loddon valley link 201503 - march 2015

The Loddon Valley Link Church and Village Magazine

for Sherfield-on-Loddon, Stratfield Saye,

Hartley Wespall with Stratfield Turgis and Bramley

March 2015

Issue 4

76

www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk

Editorial

Welcome to the March edition of the Loddon Valley Link.

I’m sat in the sunshine of what feels like an early spring. For those of you lucky enough to still have their mothers with them don’t forget the 15th. For the rest of us we can remember with love. We’re saying goodbye to one of our most respected residents - James Russell - in the centre pages plus there’s the usual

plethora of things going on.

Easter weekend looks like an arty affair with a couple of local

exhibitions.

Just to reinforce their appeal on P50, if you can spare any time to help with the organisation of the wonderful local events please get

in touch.

As ever, please keep your articles and especially photographs coming in, as they are vital to the success of your magazine. This month’s cover photo is from

Andrew Dance.

Sincere apologies to the Sims family for our publishing error in the Parish Registers, Funerals section

in last months Link. We’re happy to report Charles Sims is alive.

[email protected]

Contents Editorial P 3 Church Services P4&6 Messy Church P 7 Register & Lent Services P 9 Pastoral Letter P 11 Stratfield Saye Reports P 17 Borough Councillors Report P 19 Probus & CSR Reports P23 Gardening Club P 25 Prayers P 28 James Russell P 30 Sherfield Village Hall P 33 NWR P39 Sherfield Parish Council P 41 SPCC P 44 Poem P47 Beat Reports P48 Help Run Events P 50 Useful Numbers P 55 Small Adverts P 56 Committee and Deadlines P 58

Congratulations to local councillor

& PPC - Ranil Jayawardena

I’m delighted to report that daughter

Daisy arrived on 13th February.

Alison and daughter are both doing

well.

Services

March 2015

*Drive up close to the white gates, which will open automatically. Children are wel-come at all our services. Services in italics are particularly geared to children and

families. BCP - Book of Common Prayer.

Sunday 1st March Lent 2

10.00am Holy Communion with the St Leonard’s Sherfield Bishop of Basingstoke 10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye*

11.45am Meet & Greet the Bishop St Mary’s Hartley Wespall

Wednesday 4th 11.00am Lent Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield

Sunday 8th March Lent 3

10.00am Morning Worship & Sunday Club St Leonard’s Sherfield Wednesday 11th 11.00am Lent Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield Friday 13th 4.15pm Messy Church Sherfield Community Centre

Sunday 15th March Mothering Sunday Lent 4

10.00am Family Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield 6.30pm Evensong St Mary’s Hartley Wespall


Sunday 22nd March Lent 5

10.00am Family Service St Leonard’s Sherfield


Sunday 29th March Palm Sunday

10.00am Benefice Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield with Palm Sunday Procession Maundy Thursday 7.00pm St Leonard’s Church Room Agape Supper with Holy Communion

Good Friday 11.00am Hour at the Cross St Mary’s Hartley Wespall

Sunday 5th April EASTER DAY

10.00am Family Communion with Lenten Cross St Leonard’s Sherfield 10.00am Family Communion by Ext St Mary’s Hartley Wespall

11.30am Holy Communion BCP St Mary’s Stratfield Saye*

BREACH LANE CHAPEL Sherfield on Loddon Geoff Belsham 01256 882534 / 07519 708416

Transport is available for all events at the chapel

March 2015 Services

Sunday 1st 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen

11am Youth Group – “The Flock”

Tuesday 3rd 7.45pm Deacons Meeting at Frimley Road

Sunday 8th 10.30am Family Worship led by Graham Locke

Tuesday 10th 2pm Church Walk from the Chapel

Thursday 12th 7.45pm House Group & Bible Study at 9 Coopers Lane,

Bramley Friday 13th 10.30am Open Morning at the Chapel

Sunday 15th 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen with Holy

Communion

Tuesday 17th 7.45pm Church Meeting at Frimley Road

Sunday 22nd 10.30am Family Worship led by Steve Smith

Tuesday 24th 2pm Church Walk starting at Sherfield Garden Centre

Wednesday

25th 2.30pm Midweek Fellowship at Chapel led by Geoff

Belsham Friday 27th 10.30am Open Morning at Chapel

Saturday 28th 2.30pm Saturday Fellowship in the Chapel led by Geoff

Belsham

Sunday 29th 10.30am Family Worship led by Geoff Belsham

Friday 27th 10.30am Open Morning at Chapel

Catholic Services

St Bede’s and Holy Ghost Churches,

Basingstoke.

Parish Office Tues to Friday

9.30 am-1.00 pm Tel.465214.

Sunday Mass 9.00 am, 11.00 am

and 6.30 pm

St Leonard’s Open Days

Everyone is welcome to visit for reflection, prayer, or to view with a

wedding in mind.

The church is open

in March on the 7thand 14th.

St Leonard’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held on

Sunday 22nd March 2015 at 11.30am in the Church Room.

All welcome.

Friday 13th

March 2015

I Love You Mum!

Lots of craft, worship and tea for the children! All welcome

4.15 Arrive, Register, prepare for Worship

4.30 Worship followed by activities in three groups

5.15 Meal - cafe style (finish at 5.30pm) It is essential that you book (and please advise of any food allergies).

For more information and to book, please contact :

Amanda Prince 01256 880733 [email protected]

Or on Facebook : Messy Church-Sherfield On Loddon

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

St. Leonard’s faithful hardworking cleaning teams continue to keep our church looking lovely and

welcoming and they deserve our thanks.

