mekanix - Bramley265

FREE!
From Bramley Bakery, Mekanix, The One Stop, The Shop at Sherfield and The Post Office SSJ
O
C
T
O
B
E
R
2
0
0
9
BRAMLEY265
W W W. B R A M L E Y 2 6 5 . C O M
PRIDE OF BRAMLEY
I S S U E T W E N T Y- T W O
SHAME OF BRAMLEY
“ASK NOT WHAT YOUR VILLAGE CAN DO FOR YOU,
BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR VILLAGE”
Bramley WI Lite
Book Swap
8pm Thursday 8 October, 2 Taylor Drive, Bramley
Bring a book you have already read and are ready to part with
and swap it for something new. £3 entry, everyone welcome.
email bramleywi.lite@gmail.com
www.bramleywilite.com
MEKANIX
883388
Bramley’s garage since 1947
MOT servicing
repairs
car sales
find us next to the railway station behind the bakery
BRAMLEY265
bramley265@gmail.com
07885 896053 www.bramley265.com
Hello Bramley!
It’s time to shake things up
a bit. This is the ‘pride and
shame’ issue. I hope this issue is going to get you all fired
up. I hope it will inspire you, anger you, motivate you and
make you think about what you could do for your village.
I’m pretty sure the vast majority of people in this
village have never been to a Parish Council meeting and
having been to a fair few myself, I can’t say I recommend
them as a great place to spend a Monday evening!
But if you haven’t been, how do you know what
your Parish Councillors are doing in your name? Do you
read the meeting minutes put up in the lobby of the
Village Hall, or do you get that information from the
website? Do you read the twice yearly Parish Newsletter
which gets put through your letter box? (I once, while
delivering this magazine, came across a charred copy of
the Parish Newsletter lying on someone’s front garden. I
wasn’t sure if the reader had deliberately set fire to it as a
militant gesture, or if they had just left it too near to the
gas ring while cooking tea!
I suspect the majority of you have never read the
minutes of a Parish Council meeting because you just
aren’t interested. Maybe you would like to read more
about the Parish Council in the pages of this magazine? I
believe Bramley265 is a great way for the Parish Council
to communicate with parishioners. At the moment the
Parish Council chooses not to take up my offer of free
space in the mag, but that offer remains open indefinitely.
I’m here to help. I want to help.
Another thing I want to help with is the
formation of Bramley’s Parish Plan. There was a meeting
about this a few weeks ago, but you might not have heard
about it. Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council wants
you to formulate your own ‘wish list’ in the form of a ten
year Parish Plan. It’s a chance for everyone to have their
say. There’s no guarantee you’ll get what you want, but at
least the channels of communication are open.
This is your chance. If you would like to join the
committee that’s organising this, please email Jane
Payne on jcpayne_uk@yahoo.co.uk
‘Til next time then,
need cake?
BRAMLEY VILLAGE BAKERY
Emma
Loddon Photography Portraits
This autumn we are running six fun
family portrait sessions on Sunday 8th
November at Bramley Village Hall
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Book your session for just £25
(normally £75).
What do you get?
• A fun filled 45 minute portrait
session for up to 5 people.
• A private viewing at Bramley
Village Hall on Sunday 15th
November.
Then when you see that your portraits
are as gorgeous as Ollie!s here, you!ll
want to buy a huge canvas or frame to
brighten any wall in your home (or
maybe make an excellent Christmas
gift for Grandma?)
To book your place call Carol on
01256 884093 or 07786 006275
www.loddonphotograpy.com
Stunning portraits ready for Christmas
2
x
The pride and shame issue
The next five pages are designed to spark a debate in
Bramley in the hope that it will inspire some of you to
take part in the Parish Plan, to think about how to make
Bramley a better place and to think about what you can
do for the village. The pages contain opinions from other
Bramley residents which I have collected from a mini
debate started on Facebook. They also contain my own
opinions. You may not agree with it, but it’s meant to be a
catalyst. It’s meant to spark a proper debate. On the next
two pages I celebrate some of the things I think are great
about Bramley. There will be many things I have left off
and many things you may want to add. It’s not definitive,
it’s just a starting point. Following that I highlight some of
the things I think we should be ashamed of. I’m sure
there are others, and maybe some you would like to
defend? Think about it, talk about it, discuss it with your
friends and neighbours. Let’s start the ball rolling… it’s
our village, let’s make it the best place we can.
Does Bramley need a footbridge? Where would it go? Is there room? Is
there a need? Your Parish Council has been looking into the feasibility of a
footbridge over the level crossing. What do you think about it? And what
about a car park in the middle of Bramley? Your Parish Council has been
talking about buying a field behind Clift Meadow and turning it into a car park
for the station. Do you want a car park in Bramley? What do you think?
