APRIL/MAY 2015

THE
HOME &
GARDEN
ISSUE ry .

e
l
l
a
g
e
m
a
r
f
the den gem on our high street.
a hid

INSIDE
GARDENING TIPS

WITH SNOWDROP
gardening
services

meet
the
maker
with

Alistair
Jones of

Ideal Imaging.

ODIHAM ORACLE
1
#lovelocal

The perfect day.

For 20 to 320 guests

Private rooms, small parties
whatever the reason.
01252 847 250
events@elvethamhotel.co.uk

HAMPSHIRE

HARTLEY WINTNEY
HAMPSHIRE RG27 8AS

www.elvethamhotel.co.uk

CELEBRATIONS . ANNIVERSARIES . PRIVATE PARTIES . GRAND EVENTS

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high oer vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
With the daffs in full bloom, our beautiful corner of North Hampshire is positively glowing in the new
season sunshine. Are you feeling a spring in your step? We are! It feels like lighter evenings and warmer
days are finally on their way, and we cant wait to fling open the windows and soak up some vitamin D.
Nows the time to pay special attention to our homes and gardens, so if you have the urge to spring
clean, read our top tips on page 18-19. For the green-fingered among us, theres some excellent advice
from local gardening expert, Jeremy Hudson, on page 20-23. May is a big month for Odiham and the
surrounding villages as we gear up for the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. Check out the Whats On
page for event listings theres so much to see and do! With Magna Carta on their minds, Bernie and Jim
take us on a picturesque route to King Johns castle and beyond. After all the walking and history lessons
you may be in the mood for something to eat, so grab a cuppa and read our review of The Exchequer in
Crookham Village on page 7. Maybe even with the back door open, or dare we say it, lounging on a deck
chair in the garden. Heres hoping!
If youre out and about during the Magna Carta celebrations then why not post your pics and comments
on our Facebook page Odiham Oracle. Wed love to know what youve been up to!
Until next time
Christabel, Polly and Natalie

READER OFFERS
ODIHAM CLINIC are offering a 20 minute Spinal Assessment for 10 (deductible off any
subsequent treatment), until the end of May 2015. So why not take advantage of this offer, prior
to your Spring Clean, by calling The Odiham Clinic on 01256 702140.

HART SPORTS MASSAGE

Special offer: 20% off

for Odiham Hook & Hartley

Wintney residents first treatment.
Please mention the Odiham
Oracle on your first visit.
ODIHAMORACLE
ODIHAM_ORACLE

see page
10-11

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the towns and villages of Fleet, Church Crookham,

Crookham Village, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Odiham
and Winchfield into an ugly mess.

Lets Make the Local Plan the Best it Can Be

Hart District Council has a big problem. Its last

attempt at creating a Local Plan was rejected by the
Planning Inspector because Hart failed in its duty to
co-operate with neighbouring councils. This means
that Hart is at the mercy of developers who can push
through almost any development at appeal because
Hart does not have a valid Local Plan in place.
This means it is vital we get a new Local Plan in place
quickly. However, if we are to retain the best of Hart
the essential rural nature that makes this such a
great place to live, then the plan has to be a good
one.
According to our Strategic Housing Market
Assessment (SHMA), in the plan period up to 2032,
we have to build more than 7,500 houses in Hart.
These houses have to be in the right place and have
to be of the right type to meet the needs of the
changing population.
In addition, the councils with which we have to
cooperate, Surrey Heath and Rushmoor have said
they cant build all of their allocation on their own
patch and want to force Hart to build an extra 3,100
houses for them, pushing Harts total up to over
10,600 dwellings.
Hart has decided, on the basis of only 550
respondents out of a population of over 90,000
people that it would seek to place a big proportion
of its housing allocation in a new town in Winchfield.
We Heart Hart has raised a petition opposing this
decision and has already received over 750 signatures
more than the total number of respondents to
Harts consultation.
We believe Harts decision is flawed for a number
of reasons. First, a new town, anywhere in Hart will
make it impossible to fight off the demands for an
extra 3,100 houses from Surrey Heath and Rushmoor.
Second, a new town will turn the northern part of
Hart into a single continuous urban sprawl, coalescing

Third, it will destroy our environment by concreting

over our green fields and putting in danger the
Thames Valley Heath SPA, our SSSIs and sites of
interest to nature conservation. Finally, there will be
intolerable pressure put on our infrastructure such
as road, rail, hospitals and schools for which there is
already a 78m funding gap.
There is another way.

