All set for Strawberry Fayre

Titchfield Primary School’s ever popular Strawberry Fayre is taking place on Saturday 13th July.

The event runs 12 noon till 3.30pm

There will be a whole range of stalls and games to enjoy as well as the popular BBQ and raffle - and, of course, Strawberries and Cream.

Please feel free to come along to support your local school.

It's the time of the signs

Have you spotted the new signs on the approaches to the village?

It was suggested by a few locals in 2017 that they wanted new entry signs to replace the old ones that existed at certain road entrances in the village.

One local suggested a coat of arms could summarise all the history of Titchfield on the signs, but a coat of arms would have incurred a large registration fee, so it was decided an emblem was the way ahead.

This would symbolise the key historic places in Titchfield. What you now see is the finished product on the crest of the entry signs in Saint Margaret’s Lane, East Street and Posbrook Lane.

New signs for old St Margaret’s Lane

Many thanks must go to those locals who helped to organise the purchase and fitting of the new entry signs: Mark Rowe, Kevin Fraser, Phil Burner and Joe Folland (from the Traffic Department in Hampshire Highways).

Flags and bunting are also being produced for anyone living in Titchfield and the surrounding areas especially now Village in Bloom starts on 13th July. It would be lovely to see the village emblem flying over houses and businesses for this and many other events. You can still purchase flags and bunting by contacting titchemblem@hotmail.com if you want some colours flying!

The emblem was designed and crafted by three Titchfield enthusiastic locals who got together in the autumn of 2017 and convened the first of many informal meetings in the Queen’s Head pub! The mission, other than enjoying a good drink, was to try and develop more of a “symbolic identity reflecting the ancient history of Titchfield”.

Sketches developed from beer mats and scraps of paper and an emblem was finally established as the best way to symbolise the rich history of Titchfield.

Later, a fourth local and well-respected historian (President of the Titchfield History Society) sagely advised on more subtle detail regarding the historic past of the village and surrounding area.

The Titchfield History Society is the custodian of the emblem and they own the copyright. All profits relating to sales of the emblem will go towards preserving the history of Titchfield village.

Read more about the Emblem by clicking HERE

New consultation for future development in Fareham

As well as being asked to vote on the Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan residents are being encouraged to have their say on future development in Fareham Borough in general.

Click HERE to read about the Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan and Referendum.

A special Fareham Today is available on the Council’s website outlining issues and options for its emerging Local Plan. The consultation will run from Monday 10 June until 23:59 on Friday 26 July.

Since the Council consulted residents on its Draft Local Plan in 2017, the Government has announced a new way to calculate housing need. As a result Fareham now needs to plan for at least 520 new houses every year.

This new figure means more space needs now needs to be found, so the Council has outlined a number of ways this could be achieved, whilst considering the environment and both existing and new infrastructure, through a series of issues and options. It is now asking Fareham residents and businesses for their views.

The Council will hold a series of pop up exhibitions in the coming weeks where residents can come along and ask questions. The consultation will also be on the agenda at Community Action Team (CAT) meetings being hosted by Cllr Seán Woodward and supported by planning officers.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: ‘Government changes to the National Planning Policy Framework mean we now have to plan for many more houses in Fareham. We are asking residents and businesses to tell us how they would prefer us to deliver these houses. I would encourage them to come along to a CAT meeting or exhibition where planning officers will be on hand to answer questions, and to read through the special Fareham Today. A printed copy will be delivered to houses and businesses over the next couple of weeks.’

• The pop-up exhibitions will take place from 12:00pm-2:00pm

• Locks Heath Shopping Centre, Thursday 13 June

• Portchester Shopping Precinct, Wednesday 19 June

• Fareham Town Centre, Monday 24 June

• Stubbington Green, Monday 1 July

Community Action Team (CAT) meetings run from 7:00pm-8:30pm and will be preceded by an exhibition from 2:30pm-6:00pm staffed by planning officers.