We would welcome new recruits so please consider volunteering – it is not a huge commitment but it is a

great way of helping our church maintain its appeal to our local

community, especially now we have our new extension up and running.

Our new rota is due to be organised. We are meeting on Monday 11th May at 7:45pm in the new church room, followed by coffee/tea and

cakes.

For more information contact Valerie Burrows on 01256 880087 or email

[email protected]

http://www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/preparing-mother-s-day-gifts-4104038

Parish Registers

Funeral

Betty Banister 16.01.15 Sherfield

Correction to February Parish Register

Funeral

Philip Donald Sims 21.01.15 Sherfield

Sincere apologies to the Sims family and especially Charles for getting it

wrong last month

29 March – PALM SUNDAY 10.00 a.m. at St. Leonard’s Benefice Holy Communion

with Palm Sunday Procession

2nd April – MAUNDY THURSDAY 7.00 p.m.

in St. Leonard’s Church Room Agape Supper with Holy Communion

3rd April – GOOD FRIDAY 11.00am

Hour at the Foot of the Cross at St. Mary’s Hartley Wespall

5th April – EASTER DAY 10.00 a.m.

Family Communion, with the Floral Lenten Cross

at St. Leonard’s

Join us at one of our Special Services this Easter!

On Wednesdays in Lent there will be a short service

of Holy Communion at 11.00 a.m. at St. Leonard’s

.....it would be good to see you at these brief reflective services as we prepare for Easter. Wed. 4th, 11th 18th

and 25th of March

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=zD1hYFsLHKLr9M&tbnid=bcALe_XZrgE8YM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhookedonthebook.com%2Fkids-devotions-for-lent-day-10-following-jesus-no-matter-the-cost%2F&ei=ksniUvXcFIin0w


Miles Elliott

GARDEN MACHINERY

SERVICES

Phone/Fax: 01256 882224 Mobile:07810573479

E-mail: [email protected]

Servicing Repairs Tuning

Adjustment Sharpening

Turgis Green

Spring is on its way

Pastoral Letter

When was the last time that your opinion was canvassed about anything? As the

General Election approaches, the likelihood increases of being stopped in the

street or summoned to our doorsteps to answer questions. I'm wondering what

response I'd get if I was to conduct a small survey of members of St Leonard's

as they left this week's Sunday service, asking them how they view this time of

the Church year - or indeed from anyone else that I happened to bump into

whilst in the queue at the Post Office or Village Shop. We are now in the season

of Lent which begins each year on Ash Wednesday. Pancakes have been

tossed and eaten and for those who have committed to giving up chocolate,

coffee or alcohol, it still feels as if there's an awfully long way to go until Easter

Day when all those treats can be enjoyed again. So maybe it's not surprising

that for many, Lent is seen as a somewhat low and downhearted, miserable time

of restraint and denial - mirroring albeit in just a little way Jesus's period of 40

days in the wilderness when he was tempted to do things more awful than sneak

the odd packet of Maltesers into a supermarket trolley.

This thought set me wondering - maybe that's how many who wouldn't call

themselves Christians view those of us who are? Do they see us as people with

lots of 'can't's or 'shouldn't's in our lives, somehow less joyful than those who

don't have to worry about obeying all those commandments, written in an age

that is as different from today's society as it could possibly be? In fact, quite the

opposite is true - or at least it should be! For we Christians remain confident in

the knowledge that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us,

and so we can look forward to eternal life with Him. Therefore whatever life may

throw at us (and Christians have their fair share of life challenges too, that's for

sure), we have a Father in heaven who has known us and cared for us since

before we were born. That's what we look forward to celebrating on Easter Day -

so far from being a time of misery I'd prefer to think about Lent as a time of

waiting, for new birth and new life.

Of course, at this time of the year signs of new life to come are all around us - as

I write this I've just seen my first daffodils in flower, the fields are ready to

welcome baby lambs and trees that just a while ago looked bare and dead are

suddenly full of green shoots and buds. Whilst at St Leonard's we wait patiently

for the appointment of our priest in charge, we have welcomed other new lives

into our Church family - it's been a real joy to celebrate the births of babies

within our community, brought by their parents for baptism. This is also the time

of the year when we celebrate and give thanks to God for our mothers and those

who mother us in other ways. We'd love you to join us on March 15th for our

special service marking Mothering Sunday and on behalf of the congregation,

even if it is still Lent, we promise a joyful welcome!

Karen

Start Something this

Lent!

Turn your small change into

safe water this LENT

Every minute, every day, people suffer and lives are lost

needlessly because of a lack of safe water and sanitation.

Help us end this global crisis and transform lives.

Collect a sleeve for your jar....or

get more details from Dan 01256 882680

or Sammie 0118 9816593 ...or use your

own jar!

All jars will be collected in on Easter Sunday

Let’s do that! at St. Leonard’s Church on

Mothering Sunday, 15th March 10.00 a.m.

http://www.wateraid.org/uk

http://www.wateraid.org/uk/audience/community-groups/lent

www.classictreeservices.co.uk

www.ovenclean.com

PHONE 01276 473118


Goddard’s Lane, Sherfield-on-Loddon, HOOK, Hants. RG27 0EZ

The Garage at Sherfield www.thegarageatsherfield.co.uk

Have a se

rvic

e with

your MOT a

nd get

your MOT fo

r £30

MOT’s Cars and

Motorcycles Service Diagnostics

Repairs Air Conditioning Recovery

Collection and Delivery service available.

