FORUM

• NOW reaching 6,000 more readers (see page 22) • People speaks to Jack Stein (page 40) • May News & Events • Hampshire Hogs (page 38)

MAY 2015 • ISSUE 83 • WWW.TESTVALLEYFORUM.CO.UK • REACHING 19,900 READERS

STOCKBRIDGE KING’S SOMBORNE HOUGHTON BROUGHTON

ROMSEY CRAWLEY SPARSHOLT LITTLE ANN carterjonas.co.uk FORUM |

ESTATE AGENTS HURSTBOURNE PRIORS Whitchurch

A picturesque and spacious former farmhouse with superb accommodation and outside space.

2 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms, 1 en suite • Family bathroom • Dressing room Kitchen/breakfast room • Study Utility • Boot room/office • Gardens to front and rear • Double garage Off road parking • EPC rating E

Guide price £875,000

Winchester 01962 842742 [email protected]

HURSTBOURNE PRIORS Whitchurch

A superb brick and flint barn converted to the highest quality to create a stunning home in a beautiful location.

Reception room • 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms • Spacious kitchen/ breakfast room • Dining room • Garden Double barn with loft • EPC rating F

Guide price £625,000

Winchester 01962 842742 [email protected]

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DIARY DATES DIARY DATES

 Every Thursday at 7pm. Tickets are £12.50 available  Saturday 9 May  Saturday 13 June Country Market from Bath Travel (Andover) or Cha Cha and Wherwell Church Fete From 10-11.45 am at Stockbridge Tourist Information Centre, Rumba Workshop 12pm - 3pm, will be held in Town Hall. Selling the very best local 13 Church Street, Romsey. From 4pm - 7pm at Preston picturesque Church Street. The and home-made produce - pies, cakes, Candover Village Hall, RG25 Fete will offer a Pimms Tent and a Saturday 2 May breads, soups, eggs and vegetables.  2EE. Ever wanted to learn how to lunchtime hot dog barbeque, to be Handmade crafts, toys, books, plants School Cha Cha & Rumba Club Style? enjoyed in a grassy picnic area. Stalls and bric-a-brac. Come and browse Jumble Sale Then join us at another one of our will include a bouncy castle, tombola, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with Held at West Tytherley Village Hall. popular Dance Workshops in the air rifles, games, face painting, plants, your friends. Now with free IT Help Saturday 2nd May. 2pm till 4pm. beautiful Candover Valley! Our style cakes, produce, books, gifts and more. Desk and Wi-Fi access. Refreshments in the Village Hall. 2 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms, 1 en Entrance 50p. Books, Clothes, Toys, of Cha Cha & Rumba will enable Andover Town Band will provide suite • Family bathroom • Dressing room Bric a Brac and more! All donations you to dance it anywhere, at any  Until Sunday 3 May music. of Jumble will be gratefully received, Party, Wedding or Function! Kitchen/breakfast room • Study Winchester Chamber Music please bring to hall between 9-1pm £20 pp or £35 couple. For details Utility • Boot room/office • Gardens to Festival  Saturday 13 & on the day. and bookings: Silvia & Max Join the London Bridge Trio and Sunday 14 June front and rear • Double garage Salsa y Sol Dance & Yoga guests for 4 days of fabulous concerts  Sunday 3 May Longstock Open Gardens Off road parking • EPC rating E www.dancingwinchester.co.uk in the heart of Winchester at St Romsey Farmers Market Open Gardens held at Longstock, Lawrence Church, Discovery Centre Market open 10am - 2pm. The Alma near Stockbridge. Open from 1.30pm  Wednesday 13 May and Theatre Royal. Full information Road Car Park becomes a vibrant - 5.30pm. 9 gardens, most of which Books at The Barn have never previously been seen by and listings available at centre of activity with over thirty 3.00pm at Longstock Village Hall. the general public, plus the Village www.winchesterchambermusic.com stallholder producers attending Earl Spencer talking about 'Killers Allotments will be open to visitors. Tickets available from Winchester regularly selling meat, eggs, cheese, of the King' - a book about Entry prices to all gardens (covering 01962 842742 Discovery Centre on 01962 873603 cakes, wine, cider, bread, honey, jams Charles I. Tickets: £10 both days) are £6 for Adults and £2 [email protected] and pickles, fresh and smoked fish,  Until Sunday 5 July www.booksatthebarn.co.uk for Children aged between 5 and 16. fresh fruits and vegetables, plants and Exhibition: Lyons Teashops Under 5’s go free. All proceeds are in shrubs. Lithographs: Bringing Colour  Saturday 16 May aid of St Mary’s Church, Longstock. to Post-war Britain Come and Sing Handel with The point of contact for queries is  Wednesday 6 May Garry Hedley (Church Treasurer) on At Abbey Garden, House Winchester Music Club A Talk on the Early History 01264 810284 or by e mail gh2900@ and Estate everyday from 11am - Held at Winchester