THE EMS SPRING 2024

TheEMS

New Community Garden for Emsworth

In February, more than fifty residents came together to find out more about how we can develop a network of Community Gardens across Emsworth. We split into two groups. One group worked with Roger Tyrrell to develop ideas about a piece of land off Conigar Road that the council would be happy for a group to manage. Roger has a group of interested folk who will be working together to form a new group.

Havant Borough Council (HBC) agreed to draft a management plan and the group has constituted itself as a Community Interest Group. The HBC team has now sent through a draft Management Plan which is currently being reviewed and will be subject of further discussions with HBC. The second group discussed the development of the Victoria Road Community Garden.

There has been a lot of progress in developing a plan for the Victoria Road project. The garden is part of Havant Council’s Grow it, Cook it, Eat it project and generous backing has been allocated from this source. Other have been sought which will help provide beds, tools, soil, seeds and plants. The Forum and Havant Borough Council have agreed a Management Plan and we will be managing the site together with volunteers. It is a really great partnership and hopefully it means we will be able to develop more sites over time. We are forming a small management team so that we can coordinate volunteers, apply for funding, have a planting plan and make sure we meet health and safety regulations. Most of all we want to make sure we all enjoy our time together in the garden.

The Community Garden works on the following basis:

• Come when you can, offer what you can

• Everyone decides how to use the space, what to plant and where

• Reuse, propagate, share the harvest

• Learn by doing

• Invest in the space - take care of the spaceuse the space

• Share ideas, share land, share the work, share the outcomes

What’s next?

• A new secure gate will be fitted

• A local firm will be taking out all bramble roots, clearing paths etc

• Another firm is bringing in concrete for paths and a shed base

• Cameron Irrigation are coming in to put in new tamper proof taps – free of charge

• A wooden shed will be erected once the base is ready

• We have ordered fruit trees for the orchard

CDC/Unsplash

The Community Garden works on the following basis:

• Come when you can, offer what you can

• Everyone decides how to use the space, what to plant and where

• Reuse, propagate, share the harvest

• Learn by doing

• Invest in the space - take care of the space - use the space

• Share ideas, share land, share the work, share the outcomes

When will we be able to start digging and planting? By the end of April (if it ever stops raining) we will be able to get on site and get going. We are very grateful for all the work so far from residents, Emsworth Community Centre, Emsworth Men’s Shed, Havant Council, Emsworth Horticultural Society and Emsworth in Bloom. WWe have invited the new Mayor to open the garden formally on 22 June (11am), so we look forward to seeing you all then.

Can you help? We need tools, seeds, plants, but most of all your ideas and time.

Please email

Dwyn at: chair.erf@gmail.com

M Spiske

Dates for your diary

Election Hustings

Saturday 13 April (10 am -12 noon)

Emsworth Community Centre. This is a chance to meet all the Conservative, Green and Liberal Democrat candidates standing for Emsworth ward in the HBC local elections on Thursday 2 May (see P14/15)

AGM and ERF end of year report

Wednesday 8 May. 7 pm -9 pm (refreshments served from 6.30 pm onwards)

Emsworth Community Centre

Southleigh Spine Road

In 2016 there was an extensive public consultation exercise to assist in drawing up a master plan for the proposed Southleigh development, where it is proposed to construct 2,100 homes filling the gap between Emsworth and Denvilles. It was concluded that an essential condition for a development on this scale was a new access route to and from the A27.

Without this route, the resultant increase in traffic trying to access the major road network to the south would raise real issues of major adverse environmental impact on both Emsworth to the east and Denvilles to the west.

The 2017 draft master plan for the site showed the line of a new spine road within a green corridor running from the A27 to Bartons Road (shown on the map below).

The draft Local Plan in 2018, which was eventually rejected, stated that the plan for the Southleigh spine road “facilitates a new access to the A27 and provides a link road through the site”.

A traffic study in 2019 suggested that an entirely new junction was probably not the way forward, but that a new access from the existing Warblington roundabout should provide the required link to the major road network. The preferred option for that approach is shown in detail on Havant Civic Society’s site at: https://hcsnew.files. wordpress.com/2021/01/a27-2018-feasibility-study-recommendations.pdf

‘There has been growing concern about traffic in Emsworth even before the Southleigh development takes off.’

Southleigh Park House development gets go ahead

An office block in Eastleigh Road (off Bartons Road) is set to be demolished to make way for more than 40 new homes next to a 19th-century manor house. Developers have already been given the green light to turn the grade-II listed Southleigh Park House and other existing buildings in Eastleigh Road, Havant, into 20 homes. Now, a second part of the scheme has been given the go-ahead by borough council planners, with 41 new homes set to be built in the estate’s parkland. The building of the new houses will lag behind the conversion of the main house to ensure the work is completed.

Chichester says no to 140 house development at Nutbourne CDC have refused planning permission for a 140 house development at Hamcroft, Main Rd., Nutbourne. Application 23/02114/FUL was submitted by Rego Developments in September 2023 and was refused in Jan 2024. CDC listed 15 major reasons why they were refusing the application.

When the draft local plan was rejected in 2021, the Independent Inspector directed that the Southleigh scheme should not be included until there was clarity over the need for the connection and if it was genuinely necessary then it should be constructed at the commencement of the development.

There has been growing concern about traffic in Emsworth even before the Southleigh development takes off. The number of developments along the A259 to the east has increased the traffic in Emsworth heading for the A27, so it’s really concerning that it is by no means certain that the Southleigh spine road will be an integral part of the infrastructure of the new development. Without it, traffic levels

heading south to the A27 will rise significantly. Yet Hampshire County Council’s policy may undermine the original commitment to the road since it emphasises the need for a more sustainable transport system for the county as a whole. That policy is understandable but only workable if there are good public transport alternatives and local employment opportunities which can be reached on foot or cycle or by accessible public transport.

The ERF is joining with the Havant Civic Society and with our local councillors to press for the road to be included in any plan for the site, believing that the infrastructure for such a large scale development must precede the start of the actual development.

Fowley Cottage is back as a housing development Planning application APP/23/01078 has been submitted to HBC for the demolition of Fowley Cottage and replacement with 4 x 2 bed flats, 8 x 3 bed semi-detached houses and 3 x 4 bed detached houses. The site is at 46 Warblington Road, Emsworth and has had

We check for any major planning applications made to Havant BC or Chichester DC. Anyone can view the documents associated with planning applications. For Havant go to: https://planningpublicaccess.havant.gov.uk/ For Chichester go to https://publicaccess.chichester.gov.uk/online-applications Classes kept small

a long planning history. In 2019 and 2020 applications to build houses on the site were rejected by HBC on the grounds that the density of houses was too low. The proposed developers of this site are Mulberry Homes Ltd, a Farnham based company that specialises in up-market developments. There have been many objections to this proposal but a few residents have expressed support.

Creek Cottage is up the creek HBC planners have turned down APP/23/00779 which proposed the demolition of Creek Cottage, 41 Beach Road and replacing it with a flat roofed modern building. In an unusually scathing decision notice HBC stated, “The incongruous, overly bulky and dominant form of development with full height glazing at first floor would have an adverse visual impact on the wider landscape and setting of the adjacent Chichester Harbour AONB.”

Dropping the kerb at Interbridges

PNH Properties have submitted APP/24/00025 to HBC to seek permission to drop the kerb along North St to permit access to the Interbridges East site for purposes of maintenance of the site which is described as an agricultural field. The site is between the railway line and the A27 bypass. PNH had previously made an informal enquiry to HBC about siting a container park on this site.

The Save Long Copse Lane campaign reconfirm their aims

The campaign has now been running for six years and this is an opportunity to re-state the aims of the campaign. This is solely to protect the Lane from the construction of 220 houses. The Campaign recognises the need for housing but firmly believes that North of Long Copse Lane is an inappropriate site. This view is supported by residents; to date there have been over 650 objections submitted to HBC. These are listed on the planning section of their website under reference APP/21/00893. Public support is essential to our campaign. We would encourage you to visit our website where you can register your opposition to the proposals. www. savelongcopselane.org.uk.

To achieve our aims, we scrutinise the many documents provided by the developer for omissions, misrepresentations and non-conformance to HBC planning policies. Often this requires specialist knowledge, and we are fortunate that there are residents in the Lane and in the surrounding area assisting us. The Campaign team will

continue throughout 2024 to examine government changes to planning regulations and communicate the implications to our supporters and identify opportunities to prevent the proposed development.

The unsuitability of the Lane for increased traffic will continue to be an important and sensitive item in our campaign. Hampshire Highways firmly believe that with some small improvements, the western section of the Lane will become safe. Such changes could result in resident’s gardens being used to allow refuge for pedestrians. There is no recognition of cyclists and horse rider safety or the need for public parking to access Hollybank Woods. To the east, an independent traffic audit notes that “where the lane narrows, private accesses allow passing at slow speeds.’’ West Sussex Highways have no plans for any improvements. Hampshire Highways have accepted unrealistic forecasts of low levels of traffic towards Westbourne and Chichester. We extend a warm welcome to all new residents to the Lane and appreciate their support for our campaign.

For Trust For A VICe

HBC launch Housing Strategy

On Thursday 29 February, from 3 -7 pm the HBC Housing Strategy Roadshow descended on Emsworth Baptist Church. HBC housing officers were in attendance to answer any questions.

The key points of the strategy are:

• To prevent homelessness

• To increase the supply of housing

• Helping with housing choice

• Improving housing stock

The roadshow also visited Havant, Hayling, Waterlooville and Leigh Park with the consultation exercise running from 29 February to 25 March. The full draft strategy document has 35 pages and is available online. Paper copies of the strategy were available at the event. The Strategy documents informs us that:

• Average house price in Havant BC area is £343,965

• Ratio of average wages to average house prices has risen from 6.42 (2002) to 10.28 (2022)

• 508 houses were built in 2022/3

• 100 -150 households are assessed as homeless each month

• 1,827 households on the HBC housing register www.havant.gov.uk/housing

Leigh Whitehouse has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of West Sussex County Council

Leigh will be joining from Surrey County Council where he is currently the interim Chief Executive, acting up from his substantive role of Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources.

Leigh has more than 25 years’ experience in Local Government, starting his career in Finance at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, where he worked his way from graduate trainee accountant up to Deputy Director of Finance, either side of a spell at the London Borough of Hillingdon as Head of Financial Planning. In 2010, Leigh joined the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames as Director of Finance, a role he occupied until 2017 when he moved

to the London Borough of Bexley as interim Director of Finance & Corporate Services.

In 2018 he joined Surrey County Council as Director of Finance in 2018. In 2019, he was appointed Executive Director of Resources, with responsibility for key corporate functions such as HR, IT&D, Land & Property, Transformation, Strategy and Policy. In 2021 he was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive at Surrey CC. He has been credited with overseeing major transformation at the council as well as modernising working practices, including the project to relocate the County Council’s HQ back into Surrey after over 50 years of it sitting outside of the County.

Havant balances the books (almost)

A recent report by the BBC Local News Partnership, Council Borrowing 2023, has shown that Havant BC is one of the most prudent in the UK.

In a table of 387 local authorities Havant ranked 343rd as the area with the least amount

of debt per resident. Havant, population 124,417, has debts of £2,993,000 which works out to £24 per resident. The most indebted council in the UK is Woking (pop. 103,899) with almost £2 billion of debt - £18,756 per resident. Chichester and 38 other councils are the only ones in the UK that are completely debt free. There are 14 councils in the UK with debts of over £1 billion.

Havant Borough Council approves budget for 2024-2025

Councillors in Havant have approved spending plans for 2024-2025, including £69m of investment across the borough over the next five years on new infrastructure, improved frontline services and coastal protection.

Among the proposals agreed were recommendations to:

•Invest £339,000 refurbishing play parks at Scratchface Lane in Bedhampton, Avenue Road in Hayling Island and Cowplain Recreation Ground in the next 18 months

• Freeze the cost of hiring council owned sports pitches in the borough

•Financially support the further development of the Waterlooville Leisure Centre

• Invest a further £100,000 in deployable and static CCTV across the borough

£2.7m has been earmarked to help homelessness

The budget also contained ambitious plans to help prevent homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough with the council earmarking £2.7m, for the purchase of temporary accommodation for those who are at risk of homelessness as well as providing additional funding to Citizens Advice.

The council has also committed to utilising the funding available from the Local Authority Housing Fund - a total of almost £10m - which will help to secure longer term accommodation for refugees living in the borough.

Recycling Centres across West Sussex have switched to extended opening hours

Funding was also agreed for civil engineering programmes including improving active travel routes across the borough, updating seafront facilities, and delivering coastal protection and management projects.

The council’s gross revenue expenditure on delivering vital services such as kerbside waste collection, administering revenues and benefits, planning services, environmental health and licensing, building control, housing, community services and enforcement is £63m for the coming financial year. Of this £63m, £18.1m comes from Council Tax receipts, Retained Business Rates, non-ringfenced grants and investment income. The remainder comes from operating income from fees and charges and all specific service grants.

The budget also included proposals to increase council tax by 2.99% (a Council Tax rate of £232.82 at Band D, representing a £6.76 increase on the current charge) and to increase fees and charges by 6.7% (in line with September 2023 Consumer Price Index).

Residents need to make an appointment before visiting all West Sussex Recycling Centres. Slots are easy to book and can be made up to 14 days in advance or on the same day where available. The spring/summer opening hours will remain in place until 30 September 2024. The Chichester recycling centre is now open 9am to 6pm every day. For a handy A-Z guide on what can and can’t be recycled go to: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ recycling Slots for all sites can be booked online by visiting: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ BookToRecycle or over the phone by calling 01243 642106.

Emsworth Ward Data (Pt 2)

Census data specific to Emsworth ward has now been released. www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/ customprofiles/build/ For 2011 data see www.nomisweb.co.uk/

Home Library Service

The free Home Library Service (HLS) is available from all Hampshire libraries including Emsworth Library. They are actively seeking more people who may benefit from receiving this valued service from our volunteers. They have produced a short promotional video which can be viewed on the library webpage www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUJRFs8MyXA

The service is all about taking library materials to those who find it difficult to access their local library due to health or mobility issues, or because of caring responsibilities. Specially recruited volunteers are matched with customers in their own communities. They can deliver a wide range of books, audio books, reminiscence items, jigsaw puzzles, National Talking Newspapers and Magazines and specialist items such as Quick Read Books and Pictures to Share books for people living with dementia. For many of our HLS customers the social aspect of a regular monthly visit from a friendly volunteer can be just as important as the library materials that are being delivered. To apply or refer someone to the service go to the HLS webpage www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/services/access-for-all/ homelibraryservice

Community Heroes - Southbourne (West Sussex) Lions

The Southbourne Lions held their celebratory dinner at Emsworth Sailing Club on Tuesday 23 January 2024. The Club has now been serving the community for 30 years, a marvellous achievement. In addition, three Lions were awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow plaque for their dedicated humanitarian

services by the Lions Club International Foundation. Many congratulations are due to Pat Hancock, Peter Etheridge and Peter McCallum. Long may they continue their work and commitment to the Club and the community.

Thinking Day 22 February

A very intrepid group from the Trefoil Guild raised their flag on Thinking Day, 22 February. It was very wet and windy. They paid a lovely tribute to Brendan Gibb Gray. The ladies in the photos are Marian Lea, Hazel Barnett and Marjorie Kipling. They sang This little guiding Light of Mine and made their traditional promise. It is a very touching ceremony. Yvonne Copeland

Health Education - Emsworth’s Medical Practice Patient Participation Group

My wife Annie and I worked for the NHS for 55 years each, well into our normal retirement. In my work as a Senior Scientist in both research and clinical investigations, three things became glaringly obvious as the years rolled by: the increase in patient numbers, people living longer needing more medical help and how patients can help the overburdened health service by understanding more about medical matters (as they say prevention is better than cure).

In retirement, it has been my absolute pleasure to chair the Emsworth’s Medical Practice Patient Committee for this amazing Practice, not only helping to create the new premises, but just as importantly to arrange Health Talks on topical subjects. There is at the present time, much debate on

Hugh Bonneville event in aid of Snowdrop Trust

Prancing around in tights – Hugh Bonneville in Conversation at Arundel Castle, Lower Lawns, BN18 9AB.

Saturday 15 June 2024 from 7pm. Sparkling wine and canapes.

Tickets £35 at www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com –limited availability – book early

Microbiome (the friendly bacteria in the gut which help with food digestion) in conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and intestinal disorders and how we can all help ourselves reduce the effect of these conditions by selecting the right food and pre and probiotic preparations.