• Holly Rood Church, Stubbington, Monday 8 July

• Cams Hill School, Portchester, Tuesday 9 July

• The Garage Room, Titchfield Community Centre, Friday 12 July

• Ferneham Hall, Fareham, Monday 15 July

• Brookfield School, Sarisbury Green, Tuesday 16 July

Residents and workers in the Borough can have their say by:

• Completing an online comments form at: Have Your Say on Future Development in Fareham

• For more information about the Local Plan see Fareham Borough Council’s website here

• Emailing localplanconsultation@fareham.gov.uk

• Writing to Consultation Team, Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham PO16 7AZ

Jamaica Inn comes to Titchfield

Nobody does Gothic like Daphne du Maurier: the classic Jamaica Inn comes to Titchfield

Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn is a real Cornish classic, set on Bodmin Moor almost two centuries ago. This month the popular play will be performed at Titchfield Festival Theatre.

Jamaica Inn centres on a decrepit inn without guests, surrounded by wild moors and sinister fogs. There are smugglers, shipwrecks, a dashing horse thief, an albino vicar, and a murder mystery – all of the ingredients are there when orphaned Mary Yellan arrives at Jamaica Inn to live with her aunt.

This unrelenting drama tells her story as she unravels the mystery of her uncle’s business, piecing together tales of depravity and deception along the Cornish coast. Daphne Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn is brought to life in this new stage production that is every bit as haunting as the original novel.

Charly Armstrong is the play’s director and is a fan of the legendary writer’s work. Charly said, “Jamaica Inn is a great story. I love the gothic style and the dark characterisations that are often a hallmark of du Maurier’s work. The play is an authentic interpretation of the book, however we have made a few small changes; for example, one of the principle characters, Mary Yellan, is slightly darker in the play and perhaps more manipulative than in the book.”

Jamaica Inn is an exciting story that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats, immersing themselves in the production as if they were reading the book. The cast will be using the whole auditorium including the entrances, exits and the balconies. The production team have also focused on the design of the gothic style scenery and period costumes as well as the telling a great story. Jamaica Inn is a play not to be missed this summer.

Jamaica Inn opens on Wednesday 12th June until Saturday 22nd June 2019 at 7.30pm in the Acorn Studio, Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane, Titchfield PO14 4BG. Sunday matinee on 16th June at 2.30pm.

For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.

Tortoise Rescue Open Day

Your chance to see the work of Titchfield’s Tortoise Rescue Centre and meet some of the ‘residents’.

The Open Day is to rain money to support the work of caring for sick, injured ,smuggled and unwanted Tortoises.

Rescue Tortoises on show including one of our Giant Tortoises and Phoebe who is 113 years old.

Apart from meeting Phoebe visitors will be able to browse the stalls and enjoy the refreshments.

No charge for entry and a great chance to help a worthwhile cause.

The ‘TortArk’. Rescue Day is on 15th June 1pm - 4.30 at Fontley Road. Titchfield. Fareham. PO15 6QX

Police appeal for witnesses following death on A27

Police have launched an appeal for any witnesses to come forward following the death of an 11 year old on the A27 at Titchfield.

“We can confirm we are investigating a road traffic collision in Titchfield in which an 11-year-old boy died.

“Officers were called at 4.26pm on Monday 3 June to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian in Southampton Road.

“The boy was crossing the road when he was involved in a collision with two vehicles - a Vauxhall Mokka and a VW Golf.

“He was taken to hospital where he later pronounced dead. Specialist officers are supporting his family.

“No other injuries were reported.”

The road is expected to fully reopen later tonight.

An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of what took place.

Anyone with information should call us on 101, quoting 44190190663.

East Street Road Closure Update -

Community Centre Manager, Mary-Kate Smith, has received an update from Hampshire Highways today.

They say, “The entrance to the long stay car park by the Community Centre from the A27 will be open all weekend.

“The exit via Mill Street and Titchfield Hill will hopefully only be closed between 8am - 11/11.30am on Saturday morning.

