THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE SOMBORNES AND ASHLEY MARCH 2020 Thespian delights galore! Pantomime, Murder Mystery and more…..

Pages 4,5,6, 16 &17

Also in this edition: School Swimming pool update Funding secured and more to do PAGES 8 and 9

Bus Services Overview of transport in the village PAGE 24

Scout and cub and news Can you help? PAGEs 14 & 31

The circus is coming! Early-bird discounts! PAGE 28

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v vi Stretch and Tone at IYENGAR YOGA CLASSES suitable for all levels of experience

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xii xiii CROSS STORES AND POST OFFICE News agent National Lottery Off licence

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Useful names and numbers Parish Church Schools For all enquiries please call Somborne Pre-School 07530 893773 the church office number: 01794 328034 King’s Somborne School 01794 388381 Vicar: Test Valley School 01264 810555 Rev. Richard Burningham 01794 389555 Email: [email protected] Police Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 Licensed Lay Ministers: www.actionfraud.police.uk Howard Rowe 01794 388400 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Sabine Burningham 01794 389555 Police non-emergency 101 Wardens: www.hampshire.police.uk Joan Appleyard 01794 388224 Police emergency 999 [email protected] Janet Ingleson 01794 388618 Parish Council [email protected] Clerk: Mrs Gail Foster 01264 782490 PCC Secretary: [email protected] David Pye 01794 388405 Borough Councillor Treasurer & Gift Aid Sec: Tony Ward 01794 389649 Claire Bevan 01794 341923 County Councillor Flowers: Penny Ward 01794 389649 Andrew Gibson 01264 861138 Methodist Church Member of Parliament Minister: Caroline Nokes MP 020 7219 1468 Revd Ruth Fry 01962 882828 [email protected] Steward: Pam Gravenor 01794 388531 Local Authority Roman Catholic Churches Test Valley B C 01264 368000 Hampshire Downs parish 01962 852804 Village Correspondent St Swithun Wells parish 02380 273882 Position vacant Village Website Village Hall www.thesombornes.org.uk Bookings: Sarah Pennington 01794 389354 (tel. after 7.30pm please) or email The Gauntlet [email protected] Editor: Harvey Saunders 01794 388029 Epworth Hall Advertising: Sue Byram 01794 388521 Bookings: Marion Downing 01794 388121 [email protected] Distribution: Lin Curtis 01794 389373 Please deliver articles for The Gauntlet Doctors to [email protected] Stockbridge surgery 01264 810524 or The Post Office. www.stockbridgesurgery.co.uk Copy date is no later than 5.00pm on Broughton surgery 01794 301210 the 15th of the month please. Pharmacy See our colour online edition Stockbridge Pharmacy 01264 810624 at the village website (see above) 1

Village Directory Allotments Epworth Lunch Contact: [email protected] Lunch for over 50s at the Epworth Hall. Lisa Johnson 07796175875 On the second Tuesday in the month at 12.30pm. Badminton Club Contact: Marilyn Bolton 01794 389356 Monday evenings in the Village Hall Contact: Sue Jackson 01794 388884 Friends of King’s Somborne Church Contact: Sandie Pepperell 01794 388021 Bellringing Every Monday 7.30 - 9.00pm. Football Club Contact: Sue Spurling 01794 388266 Contact: Andy Gannaway 01794 388733 Catherine Edwards Trust Footpath walk Provides grants to village students Monthly walk on Parish footpaths on the Contact: David Bevan 07769 682696 last Sunday of each month. Check the Village Diary or village website for details. Computer and Coffee mornings Contact: Duncan Gould 01794 388049 First and third Thursday every month 10.00am - 12.00 at the Village Hall. Hands French Twinning Association -on support and advice for all ages and Contacts: Louise & Andrew Causer experience on using internet, email etc. 01794 389364 Free coffee, tea and biscuits. Contact: John Davies 01794 389544 Garden waste scheme Garden waste will be collected in w/c 9th Cricket Club and 23rd March 2020. Contact: Rachel King 07809 289861 Home Group Christians Together in Somborne Bible study group. Usually third and District Thursdays of the month at 7.30pm. Welcome all to open and ecumenical Contact: Norman Denison 01794 388889 meetings and services throughout the year. Horticultural Society Contact: Barbara Heffer 01794 389126 Meets for two talks and one visit per year Community Responders and organises the Flower Show Contacts: Lesley Everard-Evans Secretary: Position vacant 01794 388991 Flower Show Secretary: Lisa Johnson 07796 175875 Dial-a-Ride Trips to Romsey every Wednesday, for Household waste senior citizens and disabled people, at Non-recyclable household waste (black 2.00pm. Fare £3.75. bins) will be collected in w/c 9th and 23rd Contact: Dick or Zoe 01264 356808 March 2020. Recyclable household waste (brown bins) Drop In Coffee Morning will be collected in w/c 2nd, 16th and 30th Coffee morning at the Epworth Hall. March 2020. Every Tuesday (except the second in the month) at 10.30am. Messy Church Contact: Marion Downing 01794 388121 Meets 3rd Sunday of each month in term time, 3.30pm - 5.30pm at Epworth Hall. Contacts: Pam Gravenor 01794 388531 Sam Barnes 07742 077114

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Village Directory (continued) Neighbourcare Somborne Singers Transport to essential appointments. Weekly meetings to sing ballads, songs Contacts: Sue Jackson , Mary Bradley from shows etc. every Tuesday at 7.45pm 07470022396 in the Parish Church. Contact: Howard Rowe 01794 388400 Parent, Baby & Toddler Group Informal friendly get-together for babies, Somborne Sisterhood W I pre-school children, parents and carers. Meets on the first Friday of each month at Every Wednesday 9.30am - 11.15am in the 8.00pm in the Village Hall Village Hall. Contact: Samantha Boot 01794 389554 Contacts: Emily 07825 867825 Katie 07525 257031 Tiny Tots Meet in the Parish Church each Tuesday at Prayer Group 2.00pm. Contact: Dulcie Witts 01794 388267 Contact: Hayley Griffith 01794 389524 School Association Village Agent Social and fund-raising events to benefit Contacts: Sue Jackson 01794 388884 the school and its pupils. Gill Butler 01794 388831 Contact: Andy Chadwick 01794 389587 Women’s Fellowship Scouts Meets on the fourth Friday of each month Beavers Wednesdays 6.00pm at 2.30pm in the Epworth Hall. Cubs Thursdays 6.00pm Contacts: Marion Downing 01794 388121 Contact: Wendy Jarvis 01794 389552 Marilyn Bolton 01794 389356 Somborne & District Society Women’s Institute Meetings held on the fourth Wednesday of Meets on the second Wednesday of each each month at 8.00pm, usually in the month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Village Hall. Contact: Linda Aucock 01794 388542 Contact: Janet Ingleson 01794 388618 Working Men’s Club Somborne Needleworkers Various entertainments. Meet each Thursday at 2.00pm at Contacts: Janette Batchelor 07505 483692 Nutcher’s, 3 Nutcher’s Drove. Trina Masham 07852 257596 Contact: Sally Wilson 01794 388675 Somborne Players Amateur Dramatics Society. For both children and adults. Contact: Ellie Monger 01794 388283 Sombornes Pre-School Early Years education for children aged from 2 to school age. Contact: Rebecca Hunt 07530 893773 Somborne Sessions Details: www.sombornesessions.co.uk Contact: Trevor Ryan 01794 388743 This month’s edition of The Gauntlet was edited by Sue Jackson