We need to oppose the overall housing allocation

by pushing back on Surrey Heath and Rushmoor
and challenging the housing numbers in the SHMA.
Careful examination of the numbers reveals that the
overall allocation has been pushed up using some
dodgy data. They have used inward migration data
that covers the time when Hart was already building
over the regional and national averages and assumed
that we will have a rate of jobs growth nearly twice
that achieved during the boom times of 1998-2008.
Making more realistic assumptions could push our
housing allocation back down to around 5,000
houses.
We also need to focus much more on brownfield
development. The councils approach to this is
patchy at best with many of the vacant office blocks
and shops not even appearing in their land database.
All of the councils also assume very low housing
density on brownfield land of around 30 dwellings
per hectare (dph). Studies in London have shown
that vibrant communities can be created with their
own green space if housing density is pushed up to
160-400dph. A study by a local architecture student
has shown that if Rushmoor were to take up this
type of scheme, they could build all of their housing
needs and those of Hart without touching a single
green field. Moreover, if Hart were to follow suit,
most of our housing needs could be met by building
on the existing brownfield sites. This has to be a
better way forward than concreting over our green
fields and destroying what makes Hart such a great
place to live.
If you would like to ask Hart to think again and
make our Local Plan the best it can be, then please
get involved with our campaign at wehearthart.
co.uk and sign our petition at you.38degrees.org.
uk/petitions/we-hart or contact us at
5
wehearthart@gmail.com.

Local charity event!

WELLBEING OF WOMEN !
CHARITY GARDEN AND GIFT FAIR
THURSDAY 7th MAY 2015 - 9.30am - 3.30pm!
at!

DUMMER CRICKET CENTRE!

DUMMER, RG25 2AR

This charity is dedicated to improving!

the health of women and babies, to
make a difference to everybodys !
lives today and tomorrow. !

85+ stalls with many garden and plant stalls, home produce and more!!
For more fair information go to: www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk!

Entrance: 5 Concessions 4!
Donations gratefully received via website !

Odiham Oracle Food Review: The Exchequer

Ive driven past the award-winning Exchequer many
times on my way to Fleet and admired its rural, yet
accessible location. Noted on my list of must visits,
as luck would have it, my dining companion and I
found ourselves in the enviable position of writing a
food review. As we all know first impressions count,
and on entering The Exchequer you know straight
away that this isnt your chicken in a basket type pub.
Oh no, no, no - The Exchequer is a classy affair. The
dcor has a country casual feel (more Country Life
less Emmerdale Farm) with wooden tables, mixed
fabrics, and art depicting country pursuits. Yep, youre
definitely in Hampshire.
Theres an impressive choice of food available with
a seasonal lunch and bar menu offering good quality
sandwiches from 6:95 perfect if youre in a hurry
and tempting pub classics with a gastro twist. The
main menu is also seasonal and available at lunch, so
with this and the daily specials, you really are spoilt
for choice.
Show me a sharing board and youre on to a winner.
The impressive charcuterie board arrived laden with
parma ham, warm chorizo, chicken liver pt, rare
roast beef, warm breads, salad garnish, and tomato
chutney. For 16.95 we felt this was good value,
especially the quality of the roast beef, although we
would have preferred horseradish to mayonnaise
(served alongside). Loved the liberal sprinkling of
sea salt - its the little touches that make the biggest

impression.
For the main, I ordered the salmon and smoked
haddock potato fishcake from the seasonal lunch
menu, served with French beans, poached egg, and
hollandaise sauce (9.50). Ker-ching! This was the real
deal: flavoursome fishcakes, el-dente beans, oozy egg
and creamy hollandaise sauce. One to replicate at
home!
Natalie chose a beautifully succulent duck breast
from the specials, served with sweet potato mash,
green beans and a juniper sauce, which cut through
the richness of the gamey meat.
Too full to make a decision, we ordered the white
chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake with
honeycomb ice cream (5.95) on the managers
recommendation. She wasnt wrong it was delicious!
The Exchequer is everything a thoroughly modern
British pub should be.Well-executed food with a focus
on local produce and fresh ingredients, comfortable
surroundings, and great customer service. Well worth
a visit and highly recommended for a special occasion,
treat yourself lunch, or a sharing board and bottle of
wine while you catch up with friends.
The Exchequer, Crookham Village. Tel: 01252
615336Email: bookings@exchequercrookham.co.uk
Visit: www.exchequercrookham.co.uk

SHOWROOM; The Old Station Andover Rd

Oakley Basingstoke Hampshire RG23 7HA TEL; 01256)782070
Open
9am - 5pm Mon - Fri Closed wednesday Sat Open 10am - 4pm

Oak & Pine Furniture in Stock

* Carpets
* Laminate
* Sheet Vinyls
* Engineered Wood
* Carpet Edging Service
* Click Together Vinyl Tiles
* Oak & Pine Furniture Stock
* Beds, & Bedroom Furniture
* Locally Made Jewellery, Gifts
* Rugs made your size your design

A Family Business
with traditional values
Serving the area for over 30 years

HOME SELECTION
SERVICE ALSO
AVAILABLE

www.oakley-furnishing.co.uk

British made Beds & Bedroom Furniture

Cane Furniture

Carpets & Vinyl

Laminate & Real Wood Flooring

Let Bates Solicitors help you

through the legal process.

A Guiding Hand through difficult times.