“There will be numerous highways staff in high visability vests in the area directing traffic and pedestrians.”

The future of the Parish Room

Nick Girdler, Chairman of Titchfield Village Trust, on the future of the Parish Room and Project 2070

The launch of Project 2070

According to Village gossip the Parish Room is to be demolished and a care home built in its place !

Why would Titchfield need a care home when residents show they always care for the village in more ways than the Prime Minister can call for a vote on Brexit.

It’s not going to be demolished, far from it, and at a village meeting in May a ringing endorsement for Project 2070 proved that there’s life in the Victorian building yet.

The current trustees of the Parish Room charity have agreed to be merged with the Titchfield Village Trust Charity. The reason : to bring the building up to scratch and ensure it will be fit for purpose for the next 50 years.

It’s a complex set of legal hoops the Trust has to jump through in order to achieve this aim along with an herculean effort to raise the money to bring the project to fruition.

Essentially the entire roof needs replacing and at the same time we think a major upgrade should be undertaken allowing the Room to continue as an affordable and much loved venue at the heart of the village.

It’s a project we want the everyone to be part of and work has already started on setting up an infrastructure to make certain that this is the case.

If you think you have skills we could use in order to complete the task in front of us please contact the Trust. TitchfieldVillageTrust@outlook.com

We are at the start of a project that is likely to take years rather than months and cost hundreds of thousands rather than the cost of a haircut…and if anywhere in the south of England knows how much a haircut costs it’s the residents of Titchfield!

We know you won’t let us down.

Nick Girdler

Chairman Titchfield Village Trust

Shakespeare season kicks off in style

Two Gentlemen of Verona, one of William Shakespeare’s earliest plays, is the perfect choice for the start of the 2019 Bard at the Barn season in Titchfield.

Best Friends Valentine and Proteus are in love, but fickle Proteus likes Valentine’s girl Silvia - poor Julia sets out to sort things out! Valentine elopes gets caught and banished…confused?

What are the chances that Valentine will be pursued by Silvia, and Silvia by Proteus, and Proteus by Julia, and that all will be waited upon – after a fashion – by their servants Speed and Launce and even Launce’s dog, Crab? This riotous production is led by a joyful ensemble of players who will delight with songs, romance, music and chaos, and hurl Shakespeare’s anarchic comedy into the wonderful setting of Verona Aka The Great Barn, the ideal place to see Shakespeare’s work performed.

Director Abi Linnartz acted in the very first Titchfield Festival Theatre production at the Great Barn – Much Ado About Nothing in 2001 - and makes her directorial debut for this play. Abi says,

“The Great Barn has been completely refurbished this year, with a new stage and oak hayloft and provides a stunning location for Two Gentlemen of Verona. Unlike many other productions which have often used a more contemporary approach to the story, all the actors in our production will perform in Tudor costumes against a traditional setting.

“Many people consider Two Gentlemen of Verona to be one of the Bard’s first ever plays and there are many references in the dialogue to themes that Shakespeare returned to later in his writing which I find really interesting. I love the open air feel of The Great Barn – and I know that audiences will really enjoy the exciting and versatile new staging. It promises to be a fantastic start to the summer season.”

The 2019 Bard at the Barn season opens on Tuesday 28th May 2019 with Two Gentlemen of Verona and continues until Thursday June 6th. The Sunday matinee is on 2nd June and starts at 2.30pm

For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.

Concerns in Titchfield over East Street closures

Hampshire County Council’s planned work on resurfacing East Street on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd June has worried residents about gaining access to their homes during the work.

It seems the council no longer write to all homes in the street advising them of the work.

On the Saturday there are two weddings at St Peter’s and fears are that guests will be unable to find places to park due to the congestion.

HCC’s notification re. the closures…

Road Closure over Weekend of 1st & 2nd June

East Street, Titchfield – Carriageway Resurfacing Works

As part of Operation Resilience, Hampshire County Council’s programme to make Hampshire’s roads more resilient to the effects of extreme weather and heavy traffic, this letter is to advise of upcoming carriageway resurfacing works on East Street from its junction with Titchfield Hill to the junction with Southampton Hill. 