I am pleased to say that I have arranged a talk by a leading specialist on Microbiome and Diet from Portsmouth Hospitals, community Dietitian, Karen Lee to speak on the subject:

Tuesday 23 April at Slipper Sailing Club. 7 pm talk; 6.30 pm refreshments; 6.15 pm if you want a friendly chat with the PPG team. Tickets not needed - just turn up in good time. If you cannot make it we will endeavour to put the talk on the Practice website. Jim Strudwick, Chair, Emsworth and Westbourne PPG.

Charity Walk at Arundel Castle Estate Park BN18 9AU Sunday 12 May 2024 1pm -3pm

Come on the day or register in advance –www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

Queries: call 01243 572433. Walk 1 mile or 3 miles and enjoy refreshments, music and stalls. Family Friendly. Dogs on leads welcome.

RNLI Anniversary Scroll comes to Emsworth

The RNLI celebrated its bicentenary on Monday 4 March with a service of dedication in Westminster Abbey. Four days later Emsworth was delighted to receive the visit of the Scroll to the town.

The Bourne Bus heads north

As the Scroll is travelling throughout the UK and Ireland there was only one person allowed to sign it on our behalf. As the longest serving person on the committee, Rona Musker kindly agreed to sign on our behalf. The Lady Mayor, Councillor Rosie Raines, also attended the event to witness the signing. At the same time, Treagust Butchers in the Square are celebrating their centenary. Barbara Charlton suggested making a ‘Pie for the RNLI’. They taste excellent and are on sale in the shop with all of the proceeds very generously going to the RNLI. Heidie’s also very generously donated rolls for the sausages that were on sale. The event was added to by the Charity Organ supplied by Wraights, superbly attended to by Rebecca and Lyn. Could I pass on my thanks to everyone who supported this unique occasion. The 200th celebration of the RNLI on 8th March 2024 was a great success. The Emsworth & Havant Branch raised £932.30 on the day. Thank you to the many members of the public for your very generous contributions. A very big thank you to Treagust Butchers who made a considerable contribution and raised £195 by selling special pies and donating the total proceeds to the RNLI.

Passengers get up to 5,000 extra seats a day

Southern Railway have announced improvements to services, with an extensively redesigned and improved timetable for its Hampshire and West Sussex customers being introduced on Monday 3 June.

The main changes are as follows:

• The number of trains between Brighton, Worthing and Chichester will be doubling from two to four an hour (one of these trains will go via Littlehampton), Monday to Saturday, creating more than 5,000 extra seats every day

• As part of this, services between Brighton and Southampton will double in frequency

from hourly to half-hourly to meet demand on this route, and will be faster, with an extra stop at Woolston for easy connections with the local bus networks.

• The more frequent Brighton-Southampton service will also provide better connections to the South West, Bristol, South Wales and West Midlands

• There will be a new hourly, all-stations Brighton to Littlehampton and Chichester service. This will link Brighton and Littlehampton with an all-day service for the first time since 2007

• London to Portsmouth services via Gatwick Airport will double in frequency from hourly to half-hourly, and will be extended to

Portsmouth Harbour for better connections to local ferry services and attractions

• Departures will be more evenly spaced so customers don’t have to wait so long for a train

• Southern will also retain the hourly Brighton to Portsmouth service

More details available here: www.southernrailway.com/westcoastway

Over the last two years the Bourne Bus has made nearly 5,000 passenger journeys, all completely free for local residents. Now the bus will be travelling north into the South Downs on a new trial route each Wednesday morning. We will be picking up residents from 08:45 onwards at nine new stops at Racton, Lordington, Walderton, Stoughton, East Marden, Compton, West Marden, Forestside and Deanlane End. Adding to our current destinations of Westbourne, Emsworth and Havant Tesco, on this route will be Rowlands Castle and Stansted Park Garden Centre. This new route will give rural residents an hour and a half at each destination before a return to their local stop.

We’re still seeing big demand for our Tuesday, Thursday and Friday services and we have also recently undertaken a passenger survey. This tells us that nine out of ten say that the Bourne Bus serves their needs very well. The average passenger age is 71, two thirds have a health condition and only one in twenty has their own car. 84% travel on the Bourne Bus every week and its most popular use is for shopping, medical appointments and social visits. Havant is still the most popular destination.

In other news we are no longer travelling to Chichester as this has had little demand and is well served by the 700 bus service. We’ve also moved the running of the bus over to Community Transport Sussex which makes it easier to get the bus serviced and gives more scope for future services. CT Sussex has also just launched the fully accessible ‘book a bus’ service called WSCC 96 Flex that covers north of the A27 and east of the B2146. For more details see https://bit.ly/WSCC96flex

• For services, news and a bus hire booking form see www.bournebus.co.uk

• For bus hire rates and details see www. bournebus.co.uk/hire-the-bus

• See the 2024 timetable at www.bournebus. co.uk/timetable

• If you want to offer a donation to the bus, become one of our fully trained volunteer bus drivers or want to hire the bus call Andrew Kerry-Bedell on 07899 741939

Success for Havant Camera Club

Words by Nicola Hammond

Gordon Gentles was delighted to be awarded Highly Commended in the Southern Counties Photographic Federation’s (SCPF) 2024 Championships. His photograph, entitled Wittering Beach Walkers, was placed among the top 7 images out of over 300 print entries, which was no mean feat. The SCPF comprises 70 clubs from the south of England (including the Channel Islands and Gibraltar) and the prime purpose of the Federation is to promote and encourage the art and practice

of photography directly to members. This year the competition took place at Bognor Camera Club and the judges included Cherry Larcombe, who is a renowned flower photographer. A great day was had by all. Gordon is the chairman of Havant Camera Club and always welcomes new and prospective members. The club meets weekly from September to May at Emsworth Community Centre, with a programme of talks from external speakers and internal competitions.

Emsworth history walks take off

TRIBUTE

Lesley Harris

(10 April 1952 – 10 February 2024)

Words and photo by Juliet Walker

When David Harris became editor of The Ems in 2018 and agreed to try out the idea of a walks feature called Days out with Dogs [see p25] his wife Lesley offered to bring their two dogs on the walks with me and my dog. This worked well all round and provided much fun and enjoyment through fifteen expeditions together, with many adventures. The very first one was a case in point. At her suggestion we headed to dog friendly Amberley Museum, only to find the gates locked. Undeterred, we adapted, finding a route to a downland village and church, with the obligatory slice of cake as a reward in a café by the River Arun.

Much fun and enjoyment was had on the fifteen Days out with Dogs expeditions

aspects of Emsworth life. Being very interested in gardening, joining the Horticultural Society was a priority. She enjoyed visiting members’ Open Gardens, hosting one of these ‘Natter Mornings’ in her own back garden a few years ago. Other regular gardening took place at her productive Washington Road allotment, which she shared with a friend, Veronica, for ten years. For a while she was also part of the team of volunteers who look after the Memorial Garden in Horndean Road.

Mike is running walks throughout the year; to find walking dates visit the website www. emswalk.co.uk 07787 573071 Email: blatchmike@gmail.com

There is a new history walk in town that will transport you back hundreds of years to Emsworth’s heyday. A 90 minute walk around the town brings Emsworth’s industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries to life. With a successful shipbuilding industry, a booming oyster trade, five mills in production and three coaching inns, Emsworth was thriving. With smuggling rife along the coast and tales of heroism and tragedy, the Emsworth history walks, run by Mike Blatch of Emswalk, are proving very popular. Mike started Emswalk at the beginning of the year having semi-retired. A keen historian, he took time to look more deeply into Emsworth’s history and discovered a treasure chest of fascinating information. Emswalk walks are about a mile long and meander through the town and along part of the seafront. The focus is on the story of Emsworth’s boom years, the characters that played a big role and the hazards and opportunities that life presented.

Lesley and David moved to Emsworth twelve years ago. She settled here quickly, enjoying its friendly atmosphere and numerous opportunities, particularly now she was retired, and became involved in many local organisations and other

Celtic Rowing Boat

Lesley liked to keep fit, doing many local exercise classes, but she also had less energetic pastimes, including reading. She was a member of Ems Valley u3a and until recently was leader of Book Group 2; she was also a supportive member of the Art Appreciation group. A favourite treat was a meal at Fat Olives Restaurant with David, or with friends. They, and many others, will miss her greatly.

Saturday 23 March was the naming ceremony for Emsworth Sailing Clubs’ new Celtic Rowing Boat, Escapade. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side and therefore we were unable to go out for a row. The club welcomed all the other clubs from around the Harbour who also have a boat. Paul Bennett and the Club’s Commodore Tim Keeping both said a few words and a bottle of Champagne was poured over the boat in celebration. One of the club’s Junior Captains, Ollie Williams, also helped with the event, which was topped off with tea and cake and some Celtic music in the club. Everyone can now look forward to many outings on the water and let’s keep fingers crossed for some good weather.

News from the Parish of Warblington with Emsworth

Words

Centenary Celebration Service – 19 May, 10.30 am, St James’ Church

Join us for this joyful service as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the coming together of our two churches (St James’ and St Thomas à Becket) into one parish. This will be followed by welcome drinks – everyone is invited! There will be activities for children during and after the service.

Here are some more dates for your diary: Centenary Exhibition at Emsworth Museum –25 - 27 May and weekends in June Learn all about the Parish and how it came about and notable historic moments over the last 100 years.

Exhibition of Wedding Memories – Saturday 22 June, 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday June, 1-3 pm, St Thomas à Becket Church. Featuring a display of wedding dresses, photographs, stories and memorabilia from the last 100 years.

Marriage Thanksgiving Service – Sunday 23 June, 3 pm, St Thomas à Becket. All are welcome at this special service giving thanks for marriages past and present.

Beating the Bounds – 20 July.

This centuries-old tradition is designed to reacquaint parishioners with the Parish boundary. We will meet at St James’ Church at 10 am –bring a packed lunch.

‘Backpackers’ Holiday Club – 28 -30 August. This will be for all primary aged children, running from 9.30 am-12.30 pm at St James’ School, Emsworth. Keep an eye on the parish website for sign up info.

Churchyard Teas at St Thomas à Becket Church from 3 - 5pm every Saturday and Sunday throughout July and August. Come and join us for a lovely atmosphere and a brilliant selection of home-made cakes.

Website: https://www.warblingtonwithemsworth.org

Facebook: @WarblingtonwithEmsworth

Exhibition of Wedding Memories – Saturday 22 June, 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday June, 1-3 pm, St Thomas à Becket Church.

Emsworth Museum

Emsworth Museum opened for the 2024 season on Good Friday 29 March. During the winter the entrance hall, stairs and part of the Main Room were redecorated, a number of changes made to the existing displays and a couple of new ones added.

One of these is a display by retired Consultant Radiologist Dr Ben Timmis, of documents and items received from the Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital. Some of this material has been in Emsworth Museum’s possession for a number of years but has never previously been exhibited. In particular the hospital accounts from 1938 shine a light on the substantial community effort required to generate enough money to run the hospital. Another new permanent display illustrates brick making in the local area.

Brook Meadow

29 March – 21 April and 11 – 19 May

The exhibition describes the local nature reserve and wildlife haven near Emsworth town centre. Many of the plants, insects, birds and animals that can be seen in the meadow are illustrated. The Brook Meadow Conservation Group was formed in 2000 by local residents to restore, protect and conserve the natural environment of the meadow for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of the general public.

Emsworth Arts Trail

27 April – 6 May

Emsworth Museum is a venue and local watercolour artist Nic Cowper will be showing a selection of his paintings. Nic is an artist, speaker and teacher working around the South Coast. A natural painter, he is self-taught and has used almost every known medium. However, he says that watercolour is the one that really delivers.

100th Anniversary of the Unification of the Parishes of Warblington and Emsworth in

May 1924

25 May – 30 June

This exhibition of photographs, documents and maps of Emsworth in the 1920s commemorates the uniting of the two parishes and aims to present a snapshot of local life

St James and Warblington Churches celebrate 100 years of unification

a hundred years ago whilst revealing some remarkable similarities between then and now as well as many changes. A timeline will feature local events and visits by well-known personalities and memories of some local baptisms and weddings are mentioned.

Emsworth Museum, 10B North Street is open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30 am – 4.30 pm and on Sundays 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm. On all five days of the Arts Trail it is open 10.30 am – 4.30pm. Admission is free.

Other events include a talk, a walk and Treasure Hunt.

• Thursday 2 May: Portsmouth – Harlots, Dung and Glory, Part II by Andrew Negus.

• Wednesday 5 June: Nigel Brown will lead a summer evening walk around Emsworth.

• Wednesday 26 June: The Annual Treasure Hunt route and questions are being planned

www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk info@ emsworthmuseum.org.uk

HAMPSHIRE MEADOWS

Nature Notes

When Hampshire Farm Meadows was first opened to the public it was an impoverished habitat, just a flat green open space. A wild flower meadow seed mix had been planted, but as they were perennials most did not flower until their second year.

Once the flowers had established butterfly numbers increased. Annual mowing of sections each year holds back the natural succession giving a mosaic of different heights of flora, all of which help the biodiversity of the site. Hedges of whips of native species were also planted; not all survived. The Friends group planted many more native whips and slowly over the years the hedges have greatly improved. Now they are mature hedges, providing flowers in the spring for insects and berries in the autumn for the birds. They also provide many niches and microenvironments for insects, all of which are food for insectivorous birds.

With continued volunteer maintenance we are continuing to see improvements in the flora and fauna. The nature notes for 2023 below will hopefully entice some of you to explore the site. March saw the hedges turn white with blackthorn flowers. In April the white flowers of the hawthorn took over, bees buzzed, migrant birds arrived and started singing along with the local birds, claiming their territories and mates. This year blackcaps, stonechats and whitethroats were spotted. The bird boxes were occupied by blue tits and great tits. The small birds love the northwest corner of the meadow which is overgrown with bramble as they can skulk around safely in the undergrowth and get on with life.

In May the meadow turned white with flowering oxeye

In May the meadow turned white with flowering oxeye daisies and butterflies started appearing.

daisies and butterflies started appearing. Later, yellow flowers of buttercups and vetches appeared; finally from July the purple flowers of clover, knapweed and thistles dominated. All are good nectar sources for Lepidoptera and insects. The food plants of many caterpillars are various grasses. The wet summer was good for the butterflies, as the grasses didn’t wither away and many butterflies managed two lifecycles. Green woodpeckers were regularly seen feeding on the ground, the damp summer having made it easier for them to feed on ants.

Autumn saw the ripening of a bumper crop of berries on the hedges. Flocks of starling were heard chattering away while stuffing themselves with sloe berries. The warm autumn meant that the fieldfares and redwings came late, but there were still berries remaining for them. A good crop of acorns saw squirrels and jays busily caching them for harsher times. In the autumn big flocks of goldfinches descended to feast on thistle and teasel seeds.

Throughout the year roe deer (right) are regularly spotted in the mornings and evenings. Birds of prey are a common sight flying over the meadow. Kestrels often hover in the wind hunting for voles and mice. Buzzards and red kites can also be seen circling high above.

Flocks of starling were heard chattering away while stuffing themselves with sloe berries

Emsworth Horticultural Society Open Day 29 June

If you are in Emsworth on 29 June come along to the Emsworth Horticultural Society Open Day, where visitors can learn about the benefits of belonging to the EHS.

You will gain lots of information on different aspects of gardening and will be able to try different activities, as you stroll around the information sessions. This free Open Day will take place in The Friends Community Garden in North St Emsworth, from 1 pm to 4.00 pm and everyone is welcome.

Demonstrations and talks will be from a willow weaver and a fused glass maker, who will both give demonstrations that you can take part in. Learn about garden tool maintenance; bee keeping; making a bug hotel; the science of making good compost and using peat free soil for seedlings and potting on. Everybody will be able to enter a free raffle to win one of the arrangements that are being made on the day by a prize-winning flower arranger.

Whatever size your garden, if you are a novice or expert, there will be something for everyone at the EHS Open Day. There will also be refreshments available, so put 29 June 1pm to 4.00 pm in your diary. For more information go to www.emshs.org

Chichester Harbour springs into action: Over 250 kg of rubbish cleared

As part of the Great British Spring Clean initiative (March 15 to 31 2024) and in a fitting tribute to the Chichester Harbour Federation’s (CHF) 100th anniversary, local sailing clubs and organisations rallied together from around Chichester Harbour for a comprehensive litter pick on 16 March. The event was coordinated by the CHF Environment Forum and local environmental charity the Final Straw Foundation.

The collective effort of these organisations resulted in the collection of 79 bags of litter, weighing approximately 260 kg, thanks to the dedication of 170 volunteers. Sue Nash, Environment Lead at Dell Quay Sailing Club and the Chichester Harbour Federation, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support for the event and highlighted the significant amount of litter prevented from polluting the Harbour. She commented, “Members and their children turned out to help clean up, saving a huge amount of litter from entering the Harbour. One thing that the volunteers found hard to believe was the amount of dog poo picked up into bags that had then been left by the shoreline and around the paths. This seems increasingly to be happening – the worst part has been done, but then it is left.”

