The Loddon Valley Link

Church and Community Magazine Issue 535 July 2020

Available online and for collection from : Church End Telephone Box Sherfield Park Shop Sherfield Park Community Centre (in the covered bin outside) Shop in Sherfield Service Station Stratfield Saye Telephone Box The Iron Duke Stratfield Saye Wellington farm shop Telephone box opposite House 28 Hartley Wespall ChurchPage Porch 1

ROUTINE NON-COVID Health Care Hub: Clift Surgery, Minchens Lane, Bramley, RG26 5BH 01256 881228 Opening Hours: 8.30am-6.30pm Meeting Dates Graffiti

herfield Park Parish Council continues to meet The Parish Council has purchased specialist graffiti

S remotely and the next meeting will be on removal equipment for the tree and seat along the path Wednesday 11th July at 7.30pm. The agenda and behind the playing field. Both areas have now been supporting items will be available on the Parish Council cleaned. Notice Boards and website, no less than five days Spotlight UK Food Hub Collections beforehand. If you wish to join the meeting via Appointments: Services: Additional Services: www.zoom.us please email the Clerk for the meeting Following on from the amazing support from Sherfield ID and passcode at: Park residents given to Helen King when she arranged Telephone consultations on the Support for at risk patients with Ante/post-natal checks a collection for Spotlight UK Food Hub, the Parish day essential items (food/ medicine) [email protected]. Baby immunisations Council and Sherfield Park Community Association Increase In Litter Possible COVID patients will be Liaising with voluntary sector have decided to offer their support. In the short term, a for additional support Childhood vaccines We’ve noticed an increase in litter and discarded PPE central collection point for donations has been set up instructed further after around our local open spaces. If the nearest bin is full, outside the Community Centre until it reopens. This telephone consultation Home visiting service and Midwife/health visiting please find another one or take your litter home with will be checked daily and deliveries by Councillors will review of current care/treatment Video consultations being you. Dropping it is an offence that can result in a fixed be made to the main distribution point. All donations plans in place offered penalty notice of £75. If you spot litter, please report it are gratefully received and we thank you in advance for Wound care here - www..gov.uk/report-litter. your support. E-consultations being offered Blood tests and samples Tracy Hamer, Clerk and RFO to Sherfield Park Parish Minimal face to face Cytology screening Council

15th June 2020 appointments – clinical decision; patients given instructions for entry to the surgery

Update on behalf of Medical Practice COVID Assessment Centre and Home Visiting Hub: Patient Patient Participation Group Whitewater Health, 1 Chapter Terrace, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, RG27 8QJ 01252 842087 OVID 19 has presented us with a substantial issues like blood pressure monitoring. The practice Opening Hours : 8am-6.30pm C challenge over the past two months and the aims to respond within 48 hours; often this will be via a Chineham Medical Practice want to thank patients for text message. Text messages are playing an increasingly their support, patience and resilience during this time. valuable role both in in giving information and advice, Out of necessity the way we care for patients has and also in helping GPs understand your issues better. changed in order to keep both patients and staff safe. Pictures can now be sent in reply which has helped This has meant all initial contacts are now made manage things remotely. Similarly, utilising video through telephone or video call. consultations regularly has been an effective way of

The practice has seen that a lot of the conditions managing many conditions, allowing you to remain in people would have previously attended the practice for the comfort and safety of your own home. There may Appointments: Services: still be times when you need to see a doctor, nurse or can be treated safely and effectively via phone and Anyone can be swabbed for health care assistant in person; this can be done at the Referral by clinician from Assessment on site more recently video consultation. In the next phase of COVID-19 through NHS 111 practice with full protective equipment. Whitewater Loddon Practices managing COVID 19 the normal care provided for online. Possible admission to hospital patients will start to resume, although how this is safely It’s difficult to predict how long these arrangements Symptomatic of suspected Visit https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Discharged home with and efficiently achieved is still to be considered. will be necessary. Your support and help to deliver the COVID-19 for more information treatment plan and/or: If you need advice and haven’t already tried our online safest and most effective service is appreciated. Thank you. - medication consultation eConsult, why not give it a go? This is accessible through the practice web page. You can use If you are interested in finding out more about joining - home visit to assess care this to ask questions about new or existing problems the patient participation group please contact: Karen and can submit helpful information about long term Nicholls. Tel: 01256 479244.

