LONGSTOCK20.4 Augsep FINAL Compressed.Pdf File

Page 1 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020

Thank you to our VILLAGE DIRECTORY in September 2020 deliverers for this issue: Church Warden 810 284 Veronica Ayers Peter Bramley Rev’d Philip Bowden, Rector 810 810 Charles Grieve Canon Paul Townsend (RC) 01962 852 804 Angie Filippa Community Sports Hall TV School 810 555 Geoff Merritt Boo Milne Garden Club 810 794, 810 432 John & Selina Musters Mayflies Youth Club (8-16s)(Liz Howard) Gary Oliver 07870 612 127 Nigel Rugman Neighbour Care Scheme for Thank you also to everyone contributing or checking articles & news. Stockbridge/Longstock/Houghton 0845 0943 713 Please contact the Parish Clerk, on 810752, or Parish Council Clerk 810 752 e-mail [email protected] if Pilates at Leckford 810 549 you’d like to help with the newsletter in any way, Scouts Stockbridge (Mo Collins) 01256 895 534 and by Friday 18th September if you’d like to submit an article or announcement, give us some Village Hall, Badminton/Bowls 810 459 news, or place an advert. W.I. 810 603

Green bags are collected on Tuesdays of the Southern Water 0330 303 0368 Rugman N. by Test, River on the young up Bringin Photo same week as brown bins. To subscribe please contact TVBC on 368000. Police non-urgent calls 101 The Alternative Fete Foil is collected at Chilbolton’s West Down car Neighbourcare Andover 336 020, 339 899 August / John Musters writes park & at Andover Garden Centre. September 2020 Surgery 810 524 On Saturday 5th September there will be an end-of-summer Plastic pots are no longer recycled there. Helpline for Carers (Freephone) 0800 032 3456 Glass recycling. After 30th July glass recycling gathering on the recreation ground, which we hope all bins will no longer be available at the bus bay, Hants County Council information 0300 555 1375 Longstock residents will wish to attend. Roman Road. Test Valley Borough Council 368 000 It will take the form of a bring-your-own picnic with Glass, clothing and foil recycling bins are Citizens’ Advice Bureau 0344 411 1306 background music to make a festival of the first occasion many avalable at Chilbolton Down car park, and at To call anonymously with information of us will have had to meet our neighbours again and we Andover Wyevale Garden Centre. about crime: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 expect to have a small raffle on the day. This Newsletter is There is a collecting box for clean TRANSPORT This is because the fete committee, as hinted in the last plastic milk bottle tops in the published by Longstock Stagecoach Stockbridge to Winchester Parish Council and delivered church lychgate, and a separate one Newsletter, has reluctantly accepted that it is simply not buses number 68 0345 121 0190 free to every household in for batteries. Please don’t put either Cango buses to Romsey have been replaced with Longstock. possible to hold a fete as we know it with all the usual stalls in plastic bags. Batteries can also be and sideshows while the uncertainties of the pandemic disposed of in supermarkets & should shared taxis to your door .Register on 01962 846 786 Anyone else may subscribe not go in dustbins. at £8 a year by contacting continue. But we do need something to lift the spirits before The batteries (small, not car!) will be taken for Traveline for countrywide travel info longstockparishcouncil18 the summer is out and, even if we still have to keep our 0871200 2233 safe disposal; and clean plastic milk bottle tops @gmail.com. distance, a village picnic should fit the bill. with the HDPE symbol will be recycled to raise Dial-a-Ride (Joyrides Stockbridge). Minibus to funds for the Gift of Sight’s research into macular Andover. Register on 356 808 Details will follow in August with a notice through your degeneration. NO OTHER TYPES This runs through Longstock on Wednesdays at letter box, but we expect it to run from about 12.30 to 3.30. OF TOPS PLEASE as these are the only 9.30, returning at noon, for £3.00 return. For There will be tents for cover if needed, but of course we hope ones accepted now, and PLEASE don’t put more information, ring John Musters 810 459 batteries in with bottle tops.The consequences or Dane Oliver 810 839. for fine weather when most will wish to sit in the open. are DIRE! For the moment, please put the date in your diary Ð Saturday 5th September.

The deadline for newsletter submissions is Friday 18th September if you’d like to submit any news or comment, or offer to help! [email protected] Page 2 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 2 Recent Expenditure Parish Council Report - July 2020 Parish Council by Mark Flewitt, Parish Clerk Meeting Dates SSE - Streetlighting Electricity Supply £34.73 Parish Council (PC) Meetings Ð In the current Monday 14th Sept Ð at 7.00 pm Sarsen Press Ð newsletter printing £264.93 Covid-19 situation the PC has successfully operated Monday 12th Oct Ð at 7.00 pm its regular meetings on a virtual basis via Zoom. This Beware! will continue until official recommendations are For the time being these PC meetings will be The usual driving licence and MOT renewal changed. All residents are very welcome to join and held as virtual meetings via Zoom. reminders are not being sent out at the moment. view the virtual PC meetings. Information will be Motor insurance policies are invalid if either of these is not current. After the age of 70, driving provided on the village noticeboards. signage, hygiene, social distancing etc. The PC is Food Bank also re-considering the plan to increase the number licences expire every third birthday, which come Covid-19 Ð In recent months this crisis has taken of parking spaces in light of the original planning round far too quickly! The Parish Council realises over all our lives, but we are now starting to see permission. This required the work to begin before Licences can be renewed online, and if one has that as well as people who signs that things are beginning to return to a “new December 2020, and for it to be supervised by the no medical problems, need no doctor’s certificate, cannot go out to buy food there normal”. Local shops and businesses have started to HCC Archaeology Department, but the Covid-19 but one does need to check expiry dates. may be people whose jobs have re-open, albeit with some new rules to follow. The crisis has seriously disrupted the work schedules of Parish Council has given special thanks to the stopped without pay, and so we Leckford Estate who would undertake have some stored food which can be distributed to management and staff at Leckford Estate, where the thegroundwork. Farm Shop and Nursery have continued to operate anyone needing it. Please get in touch with Sophie through the lockdown. The home delivery service Bottle Bank Ð The Bottle Bank has been removed Walters (07740 443460). has been very valuable for local residents, and from its “temporary” position at Roman Road. The particularly for the elderly and vulnerable among us. PC has been lobbying very strongly with HCC Longstock Park Farm Shop The PC has also expressed great gratitude for the about this. The noise and nuisance of this location Food Delivery generosity of Leckford Estate and the John Lewis have caused serious disruption for local residents, Partnership in providing accommodation for NHS and we are insistent on an alternative location to be Longstock Park Farm Shop has started and other key workers during this time. found. delivering free to local houses, with a minimum order of £20. Neighbours might like to combine an Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Ð The activities of the BT Telegraph Poles Ð The PC received a number order perhaps? Their website NP Steering Group were suspended at the beginning of complaints from residents about the 15 new of the Covid-19 lockdown, but the team has started telegraph poles that have been set up, without prior www.leckfordestate.co.uk lists the items available, to make preparations to begin their work again. The consultation, on Hazeldown running down towards or you can phone 810270. next steps will be to seek further grant funding that Rats Lodge. In accordance with the regulations for will enable a Housing Needs Survey to be arranged these matters, we have registered a formal objection Peat Spade for residents to give their views. The face-to-face to these new poles on the basis that they spoil the Peat Spade Inn has closed following the sessions to explain the NP process to residents, views across that part of the countryside. We await Government announcement. They are still open for which had to be cancelled, will be re-arranged in due a response from BT. take aways and accommodation. Please call 01264 course once the conditions for arranging such Parish Councillors: 810612 or check their website at meetings have been clarified. www.peatspadeinn.co.uk for more information. Longstock Parish Council Website Ð The website Chairman: Sophie Walters at www.longstockparishcouncil.co.uk includes past [email protected] 07740 443 460 and current Parish Council documentation and other Councillors: useful information. David Burnfield, [email protected] 810 529 Parish Council Finances Ð The Parish Council John Eastwood [email protected] accounts for the year to 31st March 2020 have now 07880 644 977 been audited and approved. We begin the current Angie Filippa, [email protected] financial year 2020/21 with an opening bank balance 07817 576 346 Ivan Gibson, [email protected] 810 002 of £2,973, and the precept has been held at the same Charles Grieve, [email protected] 810 580 level as the previous year. The statutory financial Selina Musters, [email protected] 810 459 information will be published on the PC website, and will also be displayed on the village notice boards Clerk Mark Flewitt from late July onwards. [email protected] 810 752 Colin McIntyre, [email protected] Recent Planning Applications Ð Fulwood House: District Councillors: external and internal alterations, additions to the Ian Jeffrey, [email protected] existing building, and some new landscaping work. 01794 388872 PC SUPPORT, with some comments about proposed Alison Johnston, [email protected] roofing materials. 01794 517939 Tony Ward, [email protected] Recreation Ground Ð The Rec was closed in March 01794 389649 in line with Government instructions. The PC is now studying new guidance issued for the re-opening of County Councillor: Andrew Gibson, [email protected] playgrounds, to see how and whether we will be able 01264 861138 to comply with all the new requirements around Page 3 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 3 Recent Expenditure Parish Council Report - July 2020 Parish Council by Mark Flewitt, Parish Clerk Meeting Dates SSE - Streetlighting Electricity Supply £34.73 Parish Council (PC) Meetings Ð In the current Monday 14th Sept Ð at 7.00 pm Sarsen Press Ð newsletter printing £264.93 Covid-19 situation the PC has successfully operated Monday 12th Oct Ð at 7.00 pm its regular meetings on a virtual basis via Zoom. This Beware! will continue until official recommendations are For the time being these PC meetings will be The usual driving licence and MOT renewal changed. All residents are very welcome to join and held as virtual meetings via Zoom. reminders are not being sent out at the moment. view the virtual PC meetings. Information will be Motor insurance policies are invalid if either of these is not current. After the age of 70, driving provided on the village noticeboards. signage, hygiene, social distancing etc. The PC is Food Bank also re-considering the plan to increase the number licences expire every third birthday, which come Covid-19 Ð In recent months this crisis has taken of parking spaces in light of the original planning round far too quickly! The Parish Council realises over all our lives, but we are now starting to see permission. This required the work to begin before Licences can be renewed online, and if one has that as well as people who signs that