Lissie Pollard from the Final Straw Foundation ran a public clean-up event in Emsworth on the day. “Emsworth itself looks fairly clean, but just around the town and the shoreline, we collected nearly 80kg of rubbish with members of the public and volunteers from Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club. Thank you

so much to all the fantastic helpers who came along; it makes a visible difference to the town. So much of what was collected was food and drinks waste packaging, and it really highlights the changes we need to some of these disposable items that we see littered time and again. Switching to reusable items and asking manufacturers to make packaging more sustainable would really help.”

Laura Kameen, Environment Lead at Bosham Sailing Club, shared her team’s experience: “Initially, our volunteers were uncertain about the amount of litter they would find. However, our eagle-eyed litter hunters collected 10 bags from the quay, dinghy park, Cutmill shore, and Rythe End. The volunteers were particularly shocked by the volume of plastic at Rythe End, including hundreds of plastic pellets, or ‘nurdles’, found within the seaweed. These findings were reported to the Great Nurdle Hunt, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about plastic pollution. Volunteers also spotted multiple Mermaids Purses at the site. These can be recorded via The Great Eggcase Hunt and help feed into the body of knowledge on the distribution of British sharks, skates and rays, so next time we will make sure we take photos and identify the eggcases using the app.”

We encourage everyone to pledge to pick up a bag of litter – or more – and join us in our mission to tidy up our coastlines. www.chifed.org and www.finalstrawfoundation.org

Does your group want to make Emsworth and the surrounding areas more beautiful?

Emsworth Show was brilliant last year. Many of you came to have fun on a lovely sunny day, enjoying music, arena events, browsing among the numerous stalls and of course, admiring the amazing flowers and vegetables exhibited in the big marquee. Now, the Show committee want to plough some spare funds raised back into local community groups or organisations. In the past we have supported a local school who wanted to make part of their grounds special, and helped Southern Domestic Abuse make the garden of a house they owned into a peaceful place for victims and children find solace. Brook Meadow were helped with storing their tools, Blendworth Centre needed funds to support their students, money was given towards trees in the Redland Arboretum, a new local gardening club asked if a speaker for their first meeting could be paid, and another gardening group were assisted with the annual insurance.

There is a very simple form on the website: www.emsworthshow.co.uk

Just look for the ‘surplus-funds’ page. It needs to be returned by 30 April so that the Show Committee can review all applications in mid-May. So do tell us about your project or help you need with anything related to horticulture, or developing domestic and craft talents, which will aid and encourage local groups and volunteers and young people. (

‘Soft engineering’ plans are not suitable for the coastal path from west Emsworth into Nore Barn Woods

Natural England (NE) are still working on the national King Charles III coast path including the section west of Emsworth. One stretch awaiting finalised plans runs between the sea end of Warblington Road and Nore Barn Woods. Hundreds of local people use this stretch daily but several times a year high tides mean many turn back rather than paddle or wade along the flooded path. The nearby bridge into Nore Barn Woods also floods regularly.

NE has come up with various designs since 2019 to address the flooding problem, but their latest plans show a new boardwalk extending the path from Warblington Road, plus strengthening and lifting the nearby bridge over the Nore stream. The path approaching this bridge, from both sides, would have a raised hoggin surface between gabions (large stone filled wire boxes), the edges supporting handrails.

Boardwalks are a type of ‘soft engineering’. They are not permanent and will gradually be eroded. Is this the best way to deal with this path, especially the part with houses behind? Why not extend (by 25 metres) the existing 1970s concrete raised path that currently runs westward along the foot of the seawall from

the end of Warblington Road? Is it because that would be ‘hard engineering’? Why is that considered unsuitable here?

NE should note that the existing raised concrete path works well and additionally protects the seawall behind. But any boardwalk section added would eventually be eroded, be unattractive in the meantime and make access from the sea difficult for swimmers and sailors as well as making any repair needed on the seawall virtually impossible. Should Natural England go back to the drawing board for this stretch?

For the latest plans from NE see: http:// maisemoregardens.co.uk/England%20 Coast%20Path.html

WAKES & FUNERALS

I am Maggie Gebbett. I led a local team (SWUP Solent Way Upgrade Project) working on plans for this stretch of path. We started plans on it at the end of 2015. We were granted £46,000 CIL money towards this work (which is still there) but NE said in 2017 that they would take over the project to save us applying for planning permission… Our original plans didn’t have ‘soft engineering’ or gabions… NE’s latest plans are currently with the Secretary of State awaiting his decision. We have written from Maisemore to Alan Mak. If you want to know more details about this stretch of path from Natural England 2019, their original description is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d8ccd7eed915d5569b5dba0/ south-hayling-east-head-report-2.PDF

Alan Mak MP

Brendan Gibb-Gray tributes

I was very sorry to hear that Brendan GibbGray had sadly passed away recently. Brendan became a councillor in 2004 after a distinguished career in the police. He served continuously until 2016, when his service was recognised by him becoming an Honorary Alderman. He was instrumental in establishing the Emsworth St George’s Day Military Parade in 2007, which I later attended. In 2012 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for service in the community. He was the driving force behind

the Ems Valley Memorial Arboretum, where I attended the launch in 2022. Meanwhile, Brendan’s role as chair of the Emsworth Business Association meant he also played an important role in many successes, including being a strong influence in the provision of cycle routes. Brendan devoted himself to public service, working hard on behalf of residents and did so much to improve life in our community. He will be much-missed and I send my condolences to his family.

From Retired Police Inspector Richard Owen (Special Constabulary) in Havant, now in Cumbria

Brendan will be sorely missed in the town. His diligent professional background provided a wealth of knowledge to share among residents of Emsworth who needed advice or help. As a retired senior police officer, councillor and environmentalist, Brendan was a gifted communicator in many spheres of life and an outstanding skilled orator in every stage of his various roles. He was a delight to work with at events such as the Emsworth Food Festival and the St. George’s Day Parade every April. Emsworth was fortunate to have his presence and empathy.

Richard Swaine

It was so good to read the fine tribute to Brendan in the Winter edition of The Ems. In his quiet manner, he would find ways around things and negotiate changes. He would never ‘give up’. This is a moment to illustrate just some of his lasting projects.

In 2008 the toilets on our recreation ground had been locked with steel doors and had been so for nearly the previous 10 years; ‘vandals’ was HBC’s reason. Brendan struck a deal with HBC to begin a trial whereby the toilets would be opened every day during daylight hours for a month. They still are. In 2012, he noticed the bus stops along the A259 were without shelters. After a strong case was made to secure limited funds, within a year they all had shelters. Ten years ago to mark the start of WWI in 1914 and the Normandy landings in 1944, Brendan helped get agreement from HBC to allow a plaque to be crafted and installed at Warblington cemetery to honour our many local servicemen who had lost their lives in war. Each year,

on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day, all commonwealth war graves receive a cross and poppy from the Church community to ensure they are remembered. Brendan set a high standard as a local authority councillor and community champion, and as we have read, his passing leaves us saddened but with lasting memories.

Richard Jannaway, Editor The Ems, 2004 – 2012

I first knew Brendan as the councillor who reported to ERA monthly meetings most consistently. I was a new volunteer on the ERA committee and each month one of the key parts of the meeting was the councillors forum where we had reports from Havant Borough Council. Brendan’s reports were clear and helpful, he reported all matters of relevance to Emsworth. He was always prepared to express his independent views rather than just repeating the party line; for example, by actively opposing tree felling and unsuitable developments even when the council approved them.

Later I worked with Brendan when I was Editor of The Ems (2004 - 2012). He offered lots of support and always submitted his articles on time. They were well written, clear and thorough. Sometimes I had to edit them for length but he was always happy for me to do this and rarely disagreed with my edits. Whatever activity I was engaged

in Brendan was there to support it. He was very ‘green’ and showed this through practical work in Brook Meadow and support for Emsworth Tree Wardens. He became a firm friend with whom I could always discuss anything in a friendly manner even when he held very different views to my own. He was also the only Emsworth resident who visited me in hospital when I went in for a hip replacement.

Brendan’s sense of humour was unique. When we were organising one of our monthly cross party bike rides with Ray Cobbett, Ken Gilchrist and myself he would start chains of outrageous jokes which went back and forth by email between the four of us. During a very dry summer he would describe, with a dead pan expression, detailed plans for complex rain dances. I will miss Brendan greatly; he was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He will live on in the memories of so many people.

Vote on Thursday 2 May

Local elections will be held on Thursday 2 May for every seat in the 12 new wards of Havant Borough Council. This is the first local election to be held since boundary changes came into effect.

Havant will now have 36 councillors representing 12 wards. The Emsworth ward boundary remains much the same. Following the surprise victory of Green candidate Grainne Rason in the May 2023 elections Emsworth ward can no longer be seen as a Tory stronghold. The current breakdown of Havant BC is Conservatives 29, Labour 4, Lib Dems 2, Green 1, vacant 2. (total 38 seats) The two vacancies were caused by the resignations of Carly Scannell (Conservative, Hart Plain) in January and Tom Moutray (Independent, elected in 2021 as a Conservative, Battins) in February.

There will also be elections on 2 May for Police and Crime Commissioners for Hampshire and Sussex. For a full list of candidates go to: https://choosemypcc.org.uk/

Polling stations are open from 7am – 10pm.

Elections are also taking place at 107 unitary, metropolitan, and district local councils in England. The results will be closely scrutinised as they will be seen as a referendum on the leadership of Rishi Sunak and may also give a pointer to the date of the General Election which must be held by January 2025 at the latest.

The next local elections at Chichester District Council will be held in 2027.

By law you now need to show approved photo ID to vote at a polling station. If you don't have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, you can apply for a postal vote, or apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. To find out more about the changes to the Elections Act, see a list of accepted forms of photo ID, and for how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, please visit the Electoral Commission website or call the HBC Elections Office on 023 9244 6225. www.electoralcommission.org.uk

Polling stations in Emsworth will be open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursday 2 May.

By law you now need to show approved photo ID to vote at a polling station.

PLEASE NOTE

A full list of all candidates will be published on the HBC website on 8 April. This is after The Ems has gone to press. It is possible that Independent and minor party candidates will also stand for Emsworth ward. www.havant.gov.uk/elections/current-future-elections

The following candidates have confirmed that they will be contesting the Emsworth ward. The Ems asked each party to submit an election address.

Grainne Rason (Green)

What a year. Thank you for electing me last May. It is a real privilege to serve Emsworth residents. Emsworth has a fantastic community and I will continue to work hard for all our residents to ensure that Emsworth always retains its special character. I serve on the council’s Planning and Audit, Finance Committees, Climate Panel and the new Local Plan working group. Through regular attendance at meetings, I am able to work closely with council officers and serve residents better. The Residents Forum Youth Project, community gardens, and the Southleigh Spine Road are also high on my agenda. I am on the stakeholder’s groups for Portsmouth Water for the Reservoir and the Environment and am a founding member of a group that meet with Environment Agency, Natural England and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust to question water companies and get better protection for our sea and river. Sewage spills into the harbours have to stop. I taught science in local schools for 40 years. The future for our children and grandchildren needs government, at all levels, to keep its contract with its citizens. Their role is to protect us and nature, so having a strong green voice, with a deep understanding of the causes and the solutions to our changing climate and protecting biodiversity is good for everyone.

Reuben Mychaleckyj (Green)

I’m really proud to have been selected as the Green Party candidate for our beautiful Emsworth Ward in the May 2024 elections.

Imagine if we turned Emsworth Green, what an achievement. We’re crying out for a healthy opposition on our council to make better decisions for all people and the planet. We need to demand no more sewage in our harbours, no more housing projects without sufficient infrastructure, No more unsupported businesses, and plenty more listening to every single one of our Emsworth residents. I can’t wait to get started.

Labour will not be putting forward any candidates for the Emsworth ward

Conservatives (3 candidates)

Unlike some other candidates we are all fortunate to live in Emsworth. Richard’s family have been in Emsworth for generations and Lulu has lived around Emsworth for over 50 years. This doesn’t make us complacent; rather, we know what a privilege it is to serve such a special place.

We are committed to our community and have a proven track record of delivery. We’ve worked hard to protect and enhance our environment. Richard chairs the Havant Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee, holding the likes of Portsmouth Water and Southern Water to account. Lulu is the Cabinet Lead for Norse, leading significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of all our waste collections and the street scene. All three of us have worked together on

Charles Robert (Green)

I moved to Emsworth 10 years ago for its open spaces, sea, meadow and woodlands and being so close to the South Downs. Everything is within walking distance. I am proud to be selected as a candidate for the Green Party for Emsworth. I was a science teacher for 18 years, then developed Information Communication Technology in a number of schools in Inner City London. I am a mountain leader, volunteering with HF holidays and our local Scout Troop. I love walking and leading groups to share my passion for our native mosses, lichens and ferns, our mini ‘rainforests’. I am very concerned about how unsafe it is to walk and cycle on the A259 and the damage to the sea from sewage overflows. Our priorities are

• Listening to and representing residents’ views

• Protecting our harbours and the Ems

• Appropriate development which conserves Emsworth’s character

• Better traffic management, bus services and support for active travel

• Meaningful climate action and improving recycling

• Protecting green spaces and natural habitats, including re-wilding projects

• Supporting local businesses

• Supporting facilities for elderly residents.

• ensuring we continue to have excellent play areas and improved sports facilities

• introducing speed indicator devices for traffic calming and investigating 20mph limits where possible

• improving the street scene around Emsworth – clean streets, additional bins, regular grass cutting

Between them, Lulu and Richard have 15 years’ service to Emsworth as councillors. We know what a privilege it is to represent our community. Lucy too is committed to making a difference and her role as a teacher in a Leigh Park school means she recognises the importance of supporting families from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Michael Bolt (Liberal Democrat)

He has lived in Emsworth for nearly 40 years, is a regular worshipper at St James’s Church, and a volunteer at Repair Café Havant. Michael says: “It’s a great privilege to live in Emsworth, and it would be an honour to represent you again on Havant Borough Council.”

Adam Bowman (Liberal Democrat)

He volunteered during the pandemic and has also helped at the Beacon Food Bank in the Meridian Centre where he saw just how much the food banks are needed to help the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Both Michael and Adam know how much the people of Emsworth love Chichester Harbour and its waters. They too are upset with the continued dumping of raw sewage by Southern Water. The Conservative led government has continued to allow this to happen. In the last year the opposition parties, including two Lib Dem councillors, Paul Gray and Philippa Gray, pushed for a system similar to that which is running in Southsea to advise people when the sewage dumping is happening.

Michael and Adam would like to see something similar adopted in the Emsworth area, with Southern Water paying for the system. In the longer term, they very much want to see an end to the sewage dumping entirely.

the Washington Road underpass to address long-standing issues around the flooding, lighting and its appearance. We are also very much committed to continuing the fight against up to 260 houses proposed for Long Copse Lane. We have worked with local residents here and across Emsworth on numerous planning matters, always doing our best to support them

We always take an approach of ‘getting stuff done’, but we know there is still more we can do to for Emsworth. Our priorities include:

• protecting our environment against unsustainable development and sewage releases

• improving the Washington Road underpass, addressing flooding and lighting issues, and improving the interior with commissioned street art

We recognise that nationally this year’s elections are challenging for the Conservatives. We urge residents to consider our record of achievement when casting your vote. For example, new bins in Hollybank Lane and Queen Street, bigger bins on the Quay and Mill Pond, provision of a speed indicator device to reduce speeds in areas such as Horndean Road, Victoria Road and the town centre, improvements to Washington Road underpass, significant council investment in our play areas such as Emsworth Recreation Ground and Spencers Field, and replacement of the famous Pirate Ship at Hollybank Park. All these have been led by Lulu and Richard, and if re-elected the two of us with Lucy will continue to make Emsworth our top priority.

On 2 May please vote for experienced, committed Emsworth residents to continue to represent our community.

Caring for the environment and cleaner waters is on the agenda for all candidates

New Businesses open in Emsworth

In Emsworth empty shops do not stay vacant for very long. Since the Winter edition of The Ems was published we have welcomed three new businesses to the town centre.

Naked Pantry

The independent up market refill shop was opened by the mayor, Cllr Rosy Raines on Saturday 16 March. The shop, at 41 High St, had traded for many years as a newsagent, which closed in November 2023. The premises are owned by Bradley and Kharran Piper who decided to open their own business rather than letting the shop out again. A very high quality refurbishment has been carried out. The new shop sells tea, coffee, chocolates, spices, dried fruit, baking goods, pasta, and many other products which you can buy loose without the need for unnecessary packaging. The shop fills the gap created when Pantry Weigh closed in 2018 but also offers a very wide range of products not sold by other local retailers. Naked Pantry sources many products from local suppliers such as Northney Farm and Tuppenny Barn. The shop is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Closed all day Sunday.