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SHERFIELD FLOWER and PRODUCE SHOW Plan your entries now for 6th September 2020

In Your Garden - July 2020 morning or evening, to avoid scorching plants in uly is here and your gardens and window boxes the heat of the day. It is much more effective to J will be growing well in the warm weather. We plunge hanging baskets in a bucket of water rather have had a remarkable spring so everything has than using a watering can. got off to a good start. The ground is very dry and Feed containers weekly with it is a little cooler; there is plenty to do in the tomato liquid feed or garden. comfrey tea. The Sherfield Flower & Produce Show was due to Cut down delphiniums, right take place on September 6th but sadly it will have to the ground, and you to be cancelled. However the Show must go on - should have a second flush of ONLINE. flowers in August and There will have to be a simplified list of classes for September. entry but still plenty for everyone. Entries will be Direct sow brassicas and photos of your exhibits which can be taken any leeks for winter harvest. time in the week before the Show date. This will Pinch out all side shoots of give everyone an even better chance than normal your greenhouse tomatoes and feed every week. as you can choose to photograph when everything is looking its best. The Royal Horticultural Society Sowings: radishes, lettuce and salad leaves Judging Rules will not apply. regularly to provide a continuous supply. I hope that the 6th September will also be an open Pick all your vegetables regularly to avoid them day for gardens throughout the village. With good going to seed. sense and social distancing, plant sales and entries Soft fruit - gooseberries, black currants and by donation we might raise some money for local raspberries - will be ready at the end of July charities. depending on the variety. All Show details will be in the Loddon Link Harvest early potatoes as soon as they start to August issue. flower. Jobs for July Mow and edge your lawn – even if you don't have Deadhead all your annual and time for any other jobs outside, it will make your border plants and roses to garden look much better. encourage new growth and Enjoy the fruits of your hard labour earlier in the flowers. Pick your sweet peas year. Keep growing for the 6th September Show regularly. and if you are interested in opening your garden Stake taller plants such as please let me know. dahlias and use pea sticks to Richard Elphick support annuals. Sow next spring's biennials, such as wallflowers and honesty, which need time to establish. If you are going to water your plants do so after planting and give them a good soak rather than a light shower. Watering is better done in the

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Sherfield Village Hall Matters SHERFIELD PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE

`At the heart of our community for over 100 years’ Reg. Charity No 1170953

We have survived 15 weeks of lockdown as we enter July; we’d normally be busy with last minute prep for our biggest event of the year, Sherfest! We’ll roll over the Carnival theme to 2021. Check out out this link to one of the artists who would have been performing - Stuck in My Head by BABY DOXA: open.spotify.com/track/4nCJNq8mQI5YmJ9hJ8NtOd?si=fmtBLOLvSPqvd9tnTQm3fw Although bubbles have been created and non-essential shops reopened the Community Centre sadly remains closed. The SPCA Trustees have confirmed that it will remain closed until 31st August or until we are able to reopen safely. In the meantime, work continues on our plan to re-open, keeping in contact with our regular hirers/users and monitoring government announcements. In addition to Willowdene Nursery reopening last month, it is great to see the boys and girls of Reg. Charity No. 1178256 Chineham Tigers FC back on the football pitches. In line with government and FA guidelines, no contact, socially distancing training in small groups consisting of one coach to five children has When can the hall reopen? resumed. We are taking bookings for 2021 but sadly and realistically we shan’t be able to host events PLEASE continue to follow government advice: this year until at least the autumn. Popular early activities such as the Flower Show, Beer Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives Festival and Sunday Markets are all likely to be affected. A Virtual Flower Show? What of Best Wishes Louise & Sarah the Beer Festival? Socially distanced markets? Look out for news! Thank You Following the generosity shown by Sherfield Thank you members of the Happy Faces Playgroup for remaining open Park residents to Helen King’s appeal for all through the pandemic and for your care and adaptability during such trying times. donations to Spotlight UK COVID-19 Food Bank, both the Centre’s Trustees & the Parish The Village Hall Trustees and staff salute the NHS Council wanted to get involved and show their and all Frontline Workers support. The Community Centre is now a drop off location for donations. Biffen’s Kitchen at Sherfield Village Hall While the Centre is closed, collection boxes Head to www.biffenskitchen.com/sherfield-takeaway/ for menu information, have been set up outside the main entrance to book your takeaway online – and to arrange your timed pick-up slot for donations. These boxes will be checked/emptied throughout the day, then Biffen’s Kitchen is offering a delicious range of Surf-Inspired Street Food using meat and vegetables sourced from the Sherfield Shop and surrounding suppliers. donations delivered to Spotlight. There will be a more permanent donation point within the building when we reopen. Village Hall Extension For elderly, vulnerable, unemployed due to We have raised most of the funds we require to begin the building work and need to COVID-19, isolated residents & keyworkers continue to fundraise towards refurbishment. If you wish to donate, we will be delighted to please email [email protected] or call accept any amount. Please contact the Hall Manager on 07468 427 684, email 07804 880072 if you know someone who [email protected] or visit: www.sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk/fundraising needs help. Trustees look forward to the time when we can welcome you back to the hall and we wish all residents, user-groups and clients ‘safe and well’ We continue to be grateful to the LVL team for producing these lockdown editions.