The resurfacing works are programmed to start Saturday 1st June and are expected to last for 2 days. During which time the road will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 09:00 to 16:30hrs. The road will be open during the evenings. Access to the High Street will be maintained via South Street throughout the works.

The above timescales are weather dependent, any significant changes to the scheduled dates will be made clear on the yellow sign boards located at the works limits.

In order to help us to complete the work as quickly as possible, please ensure that no vehicles are parked on the road or in the laybys on the days of the resurfacing.

Please be aware any vehicles left parked on the road that prevent the works taking place, face the risk of being removed.

For your safety and that of our workforce, we are unable to guarantee vehicular access to and from your property during working hours. Pedestrian access will always be available.

The surfacing operation uses a separate bitumen layer in addition to the new asphalt carriageway surface. In order to avoid potential injury or damage, please do not walk across the carriageway during the works unless directed by a member of the workforce.

Thank you for your co-operation and, if you need more information regarding these works, please call our contact centre on 0300 555 1388.

Dilemmas for theatre goers

Dilemmas: two plays, different choices: what would you do?

Dilemmas is the title of two short plays presented at the Acorn Studio Titchfield Festival Theatre this month. Both characterise the often difficult choices people have to make in their life: one a secret agent, another is a doctor.

The first play is George Bernard Shaw’s classic The Doctor’s Dilemma. London’s finest physician, at the peak of his career, is on the horns of a dilemma – having discovered a miracle cure for tuberculosis, should he treat a penniless fellow doctor or save a talented yet unscrupulous artist?

A keen-eyed examination of medical morals and malpractice, The Doctor’s Dilemma is a witty, compassionate and timely classic by the master playwright.

Today, doctors are unlikely to face the same dilemma as Dr Colenso Ridgeon; medical consultation, treatment and medicines are free at the point of delivery, whereas in 1903 if you could not afford it, you went without.

Director Teresa Crawley says, “Although The Doctor’s Dilemma was written more than a century ago, the basic issue of the play: how to choose between two options is timeless.

“For this production, we have reduced it to one-act from a full-length play; however we have kept the crux of the playwright’s words and ideas intact. The period is a fascinating one, with widespread social change, including the launch of the suffragette movement.

My grandmother was a suffragette and I am full of admiration for what they did – and audiences will appreciate just how different our society and values have changed.”

The second production is called What's Left Of The Flag written by Jimmy Murphy and directed by Dave Lee. Dave also acts in the play in the role of Jacob.

New recruit Yossi has just graduated from the Mossad training academy in Tel Aviv, the Midrasha, and is sent to Dublin on his first mission. He’s teamed up with soon to retire veteran field agent Jacob, who is on his last mission. As the minutes tick away and the target nears Yossi discovers that a conscience is a luxury he can no longer afford. A spy with a dilemma and a job to be done but what would you do?

Dave Lee says, “We looked at a number of short plays with two actors, but What’s Left of the Flag really stood out. It has a simple setting and is uncomplicated in terms of staging – however, it has fascinating and contrasting characters. During the play we get to learn more about the two agents before finally being posed with the question ourselves: could we really do that?”

Dilemmas opens on Monday 20th May until Saturday 25th May 2019 at 7.30pm in the Acorn Studio, Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane, Titchfield PO14 4BG.

For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.

Sun shines on Church Fete

Titchfield residents were out in force supporting St Peter’s Church Fete on Saturday.

With glorious sunshine, and only a few drops of rain, visitors to The Old Vicarage garden were able to browse the stalls, enter raffles, enjoy a cup of tea, listen to the music, buy bric-a-brac and books, select a plant and have a chat with old friends.

To mark the Fete’s 70th anniversary it was officially opened by twin sisters, Sheila Hignall and Mary Parrett.

The annual event attracts people from far and wide to a very traditional English village activity.

