The Loddon Valley Link

Church and Community Magazine Issue510

April 2018

Page 1 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk Editorial We are probably all wondering at the partner. moment whether the rural character of our This month's cover picture community will be preserved when so many was taken by Mike Abrams. new houses are being built. So I thought I It features a display done would share with you an incident which for St Leonards' 900th happened to me a few days ago - though I Jane Abrams anniversary last May, and don't necessarily offer it as reassurance! I was designed and made by our minister, was about to get into my car when, looking Stephen. across to our neighbour's drive, I was astonished to see a large pheasant. He was Do send in any pictures you would like to not much fazed by my getting into the car have included - if you want to have a picture and starting the engine, and I watched him on the cover don't forget to take in portrait slowly walk from the neighbour's house and mode! We will be running our usual cover up to our front door - for all the world as if photo competition this summer, so this is a he was going to ring the bell! I didn't see good time to submit them. what happened to him after that as I had to Send pictures, or any other comments or leave for my appointment, and I'm sorry to questions, to [email protected] say I didn't have the wit to take a picture on my phone. Contents Our major feature in this April edition is an Church Services 4-5 article by Donald Dawson explaining how Chapel Services 6 this magazine is produced. Without the Minister’s Letter 7 immense army of volunteers (the Prayer Page 8 committee, the contributors, the advertisers, Sandy Johnston 11-12 the proofreaders and those who do the Borough Councillor 12 house-to-house deliveries) it simply would Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council 18 not be possible, so thanks are due to them Sherfield Village Hall Matters 22 all. We are always looking out for new SoL Village Green Volunteers 23 people, so we hope this article may inspire Sherfield Gardening Club 24 you to come on board! See the article (pp. Crime 24 30-31) for details of how you can help. Helen makes a Splash! 29 The Making of a Magazine 30-31 Sadly we recently said goodbye to a notable The Life and Times of Bowling’s Farm 32-33 local figure, Sandy Johnston - you can find Sher Pk Commty Ctre Events 35 an account of his life and all he did for NWR and WI 37 Sherfield on p. 11. Sherfield Characters 38 We have two local history articles this 100 years of the RAF 41 month - Bowlings Court Farm, also another Sher Pk Par Cncl 42 News from Bramley C of E Primary Sch 44 in the series of articles related to the Rev. Library 46 Barker. Other features are another update Loddon Painters 46 from Abi and the Honeycomb Hub in Honeycomb Hub 48 Botswana, and also an article on the work of Loddon Players 52 Helen Burningham, who is St Leonard Small Ads 56 Church's Church Missionary Society (CMS) Useful Telephone Nos. 57

Distribution: The Loddon Valley Link is hand distributed to over 2,000 houses across the parishes of , , , Hartley Wespall and . Also available online at www.loddonvalleylink.org.uk.

Page 2 Page 3 Sunday 6th May Easter 6 Services April 2018 10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield 10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye

Sunday 1st April Easter Day 6.30pm Evensong St Mary’s Hartley Wespall 8.00am Holy Communion St James Bramley 10.00am Family Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield 9.00am Sunday@nine Cross House Bramley 10.00am Family Communion St Mary’s Stratfield Saye 10.30am Matins St James Bramley 10.00am Holy Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wespall 8.00am Holy Communion St James Bramley Children are welcome at all our services. Services in italics are particularly geared 10.30am Family Communion St James Bramley to children and families.

Sunday 8th April Easter 2 10.00am Morning Worship & Sunday St Leonard’s Sherfield St Leonard’s Annual Parish Church Meeting Club 8.00am Holy Communion St James Bramley Sunday 15th April 2018 at 10am 9.00am Sunday@nine Cross House Bramley 10.30am Holy Communion St James Bramley Coffee and croissants will be available from 9.30am, to give people time to read the report before the service. Friday 13th April There will be a shortened service starting at 10am and 4.15pm Messy Church Sherfield Park Community Centre leading into the APCM, which will finish by 11.30am

Sunday 15th April Easter 3 10.00am Holy Communion and St Leonard’s Sherfield Sunday Club (Incorporating APCM) 6.30pm Evensong St Mary’s Hartley Wespall Come and join us at one of our 8.00am Holy Communion Little London 9.00am Sunday@nine Cross House Bramley Easter Day services, Sunday 1st April 10.30am Morning Worship St James Bramley 10.00am Family Communion at St Leonard’s Sherfield Sunday 22nd April Easter 4 10.00am Family Communion at St Mary’s Stratfield Saye 8.30am Holy Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wespall 10.00am Holy Communion at St Mary’s Hartley Wespall 10.00am Together in Worship St Leonard’s Sherfield 8.00am Holy Communion St James Bramley 9.00am Sunday@nine St James Bramley 10.30am Holy Communion St James Bramley

Sunday 29th April Easter 5 10.00am Benefice Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield 10.30am Together in Worship and Bring St James Bramley and Share Lunch

Page 4 Page 5 Breach Lane Chapel Minister’s Letter Sherfield on Loddon Geoff Belsham 01256 882534/07519 708416 Dear Friends are many words in the Bible associated with I am really looking forward to spring and A P R I L 2 0 1 8 worship that have to do summer now. Lighter days and the signs of with laughter and joy; growth are heartening and I have noticed Sunday 1st 10.30am EASTER DAY Service led by shouts of joy, dancing, this year, particularly, that the lighter skipping and releasing Geoffrey Belsham mornings lift my spirits. I was thinking today th stress? Who wants to go to a church where Sunday 8 10.30am Family Worship led by Steve Smith about joy and laughter and the effect they you come out more burdened than when Saturday 14th 2pm Disabled Christian Fellowship at St have on me. Laughter is one of the ways you arrived? Andrew’s Methodist Church – we see joy and hear it. Sometimes at the end of a busy day I find myself wanting to Did you know that Jesus told jokes and

th do, watch or read something that makes me loved to make people laugh? Most Sunday 15 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen laugh. Thankfully YouTube provides plenty commentators who understand the social Sunday 22nd 10.30am Family Worship of opportunity and material; whether in the and political context definitely agree. To be th form of kitten and cat antics or past sure, there are no ‘knock knock’ jokes in the Sunday 29 10.30am Family Worship episodes of The Two Ronnies. Anyway, at Gospels nor any in a form that we might 6pm Contemporary Worship at St the end of half an hour or so I feel much recognise today but, be assured, they are Andrew’s Methodist Church better and ready for bed. there. In many of Jesus’ parables there are hilarious and ridiculous cartoon like Transport is available for all events I’m sure we have all noticed how busy life exaggerations of the human condition. I has become and how little time there seems have no doubt from studying these things to be for leisure. We can, if we are not that people loved being around Jesus not Catholic Services careful, get consumed by work and just because he was kind and made sense busyness and forget to have fun. The work but because he was funny too. Humour in life balance of many people I meet seems the presentation of anything is very St Bede’s and Holy Ghost Churches, . to weigh too heavily in the direction of being attractive. Laughter is a gift from God and overwhelmed with the stuff of life. Research Parish Office Open he loves to see us having fun. Psalm 126:2 suggests that stress is a key factor as says, “then our mouths were full of laughter Tues to Friday regards our health and longevity and that and our tongues sang for joy. Then it was 9.30 am-1.00 pm Tel.465214. laughter has healing power. It releases said by the nations, ‘the Lord has done Sunday Mass 9.00 am, 11.00 am and 6.30 pm stress. I’m not sure what the scientific basis great things for them’.” Joy can exist even for this is, rather, it is just important to know in times of sorrow and so can gentle that when I’ve had a good laugh I feel laughter and smiles. restored. Laughter, too, is infectious. So, my recommendation to everyone is to A few years ago I remember having a go and find lots of things this year that conversation with a work colleague about make you laugh, seek out lots of times to faith and going to church. He told me that spend time in good company and make fun he had been walking by a church one a priority in your spring and summer Sunday, and heard uproarious laughter schedule, for your sake, for your family’s coming from inside. He was surprised sake and for the benefit of our community. because he thought that churches were dull and boring places. “I felt drawn to that”, he Every blessing said, “I wanted to go in and be part of whatever was happening. I could go to a Stephen 07943 014277 church like that!” Did you know that there [email protected] (day off having fun, Tuesday)

