Titchfield Village Jubilee I Spy

How well do you know Titchfield?

Come along and take part in a ‘Jubilee I Spy’ event on Saturday June 4th, part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations..

To take part, collect your I Spy questions from the green at the bottom of West Street from 2pm, making sure that you have logged in with a start time on your answer sheet.

You need to return your answer sheets to the green by 5pm.

Prizes, that have been kindly donated by The Bugle Hotel and Hearts and Hugs, will be awarded for the most correct answers.

Click HERE for more Jubilee articles and a list of events

Jubilee knitters wanted

Those crafty yarn bombers are looking for crocheters and knitters to help make decorations for Titchfield Jubilee Celebrations.

Come along to DaisyBs at 2pm on Wednesday 6th April and Suzy and Sara will show you their ideas - and even teach you how to crochet.

Donations of red, white, blue, purple, gold and silver yarn gratefully received. Collection box at DaisyB’s or please message them and they will collect. Message Suzy from her FaceBook page.

Unwanted crochet hooks would also be appreciated.

Jubilee Scarecrow Trail

As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations St Peter’s Church are organising a ‘Scarecrow Trail’ around the village.

Residents are being invited to build and display a scarecrow on the theme of ‘Great British Traditions’ which is open to anyone living in the parish of Titchfield.

The scarecrows will be on display in the Church grounds and all around the village from the 28th May to the 5th June from 10am to 4pm daily.

Visitors will be invited to follow the trail and take part in a competition to ‘Guess the title of the scarecrows’ they find.

To enter the competition please read the competition rules by visiting St Peter’s web and then completing the entry form.

You will also find some guidance on how to build a scarecrow and where you can obtain straw.

The fee for a household/business/organisation to enter a single scarecrow into the competition is £5.

The fee for visitors to enter the ‘Guess the title of the scarecrows’ competition is £5 per family/entry.

Click HERE for a list of current Platinum Jubilee events being organised in the village over the holidays.

Appeal for lost keys

Has anyone picked up a bunch of keys on Sunday morning (13 Feb) near to Hadlows or along the pavement from there to St Peter's.

I dropped them at some point on that route without realising. There are 3 keys, (car key plus 2 Yale door keys) and 2 key fobs - one with an image of Winnie the Pooh and my name - Helen. Easily identifiable therefore.

I am hoping some kind soul has picked them up and is hoping the owner will materialise somehow.

If you were able to put a notice online, anyone in possession of the keys could just post them through the church letter box which is on the external Chapter Room door and I would be very grateful.

Latest news from The Village Trust

Chair of the Titchfield Village Trust, Nick Girdler, reports on important developments concerning The Parish Rooms, the planting of a copse in Barry’s Meadow and the Posbrook Lane development

After almost 2 years we have now raised all the funds to commence work on replacing all the 125 year old tiles on the Village Hall and replacing the paths on the outside giving easier access for wheel chairs.

We originally set ourselves the target of £100,000. In the end rising costs meant we had to raise a further £33,000.

We managed to do this with grants from FBC and Hampshire County Council topping up the original £100,000 and expect work to commence sometime this spring.

The Village Trust and the Earl of Southampton Trust have joined forces to plant a copse at the top of Barry’s Meadow.

2022 seemed the ideal time to do this as part of a greening of Titchfield initiative undertaken by Fareham Borough Council, and the plant a tree for the Queens Jubilee scheme.

Our plan is to remove the brambles at the top of the meadow on the south west side of the meadows, while the brambles on the north east will remain.

We had a meeting in February with officers from FBC to discuss options and they suggested a way forward; removing the brambles in October to mitigate disturbing wildlife; and planting native species in drifts to create the copse.

During the project we will always be aware of our responsibility to the wildlife in the area. This will also mean we aim to do our planting in early November.

The area we want to plant means finding about 100 trees; depending on size they will be planted some 3 to 5 metres apart.

We are currently researching types, prices, planting costs, and overall scheme plan.

We are hoping to involve the whole village in different ways: Individuals could donate a tree, streets could get together and plant a tree, organisations within the village could contribute one, businesses might like to buy one. Different varieties and various sizes.

Among all the good news some bad as well. Foreman Homes have won their appeal to build 57 houses off land adjoining Posbrook Lane and adjacent to the Bellfield Estate.

We will be closely monitoring the development to ensure the safeguards on the remaining area of land, the 40% allocation to affordable homes, and other assurances mentioned in the inspectors report are adhered to by the developer.

Titchfield flags for the Jubilee

A new batch of Titchfield flags and bunting are now available from Hearts & Hugs. 

The new design features the emblem set within the union jack with the Jubilee emblem in the corner.  priced at £30

The bunting likewise is £15.

Hurry if you want to fly one during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations as there are only 10 available.