“I don’t have a problem with the barriers, they’re a part
of Bramley, we just have to live with them, but what I do
have a problem with is drivers overtaking a line of
stationary traffic in order to turn right down Bramley
Lane. I have seen this happen from as far down the queue
as the One Stop. If there is traffic parked in Bramley
Lane, or something coming out of the bakery car park
you can have a face-off between two cars on the same bit
of road but heading in opposite directions. I’ve seen cars
mount the pavement to avoid crashing and it scares me.
I’ve raised the issue with the Parish Council and it was
suggested the roads in this area should be widened (using
the green triangle of grass) to deal with the traffic. Surely
we should be making it harder for cars to move around
the village, not easier! If everyone just waited patiently in
the queue this wouldn’t be an issue. If it needs to be
enforced then a double white line down the middle of the
road should do the trick. Do we really need to wait until a
child crossing between the cars is hit by an accelerating
overtaker? Think about it. It could be your child.”
An accident waiting to happen?
need a body tune up?
try reflexology 01256 880829
www.solematters.co.uk
Quality digital printing in Bramley
12 Campbell Court, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire. RG26 5EG
Tel: 01256 885823 / Fax: 01256 880796
Email: info@ridgewaypress.co.uk / www.ridgewaypress.co.uk
Weekend emergency service – Simon 07831 446 464 / Sam 07785 388 440
(for that project/printing/laminating that you absolutely have to have urgently!)
!
No minimum quantity – 1 to 1,000,000 copies can be arranged ! Short run, on-demand colour or black and white printing
! Full finishing service ! Personalisation from your mailing database ! CD and DVD duplication and printing
! CD and DVD sleeve printing and jewel case fulfilment ! Catalogues/magazines/brochures
3
Pride
The Millennium Garden at Clift Meadow,
maintained by Bramley WI shows what a
difference we can make to our environment if
we care enough to do it. Well done Bramley
WI! What other parts of the village could be
improved like this, and who will volunteer?
Reasons to be cheerful…
• Not one, but two thriving WIs.
• Volunteer care groups looking out for those who need
help with transport and medical appointments.
• Lunch club caring for those who need it.
• Clift Meadow, a well cared for playing field, great ball
court, tennis courts and a super community pavilion.
Shame about the dog poo!
• Great village amenities, a doctor’s surgery where you
can always get an appointment, a shop that sells milk,
a garage that goes that extra mile to help you out.
• Bramley Station. You can get anywhere you want in the
country, and if you want lo leave the country,
Southampton Airport is only 40 minutes away!
• Bramley School Association working to improve the
school facilities and experiences for your children.
Support them, join them, thank them.
• Badminton, short mat bowls, cricket, football. All
available in the village!
• Bramley Community Choir, bringing together people
who wouldn’t otherwise have met. Singing for fun and
making friendships. If you don’t think singing can
make a difference take a look at ‘The Choir: Unsung
Town’ on BBC iPlayer.
• Relatively low crime rate. Yes, there’s some anti-social
behaviour, but compared to other parts of
Basingstoke, Bramley is a world apart.
• Little Apples, an
amazing playgroup
staffed by highly
qualified
professionals and
run by volunteers.
It gives the children
of the village the
very best start to
their school lives.
• Bramley265! Well, I
had to say that
didn’t I!
4
“Ask not what your village
can do for you, but what
you can do for your village.”
The Library Bus
visits every fortnight,
but if we don’t use it
we’ll lose it. Check
out the Village
Diary for details of
its next visit.
We have great sports
facilities on Clift
Meadow for teenagers,
but who will reopen
the desperately needed
youth club?
relax and detox
aromatherapy massage
01256 880829
www.solematters.co.uk
of Bramley
What you love about Bramley...
“I love living here where I know so
many people and know I could call
on many many of them if needed.”
“I love the surrounding countryside,
the history, road and rail links,
shops and services, love the more
recent communications (such as
Bramley265 and websites) and
sense of community this brings.”
“I love the proper sense of village
community, I love the fact that you
hear birds, and see foxes, deer,
hedgehogs, etc. I love the fact that
most people are so friendly, and I
think it's the perfect size with the
perfect amount of amenities.”
“When we first moved here I said it
was like living in the back of beyond
but close to two towns if we needed
them. I love it here and 'most' of the
people!”
Why don’t we transform this area of grass opposite the Bramley Bakery?
Imagine it with some beautiful planting like the Millennium Garden
(pictured opposite) and some benches. A wonderful place to stop and watch
the trains go by while enjoying a treat. A proper focal point for the village.