things are beginning to return to a “new December 2020, and for it to be supervised by the no medical problems, need no doctor’s certificate, cannot go out to buy food there normal”. Local shops and businesses have started to HCC Archaeology Department, but the Covid-19 but one does need to check expiry dates. may be people whose jobs have re-open, albeit with some new rules to follow. The crisis has seriously disrupted the work schedules of Parish Council has given special thanks to the stopped without pay, and so we Leckford Estate who would undertake have some stored food which can be distributed to management and staff at Leckford Estate, where the thegroundwork. Farm Shop and Nursery have continued to operate anyone needing it. Please get in touch with Sophie through the lockdown. The home delivery service Bottle Bank Ð The Bottle Bank has been removed Walters (07740 443460). has been very valuable for local residents, and from its “temporary” position at Roman Road. The particularly for the elderly and vulnerable among us. PC has been lobbying very strongly with HCC Longstock Park Farm Shop The PC has also expressed great gratitude for the about this. The noise and nuisance of this location Food Delivery generosity of Leckford Estate and the John Lewis have caused serious disruption for local residents, Partnership in providing accommodation for NHS and we are insistent on an alternative location to be Longstock Park Farm Shop has started and other key workers during this time. found. delivering free to local houses, with a minimum order of £20. Neighbours might like to combine an Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Ð The activities of the BT Telegraph Poles Ð The PC received a number order perhaps? Their website NP Steering Group were suspended at the beginning of complaints from residents about the 15 new of the Covid-19 lockdown, but the team has started telegraph poles that have been set up, without prior www.leckfordestate.co.uk lists the items available, to make preparations to begin their work again. The consultation, on Hazeldown running down towards or you can phone 810270. next steps will be to seek further grant funding that Rats Lodge. In accordance with the regulations for will enable a Housing Needs Survey to be arranged these matters, we have registered a formal objection Peat Spade for residents to give their views. The face-to-face to these new poles on the basis that they spoil the Peat Spade Inn has closed following the sessions to explain the NP process to residents, views across that part of the countryside. We await Government announcement. They are still open for which had to be cancelled, will be re-arranged in due a response from BT. take aways and accommodation. Please call 01264 course once the conditions for arranging such Parish Councillors: 810612 or check their website at meetings have been clarified. www.peatspadeinn.co.uk for more information. Longstock Parish Council Website Ð The website Chairman: Sophie Walters at www.longstockparishcouncil.co.uk includes past [email protected] 07740 443 460 and current Parish Council documentation and other Councillors: useful information. David Burnfield, [email protected] 810 529 Parish Council Finances Ð The Parish Council John Eastwood [email protected] accounts for the year to 31st March 2020 have now 07880 644 977 been audited and approved. We begin the current Angie Filippa, [email protected] financial year 2020/21 with an opening bank balance 07817 576 346 Ivan Gibson, [email protected] 810 002 of £2,973, and the precept has been held at the same Charles Grieve, [email protected] 810 580 level as the previous year. The statutory financial Selina Musters, [email protected] 810 459 information will be published on the PC website, and will also be displayed on the village notice boards Clerk Mark Flewitt from late July onwards. [email protected] 810 752 Colin McIntyre, [email protected] Recent Planning Applications Ð Fulwood House: District Councillors: external and internal alterations, additions to the Ian Jeffrey, [email protected] existing building, and some new landscaping work. 01794 388872 PC SUPPORT, with some comments about proposed Alison Johnston, [email protected] roofing materials. 01794 517939 Tony Ward, [email protected] Recreation Ground Ð The Rec was closed in March 01794 389649 in line with Government instructions. The PC is now studying new guidance issued for the re-opening of County Councillor: Andrew Gibson, [email protected] playgrounds, to see how and whether we will be able 01264 861138 to comply with all the new requirements around Page 4 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 4

Mayor’s Letter

Supporters’ Newsletter , June 2020 for the 2020 Season at stockbridgemusic.uk. It is A warm welcome to the Stockbridge Music just the dates that are not, as yet, confirmed. Please Sophie Walters, Chairman of the Parish supporters’ newsletter, keeping you up to date with do check the website regularly for updates, and Coucil writes the current season’s events and future plans. We alternative plans should larger gatherings continue I received this letter from Councillor Martin very much hope you and your loved ones are safe not to be possible for any length of time. Hatley who is our Mayor on Test Valley and well in these unprecedented times. TBC The Brompton String Quartet, Royal Borough Council. I think he has realised what an I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to College of Music amazing group of people we have in this village. you, the loyal supporters of Stockbridge Music. In times of real need so many people have Without your support, from buying tickets to TBC Gesualdo Six (choral) stepped up to help. This is what Longstock is all generously giving donations or sponsoring us, we TBC ‘Creating a Ballet’ Tom Seligman, about, a community that cares about their would not be able to bring top quality performers to Guest Conductor Royal Ballet (talk) neighbours. We are incredibly lucky to live in a the town at affordable prices. It is thanks to you that 25.09 (TBC) Adrian Brendel, cello village like this, no wonder that we have so SM is able to contribute in a small but - we hope - 06.11 (TBC) Sarah Deere-Jones, harp (talk / many young families moving in. meaningful way, to the vibrant arts and music scene recital) We are hoping to hold a village tea party, as in Stockbridge. you will have read, please do make an effort to So many of you have attended our events over the We hope you agree that we have curated a come, it will be good fun. years, and it has been a privilege to share them with tantalising mix of artists of international quality and Again, all my thanks to support workers who you. We have been delighted recently that an renown for your enjoyment this year, and that you have kept Longstock going during these difficult increasing number of talented young artists, as well will consider coming along to all four of our months. as well-established musicians, has approached SM concerts - as well as what promises to be a asking to perform - a lovely acknowledgement of fascinating bonus event, a talk by conductor Tom Stockbridge’s burgeoning reputation in the musical Seligman on the creation of a ballet from the world. conductor’s point of view. Music in the time of COVID-19 With best wishes, Tim Lowden (Music Director) I would also like to give a special mention to the ticket holders for the Brompton Quartet concert. Thanks to your generosity in not asking for a refund, we have been able to pay the majority of the ensemble’s fee. And because musicians have little or no income at the moment, we also decided to use some of our reserves to pay a large portion of Gesualdo Six’s fee in advance. We hope you’ll agree that this was entirely the right thing to do in these uncertain times. To date we have been fortunate to have been able to entice many musicians to Stockbridge for less than full fees, usually as part of bigger tour. No more...These wonderful musicians need every bit of support they can get now that their incomes have evaporated. There is no question that in future their fees must be paid in full, and so our concert costs are bound to increase. In response, we have created the Stockbridge Music Patrons Programme. With the support of our Founding Patrons, SM will be able to safely navigate these uncertain times and continue to fulfil our mission of bringing top quality musicians, at affordable prices, to Stockbridge. The fate of the 2020 Season Concert Programme Due to the current lockdown, it will of course come as no surprise to you that our plans are somewhat up in the air. As things stand, we are hoping to squeeze all of the scheduled performers into the latter part of the year, social-distancing rules willing. You will find full details of the five fantastic events planned Page 6 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 6 is to make a direct bank transfer (BACS) to: decayed wood will slow its path. By measuring the Congratulations Treasurer’s Account, Lloyds Bank: Sort Code speed that sound takes to pass through a tree, an A man went into a pub, and said to the landlord, Church News 30-90-21 Account No 00265278 idea of its condition can be obtained. Congratulations to our Diamond Couple, Peter Pet Stories “I’ve got a unique white mouse here. He can play Some people prefer to send their donation to the The results show that the tree, which is a the piano.” Friends of St Mary, and in this case the details are: Common Yew Taxus baccata, is not suffering from and Clare Bramley who celebrated 60 years of marriage on 16th July. A few light-hearted stories The landlord roared with laughter. “Come off it,” he internal decay. This is good news as the tree is of dubious truth to raise a Maddie Hedley writes The Friends of St Mary, Lloyds Bank: Sort code said, “pull the other one.” 30-90-21: Account No. 00632750. almost 600 years old. The recommended treatment smile. “Well, I’ll prove it to you,” said the man, and sat his Late June and July contained news that allowed us Congratulations to Cordelia Or send a cheque made payable to ‘The Friends of is for the dead wood in the crown to be removed Burnfield and Nick Berry who white mouse down on the stool of the pub piano. to re-open the church Ð firstly for private prayer, and and then to give the tree slow release fertiliser and A young girl wanted to give her puppy a drink. The mouse then proceeded to play a number of the secondly for services. St Mary’ to Isobel Green, Barleydown, Hazeldown, were married in St Mary’s on She asked if anyone had seen the dog bowl. “No, I Longstock, SO20 6EG. mulch. This will happen in the next few weeks. Saturday 4th July, having had to classics and various tunes from musicals. The The church opened on 22 June, after the church Meanwhile, if anyone has any questions, please haven’t”, replied her Father, “but I saw him take a landlord was amazed, and gave the man £100 for the Philip, I and the PCC are really grateful for the postpone the wedding they had brilliant catch on the lawn the other day.” had been re-figured and pews marked for Private let me know (810284) or email planned for April as the mouse. Prayer. The team of people who open and lock the contributions we have received so far and are hoping that our target can be met. The target is to raise [email protected]. churches were closed. They had Next day the man came in with another white church were briefed and all agreed to the new If you would like a word with the vicar, or be a wonderful intimate service mouse. routine of cleaning the church each evening before £28,000. This figure includes the professional fees, the cleaning and clearing of the wall, VAT and the put on the mailing list for joining zoom, please surrounded by close family and “What does this one do then?”, asked the landlord locking up. Hand sanitizer has been provided, “Why are you looking so miserable?” suspiciously. builders’ costs. contact Rev’d Philip Bowden Ð 810810 or email