Hire Sherfield Village Hall for your group or function in happier times Please contact the Centre for more information on Online booking at www.sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk [email protected] or

Tel. 07468 427684 Email: [email protected] [email protected] (t) 01256 883967

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New local takeaway/restaurant

(Continued from page 20) Hartley Wespall, Bramley and Sherfield. We love our community and always have done. We want to Sunday 12:00-19:00 - roast beef, spork, chicken, make sure the village spirit is continued for many veggie roast generations to come, Do you do children's portions? which is why the pub will be open to all, We have a wide range of smaller cheaper portions whether they are of our roasts, and our other meals. families or are looking Do you have a website? to have a drink and a laugh. At the moment all of our news and menus can be found on Facebook.com/BramleyInn or People: Facebook.com/SherfishOnCoddon The Restaurant Team: What are your contact details? Manager: George Newberry We can be contacted by phone on: Head Chef: Kieran Wood 07391 649 509 Assistant Manager: Charlie Goddard What made you decide to operate your business in Bramley? Pub team: The Bramley Inn is at the centre of the village and Landlord: Ram Kishoor Dobhal has been undergoing a makeover. Bar Manager: David Dowsett Do you live locally? do you have local connections? JA We are three local lads who were born and bred in

News from Uganda - Helen Kisakye (née Burningham) From Helen’s Church On 27 March lockdown in Uganda was enforced. Missionary Society Link At present Uganda has 823 cases Letter, June 2020 (covid19.who.int/region/afro/country/ug) and Since maternity leave I no deaths. Even though the numbers are have found myself comparably low, lockdown was enforced with engaged in work in a schools closed, curfew in the evening hours and variety of ways. no public transport (with personal transport SPLASH Dance Company (integrating dancers allowed as of late May). with and without disabilities) have been meeting I have been working from home for the past two on a weekly basis even during my maternity leave. months. My work has mainly been to support 1 Together we have worked on a new piece titled So CRANE teachers who are creating videos on Am I. The piece is thought-provoking as the maths and English subjects for learners not in dancers share their personal experiences of school. It is likely that the majority of school-aged exclusion because of disability. So Am I challenges children will not be in school for the whole year, negative perspectives of disability as well as so supporting the teachers virtually has become a exploring the endless possibilities. We look key agenda. Let us remember the children and forward to performing our new piece at various pray that they will continue learning remotely platforms in the future. We pray that people that despite challenges with internet and that they will need to hear this message of inclusion brought by keep safe from abuse as they are more vulnerable SPLASH would do so soon. at this time. 1Children at Risk Action Network Page 22 Page 23