Glamorous Hair and Beauty

A new ladies hairdressers opened in March at 39 High St. The premises had been used by Kelly’s Care Agency since June 2023 when they took over the shop from Citrus Flowers

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who had traded for 17 years. Glamorous offer a full range of hair and beauty services. They are open from 9 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday and from 9.30 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Kelly’s Care are still trading from this site.

Our Body Our Temple

This intriguingly named Pilates studio opened in March at 4 North St. The shop had previously traded as Stonecrest Stone Masons who opened in 2019 and closed in December 2023. The retail unit had also traded as Studio4Gifts,

Emsworth B&B Hotel present newly refurbished function rooms available for hire

Emsworth B&B Hotel has recently unveiled its newest addition – a set of function rooms, marking a significant milestone in its expansion and commitment to serving the local community. This development, backed by a substantial investment, comes as a response to the closure of the Brookfield Hotel last year, leaving a void in the local hospitality scene. Paul Sahota, the proud owner, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re delighted to be able to provide this brand new facility.”

The investment reflects a dedication to enhancing the guest experience and bolstering the hotel’s offerings. The newly inaugurated function rooms have been meticulously designed and laid out to accommodate groups of varying sizes, ranging from intimate gatherings and meetings to larger events. With two interconnected spaces, the venue boasts a combined suite capacity of over 100 people, ensuring versatility and flexibility for a multitude of occasions.

Paul emphasised the thoughtful consideration that went into the design process, aiming to cater to the diverse needs of their clientele. “We’ve put a lot of thought into its design and layout, which gives us the ability to cater for groups large and small across two

spaces,” he remarked, underlining the hotel’s commitment to providing tailored solutions to event organisers.

Moreover, alongside the expansion of the function rooms, the hotel has revamped its catering facilities, recognising the integral role food plays in any event. The extended and improved kitchen facilities now enable on-site baking and food preparation, ensuring that guests are treated to the freshest products. This enhancement also facilitates the accommodation of various dietary requirements, underscoring the hotel’s dedication to inclusivity and guest satisfaction. The Emsworth Room also offers the facility for a bar.

The function rooms’ availability spans the

Classy Cooks and as a photography shop. Our Body Our Temple is run by experienced Pilates instructor Nnenna Chidolue who previously taught Pilates at Westbourne Wellness Clinic. She teaches Classical Pilates, as developed by Joseph Pilates (1883 -1967), a German born fitness instructor. She offers one to one instruction as well as small groups of up to four people. Nnenna has invested in her studio and has several pieces of equipment which are specially designed for Pilates. Her clients are from all age groups and include men, women and children. Costs are £65 for a 55 minute one-to-one session; group classes are £20 for a 55 minute class. The studio is open from 8 am – 5 pm on Monday and Wednesday to Saturday (closed Tuesday and Sunday)

Our Body Our Temple, 4 North St. Emsworth PO10 7DD. Tel: 07852 357854

Email: info@ourbodyourtemple.co.uk

www.ourbodyourtemple.co.uk

entire week, from Monday to Sunday, offering convenience and accessibility to those seeking event venues. However, it’s important to note that certain restrictions apply to maintain the tranquil ambience of the hotel and respect for other guests. Paul pointed out, “We are unable to cater for discos and loud music due to other guests and our setting in a residential area,” highlighting the hotel’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful environment.

The Hotel also has a large free car park which makes the venue even more appealing to both local people and those travelling in from further afield. “Our proximity to The Oaks crematorium has also produced a lot of interest from those looking to arrange a wake following a funeral” explains Paul. A range of packages are available including a buffet menu and complementary services such as welcome drinks, flowers and of course, guest rooms for those needing an overnight stay.

The introduction of the function rooms represents not only a strategic business move but also a testament to the hotel’s enduring commitment to its community. By providing a versatile and modern event space

with top-notch amenities, and of course, disabled access, Emsworth B&B Hotel aims to become the go-to destination for locals seeking a venue for special occasions, wakes and meeting venues.

For more information, please visit the hotel website www.emsworthhotel.co.uk or call the team on 01243 373755.

The Ropemaker (former Brookfield Hotel) Havant Road, update

Heartwood Inns are well underway with their refurbishment of the former Brookfield Hotel, on Havant Road, which will open in summer 2024. Awarded the top 3-star Sustainable Restaurant Association accolade and winner of Best Food-Led Pub Group by the Restaurant Magazine, Heartwood Inns is renowned for its seasonal, fresh menus, extensive drinks selection and friendly teams who create a real home from home experience. There are currently 23 Heartwood Inns throughout England and 14 Brasserie Blancs, all part of Heartwood Collection. The extensive refurbishment will create a charming and welcoming local pub with cosy snugs and local beers, an airy dining space to the rear and new extension leading onto a beautiful enclosed terrace and landscaped garden. The pub with rooms will feature 43 unique bedrooms to welcome guests from further afield to enjoy visiting the local area. Initially planned to be called The Rope & Anchor, the pub with rooms will now be known as The Ropemaker, which continues to reflect both the heritage of Emsworth and the key role that pubs have played for centuries in the local area. This change reflects our consumer research into what overnight guests may be looking for when they visit the area and we wanted to ensure our name best reflected our location, a short distance away from the harbour.

Set to open in summer, Heartwood will be working on an engaging launch plan and speaking to many in the community as we look forward to getting to know our new

neighbours. If you are interested in getting in touch to partner on local initiatives, contact: press@heartwoodcollection.com

Editor: At the time of going to press the planning application APP/23/00630 to remodel the front of the hotel was still being considered. A number of residents and the ERF have expressed concern about the reduction in parking spaces at the hotel and the increase in the size of the dining capacity (up to 200 covers).

Local newspapers continue to decline

Sales of paid for local papers are dropping sharply across the UK. The daily Portsmouth News only sells 6,081 copies a day (down 17% from 2022).

The weekly Chichester Observer sells 6,275 copies a week (also down 17% from 2022) The Ems distributes 7,100 copies each quarter.

Emsworth’s Taskforce Heating and Plumbing named Which? Trusted Trader of the Month

Taskforce Heating and Plumbing, a family-run business based in the heart of Emsworth, has been awarded the prestigious Which? Trusted Trader of the Month for March 2024. The Which? Trusted Trader of the Month award is a highly coveted recognition within all industries. Taskforce Heating and Plumbing emerged as the standout winner for their exceptional commitment to customer service. The award acknowledges Taskforce Heating and Plumbing’s excellent performance amidst stiff competition from various trades. For more information about Taskforce Heating and Plumbing and their award-winning services, please visit https://taskforceheatingandplumbing. co.uk or contact Rachel on 01243 370880 admin@mytaskforce.co.uk

Farmers’ Market

The market is held on the third Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm in the Square. The dates for the next few months

are: Sat 20 April, Sat 18 May, Sat 15 June, Sat

20 July, Sat 17 Aug, Sat 21 Sept, Sat 19 Oct, Sat 16 Nov, Sat 21 Dec

Unemployment figures (February 2024)

Borough of Havant 2,640 (3.6%)

Emsworth 135 (2.5%)

Chichester DC area 2,195 (3.1%)

UK 1.6 mill (3.8%)

Minimum wage to go up

As from 1 April 2024 the minimum wage increased to the following rates:

• £11.44 Age 21 and over

• £8.60 Age 18 -20

• £6.40 Age 16 -17

Inflation rate

The official consumer price inflation rate as calculated by ONS is 3.4%

In Feb 2021 it stood at 0.4%. www.ons.gov.uk

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Emsworth loves local

We have been extremely busy since last we wrote. We have had two extremely successful charity markets (Christmas and Easter) and have now spread ourselves out in the Emsworth Methodist Church & Pastoral Centre to hold Mega Markets, covering the hall, atrium and the church! We have over 25 stalls for these occasional markets, and we are quite sure we cover (almost) everything. Our next Mega Market will be held on 20 April, and we are sure you won’t want to miss it. Our next charity market will he held on 3 August in the Emsworth Sports and Social Club, starting at 10 am and closing at 3 pm. We will continue to hold our usual markets on the third Saturday every month, the same day as the Emsworth Farmers Market. See you there.

Award-Winning Emsworth Concert Band Set to Land with a Bang in Chichester

Emsworth Concert Band, comprising 40-45 people, is hoping to expand their reach by moving towards Chichester for their performances. Conducted by Andy Hall, the band is made up of wind instruments with the addition of percussion too. Their main goal is to take their listeners on a journey, to allow their music to create the images that they see when they hear it. From film scores to baroque and classical, Emsworth Concert Band have a little something for everyone and they want to encourage more listeners.

In March, Emsworth Concert Band participated in Chichester Festival for Music, Dance and Speech, competing in the Wind Band Open category and received an ‘outstanding’ and won the Mayor of Chichester’s Trophy for best performance overall. Andy Hall introduced each piece of music, telling the audience what journey it’s supposed to be taking them on, the first, a melodic composition, representing a wishing well; the second, with a James Bond-like drive, representing a train track in Oregon. Each piece was beautifully crafted and well-deserving of the Mayor’s Cup. The principle flautist, Jo Bennett, states that winning the Mayor’s cup was “a tremendous confidence boost for the band. It demonstrated that showing real commitment and enthusiasm to try to play two pieces as perfectly as possible, working as a team can produce not only a fantastic sound, but also a real sense of achievement.”

On 27 April, Emsworth Concert Band have their own show inside St Paul’s Church. With the theme being ‘Music from Stage, Screen and Something In Between’, the band’s mission is to “encourage larger audience numbers

Young Musicians Rock the Minerva Theatre

In January, Ovation Music organised their 2024 Rock Show, to demonstrate the talented individuals from schools and colleges in West Sussex. Founded by Nick Davidson in 2015, Ovation Music is a registered organisation for musically-inclined children between the ages of 8 and 18. Whether it be group sessions to collaborate with other like-minded students, workshop sessions to build musical skill, or performances, such as this, Ovation Music aims to support and inspire the younger generation in the form of music.

After seven years of being situated in Chichester College’s music block, the college closed the block completely. Nick Davidson states, ‘We had a hundred kids in twenty plus bands and were left with no facility in the September term.’ However, in November, Ovation Music were able to secure two spaces at Chichester Boys Club and a second room at the Chichester Music Academy was made available to them, giving them four rooms in total. Nick continues, ‘We are slowly recovering but still lack the same level of facility.’ The Ovation Rock Show hosted a wide variety of music from band to band. As well as members of Ovation Music, there were also performances from guest bands; Faded Grey from Chichester College, Rude Eyes from Bishop Luffa, Wasabi from Westbourne House and Nola Morgan, a soloist Chichester Music Academy student. Some bands covered songs by Billie Eilish and Wet Leg, whilst others sang impressive renditions of Arctic Monkeys and Paramore, as well as adding their own originals to the mix.

Ovation Music have a clear goal and that is to educate as well as support those who may

not have a space to play at home, and these shows not only help build these youngsters’

Ovation Music is an organisation for musically-inclined children between the ages of 8 and 18.

confidence but also give them an outlet to display their creativity. One of the ways they do this is by providing Saturday music sessions to children and young people as well as organising performance opportunities. For more information about this organisation and how to get involved please visit www. ovationmusic.org.uk

‘I am extremely proud of the dedication and commitment from all members of the band. To produce the level of performance they did from one rehearsal a week was really special.’ Andy Hall

and gain a wider reputation as a quality and entertaining symphonic wind band,” continues Jo Bennett. “I’m delighted to be playing in St Paul’s for the first time. It is such a beautiful setting and I am looking forward to our debut

concert there and the hope of attracting some new people to our already growing following.” The performance is at 7:30pm and tickets can be found on Eventbrite or by scanning the QR code above.

The 2024 Line-Up at Chichester Fringe

This year, the Fringe will be packing seventy plus performers and over fifty shows into two weeks, from Friday 31 May to Saturday 15 June.

Josh Bowness, director, says: ‘We’re so excited to announce our brand new line-up of artists for 2024. Chichester Fringe has a huge selection of shows, from plays to musicals, music to poetry… you may even get a sneak preview of a stand-up comedian’s new show before it hits the Edinburgh Fringe! Discover something new on your doorstep.’

This year’s fringe programme kicks off with the return of New Theatre Night, at One-OFour, The Hornet, on 31 May - featuring four short theatre pieces, including Kitchen Sink Productions, Emma True, Steven Finley and Jack Stone. Brand new shows also take over New Park Centre’s Studio throughout the Fringe, from poetry to drag, as well as stand up comedy from comedians including: Farah Sharp, Phil Green, Natalie Bryce, Ben Ashurst and more. In the Roundhill Picture Palace, a magical 13 seater space, witness some unique magic from The Crooked Croupier and Mark Flynn, on various dates throughout the Fringe.

Back by popular demand is Epic Comedy and The Chichester Fringe New Comedy Act of the Year Competition 2024! 20 comedians from Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey will be competing to become Chichester Fringe’s New Act of the Year! The competition will be run on the 4 and 6 June, with the grand final on the 11 June. The winner will perform on the pro Chichester Fringe show on the 13 June, alongside some of the top names on the UK comedy circuit.

Chichester Fringe has a huge selection of shows, from plays to musicals, music to poetry

Chichester Fringe 2023 winner, Charlie Joyce, will be returning for a new Comedy Night at The Taco Box, Draper’s Yard on 14 June.

Tickets for Chichester Fringe start at as little as £5, and some events are free. Keep-up-to date with news and ticket updates by signing up via their website: www.chichesterfringe. co.uk/whats-on

Film Screenings Return to New Theatre Royal

An important local hub for entertainment and the arts since 1854, New Theatre Royal is excited to bring back a new programme of film screenings with a difference.

Well known for its rich history in live theatre, New Theatre Royal also functioned almost exclusively as a cinema from 1932 and throughout the Second World War. During that time the theatre became a popular social venue for many including service personnel stationed in Portsmouth. In celebration of its past links to film, the theatre has re-introduced a programme of immersive cinematic experiences with screenings that invite audience engagement and participation. The opening film in this series was the award-winning Sing-a-Long Matilda The

Funtington Players 75th Anniversary Year Now in Full Swing

Rehearsals are in the final stages for The Shadow Factory by Howard Brenton. Specially commissioned in 2018 for the new Nuffield Southampton Theatre, it tells of the devastating consequences of the bombing of the Woolston Spitfire Factory on Southampton and its residents - a story of chaos, courage, community spirit and a city’s triumph over adversity. The play is at West Ashling Village Hall from 9-13 April. Tickets can be booked online via the website.

A fundraising event is being planned in aid of West Ashling Village Hall on 26-27 July. This will be a revue-style entertainment focusing on the Parish of Funtington and its villagesEast Ashling, West Ashling and West Stoke - to celebrate the Players’ Funtington origins. Auditions for the autumn production of Ayckbourn’s Sisterly Feelings will be held on 18 April. See the website for details: www.funtingtonplayers.org.uk

The Shadow Factory

by Howard Brenton

9-13 April

West Ashling Village Hall

Musical (24 March). Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, this interactive screening turned the audience into stars of the show as families were encouraged to participate through fancy dress, props, singing and dancing. The next screening celebrates two of cinema’s greatest classic comedians. An Evening with Laurel & Hardy (22 May) is presented by legendary composer, writer, broadcaster and musician, Neil Brand. This unique and highly entertaining evening will take audiences on a hilarious, and often touching, journey of the two comedians, whilst showcasing Brand’s own incredible talents as a pianist and composer.

Classic Cinema at The Spring

Solent Male Voice Choir Membership Grows

After a few weeks off, the Solent Male Voice Choir started the New Year by welcoming four new members. This brings the choir up to a core of thirty members. Maybe it is the new repertoire that their musical director Huw Thomas is introducing that has attracted the new members. Who could imagine that David Bowie’s Life On Mars or the Beatles’ Penny Lane would be so popular with the members of a Male Voice Choir? It must be Huw’s own crafted arrangements.

Of course, the traditional male voice choir repertoire is not being forgotten and, as the first event for SMVC is singing at a St David’s Day Dinner in March, some Welsh standards are being dusted off. Most, like Cwm Rhondda and Sunset Poem are sung in English to their Welsh tunes but the Choir do manage to sing Gwahhodiad and Myfanwy in Welsh. The Tom Jones hit Delilah will, no doubt, be a crowd pleaser at the St David’s Day Dinner.

Plans are being made for future concerts as well as a weekend tour of Wales later in the year. Details of all the Solent Male Voice Choir’s future events can be found on their website at www.solentmalevoicechoir.org

New members are always welcome to join in the fun on any Tuesday evening at The Pallant Centre, in Havant.