Visitors to the Fete were able take a break from touring the stalls and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of delicious cake inside the Church.

A new feature this year was a ‘Field Dog Handling Demonstration in the Churchyard.

All proceeds from the day will go to the Church Funds Charity.

CLICK HERE FOR GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM THIS YEAR’S FETE

Links

St Peter’s Church

The Friends of St Peter’s

Jubilee Surgery Patient Survey

Jubilee Surgery Patient Participation Group are carrying out a patient satisfaction survey on behalf of Jubilee Surgery.

The surgery team genuinely want to know what they are doing well and what to prioritise for improvement.

Questionnaires are available at the surgery, or if you email Suzy Jackson at ppgchair.jubilee@gmail.comshe will forward you a copy.

Members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) will be at the Surgery to help with any questions from Tuesday 7th May to Friday 17th May.

All responses remain confidential - no names required. The PPG will be giving the outcomes to the GP’s and Management team.

Copies of the report will be available on the Jubilee Surgery website, displayed on the PPG noticeboard and by email if requested.

Thank you for helping the Jubilee Surgery team.

Strawberry time is back

‘Peggy the Picker’ of Steve Harris Farms with a tray of tasty 2019 strawberries.

A tray full of sweetness

This year we are open a bit earlier for our Ready Picked ‘Strawbs’ and hope to open the Pick Your Own fields at the end of May or the beginning of June.

So till then it’s down to Peggy to harvest your favourite summer fruit for you from our early crop.

We are looking forward to another great year on the farm, so come on down Posbrook Lane from Titchfield, sharp right into Triangle Lane and our strawberry stall is on the left.

Plenty of off road parking.

Wanted for burglaries in Titchfield

Hampshire Police are asking the public to help locate 35 year-old Daniel Bryan Thornton of St Michaels Road in Park Gate.

Officers investigating thirty burglaries in Titchfield, Fareham, Gosport, Warsash, Winchester, and Petersfield between September 2018 and April 2019 want to speak to Daniel Thornton as part of their enquiries.

The value of property stolen during these burglaries exceeds £100,000.

They ask anyone who has seen Daniel Thornton to call 999 immediately.

Daniel Thornton is described as:

Daniel Bryan Thornton

• White.

• 35 years-old.

• Slim build.

• 6ft 1ins tall.

• Short brown hair.

• He has tattoos on both arms

Police Staff Investigator Catherine Cole said: “We need to speak to Daniel Thornton urgently as part of our enquiries into these burglaries, which we believe may be linked. Thornton has links to the Fareham and Gosport areas as well as Sussex, so we would ask you to share this appeal with friends in those areas.

“We think that Thornton may be sleeping rough, possibly in a tent. If you see him, please don’t approach him. Call 999 immediately.

“Please be aware that anyone found to be harbouring him to deliberately obstruct our attempts to locate him may be committing an offence and liable for arrest themselves”.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Daniel Bryan Thornton is advised to call 999 quoting 44180437435.

Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan moves a step further

An independent examiner has given its verdict on the Neighbourhood Plan submitted by the Titchfield Neighbourhood Forum.  T

he examiner has confirmed that, subject to a number of modifications, the Plan should progress to the next and final stage which is a public referendum.

Titchfield Neighbourhood Forum was formally designated as a neighbourhood area on 6 March 2017.

The Forum submitted its Neighbourhood Plan to the Council on 22 October 2018.  A consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan was held by the Council between 23 November 2018 and 11 January 2019.   It was then submitted for independent examination.

On 26 April the independent examiner’s report confirmed that a number of modifications to the plan were needed to ensure it meets the basic conditions. 

The report will now be presented to the Council’s Executive Committee in June of this year.  Once approved, the Plan would be the subject of a referendum; anyone who is eligible to vote in a Local Election, and lives within the appropriate area, will be able to vote.

Cllr Evans, Executive Member for Planning and Development, said: ‘This is the first Neighbourhood Plan to be submitted in the Borough and will possibly lead to the first referendum.  If people then vote for the Neighbourhood Plan to be made, it will carry equal weight to the policies contained within the adopted Local Plan.’