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My UK lockdown experience and some reflections about life, food “Happy lockdown birthday”. I wondered if it STUFFED AUBERGINES would be worth buying one, as it looked like just a Ingredients: and family silly joke. It’s obvious that people were starting to get used to a new reality where happy hours and 6 aubergines hen the “stay at home” rule was announced half terms, except for fairy tales such linked celebrations were happening in Zoom and 4 ripe tomatoes by the UK government last March while as ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Alice In Wonderland’ not at the pub anymore! Not to mention online W 3 peppers the coronavirus was spreading out around the and ‘The Wizard of Oz’, to name shopping which was like a crazy race where you country, I welcomed the news with a sigh of relief. but a few. This time, thanks to the had to book the earliest available slot as soon as 3 eggs I was desperately waiting for that, considering lockdown, I managed to reintroduce possible. Even queuing outside a food shop and 1 onion what was happening in other parts of Europe, the old habit of reading a bit of my keeping social distancing was the new normality. such as Italy, for example. From my “safe home, chosen book every day, just like the What I was really missing was not quite the grated cheese sweet home” I started wondering how was routine of brushing my teeth. comfort of my ‘previous life’ but the warmth and oil possible that just a virus could put at risk million the joy of a real friendship, of a human contact I thought ‘the starless sea’ fitted salt people worldwide, causing sickness and death. It perfectly in my quiet and secluded new lifestyle. I which cannot be constantly virtual, the conviviality pepper sounded to me like the content of a Hollywood felt I just wanted to let my mind drift away with of a dinner together. The lockdown gives you the film or, eventually, of a TV series - I was not the powerful beauty of imagination; the reality out privilege to rethink about your life and realise how Method: totally wrong as Amazon Prime actually has the much value friends and family have for you. there was too bitter to be listened to or to read Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan. Cut the aubergines film ‘Contagion’ (by Steven Soderbergh) in its list about. I was so taken by the story of the book that Even food and drink become more valuable to of films on offer and it is really about the outbreak in half, lengthways, leaving a border of around for a moment I wondered if the coronavirus was you. In my empty moments of solitude I dusted 5mm; cut out the flesh. of a highly contagious virus which is infecting the product of my imagination. I really wished I off my recipe book and found out a simple recipe people worldwide. could wake up one morning and realizing that the of my family which had been handed down from Dice the flesh and set aside. Brush the inside of The lockdown has caught me mentally virus had just been a bad dream. But it was not! my husband’s grandmother. It’s a lovely dish made the aubergines with olive oil and season with salt. unprepared. I totally felt like an amateur when I The reality out there was tremendous, heart- with stuffed baked aubergines. The stuffing can be Place in a baking tin and cover with foil. Bake for was trying to justify it to my kids and make sense breaking and challenging. Mine was indoors and either meaty or veggie; I cooked the vegetarian 20 minutes. of the phenomenon to myself. The world outside was literally ‘softer’ than of those working in the version and it Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a pan. Add of my house was going to be “frozen” for a while. front line. came out simply the onion and fry gently over a medium heat for Most of my days would be spent indoors or, I was receiving incessant questions which needed magnificent! It’s 10 minutes, or until softened. weather permitting, in the garden. I thought I ideal after a long an answer: “Mummy, what are we having for Increase the heat, add the garlic, the aubergine would have no excuses for not finishing the book walk in the lunch today? And for dinner? And tomorrow?” flesh and the diced peppers; stir until the I had been slowly reading for a while - ‘The countryside Cooking meals, breakfast/lunch and dinners, was vegetables have lightly browned. Add some Starless Sea’ by Erin Morgenstern. It is a book of around Sherfield one of those challenges to combine, parsley, diced tomatoes and season with salt and pure fantasy where the protagonist, Zachary, on Loddon. I simultaneously, with homeschooling, housework pepper. Stir to combine, reduce the heat and wanders far and wide in a secret sea under the usually walk and quintessential playtime. No one at home cover. earth, trying to investigate how and why the would ever leave the house for the rest of the day along the fields at Simmer for 10 minutes, remove the lid and mysterious book he is reading tells exactly the and all of us wanted to have good tasty meals as the sunset every continue to cook until any liquid has evaporated. story of his childhood. While he is searching for part of our treat for being stuck at home. After a day. I love watching the day fading down while I answers, he finds himself drawn deeper and couple of weeks of lockdown/homeschooling and let my Beat the eggs and add them. deeper into fancy cryptic facts and stories. It is a feelings zero social life, I ended up asking myself the same Spoon the mixture into the aubergine halves. Mix book which requires you to sit down properly, question which Alice in Wonderland asks to and fears maybe in one of those relaxing nights over the be in tune, the breadcrumbs with the cheese and season with herself: “Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the a little salt and pepper. Drizzle with more olive oil. weekend, and hold firm your predisposition to great puzzle”. I don’t want to sound sarcastic, magically, follow the author along her enigmatic story, rather more human. The many whys in my head with Bake the aubergines, uncovered, for 25–30 without feeling discouraged over some obscure were accompanying my daily lockdown routine: nature. It’s minutes, or until the filling is hot and the top has passages. basically, “What’s going on?”. a peaceful lightly browned. Serve. The maniacal work-family routine of the pre- experience Then an important birthday to celebrate was in and an act lockdown period was probably not the right calendar for March and I quickly realised that Chiara Zamin moment for doing this! All the parents of the of prayer for me. The powerful silence of the there would not be many celebrations, or at least, fields which became more intense due to the world would probably understand exactly what I not with friends and relatives all around singing mean when I say that there is no too much time lockdown, is gifting my view with new details: the ‘happy birthday’. I looked online for a birthday deer have been watching me from a distance! for personal reading during both school terms and card and I found one which was really pertinent:

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VE Day Cakes

As indicated in the editorial, this lovely iced cake featured on the cover of June issue and in an article was not, as I mistakenly stated in June’s Loddon Valley Link, a fruit cake which was one of Winston Churchill's favourites. Natalie Larner did indeed make a fruit cake to a This cake was a three- recipe by Churchill's cook, but that cake can be tier sponge cake made seen in the picture above. by Linda Shelbourne to Jane Abrams her own recipe, and photographed by Dianne Cayzer.

Sherfield Park Matters

The weather is warm and we can begin to enjoy the outdoors and contact with friends and family. It’s been a slow process, but as the virus loosens its grip its is a good time to appreciate what makes our community work. Our neighbourhood includes NHS staff and other critical workers. They all deserve our thanks, but it is reassuring that more ordinary or at least less stressful activity continues. The Community Centre is basically closed, only The closure of the centre has, however, offered an opening enough to enable Willowdene Nursery to opportunity to spruce up the facility. The small offer limited care. Our Centre staff are constantly hall and kitchen have already been painted and the monitoring government guidance, but the best reception area is next in line. By the time guess now is that the Centre will remain closed September comes around, there will be a fresh until September. look all around. May you all enjoy health and family. Take care.