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Romans 1:16-17 Pray for those who are so easily For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it forgotten and are still struggling with the is the power of God for salvation for aftermath of the snow and the bad everyone who believes, to the Jew first weather. and also to the Greek. For in it the Pray for the people of Syria and for world righteousness of God is revealed from leaders who struggle to find a way to faith for faith, as it is written, "The bring an end to the bitter conflict and to righteous shall live by faith." bring peace to that country. ESV Bible Pray for the future of a world so full of Prayer for the month anxieties and worries, uncertain of the future and unsure of the way forward. Lord, Jesus Christ, you call us to walk in Give our leaders the courage to create the light yet so often we walk instead in policies in which we all feel they can darkness. We know that we should love trust. one another, denying ourselves in order to give service, but the pull of self interest is hard to resist. We know that we should put aside everything that destroys relationships. We know that we have no claim on your goodness, no grounds for mercy, and yet we know that you took upon yourself the burden of sinfulness, enduring the awfulness of death. You rose again, opening the way to life for all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer points for April Pray for those who feel isolated and lonely as they struggle to cope with bad weather and all the difficulties which have happened this winter.

Message from Sandy Johnston's family We were overwhelmed to see so many friends Horseshoes for helping us all to celebrate in at Sandy’s service on Friday 9th March and true village style. would like to thank everyone for the many P.S. Donations to Headway Basingstoke, beautiful cards and messages of sympathy. Sandy’s favourite charity, are already over Special thanks to Stephen and Lorna, £1700, for which we are extremely grateful. Richard, Brian, Bruce and Natalie for all their Thank you all love and continued support. Janet and family Thanks also to Dan and Tony for parking cars (in the rain!) and Jan and her staff at The Four

Page 8 Page 9 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk Sandy Johnston 1932 - 2018 For over 20 years, he showed unstinting commitment as a Parish Councillor, taking special interest in our village green and local footpaths, walking every inch! He compiled Exploring Sherfield-on-Loddon our local walks’ leaflet and oversaw the playground upgrade. He was responsible for the tennis courts and was even digging holes for the new fencing posts just a couple of years ago. He and Janet were Saturday Village Green Volunteers.

Alexander ‘Sandy’ Johnston was born and Sandy helped to restart the Village Fête, grew up in South London and was a pupil at and as chairman, he held the reins, coaxing Dulwich College. volunteers out of thin air! For weeks beforehand, he and Janet have given their After a spell in the army, he found the job he home to store donated goods and the whole loved at the London Stock Exchange. family joins in on fete day. Making multi-million-pound deals using only In 2007 Sandy joined the Management hand signals or word of mouth led him to Committee of the Village Hall. Naturally, he hold to the maxim ‘My word is my bond’. If became an active member: organising the Sandy said he would do something, you annual Barn Dance, joining the Beer knew it would be done. Festival committee and helping the ‘Friends of the Village Hall’ in every activity. You may At a London dance he met Janet, a young have seen him hammering-in roadside signs teacher, and in 1960 they married. Ten advertising numerous village events. years later they became residents of Sherfield, where they brought up their family Or at the roadside, clocking vehicles! If you of four boys. have received a police warning letter for speeding through the Village, you have A keen sportsman, Sandy took up long Sandy to thank, as he was our Speedwatch distance walking. On 23 occasions, he organiser. successfully represented the Stock Exchange in the 56 mile London to Brighton Sandy’s love of the outdoors spilled over walking race and also completed two into his pride in ‘Janet’s’ garden. But he London Marathons. He and Janet have would regularly issue progress reports on walked the Coast to Coast and Two Moors his runner beans. Thrive, a charity based in and Sandy was still enjoying his Sunday Beech Hill which uses gardening to improve morning walks over the Chilterns into this the lives of vulnerable people, soon year. Perhaps you’ve joined one of his local attracted his support. Seeing an opportunity, bluebell walks? he initiated Thrive’s present gardening association with the Vyne. He enjoyed playing golf and cricket, going on to become an umpire and President of Sandy was passionate about the Brain Sherfield Cricket Club and until recently, he Injury Charity, Headway. For more than 20 would go early morning swimming. years, he devoted much of his time to the local Basingstoke branch. He was not just a Sandy’s love for Sherfield showed itself in fierce campaigner for the rights of disabled numerous and varied ways. people, but a hands-on volunteer: offering In the 1980s/90s, he was an enthusiastic personalised home care for clients, running Scout leader. We owe the Village Flower swimming trips, negotiating special Show to the scout leaders of his day. (Continued on page 12)

Page 10 Page 11 (Continued from page 11) He appreciated fine beer and fine port at our local hostelries, had a twinkle in his eye restaurant deals for the Christmas outing, and a wicked sense of humour. Primarily a as only he could, and supporting staff as an family man, he always put family and active Trustee. grandchildren first but he was a very kind man and, in his busy life, he would Often referred to as a ‘true gentleman’, unfailingly offer help to others wherever he Sandy had old-school good manners and could. old-world charm. But he also enjoyed the odd grumble, especially at injustices, Sandy will be remembered as someone to inequality - and other drivers! aspire to and a force for good. Happily his considerable legacy will live on. Friday 13th April 2018

Theme - New Life and Healing Borough Councillor's Report All welcome! Basingstoke Borough Boundary Review Oakley and will be 4.15pm start, singing, dancing and parable then lots of fun craft one of the biggest The Local Government Boundary followed by a tasty meal, finishing at 5.45pm single building Commission for has ruled that sites in the Basingstoke should reduce from 60 to 54 country councillors despite its growing population. It PLEASE NOTE - IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU BOOK also proposes that the wards should all Leisure Park consist of 8000 voters plus or minus 10% in order for us to plan catering and avoid wastage The Leisure Park and that all wards should be served by 3 is to be completely (and please advise of any food allergies). councillors. (At present the Sherfield renewed, bringing Bramley ward has 2 councillors.) state of the art For more information and to book, please contact : Achieving this and respecting existing facilities for us all, and at no cost to the Rosy Staines - [email protected] community ties, parish boundaries and borough or council tax payers thanks to a sensible geographic considerations has deal with New River. There will also be a or on Facebook: messychurchsol taken some considerable work. Whilst designer outlet within the new complex, nothing is finalised it would appear that which should attract a different type of Parish Registers Sherfield and Bramley will combine with shopper to the town and provide a variety of Stratfield Saye, , Hartley employment opportunities. Wespall, and possibly part of By the time it is completed Basingstoke's to create a new ward. Parish population will have grown by about 12,000 boundaries will not be affected by this people so forward planning is essential. Baptism review. If you need to contact me: Tilly-Mae Dobbie 25.02.18 Sherfield A full election of all councillors will take place in May 2018. Email [email protected] Manydown Funeral Phone 07585578295 At long last the commercial partner fo the Sandy (Alexander) Henry Johnston 09.03.18 Sherfield massive Manydown development has been Cllr Nick Robinson chosen and the deal signed. This brings the (representing Bramley and Sherfield) development a step closer, helping to keep the borough on target regarding the 5 year housing land supply. This is good news as Percy's Plant Sale it will help decide unsuitable planning appeals more favourably. The development Please note that unfortunately there will be no sale this year. stretches from the A339 Newbury Rd to