Click HERE for More Platinum Jubilee news

New books on Titchfield

Discover more about our historic village with three new books published by the Titchfield History Society.

The latest three publications are part of the 'Titchfield Papers’ series that were produced last year.

The latest books are:-

The Making of Place House' - How a medieval Abbey becomes a Tudor mansion.

Doctors and Surgeons in Titchfield - A history of medical practice in the village from the early days to present times.

The Titchfield Tragedy - The tale from 1891 of the murders of the three Hinton family children in Titchfield.

Already published are:-

Titchfield Abbey - The history of the Abbey from its founding in 1232 to the year it was obtained by Thomas Wriothesley in 1537.

The New River - The Mystery of the Titchfield Canal.

The Adventurer - The story of William Beeston who became the Governor of Jamaica.

How to get away with Murder - A tale of revenge and murder from 1594.

All books only £3 a each.

They can be purchased on the website titchfieldhistory.co.uk or from Hearts and Hugs in the village

The Fareham Lottery and the History Society

Titchfield residents ared being urged to sign up for the Fareham Community Lottery for a chance to win a weekly prize while at the same time helping local organisations.

Tickets are only £1 per week, with at least 40% going to local good causes and prizes up to £25,000!

Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000!

The draw takes place every Saturday and a 6 digit winning combination will be picked. FBC will notify the winner via email. Match all 6 and you win the JACKPOT!

From every £1 ticket you buy, 40p will go to local good causes in the Fareham area and improving our community. This is nearly double The National Lottery contribution rates and that's the way we like it.

Go to https://www.farehamlottery.org.uk/ Click the 'Play today' button in the first section to head to the find a cause page. Once there, you can search for a good cause to support and go to their own fundraising page. From here, click 'Buy tickets' and follow the checkout process.

You can support every month via Direct Debit or debit card. There is also one-off payment options of either 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.

Bowl along to Bridge Street

The members of Titchfield Old English Bowling Club would like to invite you to their Open Day on Saturday April 9th, 10am - 12.30pm.

The club was established in 1923 and is one of only six clubs that follow Old English style of play.

The club has a mixed membership who enjoy a full programme of social events and competitions.

They play out-doors between April and September on the Bowling Green in Bridge Street.

It’s gentle exercise in pleasant surroundings.

If you are interested in taking part or just like to learn a little bit about the sport you can pre-register your interest by emailing the Club Secretary at titchfieldbowling@gmail.com

Or just turn up on the day wearing flat soled shoes. If you can’s make the Open Day drop in whenever you see people playing.

Posbrook Lane development allowed

The appeal by Foreman Homes has been allowed by the Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal is allowed and outline planning permission is granted for the erection of up to 57 dwellings, together with associated parking, landscaping and access from Posbrook Lane, at Land east of Posbrook Lane, Titchfield, in accordance with the terms of the application Ref: P/19/1193/OA, dated
29 October 2019

Platinum Jubilee latest

You may remember the Titchfield Village Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012.

Ann Whyntie was Chairman of the BonfireBoys and helped organise 4 days packed with events for all ages.

How 10 years have flown! We are now approaching the Queen's Platinum Jubilee!

The Bonfire Boys have already made inroads into organising the beacon lighting at West Hill (in line with the National Beacon lighting) on Thursday 2nd June, plus a children's party over the weekend, and are looking for more village groups to organise and participate in four days of festive fun.

Community-led events are being offered funding by the National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England,

Sport England and the BFI to develop activities that bring people together to celebrate this Jubilee.

More details here: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press- releases/2021-11-17/over-22million-the-queens-platinum-jubilee

It is all about bringing communities together, whether it be a specific community project, a Jubilee-focused version of the Big Lunch, a creative project in partnership with established artists, or supporting communities to re-connect with the nature on their doorsteps.

So, if your organisation/group has an idea, the Community Centre and Parish Rooms are available for bookings; you can advertise here on the Titchfield News website and also on social medias such as Voice for Titchfield on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/488811834587989/

Wandering Lonely?

Come along to the Arts society Lecture - with Annalie Talent.

Wordsworth’s Daffodils is one of the most famous poems in the English language. 

It is instantly recognisable, even by people who don’t like poetry.

Telling the true – and often surprising - story of Wordsworth’s best-known poem. And considering the poem’s relevance to our lives today.

Titchfield Community Centre, 15th Feb 2022, 10.30 am to 12 Noon.

The Parish magazine - out now

The Parish magazine, Titchfield News, contains information about church and village news and events and articles about village life. It is published bi-monthly and copies of previous issues are available at: http://www.stpetertitchfield.org.uk/titchfield-news .

There is a facility for online copies to be read aloud. Please see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETOohmYui3Q

The February issue of Titchfield News is being delivered to all subscribers this week. Individual copies, price £1.00, are available to buy in the church.