90% of our work

is repeat business

Tel: 01256 882271

Mobile: 07812 939 498


STRATFIELD SAYE PARISH REPORT

At the recent meeting there were reports on the conditions of the local rural roads which are still not being adequately repaired. I will be contacting HCC to report problems but can I ask everyone to also go online to report problems as well as the more complaints the better

chance we have of remedial action.

Oil tanks are again a target for thieves so can all residents please keep a sharp eye out for any suspicious vehicles in the area and report

immediately to the police on 101.

The Parish Council have agreed to place another bench in the Parish commemorating the late Duke of Wellington. Also it is hoped to put up a new sign by the recreation ground, and potentially provide picnic tables

on the site, to encourage more local residents to use the amenity.

You may have heard about a new initiative called ‘The Village Agent’, sponsored by Age Concern which signposts people, in particularly older people, to find local services and information. They are currently looking for volunteers. You would be offering a few hours per week and be fully supported with training sessions and informal get-togethers with other Village Agents across the county and neighbouring villages. If you could help or want more information please telephone 01962 892443 or Free phone 08003287154 or by email

[email protected].

Don’t forget to come along to the monthly coffee mornings on the first Monday of each month – next 2nd March – in the Village Hall at 11.00a.m. – a great opportunity for a chat with neighbours and friends and a chance to tell either myself or Suzanne Nixon of any concerns

you might have.

The next Parish Council meeting is on 2nd March 2015 at 7.30p.m - all are welcome – it is only with your participation that the Parish Council

are informed of any problems or concerns in the Parish.

Please note the following dates:

The Parish AGM 11th May 2015 with Parish meetings on 6th July, 5th

October and 7th December 2015

The provisional date for the Parish Christmas lunch is 15th December

2015 and all are welcome so please keep the date free.

Please note, for those of you who can’t get hold of the magazine it can

be downloaded or obtained automatically by email from the Link website

Penny Mayo, Stratfield Saye Parish Clerk

It has been some time since I submitted an article but hopefully I will be able to bring you up to date with events within the Borough Council. I hope that you all enjoyed the festive period

– the weather was better than last year and we all had power!

The draft Local Plan was submitted to the Government planning Inspector in November and his initial review resulted in the officers re-evaluating the basic housing numbers. The Inspector suggested that our 748 houses per annum figure may be unsound and that we should look at a figure nearer 850. This will mean that we will need to find space for nearly 1800 extra houses with potential constraints including

transport, general infrastructure, schools and medical facilities.

The Borough is therefore exploring various solutions. This may include using more sites that were in the Land Assessment (SHLAA) listing and possibly adding numbers to already proposed sites. There is one site, Manydown, that could take many more houses but there is some resistance to develop more than a few extra houses and even doubt as to whether the commitment for 40% affordable homes will be honoured. No wonder that

there is a split of views amongst councillors.

So the Local plan moves on slowly, facing more public consultation and an earliest approval date sometime in early 2016. Meanwhile developers are free to develop where they see fit because the Government planning guidelines are pro development, requiring us to have at least a 5-year supply of approved housing sites and a Local Plan in place – neither of which we have. The Borough planning committee find planning reasons to reject such applications but we lose at the appeal stage – often having to pay costs to the developer! Locally we have recently seen Minchen’s Lane in Bramley approved, Razor’s Farm and more than likely, a site on

Chineham Business Park will follow.

Other planning news is that the Dixon road Caravan application was rejected by the Borough planning committee; an appeal has been lodged with Winchester City Council regarding the Bullington Cross Wind Farm proposal and the proposed Critical Care Hospital to the west of the town is being opposed - it is reported that even some medical professionals have

questioned its feasibility.

Closer to home I was pleased to support local village projects and report that along with St Leonard’s Church extension, the Borough has approved the funds for the Village Hall facility improvement scheme plus funds for the

enhancements of the burial ground.

Let’s hope we have a lovely spring.

Chris Please contact me on 880558 or email: -

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Woofs and Wellies Sunday 19th April 2015

Starting at Home Farm, Farleigh Wallop, Basingstoke, RG25 2HX

St. Michael’s Hospice is delighted to announce the return of their popular event Woofs and Wellies for 2015, giving you the

exclusive chance to walk around the exquisite grounds of the Earl of Portsmouth. Registration at

www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/events

Alternatively call the Fundraising Hotline on 01256 848848

Follow all the latest updates on;

Twitter @smhbasingstoke #WoofsandWellies15 Facebook (St. Michael’s Hospice North Hampshire)

5K and 10K Run

Wednesday 13th May

2015 Make a difference. Go the

distance!

Starting at Down Grange Sports Complex, Pack Lane,

Basingstoke, RG22 5SN

St. Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire) welcomes the family 5 & 10K Basingstoke Run to Down Grange Sports Complex,

Basingstoke on 13th May starting at 19.00hrs. To sign up and for more information please visit the Hospice website:

stmichaelshospice.org.uk/events or call fundraising on 01256 848 848.

Follow us on Twitter @smhbasingstoke

#HospiceRun #BasingstokeRun

http://www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/events

Probus hears about Microlight Flying

Kim Taylor, a Landing Site Officer with The Queen's Helicopter Flight, gave an illustrated

presentation on microlight flying.

The pros and cons of factory versus home built aircraft were examined and an in-depth account given of Kim's own experiences in constructing three very different flying machines. He also touched on how the

airworthiness aspects were addressed.