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Light & laughter at the Panto

This year’s pantomime from the all is Somborne Players, ‘Cinderella’, was a Cinderella’s cornucopia of dastardly deeds and Fairy comic treats, a wonderful performance Godmother, filled with light and laughter. the strikingly The Hardup household is run with a rod of iron by the Baroness, portrayed bearded and with convincing wickedness by slightly bemused Caroline Crump. Poor Baron Hardup, David played with delightful vagueness by Peter Grace, hardly gets a look in, Haydon. swamped as he is by unpaid bills. Cinders, out These are largely the fault of the collecting firewood, has a chance meeting with Prince Charming (a suitably chivalrous Vanessa McClenaghan) and his courtier Dandini (the incomparable Sam Judges, making best use of a remarkable pair of underpants). When Cinderella disappears into the forest again, the prince decides to throw a ball and invite all the kingdom’s young ladies, believing she is sure to attend. But the wicked The ugly sisters and the Baroness Baroness is determined to thwart Cinders and instead have one of the feckless ugly sisters Dotty and Potty ugly sisters marry Charming. (the hilarious duo of Lesley Everard- Evans and Sian Johnston). Only their Preparations for the ball gather pace, step-sister Cinderella, performed with including Dotty and Potty heading for engaging modesty by Rebecca makeovers and facials at a beauty Rickard, seems to have her feet on the parlour somewhere on the outskirts of ground. She is ably supported by Andover. Run by the formidable but Buttons, her admirer from afar, whose slightly louche Ms Bendit (played with deadpan humour was well conveyed unforgettable style by a dazzlingly by Harry Eckett. Together, Cinders leotarded Ruth Eckett), it is the and Buttons endure the cruelty of the backdrop for a series of hilarious japes Baroness and the idiocy of the and scrapes. favoured ugly sisters. Watching over it The evening of the ball arrives, and 4

At last the Prince meets Cinderella again and they dance the night away. But Fairy Godmother has made it clear that the magic can only last until midnight and when that hour comes, Cinderella slips away from the palace, leaving only a shoe behind. Will the Prince find Cinders again? Will true love triumph? Of course! After more nail-biting moments, Charming is finally reunited forever with his Cinderella and the wicked Baroness is banished. The Ensemble (Angus Christie, Tyler Jacobs, Daisy Natt and Ella Powley), who have sung and danced their way into our hearts throughout the show, celebrate in style. Cinders is consigned by the Baroness The audience at a packed village hall to the kitchen at Hardup Hall. But lapped it all up: brilliant performances Fairy Godmother appears and grants and a backstage team second to none. her wish: Cinderella heads to the royal Director David Eastham, Assistant palace in a coach and horses magicked Director Jonathan Crump and Producer up from mice and a pumpkin. In the Ellie Monger, along with all the cast palace’s splendour, presided over by and crew, should be extremely proud the King and Queen ( the suitably regal of themselves for presenting us with pair of Ryan Evans and Kerry Knatt), a such a wonderful piece of succession of dubious princesses is entertainment. The Somborne Players presented to an unconvinced Prince pantomime is an annual village Charming. (The quick-change skills of tradition that I for one hope will just Sarah Seymour from one princess to run and run. another were worthy of the West End.) Peter Duncan

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Sing a Song of Murder! Only a week after the fun of the pantomime, the Geriactors came to the village hall to entertain us with more amusing drama, this time a murder mystery. The excellent plot, written by Ronni Davis—her 12th murder mystery– was set in a local village hall (!) where a small community choir , the Belgarum Belters, rehearse. One member of the choir, Deborah Lee Smythe, is a thoroughly unpleasant character, quite reasonably Ronni Davis and John Vanderpump hated by every other member of the choir. of us all. And so the scene is set for the murder. The play included several hilarious She is blown to pieces in her posh song and dance routines, brilliantly Jaguar car outside the village hall. performed by the whole cast. Now the audience have to piece The pleasure of the evening was together the evidence to decide who is increased further (was ever an the murderer, and how they carried it audience more spoiled?) by the out. We know there is an aerosol hair provision of a delicious two course spray, a screwdriver, and that meal, coffee and mints. Deborah always likes to smoke in her John Vanderpump organised and car before setting out. There are two hosted the evening, thanked the ladies sets of car keys that have passed from hand to hand. So, what is the answer? who had prepared the food, the Geriactors who take no fee, and Lots of very reasonable attempts were announced that the raffle alone had made, but only one team named the raised over £400. correct murderer, an innocuous The evening was to raise money, not granny who was knitting a scarf with Southampton Saints’ colours. But only for the village hall, but also for the new extension to the Countess of how did she pierce the aerosol can? Brecknock Hospice in Andover, with Not with the screwdriver (which had new facilities described by pointed the finger of guilt at another choir member), but with her knitting Christopher Evans as ‘fantastic, fantastic, fantastic’. needles!! The winning team were awarded a small prize. But the You could say that about the whole brilliance of the audience lay in their evening. ability to write witty verses about the Sue Jackson suspect in the ten minutes we were allotted to choose the murderer. These verses were read out for the pleasure 6

Village Hall News It is really frustrating to have to report On the 28th there is a very special that despite the new Community/ Somborne Sessions gig. There will be Preschool building being finished, the two acts, the headline act being Preschool are still not in occupation Jeramiah Ferrari – a young band from simply because of delays by Ofsted in Manchester fusing styles of reggae, their inspection process and issuing rock, ska and pop to make a truly the required certificate. I have now memorable and essential new sound. heard the inspection is arranged for We are so lucky to have live music in 17th February and hopefully the our village. If you haven’t children will be in their new home by experienced it yet this could be the the time you read this. opportunity you have been waiting The Somborne Players performed for, two acts for the price of one! Every gig is arranged and presented three performances of a very ‘panto’ by a team of very enthusiastic pantomime, two of which were sold out, which must be a record. Then the volunteers and please remember that any money made is for the benefit of following weekend The Geriactors the hall. from Winchester performed another Murder Mystery play “Sing a Song of Despite the prolonged presence of the Murder” to yet another sell-out Preschool in the hall it will now not audience. Both of which are reported be long before they occupy their new elsewhere. home. Then we will have lots of vacant space, so, I ask again, if you March is again a very busy month, the have any ideas on events that you first notable event being the Somborne Society’s Presidents lecture would like to see being held please on the intriguing subject of ‘Faberge’ contact me on my email – [email protected] . which I am sure will be fascinating and then the regular monthly Society John Vanderpump meeting on the 25th March. There are Chairman the Lent Talks and lunch on each Wednesday.

The Parish Council are investigating if a Community Bus Scheme could work in the Parish.

COULD YOU BE A VOLUNTEER DRIVER?

Do you have a D1 category on your driving licence? Would you be willing to give up just 1 day per month to help?