friends. The sun shone and the “I’ve just lost my dog.” together with disposable gloves for those who need [email protected] church bells rang. “Oh, this one can sing. If you don’t believe me, ask them. Income from donations £3,115 “Well why not put a notice in the village the pianist mouse to play something and this mouse Services - We had our first service in church on Standing orders £1,880 Newsletter?” will sing it.” Sunday 19 June. A Said Holy Communion. The next Friends £1,000 “That wouldn’t do any good. He can’t read.” So the landlord asked for ‘Singing in the Rain’, and service will be in August, but watch the notice board Grants £4,500 Births the mouse sang it in a high treble voice. and look out for emails for the precise date. The Church contribution £5,000 “Remarkable,” said the landlord. “My customers same applies for Services in September, but I do Total to date: £15,495 Welcome to Clementine Foster who was born on Welcome to Genevieve Poppy Burnfield Berry will love it. Here’s another £100." hope we will be able to have our Patronal Service in 17th June to Alice (née Burnfield) and Craig Foster, who was born on 7th July, a first child for Cordelia The next day the man came in again. “What have Church on 13 September. Details will be circulated. So just another £12,505 to go. There may be you got this time?” asked the landlord. “Have you another grant, but we won’t know for some time. to join her brother Felix at The Grange. (née Burnfield) and Nick Berry, of Heron Cottage. Zoom services are continuing to be held at 10am got a mouse who can dance?” on Sunday mornings, although some time soon the Assuming we receive Planning Permission and a “No,” said the man. I’ve got nothing today. “It’s time for this will change. Faculty from the Diocese, we are hoping that work merely that my conscience has been troubling me. on rebuilding the wall can start in September or Village Hall Walnut Toffee Squares The ‘Alternative Fete Lunch’ will take place on You know I said the second mouse could sing. Well, October 2020. It really would be good to have this It’s been strange not having any normal use of the by Anne Roberts it can’t. The first mouse is also a ventriloquist!” 5 September at the Recreation Ground and I hope to done before the winter. hall for four months. Loss of income since March see many of you there. Details about this are The Yew Tree - Some of you may have noticed has been covered by a generous government grant Ingredients - For the base: elsewhere in the Newsletter. of £10,000, for which the hall management that the Yew Tree in the churchyard has not been 4oz (125g) butter straight from the fridge Wall Update - We are still waiting for various looking very happy. We used the services of a tree committee is very grateful. permissions regarding the wall. So far we have been specialist to come and have a look. The company Now there may be light at the end of the tunnel 6oz (175g) plain flour awarded two grants for which we are very grateful. used a Picus Sonic Tomograph, which is made by a since ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural 2oz (50g) brown sugar One for £2,000 comes from the Hampshire and German company called Argus-Electronic-Gmbh. England) issued useful guidelines for gradual re- Island Historic Churches Trust and the other for It is a specialised electronic instrument which can opening of village halls, once the government had For the top: £2,500 comes from the CoE Cathedral and Church eased some restrictions from 6th July. Buildings (conservation) Division. One of the key 'look' internally into a branch or tree trunk and 2 large eggs display a computer-generated image of its condition. But the hall management committee has agreed Stockbridge Community Cinema decisions from the PCC Meeting in May was to 2 rounded teaspoons of ground cinnamon write to each household in Longstock asking for It achieves this by it is too early to open fully, since there are many Performances remain cancelled. tight regulations, risk management assessments and 3oz (75g) desiccated coconut donations towards the church and the rebuilding of measuring the speed that Please check the community cinema website for the church wall. Donations have started to come in sound travels through the so on to be addressed before we can safely operate 4oz (125g) broken walnuts updates. again. It is partly a question of meeting insurance and some are extremely generous. There is still time wood in several different 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence positions and directions. requirements, but mostly of the health and safety of www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk to contribute. Cheques should be made out to ‘PCC 6oz (175g) brown sugar Longstock’ and sent to me, the Treasurer, 1 Chattis Sound travels fastest our volunteers who run the hall. Hill Stables, Stockbridge, SO20 6JS. The alternative through solid wood and We did, however, offer the hall to Test Valley 1/2 teaspoon baking powder School in case they needed ‘overflow’ space for a pinch of salt socially-distanced classroom teaching following a R C Church of St. Thomas More move for vacant public buildings to be used during Behind Rosalind Hill House, Stockbridge High Street the pandemic. The school didn’t require our space Put the base ingredients into a food processor for teaching, but they did use it successfully on 7th (or mixer with a dough hook) and blend until it Mass usually celebrated at 09.00 each Sunday - Currently please contact July as a vaccination clinic for Year 8 pupils, run by is like crumbs. Then press the mixture into a the NHS. Father Mark Hogan, Parish Priest Tel: 01962 852804 lightly greased 8-inch (20cm) tin. Bake in a The hall committee has agreed a tentative date moderate oven 350F (180C) gas mark 4 (bottom of 1st September to re-open for normal hire, to be right-hand oven in a 4-door Aga) for 15 The next service at St Mary’s will be in August, reviewed in mid-August and subject to the state of minutes. Next mix together the remaining watch the notice board and look out for an emails for the precise date. COVID at the time. Meanwhile PPE is being ingredients and spread on top of the pastry. obtained, hand sanitisers being fitted to walls in Cook for a further 15 minutes at the same The St Mary’s church continues to be open for individuals to go in and pray. suitable places in the hall and volunteer helpers and temperature. Cool in the tin and cut into squares. Church Warden: Maddie Hedley on 810284 the management team getting used to a new way of working that might last for some time. Makes 12 squares. Page 7 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 7 is to make a direct bank transfer (BACS) to: decayed wood will slow its path. By measuring the Congratulations Treasurer’s Account, Lloyds Bank: Sort Code speed that sound takes to pass through a tree, an A man went into a pub, and said to the landlord, Church News 30-90-21 Account No 00265278 idea of its condition can be obtained. Congratulations to our Diamond Couple, Peter Pet Stories “I’ve got a unique white mouse here. He can play Some people prefer to send their donation to the The results show that the tree, which is a the piano.” Friends of St Mary, and in this case the details are: Common Yew Taxus baccata, is not suffering from and Clare Bramley who celebrated 60 years of marriage on 16th July. A few light-hearted stories The landlord roared with laughter. “Come off it,” he internal decay. This is good news as the tree is of dubious truth to raise a Maddie Hedley writes The Friends of St Mary, Lloyds Bank: Sort code said, “pull the other one.” 30-90-21: Account No. 00632750. almost 600 years old. The recommended treatment smile. “Well, I’ll prove it to you,” said the man, and sat his Late June and July contained news that allowed us Congratulations to Cordelia Or send a cheque made payable to ‘The Friends of is for the dead wood in the crown to be removed Burnfield and Nick Berry who white mouse down on the stool of the pub piano. to re-open the church Ð firstly for private prayer, and and then to give the tree slow release fertiliser and A young girl wanted to give her puppy a drink. The mouse then proceeded to play a number of the secondly for services. St Mary’ to Isobel Green, Barleydown, Hazeldown, were married in St Mary’s on She asked if anyone had seen the dog bowl. “No, I Longstock, SO20 6EG. mulch. This will happen in the next few weeks. Saturday 4th July, having had to classics and various tunes from musicals. The The church opened on 22 June, after the church Meanwhile, if anyone has any questions, please haven’t”, replied her Father, “but I saw him take a landlord was amazed, and gave the man £100 for the Philip, I and the PCC are really grateful for the postpone the wedding they had brilliant catch on the lawn the other day.” had been re-figured and pews marked for Private let me know (810284) or email planned for April as the mouse. Prayer. The team of people who open and lock the contributions we have received so far and are hoping that our target can be met. The target is to raise [email protected]. churches were closed. They had Next day the man came in with another white church were briefed and all agreed to the new If you would like a word with the vicar, or be a wonderful intimate service mouse. routine of cleaning the church each evening before £28,000. This figure includes the professional fees, the cleaning and clearing of the wall, VAT and the put on the mailing list for joining zoom, please surrounded by close family and “What does this one do then?”, asked the landlord locking up. Hand sanitizer has been provided, “Why are you looking so miserable?” suspiciously. builders’ costs. contact Rev’d Philip Bowden Ð 810810 or email friends. The sun shone and the “I’ve just lost my dog.” together with disposable gloves for those who need [email protected] church bells rang. “Oh, this one can sing. If you don’t believe me, ask them. Income from donations £3,115 “Well why not put a notice in the village the pianist mouse to play something and this mouse Services - We had our first service in church on Standing orders £1,880 Newsletter?” will sing it.” Sunday 19 June. A Said Holy Communion. The next Friends £1,000 “That wouldn’t do any good. He can’t read.” So the landlord asked for ‘Singing in the Rain’, and service will be in August, but watch the notice board Grants £4,500 Births the mouse sang it in a high treble voice. and look out for emails for the precise date. The Church contribution £5,000 “Remarkable,” said the landlord. “My customers same applies for Services in September, but I do Total to date: £15,495 Welcome to Clementine Foster who was born on Welcome to Genevieve Poppy Burnfield Berry will love it. Here’s another £100." hope we will be able to have our Patronal Service in 17th June to Alice (née Burnfield) and Craig Foster, who was born on 7th July, a first child for Cordelia The next day the man came in again. “What have Church on 13 September. Details will be circulated. So just another £12,505 to go. There may be you got this time?” asked the landlord. “Have you another grant, but we won’t know for some time. to join her brother Felix at The Grange. (née Burnfield) and Nick Berry, of Heron Cottage. Zoom services are continuing to be held at 10am got a mouse who can dance?” on Sunday mornings, although some time soon the Assuming we receive Planning Permission and a “No,” said the man. I’ve got nothing today. “It’s time for this will change. Faculty from the Diocese, we are hoping that work merely that my conscience has been troubling me. on rebuilding the wall can start in September or Village Hall Walnut Toffee Squares The ‘Alternative Fete Lunch’ will take place on You know I said the second mouse could sing. Well, October 2020. It really would be good to have this It’s been strange not having any normal use of the by Anne Roberts it can’t. The first mouse is also a ventriloquist!” 