We are local so you can see us in any one of our 7 offices
We are friendly, approachable and supportive. We understand that you may be
distressed or worried.
We are experienced - you can be assured you are dealing with qualified solicitors who
you can trust to provide sound legal advice.
We are large, with lots of solicitors so we can deal with your work quickly and there is
always a back up in a crisis.
We offer fixed fees so you can be clear about the costs.

Probate and Estate Management

Drafting Wills and Tax Planning
Powers of Attorney
Property
All Family Matters

www.batessolicitors.co.uk

Contact our offices at:

Fleet: 01252 629292
Hook: 01256 760074
Hartley Wintney: 01252 844443
Odiham: 01256 709900
Weybridge: 01932 858833
London: 020 7936 2930
Leigh on Sea: 01702 472222

Meet the Maker: Ideal Imaging

Wedding AND FAMILY lifestyle photographer, Alistair
Jones, tells us about his picture-perfect business, Ideal
Imaging.
Alistair, how did you get into photography?
Fundamentally it was through the love of it. The more you love something, the more you want to
learn all there is to learn about it. And the more you learn the more you love! Its a very happy circle.
Fortunately a few years back people started to commission me for portraits and weddings, which
eventually gave me the courage and conviction to take it up full time.
Describe your style.
My aim is to create portraits of individuals in an honest, yet beautiful, way and produce images full of
emotion and impact. I do this by facilitating a relaxed and fun environment, while discretely creating a
series of portraits that capture people being themselves, showing relationships in the most natural and
captivating way. I
believe that, without the constraints of four studio walls for a fixed amount
of time,
I can encourage children and adults to forget the camera.
There are lots of photographers out there; what
makes you different?
Yes, in order to succeed in this industry being
different is crucial. Quite early on I realised
that my style was better suited to location
shoots, rather than a studio. But being a
photographer isnt just about knowing how
to take a technically decent photograph.
Its about interpersonal skills - getting the
very best out of people and being able to
anticipate and capture the moment. Ive
built a reputation for being able to do just
that. I process every image in my signature
style and offer a bespoke design service from
wall art for individual statement images, to
albums showcasing the whole gallery.
With the popularity of camera phones and sharing
pictures on social media, are people favouring digital
photography over prints?
Smart phones are great but there comes a time to sit back and have someone capture the
moment for you. The craving for digital images is a challenge. Of course I provide these but to
me, digital files are just a commodity; too easily consumed. I truly believe that an image isnt a
photograph until its printed. Wedding photos and family portraits are a legacy that should be
preserved for children and future generations to enjoy and reflect upon. The challenge is therefore
to go beyond digital and provide a range of products that will display my work at its very best and
truly stand the test of time.

What can people expect from a session

with you? This is best answered by one
of my clients, Suzanne Boucher-Collins:

From start to finish Alistair has been

fantastic; the experience really was
different to any other photography
we have done before. From the preshoot meeting, discussing our needs
and planning for the session (a great
ice breaker for my little girl), to the
actual shoot and delivery of the most
amazing pictures that will stay with
us forever. What Alistair managed to
capture was more than just a photo; it
was personality, experience, and a whole
lot more. The thought, attention to detail and
service is truly worth the investment

What do you love about your work?

Whats not to love? Im surrounded by happy people documenting lifelong memories. I love watching
those smiles get even bigger when I present the finished product. I get to travel to some wonderful
places
and, even though I work longer hours than most people I know, I still get to
walk to school with my family most days!
Any challenges?
Challenges? Of course there are many and this is where lots of
photographers fall down. Keeping an eye on, but not getting
too wrapped up in, the latest technological advances is one.
Its important not to lose sight that a great portrait has always
been about three basic elements: light, composition and
expression.
Last and by no means least is to strike a balance with home
and family life. Not easy to do given I love it so much! But my
photography business will still (hopefully!) be here 10 years from
now, but my sons childhood definitely wont.
SEE OUR
SPECIAL OFFER
ON PAGE 1!

enquiries@idealimaging.uk.com
01256 473895 | 07779143928
www.idealimaging.uk.com

Packages for family lifestyle start at 145

newborns from 195.
Weddings available on request.

Taking away the fear

of dental injections
COMMENTS
INCLUDE:
Did I have an injection?
Least painful
injection Ive had.
Very gentle.

Odiham Dental Care gives the gentlest injections with a

device called Vibraject. It works so well, many people
dont even know theyve had an injection.
Youre in safe hands with us, we take a caring approach.
That includes giving the gentlest injections.
Contact us at our private practice to find out more.
Odiham Dental Care
45b High Street, Odiham, RG29 1LF

phone 01256 636472 or 01256 703232

www.odihamdental.co.uk

TEL: 01256 221 035

HOTEL, HAMPSHIRE

HAMPSHIRES ORIGINAL
C O U N T RY E S TAT E
Tylney Hall can be found sitting romantically in 66 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside.
Over the years a painstaking restoration programme has taken place to restore
the gardens to their former glory.