We would need at least 20 regular drivers to sign up and commit to drive once a month. We can’t do it without you! Please contact the clerk if you think you might be interested: [email protected]

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Test Valley School PTA Swimming Pool Update

It is approaching one year since the raised just short of £1,000. swimming pool was threatened with Swimming Pool Repairs closure due to a lack of Government funding for schools. At a meeting in Not only has the £12,000 been raised March 2019, the School Governors to pay for the annual running costs of agreed the PTA could take over this the pool but repairs have also been project, guaranteeing to raise the made. Before opening the pool in £12,000 needed for the annual May, the paving surrounding the pool running costs and with a view to and the coping stones were repaired securing its long-term future. with some being replaced by the PTA, teachers and some local builders. Donations During October half term, the pool The PTA has been incredibly grateful was completely emptied, cleaned and for the generosity of the local the liner repaired by Aquaflex as over community in supporting this project. the years some water had built up Several local organisations have behind the liner and caused bulging to kindly donated large amounts of occur. Thank you also to Spruce Pools money. Stockbridge Cinema, the based in Salisbury who gave us Dumbreck Charity and Trout ‘n About invaluable advice and put us in touch who all donated £1,000 each, £500 with Aquaflex. from the Stockbridge Fete, £450 from 250 Club Holly, a student at Test Valley School who ran several car boot sales in aid In September the first draw of the 250 of the pool, £300 from Farm Club took place. For £5 a month or Shop tokens and £200 from Clegg and £60 a year, each member is allocated Brooking and Budgens. In December, a number. Four numbers are drawn at the Grovesnor Hotel hosted an random on the 5th of the month, with evening of Christmas carols in aid of winnings totalling 30% of the pot. The the pool with both students from Test membership has increased over the Valley School and Romsey Voices year but there are still plenty of performing raising a fantastic £586. numbers available, download an application here: https:// Many local businesses also supported www.testvalley.hants.sch.uk/our- us in our recent Christmas raffle by school/pta/ donating prizes. We would like to thank the following: The Grovesnor Events Hotel, Orvis, The White Hart, Garden The PTA has worked tirelessly to Inn, La Bella Donna, Evans and provide enjoyable events for the Partridge, Beccy’s Greengrocers, students at the school too. These have Garden Treasures, The Hub, Becca included a film night, disco, Stockfest Mobile Hairdressing, KJ Fitness, and Summer Sizzler. We also had our Mimi’s Celebratory Cakes, Danebury first Sponsored run organised in Vineyard, Thoughtful Flora, Eddie partnership with Muddy Runners with and Bee, Mark Lovell and E W refreshments sponsored by Kenyons, Pinchbecks and Sons. This event Waitrose and Sainsburys. 8

Future Events forms.gle/yFifT8NiZ7DQYPNE8 Events planned for later this year Grant applications include Stockfest, the Summer Sizzler We are currently finishing early rounds and a Muddy Run. We are also hoping of applications for Sport and to support Stockbridge Fete and Trout Reaching Communities, which is part n About again this year, hold a fashion of the national lottery fund to help fund show in the Autumn and much, much the long term future of the pool which more! will include Community Questionnaire • a sliding or permanent cover so In December, a community the pool can be used all year questionnaire was launched asking the round local community for their views on whether they would use the pool, what • modern changing rooms for as well as any other suggestions • a more efficient heating system. and comments. We would also like to hear from any local community groups We are also liaising with several who would be interested in using it. companies to complete this work and This information will then help support with external swimming companies our grant applications when we apply who are keen to hire the pool. for funding. Please use this link to Test Valley School PTA complete the questionnaire: https://

Thank you

Mary Norris would like to thank everyone who came to Leslie’s funeral. She also thanks the doctors and nurses at Stockbridge Surgery and those who have donated in his memory to the British Heart Foundation. Thanks also for all the many cards and flowers. Many thanks, Mary.

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Horticultural Society….help needed

The Horticultural Society has been active in Kings Somborne for nearly 100 years, and has seen many changes over that time. This year we are currently preparing for our 95th Flower Show, an Annual event which is very well supported and enjoyed by all age groups throughout the village, and also draws the attention of exhibitors from • (with guidance) to contact & farther afield, such is the quality, book 2 speakers a year standard and reputation of our own very treasured community event. • send occasional short reports to the Parish Magazine. Over the past few years we have been rationalising the roles on the With a village the size of king’s committee and have shared out the Somborne, I know there must be tasks for each of the committee several people who could fit this role members, with the Secretarial role perfectly. We just need you to be now split, into Membership Secretary, bold enough to come forward. Show Secretary, Events Organiser When you realise this could very and last year with Wendy easily be YOU please contact myself Hawkswood taking the role of or Lisa Johnson, and we can arrange General secretary /admin. Sadly to discuss it with you further. Wendy has been unable to continue to fulfil this commitment, and stood Yours very hopefully down in the Autumn – so we now Pollyann Monk urgently need someone to take up this role. 01794 [email protected] The role is fairly straightforward, and does not require a vast horticultural knowledge, - although of course that would be a bonus - just simply an interest in gardening, some fresh ideas, and mainly, to have the computer skills to: • record and publish minutes of meetings (roughly quarterly). • prepare notices to advertise speakers / events, in the parish Magazine / noticeboards

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Friends of St. Peter & St. Paul

After our winter break we now will be arising afresh! The Friends visit to the Winchester College Treasury was well attended approval. and very interesting and the other successful event was the Concert in the The committee previously agreed that church organised by Bill Martin in aid we would have two social events each of the Friends and the Basingstoke year and we are delighted to report that Cancer centre which raised over £400. on Friday 12th June we will be visiting Another interesting donation for £500 Somborne Park where Sir Frederick was received from a gentleman who Bathurst Bt. will talk to us about the remembered many years ago as a boy history of the house and their deer playing around in the church and park. The visit will be from 6.30 to accidentally breaking one of the 8.30 p.m. and will only be for windows with a hymn board. All is members of the Friends so if you forgiven! would like to come and are not yet a The committee at their last meeting in member please contact Sandie Pepperell . January agreed to make a contribution towards the upgrading of the church The other meeting will be our lightning conductor and we also will A.G.M.which will be on Monday 24th be involved with helping to pay to the April in the Working Mens Club at work to improve the church toilet and 7.30 p.m. All are welcome. kitchen once the PCC Fabric Terry Mackintosh Committee have drawn up some plans which will then have to be submitted Hon Chairman as a faculty to the Diocese for their

March walk 6 miles (9.5km) 2.5 hours Sunday 29th March 2:00pm King’s Somborne Village Hall We leave the village along the Winchester Rd and take the path past the Beef Unit towards before turning left to take the steep path down to Little Somborne. We then head north to North Park Farm and the path towards the village, down New Lane and return to the Village Hall via footpath 14 and Muss Lane.

