Bridge February - March Web copy - Bridge Parishes

February – March 

The Parish Magazine for 

Droxford, Exton, Meonstoke and Corhampton

List of Advertisers 

Most page numbers refer to the coloured advertising pages at the 

front and back of the magazine, prefixed Ad 

ACCOMMODATION Farmhouse B & B 10 

ACCOUNTANTS & TAX ADVISERS RG Walker 16: Nicholas Ridge 13 

ANTIQUES Droxford Antiques 6 

ARCHITECTS R & G Design 4: Engineering Architecture Ltd 9 

BUILDERS & BUILDING MATERIALS Elliotts 3: Steven Hurdle 6 

Steve Such (Property Maint) 2: R & G Gamblin 3: Alan Reeves 5 

KJN Home Improvements 7: Peter Garber (inside front cover) 

T R Chase & Son 8: Saunders Surfacing Ltd (inside front cover) 

C Jones General Builder 10: Frontwood Ltd 13 

CARPENTERS & WOOD PRODUCTS Shoreline Fencing 13 

Southwick Garden Offices (inside back cover) 

CATERERS Food For All Occasions 9: Casey’s Kitchen (inside front cover) 

CHILDCARE GROUPS Jo Jingles 9 

COMPUTERS & INTERNET Punchedcard Ltd 5 

Octagon Blue 10: Chris Guenier (inside back cover) 

DECORATORS, PAINTERS , TILERS & HANDYMAN SERVICES Brian Mellor 13 

Peter Moore (Handyman) 9: Droxford Interiors & Tiling 14 

Daniel Parker (Handyman) (back cover): M & J Mason 6: Top Marks 15 

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES, HEATING & PLUMBING Alan Shawyer 12 

Pipe Dreams Services 8: Adept Plumbing Services 2 

B Eastman 4: R A Redman 7: Syd Taylor (oil burners) 15 

DOMESTIC SERVICES Cynthia Tester Curtains & Blinds 12 

Curtains by Mary 9: Klean Sweep (chimneys) 11 

Chimney Sweep Christian Oliver 9: PestOFF Pest Control 10 

Advanced Clean (Carpet & Upholstery) 15: Local Cleaning Services 11 

ELECTRICIANS & ELECTRICAL SERVICES Richard Ayres 1 

Assure Electrical Ltd (inside back cover): Ray Burbidge 13: Derek Pilcher 6 

ESTATE AGENTS Taylor Garnier 14: Andrew Ross Prop. Agents 11 

FINANCIAL Retirement Investment Solutions (Inside back cover): Charles Stanley 2 

FUEL SUPPLIES H.B.S. Fuels 3 

FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MEMORIALS Langfords 12 

Co-operative (Fareham) 3: Nigel Chamberlain 14 

GARAGES & CARS Taylors Garage 1: Andrews Autosource 5 

A1 Learn to Drive 10: Auto Brite 6 

GARDENS & GARDEN MACHINERY Newleaf Landscapes 5 

Joe Ellerker 15: Anita Foy Garden Design 15 

HAIRDRESSERS Peggy Abbot Hair Design 12 

HEALTH & WELL-BEING Fithyan & Saxby (opticians) 4 

Peter Franckeiss Osteopath 10: Foot Care (Ann-Marie Elliott) 1 

Beauty Therapist 15: Foot Health Practioner (Karen Jordan) 8 

JEWELLERS Simon Lawson 13 

LETTINGS & LAND MANAGEMENT Pimp My Paddock (back cover) 

Paddock Maintenance (inside front cover) 

Andrew Ross Property Agents 11:The Country House Company 12 

Michael Peagram (inside front cover) 

PRINTING & STATIONERY Meon Valley Printers 11 

Studio 6 (inside front cover) 

PUBS White Horse 2: The Shoe Inn 16 

RIDING & EQUESTRIAN Merrie Stud 5 

SCHOOLS; EDUCATION & LEARNING Valley Pre-school 1 

Sustainability Centre 1 

SHOPS & STORES Droxford PO 2: Meonstoke PO 4 

SOLICITORS Chamberlains 12: Biscoes 11: Driver Belcher 8 

Blake Lapthorn (back cover) 

SPORT Hazelholt Indoor Tennis Court 7 

TRANSPORT & DRIVING TUITION Gamblin Cars 14: A1 Learn to Drive 10 

TREE SURGEONS TreeTek Ltd (inside front cover) 

Greenfellers Ltd (inside back cover) 

UPHOLSTERY Newlook Upholstery 16 

VETS & PETS The Village Cattery 5: Shield Veterinary Centre 16 

The Dog Room (inside front cover) 

2 

THE BRIDGE 

February - March 

Contents 

Parish Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Rector’s Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Look-in Book-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Churches Together Quiet Half hours . . . . . . . . . 4 

Singing for Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

M/Stoke & Corhampton PCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Meon Ladies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Meon Bridge Benefice Lent Lunch . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Exton Church Fabric Fund Draw . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Annual Parochial Church Council Meetings . . . . . . 5 

Wanted: Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Meonstoke Village Band Concert . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Valentine Day’s Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Keep Calm Quiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Meon Valley Garden Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

In the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Mid-week Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Server vacancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Are you interested in crafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Churches Together Lent Lunches . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Village Fete – Your Village Needs You . . . . . . . . 8 

The Meon Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Royal British Legion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Studwell in Wartime (cont’d) . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Help needed. Droxford Village Market . . . . . . . 9 

Local Services Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

William Collins Charity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Good News Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Droxford & District Comm. Care . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Minor Injuries Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Meon Valley Community Bus . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

CAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Droxford Village Hall News . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Droxford Village Hall events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Droxford Village Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Droxford Junior School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Hampshire & IoW Wildlife Trust . . . . . . . . . . 15 

U3A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Meon Valley Carers Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

The Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Meon Valley Lions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Hackney & Bishops Waltham Deanery Link . . . . . 18 

News from the Preschool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Meonstoke & Corhampton Parish Council . . . . . 18 

We Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

From the Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

District Diary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Church Services Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Bishop’s Waltham Deanery helpers packing up the Christmas 

gifts for delivery to Hackney (see report, page 18).

The Magazine for The Parish Churches of 

Droxford, Exton, Meonstoke & Corhampton, & Preshaw 

RECTOR Reverend Stuart Holt 01489 877512 

The Rectory, Meonstoke, SO32 3NF E-mail: revstuartholt@btinternet.com 

Note: The Rector’s day off is Friday . 

ASSISTANT PRIEST Rev Canon Marion Mort 

LICENSED LAY MINISTERS 

Reader emeritus Pauline Quarendon 877392 

DROXFORD 

Churchwardens: Elizabeth Stewart 877419 

Ann Symes 877643 

Secretary: Sarah Collins 877808 

Treasurer & Gift 

Aid secretary: Paul Harris 878622 

Organist: John Martin 877385 

Sacristan: Laura Jerosch 01329 231956 

Verger: Norman Bell 877230 

EXTON 

Churchwardens: Felicity Hindson MBE 877673 

Bob Miles – 

Treasurer & Gift 

Aid secretary: David Frere-Cook 877838 

Organists: 

(Morning) Frances Keppel 878774 

(Evening) Dr Alan Hibbert OBE 878564 

Sacristan: Jill Cassels 877469 

Verger: Bob Miles – 

OTHER DENOMINATIONS 

Roman Catholic Church (Bishop’s Waltham) 

Father John Buckley 895889 

METHODIST & UNITED FREE CHURCH 

(Bishop’s Waltham) 

The Reverend David Moss MA 01329 833518 

Cover picture: The bridge over the River 

Meon near St Andrew’s Church green. 

If you take a photograph that you think would make 

a good cover picture, send it to the editor (note that 

it must be digital and high resolution). 

MEONSTOKE WITH CORHAMPTON 

Churchwardens: Joanna Buchanan 877737 

Dr Paul Buxton 877335 

Deputy Churchwarden 

(Corhampton): Maggie Howard 877540 

Treasurer (& Gift 

Aid secretary): Ewart Wood 877398 

Organists: 

(Meonstoke) Dr Alan Hibbert OBE 878564 

(Corhampton) John Martin (am) 877385 

Richard Martin (pm) 872980 

Sacristan Pauline Quarendon 877392 

PRESHAW 

Coordinator Position vacant – 

THE BRIDGE is delivered at the start of the months of 

February, April, June, August, October, and December. 

Ideally, copy should be sent by e-mail to The Bridge editor at 

the address shown above, preferably attached as an MS Word 

document. The page set-up (with 10 or 10.5 pt font size) 

should be defined as an A4 page – with 1.2 cm left and right 

margins. Typed or handwritten hardcopy is also acceptable. 

If you are responsible for village activities, diaries, and 

schedules, please note that material received after the copy 

date might not be included (see page 19). 

3 

THE BRIDGE MAGAZINE 

Editor Norman Bell, Briar Cottage, 

South Hill, Droxford, SO32 3PB 

Tel: 877230 

E-mail: thebridgeeditor@gmail.com 

Advertising: Position vacant 

E-mail: bridge.advertisingmanager@gmail.com 

Treasurer Alison Stott 877293 

Printed by: Meon Valley Printers, 

Church Road, 

Swanmore

The Rectory, November CAP Money by Christians Against Poverty 

What is CAP Money? 

CAP Money is a revolutionary 

money management course that 

teaches people budgeting skills 

and a simple, cash-based system 

that really works. This course will 

help anyone to get more control 

over their finances, so they can 

save, give and prevent debt. CAP 

Money is a course devised by the 

award winning debt-counselling 

charity, Christians Against 

Poverty. 

It’s run by a church, does that 

means it’s only for Christians? 

No. The CAP Money course is 

designed to help anyone, 

regardless of their religious 

beliefs. 

Do I have to pay? 

No. The course is completely free. 

I have a variable income can the 

course help me smooth that out? 

The basic course is designed for 

those with a regular income, 

however there are additional 

materials and resources available 

online for those who are self 

employed or a university student. 

I am worried I have debt issues, 

will the course help me? 

The course is designed to be 

applicable to all financial 

situations. If you do find at the 

end of the course you are not able 

to make your budget balance then 

there is the option for additional 

support through CAP Money Plus 

(see over leaf for further details). 