GARDEN APPRECIATION WEEKEND

With guest speaker Monty Don
Saturday 16thSunday 17th May

Spend a luxurious break at Tylney Hall and

enjoy a three course luncheon with guest speaker
Monty Don, followed by a tour of our historic
gardens with Estate Manager Paul Tattersdill and
a private hosted dinner.
Residential package: From 262.00 per person
for a one night break, based on two people
sharing a deluxe bedroom.
Luncheon only: 94.50 per person

The real importance of gardening is the

empowerment that it gives people, however small or
seemingly insignificant their gardens might be.

Please telephone 01256 764881 or

email reservations@tylneyhall.com for
more details.

Tylney Hall, Rotherwick, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9AZ

01256 764881 | reservations@tylneyhall.com | www.tylneyhall.co.uk

13

EST 1993

Free car park

Emergency appointments
Home visits
Free advice on rehabilitation
Free advice on exercises
Free ergonomics advice
MON - SAT: 8AM - 6.30PM
Now open until 8pm on Wednesdays

DO YOU SUFFER FROM......

Back Pain, Sciatica,
Headaches,
Sports Injuries,
Shoulder Problems
Neck Pain, Joint Pain,
Elbow & Wrist Problems,
Muscular Strains
We are registered
with most major
health insurance
companies including
PPP and BUPA.

ODIHAM

OLD BASING

01256 702 371

01256 868 370

Odiham Health Centre,

Deer Park View
Odiham | Hook | Hampshire | RG29 1JY

Old Basing Health Centre,

Manor Lane
Old Basing | Hampshire | RG24 7AE

VISIT: 81 THE HIGH STREET

THE

ODIHAM, HAMPSHIRE, RG29 1LB

FRAME

GALLERY & FRAMING

www.theframe-gallery.co.uk
telephone: 01256 701082
the frame odiham

ORIGINAL ART | GIFTS | HOME & LIFESTYLE

lifestyle showrooms.. COMING SOON

The Frame Gallery, on Odiham High Street, has
been busy renovating and repurposing the top
two rooms of Number 81, from traditional gallery
space to lifestyle showrooms. During this process,
the building has undergone dendrochronology
testing and is currently awaiting carbon dating
results to confirm if it dates back as far as the
1400s.
Showcasing the best of lifestyle and living, each
showroom will be adorned with textiles, home
accessories, lighting, furniture, and of course art.
Gallery owner, Jan Baker is excited about the
developments: We have been researching the
development of the upstairs showrooms for
months, we are very excited to see the results
and hope that our customers will greatly benefit
from seeing their potential purchases in a homelike environment.

RIPTON

Windows &
Conservatories

INTRODUCING A NEW GENERATION OF WINDOWS &

CONSERVATORIES FOR YOUR PROPERTY.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR A NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.

CALL: 01256 841 522

RIPTON WINDOWS

RIPTON_WINDOWS

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

3 CROCKFORD LANE, CHINEHAM BUSINESS PARK,
CHINEHAM, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE RG24 8NA

www.riptonwindows.co.uk

Great style never goes out of fashion

Here at Fireplaces Direct we are proud to present our latest collection of

fireplaces and fires. Whether its urban chic or timeless classics you are
looking for, we have a huge selection to choose from, so whatever your
taste we are sure we can add a certain je ne sais quoi to your home.

01256 841188

Open Monday - Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Unit 13 Basingstoke Business Centre, Winchester Road, Basingstoke, RG22 4AU

w w w. f i r e p l a c e s d i r e c t . c o . u k

Out with the old and in with the new. Spring

is here and its time to give your home and
garden a much needed make-over.
Ripton Windows &
Conservatories
Keep your windows sparkling clean.
You can wash your window frames with mild
soap and water to keep them looking good
as new. Make sure you dont use any form of
solvent-based abrasive cleaner.
Ripton Windows & Conservatories.
3 Crockford Lane, Chineham
Riptonwindows.co.uk
RIPTON
Windows &
01256 841522

Conservatories

Hart Carpet Care

Treat carpets with care.
Vacuum regularly with a good quality
hoover (we like Miele & Dyson). Invest
in some dirt trap mats (we like Turtle
Mats). Deal with stains and spillages
when they happen. Treat your carpets to
a regular professional deep steam clean;
theyll last longer, look better and smell
fresher than ever.
T:
M:
E:
W:

01252 849920
07803 168693
tim@hartcarpetcare.co.uk
www.hartcarpetcare.co.uk

Renaissance Interiors
Thinking of designing a room? Karen Chapman at
Renaissance Interiors recommends following this
order:
1. Furniture
2. Curtains/Blinds
3. Feature Wallpaper
4. Accessories-cushions, lamps etc.
5. Paint- to enhance or balance the bolder
colours
www.interiordesignersuk.org
Pinterest karenrenaissanc/renaissance-interiors/
Facebook interiordesignersuk.org
01252 220400 / 07702 693218

Thankfully,
weve asked some
local businesses to
offer their advice on
spring cleaning your
home.