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Parish Council notes February 2020

2 members of the public were present towards the costs of the VE Day for part of the meeting, one of whom celebration up to a maximum limit of asked when a response could be £380. The celebration will take place expected from the consultant in the afternoon, not in the evening as preparing the NDP. South Downs had been previously reported. NPA had advised that they were not The Auditor’s full report was noted expecting to start work until the end of and Councillors were pleased that the February. internal control procedures “met the Cllr Gibson confirmed that two needs of the Council” in the auditor’s Councillor grant applications had view. been received from the Parish Council The Council decided to again and were being processed. One was participate in the Great British Spring towards the lengthsman scheme and Clean which will be held during 20 the other was for the over 50’s bus March – 13 April. The school will be service. It was likely that one would asked if they would like to be included be paid before the end of this financial and TVBC will be contacted to see if year and the other at the beginning of the equipment borrowed last time the next financial year. could be utilised again. HCC had declared they were looking Cllr Beacham reported on a meeting to close 10 of the 47 libraries in the with HCC Highways that HCC has County, but it was unlikely the agreed to assess the possibility of closures would affect residents in the implementing speed reduction Parish. measures. HCC will investigate B/Cllr Jeffrey advised that due to B/ whether £15k of section 106 Funds Cllr Ward’s recent accident, he was could be spent by the Parish Council covering Borough Council issues in to implement any solutions. King’s Somborne. Meanwhile HCC has donated 200 wheelie bin stickers to encourage The Horticultural Society is traffic to ‘slow down and think’ that currently looking for a general have been distributed to residents. secretary who can help promote the group and help with the organisation. The Clerk and the Village Agent have Please contact the secretary on met the organiser of the Broughton [email protected]. The Council Community Bus Scheme. It is clear expressed their appreciation to the that the scheme would need at least 20 society for maintaining a traditional volunteer drivers in order to operate. village event for 100yrs. Local schools will also be asked if they would like use the community Cllrs Michelle Qassim and Graham bus. Searle were co-opted to the council and the Chairman welcomed them to The Clerk and the Village Agent also the Council. attended a meeting with HCC on the The Council agreed to contribute proposals for the no16 bus. HCC is 12 working to keep the no. 16 Bus service See page 14 for further information for as long as possible and the result about flood warnings and actions to be of the tender decision will be taken. publicised on the 10th March. The expenses for an opening event to Funeral directors will be contacted to launch the King’s Somborne level grave sites at the cemetery which Community Building will be covered have been left in an unacceptable state. to a maximum of £250. but Council expect the costs to e considerably An estimate received to repair a glass panel in the Bus Shelter at Eldon lower. Road is very expensive and cheaper The Council is pursuing rectification solutions will be sought of a blockage on the footpath from Romsey Road to the recreation ground, The landowner of an area of water repairs to the trim trail equipment meadows in Horsebridge has been contacted as debris and branches were which has deteriorated and is in need of repair, and the replacement of a impeding the flow of the stream . He missing no entry sign on the village has agreed to arrange for clearance green. work to increase water flow. A copy of the recent Environment Agency report was being requested. These are notes from the draft minutes produced for review by the parish The cutting of the trees and councillors prior to being approved at vegetation in Furzedown Road the next meeting on Monday 2nd continues and owners of the bank alongside the road are being sought. March 2020 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, Winchester Road. All Parish Concern was expressed that the current Council meetings are held in public water level is very high. Council and we look forward to seeing you specifically noted that the Borne there. maintenance team have done an amazing job of clearing the stream The next meeting is on Monday 2nd bed. March 2020 at 7.00pm in the Epworth TVBC have only a limited supply of s Hall, Winchester Road. sandbags which will only be issued when a Red warning is in place. Councillors living along he Winchester Gail Foster - Clerk to King’s Road will assist people unable to physically collect or move sandbags Somborne Parish Council themselves.

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Scouts Open evenings Kings Somborne Scout Group goes love from strength to strength! to As your local Scout Group, we are hear from you. delighted to report that we are If you know anyone who would be growing! Our youngest section, the interested in helping in any capacity, Beaver Scouts (for ages 6-8), restarted please ask them to come along to one in September with new leaders and has of our Open Evenings in attracted plenty of new members. March. Anyone interested (including Activities they have already completed potential young Scout members) is include ski-bobbing and visiting a welcome to pop along, have a cuppa pantomime, and they have earnt lots of and chat about what we do. badges! Our Cub Scout section (ages 8 Our Open Evenings are: -10½) is also thriving, with lots of exciting activities. Thursday12th March, 7.30to 8.30pm We are doing so well that we will be Wednesday 18th March, 7 to 8pm able to reopen our Scout section (for Both at our Scout HQ, opposite the ages 10½ to 14) from September – but Village Hall. Thank you – and we that is where we need the support of look forward to seeing you soon! our local community. We need a few more friendly people to help with all Claire Sutton aspects of the Group. Whether you Chair, Romsey District Scout Council have time to join a parent rota and Mobile: 07957 288112 come along to youth evenings http://romseyscouts.org/ regularly or whether you only have time to spare now and again, perhaps [email protected] to help with admin’ or odd jobs, we’d

FLOOD INFORMATION Anyone wanting to receive flood warnings directly, can sign up easily on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings If you are at risk of flooding, note that Parish Council do not hold any stocks of sandbags, but they can be bought at local DIY stores. TVBC have some if there is a RED Flood Warning and water is about to enter your premises. In an emergency call 01264 368000. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP RESIDENTS IN A FLOOD SITUATION PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST! Anyone who is unable to physically lift or move sandbags and needs to protect their property can contact the Clerk who will put you in touch with some volun- teers who may be able to help. Don’t leave it until the last minute! [email protected] / 01264 782490. 14

Somborne Society

I have been absent for 6 weeks private hearing. visiting family and so I have missed a And so on to the upcoming couple of events. programme. On February 26th Don I missed the New Year lunch at Keats Bryan will be talking about the career restaurant, once again ably arranged of our local King Alfred and our by John Green and I hear that it was President’s Lecture this year will be as enjoyable as usual. on Fabergé given by Mark Wilson. I also missed Mike Reynolds talk on Our programme organisers are well Palladio an example of whose ahead of the game having already architectural design is the amazing fixed events for next year so there is church in nearby Wilton. Mike’s talk plenty to look forward to. I hope to was very well attended and of great see many of you at the next lecture interest to all those who attended. I must ask Mike, my neighbour, if he David St.John would be prepared to give me a Chairman

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Acting up a storm in Little Somborne!

‘The Tempest’ comes to All Saints’, Little Somborne, Tuesday 28th April, 7.30pm.

Storm Ciara may have been and gone, but Little Somborne is waiting expectantly for the arrival of another tempest – this time, a theatrical one. We are delighted to announce the return of the talented acting troupe ‘This Is My Theatre’, with their adaptation of ‘The Tempest’, Shakespeare’s glorious tale of magic and love, revenge and forgiveness, change and growth.

‘This Is My Theatre’ will be performing it in the intimate surroundings of All Saints’, Little Somborne on Tuesday, 28th April at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the This Is My Theatre website at https://www.thisismytheatre.com/the-tempest (Adult tickets - £12.50; concessions available. Be warned, every previous performance at Little Somborne has been a sell-out, so don’t leave it too late to book your seats!