Stephen Levin Sherfield Park Community Association 01256 883967 [email protected]

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given a certificate from the King. wounded soldiers at Sanguilo House (Drayton A Wartime Childhood on the Sherfield Court Estate Manor, Wildmoor Lane), Park Prewett Hospital, The final article in the series on growing up in wartime Lilac Cottage and had the front room as their the Village Hall and on the lawn at the Mill. Mr by Donald and Ursula Rickwood, sitting room. Mr Bushnell was the shoe mender. I Wright was the scout master. The Wrights lived collected and edited by Peter Lansley. think he lived in a house just before Goring’s between the school playground and the football The Americans Garage on the field. Mrs Barraclough of Bramley Road, also Reading Road and A Children’s Concert, which organised events in support of the Red Cross.” “There were three dances a week in the Village raised £6 for the Prisoners of later moved to Well War Fund (after paying Hall, for the troops. They came from Bramley House next to the expenses) was held in the Camp, Taylor’s Lane and Heckfield, where there Village Hall. Village Hall on Tuesday The Estate evening of last week. It was was a very large camp in the woods. Americans When the war was over life on the Sherfield Court came from Aldermaston air base. They parked up The Performers: organised by Mrs. Scott, who “Ursula Cork had spent much time training Estate continued to change. Major Wills and his their Studebaker and International trucks around and rehearsing the children. family never returned. In December 1945 the (married name Miss Cassell kindly took and by the back garage. If Annie Bright, who estate was sold to owned The Globe, had some beer, they would sit Rickwood) - 1 charge of the country South View dancing, and the performance Louis Dreyfus, a on the bank outside, drink it and then give us the of her young pupils testified to music publisher bottles to return and get the money back. Cottages; Edna their trainer’s ability. Mr. (Dawn) Smith Scott was the composer of from New York and “The Americans flew Dakotas that pulled gliders. (Rickwood) and four items - “The introduction owner, with his From the Common (Village Green) we used to see piece”; a song, “Run, brother, of Chappell Beryl Smith Rommel, Run”; a dialogue them circling over Aldermaston way. At times they (Jackson) – Gravel and a recitation. Mrs. M. P. Music in . would practise over Sherfield. The gliders were Mead, near Winton Barker presided, and the The estate was sold very big and they made the Dakotas work hard at Cottage. Grace varied programme included again in 1948 to the Donald and Ursula Rickwood, songs by the company, and Auckland, 2020 times. Once we saw one pulling two gliders at Scott and John solos, dialogues and diplomat Sir Roger once. It came very close to a tall elm tree at the Scott – 2 South recitations, sketches, country Mellor Makins, who became Baron Sherfield in top of Winton Cottage garden. View Cottages. Pat dances, etc., ending with the 1964. children singing the hymn “The Butcher’s shop (now The Shop) was owned Holdaway (Wills) “Now the day is over”, and In 1947 the Rickwood family moved from by Mrs Rutter who sat in the little office in the and Cynthia “God save the King.” The Sherfield, but Donald and his brother returned to Holdaway (Turvey) children taking part were back corner of the shop. When you got your meat, Ursula Cork, Edna Smith, the village a few years later, to marry local girls, to you paid through the office window. In the office - what is now Beryl Smith, Pat Holdaway, raise families and to work in the village: Donald as with her was Eleanor Friend. She was around Greenway, as you Cynthia Holdaway, Mary The book on an agricultural engineer on the estate and Alistair eighteen and lived across the road next to the War turned into the path Mews, Mary Koster, Sylvia the princesses as a builder. In 1986 Donald and Ursula emigrated Percy, Margaret Jenkins, [which had Memorial. If Ursula and her friends who lived into the allotments. Grace Scott, Roy Bulpit and to New Zealand. Mary Hews - at the John Scott, all of whom been published around the corner, saw an American convoy These are just a few of Donald’s and Ursula’s coming they would dash into the shop and say entrance of performed very well indeed. in 1940 - Ed] Mr. Scott and Mr. Bushnell was presented wartime memories. They have lots more! “Eleanor, there is a convoy coming”. They would Redlands Drive. were door stewards and also get her outside the shop to be sure of getting some Mary Koster and helped considerably by selling to Ursula Cork If you would like to share your memories of the wartime gum. They used her as the attraction: no need to Margaret Jenkins tickets before the show. for the best years then please contact Jan Holden at The Four call out ‘Got any gum chum’. The Americans were may have been long frock, at Horseshoes ([email protected]) or Peter Lansley at Hampshire and Berkshire Gazette, the Village Court Farm House very generous in throwing out sweets and gum.” evacuees, or they undated: came to live with Children’s ([email protected]). Entertainment Victory Day relatives during the war. Sylvia Percy (Bicknell) - Donald and Ursula Rickwood, Auckland, 2020. A local children’s concert was organised (see panel Winton Cottage. Her brother Eric Percy was my Party. Ursula opposite). mate. They were cousins to Edna and Beryl Smith. borrowed the light green The Organisers: “Mr and Mrs Scott and their Roy Bulpit lived on the right of the Chapel next to frock Mrs children, lived next door to Ursula at 2 South the farm and was also a mate in our school days.” Wright, who View Cottages, the row of cottages attached to the Victory “had a box full Book presented to Ursula Cork butcher’s shop. Miss Cassell was an evacuee When victory was declared there were many of dressing-up (Rickwood) teacher from Portsmouth. She and another celebrations, and parties for children. On the first clothes that were used for the plays she organised, evacuee teacher lived with Ted and Phyl Onions at anniversary of VE Day every schoolchild was to raise funds for the Red Cross, and entertain