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Contact Roy on 01256 861462 Mobile: 07798 570443. Website: www.molegone.co.uk

Page 16 Page 17 Sherfield on Loddon Parish Council Loddon Sports FC

th Annual Parish Meeting 27 April 2018 contact and Lengthsman Loddon Sports essential; all we ask for is enthusiasm for the Parish. The Annual Parish Meeting is the FC is in need of and a general willingness to help. meeting of residents of the parish. It will Parish Burial Ground some reliable be held on the Friday 27 April 2018 in In particular we are looking for a The project continues to adults to fill the Village Hall. There will be responsible person who might possibly progress. The building base has now vacancies on the representatives of local groups speaking act as Chairman, and also someone to be been completed and the slabs laid and Club's with drinks and nibbles served Child Welfare Officer. This role is now a grouted in a very tasteful grey colour to Committee. We afterwards. Please take the time to join mandatory requirement of the Football match the slabs. The native hedging has are a village us and find out what we have all been up Association. now had over 50% of the tree guards football club currently catering for over to! added to prevent them being savaged by 175 young players aged four to fifteen. If you are keen to help please contact me Sherfield on Loddon Neighbourhood the deer and rabbits. Hopefully by the The club was formed in 1970 and thus on 01256 882798. Development Plan Referendum time you read this they will all have been the next season will be its 48th. We have Fred Berntsen installed. The result of the Referendum held on 20 a small committee who meet every five to Club Secretary February is: The next phase is to clear the six weeks for a couple of hours to discuss brushwood that has been cut down and the running of the club, including training, Turnout: 393 (32%) chip it up to make way for the path that fixtures, kit, finance and coaching 366 voted yes (93%); 27 voted no (7%). will run across the front of the building. courses. We are looking to recruit up to The Sherfield Plan now has the same Once that is done the main path across four people to join the committee. They status as the Adopted local Plan and will the church yard will be regraded and can be Mums or Dads, or anyone willing be officially made by Basingstoke & levelled in preparation for the laying of to help. Knowledge of football is not Deane Borough Council at the full the stones and granite edging. This is Council meeting on 22nd March. A big planned, weather permitting, for next thank you to the Working Party week beginning 19 March, so may well members. be under way by the time you read this. A step in the right direction! As the weather has improved the contractors have been able to work more consistently and hopefully we will see the project move forward with some speed now. Parish Councillor Vacancy With the sudden and sad passing of Sandy Johnston, we have a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. If you are interested in joining the Parish Council please contact the Clerk to find out more! Meeting dates The next meetings of the Full Parish For some many years the footpath steps Council will be on Tuesday 9 April and 8 in Goddards Lane have not been fit for May 2018 at 7.30 pm in the Liddell Hall. purpose. Recently two of our able Village Green Volunteers, Andy Morgan and Bob Weller, together with our Footpath Clerk to the Parish Council, Sherfield on Warden Parish Cllr Di Effiong, set to and Loddon, PO Box 6862, Basingstoke built something wonderful which is also a RG24 4QZ. Tel: 01256 842662; email: whole lot safer, especially in the recent [email protected] inclement weather! They were helped by Emma, the Countryside

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The Four Horseshoes

Old Reading Road Sherfield on Loddon RG27 0EX Tel: 01256 882296 Email: [email protected]

A warm welcome awaits you at this traditional village pub Quiz nights, live music events and much much more Skittle Alley/Function Room available to hire Follow our Facebook page (thefourhorseshoessol) for all the

info

Page 20 Page 21 Join the Royal Wedding Sherfield on Loddon Village Green Volunteers Sherfield Village Saturday Sessions help maintain and tidy the Green. We will Indoor Street Party meet at the War Memorial at 2pm. Please Hall Matters The first session of the year took place on wear protective clothing, heavy gloves and at Sherfield Village Hall 10th March and Reg.Charity No 272385 if you have them, bring secateurs. We will th the volunteers, Saturday 19 May provide rakes, bags and tea, coffee and Christine, Celia, biscuits. If you would like more information, Glen, Mike, please ring John Darker on 882334. Jean, Roger and ‘At the heart of our John barrowed Weekday Sessions community for over and spread the The weather over the past month has 100 years’ chippings from hindered working on the trees on Middle the chestnut Green (as specified in the Notice of Intent) trees onto the path round the Jubilee Pond. but the time was put to good use tidying the Later Catherine and Oliver spread the rest old football pavilion, sanding and oiling the of the chippings onto the path behind the gates to the burial ground. These will be To Hire the Hall Watch it on the big screen cricket pavilion. put back and the last areas of hedging cut Thank you to you all. Munch your lunch hamper back when the contractors have finished. Tel: 07468 427684 Appreciation and The steps leading to the footpath off Toast the couple from the bar compliments on the Goddards Lane have been repaired and the [email protected] results have already Join with friends and neighbours area round Cross Ditch tidied up. This been received. month work will start on the Middle Green The Trustees are greatly saddened by the The next session is as the conditions allow. death of Sandy Johnston, a dedicated Other Dates for Your Diary on 10th May (no New volunteers to assist on the mid-week session in April) and trustee and loyal friend to the Village Hall. sessions are always welcome. Please ring Free Village Coffee Morning there will be Read about Sandy elsewhere in this John Attwood on 881760 if you would like opportunities for month's magazine. th to help. Pamela Darker Sat 14 April 10.45am SVHall anyone who would like to come along to April 9th – User Group Meeting Loddon Players The next Management Meeting will be held 25th, 26th, 28th April SVHall on Monday 9th April in the Liddell Hall, when representatives of hall user groups Sherfield Annual Parish Meeting are again invited to assist the committee in Fri. 27th April SVHall the smooth running of the hall. Sherfield Fete May 14th – Open Meeting Sat. 9th June Village Green The Management Meeting in May will be an Sherfield (Flower) Show Open Meeting when all members of the village are invited to attend. The latest draft Sunday 2nd Sept. SVHall plans for improvements to the hall will be on display and residents are invited to Sherfield Beer Festival contribute their views. Sat. 15th September SVHall Management Meeting Minutes Minutes of Management Meetings can be Follow on Facebook viewed on hall external Notice Boards and the hall website: www.sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk

Page 22 Page 23 Sherfield and District Gardening Club www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk Our April speaker on the 16th April will be collector on the British Bee Keepers our very own Andy Morgan. The subject of Association and Basingstoke websites and Andy’s talk is ‘Flowers and Bees in your has indeed collected a swarm from my Garden’. own garden. Andy Andy will be bringing us a fascinating wanted to insight into how and why bees swarm, the bring us problems that our bee colonies are facing something and the plants that we should all have in a bit our gardens to be beneficial to bees. different You may have heard that there will not be this month a Percy’s plant sale this year. However, from the please keep saving your plants as we will usual talks on flowers and vegetables still have our usual stall at the fete and However this talk is still gardening-related, would be very happy to take your spare as our gardens would not thrive without plants off your hands. the hard work that our bee colonies do. Anyone interested in gardening will be Andy has only been keeping bees since most welcome to join us at the Sherfield he retired 7 years ago and he now has 10 Village Hall at 7:45pm. colonies scattered around Sherfield on Loddon, Bramley, Silchester, Baughurst For arrangements contact Dan on 882680 and Greywell. He is a registered swarm or Andy on 882350