“We are delighted to see cinema return to New Theatre Royal,” comments Andy Sheppard, Head of Marketing at New Theatre Royal. “It is important to us to honour the history of our theatre and celebrate all forms of storytelling and entertainment. We hope our screening events will attract new audiences of all ages and encourage them to discover and enjoy more of our programmed events.”

WemsFest Attracts Audiences From As Far Afield As Norway

Analysis of online ticket sales for WemsFest events has shown that ticket holders have travelledfrom as far afield as Norway, and Northern Ireland. Although nearly three-quarters of the audience comes from within a ten mile radius of the event venue an increasing amount of ticket holders from further afield are attending with the aim of combining their concert experience with a short staycation or visiting friends and relatives in the Emsworth area.

Emsworth Music Club

For two years running, Emsworth Music Club has been voted in the top 20 blues clubs in the UK. This year, the club plans to host their 1st Blues Summer Festival on Saturday 29 June. Eight bands, from various places in the country will come to Emsworth to demonstrate their musical talent and, most importantly, entertain.

With a bar and catering on-site, Emsworth Music Club will offer a festival of fun (hopefully in the sun!) and, of course, great music. The tickets are £30 and can be purchased online or at Bookends in Emsworth. Please visit https:// www.emsworthmusic.club/festivals.

For the last few months, The Spring have been hosting a wealth of classic films on a Wednesday, shown either during a matinee slot at 1:45pm, or an evening slot at 7:30pm. Titles included James Ivory’s A Room with a View, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Bogart and Bacall in The Big Sleep, Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise, Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot and many more much-loved classics.

The Spring still have a couple of showings available this season and they are as follows:

Wednesday 17 April, 1:45 pm

The Remains ofthe Day – James Ivory, director A butler who sacrificed body and soul to service in the years leading up to World War II realises too late how misguided his loyalty was to his lordly employer.

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, John Haycraft

Running Time: 2 hours, 14 minutes

Wednesday 24 April, 1:45pm

Shakespeare in Love – John Madden, director The world’s greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write on of his most famous plays.

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Judi Dench

Running Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes.

Tickets are £6 each. For more information, please visit https://thespring.co.uk.

Arts Trail

Step into a Journey of Creative Discovery on the Emsworth Arts Trail…

Over the last 20 years, Emsworth has become a must-visit destination for art during the Emsworth Arts Trail. This spring, the trail returns with 90 artists opening their studios and gathering for group exhibitions, all within walking distance of the town centre.

Set in our picturesque town, the trail is a hub of independent creativity, with a close-knit artistic community sharing their passion with visitors from far and wide. Originally started with just a handful of artists, the trail has grown and established a reputation as an exciting day out for art lovers and casual visitors, enjoying a colourful trip around Emsworth. There are several artists new to the trail this year; and a huge variety of art – from sculpture, painting and printmaking, to textiles, woodwork, jewellery glass and more, with prices to suit all pockets. Visiting artist studios offers a unique insight and an opportunity to chat about techniques and inspirations in a relaxed setting. With artists collaborating in group exhibitions, in community centres,

pop-up galleries and secret gardens, there is creativity to discover in every corner of the town.

Carol Price, Chair of the Emsworth Arts Trail said: “We are delighted to welcome visitors to the trail this year, and with several new artists joining us there will be a great variety of work to see. We are proud to have a close community of artists here in Emsworth – it really is a fantastic destination for art.”

All venues on the Emsworth Arts Trail are within a mile of the village centre, making it a compact and navigable day out. Many visitors choose to make a family day of it – walking, cycling or scooting guided by the maps in the trail guide. Parking is easy to find, and there are regular trains and buses. There is an array

of cafes, restaurants and pubs for those all-important refreshment stops whether a leisurely lunch or a quick coffee.

So, pick up a trail guide and plan a journey of creative discovery, stopping to take in the iconic views and scenery as you wander from venue to venue.

The Emsworth Arts Trail takes place across two weekends, 27-27 April and 4-5-6 May.

Visit the website to find out more about the artists, and pick up a trail guide in shops throughout Emsworth from the beginning of April. https://emsworthartstrail.org.uk

‘make a family day of it – walking, cycling or scooting guided by the maps in the trail guide’

NEWS FROM THORNEY SCHOOL

Dance club performs at Worthing

The message From Jill Hoskins (Dance House Director) says it all – “I just wanted to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to yourself and Thorney Island CP for your ongoing support of Dance House; it means so much to me. Your children were a delight to have at the theatre (as always), both during the rehearsal and at the evening performance, a credit to your school. They performed beautifully and certainly drew a huge cheer from the audience. They helped to make the evening a great success.”

‘Your children were a delight to have at the theatre’

Army day at Thorney School

The School Council requested a visit from a unit for Army Day, which is always well received. They very much enjoyed looking at all of the items they were shown, especially the Storm tracked vehicle, despite the weather! I would just like to say a big thank you to Mr Lawes for organising this experience for Falcon Class. They were extremely excited and learnt a great deal about the British Army and the equipment they use. All the soldiers that helped out were extremely helpful in explaining their roles in the military and what they wore, ate and used when on operations. This was a fantastic way for the school to interact with our community and it was much appreciated by the staff and children.

Why Teach

When deciding on my focus for this edition’s reflections on education, I reached out to my staff body for ideas. To be honest I thought that they may wish for me to further highlight the ongoing pressures in education. But no. Instead, overwhelmingly, they wanted me to use this platform to remind readers that teaching really is ‘the best job in the world.’

And I wholeheartedly agree with them. Despite all of the challenges, when I look back on my career so far in education it genuinely brings a smile to my face. So many young people who I know – without meaning to wax lyrical – I have had a positive impact on; young people whose paths in life have been influenced, in just a small but important way, by my teaching. Even more significant is the positive impact those young people have had on me. There are too many enriching and genuinely humbling experiences to count; teaching gives back to those that give. There is something unique and extremely special about working in public service, and teaching is certainly no

exception.

I often look back on why I went into teaching in the first place. Funnily enough it wasn’t for the long holidays, but for a genuine desire to teach, to inspire and to support - and those values and ambitions hold true 20 years on. I fear that all of the negative press – which ironically I know I have potentially added to in the previous edition of this very publication – may be putting people off joining the teaching profession, and that is a crying shame, not just for the children, of course, but for the inspirational adults whose lives I genuinely believe will be enriched through teaching; the very ‘best job in the world.

Thorney Island Barracks acknowledged for its Environmental Enhancement

Baker Barrack awarded 2nd place by Sanctuary Magazine at its 33rd Sanctuary awards held at HMS Nelson Portsmouth for its Environmental Enhancement linked to its solar projects.

Baker Barracks has recently completed the construction of its Solar farm which produces a significant amount of electricity to provide power for the site and significantly reduce its carbon emissions.

To offset the parcel of land that was used to build the solar farm an alternate area was allocated, and ecological measures were introduced to increase biodiversity. This was achieved by Grassland management a total area of 2.5ha of grassland was programmed for improvement through altered mowing, green hay spreading and planting of new hedgerow.

During its first full year of operation, it should produce enough energy to power

around 400 average houses. On a good day the solar farm provides enough power to sustain the site whilst delivering a significant surplus to the national grid. The solar farm performs well, and Thorney Island regularly uses no grid electricity during the day and can send up to 800kW of green energy back into the local grid for consumption elsewhere.

This has been achieved by collaboration and consultation with our partners from the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, RSPB, Eames Farm, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Chichester Wildfowlers Association, Thorney Island Community Primary School and others.

Young People Day: 12 February 2024 event

photos

The Young People Days are proving to be even more popular, with fifty young people coming to the February day. Many of them go to different secondary schools and as they arrive you can hear many of them greet old friends that they may have gone to primary school with so it starts the day well. There was soon a buzz around the building and quickly the ever popular Nerf Wars room was full, the barricades had ben built and fun commenced. When this finished the large room was then used for dodge ball which proved to also be very popular and another way to use up boundless energy.

Dance was introduced for the first time and some very energetic young people and an occasional adult were following the moves on the screen. Feedback from previous events had asked for dance and it was good that this was well received.

Some of the young people were introduced to street art and produced some great work.

Another workshop was held on 4 April in preparation for being involved with the street art project in the Washington Road underpass. They were introduced to the work of the two artists who are going to be doing

the underpass and learnt to do lettering and objects such as birds

Another favourite, which had been run before, was art and this time, being very close to Valentine’s Day, some beautiful Valentine’s cards were produced. A display of these along with the street art was put up in the Assembly room to be admired by all at lunchtime. It would not be a Young People Day without table tennis and the three tables were in constant use all day keeping the volunteers in that room very busy as they join in and give some coaching.

Another favourite...was art...some beautiful Valentine’s cards were produced

There was soon a buzz around the building and quickly the ever popular Nerf Wars room was full, the barricades had been built and fun commenced

Following feedback dance was introduced for the first time

After a very busy morning it was time for the always popular pizzas and the not quite so popular satsumas. This was an opportunity to sit round tables and chat to friends and rest for a while. They were asked to do an evaluation questionnaire and a large number of them completed it. The feedback showed that the majority thought the range of activities were good or excellent. The most enjoyed activities were table tennis and Nerf. The scores for overall enjoyment were very high and they really do enjoy their lunch. They suggested activities that could be included in future days and made some suggestions of what could be done better but one said, ‘nothing it was amazing’. As always grateful thanks go to the Community Centre for the use of the facilities and providing a tuck shop which is greatly appreciated by the young people. The event could not be run without all the volunteers that run activities and the other the volunteers that help with registration, serving lunch and generally ensuring the young people are safe and enjoying themselves.

The next Young People day will be 1 June 2024.

Madeira: What a Paradise!

Imagine an island a third longer than the Isle of Wight (35 x 11 miles, instead of the IOW’s 23 x 13) and drop a range of 6,000 ft mountains on it! There you have Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The spectacular mountain range (of which I walked a section despite slight vertigo at the knife edge drops!) shows evidence in areas with volcanic igneous rock of its origin when, millions of years ago, volcanic activity on the seabed thrust up rock and molten lava to form the spiky mountain peaks (picos) and Madeira. That is not sea in the distance but blue sky - we had driven through clouds to reach the summit of Pico do Arieiro, and then there was a higher strata of cloud above with the blue sky in between.

The mountains and its warm climate all year round, but especially the flowering plants found here, made up my mind to spend a week on Madeira to escape the UK’s winter. February seemed as if it would be the worst month for flowers on Madeira but I was hopeful... I needn’t have worried as there was an explosion of riotous colour in all sorts of flowers and flowering trees everywhere I went. Funchal (Madeira’s capital) Botanic Garden was overflowing with blooms and I was in paradise! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw there a mass of Clivia flowering. I have one in my home which is very happy, has multiplied with two offshoots and has flowered a few times, but I always thought of it as an indoor plantapparently, you can plant them outside in a sheltered spot through our summer. Then, even harder to believe, I saw a huge clump of Dendrobium Orchids which are definitely houseplants here in the UK. Enjoy a few of my 1,000-odd photos I took whilst on Madeira!

Bougainvillea (I saw purple and apricot) is common on garden walls and so are Madeiran Wall Lizards, even scurrying about at the top of Pico do Ariero, the third highest of

the around 6,000 ft mountains, Pico Ruivo being the highest. I saw two Red-Legged Partridges, a Chaffinch, Berthelot’s Pipit and a big butterfly (too quick to identify) up at 6,000 ft too. Where I stayed in Funchal, I awoke every morning to the huge, beautiful apricot blooms of an African Tulip Tree.

Just down the road (very steep! as is common on Madeira) I was almost hit on the head by a heavy section of a gigantic seed pod dropping from a Silk Floss Tree. The seed pods split on the tree and segments drop to the ground looking like sturdy dried brown strips of banana peel to give you an idea of size/length. The inside of the seed pod stays on the tree for a while until it is blown off and all the fluffy white kapok-like seed material floats to the ground. The islanders used to make use of the white fluff to fill pillows and duvets. Bird of Paradise flowers are a common sight - appropriate for this paradise of an island.

Comparing the Madeiran flora to ours, there were several types of Hibiscus flowering which wouldn’t do so until the summer here and obviously many more plants which

flower or grow outside which would not do so here in the UK. However, other plants I recognised from home included roses, magnolias (my own very small Magnolia stellata greeted me home with just over 100 buds so mine is actually faring better than Madeira’s!), red Salvias, Lantana ‘Calippo Tutti Frutti’, azaleas, tradescantias (sprawling with violet triangular flowers - my Dad loved them and I could never understand why as they are quite messy and with few flowers - same as in Madeirabut I think it was the man John Tradescant the Elder (c.1570-1638), rags to riches gardener, who caught his imagination); and ‘Morning Glory’ was rampant through one lawn, climbing anything it could, where I stayed. Of course, the exotic and strange flora caught my eye more and I have been looking up their names ever since returning from my paradise island. Sword Aloes, banana palms and date palms all featured in the garden of the family quinta where I stayed. Also in their garden was a Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) but that doesn’t flower in February, unfortunately for me as I adore the scent of its beautiful flowers, described as ‘decadently sweet and tropical’ in something I read, I only wish I could have smelled its perfume. Many Madeirans have their own mini banana plantation and larger, commercial ones can be seen on terraced hillsides. Most of the land in Madeira is terraced as the island rises up dramatically from the sea. Sweet chestnuts are in abundance here, as a crop for eating (roasted from street sellers) and for the Madeiran liqueur which is delicious. Ginja liqueur is another speciality, made from Ginja (sour cherry) berries, which can be drunk from tiny chocolate cups as in Lisbon and Obidos on mainland Portugal. You can find this treat in the Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Refuge where they escaped from marauding pirates) in a valley in the mountains.

I could write a whole book about Madeira, using all my thousand-odd photos, but I hope this has given you the flavour of the island and may entice you there or to grow some of these lovely flowers for yourself.

Part 22: Bosham shoreline loop (about

3.5 miles)

Words by Lupo, photographs by Juliet Walker

A dry, sunny day - at last! Even we dogs have been a bit downhearted, with all our favourite walks turned into a soggy, muddy mess. This walk was special for another reason: Charlie and Callie came with us again, and their owner, David. I was very pleased to be with my friends, but the outing was a balancing act – and I’m not just talking about the humans trying to keep their footing in the mud. On the one paw, we had to be on our best behaviour, because David is important, being Editor of The Ems; on the other paw, he has not been on one of our expeditions for the paper before, so it was up to us to show him the routine.

We came by car as far as a lane near the top of Bosham Channel, then crossed over to the footpath post. We could just see the village we were heading to, so it was encouraging to know that lunchtime snacks wouldn’t be too far away. We followed a track towards the harbour and here the first mud lurked, but we were alert and undeterred, and our owners were relaxed on this warm morning and had even left their coats in the car. Luckily they remembered their Wellington boots, which I think are permanently attached to human feet these days.

At the shore we were excited to find some fast flowing water, so we jumped down the bank and plunged straight in. We would have been happy to stay there for longer, but a well-trodden gloopy path beckoned, as did our owners, so we obediently headed off in our little pack. This route was ultra

a nice man called us ‘the most important customers’ – of course we are!

puddly in places, but after a while a choice developed – an inland route to the village or one along the beach. Since the sea was disappearing, this is the one we took, but we’d have had to swim if it was right in. I admit that the beach was a bit stony on my pads, but it was not a long stretch, and soon we arrived at a large grassy area, where I sat on a bench with Charlie for photographs. It’s part of the ritual.

Now to lunch – but was it to be pub or café? What a choice for dogs, with both being acceptable to us, and we would certainly be accepted in either of them. We opted for a table outside the front of the Anchor Bleu pub, where a nice man called us ‘the most important customers’ – of course we are! –while feeding us with biscuits. Our owners fed themselves with crusty rolls.

After lunch we explored some of the village by various passageways and pavements and emerged by a bright red box. This was the Telephone Box Library – very smart, but too small for me to want to join my owner in there (though I am a literary sort of dog). Next came a decision: which way back? The main road was more direct but less interesting, so we broke our rule of always returning by a different way and headed for the Bosham Channel pawpath again, though we joined it further along this time. We found that the sea had now vanished, but as the puddles had stayed we dipped closer to the shore, following a dry tussocky trail - that is, until the three of us spontaneously dashed into the cloggy channel mud… Baths would follow, but it was worth it!

In Memory of Lesley Harris, our walking companion and friend (see P8)

Activities at the Emsworth Community Centre

Emsworth Community Centre - We are a registered charity - 1181509

Regular Activities

New regular activities have been introduced at the centre for 2024 including a drop-in for anyone with mobile technology devices. We meet every Wednesday at 11:00, entrance is free of charge and refreshments can be provided for a donation to the centre. Bring your tech queries to us and we will help you to resolve them.