5 September at the Recreation Ground and I hope to done before the winter. hall for four months. Loss of income since March see many of you there. Details about this are The Yew Tree - Some of you may have noticed has been covered by a generous government grant Ingredients - For the base: elsewhere in the Newsletter. of £10,000, for which the hall management that the Yew Tree in the churchyard has not been 4oz (125g) butter straight from the fridge Wall Update - We are still waiting for various looking very happy. We used the services of a tree committee is very grateful. permissions regarding the wall. So far we have been specialist to come and have a look. The company Now there may be light at the end of the tunnel 6oz (175g) plain flour awarded two grants for which we are very grateful. used a Picus Sonic Tomograph, which is made by a since ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural 2oz (50g) brown sugar One for £2,000 comes from the Hampshire and German company called Argus-Electronic-Gmbh. England) issued useful guidelines for gradual re- Island Historic Churches Trust and the other for It is a specialised electronic instrument which can opening of village halls, once the government had For the top: £2,500 comes from the CoE Cathedral and Church eased some restrictions from 6th July. Buildings (conservation) Division. One of the key 'look' internally into a branch or tree trunk and 2 large eggs display a computer-generated image of its condition. But the hall management committee has agreed Stockbridge Community Cinema decisions from the PCC Meeting in May was to 2 rounded teaspoons of ground cinnamon write to each household in Longstock asking for It achieves this by it is too early to open fully, since there are many Performances remain cancelled. tight regulations, risk management assessments and 3oz (75g) desiccated coconut donations towards the church and the rebuilding of measuring the speed that Please check the community cinema website for the church wall. Donations have started to come in sound travels through the so on to be addressed before we can safely operate 4oz (125g) broken walnuts updates. again. It is partly a question of meeting insurance and some are extremely generous. There is still time wood in several different 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence positions and directions. requirements, but mostly of the health and safety of www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk to contribute. Cheques should be made out to ‘PCC 6oz (175g) brown sugar Longstock’ and sent to me, the Treasurer, 1 Chattis Sound travels fastest our volunteers who run the hall. Hill Stables, Stockbridge, SO20 6JS. The alternative through solid wood and We did, however, offer the hall to Test Valley 1/2 teaspoon baking powder School in case they needed ‘overflow’ space for a pinch of salt socially-distanced classroom teaching following a R C Church of St. Thomas More move for vacant public buildings to be used during Behind Rosalind Hill House, Stockbridge High Street the pandemic. The school didn’t require our space Put the base ingredients into a food processor for teaching, but they did use it successfully on 7th (or mixer with a dough hook) and blend until it Mass usually celebrated at 09.00 each Sunday - Currently please contact July as a vaccination clinic for Year 8 pupils, run by is like crumbs. Then press the mixture into a the NHS. Father Mark Hogan, Parish Priest Tel: 01962 852804 lightly greased 8-inch (20cm) tin. Bake in a The hall committee has agreed a tentative date moderate oven 350F (180C) gas mark 4 (bottom of 1st September to re-open for normal hire, to be right-hand oven in a 4-door Aga) for 15 The next service at St Mary’s will be in August, reviewed in mid-August and subject to the state of minutes. Next mix together the remaining watch the notice board and look out for an emails for the precise date. COVID at the time. Meanwhile PPE is being ingredients and spread on top of the pastry. obtained, hand sanitisers being fitted to walls in Cook for a further 15 minutes at the same The St Mary’s church continues to be open for individuals to go in and pray. suitable places in the hall and volunteer helpers and temperature. Cool in the tin and cut into squares. Church Warden: Maddie Hedley on 810284 the management team getting used to a new way of working that might last for some time. Makes 12 squares. Page 8 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 8 Longstock ‘Tadpoles’ for many rats and of course there was no new best Village Joint Venture in Hampshire in 1984 Ð as building. commemorated in the present day Village Hall Ð the beginning! entrance lobby. By Dane Oliver The feeling of the village was also different. Leckford Estate played a more identifiable role and In her opening message to the ‘Longstock many of the dwellings were occupied by Estate Newsletter Extra’ in May this year, Sophie Walters workers. I don’t know numbers, but it seemed as asked if anyone had any more recent village history many as 50 percent of the houses were Estate owned. to recount. As a result, I began to think about our Many more villagers were employed on the farms. past 43 years in the village. Of course, I do not Tractors were smaller and at midday you would see pretend to match Geoff Merritt’s longevity or his many drivers returning home in their tractors for impressive and structured recounting of historical lunch. It was a pretty idyllic atmosphere. However, events. However, there are a number of current there was no obvious meeting point for villagers, or villagers who have been involved with youth activity for young families. There were a number of groups, in Longstock over these past 40 years. It does seem such as the ladies dancing club, but in the main there to me to be a sadness that there is really no record of was a perceived gap between those who lived in what has been done or achieved. So, I am offering a Leckford Estate dwellings and those who owned record of some events that stick in my mind. They their property, especially ‘newcomers’ such as us. may not be totally accurate or within the correct There was no animosity but there was no opportunity timeframe, but I hope that some of you will recall for folk from different bases to come together. some good memories. To adapt Eric Morecambe’s At this point in 1980, a group of parents came famous rebuke to André Previn, ‘I’m using all the together and looked at ways in which we could right facts, but not necessarily in the right order!’. I enable all our children to interact with the rest of the am one who has worked with Tadpoles and Mayflies village children. At this time, Longstock children for 35 years and I really miss them after deciding to attended a number of different schools, so they could retire with bad feet five years ago! easily live in the same village but never get to know I wonder if any of you have ever pondered the each other. Therein started what was to become origin of the framed Community Ventures Award ‘Tadpoles’. The three families involved initially were the Masons, the Clarks and the Olivers. that is hung on the wall in the Village Hall entrance Longstock, within sound of the peal of children’s Geographically it worked well. Jane Mason, who Hooray for Longstock! lobby, dated 1984? As a youth group we started with laughter. the name of ‘Tadpoles’ for many years. Then as was a well-qualified nurse, lived at Oakferns and she By Nigel Rugman We are having something of an anti-negativity Longstock’s children grew older we had a break until had four daughters, and her husband was Head of Have you noticed the transformation that has phase in the Rugman household, which means that a new generation arrived. These were the new Leckford Nursery. Chris Clark lived at Halfway happened in Longstock, seemingly all of a sudden? the morning cup of tea in bed is now accompanied ‘Mayflies’! Cottage with Gilly and had a son and two daughters. YOUNG PEOPLE! Everywhere you look, babies are by Classic FM, rather than by Radio Four. Imagine Additionally, apart from being a lawyer, he was imminent, babies are being born, toddlers, It all began when our Longstock village was quite the moment I heard an advertisement offering Chairman of SADS - Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic schoolchildren (well, maybe I should for the time a bit different from how we are today. Our family exclusive retirement bungalows for the over 45s. Society. At the time, Beth Oliver was a primary being modify the “school” bit of that description), arrived in the village in 1977. I arrived in August and THE OVER 45s for God’s sake!! Think of one of school teacher and Dane was a teacher and mummies and daddies, all diluting and delighting Beth, Georgina and Joanna arrived in October, as those Bateman cartoons in Punch as I leapt up in Hampshire Inspector for Outdoor Education. As we, “us”, the oldies who also live in Longstock. Quite there was work to do on the house at Highfields horror and disgust, tea forming an elegant parabola the Olivers, lived at Highfield, our home provided a simply, our village is being revitalised by this before we could get a mortgage. We were greeted by as it shot across the eiderdown. Of course, I am convenient mid-village base for meetings and was infusion of new life, its merit never better illustrated Jocelyn Michell, the vicar, who brought a bunch of speaking here metaphorically for creative effect, we also close to the old Village Hall. than by the magnificent way the young have stepped welcoming flowers. In those days Longstock had certainly don’t have an eiderdown. their own vicar who lived in the rectory that has now At the outset, it was agreed that we wanted to up to the plate to support the vulnerable through the been demolished and replaced by the lovely enrich a stronger sense of community for our pandemic. My sister-in-law lives in a rustic Somerset village Opperman’s new house. Jocelyn only had to worry youngsters, so it was vital to provide children with I don’t know how this has happened, but long may which is truly delightful, comprised as it is of lovely mellow yellow stone houses, historic old church … about Leckford and Longstock, so he had time to ventures and activities where people would need to it continue to be the case. What makes it particularly you get the picture. But it is a village set in a form of visit parishioners. cooperate and work together. Initially, drama was extraordinary is that for our immediate neighbours, aspic, probably the only resident under the age of 70 seen as a key activity, and this was to provide the whose address name we share, Stockbridge, the mass The look of the village was very different then. We is the local farmer. Such environments, defined also springboard for all future ventures. The first influx of young people is probably not the case. still had the old village hall, a remnant of past army most acutely in retirement developments, are a production was called “Rainy Thursday”. Now that Don’t get me wrong, no slur nor offence is implied huts, and Ken Bookham’s cows deposited their constant reminder of one’s mortality, they are clocks Kirsty Gibson has moved back into the village I am nor intended. Stockbridge is a jewel of a town/ aromatic remains on the road outside the church as marking down the decline of time. It is surely better, sure that she could tell you more! The range of village (my mind’s eye sees the Georgian Pantiles of they were coaxed down from the fields for milking healthier and more stimulating to live in a dynamic, activities and ventures involving adults, parents and Tunbridge Wells transported into a watery, rural twice a day. For weddings and funerals severe intergenerational community, comprising young, children developed to an extent that we could not setting). More particularly, Stockbridge is full of sweeping of the road was a prerequisite! Next door have anticipated in those early years. This middle aged and old. th fellow spirits in whose company