a •Fully Quali ed and Insured Editorial •Tree Surgery Once again I must remind myself of how fortunate we are to live in North West Hampshire. If we have to be partially confined •Planting•Pruning•Removals to barracks and have our movements limited where better could we be? Beautiful scenery, singing birds, an enterprising •Hedge Cutting village shop, a garden centre with a fine cafeteria, two public houses with mouth-watering food, a multitude of very capable •Stump Grinding tradespeople, well-maintained churches, village halls and schools, an excellent doctors’ surgery and polite and friendly •Woodland Management village people. The covid19 pandemic will come to an end one day and when that happens we will still be here enjoying all the good things about the area and greentips •Chip, Mulch & Logs for Sale continuing to be more friendly and polite to each other than ever before. Let’s look forward to those days and be thankful. JH T: 01635 254712 TREE SURGERY https://www.wooltonhill.com/spectrum M: 07903 259973 Spectrum is a monthly community magazine serving East Woodhay and Woolton YOUR LOCAL TREE CARE SPECIALIST www.greentipsuk.com Hill. It is run by a committee of volunteers and is a not for profit publication. Reports on village activities and articles of local interest are welcomed for publication subject to the discretion of the editor. Copy should reach the editor by the seventh day of the month preceding publication and should be a maximum of 500 words. In the event of pressure for space, the editor reserves the right to reduce the length of the article while attempting to maintain the style of the writer and retaining as much content as possible. The editorial committee accepts no responsibility for the views expressed by Spectrum contributors or for the quality of goods and services provided by advertisers in this magazine. The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted without prior permission. Editor for October, November and December Kathy Scott ‘Bowood’ Gore End Road, Ball Hill, RG20 0PG Phone: 01635 254756 (only between 6-9pm) Email: [email protected] Cover photo - Ox-eye daisies 1 East Woodhay Parish Council Further changes within the Parish own properties. Council are marked by the arrival of Potholes We remind Martin Hainge as our latest councillor. everyone that This brings us back to almost full there is a dedicated strength. site for reporting Meetings continue to be virtual using potholes on the Hampshire CC website. Zoom but there will not have been a full https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/ council meeting in the month of August roadmaintenance/roadproblems as is the usual practice. The planning Any problems with roads and footpaths, sub committee will continue to meet in even floods, can be reported on this site August however. and the more people who complain the We are getting complaints about more likely it is that remedial action will vehicles parked along Greenways near take place. the junction with Tile Barn Row. The Bin collection Unless any further source of the vehicles is uncertain but unexpected events occur the bin they are potentially causing an increase collections will revert to the previous in danger on Greenways so we would pattern from 17th August. That is to say ask that people think carefully where waste + recycling one week and waste they park and if at all possible use the only the following week. parking bays on or associated with their Phil Jarvis P J Cole Plastering & Brickwork 9 Qualified and reliable local bricklayer and plasterer 9 All types of plastering, floor screeds, artexing/plastering Joinery over artexed ceilings, coving, tiling, garden walls, patios and Built-in storage extensions undertaken Doors and windows 9 Fully insured 9 First and second fix No job too small 9 References available Rotten wood 9 Quotations available upon • Painting Decorating & Tiling • Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting Refurbishments request • All apects of Gardening & Fencing Please contact 07771 865621 Handy4Jobs • Window Cleaning, Facias & Guttering Free estimates, competitive prices – or 01635 253300 for further call Andrew General DIY & Gardening ~ Wayne Murkett, Handyman 07979 455903 information 07796813580 ~ 01635 31016 ~ 07796950639 2 3 Personal Computers new - repairs - upgrades - data recovery - no job too small phone John on 01635 254102 Airport Transfers Redlands Property Services Ltd 01635 552200 Professional service in luxury cars to anywhere Specialist in All Aspects of Oil Fired Heating and Plumbing in the UK for Business & Pleasure. SmarthireVehicleRental.co.uk New Boiler Installations, Servicing, Breakdowns, Oil Tank Replacements Meet & Greet in the terminal, no waiting