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Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society (SADS)’s next production will be the award-winning comedy Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones. Humble Boy was first performed in 2001 at the National Theatre with Simon Russell- Beale and Diana Rigg as the leads, when it was very well received, winning the 2001 Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play among others. It has been in almost continuous performance round the world ever since. Charlotte Jones describes the play as: A comedy about broken vows, failed hopes and the joys of beekeeping. It is the story of Felix Humble, a Ayckbourn for its mastery of theoretical astrophysicist, who has character and situational comedy. come home for his father’s funeral Director, Mark Frank, said: and finds his mother is planning to “I have been wanting to direct this marry another man. Felix’s father was play for more than 10 years, but also an amateur beekeeper and the bees wanted to make sure we did it justice. appear to have been evicted (but they I am thrilled to have such a fine cast are not finished yet!). Felix finds that and backstage crew and look forward solving the riddle of his emotional life immensely to performing it in is even harder than the search for a Stockbridge.” unified string theory. Although the Tickets are available at John play clearly refers to Hamlet, it is, at Robinson’s butchers and Garden Inn its heart, a modern English comedy – in Stockbridge, Kings Somborne Post moving, thought-provoking and very funny. Critics have compared it to Office, and on-line at Tom Stoppard for its wittiness and www.stockbridgeamdrams.org.uk. intellectual depth, and to Alan

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What’s on Your guide to events in and around the district

Winchester Science Centre Tearoom 10.00am – 4.30 pm, Shop General opening times: Monday- and garden11.00am – 5.00pm Friday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Weekends 21 December – 15 June 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Exhibition: Hampshire's leading 18 March Space lecture 4.30pm & citizen free event 6.30 pm Understanding galaxy March – April approx. Bluebells evolution through simple observations 2 March – 31 May Fallen bridge of the Local Universe trail and A day in the life of Ranger Book 01962 891925 or online Rabbit

Mottisfont Abbey Winchester Cathedral House open 11.00am – 5.00 pm Opening times: Mon – Sat 9.30 am – gardens, cafe and shop open 10.00am 5.00 pm Sunday 12.30 pm – 3.00 pm to 5.00pm. Art gallery 11.00am – 5.00 21 May – 31 January 2025 pm Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a 18 January – 19 April: Exhibition Nation Comedy and Commentary 14 March Southampton Philamonic Choir Hinton Ampner, Near Alresford 16 March House open 11.00am – 3.30 pm. Tea at Three Estate, garden, shop and tearoom open 22 March daily from 10.00am to 5.00 pm Mothering Sunday Carvery Book 0344 249 1895 or online 24 March Pilgrimage and Sacred Places Andover Museum 26 March 01264 366283 Free admission Cathedral Flowers – demonstration 28 March Open Tuesday – Friday 10.00am – th 5.00 pm Saturday 10.00 – 4.00 pm. Waynflete Singers 50 anniversary 12 – 21 March Artists united For full listing please see website exhibition Book online or 01962 857200 28 March Beginners digital photography Winchester City Mill Booking needed for all workshops Watermill and shop open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Willis Museum and Sainsbury 7,8,14,15,21,22,25,26,29 March Gallery Milling demonstration 01256 465902 Free admission 5 – 8 March Open Tues – Friday 10.00am – 5.00 World Book Day pm Saturday 10.00am – 4.00 pm 18 January – 18 April Janet Ingleson Microsculpture Exhibition

Basingstoke The Vyne House open 11.00 am– 4.00 pm. 18

Theatres Theatre Royal, Winchester The Kite Runner 01962 840440 26 March – 11 April www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf 17 November – 29 April 1 March Ben Hart: Wonder in the Big Band Brunch Auditorium – at Arts Centre 25 January – 9 April 5 March Backstage Tour: Family Before the Screaming starts 25 January – 25 April – at Arts Centre NB. For full listings see website 6 March ToooB – at Arts Centre Plaza Theatre, Romsey 10 March 01794 512987 Giving nature a home www.plazatheatre.com – at Arts Centre 17 – 21 March 14 March Silly Cow Live lunch – at Arts Centre 26 March NB For more events at Salisbury A Shared breath please see website 31 March – 4 April Chicago Watermill Theatre, Newbury www.watermill.Theatre@arts- mail.co.uk The Mayflower, Southampton 01635 46044 02380 711811 19 February – 7 March www.mayflower.org.uk A Midsummer Night's Dream 1 March

Elvis Costello and the Imposters Chesil Theatre, Winchester 17 March chesiltheatre.org.uk St Patrick's Day Irish Band and Dining Event 28 March – 4 April Dracula

Salisbury Playhouse Nuffield Theatre wiltshirecreative.co.uk nstheatres.co.uk 27 January – 28 March Three Acts and Seven Scenes 17 – 28 March Pride and Prejudice – at Arts Centre NB For events at the Campus 25 February – 7 March please see website Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine 10 – 14 March Janet Ingleson Dial M for Murder 17 – 21 March 19

Village diary for March 2020

Every Monday 7.30pm Bell ringing 7.30pm Badminton Every Tuesday 10.30am Drop in coffee (except the second Tuesday) 2.00pm Tiny Tots 7.45pm Somborne Singers Every Wednesday 9.30am Parent, Baby and Toddler Group 2.00pm Dial-a-ride 6.00pm Beavers & Cubs 7.30pm Dominoes Every Thursday 2.00pm Needleworkers 6.30pm Scouts 7.30pm Cribbage

School holidays, Bank Holidays and other events may cause changes; contact the names given on pages 2 and 3 of this magazine for details.

2nd Parish Council 7.00pm 19th Computer cafe 10.00am

5th Computer cafe 10.00am 19th Over 50s Minibus Trip 10.00am

6th Sisterhood W I 8.00pm 25th Faberge Lecture 8.00pm 7th Club Disco Cloud Nine 27th Women’s Fellowship 2.30pm 10th Epworth Lunch 12.30pm 28th Soup & Sherry 12.30pm 11th W.I. 7.30pm 28th Somborne Sessions 8.00pm 11th Lent Talk & 12.30pm Lunch 28th Club Quiz Night 8.00pm 14th Soup & Sherry 12.30pm 29th Footpath walk 2.00pm 18th Health Walk 10.00am See page 11

Register your car for the dump this month! See p 10

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District diary for March 2020

1,7,8,14,1521,22,28,29 March www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk Thruxtonracing.co.uk 13 March Off Road Experience Romsey Country Market 11.00 am– 1 March 12.30 pm Town Hall, Market Place Romsey Farmers' Market 14 March 10.00am – 1.00 Alma Road Car Park Winchester Cathedral 6 March Southampton Philharmonic Choir Andover The Lights 7.30 pm 7.30pm thelights.org.uk Tickets online or 01962 857275 Clare Teal Duo 2020 15 March 6 - 9March Andover Farmers' Market 10.00am – Science Day Paulton's Park 2.00 pm Andover High Street 7 March 17 March Market Winchester Ghost Tour 10.00 – 12.00 Ampfield Village Hall Royal Oak 20.30pm – 22.00pm 7 – 8 March 18 March Romsey and District Railway Stockbridge Community Cinema Modellers Society 10.00 – 5.00 pm Yesterday 4.30pm and 7.30 pm Crossfield Hall 22 March 8 and 22 March Winchester cathedral Winchester Farmers' Market 9.00 am - Mothering Sunday Carvery 2.00pm High Street in the Paul Woodhouse Suite 9 - 16 March 23 March Art for Wellness Romsey Library Get to know your Ipad 10.00am Romsey Library 10.00 am 13 March 25 March Andover The Lights thelights.org.uk Romsey Music Group – Alzheimer's Sleeping Beauty Society Vienna Festival Ballet 7.00pm 10.30am – 12.00 Crossfield Hall 13 – 14 March 26 March Real Ale and Cider Festival Winchester Cathedral Winchester Guildhall 10.00 – 5.00 pm Cathedral Flowers – a demonstration 13 March Tickets online or 01962857200

Stockbridge Community Cinema Janet Ingleson The Farewell 7.30 pm

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You are assured of a very warm welcome at a COFFEE MORNING Jubilee Room Saturday 14th March at 10 a.m. in aid of the Village Hall

Entry to include coffee/tea and cake £2.50 Produce/Bring and Buy Stall, Raffle Do come and bring your friends Eileen Reynolds 388107 Village diary

Did you know there is a Village Diary kept in the Post Office? The intention of the diary is to help make people aware when organising a date for any village event of anything else that might be going on at the same time. If you are planning something and would not like to clash dates do look in the diary and also add your own event dates.

CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN SOMBORNE AND DISTRICT invite you to an

AGAPE MEAL (A reminder of the Last Supper)

Thursday 9 APRIL 2020 7.30pm EPWORTH HALL

‘Bring and Share’ Supper. Please contact Barbara Heffer Tel. 389126 to check what to bring

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On the third Wednesday of the month Next walk: Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Meet at 10.00 am at the car park in School Lane in Broughton, just beyond the Doctors’ surgery Length: approx 60 minutes Coffee and cake at Broughton Community Café Contact KS Health Walk Leader, Margaret Heffer, if you require any further information (Tel: 01794 389126, email: [email protected])

A world leader in aviation with links to the Sombornes

This is the sub-title of a new Somborne & District Society publication just released 30 years after the death of the subject—Sir Thomas O.M. Sopwith at Compton Manor. The 36 page colour, illustrated booklet has been compiled by Robin Gunter and Norman Denison. It comprises a time line of the most important events and people in Sir Thomas’s life complemented by a brief family history and record of his time whilst here in the Sombornes. Priced at £3.50 it is available now from Committee members of the Somborne Society and also Cross Stores.

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Public Transport for King’s Somborne

Bus service 16 — Stockbridge –Winchester

Stockbridge 9.00 12.43 King’s Somborne Church 9.06 12.50 King’s Somborne, Eldon Close 9.03 12.53 Up Somborne 9.15 13.00 Winchester 9.40 13.25

Winchester 10.00 13.30 Up Somborne 10.22 13.52 King’s Somborne, Eldon Close 10.30 14.00 King’s Somborne Church 10.32 14.02 Stockbridge 10.40 14.08

So, it is possible to spend four hours in Winchester and still get back the same day. There is almost another possible route: by catching the 10.32 to Stockbridge, you arrive there just too late to catch the 68 directly to Winchester which leaves at 10.37!

Taxishare - from the village to Romsey and back

This service is open to all, not just pensioners. It picks you up from home. It runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, leaving around 9.40am, and leaving Romsey at 12.30pm You must first register on 01962 846786 They will give you the number to book in advance by telephone for your journey

Taxishare - returning from Winchester This leaves Winchester Guildhall at 11.30am to bring you back to the village at 12.00 noon on Thursdays only. So you can get the bus in on a Thursday and not have to wait so long to return home!

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Our popular village dog show returns for another year, in conjunction with the King’s Somborne Fun Day and Flower Show, on 25th July. A chance to have a lovely afternoon out with your furry friend, we have both the traditional pedigree classes but also the novelty classes, which always prove very entertaining! Will your dog have the Waggiest Tail, or be the one The judge would most like to take home?! Or perhaps they are a Lovely Lady, a Fabulous Fella or even a Golden Oldie! With lovely new rosettes for 1st to 6th place in every class, amazing prizes (including a doggy photo shoot with a professional photographer at his purpose-built studio, for our Best in Show), and goody bags for all our Junior Handlers, you and your dog are sure to have fun afternoon!

For more information, please contact Annie Leete on the King’s Somborne Dog Show Facebook page or via email [email protected]

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Stockbridge Community Cinema Friday 13 March The Farewell (PG) 7.30p

Comedy/drama in which a Chinese family discovers that their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather together before she dies. [In Mandarin with English subtitles] Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated in 2020 for Best Foreign Language Film and winner of the Golden Globe for Best Actress (Awkwafina).

Wednesday 18 March Yesterday (12) 4.30pm & 7.30pm Romantic comedy in which a struggling singer- songwriter wakes up after a mysterious blackout and discovers he is the only person in the world to remember The Beatles, finding himself with a very complicated problem.

Showing at Stockbridge Town Hall SO20 6HE Tickets £5.00 from Garden Inn and John Robinson in Stockbridge or online via www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk

We are all invited to: Soup and Sherry Lunch On Saturdays 14th and 28th March in the Parish Church 12.30pm—1.30pm

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King’s Somborne WI

The meeting on Wednesday 12th and fauna and February was chaired by our President, had returned 7 Sarah Pennington, who welcomed a more times, on one of which they had new member, Louise Calder, and got married there. visitors Linda and Sheila. Sarah was It was easy to see from their slide able to report that Kath Schwabe, who show what had attracted them to these had broken her hip, was making good remote but beautiful volcanic islands progress and that Christine Mitchell which combined the drama of the was back home after a 2-day hospital volcanic activity which had formed stay. them (and pockets of which still Everyone had enjoyed an excellent persisted in a few places) with the January lunch at the Crown Inn. All beauty of their seascapes and the lush four tickets had been taken up for the vegetation which their climatic Spring Council Meeting in conditions encouraged, together with a Portsmouth, for which our chosen multiplicity of bird and animal species Resolution was “End Modern - like their human population, refugees Slavery”. Our Treasurer was able to from long ago and far away. In 1959, report that our finances were in good Hawaii became the 50th State of the order. A W.I. Produce Group remote United States of America, Meeting would be held at 7.30 p.m. in whilst remaining a haven for a variety Village Hall on 23 March of ethnic groups living together in and and W.I. harmony. invited members to their meeting on Frances Shone thanked Mr. and Mrs. Tuesday, 14 April, where Robinson for allowing us to escape entertainment would be provided by from the present climatic rigours of the the Romsey Ukulele Group. There is U.K. to the sea, sand, sun and song of to be a Group Quiz on 11 June at West the Hawaiian Islands. Tytherley W.I. and Skittles at Mottisfont on 30 September, for which Our next meeting will be on 5 team members would be needed. Wednesday, 11 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, when Mrs. Madeleine Our speaker on “The Hawaiian Salvetti will tell us about “Mistresses Islands” was Mrs Terri Robinson (ably and their influence on our assisted on the technical side by her history”. All are welcome. husband). Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had first visited the Islands in 1989 on Beryl Fahy what was intended to be a one-off trip, but they had been seduced by their beauty, the hospitality of the people and the amazing variety of the flora

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Come along to this small, friendly group for stories, crafts and songs during term time between 2:15 and 3:15. It’s free and we provide a biscuit and a drink for the children and a cup of tea for the adults.

Contact Katie on 07525 257031

SOMBORNE & DISTRICT SOCIETY PRESIDENT'S LECTURE MARK WILSON will give a lecture on

'FABERGE' Tuesday 10th March 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. in the village hall.

Open Meeting with wine and nibbles. All are welcome!

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Save the date! 8th May Village Tea Party 2.00pm Curtain Calls... Come and be entertained by readings and performances from plays, poems and novels based around the theme of… Beyond Reason Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30 pm Stockbridge Town Hall You don’t have to be a member of SADS, but we’d love it if you’d join! We’re always looking for new blood to act, direct and to be part of the back- stage team. No experience necessary!