We are also booking rooms for parties and special events at very reasonable prices. Check the website www.emsworthcommunitycentre email on Info@emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk or call us on 01243 373805 10:00 -14:00.

We are located behind the Fire Station on North Street, Emsworth, through the public car park into Emsworth Community Centre’s private carpark.

Emsworth Library

Baby time: Every Tuesday 10:00am - 11:00am

Come along every Tuesday to our free fun play session for babies up to 1 year old. Rhyme time: Every Thursday 10:00 am to 10.30am

Suitable for very young children and their parents/carers. Our Rhyme time sessions involve a mix of songs, nursery rhymes and musical instruments for coordination, language and maths skills, communication, and socialisation.

The Galley Café

This is a great place to meet. Open on Tuesday and Friday morning 10-12. However if you want to meet up in the cafe on other days, it is a great little space and is open to all the community.

Dementia friendly Gardening Group

Meets every first Thursday of the month at 2-3pm and we have a dementia friendly garden/courtyard for the group to pot and grow.

Quiz night 19 April at 7:30

Facilitated by the Men’s Shed, entrance by tickets only which can be obtained in the Centre office or the Men’s Shed for £3 per person.

Summer Fair

20 July- 10-2 includes plants, produce, cakes and bakes and much more. Bacon butties, drinks and cakes available in the Galley Café.

Community Garden

Coming soon to Emsworth, in association with Emsworth Residents Forum and Havant Borough Council. We believe in community and what better way to bring the community together from all areas of Emsworth than by gathering in a lovely garden space and growing our own fruit, flowers and vegetables, creating a great outside social area, helping towards our health and wellbeing, as well as sharing the harvest. The details for this project and any others mentioned in this article can be found on our new website –www.emsworthcommunitycentre.org.uk

Discovering Science

7:30 pm Monday 20 May, 2024

Dr Mark Chapman, Associate Professor, University of Southampton

We rely on a surprisingly narrow amount of genetic diversity (both in terms of the range of crops, and the varieties of each) for our food. I will discuss how our understanding of evolutionary processes more generally can lead to conclusions (or at least hypotheses) about why this is. I will also discuss our growing understanding of so-called ‘underutilised’ or ‘forgotten’ crops.

Antiques and Collectors Fairs in Emsworth

Sunday 14 April (and every 2nd Sunday in the month)

The stalls booked for 2024 are more varied than ever and include vinyl records, coins, badges, toys, postcards, books, militaria, jewellery, 20thC glass and pottery, small furniture, stamps, silver, ephemera, auto-memorabilia, prints/pen and ink/pictures, French, African and Oriental ware, vintage and haberdashery, paintings, engravings and curios!

Events such as these would not be possible

without some superb catering and so we are pleased to say that we are able to offer great hot and cold refreshments and home-made lunches to keep you going throughout the day with free on site and local car parking available. Both fairs will be open from 10am to 3.30pm with just £1.00 entrance. (Early trade 9am).

For more information, please contact 07563 589725 or email silkroad@btinternet.com

The Centre Cinema

Our Community Cinema is at the heart of our social activity programme. This year we have seen a great resurgence in film goers – many of our films having an audience of sixty or more. Showings are 3:30 and 7:30.

All the details about the films can be found on our website, including trailers of each film updated every month.

Films for a Fiver

The next set of films for April – July. Entrance is still £5 including refreshments.

• 13 May The Lesson - A young author takes a tutoring position at the estate of a legendary writer

• 10 June The Longest Day - The events of D-Day, told on a grand scale from both the Allied and German points of view.

• 24 June Next Goal Wins - The story of the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0.

• 8 July The Holdovers - A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.

• 22 July Wicked Little Letters - When people in Littlehampton, including conservative local Edith, begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss, the town’s women investigate.

Kill or They Die, by Max Holden. £9.99. 321 pp. pbk. Independently published.

Recall, if you will, the Highland scenery and electric pace of John Buchan’s Thirty-Nine Steps. Imagine a hired assassin working as a care assistant in the nursing home of The Thursday Murder Club. Relish one of Patricia Highsmith’s morally compromised characters. If you can hold these threads together in your head – or even if you can’t and enjoy a good thriller – you have Harry Logan in Kill or They Die

are attractive personalities who display one of Holden’s finest gifts: to create three dimensional characters who lure you into enjoying their ‘family’ dynamic. Logan may be good at killing, but he is also very good at loving, often creating amorous havoc where his smiling glance rests. Here three women succumb to his charms, only to be dropped on the rocks of despair. A capacity to enjoy warm friendship between men, and respect for the old, are less common character traits to be found in thriller heroes, but they are there in Harry Logan. But reader be warned: Logan is up against a gang of violent thugs as murderous, treacherous, and sexually rapacious as any Bond ‘baddie’. Both intelligence and criminal gangs hire psychopathic killers who in this novel are after the same man and his ‘kids’.

An Ocean of Thoughts, by Hayling Island Writers Group. £9.99.

Local author Max Holden began writing thriller and murder novels in 2021. His first, Logan’s Rules, introduced us to Harry as a skilled, covert, ex-military operator-cum-killer, who has become disillusioned with killing, and sickened with himself. He is a hunter turned hunted man, ruthlessly pursued by national security forces and criminal gangs alike. Intelligent planning, serpent-like cunning, Bond-like charm, and years of specialist training, have rendered him a lethal weapon in the hands of whoever captures him first. Here is classic thriller territory, a man on the run. Run he does, throughout Kill or They Die, hopping from place to place to avoid capture. With him dash his newly adopted family, homeless youngsters Jess and Tom, whom he trains meticulously in his own defence skills. All three

Finally, Holden describes this novel as a political thriller. If you are tempted to find its plot or characters fantastical, remember the Salisbury poisonings, or the use by the western world of Extraordinary Rendition, or the daily exposure in the press and social media of sexual violence perpetrated against women and young girls. Harry’s world is our world. At least in Harry’s world, to this reader’s great relief, the goodies win.

Kill or they Die is on sale at Bookends, Emsworth, for £8.99.

Editor. Clare Herbert, our book reviewer, is stepping down. If you enjoy reading books and would like to write reviews for The Ems, please contact the editor.

Email: editor.theems@outlook.com

This is a wonderful book, the product of eleven years work and discussion in the Hayling Island Writers Group. Here are ghostly tales and romances, nature poems and meditations on childhood, reminiscences and, of course, seaside scenes. What renders the book special is that the writers lead the lives we lead but have crystallised in few words the experiences we share, dusting them with longing or fun, bliss or calm, joy, or pain, so that we gain new perspectives on our ‘ordinary’ lives. Which of us did not experience sheer thrill at the first meal out after the cautious isolation of the Covid years? Here are a group of three women ‘of a certain age’ meeting again in ‘their’ café. Which of us has not wanted to go home from a Hayling beach after a sunny evening by the sea? And which of us does not dread the meaning of memory loss in ourselves or in one we love? These local authors don’t merely live nearby - they describe the local. Our own lives and loves are here – dusted down, polished up, cherished for their blessed, dependable ordinariness.

An Ocean of Thoughts is on sale at Bookends for £9.99.

Boundless Footprints: A Journey Beyond Borders, by Oliver Webb. £8.99. 188 pp. pbk. Independently published.

Here is a book of Wanderlust, the travel memoir of a young man intent on discovering both the world and his own selfhood. His journey leads him to explore the people and culture of thirty countries, from Abu Dhabi to Thailand, and the depths and limits of his own resources and ideas. After growing up in a comfortable home in Emsworth he longs to escape, especially after the Covid years, the obvious path laid out for him of university, full-time work, and distant retirement. On his travels he chafes at restrictions laid down by the countries through which he passes about length of stay, work options, religious and political beliefs. But he exults too in meeting the challenge of new relationships, unknown cultures, and above all open horizons. His book reminds us, whether we are young or old, that detours from the well-trodden path may serve to stretch our sense of personal growth and fulfilment. Oliver is a young, nomadic diarist, an explorer of the magic that lies beyond the confines of the known.

s journey:

Boundless Footprints: A Journey Beyond Borders is on sale at Bookends for £8.99.

Student loans in the UK are among the highest in the world, but in the 21st century, where a degree is needed to get a high-paying job, should we be paying thousands of pounds for a necessary qualification? Currently being in my first year of a Russell Group university, I’ve studied my own experiences here in order to determine whether the amount of money students are paying is worth the fuss, or whether the degrees in question are undeserving of such a large sum of money.

The quality of university-led teaching can differ depending on course or teacher, but is invariably very different to that of college or school-based education. Lectures are spread out across the week and sometimes even cancelled, despite students spending thousands in order to attend. The average hours of contact working at university is nine hours, while students are expected to work individually in order to complete essays or study for exams without external help. Whilst a lot of universities strive to make this as easy as possible for students, the amount of money versus how much work students are expected to complete on their own feels unbalanced. It could be argued that as most high-paying jobs require a degree in order to be achieved, students should be able to study without loans, particularly as the content of the course is often so sparse. Having to pay for years afterwards because of a curriculum that could have easily been condensed into a maximum of a year and half of education frankly feels unfair.

Similarly, students are paying for the bare essentials of the course. Books and other equipment often aren’t included in the course, and must be paid out of their pocket. Parents can help to cover some of the cost, but for low-income students who rely primarily on their student loans to help them pay rent, the number of books - particularly for Humanities subjects - is almost impossible to afford. With inflation on the rise, it’s difficult to keep low budgeting with food, rent and other necessities. Particularly when the university is further away, students can expect to pay over a hundred pounds just to go home for Christmas. No wonder more students are studying from home than ever before in order to try and avoid the thousands of pounds of debt that students are piling up throughout their three years at university. But

‘Books and other equipment often aren’t included... and must be paid out of their pocket’

We’re on hand in your 24/7 hour of need Youth Should Student Loans be Forgiven?

the question remains whether this is strictly necessary or whether the government should wipe it completely, to ease the debt that students face.

Similarly, the university experience completely differs depending on the degree the student chooses to take. No degree is better than another, but many degrees pay a lot better. For example, STEM students often earn more than Humanities students after they graduateand while the government only requires people to pay back their student loans after they earn £22,000 a year, other graduates would be able to pay off their loans more quickly than others. Having to budget for repaying student loans therefore becomes costly; some students have less money to spend on other living expenses than others. This could also be linked to the fewer lectures that Humanities degrees have compared to STEM subjects, therefore getting less for their money and then receiving less money on average after graduation. Therefore, could it be argued that some degrees should cost less, depending on their overall contact hours within their degree, and the average salary after graduation.

Therefore, I believe that student loans should be forgiven: not only should education be a right to the general public but it should also be accessible to everyone, regardless of social or economic status. Higher education has been historically surrounded by an elitist social class perspective which continues to this day; people assume that in order to go to university they must have money, which is partly true because of how much students have to pay for their education. If less pressure was put upon students to pay for their education, accommodation, books, food etc, perhaps they’d have more time to focus on their studies. Education should be enjoyed, without the burden of financial worries.

Alan meets the Chancellor

I hope Ems readers had an enjoyable Easter break. I know children will have had a lot of fun at the various holiday clubs being run locally. Since the last issue, I have met with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and welcomed the Government’s Spring Budget that backed working people, pensioners, families and businesses in Emsworth and across the Havant Constituency.

Tax cuts, a freeze on fuel duty and alcohol duty, a boost in child benefit, investment in the NHS, an increase in the National Living Wage and the State pension rising in line with the Triple Lock will all benefit Emsworth residents and companies. I’m pleased to say that this year I will be organising my 3rd annual Health and Wellbeing Fair at Emsworth Baptist Church.

Please sign up for my email newsletter for the date and more information when available at www.AlanMak.org. uk/Newsletter. On the subject of health, I enjoyed visiting Emsworth Medical Practice to mark more than two years since it relocated and to thank the staff. The new surgery at the redeveloped former Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital in North Street is demonstrating what can be achieved in a large, modern space with purpose-built facilities. I worked closely with GP partners, the NHS and others to secure Government funding, steer the project and deliver the new surgery, so it was great to see what an asset it now is for Emsworth and its residents.

I also met former sub-postmaster Malcolm Simpson and his wife Lesley, who are among more than 3,000 people who have suffered as a result of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Following their move to Emsworth they contacted me and I have since campaigned on their behalf in Parliament,

including speaking to the Post Office Minister about their case. Recently I chaired the latest Southern Water Regional Forum, something I created which brings together local MPs, councillors, community representatives, the Environment Agency, Southern Water and other stakeholders.

This Forum keeps up the pressure on Southern Water and I will carry on working to improve water quality locally. I also welcome new Government plans to ban bosses from receiving bonuses where water companies are found guilty of serious breaches of the law.

At the annual Havant Borough Sports Association Awards I presented the Junior Team of the Year trophy to delighted members of Emsworth Pearls U12 girls’ football team. I am the Sports Association’s President and it was great to see how much sporting talent there is in the Havant area.

Finally, the best ways to stay up to date with the work I am doing as your local MP all year round are to follow my social media accounts, especially Facebook www.fb.com/ AlanMakHavant, and sign up for my monthly residents’ email newsletter.

You can also share your views on local and national issues with me by completing my new online survey at www. AlanMak.org.uk/Survey

Alan Mak MP Member of Parliament for Havant

Please contact me if there’s anything I can help with, or you want to invite me to a community event. Please sign up for my residents’ e-mail newsletter:

Letter from the Chair

The Forum continues with its public meetings – a chance to meet the committee and work together on topics that are important to us all. The development of Community Gardens came from our November public meeting. A group of interested residents have continued to work together with more than fifty of us coming together at our 12 February meeting. You will see the article (front page) on progress made – exciting times ahead.

The Forum continues to prioritise our work with other groups to support young people in Emsworth. Another fun activity day has been arranged (P 23) with plans being developed for more. It is therefore sad to hear of the difficulties being caused by a small number of young people. Residents are very unhappy with the response from the police and a meeting has been arranged to meet the local Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, at the Pastoral centre on 23 April from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you have concerns or questions do go along. We hope not all young people are seen in the light of this very distasteful and intimidating behaviour; this is a very small minority of young people.

The Forum continues to prioritise our work with other groups to support young people in Emsworth.

Speaking of young people, you may haves seen the thirty or so students who visited Emsworth Town Centre on 23 March. The event was brought together by the Forum and Portsmouth School of Architecture. It was very successful in generating innovative concepts for the enhancement of St. Peter’s Square and the town centre more generally. There will be opportunities to find out more about their ideas later in the year.

Emsworth Residents Forum

PUBLISHER AND PRINTER

The Ems is owned and published by the Emsworth Residents Forum, c/o Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth, PO10 7DD.

The Ems is printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Morton Way, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR.

COPYRIGHT

There have been a number of planning applications that the Forum has reviewed and commented on. We see the role of the ERF as being a part of the planning process. Mike Bateman has written a more detailed article (P31) to explain our function. Having the right to vote and to scrutinise those seeking our vote is a privilege. The Forum is holding Hustings on 13 April. This is a chance to hear from all the candidates and to ask questions in readiness for 2 May elections (P14/15); your chance to consider who you feel most meets yours and the community’s needs. We are proud that Emsworth usually has such a high turnout – we hope this is the case this year too. Come to Emsworth Community Centre at 10 am for refreshments – we will then have an hour and a half with all the candidates.

We would like to share our progress with you and have an opportunity to see what you think our priorities should be. We are holding our AGM at Emsworth Community Centre on 8 May. Refreshments will be available at 6.30 pm and our meeting starts at 7 pm. I look forward to seeing you there.

All residents are welcome to attend our public meetings which are held at Emsworth Community Centre, North St, Emsworth at 7pm (refreshments available from 6.30 pm

• Saturday 13 April 2024 (10am -12 noon). Election hustings (morning event)

• Wednesday 8 May 2024 AGM and end of term report on the first year of the ERF

• Monday 28 October TBC

• Monday 27 January 2025 TBC

Qigong classes

Copyright of The Ems as a whole is held by the Emsworth Residents’ Forum (ERF). The copyright of all named articles and photographs in The Ems remains with the author/photographer, or with the ERF if no author is identified. Unless otherwise indicated, you may quote from, link to or publish brief excerpts from any article provided that you acknowledge both The Ems and the author as your source. The republishing of any article or large part thereof is prohibited without the express permission of the copyright holder.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS NETWORK (ICNN)

The Ems is a member of the ICNN, which is part of the School of Journalism, University of Cardiff. ICNN is the UK representative body for the independent community and hyperlocal news sector. They exist to promote the interests of community and hyperlocal publishers and to champion new sustainable forms of local digital and print journalism. Their focus is at the local and hyperlocal level; the place where journalism is most valued, but also most at risk.