Kim reminisced how microlight flying had led him on adventures over the past few years. Besides the simple fun of flying from airstrips and airfields he has toured extensively and been involved with rallies all over the UK. Kim's finest event was organising the 'Help for Heroes' flypast over Wootton Bassett in 2010. This was a tribute to the armed services and to the people of the town itself. It involved one hundred and forty

aircraft and raised over £3000.

www.probusbasingstoke.webs.com or ring the Secretary Paul Flint for an

informal chat on 07770 886521.

BASINGSTOKE CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP

welcomed 51 members to the monthly meeting The speaker was David Ogborn who presented a talk “Singing for Fun”. He gave a history of his own involvement with choirs in the area since 1975 which included his time with the Basingstoke Male Voice Choir which did many world-wide tours and eventually led to his setting up the Festival of Choirs in 2011. Last year a special concert “A Century of War and Peace” was held at the Anvil which was a sell-out. This involved 13 choirs and raised money for the

charity Care for Casualties.

The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Brookvale Village Hall from 10-12 noon and all retired Civil Servants and their partners are welcome. Further details about from the Secretary Tony

Brazier on 01256 418770 or at [email protected]


ASH BROOK INDEPENDANT FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MEMORIAL CONSULTANTS

Independent family Funeral

Director

Day or night we provide a complete personal, caring & professional service for all

your funeral requirements

Dignified funeral service £895

plus disbursements

Please call Terina on

0118 9821111 28 Mulfords Hill, Tadley, Hants,

RG26 3JE

www.ashbrookfunerals.co.uk


Sherfield and District Gardening Club

On Monday 16th March we will be joined once again by

Pamela Holt. Pamela will be telling us all about ‘Hardy Annuals’. Pamela’s claim to fame is that she trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew with Alan Titchmarsh and tutored Charlie Dimmock at Cannington College in Somerset. She has been a horticultural lecturer for many

years and has travelled widely in South America and Alpine Europe.

Monday 20th April sees the return of Ray Broughton whose lively talks about ‘Soil Management’, ‘Plant Propogation’ and ‘Easy Plants for Difficult Places’ were very well received at previous meetings. This time Ray will tell us about ‘Cold Greenhouses’. This talk is based on his own observations and is backed up by years of scientific study and practice. If it’s anything like his previous talks, he will have us enthralled and scribbling notes to catch his words of wisdom. Ray was trained at RHS Garden Wisley, is a fellow of the Institute of

Horticulture and a lecturer for the Royal Horticultural Society.

Finally, just a reminder to please pass on any of your spare plants for

Percy’s Plant Sale to be held on the 9th May.

Anyone interested in gardening will be most welcome to join us at the

Sherfield Village Hall at 7:45pm.

For arrangements contact Linda on 882341 or Vanessa on 881760

“To all those people who helped me celebrate my 75th birthday so fantastically – Thank you. I had an amazing evening and I know it would not have been possible without the help of many of you. As it was a surprise party I do not know the names of all the helpers, but you know who you are and I am

grateful to you all. Especial thanks to Natalie as co-ordinator in

England. Many, many thanks. Jane Brydges”

TEXT FOR THE MONTH… … John15 : 4& 5 The NIV Bible

Jesus said Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Prayer for the Month.

Gracious God, we thank you at this time of Lent, for the example you have shown us in Christ. Forgive us that we so rarely follow his example.

We turn a blind eye to what we know to be wrong, even bending the rules ourselves. We close our eyes and ears to what we would rather not think about. We make excuses for, and seek to justify, our faults.

Forgive us and renew us through your Spirit, restore us through your love, equip us with your power and so enable us to live faithfully as your people. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Prayer Points for March

Give thanks for the signs of Spring as we enjoy flowers appearing again in our gardens and along the hedge rows.

Pray for those who are recovering illness and for those undergoing debilitating treatment and facing an uncertain future. Pray that the Holy Spirit will calm their fears and help them to trust in you.

Pray all who mourn the loss of a loved family member, may they know your love and be able to trust in you to bring them through this time of sorrow

Pray for peace in Syria and Iraq and for Ukraine, may all countries where violence and terror cause so many to live in fear each day be able to come to peace. Pray for world leaders to take forward the peace processes in these countries.

James Russell - obituary

James Cecil Cumine Russell of Aden, CBE died at home on 3rd

January 2015 after a short illness, aged 81.

James Cecil Cumine Russell

was a soldier, lawyer,

politician and devoted

supporter of Hartley Wespall

church whose shrewd mind,

courtly charm

and thunderclap

of a laugh helped

and heartened people in so many walks of life.

It was characteristic of a man who had been such

a pillar of Hartley Wespall since moving to the

village in 1973 with his wife, Diana, that he read a

powerful lesson in St Mary's at last year's

Christmas carol service, just a few days after he

had learned that he had "a spot of bother with

cancer".

He was in church again on Christmas Day, nine

days before he died, proudly sporting his Highland

bonnet, a testament to his Scottish roots which

meant so much to him. He confided later he was

even more proud to be flanked by Diana, their three

children and their families, for he was very much a

family man.

Born in June 1933 in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, he served in the

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders for a decade and was then

a lawyer in London, becoming senior partner of his firm.

He was an assiduous Conservative Party organiser, rising to

become party chairman for Wessex Area. He and Diana were

blown out of their beds in the Grand Hotel at the party

conference in 1988. He was awarded the CBE

for his political work and for public service.

In his 41 years in Hartley Wespall he did a long

stint as church warden and parish councillor,

and at different times preached, rang the bells,

and led a church choir. He died on January 3rd

at home, after spending his last days with his

family and his labrador, Sky - as he wanted.