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National Women's Register

t the time of writing, lockdown is still upon you know that ‘Footloose and A us; we are currently unable to meet anyone in Fancy-Free’ originates from the our homes apart from our family group, and only 16th century and means ‘free of love’, so not in a up to six people in our gardens. As we have 20 love relationship? Family and Friends have members this is not practical, but hopefully soon become more important to us in Lockdown, we can have a meeting of sorts even if it is socially having contact with them via phone, messaging, distanced. We have been emailing each other with email and Zoom. Fish Fingers are not just a little bits of fun research. As our theme country child’s favourite tea, some of us like them too! this year is Finland, we decided to choose words Finally, we have F for Finland and two of us wrote beginning with the letter F. F is for Forests and about interesting we are fortunate to have around 13% of the UK visits to Helsinki covered in them (including woods too). and taking children Hampshire has two forests: The New Forest and to see Father Alice Holt Forest. The New Forest is near, or at Christmas. the top (depending on which list you look at), of We have also been the favourites. William the Conqueror proclaimed relating our new the New Forest as royal land soon after he arrived interests and skills on our shores and in 1086 the Nova Foresta was developed over this period when we were largely the only forest described in detail in the Domesday housebound. One very busy person has been Book. We have learnt that Fingers have no decorating, doing a creative writing course, muscles in them and that Florence is really worth a learning the ocarina [a type of flute shaped like a visit, especially if you are a lover of art. It is very vessel], sewing items of clothing, learning Italian easy to gain weight and become Fat, but not so and swimming. Others have been going for longer easy to lose it, and an amazing achievement when walks than normal, watching plays and films you do. Fasting can help! online, cooking, doing word puzzles and Sudoku. Foxgloves – otherwise Gardening has been a major occupation, especially known as Digitalis – have because this is the time of year when we are beautiful flowers which grow planting seeds and weeding. There has been an abundantly in woodland and abundance of vegetable plants which have been gardens, but although they shared around, so we should all be eating healthily. have medicinal properties, Finally, we held our first Zoom meeting recently are toxic to humans. A Fig and did a general knowledge quiz which everyone tree, which was thought to enjoyed. have died, now has new leaves and four figs growing! Let’s hope that this time next month we’ll be back The Edinburgh Fringe to some kind of normality! Stay safe and well. produces some great one- liners, one of which is: When William joined the army he came to dislike ‘Fire at Will’! Other types Gill Fearon of Fringes were investigated, including their use on clothing and their popularity in the 1920s. Did www.complete-pestsolutions.com

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Puzzle Page

ACROSS 1 Unexplored, like a house with no water pipes? (9) 6 Little woman involved in racket in French city (5) 9 There’s profiting possibly made from ballet (3,4,2,6) 10 Some require a system that’s simple (4) 11 Growth’s rejected as fodder (5) 12 Money is posted we hear (4) 15 Foul-mouthed professional meets supporter at end of game (7) 16 Count who was fond of claret (7) 17 Punished again and purified? (7) 19 Son advances slowly and writes badly (7) 20 Business is steady (4) 21 She’s first to laugh at garment (5) 22 I’m backing set of books to make money (4) 26 Fifty million more can rebuild Washington monument (7,8) 27 Trevor endlessly misbehaves in public (5) 28 Elderly theatre director? He’s an experienced performer (3,6)

DOWN 1 3 Down possibly accepts one for free (5) 2 Squash served with pear for media event (5,10) 3 One piece of equipment (4) 4 Inspire gutless brute to take heart perhaps (7) 5 First to declare Freud a terrible cheat (7) 6 Hoax victim is awaited outside front of palace (4) 7 Script in which characters are not seen individually (6-2,7) 8 Late drinks for the birds? (9) 13 Jack takes family member on trip (5) 14 Arabs fighting in Iraq (5) 15 Responsibility of minister or of pilot possibly (9) 18 One that’s spotted entertaining grand opera singer (7) 19 Take the place of another and prosper (7) 23 Workman needs hat, right? (5) 24 Show of disapproval hurt ultimately, but you put your foot in it! (4) 25 Fit for boxing match (4)