Do I need access to the Internet? 

You will get the most out the 

course if you have Internet 

connection, however it is not 

mandatory. If you want to access 

CAP Money Plus you will need 

regular access to the Internet. 

What does CAP Money teach? 

CAP Money is a three-session 

course that features DVD 

presentations by John Kirkby, 

CAP’s Founder and International 

Director, and Matt Barlow, CAP’s 

UK Chief Executive. 

During the three sessions, 

delegates will learn: 

1. How to build and live on a 

budget. This is the 

cornerstone of managing 

money well. The session 

includes advice on how to 

increase income and cut costs. 

2. The CAP Money system. This 

system helps to simplify a 

budget and to make it 

understandable. It operates 

using three accounts for our 

money: a regular payments 

account, a cash account, and a 

savings account. 

3. How to live from week to 

week using cash. Living on 

cash and getting away from 

cards helps delegates to know 

exactly where they are and 

helps them to spend less 

money: cash revalues money 

and your purchases. Studies 

have found that people spend 

up to 18% more when they pay 

by card than when using cash 

(Dun and Bradstreet). 

Additional support through 

CAP Money Plus 

If, once you have completed the 

CAP Money course, you find 

yourself in a situation of 

unmanageable debt and want to 

work within a budget to achieve a 

debt-free future, then CAP Money 

Plus is for you. CAP Money Plus 

will provide additional support in 

managing your secondary debts 

(loans, credit cards, store cards 

etc). We will also provide you with 

advice on how to contact some 

priority creditors (mortgage 

arrears, rent arrears, council tax 

arrears, etc) with a repayment 

proposal yourself. The service is 

a mixture of self-help and support 

4 

from the CAP Money Plus team. 

In this way it differs from the full 

debt counselling service offered 

through our CAP Debt Centres. If 

you feel like you may benefit more 

from help through a CAP Debt 

Centre then please call 0800 328 

0006. 

“Before I got help from CAP 

Money Plus, I was depressed 

trying to bring up two children 

while my husband was 

unemployed. Now, through CAP 

Money Plus, I feel confident, 

relieved and optimistic about the 

future.” - CAP Money Plus client 

“I think the great thing about the 

CAP Money Course is that it 

doesn’t blame you for getting into 

difficulties with money, but 

focuses on how you can get back 

in control.” - Caroline. 

“Our finances were in such a 

mess and we didn’t know which 

way to turn. We attended the CAP 

Money Course, which changed 

our complete outlook to our life 

and finances and, best of all, 

showed us that there was hope 

out there. Now we are turning our 

life around thanks to CAP and 

Gateway Church.” – Rod and Bea 

The nearest CAP Money course 

will be starting on 7th March in 

Droxford Village Hall. Your 

money coaches will be Sally 

Holt and Becky Bridgen. If you 

would like to book a place on 

the course please log on to 

www.capmoney.org and find 

the Droxford course ; or if you 

do not have access to the 

Internet telephone Sally on 

01489 877512 leaving your 

contact details. Places are 

limited so please book early to 

avoid disappointment.

Look-in! 

Do look in for a chat and 

refreshment on the 1st and 3rd 

Wednesdays of the month between 

10.00 and midday in Meonstoke 

Church. Everyone is welcome – 

the more the merrier! 

February: 1st & 15th 

March: 7th & 21st 

Book-out ! 

Please feel free to borrow books 

(fiction and non-fiction, thrillers and 

all other genres), jigsaws and CDs 

and return them when you have 

finished with them. There is no 

charge. The Library in 

Meonstoke Church is available 

to everyone whenever the 

Church is open, which is from 

early morning until early 

evening. Do come and have a 

browse in the peaceful 

surroundings. 

Lorna Allured, 01489 877718 

For the person who has everything… 

...a gift of friendship with 

CORHAMPTON SAXON CHURCH 

From the era before the Conquest 

A 1000 yr old centre of Christian worship 

A living icon of Saxon culture and heritage 

Your gift will help the Church 

serve the Meon Valley for 

another 1000 years 

A Gift of Friendship of Corhampton Saxon Church 

is available for just £15 

from 

Guy Liardet – chairman of the Friends 

liardet@meonstoke33.freeserve.co.uk 

01489 877583 

www.bridgechurches.org.uk/church_corhampton_friends 

Churches together 

Quiet half hours 

28th February 

St Mary & All Saints Church, 

Droxford 

20th March (3rd Tuesday) 

Waltham Chase Methodist 

Church, 

Curdridge Lane 

All held on Tuesdays, starting at 

7.30 pm, lasting 30 minutes. 

These are times of quiet 

contemplation of the type so 

often overlooked in this busy 

world 

With the superb activities 

around the Church Green and 

progress with the renovation 

programmes, the PCC would like to 

keep up the momentum and involve as 

many local people in St Andrew’s and 

Corhampton churches as possible. We 

are particularly keen for more to join us 

on the PCC itself and for others to join 

the Renovation Steering Group. 

Neither bodies are arduous (PCC meets 

quarterly) but it is important that we get 

views from outside the small clusters we 

have at the moment and develop a 

younger profile – more skills and new 

ideas. The PCC needs a treasurer and 

secretary in particular, and the 

renovation group needs people 

with creative imagination for perhaps 

making the buildings more functional 

and/or with experience in design or 

home improvement. 

Ewart Wood has full details of the 

treasurer's role and Anne Morrice the 

responsibilities of the secretary. Both 

are interesting jobs and broadly involve 

coordinating the business of the PCC 

with the rector and the churchwardens 

5 

Singing 

for Fun 

Come and sing your favourite 

songs and learn some new ones. 

No talent required. 

Refreshments 

The Stables, 

Bishops Waltham 

Every 1st & 3rd Friday 

at 2.00 – 3.30 pm 

Next dates are: 

3rd and 17th February 

2nd and 16th March 

There will be a small charge. 

Further information from 

Annabel 01489 877130 

or 07732 329792 

Meonstoke and Corhampton Parochial Church Council 

– the treasurer looks after the our 

financial well-being (no need to be an 

accountant) and the secretary arranges 

the meeting agenda, writes minutes, and 

keeps the church Electoral Roll up to 

date. The renovation programme is 

being led by Paul Buxton. 

Please give this some thought – the 

churches play a central part in the life of 

Meonstoke and Corhampton and we 

need your voice and support to sustain 

their place in the community in the most 

suitable way. 

For more details, do have a chat with 

� JoJo Buchanan on 877737 or 

any of us about joining the PCC 

� Anne about the secretary on 

878505 

� Ewart about the treasurer on 

877398 

� Paul about the renovation 

programme on 877335 

Come and join us as soon as you can! 

Peter Mosse

The December meeting was a 

wonderful pre-Christmas treat. 

Gerry Hayles, Helen Mitchell, 

Jenny Liardet, and Becky Newsom 

provided us with some hilarious 

entertainment and we all enjoyed 

mulled wine and mince pies. 

The following is the outline programme 

for the first half of 2012 (all events are 

on a Thursday): 

12th January Homestart talk 

9th February Quiz with a difference!! 

15th March Air Ambulance talk 

19th April Swap evening (clothes, 

jewellery, china etc.) 

17th May Local treasure hunt 

All meetings begin at 7.30 pm and end 

at approximately 9.00 pm. They are 

held in the Meon Hall, Meonstoke and 

the cost is £2.00. Ladies of all ages 

from the Meon villages are very 

welcome: do come – you'll be able to 

catch up with old friends and make new 

Annual Parochial Church Council 

Meetings 

7.30 pm on Wednesday, 25th April 

at 

The Meon Hall, Meonstoke 

There will be a single Joint Benefice Annual Parochial 

Church Meeting which will be immediately followed by the 

individual parishes’ APCMs. 

To come to the annual meetings you will need to be on the 

Electoral Roll of one of the churches. If you have not already 

joined and would like to do so, forms are available at the 

back of the four churches. The completed Electoral Roll 

forms need to be returned to the rector, the relevant church 

electoral roll officer, or to a churchwarden, at least 15 days 

before the annual meetings. The Electoral Roll is then 

available in each church for inspection. 

Church electoral roll officers are as follows: 

MEON LADIES Meon Bridge Benefice 

Exton Anne Morrice 878505 

Droxford Sarah Collins 877808 

Meonstoke 

& Corhampton Anne Morrice 878505 

Official notices will be placed on the church notice boards 

during March giving full details. 

ones. If you are new to the villages this 

is an excellent opportunity to meet 

people and begin to feel at home. We 

are supporting the Valley Preschool and 

any funds we raise will be shared with 

this important project and equipment for 

the Meon Hall. 

For more information please phone any 

one of the following: 

Lorna Allured 877718 

Claire Ablitt 878074 

Denise Bury 877756 

Lesley Daysh 877327 

Caroline Harris 877522 

Adele Jones 877620 

Carol Jones 878560 

Moya Trew 877308 

6 

Wanted 

Lent Lunch 

on 

Monday, 5th March 

in 

Droxford Village Hall 

12.15 - 13.30 

Proceeds in aid of the 

Bishop's Lent Appeal 

EXTON CHURCH FABRIC 

FUND DRAW 

Sam and Chris FitzSimmons have 

taken on the running of the draw, 

which makes much needed money for 

the church fabric. 

The first draw under under their new 

management will be in February and the 

results for that and the March draw will 

be published in the April-May issue 

of The Bridge. 

Advertising Manager 

The Bridge needs an advertising manager 

to take over control of advertising: 

� To maintain a waiting list of potential 

advertisers 

� To send out renewal reminder letters at 

the end of each year 

� To keep a check list of renewals and 

details of payments 

� To follow up overdue replies and 

payments 

� To offer space to contacts on the 

waiting list 

� To pass to the editor any adverts 

submitted by advertisers. 

Note: This is an unpaid position, more suited 

to a retired person with time on their hands! 