College Music of Romsey Abbey btinternet.com. 5pm. Artists including L.S. Lowry, 10.30am - 11.45am at King John's School, Culver Street, Winchester, Edward Bawden, John Piper, David House and Heritage Centre, Church Hampshire SO23 9NA. Handel's  Sunday 21 June Gentleman, John Minton, William Street, Romsey. Romsey Royal - a Four Coronation Anthems. Directed Broughton Open Gardens Scott and John Nash were amongst by Oliver Tarney and Assisted by talk on the early history of Romsey and Village Allotments the famous names who contributed Jamal Sutton. Registration and Abbey and the Royal connections From 2.00-6.00pm. Tickets £7 designs. Mottisfont is hosting an Coffee 10.00am. Rehearsal Starts exhibition of 30 of these original and by Brian Lamb. This event is part of in advance from West View Stores, the first Wednesday of the month 10.30am. Bring a picnic lunch. £8 on the day. Accompanied vibrant lithographs, from the 1940s Performance 2.30pm. Score Hire and 1950. series of talks. children free. Come and spend a (OUP Clifford Bartlet) £1 (pay on delightful afternoon looking round the day) Tickets: Singers £15.00  Friday 1 May  Friday 8 May some of the beautiful gardens and Audience: £7.50. Registered charity May Day Celebrations Books at The Barn surroundings in the pretty village no. 1095619. 10am - 4pm at at King John's House 3.00pm at Quiddity Fine Art, of Broughton. There will be a Westover Farm. Emma Bridgewater game for children with prize on and Heritage Centre, Church  Monday 18 May Street, Romsey. Come and enjoy - Toast and Marmalade. Tickets: £10 completion. Teas and delicious home Houghton W.I Meeting the beautiful gardens at King John’s www.booksatthebarn.co.uk made cakes will be served in the House as they transform this Spring. 7.30pm at Houghton Village Hall. Village Hall 2.30-5.00. For further There will be English Folk Music  Saturday 9 May Annual Meeting followed by a fun information ring Chris or Jane and traditional flower crafts, vintage Countryside Day at quiz. For further information please Lloyd on 01794 301546. Reception room • 3 bedrooms and bric-a-brac stalls. Free entry. Mottisfont call Jane Anderton: 01264 810928 or  Saturday 25 July 2 bathrooms • Spacious kitchen/ 10am - 5pm at Mottisfont Abbey, Julie Harwood: 01264 810314 Charity Concert  Saturday 2 May near Romsey, SO51 0LP. Join us as breakfast room • Dining room • Garden  Saturday 30 May Starting from 3pm at Antiques, Furniture and we shine a spotlight on the great Double barn with loft • EPC rating F West Dean Village Fete Church (North of Andover) The Collectors’ Event work our countryside team do 1pm - 5pm at West Dean Recreation performers are a harpist and a 9.30am – 5pm at Stockbridge Town on Stockbridge Down, the River Ground & St Mary's Church. flautist who will be performing Hall. An opportunity to browse, Test and the New Forest. There’ll Traditional village fete, fun for music by C P Bach, Nino Rota and experience and buy a wide range of be plenty to see and do, with a all the family! With: Falconry Debussy. Proceeds will be divided antiques, furniture and collectables backdrop of live music from the FB Displays, Village Show (Handicrafts, equally between The Princes Royal from local traders. A wide variety in Pocket Orchestra. Try your hand Photography, Flowers, Writing & Trust for Carers in Hampshire and 01962 842742 age and style of interior, exterior and at wood-working, den-building more), Dog Show with 5 Classes, the Church. Wine and refreshments [email protected] decorative items. and have a go at a log-grabbing will be in the garden next door to Old Romsey Cadets Marching Band, tractor challenge! Rangers will be the church. Tickets are £12.50 Circus Skills - Entertainment and  Saturday 2 May giving a series of ten minute talks to include wine and refreshments. free workshops, Tiger Moth Flying An Evening of Test Valley throughout the day. Other talks and Please contact Rosie Swayne on Display - Win a flight! Tug of War, Music & Song Featuring The demonstrations include gundog 01264 735357 or email: rosie. Sheep Racing, Duck race, 30 Stalls, Romsey Male Voice Choir & displays from Lains Shooting [email protected] Pony Club Display, Country Craft The Andover Town Band School, fly fishing and chainsaw Demos, Vintage Cars, Bar - Pimms & Held at St. Mary's Church, Andover. carving. Standard admission applies. If you would like to add your event BBQ, Silent Auction. Village Pig Fest In aid of The Countess of Brecknock For more information: Tel: 01794 to the dates for the diary column - Pig Scarecrow Compeition: Will Hospice and other local charities. 340757 or email: mottisfont@ simply send your contribution to you spot them all around the village? Doors open 6.30pm, concert starts nationaltrust.org.uk [email protected]

