Author Archives: Monxton Matters

Amport & Monxton Fete: Ready, Steady, Bake!

by Monxton Matters

 

Amport School PTA will be organising and manning the tea tent at the Village Fete on Saturday 9 July, along with a number of other stalls, and we would be enormously grateful for offers of help on the day to:

  • set up from 8.30am
  • serve between the hours of 12.30pm and 4.30pm
  • clear away the Tea Tent before the evening bash

In addition we are appealing to all budding bakers to donate a cake (or two!) for the stall.  Although large cakes to slice and sell on the day go down very well, it doesn’t matter if you are a Mary Berry or simply want to buy something and donate it – ALL donations gratefully received.

We know a lot of people are helping on other stalls too, but if you are able to bake/donate a cake, and/or help out on the day, even just for an hour, please could you contact Louise Horne on 07776 050 806 or email louisehipkin@hotmail.co.uk.

Many muscles make light work!
Thank you

Choir celebrates two Elizabethan eras

by Monxton Matters

harmoniumLocal chamber choir, The Harmonium Singers, are featuring music from the two Elizabethan eras, with links to the words of William Shakespeare, at their next concert on 9th July.  Entitled ‘An Elizabethan Summer’, the programme was prompted by the Queen’s 90th birthday and the 400th anniversary of the death of the great wordsmith.

The first half of the concert consists of unaccompanied choral music from the Tudor period, including madrigals of various types and some representative sacred music.  Many of the great composers of the age are included, such as Campion, Gibbons, Morley and Tallis.

The second half features music from the reign of the present Queen and includes compositions from the likes of John Rutter, James MacMillan, Ralph Vaughan Williams and William Mathias – much of it with special relevance to the Queen and also with connections to Shakespeare.

As usual with Harmonium Singers’ programmes, the music is linked with appropriate readings to take the listener on a thoughtful journey.  The choir’s musical director Bruce Randall says: “It’s really interesting to compare and contrast the music of the two Elizabethan eras and yet, as with all good music, the centuries of separation sometimes just seem to disappear.”

Hear for yourself at St Mary’s Church, Andover, on Saturday 9th July beginning at 7.30pm.  Tickets cost £8 in advance from The Lights, Newbury Building Society, and from choir members, or £10 at the door on the night.  Proceeds will go to the local branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

 

Amport & Monxton Fete: Saturday 9 July

by Monxton Matters

Fete 2016Amport Green
Saturday 9th July 12.30pm to 4.30pm

Please join us for an afternoon of traditional family fete fun. Lots of wonderful stalls, tractor and pony rides, the village horticultural show, classic cars and a full schedule of entertainment. We have Punch and Judy, Bushcraft, the Hawk Conservancy, Mullenscote Dogs and our village school country dancers to entertain you. The fete games in the arena will include a dog show so do bring your four-legged friends with you. And the tea tent, barbecue and Neil’s bar will be on hand to keep you fed, watered and energy levels high!

Donations of bric a brac, toys and books gratefully received at the donation stations
in the village bus shelter – thank you.

Fete party 16Supper on the Green
Amport Green
Saturday 9th July 7.30pm to late

The after-fete party kicks off at 7.30pm on the Green. Come along and enjoy a delicious supper, cocktails and fully stocked bar.  We have the wonderful Re:play providing live music, which is sure to get everyone on their feet and dancing. All welcome, and all dietary needs catered for.

Tickets £12 for Adults and £6 for children 11 and under

Available online here:
http://buytickets.at/amportandmonxtonfete

Queen’s Birthday Street Party

by Monxton Matters

The Monxton and Amport Street Party was held last Saturday (11th June) to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. It was wonderful to see so many villagers coming together, enjoying drinks, the Hog Roast (kindly provided by The Hawk Inn), the band, duck races, pony rides, dog races, walks through Monxton Manor wood and lots of games for all ages throughout the afternoon. The Bec House field was a picture of happiness, dressed in red, white & blue and we were all reminded just how good village life is.

The Bake-Off was another highlight, with so many incredible home-baked cakes kindly donated for the event. Veronica Rushworth Lund, Brenda Gower and Oliver Sutton carefully judged the competition, which resulted in Laura Cleugh winning 1st & 3rd prizes and Juliet Ursell winning 2nd prize. The children’s competition was won by Ralph Boldt (age 8), followed by combined effort by Gabrielle Staines (age 12) & Pippa Glover (age 12) and in 3rd place Emilia Corroon (age 6) for her delicious cup cakes. Thank you to all the bakers for the wonderful selection of such impressive creations!

