The annual Monxton vs Amport Challenge took place on 5^th February on Amport Green, following a close contest last year which ended in a penalty shoot out. This year saw an excellent turnout with Amport fielding a squad of sixteen and Monxton fourteen, with the side lines packed with enthusiastic support for both teams. The 8 a side contest with rolling subs saw a frenetic first half dominated by the Amport team where an experienced midfield controlled possession. Half time saw Amport go in with a healthy lead with Fraser dominating the show for Amport. Arguably it could have been worse had it not been for the heroic efforts the fans have come to expect from the Monxton keeper, Steve “I’m retiring” Nichols.

Monxton came out in the second half with a spirited performance and seemed to have the upper hand as the experienced Amport footballers started to tire. Tackles were formidable, including Tiff Boldt taking a heavy tackle from Charlie Horrell (yes, they do both play for Monxton). Having weathered long periods of pressure including goals from Tyler and Boldty, Amport scored a late goal to seal Monxton’s fate with a 5 – 2 win.

Congratulations and warm handshakes were exchanged, along with celebratory drinks in the Hawk. Richard Pearce presented the new Amport vs Monxton Challenge Cup to Fraser on behalf of the Amport team, and duly announced that the trophy will be kept behind the bar at the Hawk as a constant reminder of the century long standing, albeit recently, more friendly rivalry between the villages.

The Christmas decorations are away and a new year has begun but if you think there’s nothing more to look forward to, there is more fun to be had at Quarley Village Hall on Saturday 21st January when it’s time to celebrate Robert Burns’ birthday.

The format will be traditional but light-hearted, just as Scotland’s bard would have wanted. A 2-course supper with haggis specially imported from Royal Deeside will be served.

Unsure about haggis? You might be pleasantly surprised; but that’s not all there is. Wine and soft drinks on the table, and whisky for ‘toasts’ (a bit like speeches, but light-hearted and brief) are included in the ticket price. Dancing to a live band with a caller follows the supper, and hopefully everyone will be go home at the end of the evening with a smile on their face.

Doors open at 7pm for a prompt 7:30 start. It’s a packed programme, finishing at 11:30. Tickets cost £23 each, with any proceeds going to local causes. For more information, please go to www.birdsweb.co.uk/burns/ , call Gillian (01264 889463) or email gillian.j.bird@btinternet.com

It’s not-for-profit but any excess we make will probably be passed on either to the Amport & Monxton Community Charity, the Village Hall or to the Black Swan pub fund so the more tickets we sell, the better the night will be and the more likely it will be that something goes back into the community!

Harriet Martin was an Amport resident and her parents, Teddy & Caroline, have set up a Charitable Trust, Piggles Trust, in  her memory. This weekend a sell-out fundraising ball is being held and there is a fabulous auction, both on the night and a silent auction. Anyone can bid on the items, whether or not you are attending the ball. So please click here to see the wonderful experiences, holidays, wines, art and products that have been kindly donated.

Harriet spent much of her short life at Ocean Ward in Southampton General Hospital. Creating a ‘normal’ environment within the most ‘abnormal’ of situations is the hardest challenge any children’s department within a hospital is faced with.

Whilst addressing the clinical needs of the most unwell children, it is no less important to consider the overall emotional, developmental and mental wellbeing of the child and their family. The complete upheaval, change of environment away from ‘normal’ family life, coupled with the fear of uncertainty all play a huge role in this hugely distressing time for both the child and, just as importantly, their family.

Piggles Trust aims to bridge some of these gaps by creating more of a  ‘home from home’ experience, specifically through education.

When children are in hospital they suffer considerably by missing out on vital education that ordinarily they would receive. They should not fail to experience the benefits of education due to their confinement in hospital. Children who are unwell deserve, need, and will benefit from education just as much as their peers.

Education is currently provided within hospitals on a very rare and ad-hoc basis, with little or no awareness of this.  Across the board, no provision at all is made for pre-school aged children despite this being such a crucial learning stage. Outside of the hospital environment it forms an integral part of their development as well as a means for them to form friendships and most importantly, being  a child.

We all know that education starts from home and we cannot allow the circumstances beyond our control to prohibit this.

Piggles Trust is committed to offering pre-school children these vital educational stepping-stones within the hospital environment.

No child should be left behind.

Amport (and Local Parishes) Burns Night

Christmas will soon be here, and New Year hard on its heels.  If you think there is nothing more to celebrate once you have ripped the cellophane from your new calendar and opened it to reveal ‘January’, you may be interested to know that in 2017 we’re going to be celebrating Robert Burns’ birthday in Quarley Village Hall on Saturday 21^st January.

The format will be traditional but light-hearted, just as Burns himself would have wanted.  A supper including haggis specially imported from Royal Deeside will be served, with a dessert to follow.  Unsure about haggis?  You might be pleasantly surprised; but that’s not all there is.  Wine and soft drinks on the table, and whisky for ‘toasts’ (a bit like speeches, but light-hearted and brief) are included in the ticket price.  Dancing to a live band with a caller follows the supper and toasts, and hopefully everyone will be go home at the end of the evening with a smile on their face.

Doors open at 7 pm for a prompt 7:30pm start.  It’s a packed programme, finishing at 11:30pm.  Tickets cost £23 each, with any proceeds going to local charities.  For more information, please go to www.birdsweb.co.uk/burns/ or call Gillian (01264 889463) or email gillian.j.bird@btinternet.com