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WELCOME WELCOME

Welcome to the May Issue of The Forum!

This issue welcomes the arrival of an exciting new features! Hampshire Hogs (page 38) where The Forum seeks out independent Hampshire food, wine and ale producers and discovers the stories behind their successes - we hope you enjoy it!

The Forum team have well and truly settled in to our offices above Hellards Estate Agents on 11 Broad Street, Alresford, so if you are ever out and about in our area, we happily welcome visitors to pop by and see us. We also welcome new writers, feature suggestions, ideas and feedback - positive or negative!

If you are a NEW reader in our recently expanded distribution area we hope you like the magazine. If you have any comments or suggestions we are happy to hear from you. We wish you a wonderful May - enjoy the many local events that are happening and please remember to get your copy to us by May 18 for the June issue! Mark Tubb - Editor

EDITOR Mark Tubb [email protected] 14 ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL T: 01962 735137 E: [email protected] NEWS & VIEWS Office Hours: 9am - 5pm 03 Diary dates 08 Watercress Line wins grant to restore it's COPYWRITERS flagship engine Gill Grant 18 Church Services [email protected] 22 The Forum Grows 22 South Down Green Fair 2015 DESIGN 22 Serv Wessex Luminata Design 30 Test Valley Borough Council News [email protected] - 30 Business incentive grant for PC repair company - 30 New kiosk for war memorial park ACCOUNTS - 30 Fly-tipped waste in Valley Park and West Wellow Sue Messa - 32 Projects set to benefit from have your say [email protected] funding announced PUBLISHING - 32 Augusta Park geocache hunt Forum Publications Ltd 42 The Spitfire summer is upon us 11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire 54 Pride of Andover Awards reveal new website SO24 9AT OTHER 06 Useful Information The Test Valley Forum contains 24 Useful Information facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, advertisements 24 Clubs & Societies and other content and links to 34 Clubs & Societies external websites not owned or controlled by the magazine. The Test Valley Forum takes reasonable efforts to include accurate, current FEATURES information on its pages, but make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, safety or value of the published items that are 20 Hampshire Mum - Sparkles & Spuds displayed. No liability or responsibility can be taken for errors or 26 Just turn it off? What do you think? omissions in magazine content. The Test Valley magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations 38 Hampshire Hogs - The Forum seeks out independent of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the user’s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the Hampshire food, wine and ale producers magazine's legal ownership. © Forum Publications Ltd, 2015 40 Hampshire People speaks to Jack Stein FORUM |

