 101 or 0845 0454 545 Issue 241 Neighbourcare Andover 336 020, 339 899 Green bags are collected on Tuesdays of the same week as brown bins. To subscribe please Surgery 810524 contact TVBC on 368000. Community Care Team Foil is collected at Chilbolton’s West Down car (District Nurses) 01962 893 560 park & at Andover Garden Centre. Helpline for Carers (Freephone) 08000 323 456 Plastic pots are no longer recycled there. Hants County Council information 0845 603 5638 This Newsletter is Test Valley Borough Council 368000 published by Longstock There is a collecting box for clean plastic milk Parish Council and delivered bottle tops in the church lychgate, and a Citizens’ Advice Bureau 365534 free to every household in separate one for batteries. Please don’t put To call anonymously with information Longstock. either in plastic bags. Batteries can also be about crime: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 disposed of in supermarkets & should not go in Anyone else may subscribe dustbins. TRANSPORT at £8 a year. The batteries (small, not car!) will Stagecoach Stockbridge to Winchester be taken for safe disposal; and buses number 68 0845 121 0190 clean plastic milk bottle tops with Wheelers Stockbridge to Winchester buses the HDPE symbol will be recycled to number 16, & no 15 to Andover 02380 471 800 raise funds for the Gift of Sight’s research into macular degeneration. Cango buses to Romsey have been replaced with NO OTHER TYPES shared taxis.Register on 01962 846 786 OF TOPS PLEASE as these are the only Traveline for countrywide travel ones accepted now, and PLEASE don’t put info 08712 002 233 batteries in with bottle tops.The consequences Dial-a-Ride (Joyrides Stockbridge) are DIRE! Minibus to Andover Register on 356 808 While the White Hart has building work This runs through Longstock on Wednesdays at 9.30, returning at noon, for £3.75 return. the glass recycling bins have been moved to Register on 356808 or for more information, ring the bus bay at Roman Road. John Musters. 810459 or Dane Oliver Glass and clothing recycling bins are 810839. avalable at Chilbolton Down car park, and at The deadline for newsletter submissions is Friday 19th July Andover Wyevale Garden Centre. if you’d like to submit any news or comment, or offer to help! [email protected]