Open Gardens, Blooming Marvelous

On Sunday 23 June 2019, Friends of St Peter’s (FOSP) ran Titchfield Open Gardens and what a fabulous afternoon we had!

Over 600 visitors came and enjoyed looking around the 12, very different, gardens that were open.

A huge thank you to the garden owners who welcomed the visitors and spent time talking to them about their gardens.

The delicious refreshments available were enjoyed by many – tea and cake in a beautiful setting whilst taking a rest and deciding where to go next, perfect!

FOSP is delighted to have raised in the region of £4,300 from the event and thanks everyone who visited.  This money will go towards specific projects which are much needed to restore and maintain St Peter’s Church.

Titchfield Open Gardens will take place again in 2021, if you would like to participate, FOSP would be pleased to hear from you fosptitchfield@gmail.com.

Moviola returns to Festival Theatre

Titchfield Moviola is moving back their original venue, Titchfield Festival Theatre, and to the first Thursday in the month apart from November where it will be 1st Friday due to a prior booking at the theatre we hope you will continue to support us. 

The next showing, ‘Red Joan’ will be on Thursday 5th September

Synopsis

Red Joan (12A) Joan Stanley (Dame Judy Dench) is a widow living out a quiet retirement in the suburbs, then suddenly her tranquil existence is shattered as she is shockingly arrested by MI5.

For Joan has been hiding an incredible past; she is one of the most influential spies in living history. Cambridge University in the 1930s and the young Joan (Sophie Cookson), a demure physics student, falls intensely in love with a seductive attractive Russian saboteur named Leo.

Through him she begins to see that the world is on a knife edge and perhaps must be saved from itself in the race to military supremacy. Post-war and now working at a top secret nuclear research facility, Joan is confronted with the impossible: Would you betray your country and your loved ones, if it meant saving them?

What price would you pay for peace? Inspired by an extraordinary true story Red Joan is the taut and emotional discovery of one women’s sacrifice in the face of incredible circumstances. A women to whom we perhaps all owe our freedom.    

Autumn Season



Thursday 3rd October - Collette - (15)

Friday 1st November – Rocketman (15)

Thursday 5th December - Fisherman’s Friends (12A)

Titchfield Co-op goes a bit batty

Southern Co-op is helping protected bat species by installing a bat boxes on their convenience stores in the village. 

The store had the boxes fitted to house local bat populations. A bat tile – with a hole just big enough for a long-eared bat to access – was also fitted to the roof of the Titchfield store to help bats use the building’s loft area.

Southern Co-op carried out the conservation work after commissioning a number of surveys last year.

The rear wall of the store

Here in Titchfield, the survey found three species of bat foraging and commuting within the local area: the common pipistrelle, the noctule and the (brown or grey) long-eared bat, all of which are European protected species.

Bats play several important roles in the environment, including helping to pollinate flowers, spread seeds and control pests by eating insects.

Emma McVie, Southern Co-op’s project manager, said: “When we were looking at replacing the roof in Titchfield, the age of the building meant there was a high likelihood of bats being present and this was confirmed during one of the surveys, when a single common pipistrelle was recorded emerging from beneath a lifted roof tile to the rear of the building.

“We made sure we protected them and their access to the loft when we finally replaced the roof in March. We also placed an extra bat box on the side of the building to give other bats a new home should they need one.

“Despite not finding roosting bats, we wanted to make sure we protected the bat population and gave them a home for the future, so we have installed two bat boxes on the side of the building.”

Beat the heat

The MET Office has forecast high temperatures across the South East over the next few days, which may leave some people vulnerable. Fareham Borough Council is asking residents to take note of the following advice to keep safe.

How to keep cool:

·         Drink plenty of water,

·         Wear light, loose fitting clothing,

·         Try to keep out of the sun whilst temperatures are highest (11am - 3pm),

·         Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat if you are going out in the heat,

·         Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions,

·         Close curtains or blinds to keep your home or office cool,

·         Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals,

·         Avoid physical activity such as gardening or exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
 

Fareham Cllr Trevor Cartwright, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection at Fareham Borough Council, said: “With temperatures potentially reaching highs of thirty-nine degrees celsius today we are asking residents to use common sense and be cautious when outside in the heat.

“It is especially important to drink plenty of water, keep in the shade and be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke, these include: headaches, thirst, loss of appetite and pale or clammy skin in adults and may include sleepiness in children. If this occurs, move into a cool place and drink plenty of water.”

Referendum Result

It’s NO to the Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan.

The result of yesterday’s local referendum were announced this morning by Fareham Borough Council.

No  363  ….60%

Yes 241 …. 40%

Turnout was just over 30%

As less than 50 per cent voted ‘yes’ the Neighbourhood Plan will not be made part of the statutory Local Plan for the Fareham Borough.

Titchfield Village Trust Chairman, Nick Girdler, welcomed the result, saying that, “We can now get on with doing positive things over the next few years.”

The Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan was created by the Titchfield Forum group which had been a sub-committee of The Titchfield Village Trust.

When the Forum’s aims and objectives differed from those of The Trust, the two organisations had to separated.

The Forum believed the Neighbourhood Plan was ‘the best way to influence current and future developments in the area so that Titchfield become the village that the inhabitants want it to be.’

The Titchfield Village Trust disagreed, their concerns centred around the Plans figure of 153 houses to be built in the village over the next 20 years. Also that FBC’s own Local Plan did not include any new housing within the NP area.

Click HERE for more background information

LINKS

• Titchfield Village Trust

• Titchfield Neighbourhood Forum

• Fareham Borough Council
  

It’s Referendum Day

Please vote - Your vote is important

Titchfield residents go to the polls today to vote in a referendum about the Titchfield Neighbourhood Plan.

Residents will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: ‘Do you want Fareham Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Titchfield to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

If more than 50 per cent vote ‘yes’, then Fareham Borough Council will ‘make’ the TNP. Once made, the planning aspects from the TNP will be used to help determine planning applications in Titchfield. If more people vote ‘no’ than ‘yes’ then the Neighbourhood Plan will not be made part of the statutory Local Plan for the Fareham Borough.

You can vote at the polling station in Titchfield Community Centre for the referendum today.

Residents are entitled to vote in the Referendum if they are eligible to vote in a local government election and if they live in the referendum area – which is identical to the area which has been designated as the Titchfield Neighbourhood Area.

Cllr Keith Evans, Executive Member for Planning and Development, said: “This is the first time we have had a Referendum in the Fareham Borough and it is essential we hear the views of the people of Titchfield.”

The results, which are expected to be announced tomorrow (Friday) around noon, will be published here as soon as we are informed by Fareham.

READ MORE HERE

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.