Apply to the editor or write to 

bridge.advertisingmanager@gmail.com

Meonstoke Village 

Band 

presents 

A concert of light-hearted music 

to raise money for the 

Valley Preschool 

with performances from 

Hindhead Wind Band 

and 

solos from local professionals 

Cathy Mathews, Eva Csala, 

and Russel Shipley 

Sunday, 25th March at 6.00 pm 

in The Meon Hall 

Tickets £8, £5 concessions 

to include refreshments 

Available from Corhampton Stores or 

on the door 

7 

Sunday, 12th February, at 3.00 pm 


VALENTINE’S DAY 

Chamber Concert 

Cathy Mathews – violin 

Éva Csala – violoncello 

Russel Shipley – clarinet 

and friends 

Programme: 

Classical and Romantic music 

Refreshments included 

Tickets on the door 

£8 for adults and 

£6 for children and OAPs 

If you are a fan of Classical and Romantic music 

or you know someone who is, then look no further 

for the perfect Valentine’s Day concert! 

Friends of Meonstoke School’s 

Annual Quiz Night 

Friday, 23rd March 

The Meon Hall, 7.30 pm 

This year it’s the 

Austerity Quiz: 

no fancy dress, just questions, 

picnics and prizes. 

Tickets from 

The Village Stores 

£4 each or £30 for a table of 8 

Phone: 01489 878282

Meon Valley Garden Club 

It seems amazing that I am already putting into the diary 

notice of the Spring Show. As usual, the weather is giving 

us problems as there are daffodils already in bloom in some 

places and I have a primrose in flower in my garden. So will 

everything be over by the time of the Show? We worry every 

year and every year we have a wonderful display. So no doubt 

there will be a cold snap soon that will put everything right again! 

We have started our winter season of talks. Gardeners Question 

Time has become an annual event, with Chris Bird, from 

Sparsholt College, giving us the benefit of his wisdom and wit. 

So if you have a gardening problem, whether you are a member 

or not, please let me have details and I will put it on the list for 

Chris to answer. Then either come along to the meeting or look 

on our Web site for the result. 

Our membership now stands at 230 but there is room for more. 

Our yearly subscription is only £3 and you cannot get better 

value than that. 

Olive Hathaway, Chairman 

meon-valley-garden-club.co.uk 

8 

SPRING SHOW 

SATURDAY 31ST MARCH 

Soberton Village Hall 

2.00 pm 

Entrance 60p, 

Children Free 

A Great Display 

Refreshments 

Mid-week Communion 

Although it is always in The Bridge 

District Diary, some of you may not 

be aware that there is a short service 

of Holy Communion (CW) every 

Thursday morning at 10.00, held in 

Sprinkle some balanced fertiliser around 

In the garden the base of fruit trees and bushes before 

applying a mulch of well-rotted manure. 

– February 

�� 

& March Herbaceous border: Clean up dead 

leaves and stems that might harbour 

the Lady Chapel in St. Mary’s 

unwanted pests, and complete any 

Church, Droxford. 

Do come along and and share this 

quiet time with us. 

Pauline Quarendon 

Vacancy – Server 

I am a server in the church. My name is 

James and I like doing my job. I have 

been doing it for over 2 years. 

I carry a book called the Gospel and I 

help the rector with pouring the wine and 

I carry the Cross and I do lots of other 

things. 

It makes me feel happy and it makes 

everyone happy. I don't do it all the 

time, that's why we need some more 

servers to help. You don't have to do 

it, but it would be nice if you did. So if 

you are interested, 

Please call me or Rev. Stuart Holt on 

01489 877867 or 01489 877512 

James Matthissen 

Are you interested in crafts 

such as patchwork? 

Do come and join us at Tithes on 

alternate Wednesdays from 

10.30 am to 12.30 pm 

February 8th; 22nd; 29th 

March 14th; 28th 

More information from 

Rosemary Frere-Cook on 877769 

transplanting not done in the autumn. 

The mild winter and recent wet Plant roses and hardy lilies, plant gladioli 

weather, apart from delaying after mid-March, prune climbing roses 

some jobs in the garden, has also and hardy shrubs. Do not prune forsythia 

allowed many pests to overwinter 

and other spring flowering shrubs or 

successfully, so extra vigilance is 

spring flowering clematis such as 

Montana, Alpina, or Armandii, otherwise 

required to spot aphids and eggs of slugs 

there will be no flowers this year. Apply 

and snails before despatching them by 

mulch of composted horse manure around 

whatever means. As soon as the soil is 

shrubs. 

workable priority should be given to 

L 

�� 

getting bare rooted trees, shrubs and awns: In March, re-seed worn are- 

fruit canes planted while they are still as after first levelling, repair any 

dormant. It is also time to give the damaged edges and aerate the whole lawn 

vegetable plot a final dig over before with an aerator or fork. At the end of the 

preparing for sowing. 

month apply lawn fertiliser and after a 

V 

�� 

few days lightly mow, remembering to 

egetables: First sowings of broad set the mower blades high so that the 

beans, peas, and parsnips may be grass is not cut too short. If there has 

made, and shallot sets planted. At this been a build-up of perennial weeds and 

time early sowings of spring onions and moss since the autumn use proprietary 

lettuce can also be made. A layer of fleece weed and feed with moss killer. 

will provide some protection against frost, 

I 

�� 

mice, and birds. 

n the greenhouse: Sow tomato, 

F 

�� 

ruit: Summer fruiting raspberries;– 

cucumber, sprouts, cauliflower, and 

shorten canes to 5 feet and cut newly- 

summer bedding annuals such as petunia, 

planted canes to about 6 inches. Cut 

tagetes, asters, and nicotiana. Start 

autumn fruiting varieties down to ground 

tuberous rooted begonias in pots or trays, 

level. Prune gooseberries, white and red 

start dahlias in trays of slightly damp peat 

currants – cut back half of last year’s new 

or soil free compost. Chit early potato 

growth and trim side shoots to about 2 

tubers, eyes uppermost in shallow boxes 

inches. Remove all wood 4 years old or 

of sand, ready for planting out in midmore 

(these stems will be very dark in 

March. 

colour) from black currant bushes. 

John Owen

LENT LUNCHES 2012 

February 

Friday, 24th St Nicholas’ Wickham, Church Hall 

Wednesday, 29th United Free Church, 

Bishop’s Waltham 

March 

Wednesday, 7th Durley Memorial Hall 

Wednesday, 14th Swanmore Methodist Hall 

Wednesday, 21st St Peter's, Soberton, Church Room 

All at 12.30 pm onwards 

Menu 

Soup, bread and cheese, 

tea/coffee 

No charge, but donations invited to be sent to 

charities that are yet to be decided 

CTWBA is in association with Churches Together in 

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 

The 2011 200 Club Prize Draw: 

Drawn at the Beetle Drive in 

November, the winners of the 2011 big 

prizes were: £300 Liz Whiting £150 

Stephen Blakey £100 Mark Masterman 

This year's 200 Club: The monthly 

£25 Prize draws are made on the 

first Saturday of each month. During the 

year there will be a £50 Midsummer 

Prize, and the special draw for the £300, 

£150, and £100 prizes will take place at 

the 2012 Beetle Drive, which will be 

held at the Meon Hall on Saturday, 24th 

November – put the event in your diary 

now ! The 200 Club raises money to 

help with purchases of new equipment 

and other improvements for the Meon 

Hall. If you want to join this year’s 200 

Club and take part in the prize draws, 

contact James Morrice (877916). 

A 

huge “Thank you”: to everyone 

who has joined the 200 Club in 

2012 – you may win one of the prizes, 

but just as importantly, by joining the 

200 Club you are helping the Meon Hall 

Management Committee to make some 

much needed equipment purchases and 

general improvements. 

Showcase time! In this and future 

Bridge editions the Meon Hall 

Committee will be publicising the 

groups and weekly activities that go on 

in the Hall. First of all Keeping Fit – 

don't just go a walk, good for you as that 

is. Join a fitness group at the Meon Hall 

as well. We have a range of fitness 

groups to suit different personal needs 

and capabilities : 

� On Monday evenings come along 

at 7.30 pm for Aerobics in the Main 

Hall – Patrick leads this group for 

Aerobics to music; there's lots of 

floor space. Contact Michelle 

Waktare (878582) for information 

and cost per session. Patrick is a 

qualified instructor (contact him on 

07905 524063) 

� On Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm 

Andy Roberts runs a large and 

enthusiastic circuit training group in 

9 

VILLAGE FÊTE – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU! 

The Meonstoke/Corhampton/Exton Village Fete is scheduled 

for Saturday, 14th July at The Meon Hall wet or fine, and it 

is hoped that, with planning starting now, we can surpass all 

previous fetes! 

Please will everyone note 14th July in your diaries, and start 

thinking NOT where else you might hive off to, but HOW and with 

what you can contribute? It is only by the good graces of, often 

the same old, and getting older(!), people, that the fêtes bring 

cohesion to the Community and badly needed funds to the 

Benefice. We have, joyously, an increasingly younger 

population around us, some of whom may shrink from coming 

forward from their busy lives. Please will they volunteer to run 

or help run stalls, pony and slow bike rides, bouncy castle, 

erecting tents, tossing the straw, dog show and so on? This is a 

great day out for the children especially. We need a Volunteer 

Band. Remember the less we need to pay for the more charity 

funds we raise. 

We have never been defeated by the weather, which is always a 

challenge. Early moans go with the territory, but on the day it is 

always fun and varyingly productive. Start thinking up original, 

and traditional, stalls/events and whether you have a connection 

to draws like vintage car or aerobatic displays, fairground 

apparatus, hot air balloon operators, helicopter rides, parachute 

drops, model aeroplane and birds of prey demonstrations, sheep 

dog displays , etc etc. Please volunteer early to avoid being 

press-ganged into something you would rather not do! 

Any ideas, suggestions, commitments, or queries should be 

submitted to Mike Hutchinson on 878702, or by e-mail at 

yandmhutch1@btinternet.com , the earlier the better. Repeat, 

together we can make this the best one. 

VOLUNTEER NOW! 

the Main Hall. In addition to the 

static exercises , Andy has got some 

boxing exercise kit – you can really 

get stuck into these, and punch them 

about. Andy is a professionally 

qualified personal trainer; you can 

contact him on 07521 692061 for 

information and cost per session. 

� On Friday mornings, if the other 

sessions are too tough for you, come 

along and enjoy something very 

different - a relaxed calm and gentle 

Workout with Wendy in the Small 

Hall – exercising to music. Body 

conditioning, stretching, hula 

hooping. You can contact Wendy 

Laurenson on 07876 361120. 