Alec Russell

He will be fondly remembered by the whole community. Ed.

James & team building the jubilee beacon

Village Hall Matters

BARN DANCE

The Village Barn Dance at the end of January was another sell out and a

super evening for all ages. There's nothing like live music and a friendly

atmosphere to get things going and with an experienced 'caller' to lead the

way, even the most shy people were encouraged to join in. The event was

run as a fundraiser by ‘The Friends of Sherfield Village Hall’. Next year,

please note – do book early to avoid disappointment!

LIDDELL HALL KITCHEN

We will be refurbishing the Liddell Hall kitchen during February. The Village

Hall Management Committee apologises for any disruption that the work

may have caused, particularly to the regular users of the Hall. However, we

hope that the disruption will have been kept to a minimum.

ZUMBA CLASSES

Zumba classes are starting on Thursday evenings in the main hall 7-8pm

from 26th February. Any fitness level welcome and the first class is free!

Contact Kim on 07787 506112.

.

THE HALL GARDEN

The Village Hall Management Committee would again like to thank Roger

Rivers for all his hard work in tending the garden and, most recently, the

restocking and care of the planters. The garden, which is fully enclosed,

has lovely views over the Village Green, is ideal for hiring out for parties

and wedding receptions, and is also very important to the Happy Faces

Nursery.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sat 14th March – Coffee morning

Sat 14th March – Quiz Night

For more information on activities, events & booking the hall, visit:

www.sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk “At the heart of our community for over 100 years

Sherfield on Loddon Village Hall Reg. Charity No. 272385 Tel: 01256 883624

Email:

[email protected]

For information call: 0118 932 6308 Brochure hotline: 0118 932 6480

www. wellington-riding.co.uk e-mail: [email protected]


Our Favourite Things ‘Our favourite things’ was the topic of our recent meeting – things which cheer us up over the winter, although some of us didn’t latch on to the winter element and spoke about our favourite things generally. As far as cheering ourselves up over winter was concerned, many spoke about various pleasant smells, new buds and spring flowers, a hot bath, a lovely scarf and hat, furry winter boots, a peat fire, cold frosty mornings when everything sparkles, and roast dinners, a roaring fire and long walks with the dog. More general favourite things included an appreciation of the English countryside and one member’s love of bluebell woods which featured in one of her lovely paintings and also in some poetry. Some us brought objects/family ‘heirlooms’ such as semi-precious earrings, a grandmother’s brooch, Art Deco bottles, intricate cross-stitch pictures, miniature clogs, a bookmark from Raffles Hotel in Singapore with the recipe for Singapore Sling, an old doll and a Sooty puppet! Books and photos were mentioned quite a few times and on a sad note (but with some happiness) a stone from a beach where a member’s son died. Someone owned up to a slight obsession with puffins, those cheeky clown-looking seabirds which inhabit some beautiful cliff faces around our coast. She brought a small painting of one on driftwood, a ‘beanie’ toy puffin, and pictures of them on a drinks tray! As for drinks, one loved her cup of tea or five a day whilst another appreciated the odd glass of sherry. Last, but not least, one member treasured her husband’s credit card! We really enjoyed this fun, light-hearted evening to start off our year. Our next meeting is entitled ‘What’s wrong with being a dinosaur?’ – a discussion on technology and social media. Gill

treasured her husband’s

credit card!

Basingstoke Children’s Centres Your local Children’s Centres are based in:

Chineham, Popley, Oakridge and Lychpit.

To access our current timetable or to register your interest in an

activity, please visit our website at:

services.actionforchildren.org.uk/basingstoke-and-deane-childrens-

centres/basingstoke-deane-cluster-a/whats-on/

Or please call us at Pebbles Children’s Centre on 01256 357028.

No WI report this month as the Ladies were out at

their Annual lunch.

http://services.actionforchildren.org.uk/basingstoke-and-deane-childrens-centres/basingstoke-deane-cluster-a/whats-on/

http://services.actionforchildren.org.uk/basingstoke-and-deane-childrens-centres/basingstoke-deane-cluster-a/whats-on/

Sherfield on Loddon Parish Council

Meeting dates The next Full Parish Council meeting dates are 11th March and 8th April 2015 at 7.30pm in the Liddell Hall. Governance Review A report on the Governance Review will be considered by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council at its Full Council meeting in March. Tree work on the Village Green

Work will be commencing shortly on trees on the Village Green. Contractors will be working on nearly 100 trees to remove deadwood and potentially unsafe limbs, to crown lift and crown reduce where necessary and to remove a number of trees where overcrowding of better specimens has occurred. All areas where work is being carried out will be cordoned off for safety reasons, but you should still remain vigilant and not allow your dogs or children to stray into these areas. There is bound to be a certain amount of disruption during the month of March and your patience and understanding for the need to carry out this work will be very much appreciated. Our sincere thanks to our Tree Warden, Jane Jordan, for the considerable amount of work she has done on this project. Karen Ross - Clerk to the Parish Council, Sherfield-on-Loddon, PO Box 6862, Basingstoke, RG24 4QZ Telephone: 01256 842662 Email: [email protected]

Basingstoke Ladies’ Choir

Concert

Sunday 26th April 2015, 3pm

St Joseph’s Church, St Michael’s Road, Basingstoke.

With guests ’Berkshire Brass’

Supporting the ‘Life’ Charity.

