Author Archives: Monxton Matters

COVID Vaccination Scam Alert

by Monxton Matters

There have been reports of a new scam where a person receives a text saying they need to book a vaccination appointment and it takes them to a fake NHS form which then asks for their bank details to prove their identity.

The NHS will never ask for a person’s banking information so please do not provide as it will be a scam

There is a texting scam leaflet you can download here: https://cfa.nhs.uk/resources/downloads/fraud-awareness/covid-19/COVID-19_SMS_and_Text_Message_Scams.pdf

The scam has been reported in the media here: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1378158/NHS-Covid-19-Vaccination-Vaccine-Appointment-Pfizer-BioNTech-Text-Scam-How-To-Avoid

Village Hall CIL Fund Bid

by Monxton Matters

Members of Monxton Parish Council, the Village Hall Committee, and other generous volunteers have all spent a considerable amount of time preparing the documents and supporting information which has now been submitted for TVBC’s CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) Fund Bid.

Monxton & Amport Village Hall - the new Pillhill Hub

The CIL Fund is for infrastructure projects in Test Valley that often require funding in excess of most grants and awards. We anticipate it to be the majority of the funding for the new village hall building, which will most likely be named the Pillhill Hub.

Our bid has been enhanced by some wonderful 3D drawings, which were kindly and generously created free of charge by Andrew Down of Pocket Protector Projects in Grateley.

Click here to see the 3D drawings of the new Pillhill Hub.Download

Planning Permission for a New Village Hall

by Monxton Matters

Monxton Parish Council and Village Hall Committee are delighted to announce that, following many months of discussions and negotiations with TVBC, we have now received planning permission for the new village hall as of the 16/10/20.

Final Designs for the new village hall

We now need to raise the funds to pay for the building work required to demolish the current hall and build the new village hall plus equip it with the kitchen, toilets and other equipment. This will be raised from the Community Infrastructure Levy Fund (CIL) via a bid we are making for a grant for a significant sum of money, in addition to the funds we have already accumulated. 

If you have any skills in preparing grant applications or wish to assist in any way with any aspect of the project, please contact Penny Kitson (Hall Chairman) on penny@kitsonsonline.co.uk or Sarah Dowding on sarah@classictravelling.com

We will also be looking at fund-raising events over the next few months and into next year so if you have any ideas please contact Penny or Sarah.

Finally, thank you to all those villagers who provided written support either on the planning portal or the Monxton website as this will be used in evidence for the grant application

Oktoberfest Report

by Monxton Matters

In stark contrast to the weather for the recently successful socially distanced Harvest Celebration just 3 weeks ago, even more locals pitched out yet again in damp and chilly ‘timed intervals’ around Amport and Monxton last weekend, to help raise more funds for local causes. 

This time the same Ladies group joined forces with newly ‘localised’ American Master Brewer, Tim Hartigan, to recreate the atmosphere of a German beer festival inspired by ‘Fraulein’ Melanie Bacon! Pre-booked guests were invited to book a table for a beer tasting and then be served a variety of delicious Bratwurst from the outdoor kitchen which also doubled up as a takeaway for casual passers-by. Declared yet another compliant success in difficult circumstances the event raised another £300 but did so much more than money in supporting social cohesion, goodwill amongst neighbours and of course wellbeing across all ages. Wunderbar!”

Harvest Celebration Success

by Monxton Matters

Time stood still and the sun shone over Monxton & Amport last weekend as a Harvest Celebration took place!

Conceived as a simple but most effective plan by a few local village ladies to raise funds for good causes through the fruits of the local, bumper harvest. Mounted variably around the village, local folk were invited to ‘tour’ the various driveways to buy a vast range of healthy and nutritious produce kindly donated by local stores, farmers or prepared by the many local kitchen chefs!

Raising over £800 on the day was a considerable achievement which provided well-needed funds for the Village Hall, Church and the ‘School of Hope’ in Nairobi, Kenya. Perhaps even more noteworthy and rewarding however, was the opportunity to re-connect with friends and neighbours, many of whom had been housebound for much of the summer, in an open C19-compliant, informal and healthy manner. A priceless opportunity which remains critical to the wellbeing of all our communities. Such positive efforts are to be commended.

Sent from my iPhone

Harvest Celebration: Blackberry Jams & Raffle Prize

by Monxton Matters

Autumn Harvest Celebration

Please take the time to visit Windermere House, Chalkpit Lane on Sunday 20th September between 12 noon to 3pm where you will find a range of fresh local produce as well as superb home-made Blackberry & Gin Jam.  All proceeds raised will go to Monxton Church and the Village Hall.  Price: £3.50 per jar or 3 jars for £10.

 

 

 

Win a Hamper

Raffle Hamper

There will also be a raffle to win a fabulous hamper, kindly donated by Rosebourne in Weyhill. Tickets are just £1 and the draw will take place at 3pm.

 

Apple Treats: Sunday 20th September

by Monxton Matters

Home Made Apple Butter and Monxton Apple Juice

These two delicious treats will be for sale at Lodwick, on the corner of High Street and Chalk Pit Lane on Sunday 20th September, 12 noon to 3pm, as part of the Covid-compliant, socially-distanced Autumn Harvest Celebration.

Apple Butter is made of apples, a little sugar, a squeeze of lemon, cinnamon and cardamom, then roasted long, low and slow (around 7 hours at 140°c) until they are concentrated and the consistency of butter.  Truly delicious on hot, buttered toast or with cheese.  Nicola Dunning has been making Apple Butter for a month now, selling it to raise funds for the Mama Paulina School of Hope in Kenya.  £800 raised so far, the aim is to reach £1,000.  Price: just £5 per jar.

Our Monxton Apple Juice, has been pressed and bottled especially for this event by Kimpton Apple Press.  Price: £3.50 per bottle or 3 bottles for only £10.  All profits to go to Monxton Church and Village Hall.  It is delicious!

It’s been a bumper year for apples!