IT C H E N MOTOR Co. LONDO N ROA D, KINGSW O RT HY WINCHESTER, SO23 7QN MOT SERVICING REPAIRS TYR ES & TR AC K ING EXHAU STS BATTERIES AIR COND ITION ING DIAGNOSTICS Telep h o n e 01962 884 664 2 WELCOME to the valley news Grey, slanting, deluges of As autumn beckons so does Halloween rain as we write this, and and those new to the Valley (quite a what better summer swan- few judging by the Comings and Goings song than our strawberry section!) may be interested to learn cover girls, who delighted people with about Pumpkin protocol on our patch their fruity wares at the Easton Fete. (see page 8). Staying with the spooky, It’s a fond farewell to the refreshing we look at our eight legged friends in taste of rosé and time to tackle the roll more detail and don't miss the spikey of rosé that has wrapped itself around hedgehog article on page 11. our midriffs. With excitement we note Going out on a high we name the the development of a new long green-fingered champions at this year’s distance circular walk known as Itchen Valley Flower show and we also ‘Watercress Way’ (see Jackie’s County say a farewell to a dear four-legged Corner page 19), but for the moment friend in the form of Big Fella – tears all we have turned our attention to the round from the Eds. App store for active inspiration and in That's it from us and to celebrate our new feature we intend to highlight putting the News to bed, let's pander the latest and most useful smartphone to temptation and say bye bye Rosé, apps. Do email us if you can roll on Rioja and cheers to your Editor recommend an App that you just can't next month, Tony Gaster. live without. Lucy Wolfe and Fi McIntosh The News is very much a team effort Itchen Valley News and we are delighted to welcome some Editor Vernon Tottle new members to the team in the shape Sub Editors Charlotte Appleby, Verity Coleman, Tony Gaster, Fiona of Ronnie Johns from Itchen Abbas and McIntosh, Lucy Wolfe, Lucy De Laszlo from Chilland. Both will Advertising Sue Hitchen begin writing features for the magazine Sophie Jackson in the New Year. Ronnie will create a Distribution Mima White new strand called 'Valley Volunteers' Jane Chichester where we focus on the unsung Treasurer Andrew Kennedy For editorial enquiries, please email: volunteers in our midst and the [email protected] charities to which they give their For advertising enquiries, please email: energy. We introduce Ronnie as the [email protected] subject of Itchen Insight this month. Postal address: Itchen Valley News, Hazeldene, Meanwhile, Lucy is on the hunt for Northington Road, Itchen Abbas, SO21 1BE Please send all contributions for November 2015 by fledgling entrepreneurs, keen to tell the 15th of October. All material is published in good their stories.... faith and the Valley News cannot be held responsible Talking of 'sources' and newcomers, if for any information given or views expressed; neither can it be liable for any loss arising from the use of any you're looking for info it’s well worth information or advertisements contained herein. The signing up to the Itchen List - see more Editorial Team reserves the right to refuse or amend on page 35. articles or advertisements submitted for publication. Cover photo – Charlie Gloyne. Other photos from various contributors including Vernon Tottle and Tom Marshall. 3 4 Winchester Nightshelter and Itchen What’s On Abbas & Avington village hall. Ver non Tot t le st Thursday 1 October ‘Bring and Bling’ Sunday 18th October - Alresford Apple Charity Coffee Morning Day 11am - 4pm, Alresford Recreation Centre. 10.30am - 2.30pm in Easton Village Hall. There will be a jewellery and accessories exchange, a homemade cake sale as well as unlimited coffee, tea, soft drinks and homemade cake to eat on the day. We welcome you to sort through your unwanted costume jewellery, hats, gloves, scarves, handbags and other ‘bling’ and give it in advance to two of the organisers who live in Easton; Janet Gray (Church Cottage, Easton, 779781, [email protected]) or Lucy Collis (Demelza, Easton 779598). Alternatively items can also be bought Wondering what to do with all those to the venue on the morning from 9am apples on your trees this year? Well -10am. ponder no further, bring them along to the very first Alresford Apple Day. Youth Options is a Hampshire based Alresford Rotary will crush and press charity helping children and young your apples into apple juice for free. people in care, disengaged children and You get to keep some and the rest is young people facing issues such as then sold for charity. The pure apple