Set by Alberich (XC251507) alberichcrosswords.com

www.sudokuoftheday.com

Solutions on p. 44

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Benefice of Sherfield on Loddon and Stratfield Saye USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS with Hartley Wespall with and Bramley - Church Officers The dialling code is 01256, unless otherwise stated. Rector: St. Leonard’s Church, Church End, Sherfield-on- Rev. Stephen Ball Loddon, RG27 0JB 01256 881071, email Churchwarden: David Fright 01256 882520 Allotments Karen Ross 842662 [email protected] Treasurer: Peter Martinson 07952 873274 Basingstoke Gazette Chris Horton 882426 (Please note: Stephen’s day off is Tuesday) Organist: Mike Abrams 01256 881188 Bramley and Sherfield Borough Cllr Chris Tomlinson TBC Bramley and Sherfield Borough Cllr Nick Robinson 07585 578295 Assistant Priest Brownies Liz Hawkins 882096 Rev. Sammie Armstrong 01189 816593 St. Mary’s Church, Stratfield Saye Breach Lane Chapel Geoff Belsham 882534 [email protected] Treasurer: Charles Atkinson 01256 882459 Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 882705 Catholic Church Fr. Chris Rutledge 465214 Curate (priest responsible for Bramley and Clift Surgery Patient Group TBC - Little London): St. Mary’s Church, Hartley Wespall Cricket Club (Sherfield) Steve Dummer 07775 674869 Rev. John Lenton 01256 880570 Churchwarden: Pip Iles 01256 880559 Cricket Club (Stratfield Turgis Licensed Lay Ministers: Treasurer: Michael Webster 01256 882413 and Hartley Wespall) Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 882705 Richard Elphick 01256 882860 Manoj George (Captain) 07552 114188 Andrew Doggart 01256 880092 Organist: Andrew Doggart 01256 880092 Martin Turvey (Contact) 07785 580456 Messy Church, Sherfield Park Church Admin: Lisa Goodall 01256 882788 Evergreens Jean Berntsen 882798 Leader: Rosy Staines 07921 658453 [email protected] Happy Faces Playgroup Viv Allway and Alison Smith 880903 [email protected] Loddon Players Peter Francis 07867 547696 Loddon Quilters Jacky Morgan 882350 Loddon Sports Junior Football Club Fred Berntsen 882798 Loddon Valley Link Lunch Club Helen Belsham 882534 ADVERTISING IN THIS MAGAZINE AND ONLINE NWR Gill Fearon 882106 Police - all parishes exc. Sherfield Pk PCSO Nathaniel Johnson 101 All advertising enquiries to Pip Iles Police - Sherfield Park PCSO Adam Steel 101 Tel. 01256 880559 Poppies Natalie Larner 880075 [email protected] Post Office Sherfield on Loddon 882210 Deadline for advertisements for next edition is the 10th of the month Rainbows Pam Luck 882687 Small ads - £5 monthly for a maximum of 30 words, space permitting. Requests are Sherfield Community Care Grp Basingstoke NeighbourCare 423855 dealt with in order. Sherfield on Loddon Fete Bruce Batting 882605 Display ads pricing - please see the website or contact Pip Iles. Sherfield & District Gardening Club Dan Farrow 882680 Andy Morgan 882350 Sherfield Park Community Centre Louise Grainger 883967 Editor for the August edition - Simon Boase Sherfield Park Parish Council Tracy Hamer 07778546477 Please submit copy for this edition no later than the 14th July Sherfield & District Show Richard Elphick 07768004820 Send copy to: [email protected] Sherfield Village Hall Loddon Valley Link Committee Claire Osborne 01256 324458 Caretaker/Bookings Wendy Gosden 07468 427684 Management Committee Ivan Gosden 07940 212441 Chair and Editor: Jane Abrams 01256 881188 ([email protected] Trustee Nick Robinson 07585 578295 [email protected] Secretary: Ilene Iles Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council Karen Ross 842662 Treasurer: Pip Iles 01256 880559 01256 880559 [email protected] Sherfield Village Green Volunteers John Attwood 881760 [email protected] Rev. Stephen Ball 01256 881071 Short Mat Bowls Norman Stanley 881021 Editor and CTO: Simon Boase [email protected] Stratfield Saye Parish Council Louise Webb 07771 727547 01256 881250 [email protected] Germano Giugovaz 01189 332166 Stratfield Saye Village Hall Linda Bishop 0118 933 2106 Editor: Howard Perkins [email protected] Stratfield Turgis Parish Meeting Sheila Campbell (Chair) 882351 01256 883882 Dr. Donald Dawson 01256 882379 Toddler Group 0-5s TBC [email protected] [email protected] Tree Wardens John Darker 882334 Chiara Ziamin Louise Grainger 01256 883967 Cllr Diana Effiong 07796 045944 [email protected] [email protected]

Please inform the Editor of changes to the above information.