Finally – Are you planning a 

family party ...? Can we help 

you ? Why not order those extra 

tables, chairs, champagne flutes, wine 

glasses, china and cutlery for your 

entertaining from The Meon Hall. 

Contact the bookings secretary, 

Richard Booth on 877820 or at: 

meonhallbookings@yahoo.co.uk 

James Morrice

Our first talk 

of the year 

was given 

by Rear Admiral Guy 

Liardet, who spoke 

on the Gallipoli Campaign. This, he 

made very clear, was one of the great 

disasters of the First World War. Whilst 

there were many acts of individual 

heroism, overall the campaign was 

doomed by lack of proper planning, 

poor leadership, and bad decisions. One 

could say that with hind-sight it was a 

series of ‘if onlies’. 

Things started to go wrong with the 

decision being made to make the attack 

by sea alone. After an initial 

bombardment, 17 British and French 

ships made their way through the 

Dardanelle Straits. These had been 

heavily mined, and attempts to clear the 

mines had failed completely. The 

combination of the mines and gun fire 

from the shore had a devastating effect, 

with three British battleships sunk and 

three more withdrawn. Throughout the 

Victorian years, the British Navy had 

ruled the waves, and was not 

accustomed to losing ships and the 

effect on morale was profound. In fact, 

the Turks were virtually out of 

The Royal British Legion Droxford Branch 

ammunition, fully expecting that the 

attack would be resumed the next day 

and were on the point of surrendering. 

However, there was no follow up and in 

Guy’s words: “So twenty mines and a 

lack of naval grit decided the outcome of 

the Gallipoli campaign and lengthened 

the First World War.” 

The arrangements for the subsequent 

amphibious assault were chaotic and the 

delay gave the Turks ample opportunity 

to bring up reinforcements and make 

defensive preparations. The Australian 

and New Zealand forces, the Anzacs, 

were due to land at a bay called Gaba 

Tepe but due to a navigational error 

landed further north in very difficult 

terrain, an area now known as Anzac 

cove. The Turkish troops, although outnumbered, 

were led by the brilliant 

Mustapha Kemel Bey and taking full 

advantage of the inhospitable terrain 

pinned down the Anzacs in increasingly 

awful and insanitary conditions. 

The 29th division landed on five 

beaches further to the south of the 

Gallipoli peninsular and although one or 

two of the landings appeared to start 

well, all eventually became a blood bath, 

with the fighting settling down to trench 

Studwell in Wartime (cont’d) 

I read the Studwell in Wartime article 

in the last issue with some interest. 

A reply, as invited, gives me a 

welcome opportunity to pay tribute to 

my kind godfather, Captain the Hon. 

John Bruce, Royal Navy, and his dear 

wife ‘Aunt’ Helen. 

John Bruce was my father’s 

Commander in the cruiser HMS 

Dauntless, from which my parents were 

married in Bermuda in 1932. 

Subsequently, at my baptism in HMS 

Effingham in Portsmouth ‘Uncle’ John 

consented to be a godfather. He 

continued to be both supportive and 

generous throughout my childhood and 

my entry into RNC Dartmouth, and I 

treasure the Bible he gave me at my 

Confirmation which has travelled the 

world with me to this day. 

Studwell Lodge – happy memories of 

mother and me staying with Aunt Helen 

during the war. My two strongest were 

the wonderfully equipped playroom, 

such toys! Then the mysterious garden 

tunnel which housed all the gardener’s 

tackle. This had huge appeal for a five 

year old future submariner! I believe it 

is still in use. 

Later, as a teenager I was again a guest 

at Studwell, where staff had returned 

and life was approaching what it had 

been pre-war. The whole family was as 

ever kind and I recall Victor driving me 

through the night returning through 

darkened lanes from a party, maybe 

Celia’s “coming out”? 

As finale, I was later pleased to present 

my family. Our son Charles, aged about 

five, and briefed to be on best 

behaviour, smartly marched up to Uncle 

John and said “How do you do, Captain 

Boots”! I do indeed remember “those 

times” with gratitude for much 

generosity and kindness, and always 

have a warm feeling when I pass by 

Studwell. 

10 

Mike Hutchinson. 

warfare like the Western front. The 

official history suggests that the 29th 

Division did well to take the beaches but 

that once ashore, a lack of initiative 

among subordinate commanders and 

casualties among the best officers meant 

that insufficient progress was made. The 

troops also suffered from the 

inhospitable climate, with terrific heat 

and appalling plagues of flies in the 

summer, and intense cold in the winter. 

Eventually, after nine months the 

decision was made to withdraw, with the 

Allied forces having suffered over 

140,000 casualties and the Turks over 

251,000. Although the Turks had 

suffered the greater number of 

casualties, there was little doubt that it 

was the Allies who had been defeated. 

This is only a very brief and sketchy 

outline of Guy’s very detailed and 

comprehensive account of a truly 

terrible event, which he brilliantly 

illustrated with some 200 slides. He 

vividly brought home to us the sheer 

horror of the Gallipoli Campaign and we 

are indebted to him for a fascinating 

evening. 

John Martin 

Droxford Village Market 

Help Needed! 

We are urgently in need of 

more volunteers for the 

Market. Two of our long 

serving members have resigned and we 

need to fill their shoes. We need people 

to serve on the produce counter and also 

to make the refreshments. It involves 

attending on a Friday from 1.00 p.m. to 

3.30 p.m. so just 2 ½ hours. At present 

the produce volunteers have to attend 2 

Fridays out of 3, and the refreshment 

volunteers every other Friday. The 

more volunteers that we have, the less 

the commitment for the existing group 

and for new volunteers. We work on a 

rota that is drawn up by mutual 

agreement, so even 1 Friday a month 

would be acceptable. Nothing is set in 

stone as we all live busy lives and 

Friday swapping goes on. If you can 

help, please either come along to the 

Market and have a chat or ring me 

878768. 

Olive Hathaway

POST OFFICES 

Some local services & useful telephone numbers 

DROXFORD – High Street 878811 

MEONSTOKE – Allens Lane, Corhampton 877374 

STORES 

DROXFORD STORES, High Street 878811 

THE VILLAGE STORES, Allens Lane,Corhampton 877374 

MERINGTONS STORES, Garrison Hill, Droxford 878043 

DROXFORD ANTIQUES, High Street, Droxford 878800 

PUBLIC HOUSES 

THE BAKER’S ARMS, Droxford 877533 

THE BUCKS HEAD, Meonstoke 877313 

THE HURDLES, Droxford 877451 

THE SHOE, Exton 877526 

THE WHITE HORSE, Droxford 877490 

GARAGES 

MERINGTONS , Droxford 877431 

TAYLORS GARAGE LTD, Droxford 877433 

SCHOOLS 

DROXFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL, Secretary 877537 

MEONSTOKE SCHOOL, Secretary 877568 

VALLEY PRE-SCHOOL 878019 

SWANMORE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY 892256 

LIBRARY (Bishop’s Waltham) 

Free Street, Bishops Waltham 892871 

CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU (Bishop’s Waltham) 

Well House, 2 Brook Street 896376 

CAB e-mail: bishopswaltham@cabnet.org.uk 

PARISH COUNCILS 

Corhampton & Meonstoke. 

Clerk: Mrs J Brooks 891660 

Droxford. Clerk: Mrs R Hoile 877470 

Exton Parish Meeting: 

Honorary Secretary: Paul Garner 877781 

DROXFORD VILLAGE HALL 

Bookings: Mrs Terry Crowfoot 877631 

William Collins Charity 

Can we help you? Our charity was set up to assist children 

and students from the Bridge parishes, requiring financial 

help for educational purposes (not fees). Call one of our 

trustees in confidence: 

Ann Symes, Droxford 877643 

Jan Dobson Meonstoke 877672 Diana Arthur Exton 877390 

Julia Keitley Droxford 877414 

Monika Thwaites Corhampton 877939 

The Trustees of the William Collins Trust are delighted to 

announce that they were able to make awards allowing a 

number of Droxford school children to go away to residential 

camps. Other awards have been made in respect of Duke 

of Edinburgh Award Scheme fees and music lessons. 

11 

THE MEON HALL, Meonstoke 

Bookings: Richard Booth 877820 

E-mail: meonhallbookings@yahoo.co.uk 

COMMUNITY CARE TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATORS: 

Droxford: Sheila Hilary 07977 096586 

Exton: Jill Freemantle 877379 

Meonstoke & Corhampton: Patricia Howe 877528 

MEON VALLEY CARERS GROUP 

The Paterson Centre (see p. 20 for details) 895444 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 

If you see anything suspicious, ring the Police immediately 

on 0845 045 4545, or, if you need advice, phone any of the 

following people straight away. If a vehicle is involved, it 

can help enormously if you can get its number. 

Corhampton & Meonstoke: 

Ian Gilchrist (chairman) 877238 

Rectory Lane Norah Burrage 878708 

High Street Janet Dobby 878657 

Bucks Head Hill Carol Jones 878560 

Oxendown Ian Gilchrist 877238 

Warnford Road Mike Camp 877180 

Jerry Pett 877633 

Corhampton Lane Charles Hall 877506 

Pound Lane, W. of Meon Hall 

Pearl Hazzard 877075 

Pound Lane, E. of Meon Hall 

Linda Foot 877763 

Chapel Road & Fry’s Lane Marcia Gillespie 877472 

New Road Jenny Liardet 877583 

Allen’s Lane and St Andrew’s Green. 

Lorna Allured 877718 

Stocks Lane Roger Howard 877540 

Brockbridge Road Frances Keppel 878774 

Millside Phil Butler 877596 

Droxford Gordon Hope 877751 

Exton Joan Starkie 878698 

Eleanor & Paul Garner 877781 

POLICE (non-emergency calls) 0845 045 4545 

NHS DIRECT (24 hour response) 0845 4647 

For help on community safety and to report 

anti-social behaviour, etc, ring 101 

Good News Travelling Library 

At 

The Paterson Centre 

Church Road, Swanmore 

Normally 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10.30 am to 

12.15 pm: 

Next visits: 14th February : 13th March 

Everyone welcome ~ refreshments served

Our main activity is the provision of 

private transport for essential 

purposes such as hospital and doctor 

appointments and we endeavour to keep 

our charges well below cost. We rely on 

the continuing support of volunteer 

drivers. Nearly all our current drivers are 

retired and have been with us for at least 

five years and to keep the service going 

we do urgently need some new volunteers. 