Importantly, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped towards the event, there are too many to mention individually, but as time is precious for us all, your support was very much appreciated.

Finally, the objective of the event was principally to get everyone together and, along with the rest of the country, to mark a special occasion for The Queen, but we are delighted to confirm the event raised a total of £2,585. Of this amount, £200 will go to Amport School, £60 (donations made from the teas) will go to the Harriet Martin Foundation and the remaining £2,325 will go towards the Village Hall Refurbishment Project.

Thank you to everyone for your support and for making Saturday afternoon a happy, colourful village memory for us all.

A few photos and memories…

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Black Swan car park and village green

by Monxton Matters

As you all know, our pub, the Black Swan, has closed. We don’t know what will happen next to the pub, although Monxton Parish Council (MPC) has written to the owners, Enterprise Inns, to ask for information. The Parish Council is yet to receive a reply.

When the pub was closed a few years ago, MPC registered the building as a Community Asset. The Parish Council has now also registered the car park and Village Green as Community Assets as well, and these have now been added to TVBC’s list. This will give a degree of protection in the future, should things change.

MPC is also registering the previously unregistered Village Green to give an even greater level of protection, and is doing everything possible to ensure we have our open spaces protected in perpetuity.

The Village Green is also owned by Enterprise Inns (previously owned by the brewery, Strongs of Romsey), although Monxton Parish Council pays for and arranges the upkeep for the enjoyment of everyone.

Street Party – final details

by Monxton Matters

The Monxton & Amport Street Party is on this Saturday!
Tickets have sold really well & we are excited to get the villages together for a fun-filled afternoon.

Please don’t forget to….

  • Buy Tickets (also available on the day)
  • Buy Duck Race tickets – available at The Hawk (also available on the day)
  • Bake your cakes…. prizes for Best dressed/ most original and tastiest
  • Dress up (optional)…. Rule Britannia/ Red, White, Blue
  • Bring your dogs – dress them up & enter the dog games (3.30pm)
  • Bring cash for the pay bar

Here’s a plan for the day, so you know what to expect…

  • 12 noon: Event Opens/ Music starts/ Duck Race 1
  • 12.15: Duck Race No 2
  • 12.30: Duck Race No 3
  • 12.45: Duck Race No 4
  • 1pm: Lunch
  • 2pm: Games for all
  • 3.30pm: Dog races/ games/ best dressed
  • 4pm: Tea in Village Hall
  • 4-5pm: Pony rides
  • 4pm: Best Dressed announced
  • 4pm: Bake off/ Cake judging
    • 3 categories for old & young
      • Best dressed cake
      • Most original
      • Tastiest

Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine & we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Open-Air Church: Sunday 12 June

by Monxton Matters

Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday

An open air service of celebration

On Sunday June 12th at 11am

In the field adjacent to the village hall

Everyone of all age is welcome to a service of traditional hymns, prayers and readings

with a talk led by Rev Peter Gilks

(Not a Holy Communion service as advertised in the Parish News)

Temporary Road Closures

by Monxton Matters

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – PART OF RED POST LANE IN ABBOTTS ANN, BROAD ROAD IN MONXTON AND GEORGIA LANE IN AMPORT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that The Borough Council of Test Valley as agent for Hampshire County Council (being the Traffic Authority) has made an Order to allow safe access to undertake work in connection bridge inspections:-

ROADS TO BE CLOSED            Part of: Red Post Lane in Abbotts Ann; Broad Road in Monxton and Georgia Lane in Amport. On each road for 10 metres on either side of railway bridge, 30 metres in total.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
Red Post Lane, from the northernmost point of closure, north on Red Post Lane, east on Monxton Road, further east on B3402 Weyhill Road, south on Millway Road, further south on Salisbury Road, west on Cattle Lane, north on Red Post Lane to its southernmost point of closure and on the same roads in the opposite direction.

Broad Road, from the northernmost point of closure, north on Broad Road, further north on Abbots Ann Road, east on Andover Road/Monxton Road, further east on B3402 Weyhill Road, south on Millway Road, further south on Salisbury Road, west on Old Stockbridge Road, north on Broad Road to its southernmost point of closure and on the same roads in the opposite direction.

Georgia Lane, no alternative route available.

PERIOD OF ORDER
From Monday 6 June 2016 for a period of 3 months or until completion of work, whichever comes first.