I delight. But, at to us, the present day ‘Cowshed’ was still an old 14 development began to be recognised beyond century hay barn, which made a comfortable home least until I cease to be perambulatory (at which That is why I say Hooray for Longstock, we are so Longstock and led to us winning the award for the point, who gives a b****r), I feel fortunate to live in lucky! Page 9 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 9 Longstock ‘Tadpoles’ for many rats and of course there was no new best Village Joint Venture in Hampshire in 1984 Ð as building. commemorated in the present day Village Hall Ð the beginning! entrance lobby. By Dane Oliver The feeling of the village was also different. Leckford Estate played a more identifiable role and In her opening message to the ‘Longstock many of the dwellings were occupied by Estate Newsletter Extra’ in May this year, Sophie Walters workers. I don’t know numbers, but it seemed as asked if anyone had any more recent village history many as 50 percent of the houses were Estate owned. to recount. As a result, I began to think about our Many more villagers were employed on the farms. past 43 years in the village. Of course, I do not Tractors were smaller and at midday you would see pretend to match Geoff Merritt’s longevity or his many drivers returning home in their tractors for impressive and structured recounting of historical lunch. It was a pretty idyllic atmosphere. However, events. However, there are a number of current there was no obvious meeting point for villagers, or villagers who have been involved with youth activity for young families. There were a number of groups, in Longstock over these past 40 years. It does seem such as the ladies dancing club, but in the main there to me to be a sadness that there is really no record of was a perceived gap between those who lived in what has been done or achieved. So, I am offering a Leckford Estate dwellings and those who owned record of some events that stick in my mind. They their property, especially ‘newcomers’ such as us. may not be totally accurate or within the correct There was no animosity but there was no opportunity timeframe, but I hope that some of you will recall for folk from different bases to come together. some good memories. To adapt Eric Morecambe’s At this point in 1980, a group of parents came famous rebuke to André Previn, ‘I’m using all the together and looked at ways in which we could right facts, but not necessarily in the right order!’. I enable all our children to interact with the rest of the am one who has worked with Tadpoles and Mayflies village children. At this time, Longstock children for 35 years and I really miss them after deciding to attended a number of different schools, so they could retire with bad feet five years ago! easily live in the same village but never get to know I wonder if any of you have ever pondered the each other. Therein started what was to become origin of the framed Community Ventures Award ‘Tadpoles’. The three families involved initially were the Masons, the Clarks and the Olivers. that is hung on the wall in the Village Hall entrance Longstock, within sound of the peal of children’s Geographically it worked well. Jane Mason, who Hooray for Longstock! lobby, dated 1984? As a youth group we started with laughter. the name of ‘Tadpoles’ for many years. Then as was a well-qualified nurse, lived at Oakferns and she By Nigel Rugman We are having something of an anti-negativity Longstock’s children grew older we had a break until had four daughters, and her husband was Head of Have you noticed the transformation that has phase in the Rugman household, which means that a new generation arrived. These were the new Leckford Nursery. Chris Clark lived at Halfway happened in Longstock, seemingly all of a sudden? the morning cup of tea in bed is now accompanied ‘Mayflies’! Cottage with Gilly and had a son and two daughters. YOUNG PEOPLE! Everywhere you look, babies are by Classic FM, rather than by Radio Four. Imagine Additionally, apart from being a lawyer, he was imminent, babies are being born, toddlers, It all began when our Longstock village was quite the moment I heard an advertisement offering Chairman of SADS - Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic schoolchildren (well, maybe I should for the time a bit different from how we are today. Our family exclusive retirement bungalows for the over 45s. Society. At the time, Beth Oliver was a primary being modify the “school” bit of that description), arrived in the village in 1977. I arrived in August and THE OVER 45s for God’s sake!! Think of one of school teacher and Dane was a teacher and mummies and daddies, all diluting and delighting Beth, Georgina and Joanna arrived in October, as those Bateman cartoons in Punch as I leapt up in Hampshire Inspector for Outdoor Education. As we, “us”, the oldies who also live in Longstock. Quite there was work to do on the house at Highfields horror and disgust, tea forming an elegant parabola the Olivers, lived at Highfield, our home provided a simply, our village is being revitalised by this before we could get a mortgage. We were greeted by as it shot across the eiderdown. Of course, I am convenient mid-village base for meetings and was infusion of new life, its merit never better illustrated Jocelyn Michell, the vicar, who brought a bunch of speaking here metaphorically for creative effect, we also close to the old Village Hall. than by the magnificent way the young have stepped welcoming flowers. In those days Longstock had certainly don’t have an eiderdown. their own vicar who lived in the rectory that has now At the outset, it was agreed that we wanted to up to the plate to support the vulnerable through the been demolished and replaced by the lovely enrich a stronger sense of community for our pandemic. My sister-in-law lives in a rustic Somerset village Opperman’s new house. Jocelyn only had to worry youngsters, so it was vital to provide children with I don’t know how this has happened, but long may which is truly delightful, comprised as it is of lovely mellow yellow stone houses, historic old church … about Leckford and Longstock, so he had time to ventures and activities where people would need to it continue to be the case. What makes it particularly you get the picture. But it is a village set in a form of visit parishioners. cooperate and work together. Initially, drama was extraordinary is that for our immediate neighbours, aspic, probably the only resident under the age of 70 seen as a key activity, and this was to provide the whose address name we share, Stockbridge, the mass The look of the village was very different then. We is the local farmer. Such environments, defined also springboard for all future ventures. The first influx of young people is probably not the case. still had the old village hall, a remnant of past army most acutely in retirement developments, are a production was called “Rainy Thursday”. Now that Don’t get me wrong, no slur nor offence is implied huts, and Ken Bookham’s cows deposited their constant reminder of one’s mortality, they are clocks Kirsty Gibson has moved back into the village I am nor intended. Stockbridge is a jewel of a town/ aromatic remains on the road outside the church as marking down the decline of time. It is surely better, sure that she could tell you more! The range of village (my mind’s eye sees the Georgian Pantiles of they were coaxed down from the fields for milking healthier and more stimulating to live in a dynamic, activities and ventures involving adults, parents and Tunbridge Wells transported into a watery, rural twice a day. For weddings and funerals severe intergenerational community, comprising young, children developed to an extent that we could not setting). More particularly, Stockbridge is full of sweeping of the road was a prerequisite! Next door have anticipated in those early years. This middle aged and old. th fellow spirits in whose company I delight. But, at to us, the present day ‘Cowshed’ was still an old 14 development began to be recognised beyond century hay barn, which made a comfortable home least until I cease to be perambulatory (at which That is why I say Hooray for Longstock, we are so Longstock and led to us winning the award for the point, who gives a b****r), I feel fortunate to live in lucky! Page 10 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 10

Walking Through Longstock as a Child By Geoff Merritt

One of the prefabs To the left of Ivy Cottage can be seen the thatched on the bank where Vale View now stands cottages that were all burnt down reconstituted in 1840 and was known as The Craven On the same side is Yew Tree Cottage, which is Club but this ended shortly before World War One. home to the Hardy family. I would walk up to here We continue to follow Geoff Merritt’s memories of South Lodge At one time, The Grange was a fishing lodge for sometimes to play with Brian Hardy - a great friend growing up in Longstock in the 1940s and 1950s. In Lord Harewood, who enlarged the building). Just a of mine - where there was plenty of ground to run this issue, Geoff remembers his childhood The next house just around the corner from South little farther, on the opposite side of The Grange, around in. Next door is Ivy Cottage. (In 1878 meanderings from Bottom Road towards The Old Lodge is ‘Test View Cottage’, and opposite is high on the bank, are two prefabricated dwellings. Samuel Alfred French, a farmer, was living here). School House. another Victorian dump. This is in the centre of the One is occupied by the road-man, Mr Shearwood, On the left, the opposite side of the road, is the old and his family. We now arrive at Bottom Road or as us kids call it track once used by shepherds in the old days, to hay barn (present day The Cowshed), housing straw ‘Water’s Lane’ as there is no road sign. allow their flocks to be watered from the stream that A little further along, on the same side of the road bales and sometimes a tractor to clamber on and Walking up the road, on the left-hand side is the runs all the way from ‘The Bunny’. For many years as The Grange stands the thatched, timber-framed pretend to drive but we do not like the iron seat! (In milking bail of Water’s Farm, and opposite is their this was also used as a village dump. At the top of Poplar Farm House in its pretty garden, with a small future years as a Parish Councillor for Longstock, I farm house (present day ‘Brock’s Farm’, Mrs the track leading to the river is a tree containing a hut that the occupant, a preacher, uses for his will insert the latest news or coming dates for the Burtenshaw’s Riding School). ‘tree house’ built by the occupants of ‘Test View followers and for Sunday School for some of the next meeting, in a small lockable glass fronted box, Cottage’ (Mr Brewerton, soon to take over from Mr village children. I am unsure what religion he is. hung on the wall of the barn, for my wife Elaine, the Further up Bottom Road on the right-hand side, Wilson as my headmaster at Stockbridge Primary/ just past the bungalow, is every kid’s delight, a Parish Clerk at the time). Secondary Modern School). Sadly, we were never Victorian dump! This is a very deep chalk pit. The invited to climb up it and explore! pit was used by the farmers for fertilising the fields before lime became the vogue. Spreading chalk on Passing the long house of Test Lodge (once known the fields was common practice in the Middle Ages, as Moineau Lodge in 1847. ‘Moineau’ means and this appears to have continued into the Sparrow, which were classed as vermin in those nineteenth century. For many years, the disused pit days, so perhaps this explains why the house name was turned into the village dump, but in 1930 the was changed in the early 1930s), now we see the authorities decided to empty everyone’s rubbish bins garage with the flat above, which originally had a once a month. slate roof. As children, we are always told to keep away from here in case of disease etc. but the temptation to go down the steep slope into the dump and search through all the rubbish is far too great! Among the ‘finds’ there are old bottles with marbles in the Poplar Farm House The old Hay Barn necks, and lots of test tubes - we snap the ends off these as they make ideal pea-shooters, and ‘Agg Gags’ fit them perfectly! In the field opposite the dump there are numerous rabbit holes, the rabbits are Alasdair John Cox allowed to roam free in their warren as they are a staple diet for our families. Carpentry specialist; garden maintenance; Returning down and onto the main road, on the left Test Lodge and garage, building work inside & out. is ‘South Lodge’, a huge lovely building that with The Grange in the distance Fully insured, good references. Brigadier Pirie-Cust lives in, or as us kids have Opposite Test Lodge garage is The Grange. (At one Free quotations; no job too small. named him Brigadier Pretty-Custard! 