At present the costs of operating the 

service are by fund raising and donations. 

Donations are always welcome and we 

acknowledge with thanks the 

contributions that have recently been 

received. 

In addition to transport, we provide a 

service to new arrivals in the villages with 

The Group exists to provide support within the villages of 

Droxford, Meonstoke, Exton and Corhampton. 

MINOR INJURIES 

UNIT 

Petersfield Hospital 

Swan Street, Petersfield 

GU32 3LB 

� 01730 263221 

a welcome note and later a visit to assist 

them in settling in. It is important to us 

that we welcome all newcomers but 

occasionally we are not made aware of 

new arrivals. If we have not been in 

touch please make contact with the New 

Arrivals co-ordinator Za Rowe 877732. 

We can also provide assistance with 

completion of forms and documents on a 

confidential basis and may also be able to 

offer assistance to those in need of 

specialized equipment to make life easier 

around the home. We may be able to help 

resolve the problems of restoring landline 

telephones of the elderly when they are 

not working properly. The switchover to 

Digital Television takes place next 

February or March depending upon which 

Open 8 am to 6 pm 

365 days a year 

As a dedicated Minor Injuries Team, we can treat many minor injuries 

for all ages including: 

Cuts & Abrasions 

Burns 

Ear & nose injuries 

Eye injuries 

Foreign bodies 

Head Injuries 

Minor Fractures 

Nosebleeds 

Splinters, Sprains & Strains 

If we cannot treat your injury, we will refer you to another member 

of our multi-disciplinary team. These can include. 

� Accident & Emergency Department 

� Dentist 

� Fracture Clinic 

� General Practitioner 

� Ophthalmic Optician 

We have X-ray facilities Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to midday. 

Waiting times vary, but most patients are seen, treated and discharged within 

an hour. 

12 

transmitter your TV aerial is directed. 

Help is available to ensure you are tuned 

to the new digital service but do not wait 

until your TV screen goes blank. If you 

need help please contact your transport 

coordinator who can put you in touch with 

the experts. 

If you require transport to your doctor, 

hospitals including the Minor Injuries 

Unit at Petersfield Hospital etc. please 

always contact your transport coordinator 

whose telephone number is on the Local 

Services page and do not contact drivers 

direct. 

If you would like to volunteer as a 

driver, please get in touch with the 

chairman, John Shaw, on 877564. 

Meon Valley Community Bus 

Fares for all destinations: 

Adult: £4.00 return. 

Children: Under 16 ½ fare: Under 5 free 

Winchester City Council bus passes accepted 

For Minibus bookings ring Stuart Attrill on 

01489 878500. 

TIMETABLES: 

MONDAY to FAREHAM 

Leaves Return 

1001 Droxford Square 1314 

1005 Meonstoke, Pound Cottages 1310 

1007 Corhampton Stores 1308 

1009 Meonstoke, Old Post Office 1306 

WEDNESDAY to FAREHAM 





THURSDAY to FAREHAM 

0926 Exton, The Shoe 1239 

0927 Corhampton, The Butts 1238 




FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH TO WINCHESTER 






SECOND FRIDAY OF MONTH TO WATERLOOVILLE 



THIRD FRIDAY OF MONTH TO HEDGE END 




0937 Droxford Square 1209

QI’m looking for ways to cut 

my gas and electricity bills 

before the winter sets in, 

and I’ve heard there are 

government grants available to 

make your home more energy 

efficient. Do you have any details? 

AAt the moment, half of the 

UK's carbon emissions come 

from the energy used to 

generate heat. As a result, a switch to 

low carbon heating is vital to meet the 

UK’s carbon targets. 

A new government scheme, which runs 

from 1st August 2011 to 31st March 

2012, has been set up to help people 

install green energy heating systems. 

The scheme is particularly for those 

households who don't have mains gas 

heating. You can get grants for the 

following amounts, for the following 

products: 

� A ground source or water source 

heat pump - £1,250 (for homes 

without mains gas heating) 

� A biomass boiler - £950 (for 

homes without mains gas heating) 

� An air source heat pump - £850 

(for homes without mains gas 

heating) 

� Solar thermal hot water panels - 

£300 (available to all households). 

The scheme for householders is mainly 

aimed at the 5.5 million households in 

Great Britain not heated by mains gas. 

Rather than mains gas, these 

households have to rely on expensive 

and higher carbon forms of heating 

such as heating oil and electric fires to 

keep warm. To qualify, householders 

will need to ensure they have basic 

Contacting the CAB 

Citizens Advice Bureau 

energy efficiency measures in place 

before they apply. 

Up to 25,000 new installations will be 

supported over the next year. The 

grants will be given out on a firstcome, 

first-served basis, and providers 

of social housing can also apply. For 

more information, including how to 

register early, go to www.directgov.uk 

or call the Energy Saving Trust on 

0800 512 012 

The Energy Saving Trust is at: 

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ 

QMy pensioner father 

recently had someone 

knock on his door saying 

they'd been doing work in the area 

and had spotted his roof needed 

repairing. This got Dad worried as 

he can’t afford any major work, 

but I’m suspicious about the whole 

thing. What would you advise? 

AYou’re right to be wary. The 

approach you describe is a 

classic con. Rogue traders 

often call unannounced 

offering help with roofing, paving, or 

general building work they say needs 

doing, or offering to do insulation or 

install burglar alarms. They often end 

up running off with your money 

without ever doing the work, doing a 

very poor job, or doing work that never 

actually needed doing. 

Follow these top tips to avoid getting 

involved with a dodgy trader: 

For more information about these questions, contact your local CAB at: 

Well House, 2 Brook Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AX, 

Tel: 01489 896376, open from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, 

Wednesday, and Friday. 

There is also an advice surgery at Wickham Community Centre 

(in Mill Lane) on Thursdays from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. 

If this is not convenient, try our Thursday evening appointments-only 

session (from 4 to 7 pm) at the Bishop’s Waltham Bureau. 

You can also e-mail us at: bishopswaltham@cabnet.org.uk. 

You can also go to our local website at: www.bishopswalthamcab.org.uk 

or you can go to the national Citizens Advice Bureau website at 

www.adviceguide.org.uk 

13 

� Don't ever agree to work or 

sign anything on the spot – 

take their full details and say 

you'll get back to them . 

� Check their details – they should 

give you their business name and 

address and not just a mobile 

phone number. Check these 

details to see if they are genuine. 

� Check if they are a member of a 

professional trade body, belong 

to a local authority assured trader 

scheme, or to the TrustMark 

scheme, which can help you find 

trustworthy tradesmen in your 

area. For more details about these 

schemes, go to www.direct.gov.uk 

or www.trustmark.org.uk/ 

� Ask them for details of other 

customers they did work for and 

contact them to check this out. 

� Don't get taken in by their sales 

banter – they might claim there is 

a special offer on only for that 

day, or that they'll get sacked if 

you don’t employ them. This 

kind of talk is likely to be a sales 

pitch and you shouldn’t take it 

seriously. 

� Always get more than one quote 

before employing anyone – it’s 

usually best to contact other 

traders your friends or family 

have recommended. 

� Don’t ever make a cash 

payment up front – a reliable 

trader won’t ask for money before 

doing the job – not even if they 

need materials. If they run a 

business, they should have enough 

money to cover these costs 

themselves and only ask for 

payment once they’ve completed 

the job, or done a reasonable 

amount of work. 

� If you think a trader is trying to 

con you – speak to Consumer 

Direct on 08454 040506. They 

can report anything suspicious to 

your local Trading Standards 

Department. 

� If the trader becomes aggressive 

or threatens you, this is criminal 

behaviour and you should call the 

police straight away

How very different the Christmas 

period has been over recent weeks, 

compared with the same time last year. 

Snowdrops, and even daffodils in some 

places, are already in bloom, and 

presently little deters the progress of 

early growth in trees, plants, and 

flowers. The snow might yet fall, but at 

this stage, we hope that the winter 

weather of the last two years will remain 

but a possibility as the days lengthen. 

Something which we can all look 

forward to is our Quiz Evening on 

Saturday, 4th February. This is a much 

anticipated annual event, and usually 

our biggest fund-raising occasion, and 

we do hope that all those teams who 

regularly participate will be in the hall 

once again, to enjoy the fun, the 

competition, and the super chilli supper. 

We can promise good-natured team 

cooperation, exercise of the brain cells, 

and a good evening’s entertainment. 

Our forthcoming films should attract 

plenty of support. Following Jane Eyre 

in January, we will be showing Tinker, 

Tailor, Soldier, Spy in February, The 

Help in March, and The Iron Lady in 

April. Take advantage of the comfort 

and nearness of the village hall as a 

Saturday, 4th February 

Quiz night 

With John Martin as our inimitable 

Quizmaster 

7.30 pm 

Strictly teams of 6 

Tickets £6 per head to include supper 

Licensed bar 

Wednesday, 29th February 

Tinker Tailor Soldier 

Spy A film rated 15 

Big screen version of John Le Carre’s 

espionage classic, starring Gary Olman 

as Smiley, and with Colin Firth, John 

Hurst, Ciaran Hinds, and Toby Jones 

7.30 pm doors open at 7 pm 

Tickets £5 

Licensed bar and refreshments 

Droxford Village Hall News 

cinema, and come along to enjoy the 

films. 

Whilst we all favour the advancement of 

spring, and wish for long summer days 

ahead, it is necessary to look back to 

2011 and to express appreciation to all 

those concerned with the Friday market. 

The market brings in substantial funds to 

our coffers all year round, and without 

the commitment of so many village folk 

to set up the hall, provide the goods, 

man the tables, collect produce, and deal 

with the accounts, there would be no 

market. Many who live outside our 

village speak highly of this facility. 