Tickets £8 each (no concessions) available from:

Jan Hodges—01256 781035/07771848437

Or Chantal Brown—01256 320474


Will’s Garden Services Tel: 07951917943/01256 881354

Email: [email protected]

A complete range of garden

services: Garden clearance,

Mowing, Hedgetrimming, Paving,

Pruning, Fencing, Turfing, Tree

Care



All activities must be booked in advance of visit Tel: 01256 883967 or email

[email protected] or visit www.sherfieldparkcommunity.co.uk

QUIZ NIGHT & HOT & COLD BUFFET

Saturday 7th

March 7.30pm

Tickets £8 and include food (No minimum team numbers, but a maximum of 6)

Pre book only Over 18s only. Licensed Bar

There are fantastic groups and classes at the centre for everyone FOR ADULTS

Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, Studio Cycling, Ballroom & Latin, Badminton, Football

FOR CHILDREN: Theatre4Kids, Tiny Tykes, Maths tuition, Streetdance, Monkey Music,

Ballet, Ball Skills, Football COMMUNITY GROUPS

Fabrics & Threads, Over 55s social , Bump into Mums, Sherfield 0-5s And our very own Puppy training School! Details can be found on our website

SHERFEST! Saturday 4th July 2015 12-8pm

Live Music, Entertainment, Sports,

Food, Bar and loads more!

YOUTH ZONE

Every Wednesday

School Yrs 4-6

6.15—7.15pm

School Yrs 7-11—7.30—9pm

Evergreens Club contributed by May Macqueen

This month was our AGM. Jean Berntsen our chairperson/treasurer

gave the financial report for the year ending 2014 and this was

accepted by the members. There being no other candidates the

previous committee were re-elected for another year, proposed by

Brenda Monger and seconded by Gwen Hunt.

The programme for 2015 was distributed to the members present

before welcoming Peter Hayes and Pamela Darker who are members

on the planning sub committee for the Sherfield on Loddon

Neighbourhood Plan. They came to talk to us about the progress of

the plan and the vision for the future. There was also an opportunity

to raise any questions and concerns.

The meeting ended with tea and a raffle.

The next meeting on the 2nd March is a general knowledge quiz.

Friends of Sherfield Village Hall - Fundraiser

Fun Quiz Night

Saturday 14th

March 2015

Enjoy local rivalry with Friends or Family or Club

Enter a team of up to Six people or come as a single

Drinks & Nibbles from the cash Bar Doors open 7pm

Tickets @ £3 per person from

01256 886550

Also see

[email protected] &

THE SHOP

Helen Burningham recently visited from Uganda and left us with these thoughts.

“I am the CMS Mission Partner living in Uganda, Kampala that St Leonard's supports. I have a poem that I would love to share with people that I wrote when I was going through a difficult period after being evacuated from the original location that I was sent to in South Sudan (2013).

You will be stretched

So that you will strengthen

And lengthen

So when you feel the tension

Please stand still

Not moved

You will not be doomed

One day all will see

The light that shone so small

Will stand tall

No longer will I fall

And I will rest

For I will know I did my best

In all tests

And I got through it all

No longer do I need to prove myself

Or do I need to hide on the shelf

It was worth it

Endurance got me there

God held my hand so now I stand”

News from the Beats

Sherfield & Bramley Beat Report January 2015

Burglaries: Shed and Outbuilding Burglaries have decreased by two this month. They still remain a big concern for Hampshire Constabulary and local residents. Three offenders have been arrested. One narrowly avoided a Prison sentence, another has been bailed pending sentencing (on an unrelated incident) and has been placed on electronically monitored curfew to prevent further offending. The third is still awaiting their time in court. This is a great result and shows our communities and the offenders that we are taking these incidents seriously. There are still many out there who would not have a

second thought about breaking into your shed and stealing your items.

Register your property for free on www.immobilize.com

Anti Social Behaviour: We have had a significant increase of ASB reports from Longbridge Road, Bramley, it is suspected that the same group of people are using Longbridge Road as a “cut through” from the German Road Estate via the Cinder Track. While passing through, these people are deliberately damaging the front gardens of residents by snapping tree branches and cycling/ walking across the lawns and flower beds. They are also knocking loudly on doors and windows late at night. There are a few elderly residents from Longbridge Road who are frightened because of this and will no longer answer their doors. A few will not leave their home after

5pm in fear for their own safety.

This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and it is causing vulnerable members of the community to fear living in their own home. It is probable that this behaviour is a local group of youths who think they are having fun or “a laugh,” however these incidents will not be tolerated and Police are increasing the amount patrols around the area to catch these people. I would like to encourage all residents to report any incidents of anti social behaviour to us

on 101.

Speeding: Speeding is a local beat priority and we use the information gathered from our various Community Speedwatch Schemes (CSW) to target where our speed enforcement operations will be carried out. PC Dean Stickland carries out regular speed checks at various times of the day and on occasions, invites members of CSW to observe him when he does this. If you do not have a local CSW running or you are interested in joining your local

CSW then please don’t hesitate to email me.

RSPCA Door to Door

Various reports continue to circulate as to “representatives from RSPCA” making door to door calls. The local RSPCA shop has had many calls and

(Continued on page 49)

http://www.immobilize.com/

they say that no local collections are taking place. It is said that residents are being told that this is an “awareness visit and we are not collecting”, when they have been visited by these persons. Residents are asked to be

extra vigilant.

Stats ASB 7 Assault 5 Burglary 6 Concern for Welfare 2 Criminal Damage 2 Domestic Incidents 7 Driving Complaints 5 Missing Persons 0 Drugs 1 RTC 4 Suspicious Incidents 62 Theft 1 Theft from Vehicle 1 Other 7

Email [email protected]

Crime update for Chineham & Sherfield Park.