2 Manor Farm Cottages, North Houghton According to the Longstock Tithe map of 1939, the time this was the original clubhouse of Longstock house was named Elm Cottage, possibly after the Fishing Club, which began in 1809. The very first 810311 or 07900 621842 magnificent tree that is adjacent to it (present day fishing club of its kind, it was dissolved in 1827, this no longer stands as it fell prey to Dutch Elm when most of its members were elected to the Disease). Houghton Fishing Club formed in 1822. It was Page 12 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 12 A public footpath separates the old barn from Farm Shop Gardens Open Highfield, followed by a long, tall hedge that runs The Farm Shop is still delivering locally, on The Water Gardens are open again, on alongside the road hiding the gates up to Little Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons, and is Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with tickets only Manor Cottages. Here, we cannot pass without now stocking a wider range of basics. Ring them on pre-booked at eventbrite.co.uk. Put ‘Longstock water running completely round it a few times! (Present 810270 between 9 and 5 with a minimum order of gardens’ into the search to find availability. day completely removed so that cars can park there). £20. This is a lifeline to people unable to go to The garden at Terstan opened on Sunday 28th Walking on we pass Hillside Cottages. (These were shops, and the £5 picnic lunches they sell could well June under a strict social distancing programme. We built in 1919, replacing four very old thatched be useful for our Great Village Get-together on had 90 visitors, spaced out over the day. There were cottages). September 5th. plants for sale and there was music but sadly no tea On the opposite side of the road, between Ivy The café is also open again, with careful social and cake. Please see ngs.org.uk for details of our Cottage and the Village Hall, the land is overgrown distancing measures, so that we can meet friends and next opening and to book a ticket. We come under and derelict. (Here once stood four thatched enjoy meeting safely inside or out, while supporting the south east region. buildings, containing three cottages and the local a local business. shop. All burnt down in a horrific fire in 1921. Meanwhile at the Fruit Farm, the effects of the Legend has it that a young lad, while in the process weather are plain to see, with fruit on the same tree of cleaning out his rabbits, set fire to the used straw The old Village Hall being affected by both sunburn and frostbite! from the hutch and inadvertently burnt down the four buildings. Today remains a patch of waste land). World War, the Hall was let out to the Portsmouth News from Longstock Allotments in small bins which has been moderately successful but never produces enough. We are very lucky in Municipal College as a school for evacuated boys By Gareth Evans and girls. The pupils, aged 14-16, were billeted that we have regular deliveries of pro grow, which is The allotments have really hit a peak this month. added to the soil. Sometimes it is laid on top of the throughout the nearby villages, including a brother Harvesting is in full swing. We've taken asparagus, and sister placed in our house. (In 1989 plans were soil for the worms to do the work, sometimes it is beans, potatoes, peas, carrots, garlic, onions, soft gently dug in. It really does open up the soil allowing made to build a new Village Hall, which we can fruit and there is lots more to come. enjoy today). roots to penetrate to deeper layers of water and Every plot is taken and being used to the full. The nutrients. Almost opposite the Village Hall, is the Methodist plants look very healthy and are bursting with life! We've taken up the offer of help from Chris Chapel built in 1878. (Now a private house). On the The weather has been sort of kind to us, what with Reynell who has taken some of our green waste same side, we approach the old Church School for a very wet early spring and then a dry hot late spring, away for his digester. In return we have received boys and girls (Longstock National/ CofE Primary which led to late sowing and then lots of watering. some of the solid waste product which when stored School), built in the Vicarage grounds in 1867 for 80 However, because the water has penetrated to the for a while rots down to form a rich and valuable children (known then, as the Parsonage Grounds). lower layers of soil it has meant that the roots can compost. We've also taken to shredding some of our The school was in constant use until 1927, when 40 find water when needed. waste, to quite small pieces which again is stored for children were transferred to be educated in the Of course with the lockdown, we've devoted more a few months forming lovely compost. All of this school at Stockbridge. A Miss Hutchence was the valuable resource is produced within a couple of The aftermath of the cottage fire school mistress circa 1900. During World War Two, time to our crops which I'm sure has helped. It has also meant that we could get on top of the weeds. miles of the allotment, which means of course that After the waste land, we pass the Village Hall, the school was utilised as a canteen for the troops our carbon footprint must be low. and also as a baby welfare centre.(Pre-school Probably the most important feature to do with (Where in the mid-1970s I will be holding many plant growth is how we treat the soil. Simple things By the way, our wildlife recording continues. Lots discos with my friend Jonathan East, and this is children had allowances of cod-liver oil and orange juice, I can remember during the war as a toddler, like not compacting it by walking on it especially of birds and insects of course. 2 slowworms, a toad, where my wedding reception will be held). The when wet is very important. Secondly, what we add multiple tadpoles and a host of dragonflies and Village Hall was originally an old army hut that was being pushed up to the school in my pushchair to receive my free quota). sometimes causes more harm than good. I'm damselflies which have been observed laying their moved from an unknown occupied camp in the First thinking about adding too much inorganic fertiliser eggs. No dormouse this year- yet. World War. It was kindly donated in 1921 by Mrs. Adjacent to the Old School House and close to the to the soil. A lot of it cannot get absorbed and ends If you would like to join our waiting list for the Beddington, from Longstock House. In the Second road is the thatched cottage that up in a run off and eventually gets into the water allotment, please contact: was once the Old Post Office (now supply. [email protected] demolished and the land is To help our soil we all add lots of natural compost 0775 135 1507 or drop a note through my post overgrown with yew trees). Living to our plots. Some of us have made compost on site box at Butterflies. here is Jim Mitchell, the dairyman for Water’s Farm in Bottom Road.

The Methodist Chapel is seen on the left, the old School beyond with the gable end of the thatched old Post Office behind that. On the right is the shop that burnt down. On the left is the hedge in front of Lower Manor Cottages. Page 14 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 14 Watch the Birdie! family swim towards me, I kept clicking, (mine is a Birds of Prey: the female as they perch, which is probably the best very quiet shutter), hoping that in at least one of the By Nigel Rugman time to see that they have reddish brown “trousers”. resulting images I would have all the elements I have The Hobby (falco subbuteo) There are food passing flight displays as well. Then Some of you may recall described come together, that I would have my 2-3 eggs are laid, densely speckled with reddish rust By Carrie Ross that the cover of the June/ Decisive Moment. You can never dismiss the markings, the eggs hatch in a month and the young July issue of the element of luck, but it helps to know what to do with Longstock allotments have take around a month to fledge, after which they will it when it comes your way. Newsletter had a been worked hard during the learn vital survival skills from their parents. The photograph of mine of a swan and her cygnets. What Let us now leave our swans which have had more current situation, but there is always awareness of hobby will take birds such as swallows and even followed was a suggestion by our Noble Editorial than sufficient exposure(!) and end with a brief look the wildlife around us. So there’s no surprise that one swifts. Folklore says the male is called a tercel (or Team that I might like to consider writing a piece on at how to maximise our chances of taking successful sharp-eyed allotmenteer spotted a fairly unusual tiercel) since every third egg to hatch is said to be photography and, as nothing appeals more to the ego family snaps. After all, this is what most of us do bird this year. Up in the sky, one sunny evening in that of a male. than a bit of flattery, here we go! most with our smart phones and cameras. In addition May when the Mayflies were hatching, she watched So here we see another species of bird which is For illustration, I have chosen again to return to to the keep clicking mantra, think about getting in a hobby taking advantage of these easy pickings, able to balance the energy expenditure of migration our cygnets, this time a few weeks older and with close and personal, Social Distancing not catching the flies on the wing, then eating them in both their parents. I should point out immediately withstanding! Always try to focus on the eyes, they flight. to take advantage of our longer daylight hours to that I am not, per se, a wildlife photographer, rather, magnetise attention. Make sure that there are as few forage for food in order to raise a family. Then in as possible detracting elements in your frame, such Raptors have developed many advantages in their someone who walks with his camera in the hope that evolution to be top hunters in the bird world. late summer/ early autumn … back down south! As something will grab his attention…probably a as the dog’s tail or a random foot. Most importantly, a result of being light in weight the birds have no scavenger photographer describes me best! The look behind your subject, nothing spoils a picture Firstly, the development of fantastic eyesight, need to use a thermal uplift to assist with sea reason for choosing to stay with the swans, other more than a tree or telegraph pole appearing to grow providing the ability to spot prey from a huge crossings. Heavier birds, such as storks, cranes, out of the back of a person’s head. And get on with than it allows me to use a catchy title, is that this distance. The possession of a nictitating membrane large raptors and ospreys use the narrowest points, it, the longer you take, the more bored your subject particular image encapsulates and therefore acts like a third eyelid, which moves horizontally around the Gibraltar area, but the hobby can