The year ended for this willing and 

happy band of volunteers, with the 

Christmas Market at the end of 

November, which was a great success, 

and afforded an even larger contribution 

to our funds. If you did not find yourself 

a little gem on the ‘bling’ stall, you 

Forthcoming events at Droxford Village Hall 

Wednesday 28 th March 

The Help 

A film rated 12a 

Based on the novel by Kathryn 

Stockett and set in 60’s Mississipi. A 

must see – this movie will inspire you 

while making you both laugh and cry. 

Thought by some to be one of the very 

best films of 2011 

7.30 pm doors open at 7 pm 

Tickest £5 

Licensed bar and refreshments 

STOP PRESS! 

The Iron Lady 

comes to Droxford at the 

end of April! 

Tickets for all events from the Post Office 

14 

certainly missed something special. On 

behalf of the committee, and the 

residents of Droxford, a huge thank you 

is extended to all who participate so 

regularly and with such commitment. 

The Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, 

at the King’s Theatre, Southsea, proved 

to be a most enjoyable and entertaining 

evening for the group who took 

advantage of the very cut-price tickets 

that Tim Crowfoot had secured. Both 

audience and players reacted in the 

inimitable, responsive way, and a good 

time was had by all. 

The annual membership renewal and 

recruitment drive for the 200 Club has 

taken place and newcomers to the 

village will be most welcome as 

members. For £12 only, yours is the 

chance to win a £40 prize any and 

indeed every month. Please support this 

very worthwhile fund-raising operation. 

Latest 200 club winners are: 

December – Alison Gauntlett 

January – Jenny Dover 

We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 

2012. 

Jackie Hibbert 

Secretary 

Droxford Village 

Market 

� Vegetables, Cakes, 

� Eggs 

� Jams, Chutneys, & 

Marmalade 

� Cards and Books 

� Dog Biscuits 

� Flowers 

� Refreshments 

All at very reasonable prices 

The emphasis is on 

homemade and local grown 

in Droxford Village Hall 

Every Friday 

2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

ur pupils 

ODroxford at 

Junior School have 

been busy raising 

money for this 

year’s chosen charity, ShelterBox. 

Firstly, all pupils took part in Cool 

Planet week which had World 

Heritage sites as its theme. Each 

learning Base spent the week 

studying one incredible place from 

anywhere in the world and then 

worked through a week long creative 

curriculum. At the end of the week all 

the pupils produced a piece of artwork 

which was given to their parents. The 

stunning artwork ranged from 

watercolour Killer Whales off the 

Argentinian coast; underwater 

collages based on the Great Barrier 

Reef; colourful pastel images of 

Stonehenge, stunning silhouettes of 

Ankarwat in Thailand; Paul Klee 

inspired paintings of a Mosque in 

Tunisia; and digital macro photographs 

of fossils found at the Dorset and 

Devon Jurassic coast (see picture far 

right). Parents could, if they wished, 

donate money to buy the artwork, 

which was mounted and framed. 

Monies raised went towards the 

ShelterBox charity. 

The school also had a fantastic festive 

Christmas production at the local 

A heart warming start to the New Year! 

church. This was led by Years 3 and 

4 and Reverend Stuart Holt kindly 

read a Christmas blessing. Parents 

were very generous and donated 

monies to the ‘silver plate’ which also 

went towards the ‘Shelterbox’ appeal. 

Every donated total of £590 will 

allow ShelterBox to deliver 

emergency shelter and other 

lifesaving equipment to a family who 

has lost everything following a 

disaster. More details can be found 

at: 

http://www.youngshelterbox.org/ 

A typical box contains the following. 

� The plastic box itself 

� Custom designed family tent 

� Waterproof ground mats 

� Thermal fleece blankets 

� Mosquito nets 

� Children’s activity pack 

� Stove 

� Cooking equipment 

� Tool kit 

� Water containers & purification 

� Warm hats and gloves 

A big thank you to the parents of our 

school pupils who made donations 

and the members of the local 

community who attended our 

15 

Christmas performance; we managed 

to raise £847.48! This was enough to 

buy one large shelterbox and also a 

family tent and provisions. Through 

this donation of support, we are 

making a difference to those in need, 

in whatever way we can, which makes 

all the hard work worthwhile! 

Matthew Dampier 

Deputy Headteacher 

Some of the Dorset fossils 

School council with the ShelterBox

the management 

work we do on our 

“Sometimes 

nature reserves looks 

more like destruction than 

conservation,” says Elliott Fairs, 

Wildlife Trust Reserves Officer. 

“But there’s always a good reason.” 

Throughout nature there are species 

with extremely complicated and somewhat 

fussy needs that allow them to 

thrive. Then there are those that require 

bare ground: just nice, simple, bare 

ground. It is the latter that the Wildlife 

Trust has been helping recently to 

ensure these species have their place on 

our heaths. And we’ve employed the 

help of a different type of plant – 

mechanical plant. 

Bare ground provides some wildlife 

with an ideal opportunity for 

colonisation. Seeds falling onto bare 

soil have a much better chance of 

germinating than on grassy areas. The 

bare mud or sand soaks up much more 

of the sun’s heat than surrounding 

vegetation, so provides excellent 

basking points for insects and reptiles. 

The high level of insect activity on 

localised areas of bare ground provides 

perfect hunting for insect-eating birds, 

such as woodlarks. 

Historically, bare areas of heathland 

would have been created and 

maintained by large grazing herds, 

which roamed wild across the heathy 

landscapes, churning up the ground as 

Meon Valley U3A’s programme of 

twice-monthly illustrated talks on 

the theme Here and There will continue 

through until April 2012, with the AGM 

on 1st May. Meeting at Wickham 

Community Centre, Mill Lane, at 2.00 

pm, the next four dates (all Tuesdays) 

are: 

Feb 7 The South Downs National 

Park by Barbara Holyome 

and Nick Heasman of the new 

Trust Us by Elliott Fairs 

they went. More recently, bare ground 

was created by humans, as commoners 

practised turbary – the right to dig up 

heather turfs to burn as a fuel. With 

turbary rarely exercised these days and 

large roaming herds a thing of the past, 

the wildlife that evolved to live on 

these bare patches has suffered a 

dramatic decline. 

Grasses and scrub covered the bare 

ground within just a few years and with 

adequate grazing disappearing from 

many of our heaths, the scrub has been 

replaced with trees and the bare ground 

has become birch woodland. 

However, all is not lost. By identifying 

an area known to have once been 

species-rich heathland, we know that 

there will be dormant, yet viable, seeds 

from these plants in that location. This 

means we can quickly and costeffectively 

create a specialised and 

incredibly important habitat, and then 

watch the species return within a 

matter of months. We create this bare 

ground, commonly called ‘scrapes’, by 

using machinery to scrape back the 

vegetation, leaf-litter and the top few 

inches of soil. The remaining exposed, 

bare ground is full of dormant seeds, 

deposited decades before, and has 

abundant potential and promise. 

Some of the species that are being 

helped include bog pimpernel, the 

insect-eating sundew and marsh 

clubmoss (see the magazine cover for 

a photograph of the sundew). These 

National Park Authority 

Feb 21 The Natural History of 

Swanmore by Alan Green, 

local enthusiast and speaker 

Mar 6 Meon Valley Villages – My 

Book by Peter Watkins, well 

known local author 

Mar 20 Secrets of London by June 

Imber, former London guide 

In addition to the talks, various small 

groups, whose members meet in each 

others’ houses, usually monthly, are also 

continuing. Current groups’ subjects 

include: 

16 

bare areas also offer a place where the 

insects can burrow and lay their eggs. 

Heath tiger beetles, the mottled beefly 

are two examples. 

For more information, visit the 

Wildlife Trust’s Web site at: 

www.hwt.org.uk 

Hampshire and Isle of 

Wight Wildlife Trust 

events 

Wednesday, 15th February 7.30pm: 

Nature in Close-Up. Andrew 

Watts, our brilliant local photographer, 

will give a presentation on close-up 

pictures of insects, invertebrates, 

amphibians, wild flowers, etc, with 

comments on the techniques and tricks of 

the trade. A must for anyone interested 

in wildlife photography. At St Wilfrid’s 

Church Hall, Padnell Road, Cowplain, 

PO8 8DZ. Parking available to the rear 

of the church. For more details, contact 

Peter Leversha on 023 9259 2711. 

Admission £2.50 including refreshments. 

Non-members welcome. 

Monday, 27th February 7.30 pm: 

Poisonous Plants. An illustrated talk by 

Dr Rosemary Hopewell on weeds, both 

garden and agricultural – the law, their 

downside and their uses through the ages. 

At Church Hall, Free Street, Bishops 

Waltham. Parking is available at the 

library next door. For more details, 

contact Jane Gentry on 01489 890961. 

Admission £2.50 including refreshments, 

children free. 

� Reading 

� Poetry 

� Art 

� Art appreciation 

� Music appreciation 

� Geology 

� Walking 

A bridge group has recently been started. 

There is a small annual U3A membership 

subscription; new members, and visitors, 

are welcome. 

Enquiries to the secretary: 

Julia Field on 01489 891353

You have to begin to lose your 

memory, if only in bits and pieces, 

to realise that memory is what makes 

our lives. Life without memory is no 

life at all....Our memory is our 

coherence, our reason, our feeling, even 

our action. Without it we are 

nothing.....Luis Bunuel 

It has been encouraging to see so much 

coverage of dementia in the press over 

the past months; we can only hope that 

we will start to see some real progress 

in dealing with this terrible condition in 

the very near future. It’s a sad fact that, 

as our general health improves and we 

find treatments for other health issues, 

more and more of us could fall prey to 

this horrific fate. 

The field of dementia has always lagged 

behind other conditions in just about 

every way. Research funding is around 

6 times less than for cancer research and 

the resources to help dementia sufferers 

are also far less well developed. Almost 

everyone knows about Macmillan 

Nurses and the help they give to cancer 

sufferers and their families, but little 

seems to be known about Admiral 

Nurses and the work they do to support 

dementia sufferers, their carers and 

their families. Fortunately, their profile 

is rising and the praise they received in 

John Suchet’s book My Bonnie has 

certainly helped, but there is still a lot of 

work to be done, especially since 

Admiral Nurses are not available in all 

areas. Here in Hampshire there are only 

Admiral nurses in the larger urban 

areas, such as Southampton. Here in 

the Meon Valley we do not currently 

have access to an Admiral Nurse. 