If you don’t have a subscription and would like one, please contact Gerry Pontefract by text message on: 07818 568034 and she will see if there is a distributor for your area.

We do hope you enjoy reading Titchfield News.

Planned Overnight Road Closures

Planned Overnight Road Closures A27 Westbound at Titchfield Gyratory

From Tuesday evening 1st February 2022, overnight road closures will be in place on the westbound A27 at the Titchfield Gyratory including its junction with the B3334 Titchfield Road for 4 nights. The closure will be in place from the junction with Highlands Road Fareham and the junction with Mill Lane Titchfield, to enable road surfacing of the modified junction of the A27 and B3334 Titchfield Road. The road closures will be in operation from 8pm to 5am each night from the Tuesday evening to the Saturday morning and will be removed each morning. The eastbound carriageway of the A27 will not be restricted however access to the B3334 Titchfield Road, Titchfield Hill, Mill Street, and Ranvilles Lane will be closed during the restrictions with signed diversions operating.

The signed diversion routes will be as follows and shown on these plans:

• The primary diversion route is from the A27/A32 Delme Roundabout in Fareham via the A32 north to Wickham, the A334 to Botley, and the A3051 to the A27 at Park Gate and Segensworth. Advance warning signs on the A27 westbound from M27 J11, the A27 Portchester, and northbound A32 from Gosport will be in place to alert drivers of the road closure and diversion route ahead. Drivers heading west, especially of lorries, will be advised to turn at the A27 Station roundabout to return eastbound to the A27/A32 Delme Roundabout;
  
  
  

• The A27 westbound between the Station roundabout and Highlands Road will be open for local access only during these restrictions and will be signed accordingly. Access to properties will be maintained along the A27 including those between Highlands Road and Ranvilles Lane where gatekeepers will control access both here and at Ranvilles Lane;
  
  
  

• A27 westbound traffic will not be able to proceed beyond the junction with Highlands Road. Any vehicles on the westbound A27 arriving at the junction with Highlands Road will be diverted via Highlands Road and Gudge Heath Lane back to the A27 near the Station Roundabout.
  
  
  

• A27 eastbound access to Titchfield will be a signed diversion from A27/St Margarets Roundabout. The signed diversion route for A27 westbound access from points east of the Titchfield Gyratory will be via the A32 Gosport Road, B3385 Newgate Lane to Peel Common Roundabout and the B3334 Gosport Road to Stubbington and Titchfield Road to Bridge Street. This route will be the signed diversion route from Fareham town centre.
  
  
  

• A27 eastbound access to Stubbington will be a signed diversion from Titchfield Gyratory east along the A27 to the A32 Quay Street roundabout and via the A32 Gosport Road, B3385 Newgate Lane to Peel Common Roundabout and the B3334 Gosport Road to Stubbington. This route is also the signed diversion route for A27 westbound access from points east of the Titchfield Gyratory, including Fareham town centre.
  
  
  

• Access to the Ranvilles Lane/Rowan Way area from the A27 will be via the A27 and Peak Lane.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Titchfield

This summer (June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th) Titchfield will be joining in with celebrations to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Picture Credit: Malcolm Nethersole

Last week a meeting was held to ensure that events planned by various village groups would not clash with each other.

The meeting was NOT called by any individual or group with the intention of organising the celebrations but rather to hear what is being planned.

It is too early to produce a definitive plan of village events for the extended Bank Holiday weekend, however, below is a preliminary list of both planned and suggested activities.

Thursday 2nd June

Lighting of a Beacon at West Hill Park - Titchfield Bonfire Boys

Friday 3rd June

Guided tours of Titchfield Abbey (morning) - Titchfield History Society

Open House and Garden Party (afternoon) Ticketed - Titchfield History Society

St Peter’s Church Bells - time to be decided

Saturday 4th June

Children’s party at the Parish Rooms - Titchfield Bonfire Boys

Senior Citizens Party at the Parish Rooms - Gillian Thoma

Sunday 5th June

Individual friends/streets/households etc. to coincide with the national Big Lunch.

General Titchfield Initiatives

Jubilee Scarecrow Trail from the 28th May up to the 5th June plus teas served daily - St Peter’s Church

Tree planting - Village Trust and Earl of Southampton’s Charity

Flags and Bunting - individual residents

Best decorated house competition - Phil Burner

National events

Thursday 2nd June

Trooping the Colour

0ver 1500 Beacons lit across the country

Friday 3rd June

Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s

Saturday 4th June

The Queen attends the Derby at Epsom

Platinum Party at the Palace

Sunday 5th June

Big Jubilee Lunch

Platinum Jubilee Pageant

There is NO over-all village organising committee.

