Category Archives: News

Moviola: Friday 23 September

by Monxton Matters

Amport & Monxton Movies
Monxton & Amport Village Hall

7.30pm on Friday 23rd September 2016

Florence Foster Jenkins (PG)

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible voice.

An incredible true story of the world’s worst singer. Having suffered paternal disapproval, marital failure and physical illness, Florence thinks positively and takes action!

Directed by Stephen Frears and starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Holberg. View the trailer at www.florencefosterjenkinsmovie.com

Tickets £6 available from Caroline Unwin (771375), Veronica Bacon (771285), Karin Staines (710147) & Jennifer Richards (710308).

Doors open at 7pm. Wine, soft drinks, ice-creams available as usual.

Please order your tickets in advance. We cannot guarantee tickets on the door.

Rogue Traders

by Monxton Matters
Message sent by
Catherine Bonter (Police, PCSO, Test Valley District)

Please be advised that possible rogue traders have been operating in the area, their green flyer titles “Tree & Garden Services”

We highly recommend that you do not accept any services of this kind from door to door salesman touting for work. If you do, please ensure that references and company credentials are checked thoroughly.

Please visit the following website for further consumer advise: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingstandards.htm

Nottingham Knockers

by djamescdr

The following message was sent by David Trowbridge (Police, PCSO, Test Valley District). One such character was reported in Monxton on Monday.

Yesterday saw a group of door to door sellers (also known as Nottingham Knockers!) moving around Test Valley Villages.
Please be vigilant and call us should you become anxious about such callers or you see them in your neighbourhood. We recommend that you read the following advice so that you are prepared to deal with a caller should they call on you! These callers tend to be selling cleaning materials and are usually male, from the north of England and carry large black holdalls.
• Always use the door chain when answering the door, if you are not sure do not open the door;
• Always check the credentials of unknown callers. Do not phone the number on the ID card, use a phone book or a bill;
• Never buy from cold-calling doorstep traders or engage with cold callers on the phone;
• Do not keep substantial sums of money in the home;
• Always keep front and back doors locked;
• LOCK STOP CHAIN and CHECK – if unsure do not open the door;
• Report any suspicious callers or activity to the police immediately;
• Keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family;
• Call 101 to advise of any unexpected callers – this gives Police a better chance at building a picture of where potential criminals are operating.

Village Hall Bookings Secretary

by Monxton Matters

After three very enjoyable years of managing bookings for Monxton and Amport Village Hall, during which time she has got to know a great many more locals and enjoyed more than a few village socials, Karin Staines is handing the role on to Angela Reckitt of Keeper’s Hill, Amport.

Angela has lived in the village for almost 2 years, having moved here from Chipping Norton, the gateway to the Cotswolds! In a former life, Angela worked as the Publishing Operations Director for Macmillan Publishers and is now looking for a way to make a regular useful contribution to life in the parish. She is a charming lady and will be a great asset to the village hall. Karin will hand over her role with immediate effect but remains on the committee.

In future email enquiries should be made to Angela at angela@angela-reckitt.com. Enquiries by telephone can be made on 01264 773774. 

Read more about the Monxton & Amport Village Hall here

Purse Thefts in Andover

by Monxton Matters

Today Police have received 2 reports of purse thefts, where the purses have been taken from handbags while the victims were out shopping in Andover town centre.
We are now advising shoppers to take precautions when out and about.

The chances of you becoming a victim of purse theft are low, but they do still happen. You can make yourself even less likely to be the victim of this type of crime by taking a few sensible precautions.

Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and never in your back pocket or in the top of your handbag. And make sure you close your handbag and carry it across your body, with the flap facing you.

Other tips include:
•Be aware of who is near you when you are withdrawing money from ATMs, banks or post offices. If you are concerned about anyone following you, call the Police.
•Be aware of who is around you, especially when you are in a crowded or busy place.
•Ladies: carry your bag close to your body with the strap over your shoulder. Keep your bag fastened at all times.
•Gentlemen: keep your wallet in an inside fastened pocket, if possible.
•Do not place your purse or wallet down on the counter when paying for items.
•Do not write down your pin numbers or keep it with your cards.

Mobile Post Office in Thruxton

by Monxton Matters

There is a proposal to bring a Post Office van to Thruxton twice a week from September – good news as it will bring a valuable service back to the villages.

Details and the link to the public consultation, which ends on 23rd August, are here.  Note that the proposal is for the van to go to the Memorial Hall and not the new Rosebourne Garden Centre as originally planned. Thruxton Parish Council will have more details if you need them.

Amport & Monxton Fete – Supper on the Green

by Monxton Matters

Tickets are nearly sold out for Supper on the Green, and tickets will not be available on the day, so please BOOK NOW!

The after fete party kicks off at 7.30pm on Amport Green. Come along and enjoy a delicious supper, cocktails and fully stocked bar.

Tickets are £12 for Adults and £6 for children age 11 and under
Available online here: http://buytickets.at/amportandmonxtonfete

It isn’t a hog roast this year (as we enjoyed one of those at the street party) so instead we’ve got a fantastic menu designed by WildMint, amazing local caterers incorporating local fresh produce into their home-cooked food.  All dietary needs catered for – just let us know in advance please.

As well as our fabulous fete bar, with Neil and his infamous beer selection and a choice of Berry Brothers wine (available to pre-order), we will be serving a couple of special aperitifs from a pop-up cocktail bar.

Once again, we have the wonderful Re:play providing live music…  sure to get everyone on their feet and dancing.

All are welcome, and it is a family friendly evening.

Safe Banking Support for Vulnerable Residents

by Monxton Matters

Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire Police are assisting Age UK Mid Hampshire in their latest projects to help support older and vulnerable residents in the local communities.

A series of events have been organised to advise older or vulnerable people on how to bank securely and to prevent them being victims of fraud and financial scams. The free events, funded by the National Lottery, will take place in:

  • Thursday, 14 July at The Masonic Hall, East Street, Andover, from 4-6 pm.
  • Thursday, 21 July at Penton Mewsey Village Hall, from 4-6pm.
  • Thursday, 28 July at Burghclere Down Community Centre, Berry Way, Andover, from 10-12 noon.

Residents aged over 55, their families and friends, plus all groups, societies or clubs supporting older or vulnerable people are welcome to attend a session which will be led by an experienced local bank manager. Topics will include using modern banking facilities safely and being aware of potential fraud and scams. Local agencies and community groups will also be on hand to offer further advice and support to residents.

It is important to ensure that local residents are confident and vigilant when dealing with their finances, up to date with their security and know how best to avoid falling victims of the scammers.

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.