migrate will look. across the eye, both maintaining the moisture in the illustrates the story I want to tell, namely, the process across a broader front. On arrival in Africa through by which one achieves a “good” photograph. As a final thought, do think of having some of eye as well as protecting the eye when flying fast in windy or dusty conditions. How useful would that the winter months they will take advantage of Given that the subject matter is wildlife, the first those photos printed and mounted in an album, your drought busting rains with flying termites and children’s children will thank you. be walking my dog through those biting winter and obvious thing to emphasise is to think Social winds! locusts. Distancing, something that we should all be very A superb bird. What a 1ft wonder! adept at, what with the experience of the last few Raptors’ nostrils are designed with bony tubercles months! Stay far enough away from your subject as allowing air to flow through easily when flying fast, to cause neither alarm nor distress. Similarly, stay as especially when in a stoop. A hooked beak and still as possible, sudden movements can be perceived sharp, strong talons help in catching prey. Finally the as threatening. If you are using a camera with the tail … the kite with a forked tail provides greater facility, some form of telephoto lens is of course manoeuvrability in uplift, or short for twisting and helpful in these circumstances. turning in forest … consider the kestrel or merlin respectively. A short tail and pointed wing shape The second point I want to emphasise is to take allow supremacy in speed and direction change … LOTS of photographs (hopefully, without upsetting and that’s what we have in our hobby. your subject). Forget the days of “analogue” cameras when films and processing were expensive, we are in Hobbies migrate from Africa, flying north from the digital age! How often have you taken a snap of the Sahara Desert, travelling a distance of around someone who has blinked at the wrong moment? Or 2,500 miles to breed here, arriving from March/ taken a group shot in which at least one person April, and locating mainly in southern parts of the seems to be doing a gurning impression? One of the U.K., where there are an estimated 2,500 breeding world’s greatest photographers, Henri Cartier- pairs. Their conservation status is green. Bresson, had his theory of taking photographs at How to recognise a hobby? We are all familiar what he described as the Decisive Moment. As a with the size of a kestrel, but the hobby is a much lesser mortal, I find that if I take ten snaps of rarer sight. In size it’s similar to a kestrel, but with a something, one may prove a little more Decisive very different and distinctive look, sickle shaped than the others! wings and a silhouette not unlike that of a large So to our swans. What had eluded me on the swift. They really do fly very fast. The call is well several occasions that I had visited them was a worth listening for, a quick “mew”, akin to a cat successful family shot: mum, dad and the cygnets in mewing. Hear it and look up quickly, at their top a harmoniously balanced composition, looking the speed the bird could be close to Goodworth Clatford right way, with all their heads out of the water at the before you can say knife! same time, in an attractive setting and in good light. Hobbies recycle abandoned nests of crows or When the opportunity finally came and I saw the buzzards. During courtship the male offers food to Page 15 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 15 Watch the Birdie! family swim towards me, I kept clicking, (mine is a Birds of Prey: the female as they perch, which is probably the best very quiet shutter), hoping that in at least one of the By Nigel Rugman time to see that they have reddish brown “trousers”. resulting images I would have all the elements I have The Hobby (falco subbuteo) There are food passing flight displays as well. Then Some of you may recall described come together, that I would have my 2-3 eggs are laid, densely speckled with reddish rust By Carrie Ross that the cover of the June/ Decisive Moment. You can never dismiss the markings, the eggs hatch in a month and the young July issue of the element of luck, but it helps to know what to do with Longstock allotments have take around a month to fledge, after which they will it when it comes your way. Newsletter had a been worked hard during the learn vital survival skills from their parents. The photograph of mine of a swan and her cygnets. What Let us now leave our swans which have had more current situation, but there is always awareness of hobby will take birds such as swallows and even followed was a suggestion by our Noble Editorial than sufficient exposure(!) and end with a brief look the wildlife around us. So there’s no surprise that one swifts. Folklore says the male is called a tercel (or Team that I might like to consider writing a piece on at how to maximise our chances of taking successful sharp-eyed allotmenteer spotted a fairly unusual tiercel) since every third egg to hatch is said to be photography and, as nothing appeals more to the ego family snaps. After all, this is what most of us do bird this year. Up in the sky, one sunny evening in that of a male. than a bit of flattery, here we go! most with our smart phones and cameras. In addition May when the Mayflies were hatching, she watched So here we see another species of bird which is For illustration, I have chosen again to return to to the keep clicking mantra, think about getting in a hobby taking advantage of these easy pickings, able to balance the energy expenditure of migration our cygnets, this time a few weeks older and with close and personal, Social Distancing not catching the flies on the wing, then eating them in both their parents. I should point out immediately withstanding! Always try to focus on the eyes, they flight. to take advantage of our longer daylight hours to that I am not, per se, a wildlife photographer, rather, magnetise attention. Make sure that there are as few forage for food in order to raise a family. Then in as possible detracting elements in your frame, such Raptors have developed many advantages in their someone who walks with his camera in the hope that evolution to be top hunters in the bird world. late summer/ early autumn … back down south! As something will grab his attention…probably a as the dog’s tail or a random foot. Most importantly, a result of being light in weight the birds have no scavenger photographer describes me best! The look behind your subject, nothing spoils a picture Firstly, the development of fantastic eyesight, need to use a thermal uplift to assist with sea reason for choosing to stay with the swans, other more than a tree or telegraph pole appearing to grow providing the ability to spot prey from a huge crossings. Heavier birds, such as storks, cranes, out of the back of a person’s head. And get on with than it allows me to use a catchy title, is that this distance. The possession of a nictitating membrane large raptors and ospreys use the narrowest points, it, the longer you take, the more bored your subject particular image encapsulates and therefore acts like a third eyelid, which moves horizontally around the Gibraltar area, but the hobby can migrate will look. across the eye, both maintaining the moisture in the illustrates the story I want to tell, namely, the process across a broader front. On arrival in Africa through by which one achieves a “good” photograph. As a final thought, do think of having some of eye as well as protecting the eye when flying fast in windy or dusty conditions. How useful would that the winter months they will take advantage of Given that the subject matter is wildlife, the first those photos printed and mounted in an album, your drought busting rains with flying termites and children’s children will thank you. be walking my dog through those biting winter and obvious thing to emphasise is to think Social winds! locusts. Distancing, something that we should all be very A superb bird. What a 1ft wonder! adept at, what with the experience of the last few Raptors’ nostrils are designed with bony tubercles months! Stay far enough away from your subject as allowing air to flow through easily when flying fast, to cause neither alarm nor distress. Similarly, stay as especially when in a stoop. A hooked beak and still as possible, sudden movements can be perceived sharp, strong talons help in catching prey. Finally the as threatening. If you are using a camera with the tail … the kite with a forked tail provides greater facility, some form of telephoto lens is of course manoeuvrability in uplift, or short for twisting and helpful in these circumstances. turning in forest … consider the kestrel or merlin respectively. A short tail and pointed wing shape The second point I want to emphasise is to take allow supremacy in speed and direction change … LOTS of photographs (hopefully, without upsetting and that’s what we have in our hobby. your subject). Forget the days of “analogue” cameras when films and processing were expensive, we are in Hobbies migrate from Africa, flying north from the digital age! How often have you taken a snap of the Sahara Desert, travelling a distance of around someone who has blinked at the wrong moment? Or 2,500 miles to breed here, arriving from March/ taken a group shot in which at least one person April, and locating mainly in southern parts of the seems to be doing a gurning impression? One of the U.K., where there are an estimated 2,500 breeding world’s greatest photographers, Henri Cartier- pairs. Their conservation status is green. Bresson, had his theory of taking photographs at How to recognise a hobby? We are all familiar what he described as the Decisive Moment. As a with the size of a kestrel, but the hobby is a much lesser mortal, I find that if I take ten snaps of rarer sight. In size it’s similar to a kestrel, but with a something, one may prove a little more Decisive very different and distinctive look, sickle shaped than the others! wings and a silhouette not unlike that of a large So to our swans. What had eluded me on the swift. They really do fly very fast. The call is well several occasions that I had visited them was a worth listening for, a quick “mew”, akin to a cat successful family shot: mum, dad and the cygnets in mewing. Hear it and look up quickly, at their top a harmoniously balanced composition, looking the speed the bird could be close to Goodworth Clatford right way, with all their heads out of the water at the before you can say knife! same time, in an attractive setting and in good light. Hobbies recycle abandoned nests of crows or When the opportunity finally came and I saw the buzzards. During courtship the male offers food to Page 16 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 16