If we don’t show that we care, it might just be lost to some crazy road
widening scheme! Let’s show some pride in our village centre.
Bramley Wish List...
dens tended by local
Beautiful village communal gar
wildlife (see above)
groups and planted to attract
to hang out!
Youth Club for the teenagers
we get those awful
A station to be proud of... Can
at about those vile
hoardings taken down? And wh
we get rid of those?
ads outside the One-Stop, can
traffic and encourage
A proper strategy to slow the
...
considerate and patient driving
need Halloween treats?
BRAMLEY VILLAGE BAKERY
5
“Bramley is the best place I've lived
since having a family, it's has been a
very welcoming village and we've
made some good friends in a
relatively short amount of time. I
love that the kids can walk to
school, and the social interaction
that goes with that for both them
and us parents. I love that I feel safe
allowing my 10 year out to play,
where so many of my friends living
elsewhere don't. I love how quiet it
is here when we sit out in the
garden and I love the surrounding
countryside.”
“When we last moved house we
chose to stay in the village. And
having started to integrate better
over the last few years, what I love
most about this year is the Bramley
Community Choir and Iron Mum.
Both have been life changing in their
own ways!”
“I like that I can set out in any
direction and have a great dog walk.
I love the peace and quiet and still
being a short drive or train trip to
two big towns. I love it that people
say good morning when you pass
them. And I love living somewhere
where I can remember all the
teenagers as toddlers. I also love
the Basingstoke people - their
sense of family and community. I
think it makes it harder for outsiders
to fit in, but well worth the effort.”
Shame of Bramley
g
e
n
How can we allow our pond to get like
this? The answer? It’s not our pond. It’s
understood to be part of the Stratfield
Saye Estate.
I have often wondered why the
Parish Council doesn’t step in and do
something about this. Maybe it has tried.
I would suggest though, that leaving the
pond to deteriorate in this way is as antisocial as the idiots who keep throwing the
bin in the water. It’s not fair on the
residents of Lane End, nor on the poor
Moorhens who try to eke out an existence
on its polluted waters.
It’s thought that at one time this
was a natural pond, but it was enlarged
and lined. It’s also believed to have had
streams supplying it, but they have been
filled in, so there’s no flow of water
through it. Now the liner must be
damaged as the water level has dropped
significantly.
This area could be simply lovely.
A cared for but naturalistic pond would
support wildlife and provide a beautiful
focal point for this part of the village with
benches to stop and sit a while. Is it
possible? Does anyone care enough?
d
e
t
lec
Reasons to be ashamed… your views
“The pond was my first thought. Also the ‘dump’ in the ditch
between The Smithy and the Cinder Path, where everyone’s garden
waste ends up so you have to pick your way though clippings and
plastic bags to get to the station!”
“The glass on the ground and the general state of the bit of land
behind the school.”
“Graffiti in the parks. It teaches kids some choice language.”
“Litter throughout the village. We live in a beautiful bit of the world
and everywhere you go there it is, lurking! When the wind blows I
have a garden full of crisp packets and empty plastic bottles! Is it
really so hard to wait until we've got home and put it in the bin? Is it
really so hard to teach our children to do the same?”
“Dog poo! It’s disgusting and anti-social. I know the vast majority of
dog owners act responsibly, but if you let your dogs off the lead and
you can’t see them, are you expecting them to pick up their own
poo? And if you let your teenager walk your dog, are you sure they
are picking up the dog poo too?”
Anyone who believes one small
thing can’t make a difference has
never shared their bed with a flea!
6
Use it or lose it!
t
c
i
rel
We can’t change what
happened to the Royal
British Legion
building, but can we
change its future? Is it
really acceptable that
we leave this building
derelict in the heart of
our village? Does
anyone care enough to
make a difference?
de
Litter bugs!
“I hate the way people drive along
the main road when it is raining and
splash the pedestrians who can’t
get out of the way. Please slow
down and avoid the puddles!”
“I hate that there’s no place for the
teenagers (including my 15 year
old) to hang out and do stuff of an
evening. Give them a chill out area
and stop residents moaning about
what they get up to, they do that
out of boredom and having
nowhere to go which is a teenager
friendly zone.”
“I hate the road through the village
as people drive too fast, hate the
crossing barriers too frequently
down, hate the lack of improved
services to support new houses.”
From cigarette ends
to Christmas trees,
there’s always a
better option than
just throwing it out!
Bin it, recycle it,
take it to the
household waste
recycling centre or
phone the Council
for bulky waste
collection. Have
some pride in your
home and village! If you
don’t pick it up, someone
else will have to and we
all end up paying for it
through our taxes.