Bennetts Homeshine
Spring clean throughout.
A clean home is a happy one and a clean office is a
productive one. By enlisting our services, youre not
only getting a new lease on your place, but youre also
removing potentially dangerous or allergy-inducing
elements.
Get in touch with Jo on 07841096370
or 01420 769101.
Follow us on Facebook: Bennettshomeshine

R.G. Goddard Brickwork

House feeling too small? Before you reach
for rightmove, consider an extension to
increase your square footage.
All Jobs Considered
Contact me on 07834 182366

Are you struggling with an injury or

persistent pain?
Square One specialises in the management and treatment
of sport, lifestyle and occupational related injuries and
offers services to promote health and well-being.
Sports Massage Therapy
Physiotherapy
Injury Assessment, Diagnosis and Rehabilitation
Medical Acupuncture
Kinesiology Taping
Pilates and Stretching Classes

www.square-one.uk.com
01256 541515
Dunleys Hill, Odiham
20

Spring is in the air . . .

time to make the most of your garden

Inspiring ideas . . .
furniture, lanterns
& accessories

Seasonal buys . . .
Plants, bulbs, pots
& planters

Gorgeous gifts . . .
for the home &
garden

Do you have a patch of garden you are struggling to know

what to do with? We can help you choose the right plants for
the right place. Simply book a free appointment in store with
our garden designer or arrange a home visit.
NEWLYNS FARMSHOP, NORTH WARNBOROUGH, HAMPSHIRE RG29 1HA
01256 701027 www.moutan.co.uk

21

Spring has sprung

so grab some gardening gloves and

get outside. Local gardener, Jeremy
Hudson, answers those all-important
gardening dilemmas.
Whats the most humane way of keeping snails away?

Egg shells can help deter slugs and snails. Crush up the egg shells and sprinkle them around your plants.
Obviously the egg shells will also benefit the soil as they decompose - double the benefit. Or grit, gravel
or sandpaper can be used, as the roughness makes it difficult for the snails to cross.
Citrus rinds - upside down halves of grapefruit rinds can be used as slug traps. Set them out at night and
youll have slugs inside them in the morning.

Which plants deter cats from using the garden as a litter tray?
You could try companion planting such as fennel, anise, lavender and rosemary which cats generally tend
to avoid.
Plant a curry plant (Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium) in your garden. Some swear
by these plants and say that they are more effective than lavender or other suggested cat-deterrent plants.
Sprinkle vinegar around your garden. Cats detest the smell of vinegar and they will stay away. Alternatively,
try sprinkling cold coffee on the area.
Prickly bushes are a good deterrent as cats do not like walking on anything prickly or squeezing through
a prickly hedge. If you really want to keep cats out of your garden, consider plants with prickly leaves or
thorns on their stems: hawthorn, holly, wild rose, berberis or pyracantha.

Whats the simplest solution for keeping nettles and brambles at bay?
Act quickly. Tackle all weeds as soon as theyre noticed, preferably when they are still seedlings. Take
steps to prevent weeds in the first place by covering vacant ground with mulches and groundcover plants.
If time is short and you dont have time to weed properly, make sure you remove flowering weeds first
to prevent them setting seed.

22

snowdropgardening.co.uk

 Thereafter, cut off any new shoots that emerge for the rest of the growing season, before setting
about lifting the much-weakened clump in autumn. Also dig deep to remove as much root growth as
possible. As a last resort, nettles and brambles can be tackled by repeat applications of a systemic weed
killer, but youll still have to remove and dispose of the remains.
Consign the roots of pernicious weeds or any weeds that have set seed to the dustbin or burn them.
If added to the compost heap, you risk transferring them around the garden along with your compost.

What plants do you recommend for low maintenance and good coverage for someone who
doesnt like gardening?
Well firstly, I would say that there isnt really such a thing as a low maintenance garden. However, of
course there are many differing degrees of maintenance needed. Here are a few plant combinations for
differing aspects.
Dry soil in sun

Blue-leaved euphorbia, orange berberis, emerald hebe, silver phlomis, red sedum, spring bulbs, and spiky
yucca.
Average soil in sun

Scented viburnum and philadelphus, species shrub roses under planted with hardy geraniums, blue
agapanthus, and woolly-leaved stachys.
Moist soil in sun

Red-stemmed cornus, amelanchier blossom, feathery astilbe, iris sibirica, white leucojum, and purpleleaved ligularia.
Dry soil in shade

Golden yew, variegated holly, scented yellow mahonia, ferns, periwinkle, and a giant hosta in a half-barrel.
Average soil in shade

Camellia, scented sarcococca, black-leaved ophiopogon, white Japanese anemone, and hardy red fuchsia.
Moist soil in shade

Bamboo, hydrangea, creamy aruncus, low-growing comfrey, and variegated ground elder (dont be
scared). You could also mulch well around all of the plants, or use a weed suppressant membrane,
which will keep the weed level down significantly. Alternatively, I would suggest employing a gardener to
look after the garden for you. That way, you get the
pleasure of a beautiful garden without any of the
associated hard graft.

Call 01256 761810 for

more information.

Oracle
add your events
online for FREE
theodihamoracle.co.uk
to advertise email:
advertise@theodihamoracle.co.uk

TM Roofing_Dec12_128.5 x 93L 27/11/2012 15:57 Page 1

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lf? ?
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Ladies new toto learn
Would you like

Farnham
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LADIES ACADEMY
Contact Rob Colborne, Golf Manager

01252 782109
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TER SESSI

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Academy details can be found on our website

www.farnhamgolfclub.co.uk

GOLF MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

Improve your Swing this

Spring!
A good golf swing looks entirely effortless, but
it really isnt. You wont get very far unless you
learn to position yourself correctly. Feeling
comfortable and balanced over the ball is
important, so if you are finding your swing needs
some spring, ask your golf buddy or the Course
Pro to assess your stance and grip - adapting it
slightly might make all the difference!
The position of the ball before shot will also
affect your performance. For most medium
range shots, the ball should be in the middle
of your stance, and as a general rule of thumb,
longer shots such as drives and low irons are
played nearer the front foot. The shorter clubs,
such as wedges and high irons, are played nearer
the back foot. The best thing to do is experiment

to see what suits you.

You should also try to remember to strike the
ball at the bottom of your swing. Bad impact
shots such as those which hit on the toe or heel
will reduce the potential ball speed.
Did you know, the World Record holder for
the fastest ball speed is currently held by Ryan
Winther who in 2012 achieved a ball speed of
227.6 mph!
Whether you are a beginner or advanced
golfer, Farnham Golf Club has a dedicated and
experienced team of PGA Professionals who
are on hand to help you develop your golf
game. For further information on golf tuition
and membership,
please visit www.farnhamgolfclub.co.uk
or call 01252 782109.

The Odiham Clinic

Your local, natural Wellbeing centre

2 High Street, Odiham, Hants, RG29 1LG

Tel: 01256 702140

We have various therapists at the clinic, as follows:

Osteopathy Acupuncture Chiropody/Podiatry Counselling Hypnotherapy

Homeopathy Reflexoloy Reiki Shiatsu

ENHANCE YOUR HOME

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Farnham
Stoves

26

01252 717772
www.farnhamstoves.com

Better
Backcare in
your Home
with Osteopath Christina Hood
With the spring nearly upon us, I
thought there was no better time than
now to think about your back ahead
of that first spring clean on the house.
After 23 years experience, as a practising
Osteopath, I have seen many patients
with chronic back pain who struggle
with the household chores. The aim of
this article is to give you some simple tips
on how you can adapt your house to
reduce the strain.

Avoid the strain

Most people strain their back either through bending

or twisting or a combination of the two. Remember
to bend from your hips, keeping your back straight
or squat down when you can. This may be difficult if
you either have problems with your hips or knees or
you are in a tight, confined space. In either of these
situations, try tightening up your abdominal muscles to
protect your back.

In the house.

I personally like the minimalistic approach, in houses,

to allow room to manoeuvre around the furniture and
make the cleaning easier. Try and avoid cleaning the
whole house on the same day and use light cleaning
tools, with extendible handles.
Also think about your general comfort around the
house, particularly with sitting and sleeping.
Sitting badly can contribute to low back pain. Please
consider the following:
When sitting on your sofa/dining room chair
you should be able to place your feet flat on the floor
and have your back against the back of the chair, with
your knees slightly lower than your hips.
A wedge shaped cushion (available at The Odiham
Clinic) can be used on a dining chair to ensure your
hips are higher than your knees, especially important if

the chair is doubling up as an office chair.

As regards firmness of your sofa, a good test is to try
and stand up from your sofa with your arms crossed
in front of you if you cannot, your sofa is probably
too low or soft.
On average people sleep for 7 hours a night, up
to one third of your life. So it is worth investing in
a good mattress, you generally do get what you pay
for. Most mattresses need replacing approximately
every eight to ten years and the type of mattress is
down to personal choice. Beware, any reference to
orthopaedic does not necessarily mean the best! Try
and buy one that does not need turning as this can
be cumbersome, especially if it is a double mattress.
For advice on pillows, please go to http://www.
theodihamclinic.co.uk/sleep-priority.htm.
Spinal check

Our team of Osteopaths are offering a 20

minute Spinal Assessment for 10 (deductible
off any subsequent treatment), until the end of
May 2015. So why not take advantage of this
offer, prior to your Spring Clean, by calling The
Odiham Clinic on 01256 702140.
The Odiham Clinic is a long established and
trusted multi-disciplinary medical clinic, offering
Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Homeopathy,
Chiropody,
Reflexology,
Counselling,
Hypnotherapy and Reiki. For more information,
please visit our website www.theodihamclinic.
co.uk or call 01256 702140 to book an
appointment.

Illustration by jennycrayon.com
Distance: 7.6 miles (or less) (alternative start points:
car park by the Water Witch in Odiham or at Barley
Mow Bridge)
Time: allow 2.5 to 3 hours

Ber nie says:

What a lovely coincidence it is to

tread in the footsteps of King John
in this anniversary year of MC and
to continue our introduction
to LDWs. Magna Carta and Long
Distance Walks, that is. So this time
round let us take you on a short
section of the Three Castles Path
that passes our doorsteps. This LDW
is about 60 miles long and links
the three castles of Winchester,
Odiham and Windsor, tracing in
spirit routes taken by the king and
his entourage on their journeying
between royal residences. This is a
linear walk so arrange to be picked
up at the end or take two cars and
park a car at both ends.
So come with us and enjoy a bit of
mud here, a watery spot there, but
plenty of fresh air and the spring
flowers popping up to welcome you
and urge you on.

We have three churches

dedicated to St Mary on
this
walk: Greywell, Winchfiel
d and Hartley Wintney.
Any
thoughts as to why this
is? Stop if you can to adm
ire
the ornate decoration at
the Winchfield church in
the
Romanesque style; its rich
ness said to be the produc
t
of owner ship by Chertsey
Abbey, a wealthy monaster
y.
There are often comfor
table benches in church
yards
for your coffee or snackbreak with a lovely view.
A
church porch is a welcome
spot in wet weather.

Ordnance Survey (OS)

Explorer Map 144
Grid Reference (GR) 717512
(Or use Great Britain
Outdoors App on your
mobile)
TR Turn right TL Turn left SO
Straight on FB footbridge
KG Kissing gate FP Footpath FPS
Footpath sign
CRWC Cross road with care

Walk past the Fox and Geese (unless really parched already) then shortly TR and almost immediately
TL at FPS with fence on left passing over the entrance to Greywell Canal Tunnel. Pause to read the
information panel about the disused tunnel and presently home to a bat colony. It now cuts off a
5-mile section of the Basingstoke Canal.
The route follows the canal for about 4.4 miles of easy walking to reach Stacey Bridge (the name is
on the bridge arch). If parking at Barley Mow Bridge reach here by walking along Sprats Hatch Lane.
On the way of course you pass Odiham Castle, scene of a celebratory festival this year.

Climb the bank and pass through a metal gate

and follow FP to a wood, ignoring path on
right. SO to reach St Marys Church - now in
Winchfield. TR at road opposite converted
school building and then TL at road junction,
then SO to pass under railway bridge.
Immediately opposite there is a FPS in the
hedge. Take this FP (a little muddy here) to join
a cross track. TL and SO with wire fence on left.
At the stable building about 20 rats crossed our
path, but dont worry they are quite nervous
of people! Cross M3 over the bridge. Follow
concrete track then shortly TR over wooden FB
to reach the road.
CRWC and TR past South Cottage and in 150m
TR with FPS and cross a FB.With a church ahead
of you, go half left on FP across field to reach a
lane by Church Farm where TR on FP parallel to
the road. Pass through the churchyard and exit
by lych gate and shortly afterwards TR into burial
ground with FP up steps. Go SO to emerge on
Church Lane with the famous Mildmay avenues
of oaks on left. These were planted in 1807 by
Lady St John Mildmay following a call by Admiral
Collingwood to plant oaks nationally for the

Royal Navy, two years after the victorious battle

of Trafalgar. However, iron clad warships i.e.
wooden hulls covered in iron plating, came in
long before the oaks matured. Muse on this as
you take a left FP with the Cricketers pub on
your left and the cricket ground in front of it,
the oldest in Hampshire. Note also the Dutch
gabled farmhouse and pretty duck pond. You
are now in the centre of Hartley Wintney and
your collection point or where you have left a
car.
Please observe The Country Code, closing gates
after you and keeping dogs on a leash where there
are grazing animals. Take great care when crossing or
walking along public roads.

Jim says:

Public R
igh
issue ov ts of Way are, a
er many
nd have
be
d
way are
shown o ecades. The fou en, a contentio
u
r types
n OS m
only, Brid
of rights s
a
p
le
of
to all tr ways for walke s as Footpaths
for walk
affi
rs
er s
(mechan c (including cy and hor ses, By
cles) an
ways op
ically pro
d Restric
en
LDWs c
pelled v
ted
eh
o
be indic nverge and use icles not allowe byways
ate
d
th
precede d on a FPS, us e same path ). Where
not all
nce.
ually the
will
ear liest
agreed
has

You dont have to be an athlete to feel

the significant benefits of
sports & remedial massage.
The highest UK qualification in sports massage is the 1 year BTEC level 5 in
Clinical Sports & Remedial Massage and the minimum qualification required
to work with elite athletes. I am fortunate to be a senior tutor on the
Oxford Level 5 course and responsible for training future level 5 therapists.
A therapist will always display their level 5 qualification and I would always
recommend a level 5 qualified therapist.