There was a spate of thefts from vehicles in the lead up to Christmas, targeting vehicles accidentally left unlocked by their owners. Two males have been arrested for these offences. One has appeared in court while the other remains on bail pending conclusion of our enquiries. Once they had been arrested the series of crimes concluded very promptly but please make sure that you have locked your vehicle when you leave it

overnight and do not leave valuables inside.

I am pleased to finish this month's report with a good news story. Just before Christmas a number of outdoor decorations were stolen from Sherfield Park. Fortunately a neighbour's CCTV captured footage of the male involved and his vehicle. No registration could be seen, but after some enquiries I was able to identify the vehicle and a few days later tracked down the male at an address near Reading. I am happy to say that the decorations, along with others he had 'appropriated' were returned to their owners in time for Christmas and he

received a hefty fine.

Email [email protected] [email protected]

Tel - 101 (or request to leave a message using collar numbers).

Further Afield

A few days ago in Up Nately, a blue VW Golf SE 5 door saloon reg. RV13 JYC was seen on a private driveway and made off at speed when spotted. The owner is a convicted rural thief from Surrey who stole from an Upton Grey farm in 2013 and was sent to Prison. He is an opportunist and will visit homes as well as farms, please be vigilant as he has a good

knowledge of all parts of our area.

Any sightings please call Andrew REID Police Constable 3746. Preston Candover DD: 01256 389050 HQ: 101 Mob: 07768:776844

[email protected]





FUNERAL DIRECTORS &

MONUMENTAL MASONS.

ALEXANDER & DRY

Twenty four hour service.

Pre-paid funeral plans available.

1 Seal Road, Basingstoke, RG21 7NQ

Tel: 01256 844663

01256880853

07770851598

Bramley

Plumbing

Services Ltd. Trading Standards

Approved since 2005

We install beautiful

bath and shower rooms

with care and attention

by time served,

qualified tradesmen.

We replace radiator

repairs and undertake

many smaller plumbing

jobs such as leaking

taps, toilets that won’t

flush outside tap

servicing. All aspects of

domestic and small

commercial non gas

plumbing…..free

estimates

Contact us online

about your project

or problem -bramleyplumbing.co.uk


http://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/index.asp

YOUR LOCAL TRADE PROFESSIONAL FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HEATING &

ELECTRICAL NEEDS

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT US:

Tel: 01256 880044 MOBILE: 07754 554554

Email: [email protected] www.pscservices.co.uk

PLUMBING & HEATING SPECIALIST

Bathrooms & shower installations

Solar thermal installations and energy-friendly controls

Gas Safe and Oftec registered for peace of mind with gas and oil installations

29164

Serving the local community for 30 years

Telephone: 01256 882309




http://www.pscservices.co.uk


Happy Faces Play group

Sherfield-on-Loddon

“Bring your happy face to our happy place”

A small, friendly playgroup for children aged 2 years 6 months to

school age

Flexible Sessions including all day

Further information:

01256 880903 Prospectus/application form:

07791 141176

[email protected] www.happy-faces-playgroup.co.uk

Est. 1982. Charity No. 1029688


http://www.happyfacesplaygroup.co.uk

882605 882426 882337 882534 465214

882334 882414 881973 882798 882798 880903 882426 881839 882534 882106 07554 775429 101 880075 882210 882687 882344 882605 882341 880075 881021 01189332 379 01189332106 882351 842662 883551 880852 882605 882453 882410 883624 0794 021 2441 883838

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS The dialling code is 01256, unless otherwise stated.

Allotments Basingstoke Gazette Brownies St. Leonard’s Church Breach Lane Chapel Catholic Church Clift Surgery Patient Group Cricket Club (Sherfield) Cricket Club (ST & HW) Evergreens Football (Junior) Happy Faces Playgroup Loddon Players Loddon Quilters Loddon Valley Link Lunch Club. NWR Police - local beat officer Police - report an incident Poppies Post Office Rainbows Sherfield. Community Care Grp Sherfield Fete Sherfield Dist. Gardening Club Sherfield Show Short Mat Bowls Stratfield Saye Parish Council Stratfield Saye Village Hall Stratfield Turgis Parish Meeting Sherfield Parish Council Toddler Group 0-5s Tree Warden. Village Green Volunteers Whist Drive Women’s Institute Sherfield Village Hall Caretaker/Bookings Management Committee Fund Raising Committee

Bruce Batting Chris Horton Sue Handasyde-Dick See inside back page Geoff Belsham Fr. Chris Rutledge John Darker Andy Stevens Paul Baldwin Jean Berntsen Fred Berntsen Peggy Hutchins Chris Horton Pris O’Rourk (See back pages ) Helen Belsham Gill Fearon PC James Rickaby Police Control Room Natalie Larner Pam Luck Doreen Tosswill Bruce Batting Linda Syckelmoore Natalie Larner Norman Stanley Penny Mayo Linda Bishop Sheila Campbell (Chair) Karen Ross (Clerk) Judith Sullivan Jane Jordan Bruce Batting Virgilius Vickers Val Denny Loraine Smith Ivan Gosden Alan Ball

Please inform the Editor of changes to the above information.

SM

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TIS

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HOUSE CLEANING BY MARIA. Reliable and affordable service. Friendly, experienced lady who cleans every corner. Ironing also

available. References. Tel 07933 316989. [email protected] LOCAL PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR and EXTERIOR DECORATOR

First class job guaranteed. Over 30 years experience. No job too small.