If you or your organisation want to arrange a Platinum Jubilee event let me know the details and I’ll publish them here on Titchfield News. Email phil.burner@gmail.com

I’m Coming Bela: a new bitter sweet comedy from TFT

I’m Coming Bela: a new bitter sweet comedy to continue Titchfield’s New Play Season

Marlow is a retired horror movie star who is living out the rest of his life in the top floor rooms of a run-down retirement home. Surrounded by horror memorabilia, he harbours a dark secret that only Bela will ever know. But who is Bela? And can the secret be prized out of him? I’m Coming Bela is a new bitter sweet comedy by Gary Orchard, opening at Titchfield Festival Theatre this Monday 24th January as part of our New Play Season.

Kevin Fraser, TFT’s Artistic Director is directing I’m Coming Bela. Kevin said,

“I’m Coming Bela was written by Gary Orchard who has had previous plays performed at TFT, notably Looking for Joe Di Maggio and An Evening with Rosie. Gary has a fascination with horror movies, particularly the early black and white ones.  None of the play is based on fact. Gary thought up the character of Marlow - a cantankerous, ageing actor who played only the monsters in post war horror movies. All the other characters and plot were then fitted round this principal character.

“I loved the idea of the ageing blind Marlow harbouring a secret that no one has unlocked. He’s a typical elderly actor. The reminiscences he has are brought to life by film which I decided would be a fantastic way of expanding the playing area and bringing his daydreams to life.

“The actual story has a couple of twists and is actually more akin to a thriller. Do we find out who is Bela? All is revealed in the end though there are some secrets that are never truly resolved!”

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of I’m Coming Bela opens at the Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane on Monday 24th January until Saturday 29th January 2022. The shows start at 7.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

Christmas Tree Collection

For some the decorations, including the Christmas Trees, should always come down on January 5th.

January 5th is Twelfth Night, and marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

But others say Epiphany on January 6, the day the Three Kings are said to have arrived in Bethlehem, is the right time to de-Christmas your house.

But then, how to dispose of your tree?

In early 2022, the Council will once again be offering a free Christmas tree collection service.

Between 10-21 January, on your normal recycling day only, one whole Christmas tree per property will be collected and should be left next to your recycling bin.

You can find the updated bin calendars on the Council website: https://www.fareham.gov.uk/waste_collection_and_recycling/bincalendar.aspx

FBC go on to advise residents that a new subscription-based garden waste collection service will commence from 7 February 2022.

You can find out more and sign up at www.fareham.gov.uk/gardenwaste.

'Real' trees are recyclable and can be shredded into chippings which are then used locally in parks or woodland areas.

What about artificial trees?

Artificial trees are made from a combination of materials and therefore cannot be recycled.

Unwanted trees in good condition may be accepted by charity shops.

The Welcome Cafe at St Peter's Church

With regret, the decision has been taken to cancel the final opportunity to open the Welcome cafe on Saturday 18th December.

This is due to concerns about the developing spread of the Omicron variant of Covid.

The cafe team would like to thank everyone who visited St Peter's to share coffee with friends and to support the church,

Fairtrade and Fareham Homeless charities at the gift stall over the last several weeks.

The Welcome Cafe will be back in 2022 and we will look forward to seeing everyone again then.

Carols on the Green

Get in the festive spirit with your friends and neighbours for a selection of Carols round our magnificent Christmas tree.

Join the Friends of St Peter’s on the Village Green at 7.30pm on Thursday 16th December.

And to keep you warm and in good voice mulled wine will be available.

No charge but donations to the Friends of St Peter’s most welcome

  The Friends of St Peter’s (FoSP) exists to raise funds and public awareness to maintain St Peter’s Church building, ensuring the public can continue to benefit and enjoy this ancient and beautiful focal point in Titchfield.

Carols on the Green 2019

Latest grants for Parish Rooms

After their success at obtaining a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery towards the repair of the Village Hall roof the Titchfield Village Trust have now topped that with a grant of £20,000 from the Veolia Environmental Trust.

Veolia are the company that deals with refuse and recycling bins in Hampshire.

Nick Girdler, the Trust’s chairman, said “This generous donation from Veolia has taken us to within touching distance of our goal of £100,000 that will enable us to begin work on this essential project”

Photoshop of how the hall will look with rows of flush fitting solar panels

The hall was given to Titchfield in 1890 as a memorial to Henry Hill Hornby who lived in Hook and is buried in the village churchyard. During its 130 year life the roof has undergone some minor repairs but now needs totally retiling.

As part of the refurbishment the Trust has planning permission to install 3 rows of flush fitting solar panels on the south side of the building in order to reduce future running costs and make a contribution to the village achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

“Much work still remains to be carried out to safeguard the hall and keep it at the heart of village life for future generations” said Nick.

Future projects include returning the interior of the hall to its original Victorian vaulted ceiling by removing the modern false ceiling and replacing the much worn out flooring.

“All of that is in for later” Nick continued “but to quote Churchill after the Battle of El Alamein” ‘this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning’.