CONTENTS

20 26

38 40

38 Hampshire Hogs - The Forum seeks out independent ESTATE AGENTS 02, 27, 28, 29, 31 Hampshire food, wine and ale producers POLITICS 07 MOTORS 39 HEALTH & BEAUTY 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 08 Wellbeing Fair to aid research and awareness into LEGAL & FINANCIAL 45, 47 M.E. and related illneses 09 Multi-award winning Bluebird Care comes to Andover ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC 46, 48 10 Bluebird Care is 'getting loud about MS' 46 The glory of baroque 10 Statement from Hampshire Hospitals NHS trust 46 There is a story behind this 'quARTet' 12 Couldn't keep it in; heaven knows I tried 48 Stockbridge music: The Brook Street Band 12 Health walks - Step this way for a healthier future 48 Risky Business plays at Station Inn, Andover 12 Bicycle User Group (BUG) EDUCATION SERVICES 47 THE GARDEN 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 14 Chris Nutt's gardening column RETAIL SERVICES 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 14 Longstock open gardens 50 HERO EDITORIAL 16 Objects of desire 52 New emporiam in Christchurch with over 80 small businesses - a small indoor shopping village THE HOME 21, 23, 25, 56 LEISURE & HOME SERVICES 31, 33 ENTERTAINMENT 54, 55 54 The Hampshire Country Show BUILDING SERVICES 35 54 Sparsholt College Countryside Day 55 Kings Somborne secrets to be revealed FOOD & DRINK 36, 37, 38 36 Hampshire Farmers' Markets celebrate picnic week ANIMAL & PET SERVICES 55 36 Alresford Watercress Festival

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USEFUL INFORMATION USEFUL INFORMATION

EMERGENCY 6HG Tel: 01264 810524. Open Tel: 01794 301286  Cruse Bereavement Care to patients on weekdays between [email protected]. SERVICES We are a charity who offer free the hours of 8.15am to 6.30pm. sch.uk help and support to those who Closed between 12.45 and  Emergency Only have been bereaved. Our contact 13.45pm. Also open on Saturday  Kings’s Somborne (Ambulance, Fire, Police) mornings, 8.30am to 12.00pm. details are: Helpline: 01264 C of E Primary School 336006 Tel: 999 Appointments to be booked for clinics. For medical emergencies Nr Stockbridge, SO20 6PN Head teacher: Ms Julie Way  Non Emergency Medical during our normal Monday to  Flood Warning System Services: Tel: 01794 388381 Tel: 111 Friday working hours contact the Sign up for flood alerts and surgery on Tel: 01264 810524.  SCAS Community warnings with the Government Out of Hours service  Church of First Responders Agency, Floodline. Tel: 01962 718697 Weekdays - Primary School Manley Henley - Tel: 0800 587 Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8am. Tel: 0845 988 1188 Butts Green, Lockerley, Romsey 0207 Weekends - Friday 6.30pm to 8am Hants, SO51 0JG Monday morning. Service also  Joyrides Shopping Bus  Electricity Emergency Tel: 01794 340485 available on bank holidays. Head Teacher - Jamie Dodson John Muster Tel: 01264 356808 24hrs, 7 days a week Community nurse: www.lockerley.hants.sch.uk Tel: 08457 708090 Tel: 01962 893560 Health visitor: Tel: 01962 763970 NEIGHBOURHOOD  Gas Emergency  Stockbridge Primary www.stockbridgesurgery.co.uk WATCH 24 hrs, 7 days a week School Tel: 0800 111 999  The River Dental Clinic Old London Road, Stockbridge,  Crawley Neighbourhood  Water Emergency 1 Clarendon Terrace, High Street, Hants, SO20 6EJ. Head Teacher: Watch Mrs Emma Jefferies: Tel: 01264 24 hrs, 7 days a week Stockbridge, SO20 6EY. General For Neighbourhood Watch and cosmetic dentistry of the 810550 adminoffice@stockbridge. enquiries contact: Alison Carey on: Tel: 0845 278 0845 hants.sch.uk highest standard, including state- [email protected]