Women's Institute Farmers’ Markets update Hampshire Farmers’ Markets are open. To maintain Longstock and Leckford WI social distancing you maybe asked queue before members have been meeting entering a market. often in groups of six in members’ gardens, which Winchester - Middle Brook Street Car Park has been a real tonic for people to chat in person th th th th rather than on zoom or the phone, which they have 9 & 30 August, 13 & 27 September also been doing a lot. 9 ’til 2 For the July meeting they met in the garden at The We are on the Test Way, midway between Stockbridge and Romsey in the picturesque village Romsey - Alma Road Car Park of Horsebridge. We are ideally suited for groups of ramblers or cyclists with a pre booking Mill, and with two large marquees managed to nd th maintain the prescribed distance while having a good 2 August, 6 September service available. We are a Free House specialising in ﬁne ales, wines and home-cooked catch-up over tea and cake. 10 ’til 1 locally-sourced food. The August meeting will take the same format, except that the new president, Sue Hill, plans to run Stockbridge Community Cinema Choice of freshly cooked roasts every Sunday. a quiz Ð probably a team in each tent with two We are open throughout the day from 9.30 am and will not close before 10pm, or later if we questioners. Stockbridge Town Hall have customers. Food served between 9.30 am until 8pm, and later if pre-booked. We have By the September meeting the group hopes to meet Film-screenings restart in September with in the main room of the village hall, which should 30 covers inside and 32 seats available in our garden to the rear. still allow good spacing. Portrait of a Lady on Fire We are conscious of the Covid regulations providing table service, sanitiser and safe seating. The national WI has been presenting a wide Friday 18th September 4.30 & 7.30pm Inside 2 Households can sit together, outside 2 households or a maximum of 6 people from variety of zoomed lectures and demonstrations, multiple households to each table. which have been joined by women from many Knives Out different countries, although time zones sometimes Wednesday 23rd September 1,30, 4.30 & 7.30pm We are allowing more than 2 drinks to each customer. presented problems! HORSEBRIDGE ROAD, HORSEBRIDGE, SO20 6PU Keeping Garden Chickens rather tweedy and Aly says they would look very at Telephone: 01794 388644 Johnofgaunt.co.uk home wearing a twin set and pearls. David Warner writes This time of year there are some hidden pests to Did you know there are hundreds of breeds of chickens, so if you are new to keeping birds do be on chicken throughout the world, each with their own the lookout for Red Mite. You won’t see them on the breed size specifications and many with more than chickens themselves or during the day but your one variety of plumage colours? Some have amazing ladies will be lethargic and go off lay, the biggest breed names such as Millefiore, Scots Dumpy, tell-tale sign that the mite are prowling the perches Transylvanian Naked Necks and Frizzles to name will be pale combs on the birds. Sadly if untreated, only four. chickens become anaemic and can die. Red Mite live I once read in a national publication that white in wood and during the heat of summer especially if eggs come from white chickens and brown eggs there is humidity will crawl out in the night vampire- from brown chickens. Nothing could be further from like and feast on the birds’ blood. There are the truth, in fact the most beautiful white eggs that preparations on the market to treat your chicken look like porcelain are laid by a Spanish breed, the houses and it’s good practice to treat them at least Minorca, which has jet black plumage and a once a year - we like to creosote our houses. wonderful red wattle and comb. If you like a brown Chickens love a good dust bath to help keep their egg then get yourself some Welsummers or Marans plumage glossy and rid themselves of unwanted and don’t be fooled by Jersey Giants, they may be parasites and will find a patch in the run to make one of the most majestic breed of chicken but lay a themselves one, so if you have a few fire ashes a rather average egg so won’t be giving you a giant scattering in the ‘bath’ area will be well appreciated. egg for breakfast. Keep a good eye out for hens laying out of the coop. Many of the large breed poultry also have a small Summer is a time when they start going broody and bantam relative, they are identical to each other if allowed will find themselves a hiding place to lay except in size and there are many independent a clutch of eggs. As lovely as it is to let them sit bantam breeds also. Amongst our favourites of the outside on their nest, be very aware that Badgers and large breeds are the Brahmas. These lovely round Foxes will hunt them out along with Stoats and birds originally bred in America with Chinese Mink. ancestry have very feathered feet and a lovely Whatever these threats though, keeping chickens temperament with very soft plumage. They look is still a very satisfying addition to a garden and kitchen. Happy Chicken keeping! Page 17 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 17

Women's Institute Farmers’ Markets update Hampshire Farmers’ Markets are open. To maintain Longstock and Leckford WI social distancing you maybe asked queue before members have been meeting entering a market. often in groups of six in members’ gardens, which Winchester - Middle Brook Street Car Park has been a real tonic for people to chat in person th th th th rather than on zoom or the phone, which they have 9 & 30 August, 13 & 27 September also been doing a lot. 9 ’til 2 For the July meeting they met in the garden at The We are on the Test Way, midway between Stockbridge and Romsey in the picturesque village Romsey - Alma Road Car Park of Horsebridge. We are ideally suited for groups of ramblers or cyclists with a pre booking Mill, and with two large marquees managed to nd th maintain the prescribed distance while having a good 2 August, 6 September service available. We are a Free House specialising in ﬁne ales, wines and home-cooked catch-up over tea and cake. 10 ’til 1 locally-sourced food. The August meeting will take the same format, except that the new president, Sue Hill, plans to run Stockbridge Community Cinema Choice of freshly cooked roasts every Sunday. a quiz Ð probably a team in each tent with two We are open throughout the day from 9.30 am and will not close before 10pm, or later if we questioners. Stockbridge Town Hall have customers. Food served between 9.30 am until 8pm, and later if pre-booked. We have By the September meeting the group hopes to meet Film-screenings restart in September with in the main room of the village hall, which should 30 covers inside and 32 seats available in our garden to the rear. still allow good spacing. Portrait of a Lady on Fire We are conscious of the Covid regulations providing table service, sanitiser and safe seating. The national WI has been presenting a wide Friday 18th September 4.30 & 7.30pm Inside 2 Households can sit together, outside 2 households or a maximum of 6 people from variety of zoomed lectures and demonstrations, multiple households to each table. which have been joined by women from many Knives Out different countries, although time zones sometimes Wednesday 23rd September 1,30, 4.30 & 7.30pm We are allowing more than 2 drinks to each customer. presented problems! HORSEBRIDGE ROAD, HORSEBRIDGE, SO20 6PU Keeping Garden Chickens rather tweedy and Aly says they would look very at Telephone: 01794 388644 Johnofgaunt.co.uk home wearing a twin set and pearls. David Warner writes This time of year there are some hidden pests to Did you know there are hundreds of breeds of chickens, so if you are new to keeping birds do be on chicken throughout the world, each with their own the lookout for Red Mite. You won’t see them on the breed size specifications and many with more than chickens themselves or during the day but your one variety of plumage colours? Some have amazing ladies will be lethargic and go off lay, the biggest breed names such as Millefiore, Scots Dumpy, tell-tale sign that the mite are prowling the perches Transylvanian Naked Necks and Frizzles to name will be pale combs on the birds. Sadly if untreated, only four. chickens become anaemic and can die. Red Mite live I once read in a national publication that white in wood and during the heat of summer especially if eggs come from white chickens and brown eggs there is humidity will crawl out in the night vampire- from brown chickens. Nothing could be further from like and feast on the birds’ blood. There are the truth, in fact the most beautiful white eggs that preparations on the market to treat your chicken look like porcelain are laid by a Spanish breed, the houses and it’s good practice to treat them at least Minorca, which has jet black plumage and a once a year - we like to creosote our houses. wonderful red wattle and comb. If you like a brown Chickens love a good dust bath to help keep their egg then get yourself some Welsummers or Marans plumage glossy and rid themselves of unwanted and don’t be fooled by Jersey Giants, they may be parasites and will find a patch in the run to make one of the most majestic breed of chicken but lay a themselves one, so if you have a few fire ashes a rather average egg so won’t be giving you a giant scattering in the ‘bath’ area will be well appreciated. egg for breakfast. Keep a good eye out for hens laying out of the coop. Many of the large breed poultry also have a small Summer is a time when they start going broody and bantam relative, they are identical to each other if allowed will find themselves a hiding place to lay except in size and there are many independent a clutch of eggs. As lovely as it is to let them sit bantam breeds also. Amongst our favourites of the outside on their nest, be very aware that Badgers and large breeds are the Brahmas. These lovely round Foxes will hunt them out along with Stoats and birds originally bred in America with Chinese Mink. ancestry have very feathered feet and a lovely Whatever these threats though, keeping chickens temperament with very soft plumage. They look is still a very satisfying addition to a garden and kitchen. Happy Chicken keeping! Page 18 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 18 Page 19 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020 The Longstock Newsletter Page 19 Page 20 The Longstock Newsletter Issue No 248 Aug / Sept 2020

DUSTBIN COLLECTION EMERGENCY or USEFUL CONTACTS Black Fri 14th, Fri 28th August Environment Agency bins Fri 11th, Fri 25th September Incident Hotline 0800 807 060 Brown Fri 7th, Fri 21st August Hampshire Fire & Rescue 02380 644 000 bins Sat 5th, Fri 18th September Floodline 0345 988 1188 Southern Electric 105 Green bags are collected on Tuesdays of the Southern Water 0330 303 0368 same week as brown bins. To subscribe please contact TVBC on 368000. Police non-urgent calls 101 Foil is collected at Chilbolton’s West Down car Neighbourcare Andover 336 020, 339 899 August / park & at Andover Garden Centre. Surgery 810 524 September 2020 Plastic pots are no longer recycled there. Helpline for Carers (Freephone) 0800 032 3456 Glass recycling. After 30th July glass recycling bins will no longer be available at the bus bay, Hants County Council information 0300 555 1375 Roman Road. Test Valley Borough Council 368 000 Glass, clothing and foil recycling bins are Citizens’ Advice Bureau 0344 411 1306 avalable at Chilbolton Down car park, and at To call anonymously with information Andover Wyevale Garden Centre. about crime: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 This Newsletter is There is a collecting box for clean TRANSPORT plastic milk bottle tops in the published by Longstock Stagecoach Stockbridge to Winchester Parish Council and delivered church lychgate, and a separate one buses number 68 0345 121 0190 free to every household in for batteries. Please don’t put either Longstock. in plastic bags. Batteries can also be Cango buses to Romsey have been replaced with disposed of in supermarkets & should shared taxis to your door .Register on 01962 846 786 Anyone else may subscribe not go in dustbins. at £8 a year by contacting The batteries (small, not car!) will be taken for Traveline for countrywide travel info longstockparishcouncil18 safe disposal; and clean plastic milk bottle tops 0871200 [email protected]. with the HDPE symbol will be recycled to raise Dial-a-Ride (Joyrides Stockbridge). Minibus to funds for the Gift of Sight’s research into macular Andover. Register on 356 808 degeneration. NO OTHER TYPES This runs through Longstock on Wednesdays at OF TOPS PLEASE as these are the only 9.30, returning at noon, for £3.00 return. For ones accepted now, and PLEASE don’t put more information, ring John Musters 810 459 batteries in with bottle tops.The consequences or Dane Oliver 810 839. are DIRE!

The deadline for newsletter submissions is Friday 18th September if you’d like to submit any news or comment, or offer to help! [email protected]