For a free estimate ring Ian 01256 882132 or 07876021772

SEWING, EXPERIENCED AND CONVENIENT. Di is now back in the conservatory, Sherfield Garden Centre. Bespoke dressmaking, clothing alterations, repairs, curtains & blinds and soft furnishings. Call Diana on

07796 045944.

PC SUPORT. For technical help with PCs, Macs, tablets, internet,

wi-fi: repairs, upgrades and installation: Call Ian on 07977 143310.

WINDOW CLEANER. Windows cleaned or gutters cleared - one off or regularly. Local, reliable window cleaner (testimonials available). For a

quote call Pete Owen on 07762 616600 [email protected]

INSIDE/OUT. Property maintenance, carpentry, decorating, locks fitted,

garden maintenance. Tel 01256 882696 or 07713 470223.

E-mail: [email protected]

LOCAL INDEPENDENT CLEANER Honest and trustworthy, excellent

service, excellent references, excellent rates. Telephone 07407543891.

LOCAL EXPERIENCED TAX ADVISER. Self assessment tax returns, arrears, claims, payroll, self-employed, VAT returns. Initial consultation

free. Call 07920112533 or e-mail [email protected]

MARK COZENS EXQUISITE GARDENING Do you need a little help in

your garden? Available for weekly garden maintenance in the Sherfield

Park area. Call 07867 658599 [email protected]

DICKINSON’S GARDEN AND TREE MAINTENANCE. Qualified tree surgeon and general garden maintenance - mowing the lawn, hedge cutting, weeding borders and soft landscaping. please contact Graeme on

07955310046 /01256880504 [email protected]

MENCAP. We are recruiting in your area and would like to hear from you if you are passionate about supporting people with a learning disability.

Visit www.latestvacancies.com/mencap or call Tracy on 07983346341

SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS







http://www.latestvacancies.com/mencap

Dates for your diary.

Stratfield Turgis Parish Annual General Meeting

Friday 15th May 2015 at 7:30 pm

In the Cricket Pavilion on Stratfield Turgis Recreation Ground.

All parishioners welcome

STRATFIELD SAYE PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MONDAY 11TH MAY 2015 AT 7.30P.M.

IN THE STRATFIELD SAYE VILLAGE HALL

All parishioners welcome

Hook Choral Society - Spring Concert

The concert will take place at 7.30 pm on Saturday 18th April at

St John’s Church, London Road, Hook.

The Hook Choral Society Spring Concert is entitled ‘Serenity’ after a work by Ola Gjeilo who is one of the most exciting composers

of the 21st century. The programme also includes other beautiful and moving music from Fauré’s ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ and Parry’s ‘I Was Glad’ to more contemporary pieces by Arvo Pärt, arguably the greatest living composer, as well as works

by Harris, Purcell, Rachmaninoff, Rheinberger and Rameau.

Tickets are £12.00 (concessions £10.00 and accompanied children under 11 free) and will be available from Trees Newsagent, Hook or

by calling 01256 882067.

Loddon Valley Link Management

Editor for the April edition – Simon Boase Please submit copy no later than 16th of the month


Advertising enquiries to Pip Iles Tel. 01256 880559 [email protected]

Deadline for ads. for next edition is 10th of the month

Chairman: Dr. Donald Dawson 01256 882379 ([email protected]) Treasurer: Pip Iles 01256 880559 ([email protected]) Secretary: Ilene Iles 01256 880559 ([email protected]) Committee:

Rev. Sammie Armstrong. 01189816593 ([email protected]) Dr. John Williams 01256 882705 ([email protected]) Eileen Leivesley 01256 882938 ([email protected]) Germano Giugovaz 01189 332166 Claire Osborne 01256 324458 ([email protected]) Simon Boase 01256 881250 ([email protected]) Brian Archer 01256 882099 ([email protected]) Jane Abrams 01256 881188 ([email protected])

Church Officers Priest in Charge: Vacancy Assistant Priest: Rev. Sammie Armstrong 01189 816593 ([email protected]) Curate: Rev. John Lenton 01256 880570 Priest responsible for Bramley & Little London Licensed Reader: Richard Elphick 01256 882860 Licensed Reader: Dr. John Williams 01256 882705 Licensed Reader: Andrew Doggart 01256 880092 Church Admin: Lisa Goodall 01256 882788 ([email protected])

ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH, CHURCH END, SHERFIELD ON LODDON, RG27 0JB (no mail) Churchwarden: Peter Gould 01256 882538 Churchwarden: Richard Elphick 01256 882860 Treasurer: Dan Farrow 01256 882680

Organist: Mike Abrams 01256 881188 Organist: Brian Archer 01256 882099

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, STRATFIELD SAYE Churchwarden: Dr. John Williams 01256 882705 Treasurer: Charles Atkinson 01256 882459 Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 882705

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, HARTLEY WESPALL Churchwarden: Pip Iles 01256 880559 Treasurer: Michael Webster 01256 882413 Organist: Dr. Gill Williams 01256 82705 Organist: Andrew Doggart 01256 880092

MESSY CHURCH, SHERFIELD PARK Leader: Amanda Prince 01256 880733 Leader: Carol Armstrong 01189 816593

Please note: the Loddon Valley Link Management Committee cannot be held responsible for the reliability or quality

of any goods, work or services in this publication.

ADVERTISING IN THIS MAGAZINE AND ONLINE Small ads are £5 monthly for a maximum of 30 words, space

permitting. Requests are dealt with in order. Display Ads, please contact the treasurer below.




loddon valley link 201503 - march 2015

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