POLICE (NON of-the-art treatments. Tel: 01264 810818  Test Valley Secondary  Longstock Neighbourhood EMERGENCY) [email protected] School Watch www.theriverdentalclinic.co.uk Roman Road, Stockbridge Charles Grieve Tel: 01264 810580  Andover Police Station Hampshire, SO20 6HA

South Street, Andover SP10 2ED HOSPITALS Headteacher: Miss L Hiscock Mon-Sat: 9-6 pm (closed 2-3 Tel: 01264 810555 TAXIS

daily) Sundays & Bank Holidays [email protected]  Andover War Memorial 9.30-6pm  Car/taxi share Hospital (No A&E)  Wallop Primary School Run to a timetable but passengers Stockbridge Police Station is Open 7 days a week for Minor need to book. More information Injuries - From 08:30-21:30. School Lane, Nether Wallop now closed Stockbridge, SO20 8EH can be found at www.hants.gov. Charlton Road, Andover, uk/passengertransport or call For any enquiries please Hampshire, SP10 3LB Headteacher: Mr I Brown Call: 101 or 0845 045 45 45. 01962 846785. Tel: 01962 863535 Tel: 01264 781216 margaret. [email protected] SURGERIES/  Romsey Hospital (No A&E) BUSES CHEMISTS Winchester Hill, Romsey, SO51  West Tytherley CE Primary 7ZA Tel: 01794 834700 School  Wheelers Connect  Broughton Surgery West Tytherley, No services on public holidays Tel: 01794 301210  Royal Hampshire SP5 1JX Tel: 01794 340 338  16 Service Salisbury / Houghton - [email protected] County Hospital Head teacher - Mike Warren Winchester, Hampshire Winchester via Stockbridge www.west-tytherley.hants.sch.uk  Cancer Support Centre - Tel: 01962 863535 Visit us on 2nd Floor, 68 St  Stagecoach Buses  Wherwell Primary School Georges Street Winchester. Chat COUNCILS No services on public holidays to a trained befriender, try a Wherwell, Andover, SP11 7JP  36 Service Headteacher: Andy King Stockbridge - Winchester via complementary therapy or use our  Hampshire County Council West Dean, Lockerley, , professional counselling service. The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UJ Tel: 01264 860384 Open Mon - Thursday, 10.00am patsy.pritchard@ , Romsey (Tuesdays, Tel: 0845 603 5638 Thursdays, Saturdays and to 4.30pm Call 01962 868576 or wherwell.hants.sch.uk email winchester@wessexcancer. school days) org  Test Valley Borough  68 Service Council RECYCLING Winchester – Stockbridge via  Stockbridge Osteopathic Beech Hurst, Road Littleton, Crawley, Kings Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ Somborne (Monday - Friday in Practice  Bunny Lane HWRC Tel: 01264 368000 Timsbury (near Romsey), school term time) Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy. www.stockbridge SO51 0PG Tel: 01794 368548 http://www.stagecoachbus.com/ osteopathicpractice.com SCHOOLS region_11.html and search the Tel: 01264 810028  Scott Close HWRC timetables with the relevant route  Primary School Walworth Industrial Estate, or call Traveline: 0871 200 22 33  Stockbridge Pharmacy Common Hill Road, Braishfield Andover, SP10 5NU High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 Hants, SO51 0QB T: 01794 Tel: 01264 351421 If would like to add 6EX Tel: 01264 810624. Open 6 368359 Head Teacher days a week 9am-6pm Mon- - Frances Hardy www. something to our useful Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday, braishfieldprimaryapps.com OTHER SERVICES information page then with 1hr lunch time closing please send your copy to each day between 1-2pm. www.  Broughton Primary School  Chilbolton Flood editor@forumpublications. lealhealthcare.co.uk School Lane, Broughton Advisory Committee co.uk. Please note that Hampshire, SO20 8AN Moya Grove Tel: 01264 860411 Headteacher: Neil Hardy we cannot guarantee  Stockbridge Surgery Graham Kelly Tel: 01264 861020 New Street, Stockbridge, SO20 publication.