Latest Crime Figures (January 2017)

More information available from www.police.uk/shape/EVhKif/

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Page 26 Page 27 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk Helen makes a Splash! The St Leonard's congregation was In addition to SPLASH recently visited by their CMS missionary, Dance Company, I am Helen Burningham. Here, in her own also working at words, is an account of her work in CRANE (Children at Uganda. Risk Action Network), which aims to enable I was born in Uganda to missionary parents “children to be safe, and lived there for the first six years of my well and fulfilling their God-given potential”. life. This made a lasting impression on me In Uganda girls struggle to reach higher and a gap year in Uganda after college education levels, so CRANE has developed confirmed my calling. At university I studied a programme to address this. One of the dance and theology and went on to do an challenges that I have been involved in MA in choreography. I studied dance addressing is that of limited creativity in because it has been for me a place to teaching methods. I have designed a connect with others and express issues of “Dance Teachers Handbook” which I am importance in an effective way. I have found training teachers to use, encouraging them dance to be a continual way of building to bridges where words sometimes break them. People with disabilities face many challenges in Uganda due to a lack of both understanding and positive role models. On the busy streets in Kampala you see those in wheelchairs/sitting on the floor looking up and reaching their hand for any penny that someone may drop. I see the lack try new learning processes to engage of dignity and learners. it is a continual While in the UK I have visited all my link reminder to churches. I have enjoyed teaching a dance me that there workshop at a youth group in Winchester, is so much and was very grateful for the gift of a mini more to do. sound system to use in Uganda. In addition, I taught a dance workshop at a youth group Part of the vision of SPLASH Dance run by members of St Cuthburt’s and Company, which I founded in May 2017, is shared with them about my work in Uganda. to bring a I also visited Headington school in Oxford refreshing where I was tell the young people about visual SPLASH Dance Company and my vision to message endeavour to bring what the bible says of about equality and love to my present-day strength reality. and agility https://churchmissionsociety.org/people-in- rather mission/helen-burningham than one of inability. At present there are seven dancers attached to the company, both with and without disabilities.

Page 28 Page 29 The Making of a Magazine Turgis, with a few by request to Bramley and Chineham. In all, more than 60 people The Loddon Valley Link Committee are involved in the production and Have you ever wondered how your Loddon especially groups distribution of the magazine. All are Valley Link is put together? How it including churches, volunteers. miraculously arrives through your letter box parish councils, regular free of charge every month? Who are the article providers and Keeping up with the times the magazine is volunteers devoting hours of their time into those organising social available to download from the website and its production? What goes on behind the functions. It includes via email for which you can sign up on the scene? It has taken more than 40 years for adverts, regular reports website. We are also available on the magazine to develop initially, from a 4 and feature articles; they Facebook. We publish many searchable A4 page expensively produced document to should all be sent to the archive copies, so you can see how the a more modest single A4 size sheet printed editor by the 16th day of magazine has developed. There is also an on a Gestetner in the rectory, and finally to the month. We require advertising content events calendar which is available to the professionally printed all-colour slightly earlier to allow for artwork checking synchronise to your own personal electronic magazine you see today. It has been a and approval hence we ask for that by the calendar so you can see what’s going on gradual development, governed by the 10th of the month. We attempt to keep the the area. introduction of the digital age, balanced by time between submission and publication the finances available at the time and the as small as possible ensuring you get the We are always looking for new talent - knowledge and talents of the volunteers latest possible information. anyone who would like to join the editorial who spend hours of their time putting it all team, or new committee members who together. Our advertisers keep the The editor incorporates editorial content could bring new and fresh ideas for the magazine funded, and we are grateful for and advertisements into the magazine over future development of the magazine. We their support. the next five days, bearing in mind the need also need proofreaders (who would not to stay within the standard number of need to be on the committee) to check the We have a talented and active committee pages, to avoid cost overruns but also to final draft of the magazine before it goes (see back page for details) which meets avoid making the magazine unnecessarily out. If anyone is interested, talk to one of every two months. Important agenda items weighty (thinking of those who deliver to the the editors or myself. Training in the cover finance (costs of production against houses carrying numerous copies). The software we use to produce the magazine revenue from advertising - a particularly magazine relies on technology to meet the will be given to new editors. This magazine significant item as the initial incarnation aggressive publishing timescales and is is for you, the community, and we want to folded through lack of finance), review of currently produced in Microsoft Publisher ensure we keep up with the times and the relevant previous editions, review of supported by Office 365 and Adobe CS. A continue to provide an exciting and current and future editions, future magazine draft copy is circulated electronically to informative service for the benefit of all. development, feature articles and any other committee members for proof reading, a matter that comes up from time to time. process which takes two days. And finally, I would like to give my personal The magazine is for all, church and thanks to the committee, the contributors, community, and focuses on matters of The day for house-to-house distribution is the advertisers, the proofreaders and those interest within the benefice, be it historical, normally the last Thursday of the month. who do the house-to-house deliveries for all present or future events and schedules. It The magazine must be ready by the their hard work and support, without which is distributed to over 2,000 houses. previous Monday for electronic transfer to there would be no magazine. Greenhouse Graphics, our local printers. At present we have three editors who work We print the magazine on recycled paper, Donald Dawson on a rota system. This helps keep the thus helping the environment a little. When Chairman LVL Committee magazine fresh but also recognises the printed, the magazines are delivered on the effort editing the magazine takes. The role Thursday to Sherfield Village Hall and takes up approximately four days a month Sherfield Park where they are divided into John Williams, one of our founder Loddon working part time. However, as well as the correct bundles and distributed to Valley Link Committee members, has just being quite hard work it is also extremely around 50 deliverers within the area. Two retired after twenty years. We thank him for rewarding. hundred copies go to Stratfield Saye (where his stalwart support and work building the more deliverers are needed!), 1,000 to magazine to its present level, and wish him Editorial content is submitted for Sherfield Park and the rest to Sherfield on all the best for the future. consideration by anyone locally but Loddon, Hartley Wespall and Stratfield (Ed., on behalf of the Committee)