[email protected] or find us on Facebook Parish Away Day

On 1st February members of our churches should do in the future?'. church met with Phil Dykes, the Working in groups, pairs and as a Diocesan Church Growth Advisor for whole team we shared ideas, concerns an 'Away Day' to explore the nature of and wishes. We will have a follow-up our church and to think about where as day in June where we shall work on a a church we want to go in the future. way forward for our church. Much of the day was spent working in groups which not only enabled us to Copies of the notes from the Away meet new people but also share ideas Day can be found on the table just on ' what is a church?', ' what is a inside the door of the church. Do pop disciple?', 'what is the church for?', in and take one if you like. what is fellowship?' and 'what Janet Ingleson

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Somborne Sisterhood WI In February’s meeting the Somborne Lisa feels she Sisterhood were joined by has finally inspirational speaker Lisa from Pearl learnt to accept Lifestyles. Lisa is a Healthy Lifestyle her past and Coach and spoke to us about her now wants to encourage others to be journey to where she is today. strong, confident and to love Lisa shared her story which was themselves. Lisa believes we all sometimes hard to listen to, but deserve to be living the life we want to live, no matter what our past. What extremely thought-provoking and helped her was changing her mindset . inspiring. Lisa overcame many difficulties and found an inner strength We can all choose how we see our to get her through things that no past. She now sees her troubled past as one of strength and courage. person should have to go through. She discussed the physical and emotional Sam thanked Lisa before drawing the wounds of her journey, and also the raffle. Finally, Natalie talked us hidden costs of domestic abuse. through potential WI resolutions, and Lisa spoke about how she first started we voted on which ones we thought should be put forwards. to make time for herself, just by watching half an hour of TV or doing Katie Dynes a little bit of exercise. She wants Our next meeting will be on Friday everyone, especially women, to make 6th March when we will be time for themselves and actively work celebrating International Women’s on developing unconditional love for Day with a talk and upcycling themselves – something she openly session from Jess Dugdale from admits she has not completely Lemon and Jinga. Kings Somborne achieved but is working on! She said Village Hall. Members free, guests she of course has her moments, but she £5. generally now likes herself.

THE BROMPTON STRING QUARTET

TOWN HALL, STOCKBRIDGE

MARCH 20th 2020 7.30PM Beethoven String Quartet Op. 95 Schubert String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor (Death of a Maiden) Panufnic Memories of my Father Tickets: £15 available from: John Robinson, Butchers www.jumblebee.co.uk/stockbridgemusic The Lights Theatre Box Office 01264 368368

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Cub News The Cubs have been very busy this did extremely well, reached the top of term. the wall and took part in a relay race. As part of ‘Our World Challenge’ Wendy Jarvis Badge they have been listing services in the area and thinking about improvements that they can be involved with. We had an evening of First Aid learning what do if someone is unconscious and breathing or unconscious and not breathing. Also how to help someone who is choking and how to use a defibrillator. A big thank you to Sara for her patience and clear instruction. On the 13th we went to Golden Gecko to tackle the climbing wall. Everyone Cricket Club News

The summer will come…Eventually! And a As we continue in the throws of preseason winter, preparations are underway for session on another fantastic season of cricket. umpiring and Fixtures are confirmed; from May scoring will through to August KSCC will be be held in the taking on the surrounding villages and pub on April some new competitors too. 15th.

That means plenty of home games for Everyone is invited, the players will supporters to come and watch, on a be improving their skills but we’d fine evening bring a picnic and enjoy love any willing village volunteers to the best mid-week cricketing talent have the opportunity to help out this around (we’re not bad either). year, come and meet the club and get involved. We welcome new members both Rachel King Secretary playing and supporting so please be in touch for more information. Our AGM and sign up night is on the 9th April at the WMC

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Somborne Sessions

As expected 2020 set off to a Ferrari is a cracking start with the truly unique band that John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett. fuse As always, a few photographs of the reggae, rock, ska and pop to make an evening are on our Somborne exciting new sound. Seasoned Sessions Facebook page. festival performers, they have forged So, two events to remind you about a superb this month: On Saturday, 29 February we’ll be hosting Blue Rose Code ably supported by Ma Polaine’s Great Decline. Blue Rose Code, centred around Ross Wilson, is often compared to John reputation for their live shows. Martyn, Expect a great calypso/ska style Van dancing party! They will be Morrison and Tom Waits, he writes supported by a local band: Just from the heart, not following any Because from Salisbury one specific genre. He and his band Please note that this is standing have fast become festival favourites. Supporting them will be Ma event. But if you wish to sit, there will be some seats available to Polaine’s Great Decline, a duo reserve. Please let us know when described as “like a young Billie booking your tickets. Holiday gate-crashing a Tom Waits Swordfishtrombones recording Tickets are £14 in advance (or £16 session”! on the door – if available). This is a seated event. Tickets are £18 in advance (or £20 For tickets and information on other on the door – if available). forthcoming gigs, go Then on Saturday, 28 March, we’ll to: www.sombornesessions.co.uk be letting our hair down with Keith Watson Jeramiah Ferrari. A live sensation that never disappoints, Jeramiah [email protected]

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Council Tax-did you know? If you live alone in a property, you are care....this is not entitled to a 25% single person’s means tested and discount on your Council tax. you can choose However, if you live with a partner how to spend it. If you are a carer who has dementia and is severely below retirement mentally impaired, you are also allowed a 25% discount on your age, you can claim Council tax bill. a Carer’s Allowance. If you are caring for someone who has We can help you fill in the forms, (which are very off-putting!) to help problems taking care of themselves you access these and other benefits. through frailty or disability, you can claim financial assistance. If the carer is retired, this takes the form of Attendance Allowance. You can claim Gill 388 831 Attendance Allowance if you live Sue 388 884 alone and need help with personal

Over 50s Minibus Trip Thursday 19th March 2020

Basingstoke City Centre £8 Pick up 10.00am Home for 4.00pm Booking essential Sue 388 884

Epworth Lunch and Games Tuesday 10th March 12.30pm Epworth Hall £6 *Sausages* Ratatouille* Broccoli & Cauliflower* *Mash* *Trifle* *Coffee * Booking essential - Marilyn 389 356

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Winton Cottage and the Goffe Family The Goffe family’s connection The historical research into the with King’s Somborne dates from family and the cottage has been 1820 when Mary Barrett of undertaken by the present Stockbridge married the widowed generations of the Goffes who now Edward Goffe of Hursley in King’s live in Leicestershire. Their Somborne parish church. They unique family archive dates back lived in a fine house which stood over two centuries and is housed in in Romsey Road, a dowry from four large, heavy sacks, each filled Mary’s parents. Unfortunately, the with personal documents relating house was destroyed by fire in to the family’s affairs. It has taken 1856 so the uninsured family well over a year on a regular daily moved into their coachman’s basis to examine all of the cottage and stable which Edward documents. Those relating to extended and converted to become Winton Cottage have been scanned the cottage we know today. and sent to me for collation and inclusion in my text. The remarkable story of how this humble two-up, two-down bothy The booklet is an A5 sized was repaired, converted and publication of almost forty pages extended over many years by which includes thirteen successive generations of the photographs from the family’s family is told in a new booklet album together with five drawings published by the Somborne & and maps including the Goffe District Society. family pedigree. It has a coloured The Goffes were wine merchants cover and is now on sale at the trading in Winchester and they meetings of the Somborne & District Society or from the Post became a highly respected village Office at a cost of £4.00 family, living in the cottage for four generations over a period of Gordon Pearson 143 years. All male heirs were named Edward.