Admiral Nursing was established as a 

result of the experiences of family 

carers and is named after Joseph Levy 

The Rain 

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly 

gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from 

his thumb. 

He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 

am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it 

would be over an hour before someone would to able to see 

him. 

Meon Valley Carers Group News 

Promoting a positive way of living with dementia 

who had vascular dementia and was 

known as ‘Admiral Joe’ due to his keen 

interest in sailing. 

Admiral Nurses are mental health 

nurses specialising in dementia care and 

employed within NHS Mental Health 

Trusts and/or Integrated Health and 

Social Care Trusts and supported by the 

charity Dementia UK. They support 

people with dementia and their 

families, and work collaboratively with 

other professionals to improve the 

experience of those affected by 

dementia. The individualised support 

entails comprehensive assessment of 

need and provision of a range of 

therapeutic approaches designed to 

promote well being and equip family 

carers with skills and information. 

They also provide psychological 

support to help family carers and people 

with dementia understand and deal with 

their feelings and emotions as they live 

with this terrible condition. As part of 

their role, Admiral Nurses provide an 

educational supportive role to other 

professionals in promoting best practice 

A key objective of Dementia UK is to 

expand the network of Admiral Nurse 

teams across the whole country. This 

could be achieved through 

collaborative working with other 

organisations in health and social care 

and the successful roll-out of the model 

will be dependent on these partnerships 

being supported at local level. The 

17 

Meon Valley Carers Group has started 

to work with Dementia UK to explore 

ways in which we can secure access to 

our own Admiral Nurse. It is the PCT’s 

who decide whether to commission an 

Admiral Nurse Service and so we will 

benefit in their experience in 

convincing our own local PCT to 

support the project. 

As part of this project, we will be 

hosting a coffee morning at the 

Paterson Centre, Swanmore on 

Saturday, 11th February at 10.30 am to 

allow us to increase awareness and to 

raise funds for MVCG and Dementia 

UK. Please do come along and support 

us and learn more. 

Are you creative, or have a hobby that 

you could show and teach in a 

simplistic way at just one of our group 

meetings for two hours? You need to 

have empathy for the elderly and those 

with dementia. We are hoping to 

provide a variety of sessions to our 

members that will help them develop 

new skills and interests. 

Diary events: 

14th Feb: Pub Lunch at The Forge, 

Shedfield. 12 noon 

28th Feb: Group Meeting at the 

Paterson Centre. 2.00 pm 

13th Mar Pub Lunch at The Forge, 

Shedfield 12 noon 

27th Mar Group Meeting at the 

Paterson Centre 2.00 pm 

Are you or someone you know caring for someone suffering from memory 

difficulties? Meon Valley Carers Group is a voluntary organisation supporting 

carers and their families. It provides an opportunity to mix socially, 

together with their cared-for, with people in a similar situation on a regular basis. 

The Carers Centre for Memory Concerns 

The Paterson Centre, Church Road, Swanmore 

Monday & Thursday 9.00 am - 1.00 pm 

Tel: 01489 895444 

E-mail: meon-valley@btconnect.com 

I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not 

busy with another patient, I would look at his wound myself. 

On examination, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the 

doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and 

redress his wound. 

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had 

another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such 

a hurry. 

(Continued opposite . . )

Thank you for 

all your support 

At a time of great economic 

uncertainty, and when many 

people are facing financial hardship, it 

has been fantastic to witness the 

generous response of the Meon 

Valley residents to our annual charity 

Christmas collections. Father Christmas 

in his sleigh clocked up many miles 

during December, covering the 

villages from East and West Meon in 

the north to Wickham in the south, 

plus all the areas in between. Over a 

period of three weeks the Lions 

amassed a record £4,900 in our 

Christmas collection buckets, as well 

as an amazing variety of foreign 

currency including euro, pfennigs, 

Canadian cents, US cents, Swiss 

cents, pesetas, new halfpennies, old 

halfpennies, a farthing, and 29 old 

sixpences, including four pre-1947! 

The foreign change aside, all this 

money will go into the Meon Valley 

Lions charity account for redistribution 

over the coming year to people in 

need and local causes in our area. 

The way Lions operate means that 

every single penny we collect from 

donations like this, or profit from our 

fund-raising events, is used to help 

others. Unlike many other organisations, 

we use absolutely NONE of 

the money for salaries or 

administration. The Meon Valley may 

be in one of the more prosperous 

areas of the UK but that doesn’t mean 

to say that poverty and hardship don’t 

exist. Each month we consider 

numerous requests from individuals 

and groups in need of support of 

financial help – if you think we can 

The Rain (cont’d from previous page) 

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the 

nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to 

her health. He told me that she had been there for a while 

and that she was a victim of Alzheimers. 

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit 

late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that 

she had not recognized him in five years now. 

I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every 

morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?” 

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn't know 

me, but I still know who she is.” 

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps 

on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in 

my life.'” 

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, 

But how to dance in the rain.' 

Meon Valley Lions Club 

help you or someone you know, 

please get in touch. 

The mild winter weather has been a 

blessing this year, making the 

Christmas collections less of a ‘Scott 

of the Antarctic’ endurance test and 

swelling the visitor numbers at a 

number of other events we’ve been 

supporting. In the Bere Forest, the 

Naomi House Hospice Christmas 

bauble hunt attracted hundreds of 

hungry people to our barbecue stall, 

helping us raise around £700 for the 

Winchester based children’s charity. 

On Boxing Day, the annual 

Hampshire Bowman BBQ also proved 

as popular as ever with walkers 

looking to blow away the festive 

cobwebs. They were joined by bikers 

and classic vehicle owners dropping 

by following their early morning rally 

in Wickham Square. Lion Pete 

Meadows’ renowned hot dogs and 

burgers proved the ideal antidote to 

the Christmas hangover and as a 

result we raised over £100 for 

18 

McMillan Nurses, the Bowman’s 

favourite charity. Thank you! 

The New Year brings plenty of work 

and many new activities for the 

Lions – starting with the annual Ford 

Motor Company, Sports and Social 

club Sea Angling Fishing festival on 

Weston Shore. Also, plans are well 

underway for the Swanmore Carnival 

and Fete which this year is on 

Saturday July 14 – pop the event in 

your diary now! 

We’ve just launched our new Web 

site at: 

www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk. 

Why don’t you check it out to see just 

how we use the money you give us 

and learn more about what we do? 

There are also details of our fun social 

programme. The Meon Valley Lions 

Club meets officially on the first 

Monday of each month (excepting 

bank holidays) at the Upland Park 

Hotel in Droxford. If you'd like to come 

along and meet us, please contact us 

on 01489 894932. 

Photograph: 

Pete burning 

Boxing Day 

bangers at the 

Hampshire 

Bowman

From the Registers 

Baptisms 

Meonstoke 8th January Jasmine Ruth Hewson 

Thanksgiving for birth 

Droxford 18th December Tia Maye Adjua Hodder 

Weddings 

None 

Hackney and Bishop’s Waltham 

Deanery Link (Christmas Delivery 2011) 

Once again the Christmas delivery showed the parishes of 

the deanery working together in a heartening way. Those 

who gave gifts had taken care to send what had been requested, 

including a good number of tins with ring pulls, a significant 

supply of small sachets of shampoo, and some catering size tins, 

all of which we’d been told were needed for the Hackney 

Churches ministry to homeless people and rough sleepers. As 

well as this a large number of items of food, clothes, toiletries, 

and the items requested for the babies of trafficked women 

came to each of our churches and were then taken to Swanmore 

Village Hall for a great day of sorting and packing. Over thirty 

people from all our parishes came to help which meant there 

was time this year to pack the van systematically, so that when 

we arrived in Hackney the next day everything was ready for 

offloading in just the right order. Noble Argue again provided 

and drove the van so effectively that we were able to get home 

in time for Noble to turn out for a rugby match in Eastleigh at 

Funerals 

CORHAMPTON & 

MEONSTOKE PARISH 

COUNCIL 

Chairman: Jeremy Pett 

PARISH 

T 

PRECEPT 2012/13 

he Parish Council has, in line with many other local authorities, 

voted not to increase the total amount of Council Tax, known as 

the Precept, that it asks Winchester City Council to collect on its 

behalf. Given the slight annual increase in the number of properties 

that are liable for Council Tax, individual tax payers should see a small 

reduction in the Parish element of their bills in April. 

DOGS ON THE RECREATION GROUND 

Despite the request a few months ago there has been little if any 

reduction in the number of incidents of dogs being allowed to foul the 

recreation ground, causing a danger to children and an inconvenience 

and unpleasantness to all. Notices will shortly be going up around the 

ground ‘encouraging’ dog owners to exercise consideration for others 

and clean up after their pets; if there is still no improvement then the 

Parish Council will have little alternative but to ban all dogs from the 

Recreation Ground and actively seek assistance to enforce this. 

INCONSIDERATE PARKING 

The triangle at the junction of Shavards Lane and Stocks Lane is part 

of our village road system, like any other. There are a few who appear 

to regard one side of it as a legitimate parking place for vehicles and 

trailers. Again, this is simply a case of lack of consideration for others 

– and in this instance, an offence of obstructing the highway. 

www.candm-pc.gov.uk 

West End 3rd October Elizabeth Mary Wade, aged 86, 

followed by Thanksgiving 

Service St Andrew’s , Meonstoke 

19 

2.00 pm. As well as these gifts a good many people gave money 

and tokens which were sent from the Deanery to The Priory, 

St James and the Hackney Churches Night Shelter for their 

work. 

Sisters Elizabeth and Moira at The Priory have written: “To all 

our friends in Bishop’s Waltham Deanery a very heartfelt 

THANK YOU for your splendid and thoughtful gifts for us to the 

homeless and needy folk who come though our doors in 

increasing numbers. They and we are all so grateful for your 

generosity”. The Revd Rosèmia Brown from St James’ Clapton 

which is the clearing church to which others come to pick up 

goods writes: “Thank you so much Bishop’s Waltham Deanery 

for the goods you kindly delivered”. 