exclusion from school, substance abuse juice can then either be consumed or and anti social or criminal behaviour. frozen. The pressed apple pulp will be Visit www.youthoptions.co.uk for fed to local pigs ensuring nothing goes more information. to waste. There’ll also be a whole Lucy Collis variety of apple-themed stalls and Sat urday 10th October, Band Concert events including : heaviest apple At Itchen Abbas village hall at 7pm . competition, apple face painting, David Parker brings his band with a musical entertainment, teas and coffees selection of music from the last fifty and many more. For further years. Tickets £15, accompanied information contact Mark Porter on children free, meal included. Phone 01962 791054 or email Rosie Salmond on 779927. or to [email protected] [email protected]. In aid of Mark Porter 5 The Mould & Thompson Chestnut Horse Ltd Easton Easton Garage Real ales, great food. 2 course lunchtime & early evening m enu Servicing and Repairs to all fo r £ 1 2 . makes of cars and vans A la carte and blac kbo ard MOT and Bodywork arranged specials also available. Collection & Delivery Great atmosphere 24hr Recovery and and open fire for th o s e c h illy d a ys Breakdown Service and evenings 01962 779319 Karen We lls Tel: 01962 779257 The Old Forge Twyford SO21 1BF www.rogerwalkertravel.com 6 Sunday 25th October, Easton Candlelit Horse and should be bought in advance Festive Evensong with drinks of the evening. Limited to Please come to our annual celebration 50 spectres so book early to avoid of Easton village church in the heart of disappointment.. Food served 4.30 pm our community. sharp. Prizes for best costumes. Maybe you are new to the village and Karen Wells have never stepped inside the church, Tues 3rd November Upper Itchen or maybe you have a personal Valley Society AGM connection already – perhaps you 7pm for a glass of wine before the always come on Christmas Eve, or have meeting at 7.30 in Martyr Worthy buried a loved one here. It could be Village Hall. The speaker will be that your child or grandchild was Charles Flower, a very aptly named christened here or you got married at expert on wild flowers who was much St Mary’s? involved in the Magdalen Down This evening is also a chance for us to Reserve, including the spectacular say thank you: be it to those who help display of cowslips in the Spring. This unlock the church, the wonderful takes up the theme of Verity flower team, the bell ringers, the Coleman’s article about verges and cleaners, coffee makers, sidesmen, open spaces (July p37) and an DCC members, churchyard gardeners, unpublished one by David Rumble, and children’s helpers, those who support should be an interesting evening. us financially, and our friends at the Alison Matthews, Chairman village hall and cricket club – the list is long. We would love to see as many Remember, Remember the 7th of villagers as possible. We start with a November, Fireworks at Easton candlelit evensong at 6 pm, followed by Village Hall drinks at 7pm. Please come to both or Come and join us for either - it wouldn’t be Easton if we our annual Bonfire didn’t use the opportunity for a party: and Fireworks Jill Croft is organising the drinks and celebrations including canapés afterwards, and you all know a best GUY that that means it’s going to be great… competition. Anna Burness 779993 Ina Williams on behalf of [email protected] East on Vi l lage H al l Theo Mezger 779277 [email protected] Royal British Legion - Itchen Valley Children’s Halloween Branch, Remembrance Parade and Party , Sat 31st AGM October at the The Annual Remembrance Sunday Chestnut Horse, Parade for 2015 will be held in front of Easton the Itchen Abbas War Memorial on I am resurrecting my Sunday 8th November at 10.50 am. All Halloween party at the Chestnut members of the Royal British Legion Horse from 4.30 to 6 pm: £10 a head and anyone else who has served in the for fish and chips, Judes ice cream, armed services, in whatever way, are drink and party bag, Tickets available invited to attend. We plan to form up from the headless Chestnut by the War Memorial at 10.45am. 7 Please wear medals if you have them. Hallow’Easton The RBL badge should be worn below the poppy. The wearing of hats and carrying of umbrellas is at the discretion of individuals. In the event of (very) wet weather there will be no parade, but members will be invited to gather at the War Memorial for the two minute silence and wreath laying. The Remembrance Service will be held for in St John's Church, Itchen Abbas, shortly after the two minutes silence.