BBC LOCAL NEWS PARTNERSHIP

The Ems is an official partner and receives content produced by the BBC Shared Data Unit, BBC News Hub and the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA

ERF website: www.emsworthresidentsforum.org.uk

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ emsworthresidents

Current and back copies of The Ems can be viewed online at: https://issuu.com/theems

Please note that we have no connection with any other Emsworth websites or social media outlets.

EDITORIAL

Please send letters, press releases and news items to David Harris, Editor: editor.theems@outlook.com

Tel 01243 378215 or by post to the above address. The editor reserves the right to edit any submitted material.

ERF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair: Dwynwen Stepien (Housing) Chair.erf@gmail.com

Secretary: Mike Ridley Secretary.erf@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jill Millar jandgmil@btinternet.com

Chris Hallam (Roads and traffic) chrisherf94@gmail.com

Chris Fuller (Environment) chris.forumenv@gmail.com

Mike Bateman (Planning) mikebateman20@gmail.com

Theo Schofield OBE (Health and Wellbeing) 07976 727483 theoschofield@icloud.com

Ellie Turnbull (Youth) 01243 374893 Youth.erf@gmail.com

Dan Grove - new member

Andrew Caple –new member

Roger Tyrrell – new member

ERF

JOIN

Traditional Chinese exercise for health, fitness and well-being.

Tuesdays at 2pm or Wednesdays at 9.30am or 11am. Emsworth Parish Hall, 20A Church Path, PO10 7DP. Visit emsworthqigong.com or contact Lincoln (Advanced Instructor Tai Chi & Qigong Union for GB) emsworthqigong@gmail.com

beginners welcome

The Future of Social Prescribing in Emsworth

The Emsworth Health Alliance met on 27 February. We were very shocked and saddened to be told that the two Social Prescribers attached to the practices in Emsworth and on Hayling Island, Annmarie McMurtry-Irvine and Adam Krum, had been told the previous day that they were being made redundant. Apart from our concern for them loosing their jobs, we all felt that they had both made enormous contributions to health in the community that we valued and did not want to loose.

AnneMarie had been working with adults with multiple types of problems, many of which did not have “clinical” solutions, and also worked with many of the groups in the Alliance to develop other support in the community. She herself said that “our efforts have touched the lives of many, offering assistance to those in social isolation and solace to individuals grappling with anxiety and loneliness. The impact of our services has been profound, making a real difference where it matters most.”

Adam had been mainly working in schools with children with mental health problems, and supporting the staff, which the NHS mental health services are not able to provide.

Our Primary Care Network (PCN) of the Emsworth and Hayling Island practices receive reimbursement for employing staff doing additional roles, such as social prescribing. The PCN had contracted with the YOU Trust, a charity with experience in community services, to employ and support the two Social Prescribers.This contract was due for renewal and this has now been terminated. The Alliance greatly appreciated the support we were given by Karen Hobbs, their Community Services Development Manager.

LETTERS

‘The impact of our services has been profound, making a real difference where it matters most.

When asked why the Social Prescribers had been made redundant and the contract with the You Trust was terminated, Dr Hannah Morgan, the Medical Director of the PCN, said that “it is immensely frustrating and unhelpful that the new contract letter from the NHS was sent to us very late, and until we had this we had no guarantee of what was being commissioned or funded. it is our job to commission the services in the contract and work within the financial envelope provided.” She later said that “Ann Marie and Adam will go through a selection process to retain one of them, who will be employed by the PCN, and cover both young people and adults.” At the time of writing we do not know the outcome of this.

The PCN does not have any patient participation or consultation, so if you wish to express your views you can write to me, and I will forward them to Dr Morgan.

Thank you I just wanted to write and thank the team for their time and effort in putting together the Winter 2024 edition. These days reading the news is generally not a positive experience, however I found this edition very rewarding to read. It included positive news and stories across the age range. I enjoyed articles from young people that were genuine and thoughtful and reading about the contributions from the community exemplified by Brendan Gibb was heart-warming. I was left feeling so appreciative for the community we live in. This is not a common experience when reading the news. So I really wanted to send my thanks for the effort that it takes to make a real newspaper with approved and edited articles.

Thank you

Helen Watson, Emsworth

Good Samaritan

On 11 February I was walking just passed Selangor Avenue when I knew I was having a heart attack. I managed to call 999 but waiting for the ambulance alone was hard. I saw a lady across the road walking, I beckoned to her to come over which she did. Telling a stranger, I was having a heart attack and could she stay with me must have been a hard thing for her to do. I was in and out of consciousness but recall her name was Jane. I wanted to fall on the floor but she sat next to me at the bus stop and chatted to me until the ambulance came. I want to say a big thank you to her so thought this was a local paper that she might read. I want her to know I am doing well Jane you were truly a good Samaritan.

Thank you

The ERF and the planning system

The ERF has been operating in its new form for a year or so. During that time, it has taken on the powers of the former Emsworth Neighbourhood Forum - specifically in its recognition as a statutory consultee for planning applications.

Just as the Environment Agency and the utility companies are consulted routinely about their views on all planning applications from their perspective – respectively on flood risk or system capacity – the ERF offers its views about the key area which falls within its responsibility, namely the Neighbourhood Plan (NP).

(See: https://www.havant.gov.uk/ planning-services/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/ emsworth-neighbourhood-plan)

Whilst our comments are not limited to the conformity with any NP planning policies, we have focused on those planning policies in commenting on planning applications, broadening out to comment on issues of wider significance to Emsworth, beyond local details of the planning application, such as traffic generation or the disposal of waste water.

By way of examples, we welcomed the principle of a highly sustainable design for the proposed new ‘eco-house’, by the foreshore at the end of Beach Road, but we felt that it did not accord with the design guidelines in the plan, being out of scale with neighbouring properties and flat-roofed, as well as a potential source of light pollution.

premises which we felt could cause a problem of overflow car-parking for residents of the surrounding roads. A decision on that application is awaited at the time of writing.

In considering any housing development we have looked again to the NP and have stressed our support for more affordable housing which always figured prominently in consultations in preparing the NP and is an integral part of local housing policy. Affordable housing is a local need which should be made available at the local level.

All of this leads us to the question as to whether we should represent the views of neighbours to a proposed new development on issues which are of concern primarily to them as neighbours. In most cases, though not all, the applicant may also be a local resident, giving rise to a further conflict of views. All residents have access to their elected local councillors whose role is to represent them and their interests – a role which we have not claimed. Of course, they are also consulted through the planning application process, and are able to submit their own personal viewpoints, either for or against any planning proposal which affects them as neighbours. It is the planning department’s role to achieve a balance of views in making

A second example is the proposal to make some changes to the Brookfield Hotel on Havant Road. The concerns of the ERF in that case lay in the proposal to reduce the overall number of car-parking places

Local residents voiced their objections, including their loss of privacy and the visual intrusion of the new building. In the event, that planning application was rejected on grounds which were raised by both the ERF (citing NP policies) and local residents. (see p2)

A second example is the proposal to make some changes to the Brookfield Hotel on Havant Road. The concerns of the ERF in that case lay in the proposal to reduce the overall number of car-parking places for the

any professional recommendation on proposals which may have local views both for and against them.

We see the role of the ERF as being a part of the planning process. But we’re anxious to collect the views of members on how we should play out that role, so we will be holding a workshop in the summer to discuss a protocol for dealing with consultation on planning applications. Please email secretary.erf@gmail.com if you would like to take part in that discussion.

Sail HYSTS - Fun on the water

The new season for SAIL HYSTS (Havant Youth Sailing Training Scheme)

Emsworth’s local sailing charity for young people saw a hugely successful 2023 with increased numbers of both volunteers and young people signing up to enjoy sailing days at Langstone. 2023 also saw the long awaited refurbishment of the facilities situated near to The Ship Inn and the charity has now purchased two new safety boats. With that in mind, they are understandably looking forward to the new season.

Seventeen sailing days have been identified with an initial meeting for volunteers at the beginning of April. The charity continues to

offer the unique opportunity for young people to enjoy sailing at the incredible price of £12.50 per day. (This fee can be waived where there is need). The friendly HYSTS team would be pleased to welcome you and to give more detailed information regarding their sailing programme. All enquiries to: info.hysts@ gmail.com or contact Mary (admin) on 01243 378383. New volunteers are also encouraged to enable this charity in the coming year’s sailing. No experience is needed, just enthusiasm about helping young people. Full training will be given by the HYSTS team.

New Year success for Sue Tooke

We have regularly reported upon the inspirational success of our own local badminton sports woman, Sue Tooke, and here is the latest news from her:

“Hampshire over 60s won the Inter County Championships in January for the first time since the 1970s and have become National Champions. I have also won three tournaments in singles and was runner up in the Nationals and will play the European Championships in August in Belgium.”

Wishing Sue continued success in her amazing sporting journey.

Emsworth Cricket Club

With April poking its warmer, brighter face around the damp rear end of March and the changing clocks allowing us one hour less of rain for one day, we can look forward to the new season with more hope than trepidation. Of course, ground conditions will determine how much time we get to hone those rusty cricketing skills before the first matches take place but there will be planned outdoor nets in case things start to change rapidly. Indoor nets have progressed well for both juniors and seniors and there is a sense on anticipation bubbling up amongst them. Outdoor sessions for seniors will begin on Thursdays after Easter as soon as the field is dry enough. The first All-Stars, dynamos and older juniors sessions will start on Sat 11 May. Please see our social media or website for sign up details.

The first senior matches take place on Sun 28 April at Liphook in the village cup then at home on Sat 4 May with a friendly against Chichester University. League matches begin on Sat 11 May with first XI at home to Gosport

and the 2nd XI away to Rowner. Other fixtures;

• Sun 5 May Droxford v Emsworth Sunday XI

• Mon 6 May Emsworth Midweek XI h v Railway Triangle

• Mon 13 May Hilsea v Emsworth Midweek XI

• Sat 18 May Sway v Emsworth Is; Emsworth 2s h v Kerala

• Sat 25 May Emsworth 1s h v Old Tauntonians; Hambledon v Emsworth 2s

• Sat 1 June Verwood v Emsworth 1s; Emsworth 2s v Kerala

• Sat 8 June Emsworth 1s v Old Netley and Highfield; Solent Rangers v Emsworth 2s

• Mon 10 June Emsworth Midweek h v Locks

Heath

• Sat 15 June New Milton v Emsworth 1s; Emsworth 2s h v Petersfield

Our first Women’s softball session will be on Sat 18 May at 9.30 am. The first Walking Cricket session will be on Fri 17 May at 6.30 pm.

All details can be found on our social media or by contacting our secretary at nick. webb21@yahoo.co.uk

Sports & Recreation

Steady and strongly does it...

(part of Hampshire County Council’s fall prevention support programme)

My name is Mel and in June 2023 I trained to become a steady and strong Instructor. I already teach a variety of exercise classes and realised the great benefits from these new sessions. I teach three Steady and Strong classes on Hayling Island and in January I started a class at Emsworth Sports and Social club, which is in a lovely sunny room. The class is in four sections: mobility, strength using ankle weights if possible, balance exercises and stretches. It is all aimed at fall prevention. It is chair based and the walking exercises are in a circle, within reach of a chair. Homework booklets are given out so that the exercises can be repeated at home for maximum benefit.

‘Now that I am walking correctly I have stopped a couple of trips on the pavement’

The feedback from participants is very positive. One lady who is recovering from a stroke said. ‘The exercises are really making me stronger’. Another said, ‘I can now reach up to higher cupboards by going up on my toes’. A third one said, ‘Now that I am walking correctly I have stopped a couple of trips on the pavement’.

Please feel free to come along and try a class to see the benefits and meet a lovely group of ladies and men. The Emsworth class runs on Mondays 2pm – 3pm, Emsworth Sports & Social Club, 43-45 Havant Road, Emsworth PO10 7JF. £6 per session.

Contact Mel Simms 07815 619 119, melsimms40@hotmail.co.uk.

Get up and go...!

Get up and Go Havant is a Hampshire County Council funded project aimed at getting more people active. It now runs a variety of courses, sessions and activities for the local community.

One popular new initiative is the Men’s Low Impact Circuits held at the Wellbeing Hub situated just inside the Meridian centre in Havant. This gym space is tucked away and a great place to take part in the group activities in a relaxed, friendly environment. This men’s session is described as a general fitness circuit class, lasting 45 minutes - 1 hour, which will include cardiovascular, strength and balance exercises. It is for all adults over 18 in the borough, and can cater for people with mild to moderate health conditions.

A one off taster session (new members only) is FREE. 6 weeks booking: £24.00. 10 weeks booking: £38.00. Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 11am – 12pm at The Hub..

In addition there are Ladies that Lift weekly circuits sessions which run on Mondays from 4pm-4.45pm and from 5.00pm – 5.45pm at the Hub. These sessions are great for anyone wanting to cut fat, get stronger, or build tone and definition.

Bowling seasons starts

Emsworth Bowling Club begin their 2024 Season on Saturday 13 April at 2pm. We are holding three Open Days this year for anyone who would like to come and try Lawn Bowling. All equipment is provided including shoes, but if you have shoes with very flat soles, please wear them.

The dates for the Open Days are as follows:-

• Saturday 12 May from 10am to 4pm

• Sunday 13 May from 10am to 4pm

To Book for the free taster session contact: info@getupandgohavant.com

Other groups run by Get up and Go include rowing, boxing, walking for health and walking netball (as featured in our last edition). For more information and full details of all the courses on offer visit the website and FaceBook page: www.getupandgohavant.com

• Saturday 25 May from 10am to 4pm (as part of the National Big Bowls Weekend) Club members will be on hand to assist you and coach you on the different aspects of the game. So do come along and give it a go or email the club if you are interested - all are welcome. Email: secretary.ebc@hotmail.com

Community Groups &

Activities

Arts & Crafts Groups

Bench Theatre: Club nights first and third Thursday of month at The Spring, East Street, Havant. Contact: Janice Halsey secretary@benchtheatre.org.uk

Bourne Quilters: 7.15pm, first Monday of month, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact Chris Barrell 07585 55916

Emsworth Art Group meets at the Emsworth Community Centre on Wednesday mornings. We are an active and cooperative group of artists working at all levels and with two exhibitions per year. There is a waiting list to join. Please contact the secretary, Trevor Smith on atrevorsmith@gmail.com

Emsworth Flower Club: 2pm, fourth Friday of month, St James’ Church Hall, Church Path. Contact Claire Nutbrown, Secretary emsworthflowerclub@gmail.com

Emsworth Meridian Singers and Choir: 7.45pm-9.15pm, main choir meets Thursdays, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact Louise Russell 07985 606670 louise. slrussell@outlook.com

Emsworth Players: Drama group. Contact Jim Strudwick 01243 372543, jim.strudwick@ yahoo.co.uk

Emsworth Watercolours for Improvers. 1.45 – 3.45 Mondays at The Waterside Church Hall, Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact David Moignard 02392 267498 or 07308258669

Havant Light Opera: 7.30pm, Mondays at The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, East Street, Havant. Contact Judy Halpin 02392 570545, www.havantlightopera.co.uk

Hole in the Wall Group, Clive Yeomans Pottery: Facilities are behind the Emsworth Community Centre. Email: hitwg.pottery@ gmail.com

Heart Art Club. Classes held at rear of Jingles Hotel, Horndean Road, Emsworth. Email: iheartartclub@gmail.com

Thursday 6-7pm secondary sketch club

Friday 10-11am adult art club

Saturday 10-10.45 Saturday sketch club All at Blooms Cafe.

Institches Stitch group. Knit, stitch, crochet. Fridays, free drop in, 10am to 12pm at Methodist Church in The Square Emsworth. We are about friendship, fun and laughter. Contact Judy Williams on Judywilliams9@ googlemail.com. or 07906 214963

Renaissance Choir: Rehearsals, 7.30pm9.30pm, Fridays at Emsworth Community Centre. More info www.renaissancechoir. org.uk. Social Singing for retired people. The group consists of a cup of tea, a biscuit, a chat and some singing of some pop songs and show tunes. The main purpose of the group is to get people out, sing a few memorable tunes and meet some new faces. This group

meets at Emsworth Sports & Social Club, Havant Road, Emsworth on Wednesdays 2.30pm -3.30pm (term time only) For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

Solent Male Voice Choir: 7.30pm, Tuesdays at in The Pallant Centre, Havant. Membership open to all men 18 years+. No musical ability required, just enthusiasm. Contact Dave McVittie dmcv@solentmalevoicechoir.org, www.solentmalevoicechoir.org

Village Voices Choir, Emsworth. We rehearse at The Methodist Church EmsworthWednesdays 7.30pm. We welcome interest from singers with experience singing in harmony and knowledge of following scores - see website: http://emsworthvillagevoices.org Next Concert: 25th June 3.30pm Southbourne Village Hall.