The essence of the Link is that we in rural Hampshire recognise 

that the work being done for the Kingdom of God in inner city 

areas such as Hackney makes demands on the churches there 

that we very rarely have to meet ourselves so we reach out in a 

spirit of love to do what we can to help. 

Norman Chatfield 

Chairman of the Bishop’s Waltham Committee 

News from the Valley 

Preschool 

New Building Update 

Thank you very much to everyone who has been so generous 

in donating so far. We are very grateful for this and the 

ongoing support from George Holingbery MP and his 

associates. We have made very good progress in negotiating 

a land lease with the Diocese and in reducing the transport fee 

we need to pay in order to receive our planning permission. 

We realise that we are asking for money in difficult times both 

with the economic climate and Christmas. We still need your 

support, so please donate if you meant to in the new year or 

pledge money if it would be easier to donate in the early spring. 

Our fundraising total to date is £14,000. This obviously falls 

far short of our target £170,000 for the new building and the 

committee is meeting to investigate alternatives. We will 

keep you informed in the next edition of The Bridge. 

Cait Horn and Isabelle Regent-Ngwata 

We welcome. . . 

Abigail and Craig Strike, who have come with Holly and 

Matilda, from Wiltshire to Stedham House, South Hill, 

Droxford. 

Dr Katherine and Dr Alexander Taylor, who have come 

with their 20 month baby girl, to The Coach House, 

Droxford. 

Nicky and Bruce Collins, who have come with Abbie (10 

years) to 5 Park Villas, Droxford. 

Joanna and Mark Selwood, who have come with 

Pollyanna (3years) to 2 Park Villas, Droxford. 

Sally and Nick Walmsley who have come with Oscar 

(4 years) and Chloe (2 years) from Twickenham to 

Meon House, Droxford.

February 

Wed. 1 Look-in for coffee and chat, 10.30 –12.00 noon 

St Andrew’s Church, Meonstoke 

Corhampton & Meonstoke Parish Council 7.30 pm 

Meeting, The Meon Hall 

Thu. 2 Holy Communion, Droxford 10.00 am 

Thu. 2 Riverside Players, at The Meon Hall 7.30 pm 

performing It Could Be Any One of Us 

(for 3 days – ends Saturday) 

Fri. 3 Singing for Fun, The Stables (see page 4) 2.00 pm 

Sat. 4 Droxford Village Hall Quiz Night (see p.13) 7.30 pm 

Sun. 5 Third Before Lent (Septuagesima) 

(1st) Holy Communion (BCP), Droxford 8.30 am 

Family Christingle Service, Exton 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Meonstoke 11.00 am 

Evensong, Exton 6.30 pm 

Mon. 6 Farmers for Action meeting, The Meon Hall 7.30 pm 

Tue. 7 Friends of Meonstoke School 10.30 –12.00 noon 

Coffee Morning: The Meon Hall 

U3A: S. Downs National Park (see page 15) 2.00 pm 

MV Flower Club; AGM, The Meon Hall 7.30 pm 


Meon Ladies: Quiz night, The Meon Hall, 7.30 pm 

Sat. 11 CADENCE Youth Marching Band stay at 

to Sun. The Meon Hall all weekend 

Sun. 12 Second Before Lent 

(2nd) Holy Communion (BCP), Meonstoke 8.30 am 

Family Service, Meonstoke 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Droxford 11.00 am 

Evensong, Corhampton 6.30 pm 

Valentine’s Day Concert, Droxford (see p.6) 3.00 pm 

Tue. 14 MV Decorative & Fine Arts group. 10.00 -12.00 am 

The Meon Hall 




MV Garden Club: Candlelight Snowdrop 6.15 pm 

Visit to Yew Tree Cottage, Soberton 

Meet In Droxford Square 

Droxford Parish Council Meeting, Fire Station 7.30 pm 


Sun. 19 Next Before Lent 

(3rd) Holy Communion (BCP), Corhampton 8.30 am 

Café Lite, Droxford Village Hall 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Exton 11.00 am 

Tue. 21 U3A: The Natural History of Swanmore 2.00 pm 

by Alan Green (see page 15) 


Sun. 26 Lent One 

(4th) Holy Communion (BCP), Exton 8.30 am 

Puppets & Praise, Meonstoke School 9.30 am 

Matins , Corhampton 11.00 am 

Tue. 28 CTBWA: Quiet Half-hour, St Mary and 7.30 pm 

All Saints, Droxford (see page 4) 

DISTRICT DIARY 

20 

Wed. 29 MV Garden Club: Iran, Land of Contrasts 7.30 pm 

Talk in Soberton Village Hall 

Film Night, Droxford Village Hall (see p.13) 7.30 pm 

March 



Sat. 3 CADENCE Youth Marching Band stay at 

to Sun The Meon Hall all weekend 

Sun. 4 Lent Two 


Family Service, Exton 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Meonstoke 11.00 am 


Mon. 5 Lent Lunch, Droxford Village Hall (see p.5) 12.15 pm 

Tue. 6 U3A: Meon Valley Villages (see page 15) 2.00 pm 



Corhampton & Meonstoke Parish Council 7.30 pm 

Meeting, The Meon Hall 


MV Garden Club: Gardeners Question Time 7.30 pm 

The Meon Hall 

Sun. 11 Lent Three 

(2nd) Holy Communion (BCP), Meonstoke 8.30 am 

Family Service, Meonstoke 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Droxford 11.00 am 

Evensong, Corhampton 6.30 pm 

Wed. 14 Latest copy date for April-May Bridge 


Meon Ladies: Hants & IOW Air Ambulance 7.30 pm 

The Meon Hall 

Droxford Parish Council Meeting, Fire Station 7.30 pm 


Fri. 16 Denmead Cub Scouts weekend stay at 

to Sun. The Meon Hall 

Sun. 18 Lent Four (Mothering Sunday) 

(3rd) Holy Communion (BCP), Corhampton 8.30 am 

Café Lite, Droxford Village Hall 9.30 am 

Holy Communion (CW),Exton 11.00 am 

Mon. 19 Joint PCCs meeting at Droxford Village Hall 7.00 pm 

RBL Meeting: Talk by Cdr Rob Scott on the 7.00 pm 

1st Battle of Narvik; Upland Park Hotel 

Tue. 20 U3A: Secrets of London (see page 15) 2.00 pm 




Fri. 23 Friends of Meonstoke School Quiz, 7.30pm 

The Meon Hall (see page 6) 

Sun. 25 Passion Sunday 

Clocks change to British Summer ti 

(4th) Holy Communion (BCP), Exton 8.30 am 

Puppets & Praise, Meonstoke School 9.30 am 

Matins, Corhampton 11.00 am 

Meonstoke Village Band Concert 6.00 pm 

The Meon Hall (see page 6)

Sun. 25 West Meon Youth Theatre rehearse 2.00 - 6.00 pm 

The Meon Hall 

Mon. 26 Joint Benefice & individual PCCs meeting, 7.30 pm 


Tue. 27 Friends of Meonstoke School 10.30 –12.00 noon 

Coffee Morning: The Meon Hall 

MV Flower Club: The Meon Hall 2.00 pm 

Meon Hall Management Committee 7.30 pm 

The Meon Hall 

Wed. 28 Film Night, Droxford Village Hall (see p.13) 7.30 pm 

Sat. 31 MV Garden Club: Spring Show 2.00 pm 

Soberton Village Hall (see page 7) 


April 

Sun. 1 Palm Sunday (start of Holy Week) 


Remember to visit The Bridge parishes Web site 

for information about who’s who 

and church services: www.bridgechurches.org.uk 

You will also find there brief histories of the four 

parish churches. 

The Web site was designed and implemented, and is 

hosted by, the local Internet services company, 

Wizbit, Corhampton Lane Farm, Corhampton, 

01489 872980. 

First 

Sunday 

Second 

Sunday 

Third 

Sunday 

Fourth 

Sunday 

Benefice 

Holy Communion 

(BCP 1) 

8.30 am 

Droxford 

8.30 am 

Meonstoke 

8.30 am 

Corhampton 

8.30 am 

Exton 

DISTRICT DIARY 

THE MEON BRIDGE BENEFICE 

Family and other 

services 

9.30 am 

Family 

Exton 

9.30 am 

Family 

Meonstoke 

9.30 am 

Café Lite 

Droxford V. Hall 

9.30 am 

Meonstoke School 

Puppets & Praise 

21 

Family Communion (CW),Meonstoke 

with procession of palms and donkey 

10.00 am 


Mon. 2 

to } 

Compline, Corhampton 

Wed. 4 

7.00 pm 


Maundy Thursday, Corhampton 7.00 pm 

Commemoration of Last Supper & Vigil 

Fri. 6 Good Friday. Meonstoke 10.00 am 

Children’s workshop 

Liturgy of The Cross, Droxford 2.00 pm 

Sat. 7 Easter Eve Vigil, Corhampton 7.00 pm 

Sun. 8 Easter Day 

Holy Communion (BCP), Exton 8.30 am 

Family Communion, Meonstoke 9.30 am 

Family Communion, Droxford 11.00 am 

REGULAR SUNDAY & WEEK DAY CHURCH SERVICES 

See the District Diary for details of variations. 

Have you been on the St Wilfrid Pilgrimage 

Walk? 

Don’t even know about it? 

Go to www.wilfrid-meon-pilgrimage.co.uk 

and find a wealth 

of information about the 

Benefice 

Holy Communion 

(CW 2) 

11.00 am 

Meonstoke 

11.00 am 

Droxford 

11.00 am 

Exton 

Meon Valley Pilgrimage Trail 

Evensong 

(BCP 1) 

6.30 pm 

Exton 

6.30 pm 

Corhampton 

– 

– – 

Matins 

11.00 am 

Corhampton 

1 BCP – Book of Common Prayer 

2 CW – Common Worship 

Weekday services: 1. Morning prayers daily (Monday to Friday) in St Andrew’s, Meonstoke at 8.30 am 

2. Holy Communion (Common Worship) each Thursday morning in 

St Mary & All Saints, Droxford at 10.00 am

Bridge February - March Web copy - Bridge Parishes

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