Broughton Talks. Wednesday March 18th. 8pm. Broughton Village Hall

Words and images: Bob Cramp, commercial photographer “Old Photographers Never Die, they just lose their focus

Although not well known to the general public, Bob has created many iconic brand images, as well as one particularly famous political one, the “Labour isn’t working” poster. Follow the trials, tribulations and ultimate triumph of Bob’s career from 1969, until 1983 All are welcome. No need to book. Entry £5, to include a drink. Full time students free. 34

CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN SOMBORNE & DISTRICT The Bishop of Southampton, the Rt. Rev. Debbie Sellin

WEDNESDAY, 11 March 2020 Where: Village Hall, King’s Somborne When: 12.30pm – 2.00pm A light lunch will be served

HELP NEEDED PLEASE

We have recently lost two of our wonderful band of volunteers who open and close the church door each day. We need some new volunteers. At the moment each person is on ‘duty’ once every 5 weeks and arrangements are made if someone is on holiday or unable to do their turn If you want help or information, please call either: Joan on 388224 or Janet on 388618

Something a little different is happening this month at the Methodist Church…… On Sunday 29th March at 10.30 am we’ll be having our first Café Church - a relaxed and informal form of worship for people of any age which will take place in the Epworth Hall. This first Café Church will have an eco theme and will include a “green communion” with opportunities for reflec- tion and chat over coffee about the issues raised. Intrigued? Do come and take a look - Everyone is welcome! (You can read more about it in Reverend Ruth’s “Last Word” article at the back of this magazine.)

A fresh blend of worship

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This month: Helping Hands – the Story of the Good Samaritan

Sunday 15th March 3.30pm – 5.30pm

at King’s Somborne Methodist Church

Fun for all the family

All-age activities

Free entrance but donations Celebration time welcome

Tea for all ages to eat No need to book – just turn up Together

Children – please bring an adult A warm welcome guaranteed! with you

More info: Pam Gravenor

01794 388531

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Working Men’s Club

A Night at the Races (With a difference!) At the Club In Aid of the Football Club Friday 28th February 2020 First race at 8pm

Open to everyone Accompanied children welcome You must be over 18 to gamble

Saturday 7th March Disco Cloud Nine

Saturday 28th March Quiz Teams of 4 £5 per team 8.00pm start Cash prizes to be won

Sunday 5th April Easter Raffle To be drawn after Bingo

Saturday 11th April Easter Disco Family Night Prizes for Best Easter Bonnet and Decorated Egg Open to everyone

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Women’s World Day of Prayer 6th March 2.30pm in the Parish Church

St P and St P’s Home Group

Who? Anyone in the village who wants to come. When? Thursday evenings, 7.30 – 9.30 but not on the 3rd Thursday of the month when we join in with the Christians Together Home Group. Term-times only and not half terms. Where? The New Vicarage. What? To meet and pray and discover more of God’s word to us together in a homely and informal setting. Why? We want to grow in our faith together.

If you are interested please let Richard (the vicar) know. His details are under ‘useful names and numbers’.

Prayer Meeting We hold our prayer meetings on the first Monday of each month at 2.15pm. We meet for about an hour at Shappon, Romsey Road when we pray for our parish, families, friends and anyone else in need. If you have any prayer requests there are slips on the table at the back of the church which you may put into the box provided or alternatively phone me, Dulcie Witts on 01794 388267. Our meeting is very informal and we should be pleased to welcome new members.

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Church services in March 2020 Parish Church Methodist Church 1st March—The Church—4 Fishing st Business Sunday 1 March 10.00am Parish Communion * 10.30 am Mr Peter Castle

Readers: th David Pye: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Sunday 8 March Linda Aucock: Matthew 13:1-9 10.30 am Mrs Pat Fry

th Friday, 6th March 2020 Sunday 15 March Women’s World Day of Prayer 10.30 am Rev Andrew Bird 2.30 p.m. Parish Church 3.30 pm Messy Church

8th March—The Church 5—A Field Sunday 22nd March 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) 10.30 am Mr Sam Barnes 10.00am Service of the Word * 6.00 pm Alive! ecumenical worship Readers: Terry Mackintosh Sunday 29th March 15th March—The Church 6—The 10.30 am Rev Ruth Fry Vine Eco Communion, café-style 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion * (in Epworth Hall) Readers: Janet Ingleson: Isaiah 5:1-7 Alwena Rowe: John 15:1-8

22nd March—The Church 7—The Family—Mothering Sunday 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (1662) Roman Catholic Churches 10.00 a.m. Worship for All Ages * St Thomas’ Stockbridge Readers: Hughes Family 9.00am every Sunday 6.00 p.m. Alive! St Joseph’s Romsey

St Andrew’s N. Baddesley 29th March—The Church 8—Bride of Christ Saturdays: 10.00 a.m. Matins * 6.00pm URC Hall Readers: Sundays: Fi Chilton: Revelation 21:1-4 9.00am St Andrew’s Antony Chilton: John 14:1-6 11.00am St Andrew’s Details of services at RC churches, see: www.hampshiredowns.org.uk First and Third Thursdays www.stswithunwellsparish.org.uk 10.15am Holy Communion (1662) *

*Stay for coffee and biscuits after services marked *

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The Minister has the last word

March is a favourite month of mine. I think that may well be because it’s a month when I tend to get lots of nice things! I was born in March and then of course Mothering Sunday is in March. One of the things I love most about March though is that right at the end of the month we will be putting the clocks back and can look forward to lighter evenings. In the Church calendar March falls in the season we call Lent. It’s a time when Christians reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness facing temptation. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book this year is written by Ruth Valerio, an environmentalist, theologian and social activist. The book is called ‘Saying yes to life’ and I am very much looking forward to reading it. No doubt I will be challenged to lift my focus from getting lots of nice things to considering some of the issues that are already having an impact on millions of lives around the world. The Archbishop writes in the foreword to the book ‘At the beginning of Lent 2017, I travelled to Fiji to attend a meeting of the primates of the Anglican Communion in the Oceania region. Fiji is a place that has already begun to see the devastating consequences of climate change. Water levels have been rising, forcing populations to relocate, and cyclones have devastated communities. It was while I was there that one of the Primates said to me so memorably ‘For you Europeans, climate change is a problem for the future. For us it is a problem of everyday survival’. This Lent we’ve decided to try something a bit different at the Methodist Chapel. On Sunday March 29th we’re going to be hosting an eco- communion to which all are welcome. The service will be Café style, with discussion, activities, songs and prayers all focussed on the theme of ‘Saying yes to life’. If we do choose to say yes to life we are surely going to need to be prepared to make some real changes to our lifestyles and to put pressure on those in government to act before it’s too late. Are we going to be ready for this? I do hope so. Revd Ruth Fry Methodist Minister

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