For more information about the Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan please visit: http://www.fareham.gov.uk/planning/titchfieldneighbourhoodplan.aspx.

FL Exercise at Community Centre

In addition to the flourishing Wednesday morning group (8.55-9.55am), a new FL Exercise class is starting on Thursdays at 9.15am-10.15am in the main hall at Titchfield Community Centre.

Why not go along and enjoy yourself, the new Thursday class starts on 2 nd May.

FL Exercise is a welcoming, all-in-one keep fit class with enjoyable, low-impact routines to music.

The aim is to improve general fitness and wellbeing with a focus on mobility and posture.

You are encouraged to work at your own level so make a start and feel better.

If you would like more details the website is www.fl-exercise-fareham.com or if you prefer a chat please call Lindsey on 07715 435863.

Wealth of talent on display at art show

This is the Titchfield Art & Craft Show’s 45th year and, as ever, is a showcase for local talent for both professional and amateur artists in the fields of Painting, Photography and Crafting.

The success of the show is down to a small group organisers and expert hangers who take great care to match paintings so that they complement each other.

This year 144 artists exhibited over 400 works on display and able to be purchased.

Also on sale were 329 mounted but unframed works.

With pride of place up on the stage was a display of artwork by local children from Bothe West Hill School and Titchfield Primary. Visitors were able to vote on the children’s pictures.

With the profits made from the 2018 show £7,000 was donated to the Community Centre. A further £400 was shared between The Oasis Youth Club, Jigsaw Pre-school, Titchfield Primary School art department and the League of Friends of Oaklands.

The show continues today (Saturday 27th April) from 10am till 5pm and tomorrow from 10am till 4pm. Items bought during the show can be collected on Sunday between 5pm and 6.30pm.

'TWO' at Festival Theatre

TWO: An honest, engaging, hilarious and heart achingly sad, bitter-sweet comedy

TWO is a play written by Jim Cartwright set in a pub in the north of England and is performed for the first time at Titchfield Festival Theatre this April. Comprising of just two actors who play seven different characters each, all pub regulars, the play takes place over the course of one evening. It is poignant, sometimes sad, uncomfortable viewing at times – and a belly achingly funny comedy as well.

The play’s two principal characters are a pub Landlord and Landlady. Theirs is a tense and oftendifficult marriage with plenty of bickering as well as banter, the pub providing the glue that holds their relationship together: the history, the memories and their life experiences.

Pubs have played a key role in people’s lives throughout the UK for many years – yet currently more and more pubs are closing across the country, up to 18 per week. This sad fact has inspired Titchfield Festival Theatre to include TWO in this season’s programme to highlight their crucial contribution.

Director of TWO Zia Wheeldon says, “Pubs play such an important part in many local communities; they are somewhere where people are able to chat, relax and talk about their lives. TWO will enable you to take your seat and watch how the diverse stories unfold. With each story, we may laugh, cry or perhaps feel sad, identifying with the wonderful individual and multi-dimensional characters.

Performances which showcase the everyday lives of extraordinary people we know nothing about.”

TWO will take you on an emotional journey through many people’s lives; an old man who seeks comfort following the death of his wife, a lady who wishes to spend one night by herself and a couple who simply wish to visit the pub to watch football and eat crisps. All of these stories are told as the agonising story of the pub landlords is gradually revealed.

TWO opens on Monday 22nd April until Saturday 27 April 2019 at 7.30pm in the Acorn Studio, Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane, Titchfield PO14 4BG.

For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.

St Peter’s rings for Notre Dame

St Peter's Bellringers have rung a special peel of bells in an act of solidarity with the people of Paris who saw their Notre Dame Cathedral’s roof ravaged by fire earlier this week.

Churches across the UK took part in the national toll of bells as did churches in France on Wednesday.

UK Bellringers had been asked to do this if possible by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in response to a suggestion by the British Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn.