Emsworth Show August 27th

Today we were at the Emsworth Show which was held at the recreation ground in Horndean Road.

Organised by the Emsworth Horticultural Society, the show has been taking place for over 90 years and, as usual, was an outstanding success. Despite the forecast of rain, the show attracted a very large crowd of several thousand people, both young and old alike. Quite apart from the competition marquee, there was plenty to entertain from ducks, dogs, ferret racing and BMX bikes to the band of TS Unity and the music of Opposite Sax.

Official opening

In the marquee the range and quality of the exhibits was remarkable, with fourteen different sections and a total of 256 classes within those sections. Exhibitors started from the age of 4, and this year saw the first handwriting competition included in the programme.

Elaine was asked to give rosettes to the winners from the younger age group competitors, and we were then able to walk round and visit the many stalls around the ground, and to talk to some of the stallholders.

And Then There Were None August 22nd

This was yet another entertaining evening at Hayling Island’s Station Theatre.

Presented by the Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society, Agatha Christie’s “Then There Were None”, was well acted by the cast of eleven and, if you had not read the book or seen the play before, the ending was both unexpected and dramatic.

With cast and director

First written as a novel, and published in 1939, the original title has been changed in these more politically correct times. The first stage performance took place at the Wimbledon Theatre, before moving to the West End in November 1943.

HIADS productions are always worth seeing, and the next one will be Calendar Girls in October.

Streetsport August 22nd

The teams, coaches and officials

Today saw the finals of the Streetsport football competition.

This annual event, sponsored and organised by Guinness Hermitage Housing Association, was held at the ground of Havant & Waterlooville Football Club in West Leigh, and brings together youngsters from across the Borough for a fortnight of training during the school holidays, with the culmination being the games played today.

Presentations

Each game lasts for 15 minutes, with different age groups playing for either a plaque or a cup. There was plenty of enthusiastic competition, which was played in a friendly but competitive manner.

Spike, the Streetsport mascot

Starting at 10.30, the matches came to a conclusion at about 2.30 and were followed by the presentations, with each player receiving either a trophy or a medal.

 

Paralympic Torch August 21st

Today the Paralympic Torch came to Sainsbury’s Local on Hayling Island.

Having missed out on the Olympic Torch visiting the Borough, this time Hayling had been chosen out of all of the smaller branches of Sainsbury’s in the region from Bournemouth to the Portsmouth area.

When we arrived at the store just before 9 o’clock, there were quite a number of people already waiting to see the torch and, for many of them, the only opportunity to be photographed with it. Among the people were many young children, and it was lovely to see the enthusiasm with which they held the torch while being photographed.

The Paralympic Games began in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital with less than 20 people taking part. This year will see over 4,000 athletes taking part, representing more than 160 countries across the world.

Always entusiastic!

Two of the Games stewards

Part of the crowd.

Football Tournament August 18th

This afternoon we went to a five-a-side football tournament which was played at Cowplain Community School.

The tournament was organised by PC Jim Lipscomb and PCSO Dave Hanson from the Waterlooville Police Station.

Five teams took part in the games, these being South Coast Sharks, Cowplain Youth Blues, Cowplain Youth Greens, Travaux Youth FC and the Police.

The tournament was won by Travaux Youth FC, who beat the Police team 2-0 in the Final, with third place going to South Coast Sharks.

The Winning Team

Winners Trophy

Runners-up Trophy

Garden Competition August 16th

Today we went to The Acorn Centre in Wecock for the presentation of awards for the Crookhorn and Wecock Farm best gardens.

Just as at Leigh Park last week, there were awards for various categories.

Unfortunately, due to ill health, the overall winner, from Crookhorn, was unable to attend, so his prize was given to him earlier.

With the winners.

Certificates and prizes were given for Best Garden, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Community Garden and most improved garden. There were also awards for young gardeners for best seedlings grown in pots.

Although the number of entries was not as high as expected, the standard was very good and, hopefully, more residents will enter next year.

Daisy Chain August 15th

This afternoon Elaine & I were invited to visit Daisy Chain at the Hayling Island Community Centre.

Daisy Chain members and volunteers

A club for Senior Citizens, Daisy Chain meets weekly and has a very active membership. It is run by a small group of volunteers and usually there are about 20 people in attendance, enjoying a light buffet and various activities. Recently there have been talks on such diverse things as the Mary Rose and flower arranging. Today there was a demonstration of Body Shop products.

The club is open to any Senior Citizen who wishes to meet others and enjoy their company and companionship.

Although they have not been running for very long, Daisy Chain has a feeling of longstanding friendship.

The club helps to bring together people who might otherwise feel cut off and lonely.

Positive Role Model August 14th

Following the Award presentation on July 17th for the 18 young people who took part in the Positive Role Model scheme, it was decided to invite them to the Public Service Plaza.

This evening 12 of the 18 came to have a look at the Council Chamber and the Mayor’s Parlour. They were accompanied by two of the Waterlooville PCSO’s and a representative of the Fire & Rescue service.

After a brief talk in the Atrium, we went up to the Council Chamber and then into the Mayor’s Parlour.

A look at the facilities in the Parlour, and the opportunity to sit in the Mayor’s chair, was followed by another trip into the Council Chamber where there was the opportunity to talk and ask questions, and to have some drinks and a few nibbles.

A Mayor of the future?

Drinks, nibbles and talk in the Council Chamber.

In the Atrium

Waterlooville Summer Fete August 11th

Today we went to the Waterlooville Summer Fete which was organised by Councillor Ray Bastin in support of The Rowans Hospice and ABF, The Soldiers Charity.

With Arnold (Cllr. Ray Bastin)

A good number of stalls surrounded the stage area, where many different group sessions were to be seen, such as children’s games and Belly Dancing.. Several stalls were devoted to hand made items, including jewellery and knitwear. Two sisters had a stall where they were making badges to order.

Making a Smoothie!

An old fire engine was a must for some of the older children to visit, while there were bouncy castles and face painting for the younger ones.

I had a go at blending a smoothie by pedalling a bicycle! Made of strawberries, banana and fruit juice, it tasted really nice.

3 Churches Summer Fete August 8th

This afternoon Elaine & I were invited to the 3 Churches Summer Fete at Hayling Park and Community Centre.

Ann Leonard’s Introduction

The opening of the Fete was preceded by an introduction from the Reverend Ann Leonard, the Vicar of both St. Peter’s and St. Andrew’s Churches on the Island. The third Anglican Church, St. Mary’s is served by the Reverend Paul Giniver.

After the introductions I gave a short speech and then declared the Fete to be officially open. A sponsorship cheque for £240 was then presented by Jan Haines on behalf of Geoff Foot, Estate agents.

The Cheque Presentation

Although the weather was cloudy and somewhat humid, the rain held off and all the outside events were able to go ahead without interruption.

There were many different stalls around the field, with a wide variety of goods on sale, from jam and chutney to books and jigsaws. Also there were the Police, Red Cross Neighbourhood Watch, Hayling First Responders and Havant Rotary. The youngsters were able to bounce around on an inflatable Jungle Assault Course.

The central arena played host to two of the Island’s Dance Schools, the Aziza Egyptian Dance Troupe and, for the children, Malcolm the Magician.

St. John the Baptist August 7th

For the second Tuesday in a row Elaine & I were present at the Licensing of a new Vicar in the Borough.

This week we were at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Purbrook, where the service, conducted by the Venerable Trevor Reader, the Archdeacon of Portsmouth, was held to welcome, as Associate Vicar, the Reverend Timothy Wood.

Just as last week, a large congregation from across the area was in attendance to hear the Declaration of Assent, the Oath of Allegiance to the Queen and the Oath of canonical Obedience recited.

After this, the License was read by Trevor Reader and handed to the new Vicar, who was then blessed by the Archdeacon.

Timothy was then welcomed by representatives from various bodies, including the Area Dean, Jonathon Jefferies, the Church Wardens, other Churches, bell ringers, Guides, young people of the Parish and myself, representing the Borough of Havant.

At the end of the service, refreshments were served in the Church hall.

With the new Vicar, Rev. Timothy Wood

St. John’s Church, Purbrook

Garden Competition August 7th

This afternoon we were at Tweed Court in Leigh Park to present the awards for the best gardens in the Leigh Park sheltered accommodation blocks.

The blocks entering into the competition, run by Portsmouth City Council, were Tweed Court, Elsie Fudge House, Wakefield Court, Lyndhurst House and St. Clare’s Court.

There were several classifications, with the overall winner being 85 year old Don Knight from Tweed Court. Don has produced a beautiful garden which is all his own work.

Winners in other categories included Eileen Fox from Lyndhurst House, for her hanging basket, and Tricia Smith from Wakefield Court in the planters & tubs section.

Many residents of the various sheltered blocks were there for the prize giving, and they all enjoyed a very nice afternoon with a cream tea.

Hanging Basket winner, Eileen Fox

Planters & Tubs winner, Tricia Smith

Overall winner, Don Knight

Volunteer Awards August 6th

Today saw the Annual Presentation of Certificates to volunteers from across the Borough of Havant. This took place in the Council Chamber at the Public Service Plaza, and was promoted by the Havant Volunteer Centre, a part of Havant Council of Community Service.

The packed Council Chamber

This was the fifteenth year of the award ceremony, and, as usual, was held to mark the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers who strive to improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves.

A large number of organisations was represented at the ceremony, and it would be unfair to mention some and leave out others. Suffice it to say that there were around seventy volunteers there to collect their awards.

The awards were open to all those who have taken part in voluntary work, and have reached a minimum level of time spent in the service of others.

Manor Trust August 1st

A posy for the Mayoress

This afternoon we went to the annual Manor Trust Garden Party. When we arrived there was a very short shower, but after that the weather was fine until just after the close of the event.

There were a large number of stalls around the garden, and a good number of people had come along to enjoy themselves.

As is usual there was a raffle, and I was lucky enough to win a Teddy Bear!

The Manor House

The Manor House is a Grade 2 listed building which offers sheltered housing for up to seven residents, and is situated alongside St. Thomas’s Church in Lower Bedhampton. It is part of a Trust that includes both The Elms and The Lodge, both of which are close by in Lower Bedhampton.

St. Alban’s Church July 31st

This evening saw the Licensing of the new Priest-in-Charge of St. Alban’s Church in West Leigh.

The Reverend Canon Karina Green has been at St. George’s Church in Portsea for nine years, and fills a vacancy that has existed for almost two years.

With Reverend Canon Karina Green

The Licensing service was conducted by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Right reverend Christopher Foster in front of a large congregation, with people coming from the Parish of St. George’s. There were also a number of Clergy from around the area, who had come to wish Karina well in her new role.

The Cake

After the service, there was a reception in the Church Hall where there was a beautifully decorated cake to welcome the new incumbent.