Lower back pain Lower back pain is a very common complaint. In my experience the majority of lower

back pain occurs as a result of short/tight hip flexors or over flexible hamstrings. One of the worst treatments
for lower back pain is a lower back massage alone. A useful stretch for lower back pain is a hip flexor stretch.
Take a huge stride forward and perform a lunge (as in the picture). Lean back slightly and hold the stretch for
60 seconds. Then stretch the other side. You should feel the stretch at the front of the hip. Be careful never to
stretch when cold and never stretch if painful.

Special offer: 20% off for Odiham Hook & Hartley Wintney residents
first treatment. Please mention the Odiham Oracle on your first visit.

If you need advice or to ask Andrew a question, please email andrew@hartsportsmassage.co.uk and you
may see your question answered in a future issue. All posts will be anonymous to protect your privacy.
OUT CALLS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

OMNEY
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W
O W
SH LEY
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IN

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Sunday - 10.00am - 1.00pm

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Once upon a time at...

Buryfields Infant School

Our topic at the moment is Once upon a time. In Early
Years we have been learning about some traditional tales
such as The Gingerbread Man and Sleeping Beauty. We
have made puppets to tell the stories and acted them out
together. We designed our own crowns and shields and
are ready to rescue the princess now!

We were very lucky to have the author Petr Horacek

come to school to read us some of his stories and show
us how he illustrates his books. The children in Year 2
attended workshops and produced a wonderful piece of
art which is now displayed in the school library.

APRIL

WHATS ON!

1st - 12th - Farnham Art Society 68th Annual Exhibition. James Hockey & Foyer Galleries, University for the
Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, GU9 7DS. 9:30am - 5:30pm, free entry. 01256 850495.
2nd - New Tai Chi Taster. This 5-week daytime Taster session for Yang style Tai Chi starts on 2nd April and
runs for 5 weeks. Yateley Village Hall. 10:00am - 11:00am. 25.00. 07814 969540.
7th - 17th - The leading childrens holiday sports camp, with the widest range of activities in Basingstoke and
North Hampshire.The Vyne School. 9:00am - 3:30pm. www.premiersport.org. 18 per day XTRA TIME: 5
extra per day (23 in total). 01256 461167.
14th - Hattie Briggs. A 21 year-old singer-songwriter, who was nominated for the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Young
Folk Award, and performed as part of the show at The Royal Albert Hall live on BBC Radio 2.The Maltings,
Farnham. 8:00pm - 10:00pm. 12.50 per person. 01252 745444.
19th - Woofs and Wellies. This picturesque sponsored (in aid of St Michaels Hospice) walk takes you
through the beautiful countryside of North Hampshire, with stunning views of rolling fields and breathtaking
bluebells. You can choose to follow one of three routes a 5 mile, 8 mile or a challenging 12 mile route.
Home Farm, Earl of Portsmouth Estate, Farleigh Wallop, RG25 2HX. Walkers on the 12 mile route MUST
begin by 9:30am. 5 and 8 mile walkers can begin between 9:30am and 11:00am. Adult: 10, child: 4. 01256
848848.
25th - First match of the season: Odiham and Greywell CC 1st XI vs. Ropley. 1:00pm.

MAY
3rd - 4th - Basingstoke Rotary Springfest. Sale of garden plants, shrubs and accessories plus craft stalls
selling jewellery, cards and much more. Walls funfair and entertainments; a great day out for the family.
Basingstoke Rugby Club, Pack Lane. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Adults: 4, Children: 1, Family ticket (2 Adults and
up to 4 children): 10. 01256 461167.
9th - Odiham and Greywell CC 1st XI vs. Crown Taverners. 2:00pm.
15th - Film Night - The Theory Of Everything.The Cross Barn.Tickets are 6 and are available from P&K (in
Fountains Mall) or by emailing cinema@thecrossbarn.org.uk - this price includes tea/coffee & biscuits; wine
and ice cream is available to purchase. Doors open at 7pm and the film will begin at 7.45pm.
16th - Odiham and Greywell CC 1st XI vs. Longparish II. 2:00pm.
22nd - 25th - Various Magna Carta events in and around Odiham. Volunteer by contacting getinvolved@
odihammagnacarta.com. More info visit: www.odihammagnacarta.com or www.inodiham.co.uk.
23rd - Farmers Market. Held at BCOT in collaboration with Hampshire Fare. 2.50 per car, or 1 per
visitor (if no parking is required). 9:00am - 3:00pm. If you would like to have a stall at this event please email
bcotevents@gmail.com.
30th Odiham and Greywell CC 1st XI vs. Old Alresford. 2:00pm.
Dont forget, the Antiques and Collectors Fair - is held at North Warnborough Village hall on the last
Sunday of the month (Jan-June). 10am to 4pm. Delicious home cooked food served all day.

St Nicholas School
FLEETHAMPSHIRE

CONFIDENT
LEARNING

OPEN
EVENING
Thursday 14th May 2015 6pm - 8pm
 01252 850121 st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk
For more information please contact the Registrar:

registrar@st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk

St Nicholas School, Redfields House, Redfields Lane, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 ORF
Registered in England Reg. No. 872200 Reg. Charity No. 307341

35

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