DURATION OF WORKS
It is envisaged that: Red Post Lane will be closed at 22:00 on 6 June 2016 to 06:00 on 7 June 2016; Broad Road will be closed at 22:00 on 7 June 2016 to 06:00 on 8 June 2016; Georgia Lane will be closed at 22:00 on 8 June 2016 to 06:00 on 9 June 2016.

Pedestrian and reasonable access to adjoining properties will be available.

If you have any queries regarding the diversion or works please contact Adam Beckett on behalf of Centurion Site Services telephone 01273 322485.  For all other enquiries please contact Mr. Mayur Patel, telephone 01264 368727 on behalf of the Head of Planning Policy & Transport Service.

Dated    3 June 2016

Signed   W. Lynds,  Head of Legal & Democratic Services

Test Valley Borough Council, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road,

Andover, Hampshire  SP10 3AJ

Street Party – book your tickets!

by Monxton Matters

QE90 finalWe are only two weeks away from hosting the Monxton & Amport Street Party, celebrating the Queen’s 90th, on Sat 11 June (12-5.30pm), tickets are selling well and we have a fun afternoon lined up for everyone to enjoy.

Please remember to:

  1. Buy your tickets, see details below (ticket prices go up as of 1 June)
  2. Buy your Duck Race tickets (£1 per duck), tickets are on sale at The Hawk – Starting at midday, there will be 4 races, with prizes for each winner.
  3. Bake & bring a cake… sponges, brownies, cup cakes, biscuits will all be gratefully received for afternoon tea. There will be prizes for the most original, the best dressed/ themed cake (Rule Britannia theme) and the tastiest – in both Adult & Children categories
  4. (We are also encouraging everyone to) Dress up…. Rule Britannia theme or simply Red/ White/ Blue…. how creative can you be?
  5. Take part in the various activities we have lined up for the afternoon…. test your endurance/ balance on the dingy challenge, cross river golf challenge, slow bike ride competition, football shootout, pony rides, play zone for children, take a stroll through Monxton Manners Wood & have your photo taken with our very own Queen…

Purchasing Tickets:
Price before 31 May: £10 Adults/ £6 Children
Price from 1 June: £12 Adults/ £8 Children

Cash, Cheque or Online transfers accepted
Contact Gemma Pearce: 01264 710215/ gemmapearce@me.com

Account Name: Monxton Village Hall Maintenance Committee
Sort Code: 20-02-25
Account Number: 90389706
Ref:QBR90 plus YOUR NAME

Please also email: Gemmapearce@me.com with confirmation of your payment

Cheques also need to be made out to: Monxton Village Hall Maintenance Committee

(Please drop any cheques/ cash off to Gemma at The Stables, Broad Road, Monxton – 2nd driveway on your right as you head up Abbotts Ann Road from the Village Green crossroads).

Thanks in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing you on 11th.

Gemma & Mel

 

Moonwalk 2016

by Monxton Matters

Moonwalk

By Mel Bacon, Nicola Dunning & Katrina Saville

In September last year I found myself telling my family that I would like to ‘Walk’ the London Moonwalk in May 2016!   This sudden impulse to ‘do’ something was brought on by a few (6 to be precise) really close friends having being diagnosed with breast cancer in form or another!  What really struck me most was that they are all, young, fit and just lovely ladies and I have found it really hard to understand how this could happen!

So I decided that it was very important to not only raise money to fight this dreadful condition but to also raise awareness of how common it appears to be in my age group of ladies.

With the support of Nicola we embarked on many training sessions; on one walk to Salisbury we had to ask for directions about 7 miles in! (the map ran out) – so we asked a chap in his garden if he could confirm the footpath we were on took us to Salisbury! His reply made us giggle, “What! That’s miles away!” and then asked where we came from – again his reply was, “What! that’s miles away!”

During the training I met some wonderful like-minded ladies but I would like to say a big thank you to Nicola (and Saffie) and Emma (and Dexter) for letting me join their dog walks and for keeping me on track!

Our moonwalk training started this year with The Stonehenge Stomp, a 20km walk organised by the Amesbury Amblers on the last Sunday of January every year.   Such a wonderful walk, we thought we’d name our team after it… the Stonehenge Stompers.

Fundraising is an important element of taking part in the walk and this year our team will have raised over £2,000 by the end of it with the villagers of Monxton contributing generously in various ways, notably at our St George’s Day dinner in the Village Hall last month. It was as much fun to put together as it was on the night.