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POLITICS

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NEWS & HEALTH & NEWS & VIEWS / HEALTH & BEAUTY VIEWS BEAUTY WATERCRESS LINE WINS WELLBEING FAIR TO AID GRANT TO RESTORE ITS RESEARCH AND AWARENESS FLAGSHIP ENGINE INTO M.E. AND RELATED ollowing its recent high profile cosmetic restoration of the ILLNESSES Winston Churchill steam engine for the National Railway FMuseum, the Mid Hants Railway in Hampshire has been ntegrated holistic health therapies will be on offer at a special awarded a large Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to restore Spring Wellbeing Fair that aims to raise funds and awareness into its own flagship engine, Canadian Pacific. Celebrating its 150th Ithe debilitating disease Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, otherwise anniversary this year the Mid Hants Railway, or Watercress Line as known as M.E., and other related illnesses such as fibromyalgia and it is famously known, is a popular visitor attraction in the south. chronic fatigue syndrome. It bought the Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class No.35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ locomotive in 2006 and it ran on the railway The event will be held on Sunday, 17th May at 50 St Cross Road, until 2008 when its statutory overhaul was due. All of these giants Winchester from 10.30 am until 5pm and has been organised of British engineering require an overhaul every 10 years to keep by The Alliance for Fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis them safely in steam. At 74 years old this 95 ton engine can now and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which works to create greater be completely stripped down and rebuilt by the railway’s growing awareness and aid research into the complex range of illnesses that team of skilled engineers and apprentices. currently impact upon the lives of 250,000 people in the UK. The three year restoration project has been awarded £895,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the total cost of £1.5m. The The Mayor of Winchester, Eileen Berry, will be attending the event. remainder of the project’s costs will be met through fundraising and donations to the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society, “The Alliance works in partnership with university professors, the charity behind the Watercress Line. The project also involves the medical profession and research scientists to encourage more the restoration of two wooden framed coaches designed by the biomedical research and understanding,” commented Opal same Southern Railways engineer, Oliver Bulleid. Once restored Webster-Philp, Chair of the Alliance. to their former glory the locomotive and coaches will become the focal point of Watercress Line activities. Managing Director Colin “The age range of those living with these, often difficult to diagnose Chambers said: "We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery illnesses, is from two to ninety-two. It is indiscriminate and often Fund for supporting this project and the aims of the Mid Hants follows a virus, with the body unable to recover. It effects cognitive Railway. We look forward to sharing progress of the restoration and mobility functions, loss of strength, with 25% of sufferers process itself and it will be fantastic to have this beautiful southern bedridden and in need of 24 hour care.” locomotive back in steam and at the heart of the railway." “The Wellbeing Fair is an opportunity for us to raise both awareness Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, and much needed funds and for the public to experience different said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting this project that pathways to regaining health and vitality. We have been so blessed provides an excellent opportunity to secure the long-term future to receive great support form many holistic health professionals of Hampshire’s railway heritage. The exciting plans to restore the who will be offering reduced rate taster sessions and donating a ‘Canadian Pacific’ and Bulleid coaches to their former glory will percentage of the treatment costs to the Alliance, as well as raising help conserve this important heritage for generations to come, funds from the entry fees into the event,” continued Opal Webster- and through the enhanced visitor experience and extensive Philp. volunteering and training opportunities, more people will be able to learn about the social, political and economic significance of Holistic therapies on offer will include deep tissue massage, cranial our historic railways.” osteopathy, quantum touch, Tui Nu therapy (Chinese medicinal massage), Dorn method (which helps with back problems), Canadian Pacific was originally built just a few miles away from reflexology, beauty therapies and more. the Watercress Line in the railway town of Eastleigh in 1941 and, in a neat turn of events, this is where the locomotive’s restoration will There will also be a sale of gifts, cards, art and jewellery. begin. Eastleigh Works have kindly rented out part of the building where the 30 Merchant Navy Class engines were originally built so that the project team has space to strip down and rebuild her. There will also be renowned speakers including Granville Langley- Component parts will be brought back to life at the railway's own Smith, an orthodontist who uses crania sacral therapy in partnership extensive engineering facilities at its Ropley site, which are on with is dental skills. He will be talking about the effects of the jaw view to visitors. on the spine.