for shuttle buses Fully licensed, DBS enhanced checked Under oor Heating, Mains Pressure Hot Water Cylinders Installations Door to Door service, leave your own car at home Third Street, Greenham Business Park, Help with luggage All Work Guaranteed/Free Quotes Competitive prices Newbury RG19 6HW All cards accepted Please call : James Mead ‘Don’t drive home tired, let us drive you in comfort and style’ CARS Email: [email protected] OFTEC Registered Company C8170 www.gln-transfers.co.uk VANS Tel 01189 810 310 / 01635 282 172 Mob 07795 063 067 Tel: 07747 800707 or 01488 648719 MINIBUSES www.rpsllp.co.uk email [email protected] TRUCKS the garden carpenter decks, fences, gates and sheds uncompromising quality Daytime or for a free estimate contact Duncan Graham 01635 282992 emergency: 07970 072629 www.thegardencarpenter.com 01635 552301 4 5 Letter to the Editor Re: East Woodhay Parish Charities I was very sad to see that the Parish Charities fields have been offered for sale. Whilst I appreciate that the deed of gift, which has stood for over 200 years allows for this sale, it also states that the revenue from this sale has to be reinvested to give an income. As we all know the rates of interest currently are set at an all time low therefore in my opinion this proposed sale comes at the worst possible time. I must question the wisdom of this proposal. I feel that I must also make the point that the Trustees are duty bound to do their best for all the Parishioners of the Parish, as the Charity Commissioners may have a view on their actions. The land is stated to have equestrian use but this is not so as there has been no change of use application submitted or approved. The company that is offering this land for sale on behalf of East Woodhay Parish Charities specifically stated in their 1990 tenancy Agreement that the only use was for Agricultural Grazing. This agreement also stated that it was not even to be used for allotments. It is worth noting that horses now come within the scope of recreational animals apart from some shire horses. I therefore believe that our generation are destined to preside over the demise of this age old charity. This has, in the past generations done a great deal of good within our parish. These fields recently have not been managed well and are in a very poor condition. This I believe is due to a lack of expertise and commitment. The trees adjoining the public footpath are dead and are in a dangerous condition. Also, the hedges are overgrown with the grassland being weed infested. A considerable sum of money would be needed to bring this back to a usable state. Once the land is sold the Charities have no principal asset. If I allowed my 20 acres in North End to become as poorly maintained as these fields are, I am sure that I would receive considerable justified criticism from not only the local community but of course DEFRA. I have to abide by quite rigorous standards as do all the agricultural community as we are constantly monitored for the condition and use of our land. It is worth noting that when these generous gifts were made to the parish by these benefactors my forbears were heavily involved in farming within this parish. It would be a nice idea to give the history of these charities for the newer members of our community. Peter Mason Former chairman EWPC and lifetime resident BED & BREAKFAST Two spacious rooms, one double and one twin, with own bath/shower room in a private period house in Woolton Hill, 5 miles south of Newbury. No smoking. Price: £55 per room per night Contact: Mrs Bridget Wheeler: 01635 250729 or 07812 240210 6 7 Woolton Hill & District Gardeners’ Club Bulb Challenge A long time ago as far back as February, we set our members a challenge to grow three summer flowering bulbs in a pot. This was not to be a competition but just a challenge. The plan was that we would bring our efforts to the Summer Cheese and Wine Party on 14th August and share our successes and trials. The Summer Party has sadly had to be abandoned but hopefully bulb planting has Home and Property Maintenance and Repairs • Internal and External decorating • Kitchen and Bathroom fitting and tiling • General building work • Fencing, decking and patios • No job too small Because everyone’s home is their castle Local professional family run business Call for free quotation on 07812 135045 or email: [email protected] not. I planted three lily bulbs in March but as nothing appeared for a long time, I was not very hopeful. I spoke nicely to them, brought them inside when it seemed as if it would be a cold night but no sign for a long time. However, gradually shoots appeared in the pot from two of the bulbs and then a third came up at a jaunty angle to the other two.