Page 30 Page 31 The Life and Times of Bowling’s Farm 1958) and undertook some village and that of the borough. He was modernisations; the external walls were a long-serving member of the Parish Many the village. painted and fireplaces were put in. Council, for many years he was its chair, villagers will Hopefully some Adams also bought Sherrins Mead in a borough councillor, and in 1984 be familiar of these Greenway and built Woodley Cottages in became Mayor of Basingstoke. with Court ‘Vingoes’ still its garden. Following his death in 1891, Farm House, exist. the farm was auctioned. It was In 1982 the estate was sold by auction in the white purchased by the Palmers. lots which didn’t follow the original Although it sacrificed six acres to the boundaries of Bowling’s Farm. Court house, with a Early history construction of Bramley Camp, in all Farm House and some adjoining fields large Bowling’s Farm other respects it didn’t change until 1928 were bought by Brian and Kathleen veranda, has a when the farm was bought by Major Gaiger. In turn, in 1985, they sold the which faces fascinating Maitland Cecil Melville Wills, a director of house to the present owners. the cricket history; it was Wills Tobacco, crime novelist and green. one of a pedigree cattle breeder, who had recently The Chapel Although number of small purchased Sherfield Court Estate from additions farms which Lady Dorothy Violet Wellesley. His farm One interesting feature of Bowling’s Farm have been made at the rear of the house, adjoined the Village Green. It was manager, Arthur Rickwood, moved into was its chapel. Between 1820 and 1880 the original part is very much as it was assembled and named Bowling’s before Bowling’s Farm House. a meeting house for Dissenters was built in the early 1800s, probably by Mr 1790; it consisted of the farm house, farm located where 1 Orchard Lea now David Fenton, a factor (broker) from Old buildings and fields to the rear, totalling Bowlings Farm to Sherfield Court stands, provided by David Fenton who Jewry in the City of London, who had 12½ acres, and a further 31 acres south followed a strong Scottish dissenting retired to Reading. It replaced a much of Bow Brook and north of Goddard’s In 1945 the Sherfield Court Estate was tradition, and then by the Winkworths. sold to Louis Dreyfus, an American music Although the chapel is shown on early older property, possibly sixteenth century. Lane, between Goddard’s Farm and Sherfield Farm. The farm also had access publisher who, with his brother Max, OS maps, it had disappeared from later Initially the house had a small porch over to common grazing on the Village Green. owned Chappell and Co of New Bond maps, and from Kelly’s Directory, which the front door, typical of Regency houses, Street. Shortly afterwards Edward referred to a chapel for Independents, by but this was replaced by the veranda During the ownership of David Fenton, O’nions, formerly cowman for Major Wills, the time of the first auction in 1882. It around 1865. A conservatory was built, and the previous owner, Thomas Parker, took up residence in the house. In 1948, would be good to know if the Plymouth the external walls were painted and the farm had non-resident tenants; for Louis Dreyfus sold the estate to Sir Brethren Chapel on the opposite side of Victorian fireplaces were added in about example, James Carpenter of Carpenter’s Roger Mellor Makins, later Lord Sherfield, Goddard’s Lane was a successor (this 1885. Apart from an external entrance in Farm, followed by James Kersley who who amongst other appointments was movement did not exist in 1820 but was the south facing wall, the removal of a lived in part of what is now The Old British Ambassador to the USA, Joint well established by 1880) or if the rear internal staircase in the late 1800s, Rectory. So presumably the owners kept Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, chapel’s congregation had moved to and the addition of internal doorways to the farmhouse for their own use. Chairman of the Atomic other places of worship in the village. extensions at the rear and one updated Energy Authority, and Chancellor of the ------fireplace, all since the late 1940s, no David Fenton died in 1831. The farm was University of Reading. In 1968 he major alterations have been made to the inherited in trust by two grandchildren, transferred part of the estate, including An extended version of this article can be original house. The conservatory was Jane Forrest and Charlotte Ellen Bowling’s Farm, to his elder son found at www.managementreality.com/ Christopher, an Anglo-American diplomat CFH/CFH.pdf. removed some time round 1958. Winkworth. Until the mid 1840s the farm was managed by their father, William and foreign policy expert. The rest was The painting shows the house at Winkworth, from their home in Reading. passed to his other son, Dwight, an We would value any reminiscences about Bowling’s Farm, as it was known until the From then until the death of Jane investment advisor. By then the late Bowling’s Farm and Court Farm House mid-1950s. It was painted in 1903 for the Winkworth in 1882, the farm had resident Brian Gaiger was the Estate Manager, and information about the chapels. owners at the time, Gilbert and Julia tenants: Charles Cane, Ambrose Painter living with his family at what had been Palmer, by itinerant artist Francis Vingoe. and Charles Ernest Bullock respectively. renamed Court Farm House. Bowling’s Telephone: 01256 881929. E-mail: He travelled through South Oxfordshire, In 1882 the farm, somewhat neglected, Farm was no more, having been fully [email protected]. Berkshire and North Hampshire, calling at was bought at auction by William Adams, integrated into the Sherfield Court Estate. Irene and Peter Lansley houses offering to paint them for a small a retired builder from Basingstoke. He In his 44 years in Sherfield Brian made a fee. He probably painted other houses in added the conservatory (removed in significant contribution to the life of the

Page 32 Page 33 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk SHERFIELD PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE

SPRING FAMILY FUN DAY Thursday 5th April 10am-12pm

Bouncy castle, arts & crafts and games

Tickets £3.50 (include drink and a biscuit/fruit. Suitable for 10s and under)

SPRING CAFÉ OPEN AIR CINEMA Saturday 12th May 7-11pm Monday 9th & Wednesday 11th April Activities, food, bar and film 11am -1pm Tickets on sale soon Paninis, Hot drinks, Kids Boxes, Subject to film licensing approval Cakes All welcome. No need to book, just SAVE THE DATE turn up!

SHERFEST 2018 EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday 14th July Friday 6th April 12pm-8pm 10am -12pm

Join Bump into Mums for their fund- raising coffee morning and egg hunt A fun packed community Tickets £3 festival suitable for the whole family

Details of all our events and booking information on our website wwww.sherfieldparkcommunity.co.uk Page 34 Page 35 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk National Women's Register Our March meeting was supposed to be on and ‘Welsh Daffodils’ 1st March which is St David’s Day, so we by David Bryce. decided to celebrate it. Unfortunately the Limericks came next, ‘Beast from the East’ stormed in that week, some published, and depositing a fair amount of snow and very icy the rest made up by conditions making it treacherous to walk or members with a Welsh drive at night. So we celebrated a week later theme. This caused instead. Our meeting started with a short great hilarity! To history of St David, who is thought to have round off the evening, died on 1st March, either in 589 or in 601 CE. we moved on to We were told that his flag is black with a ‘haiku’, a Japanese yellow cross. The leek became symbolic short three-line poem when fighting the Saxons as there was a field that uses sensory of leeks and the Welsh were told to put a leek language to capture a feeling or image. They in their hats so that they could be are often inspired by nature, a moment of distinguished from the enemy. The daffodil beauty, or poignant experience. To write one, had been adopted earlier as the Welsh flower you keep to a syllable count of 5, 7, 5. We and these of course come out around the time had a go at completing unfinished ones and of St David’s Day. We all wore a daffodil – or writing our own. Finally, we ate Bara Brith some cheated by wearing a Marie Curie (fruit tea loaf) and Teisen Bach (Welsh cakes) imitation! with our tea and coffee.

We then read out various poems including Our next meeting will be on Romania, our ‘The Not So Obvious Welshman’ by Idris theme country for this year. Caffrey, ‘Under Milk Wood’ by Dylan Thomas Gill Fearon

Women’s Institute As is our usual custom, we did not hold a War there were only two Meeting in February, instead holding our official women’s Annual Lunch which this year was at the Four organisations in the Army Horseshoes in Sherfield. 28 Members - the Army Nursing enjoyed a lovely home-cooked meal with Service and the excellent service. Voluntary Aid Detachment. Two famous women involved in the latter were Vera Doris L’Enfant, our President for the afternoon Brittain (“Testament of Youth” author and for our March Meeting, welcomed everyone, mother of MP Shirley Williams) and Agatha With reference to the recent adverse publicity Christie. Mr Allen covered the many nursing in the national press about the WI and the bodies formed during the great conflict. Most ever-increasing cost of subscriptions and of these nurses, if not all, had to have private other matters Ilene made available for means as they were unpaid volunteers. 134 of perusal, cuttings from the Daily Mail which these women were killed, 7 received the had been given to her by another Member. Military Medal and 90 died of disease. Ilene Another matter particularly brought to gave the vote of thanks, tea was served, and Members attention by Doris, was our outing th the raffle drawn. on the 4 July, destination to be decided but this would take the place of our July Meeting. Next meeting: Wednesday 4th April 2018 Sherfield Village Hall at 2 pm - birthday Doris then introduced our Speaker - Mr Dan afternoon. Speaker/entertainer - Mr B Clayton Allen - whose subject was “What did you do in - a lively session of 60/70’s music with stories the War, Granny?” of the bands he has performed with. Mr Allen gave an interesting and factual talk, To find out more about us go to our web site - illustrated with slides, about women’s roles www.hampshirewi.org.uk - and then click on during the Boer War and, mainly during the Sherfield-on-Loddon. First World War. At the beginning of the Great Page 36 Page 37 Sherfield Characters in the time of Rev. Barker to a most excellent supper. Guests included popular acquaintance on the South African Continuing our series articles about the Barker family in Victorian times Trooper Elkington, Private Houghton and Veldt. The company cheered heartily. Private Toomer from Basingstoke and Mr Holley, vice chairman, proposed the The news accounts of the time often bring prepare their graves by the side of those of many prominent parishioners. The Rev. health of the Chairman and Mrs Barker into focus other local people from the parish their own time who had ’gone before’ and Barker who was in the chair was on good briefly but in a manner, which left no of Sherfield during the time of Rev Barker, whose resting places he could at any time form and led off the toast of the ‘King’, shadow of doubt of the conviction of his and these names add much colour and point out. Had Mr Kersley’s decision to paying tribute also to her late majesty personal obligation to them for their depth to the events of the period. resign been made more public and his ‘Queen Victoria’ and then to the guest of numerous kindnesses both to himself and successor less hastily appointed, many of the evening whose career he had watched Mr Charles Kersley - 1895 his family. He remarked that he should the parishioners would have petitioned him for many years. ‘Being a son of one of his always remember this splendid reception “A widespread feeling of regret was to re-consider, but the matter was not oldest and most respected servants he they had given his son. Mr and Mrs Barker aroused in this parish when it became generally known until too late. In one naturally took a great interest in his welfare were so well known to them all that he felt it known that Mr Samuel Kersley had respect, Mr Kersley does not intend to and he was proud to find him volunteering unnecessary to say more, but called on the resigned his offices of sexton and parish desert the tradition of his family. He to fight in his country’s battles. It was a company to drink their health. Then came clerk, the duties of which offices he and his proposes still to continue as a member of source of great pleasure to him to give this more rousing songs including two from father before him have faithfully fulfilled for the band of bell-ringers in which his value is dinner in his honour’ and he called upon the Trooper Elkington. Considering the calamity 42 years. The memories of a few of the greatly appreciated.” company to drink his health and also that of which befell Elkington, it is marvellous how oldest inhabitants can go back to the time his comrades with three times three. This Trooper Holley - 1901 cheerful he is, and how heartily he joins in when Mr S. Kersley’s grandfather was a was done forthwith and musical honours festivities, taking his lost eyesight as one of bell ringer and a prominent member of the “Tuesday last was a memorable day in the were also added. the fortunes of war. That he was a popular choir as then constituted with the annals of Sherfield on Loddon. The bells In response, Trooper Holley expressed his guest goes without saying. At the stroke of accompaniment of many instruments of rang out their merry peals in honour of a sincere thanks to Mr Barker for his uniform midnight, cheers and votes of thanks were music; but all the adults in the parish will well- known and highly respected native of kindness towards him and especially for the followed by the National Anthem, which remember Mr Charles Kersley, his father, the parish, who has recently returned from magnificent reception he had accorded him closed a scene which will long be who was appointed parish clerk at a vestry active service in South Africa. Trooper and for the splendid Christmas hamper he remembered.” meeting held on Lady Day 1855. Slightly Arthur G. Holley, son of Mr G Holley so long had sent him consisting of huge plum lame with a massive head which never associated with St Leonards, volunteered John Darker. puddings and hundreds of cigarettes, bowed to anyone in his independence, he for active service with the Bucks Yeomanry thereby making him the most desirable and was universally looked up to and respected. and proceed to the scene of action by the He lived in a time of many changes in the SS Norman fourteen months ago. After village; he saw the tumbledown old church following the fortunes of war, he was laid up first made decent and then watertight and with enteric fever and was removed to The Loddon Valley Link - Student Editorship Opportunity then a few years later beautified (with the hospital at Dealfontein. Here by chance he Wanted - student editor for your local Further details will follow in next month's financial support and drive of Rev A. G. met among the invalids a very dear friend magazine. Link but we wanted to give plenty of warning before you finalise your plans for Barker). All these changes added to his who had joined the Cape police about a The Loddon Valley Link Committee would the summer! If you want to express an like to invite applications for a one off guest work and to that of his faithful wife who year before the outbreak of war. Trooper interest at this stage, however, do send an helped him in the care of the church, but Elkington, the friend referred to, had passed editorship of the Loddon Valley Link to take place in August 2018, producing the email to the editor saying why you’d like do with wonderful wide-mindedness they through the siege of Mafeking and had had the job, what you think you can bring to it September edition of the Link. accepted them as for the better. Mr Charles the misfortune to lose both eyes from the and what you’d like to get out of it. Include Kersley was also like his father a bell ringer bursting of a Boer shell. The two friends This is a very important role in our your name, age, and address and what and followed his beloved tenor bell from the proceeded to England in the ‘Bavarian’ and community and we’d like a lucky individual course you’re studying. old dove-cote belfry into the new tower. after a stay at Netley arrived home. to get the rare opportunity to produce a The Loddon Valley With the help of his wife and son he was magazine and get involved in the whole The Rev. A. G. Barker who has taken the Link Committee's able to carry on his duties till in 1887 he magazine production process, from content greatest interest in Trooper Holley, bearing decision on the was laid to rest full of days and of honour creation to printing and distribution. a substantial part of the cost of his successful candidate under the shadow of the new spire. Mr equipment and keeping in touch with him What will you get out of it? The reward of is final; it may be that Samuel Kersley was then appointed to his seeing your magazine in circulation with throughout the campaign, determined to no appointment will be father’s offices and all the old folk of the your picture on the editorial. Great give him a right royal hearty reception on made. parish looked to him as the one who would satisfaction and great for the CV. his return. About thirty friends were invited

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Following a recent spate of car-crime in full compliance with all legislative Sherfield Park and neighbouring areas, the obligations. Sherfield Park Parish Council called an I am pleased to report that I have also been emergency meeting on 22 February 2018. West Green Road, Hartley Wintney working with the Chairman of This was attended by our Police Community RG27 8LP Neighbourhood Watch, Basingstoke & Support Officer, PCSO Richard Green, and Open June (date varies) to late Dean, to reorganise and reinvigorate our more than 30 local residents. Our primary September for Pick Your Own & Picked local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. objectives were to address residents’ Historically, new schemes were added as fruit, vegetables and flowers including immediate concerns and discuss possible new development phases completed. Now, Strawberries, Tayberries, Currants, courses of action. as one parish and one community our Gooseberries, Raspberries, New By a show of hands, the single-most Neighbourhood Watch Scheme will cover Potatoes and Asparagus; local Honey, effective action was deemed to be the the entire estate. Free Range Eggs and Homemade initiation of evening patrols operating under Jams and Ice Creams Neighbourhood Watch Scheme members strict rules, modelled on the well-known can: Neighbourhood Watch schemes. It was CALL 01252 845772 stressed that patrol objectives are to identify report incidents and information from May 1st for information, and to vulnerable vehicles and be a visible online place orders or visit deterrent to criminal behaviour. Patrol www.westgreenfruits.com conduct must absolutely be on a non- chose alert notification categories confrontational basis. PCSO Green offered receive immediate incident and police support to this initiative, provided information alerts, and guidance and answered attendees’ further questions. access the Resource Centre (noting particularly the Members’ Guide, Police Sergeant Trevor Taylor attended the which details lots of home security follow up meeting a few days later and tips) volunteers reported successful and safe patrols during the intervening period. The Please use the link www.ourwatch.org.uk to meeting provided an additional engagement join your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. opportunity for residents (particularly those You will need to enter in your postcode and unable to attend the emergency meeting) then select Sherfield Park (Taylor’s Farm) and a chance for patrol volunteers to benefit from the right-hand menu. Click the yellow further from police insight and guidance to “Apply to Join Scheme” box and complete ensure everyone’s continued safety. your personal details. Details are editable once joined. It took me less than 5 minutes Now, over a month later, I am pleased to to complete everything in full. report that evening patrols note a significant reduction of soft targets. Although reports of Please always ensure your vehicles are strange behaviour continue, there have to locked and that valuables are stored my knowledge been no new cases of elsewhere. Where temptation is interference with vehicles. removed, risk is reduced. Looking to the future, the parish council is Cllr Quintin Alvares determining the feasibility of CCTV deployment at estate entry/exit points. Such a deployment would, of course, necessitate

Page 42 Page 43 News from Bramley C of E Primary School www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk

This term the children in Year 5 have been lesson during PILATES looking at the topic, Film: Is it Magic? the Studio Tour and Aquila and were able to Dorado classes Clift Meadow Pavilion get up really have been Minchens Lane, Bramley. RG26 5BH close to, and even touch, some of the props transformed they used in the movies. The children were Tuesday Evenings 8-9pm MIXED into classrooms also taught about what GROUP - New Beginners Session like Hogwarts, makes a really good and the Thursday Evenings 7-8pm MEN ONLY story, and how they teachers have could use just a few Friday Daytime 1.30-2.30pm MIXED become items from the films to GROUP professors as we have discussed a range of create exciting magical texts, including Harry Potter, and Contact Jo (07557) 412400 to book your characters and plots, thought about how stories are turned into place with lots of twists and film. £5 per session (payable in 6 weekly turns in them to keep blocks) Since before Christmas, the children in the reader interested. Year 5 have been working really hard to We then had time to To benefit your back, improve your raise money for a surprise trip to Warner look around the studio posture, and condition your whole body Bros Studios – The Making of Harry Potter. and really appreciate whilst relaxing and stretching Activities included selling raffle tickets to how much work went family and friends, holding numerous bake into each scene. sales, and When we returned from the trip the ideas spending time the children had for writing their own stories sewing and were amazing. creating Their focus Christmas and decorations to understanding sell. Amazingly, of story writing they raised was brilliant enough money and some for the trip. really high At the beginning quality work of March, each was produced. extremely excited class set off on the Once the stories were finished, the children journey to London; the children’s were able to transform them into play enthusiasm and eagerness was wonderful! scripts. In just over two weeks’ time, the Throughout the day they were able to tour children will be performing these plays, the actual sets where filming took place, along with songs, and musical compositions and develop a great understanding of the to parents, families and friends. Everest film making process. They particularly Community Academy has very kindly enjoyed the creepy atmosphere of the offered us their theatre, meaning the Forbidden Forest where spiders leapt at children will have a real stage to perform on them through the darkness. We even got to fly a broomstick, board the Hogwarts and a packed auditorium to entertain. Express and see how film makers created The buzz, hard work and enthusiasm the swooping scenes over the whole castle around our new topic has been magical! without ever leaving the studio. We were extremely fortunate to have a

Page 44 Page 45 Chineham Library www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk 0300 555 1387 @chinehamlibrary

The Easter holidays are already upon us. If Writing Group will meet on the 5th April from you have children why not consider taking 5.30pm to 7pm. For details of the next advantage of some of the extra activities general reading group please contact the provided by the library? In addition to our library. Age Concern will take a break for regular craft sessions on the 7th April and the Easter holiday, but will restart their the 5th May, there are extra sessions on the computer tuition sessions on Wednesday 4th and the 11th April. The first will have a mornings from 18th April. To book Basingstones theme and the second an appointments please contact: 01256 Easter theme. There will also be an extra 423874. Easter storytime on 6th April. For further Children’s regular activities also continue details of timings etc please check social with Rhymetimes on Tuesday mornings for media or contact us. For adults this month under ones at 10am and over ones at we have the visit from Jean Fullerton on 11am. Storytimes are every Saturday 19th April at 7.30pm, talking about ‘Inside except the first in the month from 10am to the writer’s mind’. Jean writes historical and 10.30am. Our Chatterbooks reading group medical themed fiction, and the talk should th will meet on 12 April. also be of interest to any budding authors. Tickets for this costing £6 can be obtained We hope there will be something to interest from the library. We hope to see you there. you; there are also regular deliveries of new books to choose from. For the most up-to- Our regular activities take place as usual. date information please follow us on social The Crime Reading Group meets on the media. 14th April at 10.30 and the Chipps group on the 1th April at 10am. The newly formed Cathy Foster

Loddon Painters

We have had a busy term with a variety of to produce a watercolour demonstrations and painting, at home, challenges! Having the summer holidays in using the photo as mind our projects were geared towards a starting point with a free appropriate topics such as boats, rocks, rein on interpretation. The sea and, with spring on our doorstep and to clear and worthy winner, brighten our palette, we painted daffodils. chosen by secret ballot, After the success of our Christmas was David Philips. competition the students undertook another Jayne Perkins challenging subject. A photo was given to them at the beginning of term and they had

Page 46 Page 47 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk The Honeycombe Hub: Getting Down with Downs

News from Botswana our young adults with Down Syndrome http://abeehoneycomb.blogspot.com/2018/0 We were really excited to start 2 new things 3/getting-down-with-downs.html. It was this week - our postnatal fit Mamas and lovely to be invited to their party again and Babas class combining getting back into provide some of the games and activities exercise after having a baby with a sensory class for Mum and Baby. The downside for with a Rugbees theme this time. this is for my husband as I come home We write a new blog each Sunday about really broody having had gorgeous baby themes linked to the Honeycomb Hub and cuddles! most recently have covered letting children play, rugbees, postnatal fitness, STEM We also had our first knit and natter which club, when the puppies came to visit, and was lovely, especially as it was a purely selfish class on my part because I never Messy play. find I have time to knit! However we are After Easter we are excited to be gaining a also hoping that for people who like to knit new employee who will working full time but with no current projects we can start with us. We have found that Phillida and I creating a selection of items, which will be have been fairly tied to the Hub as when for the different projects we support through one of us is taking a class upstairs in the our work with the friendly start project. studio, the other needs to be downstairs which has limited the amount of time we We had our first school visit last week have for visiting nurseries, schools or even which was wonderful; the standard 1 just getting to the bank! Hopefully by children were extremely well behaved, even employing another member of staff it will tidying up Tiny Town beautifully. We have a enable us to move forward with some of our nursery booked in for a visit and look new projects that have had to be put on the forward to really opening up our programme back burner for a while. for school and nursery visits next term. Abi Our writing group is going really well - 8 children have almost finished the illustrations and stories for the books that they will be publishing. It has been wonderful collaborating with the children’s author Alexandra Orford and seeing children’s stories coming together. I feel that I am learning a lot, especially when I compare it to my traditional style of writing from my teaching background. We have decided to run two more courses over the Easter holidays and continue them during the term time as well - watch out for all these budding authors coming from Botswana! If you would like to see the book that inspired these courses, it has been The Honeycomb Hub Team released on Amazon. It was completely written and illustrated by Alexandra's nephew and niece aged 6 and 4 years under her guidance, and is a really lovely story. Search on Amazon for Leo and Nat by Alexandra Orford. The blog this week is all about employing

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FUNERAL DIRECTORS & Happy Faces Play group MONUMENTAL MASONS. Sherfield-on-Loddon “Bring your happy face to our happy ALEXANDER & DRY place” Twenty four hour service. A small, friendly playgroup for children aged 2 years 6 mths to school age Pre-paid funeral plans available. Flexible Sessions 1 Seal Road, Basingstoke, including all day RG21 7NQ

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Page 54 Page 55 SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS The dialling code is 01256, unless otherwise stated.