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Rotary Update Answers to last month’s Corona Quiz

1. Quartet of spinning toys Covid 19 and Emergency Disasters 2. The shaver is not dark 1. Urinating monarch Peking During the pandemic some communities in the world 3. Distorted vision 2. Goes to bed with Dougal Florence are dealing with natural disasters and conflict which 4. Not a light Sunday 3. Good French Bonn leaves them with nowhere to live whilst still coping 5. Primates from the North Pole 4. Ms Loren Sofia with the virus. ShelterBox is an international disaster 6. Gathering no moss 5. Pa’s suitcase Bagdad relief charity established 2000 by Rotarians in Helston, 7. Guarding the Piste 6. French friend belongs to me Miami Cornwall, UK. They provide 8. These lads went surfin in the USA 7. Boleyn on the floss Milan emergency shelter and other aid items 9. Not death in the Orient 8. EEE Tripoli to families around the world . A full 10. Danger, Spice warms up Mexican food 9. Knitted by a cow Jersey ShelterBox provides a robust tent and 11. In the beginning...... 10. Elizabeth c’est good Lisbon the basic essentials for sleeping, 12. Ginger maidens, well one is 11. Where does superman buy his clothes Cape Town cooking and water purification. It 13. 16 B.A., B.Sc. and MA 12. Royal bird on the briny Swansea enables a family of ten to survive for 14. Girls not allowed 13. Bouncing in wonderland Alice Springs six months. If needed in that area, 15. Who uses the YMCA 14. Please purchase Dubai mosquito nets will be included. There 16. Upholders of the law 15. Long delay for a line of people? Kuwait will also be small toys and books and pencils for 17. A desert watering hole 16. I will question the Woman Alaska children. To donate visit their website 18. West, Sutcliffe and Crippen 17. Meadow Full Of Cooks Sheffield www.shelterbox.org. 19. George, Andrew, Patrick and David 18. Italian Ford Capri July Corona Quiz Answers will be on our website and Social Media after 19. Water barrier made of domesticated rodents Amsterdam Below are clues to names of pop groups or rock bands July 1st 2020. Answers to June quiz on p. 51 20. Python film Montevideo around the world. The spelling is not always the same- CONTACTS it may just sound similar e.g. Gary Power's spy plane = Helen Ricketts: - [email protected] U2 Paul Temple:- [email protected] No-fault divorce moves a step closer

SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS A change to allow couples to separate without having concept of fault or blame will be to blame each other has moved a step closer to removed from the process and MOWER. Webb WERR17, petrol, operator’s manual. Collect from a Sherfield village becoming law. spouses could lose the right to

address for a small donation for St. Leonard's Church. Worked last time it was used last year. MPs recently debated the Divorce, Dissolution and contest a divorce. Tel: 01256 882099 Separation Bill during its second reading in Parliament. “For years we in the legal The Bill has already been passed by the House of Lords profession have been warning that the existing DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, SHERFIELD PARK Semi retired , 26 years experience, very legislation often leads to unnecessary painful and patient, good with nervous pupils. Good pass rate. Covers Bramley, Sherfield , Chineham. and it is hoped by many that the law could now come into effect in a matter of months. destructive marriage break-ups. Reasonable rates. Contact Graham 07806469963/[email protected] According to Hayley Eachus, who heads the Family “The current divorce law is archaic and unfair because HOUSE CLEANING BY MARIA Reliable and affordable service. Friendly, experienced, Law team at Phillips Solicitors incorporating Brain of its heavy reliance on using fault as a basis of divorce Chase Coles, this will be the biggest shake up in divorce which inevitably heightens emotions in an already a local lady who cleans every corner. References. Tel 07933 316989 or e-mail difficult situation.” [email protected] law in and Wales for 50 years. Under the current law, unless a person can prove their We Are Here To Help LOCAL EXPERIENCED TAX ADVISER Self assessment tax returns, arrears, claims, marriage has broken down due to adultery, If you are considering divorcing or separating from payroll, self-employed, VAT returns. Initial consultation free. Call 01256 882258 or e-mail unreasonable behaviour or desertion, the only way to your partner, whether you are married or not, please do [email protected] get a divorce without a spouse’s consent is to live apart not hesitate to contact Hayley - see phone no./ email for five years. address/website below.hayley.eachus@phillips- LOCAL ELECTRICIAN All aspects of domestic electrical work undertaken, alterations, re The key change is that people will be able to seek a no- law.co.uk -wires, lights etc. No job too small. Contact John on 07831 155782, [email protected] blame divorce by only having to state that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. INSIDE/OUT Property maintenance, carpentry, decorating, locks fitted, garden Hayley said: “When the reform finally goes ahead, the SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS maintenance. Tel 01256 882696 or 0784 230 3366 . E-mail [email protected] 01256 460830 ADVERTISE HERE Only £5 per month for 30 words. Anything from lost cats to small [email protected] services. Just drop an email to: [email protected]

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