The project has a huge community focus for the railway and The holistic therapists taking part come from across Hampshire the town of Eastleigh as the Watercress Line pulls together the and Dorset and the public will be able to have taster sessions at a story of the builders, drivers and passengers of the 1940’s and fraction of the normal cost - with a percentage of the fee being 50’s steam era. Local memories of that time are actively being donated to the Alliance. Refreshments will include sugar free and sought by the railway to bring the story to life. People will be able gluten free cakes and snacks. to closely follow the restoration process through the Watercress Line’s website and social media, with regular blogs and updates as Entry donation is £3 and further details can be obtained by calling it progresses. the Alliance on 01962 878803 or contact Debra on 07718 896720.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY MULTI-AWARD WINNING BLUEBIRD CARE COMES TO ANDOVER

The UK’s leading high quality home care provider has recently opened its new office in the heart of Andover’s Town Centre

luebird Care delivers bespoke home care packages to people Their efforts were highly recognised after only one year in operation living in and around Andover, , Chilbolton, when they won the prestigious 2013 Winchester Business Excellence BStockbridge, Kings Somborne, West Tytherley, & Award for 'Small Business of the Year' along with winning 'Care Romsey. Coordinator of the Year' at the Great British Care Awards 2014 and five National Bluebird Care Network Awards. They provide care to people from the age of 13 with physical & learning disabilities, long term illnesses such as MS & Parkinson’s, specialist dementia and elderly care. Other services include re- enablement following hospital discharge along with respite & end of life care.

Every customer’s care package is bespoke to their individual needs with high quality care visits available from 30 minutes right up to full 24hr live-in care. Bluebird Care enables their customers to JOB CREATION FOR achieve confident, fulfilling lives in the comfort and security of their THE TEST VALLEY own homes where they are surrounded by their family, friends and possessions. Bluebird Care is now recruiting for Care Assistants to join their team and aims to bring 50 jobs to our Owner & Managing Director, Norman Murphy said: “We are local area, with a range of hours available including delighted to bring our award winning home care services to Andover and all of mornings, lunchtimes, afternoons, evenings, nights and the Test Valley. Here at Bluebird Care we treat everyone with respect, warmth live-in care opportunities. Bluebird Care value their and compassion, providing the level of care we would want our own family staff and offer better pay than any other local care members or friends to receive. We are particularly passionate about keeping companies, along with a fantastic benefits package older and vulnerable people in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes including a mobile phone, personal bonus scheme, rather than the often bleak alternative of residential care”. vehicle protection and health cover scheme. No Bluebird Care (Andover & Stockbridge) is part of the group of experience is necessary as full training and support is offices owned by Norman & Claire Murphy along with Bluebird provided. Your own transportation is essential to travel Care (Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey) and Bluebird Care (Alton between customer’s homes. If you are interested in a & Alresford). Their mission was to radically shake up the home care rewarding career in care please contact Bluebird Care industry and offer only the finest high quality home care to its for more information. customers as well as the best in customer service.