Children & Youth Groups

Babies, Biscuits and Banter: Suitable for babies and young toddlers. 10am to 11:30am in the Parish Office, next to the Parish Hall in Church Path PO10 7DP. Contact Parish Administrator 01243 372428, parishofficewwe@gmail.com

Boys’ Brigade (3rd): 6.15 pm-7.30 pm, Tuesdays in term time, for boys from Year R to Year 9. We are now based at Christian Youth Enterprises (CYE), Chidham, PO18 8TE. Contact the Captain: Mark Gidney 07837 005876. Email captain@emsworthboysbrigade.co.uk

Girls’ Brigade (1st): 5.45 pm-7.15 pm, Tuesdays, for 4-10 years and 7pm-8.30pm, Tuesdays, 10-18 years, Emsworth Baptist Church Hall, North Street. Contact: Eleanor Day 0776 250 2380

Melana Dance: classes for young people up to 20 years, pre-school ‘music and movement’ classes and adult tap dancing at Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact: Louisa Chandler 07717 327200

Mumbabas Monkeys is important for mums with young toddlers, to meet other mums and have a fun time. They perform traditional nursery rhymes and action songs which are accompanied by Becky on keyboards. Wednesdays (term time only) from 9.45am –10.30am at Emsworth Sports and Social Club , Havant Rd, Emsworth. For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

Mumbaba Ducklings for mothers and babies. They perform traditional nursery rhymes and action songs which are accompanied by Becky on keyboards. Wednesdays (term time only) from 10.45am – 11.30am at Emsworth Sports and Social Club , Havant Rd, Emsworth. For more information contact Becky White, tel 07889 457540 email: beckywhitemusic@gmail.com

One Youth - We meet every Friday during term time, 7-9pm at One Church (formerly New Life Church), Thorney Road. For young people in years 6 - College. 01243 373566. youth@onechurch.fyi

Scouts: Livingstone Cub Pack, Beaver Section, Drake Cub Pack, Explorers, Scout Troop, all meet at the Scout Hut, Conigar Road. Contact: membership@emsworthscouts.org.uk

Topspin Table Tennis: 6pm-7.30pm, Tuesdays during term time, for 9-18 years with coaching and development at Emsworth Community Centre, just turn-up and play. Contact: 01243 373566

Churches & GroupsReligious

Baptist Church: North Street, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 375606

Methodist Church and Pastoral Centre: The Square, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 373773

One Church (formerly New Life Christian Church) : Thorney Road. Main contact: 01243 373566. Chapel every Wednesday during term time at 10am, Sunday 9:30am & 11:30am

St James’ Church (CofE): The Rectory, Church Path. Contact: 01243 372428

St Thomas’ Church (Roman Catholic): 24 New Brighton Road. Contact: 02392 484520

St Thomas à Becket (CofE): Church Lane, Warblington. Contact: 01243 372428

Waterside United Reformed Church: Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact: 01243 371718

Community Organisations

Community First: Services in the area such as community transport and Shop Mobility. Contact 0300 500 8085, support@cfirst.org. uk, www.cfirst.org.uk

Ems Valley Community Transport: Volunteer driver car service for those unable to use public transport. Journeys to hospital, GP surgery, dentists, social events and shopping although medical journeys take precedence. All enquiries including how to volunteer contact: Tel 07481 179 203, 01243 371093 email. evctsec@gmail.com www.evctcars.org

Emsworth Business Association: Networking and profiling association for local businesses. Join via its website: www.emsworth.org.uk/ about/the-eba/join-the-eba/. Queries sent to Lulu Bowerman, Chair lulu.bowerman@ havant.gov.uk

Emsworth Community Association: To promote the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants of Emsworth and neighbouring areas by providing education, recreation and social activities in premises which are both comfortable and accessible to all. Emsworth

Emsworth Bowling Club

Community Centre, North Street. 10am-12 noon, Monday to Friday. Contact: 01243 373805, info@emsworthcommunitycentre. org.uk

Emsworth Community Land Trust: Creating affordable homes and community spaces. New members and volunteers welcome. Contact: Ellie Turnbull, Secretary 01243 432548, info@emsworthclt.org. uk, www.emsworthclt.org.uk

Emsworth Forum: (see Emsworth Residents Forum)

Emsworth Good Neighbours: Offers help with transport to hospitals, medical appointments, shopping, befriending, collecting prescriptions etc. Contact: 01243 430999, info@ emsworthgoodneighbours.org.uk, www. emsworthgoodneighbours.org.uk

Emsworth Horticultural Society: Organises Emsworth Show, horticultural supplies hut at Washington Road, talks and coach outings. Contact: Lyn Davies, Chair, 01243 373810 ehschair@outlook.com www.emsworthhorticulturalsociety.org.uk

Emsworth Library: Opening hours are: Tuesday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Thursday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Friday 9.30 am – 5 pm. Saturday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm. (Closed Monday, Wednesday and Sunday) Now based at Emsworth Community Centre, North St, Emsworth. Contact: 0845 6035631 emsworth.library@ hants.gov.uk, www.hants.gov.uk/library

Emsworth Morning Women’s Institute: Meetings held on the 2nd Friday of the month at 9.45 am (except August) in Emsworth Community Centre. Contact: Diana Pallett (President): 01243 681910

Emsworth Museum: 10B North Street (on the first floor of the building – above the Fire Station) Access from the adjacent car park. Open to visitors from April – October on Saturdays, most Bank Holidays and Fridays in August 10.30 am – 4.30 pm and on Sundays 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Admission free. Stairlift available. For more information 01243 378091 info@emsworthmuseum.org. uk www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk

Emsworth Probus Club: Retired businessmen who meet at the Brookfield Hotel for lunch on the last Monday of each month. Contact: P Keough 01243 373436 or Peter Spreckley 01243 371390. Annual subscription is £15.00 plus lunch costs.

Emsworth Residents’ Association (see Emsworth Residents Forum)

Emsworth Residents Forum Formed in 2023 through the merger of Emsworth Residents’ Association and Emsworth Forum. Independent, non-partisan organisation run by volunteers that work to represent the interests of the whole community to help make Emsworth a pleasant, safe and caring place to live and work. The organisation is recognised by Havant Borough Council as

a statutory consultee on planning matters. New members and volunteers are always welcome. www.emsworthresidentsforum. org.uk. Publisher of The Ems newspaper editor.theems@outlook.com https://issuu. com/theems

Emsworth-St Aubin Twinning Association: For information and activities between both towns contact John Auric, Membership Secretary 01243 379018 or Judi Milburn, Chair 02392 471645, www.emsworthstaubin. org.uk

Emsworth Trefoil Guild: Social group for all ex-guiders or girl guides. Meets at Methodist International Hall, The Square, Emsworth on the first Monday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 pm. New members welcome. Contact: Marion Lea 01243 376886, marionlea7@ hotmail.com

Friends of Emsworth Community Health: Supports organisations providing health-related facilities in Emsworth. Contact Irene Craig 01243 378635 Email: irenecraig71@ gmail.com

Havant Friends of the Earth: Contact Patricia Williamson 01243 378560.

Membership secretary p.ivy@tiscali.co.uk

Havant Rotary Club: Meets every Monday at 6pm at Bear Hotel, East Street, Havant. Contact: Ian Swinton 01243 251776

Hewitt’s: 35 South Street. Art gallery, gift shop and hall for hire. Contact: 01243 213600 Love Your Neighbour Campaign - to support families and individuals who may be struggling financially, or require food parcels. Together with support from local councils, schools and healthcare professionals they receive referrals of people who would benefit from this initiative. For more information and referrals, call 07835 441076.

Mothers’ Union: Contact Margaret Cornick, Secretary 01243 378044

Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Emsworth Branch: Contact Caroline Tilley 01243 699451 Email: Carolinetilley@yahoo. com

St John Ambulance: Fraser Road, Havant. Contact: Jennifer.quibell@sja.org.uk

University of the Third Age, Emsworth u3a: Over 30 subject groups that meet monthly. 10.15am, third Friday of month, except August and December. General meeting at St James Church Hall, Church Path. Contact: Hazel Irwin, Membership Secretary, 01243 940310, Hazel.i@btinternet.com www. emsworthu3a.org.uk

University of the Third Age, Ems Valley u3a: Over 50 subject groups that meet monthly. General meeting on fourth Thursday of month a t 2pm (except August and December) at Emsworth Baptist Church, North St. Contact: Tim Mathews, Chair www. emsvalleyu3a.org.uk

Westbourne Bell-Ringers: Westbourne Church, Westbourne Road. Practice 7pm-9pm on Mondays. Service ringing on Sundays. Contact: Tower Captain Peter Wilkinson, westbourne@SCACR.org.uk or Jason Crouch 07802 474899.

WemsFest: World music and comedy at local venues. Contact: Mark Millington-Ringwood, Artistic Director 01243 370501, 07802 500050, www.wemsfest.com

Health Organisations

Arthritis First: Exercise classes for those with mobility problems, or any type of arthritis wishing to increase your strength, flexibility, balance and mobility. Run by experienced Chartered Physiotherapist Shirley Inkpen. All ages and abilities welcome. Exercises individually tailored. Emsworth Community Centre. Tuesdays at 9.55 am and 11.05 am. (Zoom available at 09.55). Contact Shirley 07809 255152, email islandphysioshirley@ gmail.com

Brendoncare Emsworth Keep Fit 1: shape up with Sally, 10am-11am, Thursdays term time. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www.brendoncare. org.uk/clubs

Brendoncare Emsworth Keep Fit 2: shape up with Sally, 11.30am-12.30pm, Thursdays term time. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www. brendoncare.org.uk/clubs

Brendoncare Emsworth Kurling Club, 2pm-4pm, Mondays. Emsworth Community Centre, North Street. Contact 01962 857099, www.brendoncare.org.uk/clubs

Emsworth Medical Practice: 6 North Street. Contact: 01243 378812 www.emsworthmedical.co.uk

MHA Singing for the Mind: dementia friendly singing group. 10am-12noon, second Friday of each month. St James’ Church Parish Hall. Contact: 023 9387 8777, havant@rightathomeuk.com

Patient Participation Group (PPG). For more information contact: Jim Strudwick, Chairman. j.strudwick35@gmail.com 01243 372543

Southbourne Surgery: 337 Main Road, Southbourne. Contact 01243 388740, www. southbournesurgery.com

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks in Emsworth (formerly Walking to Health) Wednesdays 10:30 am starting at various local locations. Free, short, safe walks aimed at all ages and abilities. Walks are in and around Emsworth and neighbouring villages. Contact: Rob Self 02392 484412 / robertself@ntworld.com or John Bond 01243 376302 bond.jab7@gmail. com

Sing2Health Emsworth. Breathe, move, sing, and smile. Join our fun, friendly and inclusive singing group using evidence-based exercises and songs to support health and wellbeing. Thursdays 11-12, Emsworth Community Centre. Info: www.sing2health.com/groups Contact Ruth: reroutledge@gmail.com

Nature Conservation

Brook Meadow Conservation Group: 10am-12noon, first Sunday and third Thursday of every month. Meet at Seagull Lane entrance by HQ/Tool store. Tools and gloves supplied, and refreshments.

Contact:brookmeadowcg@outlook.com, 07779 759696

Emsworth Tree Wardens: Taking care of trees in Emsworth and surrounding area. Various ongoing tree-related projects. Contact Yvonne Copeland 01243 389877

Friends of Emsworth Memorial Garden: Helping to maintain the garden on the southeast corner of Horndean Road Recreation Ground. Work sessions 10 am, second

Monday of each month, contact 01243 371486

Friends of Hampshire Farm Meadows: A conservation group holding monthly work parties all year round at Hampshire Farm Meadows, a 42 acre area of open space in North Emsworth. Contact hfmfriends@gmail. com

Friends of Nore Barn Woods: Work sessions: 9.30am-12noon, second Saturdays of each month. Tools, coffee and biscuits provided, bring gloves. Meet at shore end of Warblington Road. Contact Roy Ewing 01243 370705

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: Holds monthly talks between SeptemberMarch, plus weekly wildlife walks and nature notes. Contact www.hiwwt.org.uk

Slipper Mill Pond Preservation Association: Protects and conserves the wildlife and natural environment of Slipper Mill Pond for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of the public. Contact: Jo Greenfield (Chair) 01243 371134 info@smppa.org.uk, www.smppa.org.uk

Political Representation

Havant Borough Council (HBC) - Emsworth Ward (3 seats)

Lulu Bowerman (Conservative) (2021 – 2024)

101 Havant Road, Emsworth PO10 7LF. Contact 07874 885366, lulu.bowerman@havant.gov.uk

Richard Kennett (Conservative) (2022 –2024) 53 Skylark Avenue, Emsworth PO10 7GB. Contact 07780 236443, richard.kennett@havant.gov.uk

Grainne Rason (Green Party) (2023 -2024) c/o Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX. 07584 168545 grainne.rason@havant.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council – Emsworth & St Faith’s Division (1 seat)

Lulu Bowerman (Conservative) (2021 – 2025)

101 Havant Road, Emsworth PO10 7LF. Contact 07874 885366, lulu.bowerman@havant.gov.uk

Chichester District Council –Westbourne Ward (1 seat)

Roy Briscoe (Conservative) (2023 -2027) Bumblebee Cottage, Duffield Lane, Woodmancote, Westbourne PO10 8PZ. Contact 01243 696376, rbriscoe@chichester.gov.uk

Chichester District Council –Southbourne Ward (2 seats)

Oona Hickson (Liberal Democrat ) (2023 -2027) Five Acres, Prinsted Lane, Prinsted, Emsworth, PO10 8HS Contact 01243 379964 email: ohickson@chichester.gov.uk

Tracie Bangert (Liberal Democrat) (2023 -2027) 209 Main Road, Southbourne, Emsworth PO10 8EZ. Contact 01243 375782, tbangert@chichester.gov.uk

West Sussex County Council –Bourne division (1 seat)

Andrew Kerry-Bedell (Liberal Democrat) (2021 – 2025) Drifters Reach, Drift Lane, Bosham, Chichester, PO18 8PR Contact: 07899 741939 andrew.kerry-bedell@westsussex.gov.uk

Members of Parliament

Havant (including Emsworth): Alan Mak, (Conservative) House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Contact 02394 212298. alan.mak.mp@parliament.uk

Chichester (including Southbourne and Westbourne): Gillian Keegan (Conservative) St John’s House, St John’s Street, Chichester PO19 1UU. Contact gillian.keegan.mp@ parliament.uk

Police and Crime Commissioners

Hampshire Donna Jones (Conservative) (2021 -2025) www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk

Sussex (West and East) Katy Bourne (Conservative) (2021 -2025) www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk

Badminton club: Friendly badminton club, for all abilities. 8pm-9.30pm every Thursday. Bourne Leisure Centre, Southbourne. First evening free. Contact carolbaptist@aol.com

Bourne 55 Archery Club. Based at the Bourne Leisure Centre, Southbourne PO10 8PJ. We offer beginners courses twice a year, the next one starts on Sunday 25 September, 10 - 12 for 5 weeks. See website for full detailswww.bourne55.com/

Circle Dancing: 2.30pm-4.30pm, second Sunday of month. Westbourne Parish Hall, Westbourne Road, Westbourne. Contact Jane Richards 01243 378531

Emsworth Bowling Club: Plays April to September plus bridge/cribbage October to March and other social events. Jubilee Recreation Ground, Horndean Road, Emsworth, Contact Martin Roberts 02392 412759 www.emsworthbowlingclub.com

Emsworth Bridge Club: 7pm-10pm, every Tuesday evening, Emsworth Sports & Social Club, 43 Havant Road. Contact 01243 376037

Emsworth Chess Club: 7.30pm, Thursdays. Emsworth Sports & Social Club, 43 Havant Road. Contact: Phil Pinto Tel. 07500 413686 mail@emsworthchessclub.co.uk, www. emsworthchessclub.co.uk

Emsworth Cricket Club: Contact emsworth. play-cricket.com

Emsworth & Havant Homing Society: Contact admin@kdwebsolutions.com, www.ehhs. kdwebsolutions.com

Emsworth Sailing Club: 55 Bath Road, Emsworth. Contact 01243 372850, membership@emsworthsc.org.uk, www.emsworthsc. org.uk

Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club: Quay Mill, The Quay, South Street, Emsworth. Contact 01243 372523, secretary@emsworthslippersc.org.ukm, www.emsworthslippersc.org.uk

Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club Radio Sailors: 10am-12noon, Thursdays, and 10am-12noon Sunday (winter only). Contact John Galyer 07971 827995, 02392 355745

Emsworth Sports & Social Club: 43 Havant Road. Contact the Steward 01243 376037, www.emsworthssclub.co.uk