HOUSE CLEANING BY MARIA. Reliable and affordable service. Allotments Bob Weller 881066 Basingstoke Gazette Chris Horton 882426 Friendly, experienced lady who cleans every corner. Ironing also available. Borough Council Venetia Rowlands 07733322457 References. Tel 07933 316989. [email protected] Brownies Liz Hawkins 882096 St. Leonard’s Church See inside back page LOCAL EXPERIENCED TAX ADVISER. Self assessment tax returns, Breach Lane Chapel Geoff Belsham 882534 arrears, claims, payroll, self-employed, VAT returns. Initial consultation free. Catholic Church Fr. Chris Rutledge 465214 Call 01256 882258 or e-mail [email protected] Clift Surgery Patient Group John Darker 882334 Cricket Club (Sherfield) Steve Dummer 07775 675869 LOCAL INDEPENDENT CLEANER. Honest and trustworthy. Excellent Cricket Club (ST & HW) Steve Clarke (Chm) 07554 430995 service. Excellent references. Excellent rates. Tel 07407543891 Martin Turvey (Contact) 07785 580456 Evergreens Jean Berntsen 882798 DOMICILIARY CARER. Mature female; DBS Certified; Public Liability Football (Junior) Fred Berntsen 882798

Insurance. Patient and kind, offering personal care and assistance to the Happy Faces Playgroup Viv Allway& Alison Smith 880903

elderly in their own home. References available. Michelle 07776 255688. Loddon Players Peter Francis 07867 547696 Loddon Quilters Jacky Morgan 882350 ONE 2 ONE is a personal and business support service offering Loddon Valley Link (See back pages) comprehensive virtual PA services and lifestyle support in the Reading area. Lunch Club Helen Belsham 882534 Tel 07851 721879 / 80 www.one2onepals.co.uk NWR Gill Fearon 882106 Police - all parishes exc. Sherfield Pk PCSO Nathaniel Johnson 101 WINDOW CLEANER. Need your windows cleaned or gutters cleared - Police - Sherfield Park PCSO Krystof Nadvornik 101 one off or regularly? Local, reliable Window Cleaner (testimonials available). Poppies Natalie Larner 880075 For a quote call Pete Owen on 07762 616600 or email: Post Office 882210 [email protected] Rainbows Pam Luck 882687 Sherfield Community Care Grp Basingstoke NeighbourCare 423855 LOCAL ELECTRICIAN – All aspects of domestic electrical work Sherfield on Loddon Fete Bruce Batting 882605 Sherfield & District Gardening Club Dan Farrow and 882680 undertaken, alterations, re-wires, lights etc. No job to small. Andy Morgan 882350 Contact John – 07831 155782, [email protected] ` Sherfield Park Community Centre Candice Wright 883967 Sherfield Park Parish Council Joyce Bowyer 0791 9990908 JEKYLL & HYDE - Recruiting lovely people now! Sherfield & Bramley Borough Council Nick Robinson 07787200254 We need part-time staff for restaurant, bar and kitchen work. Sherfield & District Show Natalie Larner 880075 Sherfield Village Hall We hire fore attitude and train for skills. Caretaker/Bookings Wendy Gosden 07468 427684 Jekyll and Hyde Pub, Turgis Green. Drop in or call 01256 882442 Management Committee Ivan Gosden 07940 212441 SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS SMALL Trustee Nick Robinson 07787200254 GUITAR TUITION -Teacher with 37yrs Experience in the Basingstoke Sherfield-on-Loddon Village Green John Attwood 881760 Area Electric Acoustic and Classical Guitar styles Covered very competitive Short Mat Bowls Norman Stanley 881021 rates very patient Teacher relaxed atmosphere. Call Graham on 079084224 Stratfield Saye Parish Council Penny Mayo 01189332 379 Stratfield Saye Village Hall Linda Bishop 01189332106 Qualified Professional Care and assistance in your own home. Kind Stratfield Turgis Parish Meeting Sheila Campbell (Chair) 882351 and patient mature lady .DSB Certified and Public Liability Insurance. Full Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council Catherine Ryle (Clerk) 842662 references available. Jessie Abbott 07720 435294 Toddler Group 0-5s TBC Tree Wardens John Darker 882334 INSIDE/OUT Property maintenance, carpentry, decorating, locks Cllr Diana Effiong 07796 045944 fitted, garden maintenance. Tel 01256 882696 or 07713 470223. E-mail Village Green Volunteers John Darker 882334 Whist Drive Virgilius Vickers 882453 [email protected] Women’s Institute Christine Skillett 880727

Page 56 Please inform the Editor of changes to the above information. Page 57 Loddon Valley Link Management www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk

ADVERTISING IN THIS MAGAZINE AND ONLINE All advertising enquiries to Pip Iles Tel. 01256 880559 [email protected] Deadline for ads. for next edition is the 10th of the month Small ads - £5 monthly for a maximum of 30 words, space permitting. Requests are dealt with in order. Display ads pricing - please see the website or contact Pip Iles.

Editor for the May edition - Jane Abrams Please submit copy for this edition no later than the 16th April Send copy to: [email protected]

Loddon Valley Link Committee: Licensed Lay Ministers : Richard Elphick 01256 882860 Chairman: Dr. Donald Dawson 01256 882379 Andrew Doggart 01256 880092 ([email protected]) John Williams 01256 882705 Treasurer: Pip Iles 01256 880559 Church Admin: Jane Abrams Deputy Chair and Editor: Lisa Goodall 01256 882788 01256 881188 ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Secretary: Ilene Iles 01256 880559 ([email protected]) Rev. Stephen Ball St. Leonard’s Church, Church End, Howard Perkins 01256 883882 Sherfield-on-Loddon, RG27 0JB [email protected] Churchwarden: David Fright 01256 882520 Germano Giugovaz 01189 332166 Churchwarden: Richard Elphick 01256 882860 ([email protected]) Treasurer: Dan Farrow 01256 882680 Claire Osborne 01256 324458 Organist: Mike Abrams 01256 881188 ([email protected]) Organist: Brian Archer 01256 882099 Simon Boase 01256 881250 St. Mary’s Church, Stratfield Saye ([email protected]) Churchwarden: Dr. John Williams 01256 882705 Brian Archer 01256 882099 Treasurer: Charles Atkinson 01256 882459 ([email protected]) Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 882705 St. Mary’s Church, Hartley Wespall Benefice of Sherfield-on-Loddon and Churchwarden: Pip Iles 01256 880559 Stratfield Saye with Hartley Wespall Treasurer: Michael Webster 01256 882413 Church Officers Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 882705 Organist: Andrew Doggart 01256 880092 Priest in Charge: Messy Church, Sherfield Park Rev. Stephen Ball Leader: Rosy Staines 07921 658453 01256 881071, temporary email ([email protected]) [email protected]) (Please note: Stephen’s day off is Tuesday) Assistant Priests Rev. Sammie Armstrong 01189 816593 ([email protected]) Rev. Ken Batt 01256 351592 [email protected] Please note: the Loddon Valley Link Management Curate (priest responsible for Bramley & Committee cannot be held responsible for the Little London: reliability or quality of any goods, work or services Rev. John Lenton 01256 880570 in this publication. The Loddon Valley Link is printed on recycled paper

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