For further information please contact Jade Crouter at Bluebird Care Andover & Stockbridge: T: (01264) 310 888 E: [email protected] www.bluebirdcare.co.uk Bluebird Care (Andover & Stockbridge), 4 London Street, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 2PA 9 FORUM

MS Society Vice Chair, Phillip Edwards attended the event, representing

| the local Alton & Petersfield District MS Society. The MS Society works

HEALTH & HEALTH & BEAUTY to help people with MS take control of their lives and provide support to them & their families, alongside funding research into helping beat BEAUTY MS for good. Phillip Edwards, MS Society Vice Chair, for the Alton & Petersfield BLUEBIRD CARE IS ‘GETTING District said: “We are very happy to support Bluebird Care with their ‘Getting Loud about M.S.’ event and we would like to thank them for LOUD ABOUT MS’ helping to raise awareness about this widespread condition. One of our goals here at the M.S. Society is to help people with M.S to continue living happy and independent lives and Bluebird Care’s services help make this possible which is so important within our local community”

Most people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too. Roughly three times as many women are affected than men. Bluebird Care provides high quality home care and companionship services to customers from as young as 13 and currently their most senior customer is an impressive 103 years. Bluebird Care enables people in our local community to remain living independently and happily in their own homes surrounded by their family, friends and possessions.

For further information on what services Bluebird Care can provide please call (01420) 550 777. If you or someone you know has suffered Bluebird Care host specialist MS event in support of from MS and would like to contact our local MS Society then please visit National Multiple Sclerosis week www.alton-petersfieldmssociety.org.uk for more information. Over 100,000 people in the UK have MS. Bluebird Care - Alton & Alresford’s high quality home care provider hosted a special ‘Getting Loud About MS’ this week to mark National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) STATEMENT FROM HAMPSHIRE Week at their office on Cross & Pillory Lane in Alton on Thursday 2nd HOSPITALS NHS TRUST April 2015. ampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has absolutely no The specialist event was attended by over thirty care professionals, several plans to close Andover War Memorial Hospital. We regard local residents, representatives from the MS Society as well as staff and HAndover War Memorial Hospital as a fundamental cornerstone customers of Bluebird Care. The morning began with an MS information in our aim to provide services locally where possible and we entirely session delivered by Rebecca Connolly and Rosie Jackson from Bluebird recognise that it provides greatly valued services to the local community. Care. Allison Flesher, one of the Care Assistants at Bluebird Care then spoke about MS from a Care Assistant’s perspective, including how she We have consistently invested in Andover War Memorial Hospital has built up relationships with the customers and even a method of including, for example, refurbishments to the Countess of Brecknock communication through blinking. hospice on the hospital site, re-opening the maternity centre when AWMH became part of HHFT and introducing a mobile chemotherapy Bluebird Care customers, Mr & Mrs Carpenter from Alresford who both  service which regularly visits Andover hospital so local people have less have MS themselves, then spoke bravely and honestly about what it is distance to travel for their treatment.  like to live with the condition. It is very rare to have a couple both be   diagnosed with MS, especially only a few short years after they married. Our plan to build a new critical treatment hospital at J7 of the M3 will have no impact on the future of AWMH. The new hospital has an Listening to Christiana and Paul’s emotional story was incredibly moving entirely different role which is to provide care for the sickest. and insightful. In particular hearing first-hand about how MS has affected  not only them individually, but also learning how their relationship has  had to evolve in order to deal with daily life. Christiana and Paul are very  close and it was at first very daunting to admit that they needed help  to care for Paul at home, but they have been delighted with the service  from Bluebird Care and are now very familiar with their regular Carers  whom they trust.   Christiana Carpenter, who spoke at the event said: “We are so grateful "Caring help to achieve your goals" to Bluebird Care for supporting our family. Both my husband Paul and I  were diagnosed with MS in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Thankfully mine  is currently benign, however Paul no longer has any mobility and relies  upon his Bluebird Care Assistants to help him with his daily needs. MS Gina Fee (Advanced Hypnotherapist) has completely changed our family’s lives for good, but with the support  we receive from Bluebird Care I am able to keep working and I still have Tel: 01794 301771  some much needed ‘me’ time. I simply can’t explain how reassuring it is www.head4change.co.uk to know that Paul is safe at home, being cared for by such a lovely team 2 Clarendon Terrace, High Street, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6EY of local care professionals.”    10         