“I hate the speed that people drive
through the village, I hate the lack
of street lights on the main road
and I hate that there isn't a proper
pedestrian crossing between The
Smithy and Farriers (which would
slow the traffic down too).”
“There's nothing I really hate. What
I would wish for is the bakery to be
open one Sunday morning a month
for fresh croissants. What makes
me sad is litter around the lanes
and the occasional dog mess on
the paths. What makes me humphy
is picking up sharp beer bottle tops
and fag ends from the playgound
on Sunday morning.”
l
u
ef
Clockwise from top,
fly tipping in
German Road, a
TV in the stream
behind Bromelia
Close, a Christmas
tree abandoned on
the path by Bramley
Green Road (Feb
09) and litter in
Bromelia Close.
What you hate about Bramley...
m
a
sh
“I hate the main road, especially
when it’s full of puddles and that if
you drive at the speed limit people
overtake you. I hate it that most of
the friends that I made when we
moved in have moved away and
can only stay in contact via
Facebook, so nobody knocks on
my door for a coffee and chat any
more. I hate it that I have to work
evenings, so can't get more
involved with any of the community
groups. Coffee morning for those of
us without toddlers, anyone?”
“I don't like speeding traffic on the
main road, lack of street lighting on
the main road, lack of crossings on
the main road, in fact all the
problems I can see centre around
that road!”
7
Dragon flyer
John
Stubbs
One sunny afternoon late in August I was visited in our
garden by a pre-historic animal. Well, I guess this one was
probably only a few weeks old, but its appearance was
just the same as its ancestors 300 million years ago. Three
hundred million years. We get quite used to big numbers,
what with the credit-crunched billions, but a length of
time like that I really can’t quite grasp. The dinosaurs
came and went inside that time. Asia was, then, joined to
the Americas. There were no mammals, no birds, no
plants as we know them. We humans didn’t appear until
the last one thousandth part of that time. But this ‘devil’s
darning needle’ would have looked just the same, laying
eggs in a pond so unimaginably long ago.
Think about the game, ‘Chinese Whispers’. After
half a dozen repeats the original message is
unrecognisable. But this little animal has copied itself in
minute detail through probably a hundred million
generations without any change in body plan. How
reliable a message-handler is that? How well suited to its
lifestyle, when just about every other multi-cell life-form,
countless millions of them, have either altered
dramatically by evolution, or been extinguished forever.
But there it was, laying eggs around our pond in
Bramley. To start with it was exploring the surroundings,
including me. It even tried to fly up a trouser leg, but
quite rightly decided that was not a good place for its egglaying. Having
found a suitable
spot on the side of
the pond, it
changed
behaviour. From
being curious and
very aware of my
approach it
started laying and
totally ignored a
camera lens only
a few millimetres
away.
This was a Southern Hawker, one of the
commoner dragonflies but brilliantly coloured, big and a
spectacular flyer. With four independently controlled
wings it can fly up, down, forwards, backwards or
sideways – you need this sort of manoeuvrability if you
live by catching flies. Most of its life is spent as a naiad
under water – a sort of nymph that breathes through its
bum and even has the amazing property of being able to
propel itself by underwater parping – a sort of schoolboy
hero, I suppose. Though perhaps that’s how you were
expected to behave, 300m years ago. After three years like that, catching bugs, tadpoles
and such, the naiad climbs a reed and hatches out into
the adult dragonfly. Then it’s got some three or four
months flying time – catching mosquitoes, flies, butterflies
and so on. One thing it can’t do is walk – though it has
the usual six legs, these are fixed to grab prey, so it has
either to perch or fly.
A strange aspect of the myths attached to the
dragonfly is the viciousness of some of the names and
stories. They’re accused of being a ‘horse biter’, a devil’s
darning needle, and a familiar of snakes that follow them
around to cure them when injured. Do trolls really use
them as spindles when weaving their clothes? Do they
actually poke eyes in Norway? Does the devil in Sweden
only weigh souls in dragonflies? To us they are, of course,
totally harmless – though I guess a fly might say
otherwise…
for more than just a leaky tap
plumbing and heating
leaky taps to
full bathroom
installation
power flushing
water softeners
hot water cylinders
www.niallcatlin.co.uk
123456
160212
boiler breakdowns,
repair and servicing
boiler replacement
all allied trades
all aspects of
plumbing and heating
01256 818086
9
07774 741021 est. 1991
by Paul Moulton
by Ben Flynn
by Harvey Jones
Here are some more of my favourite entries in the
Bramley265 Summer Photography Competition for
you to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who entered.
by Melvyn Lovegrove
by Gordon Jackson
Bramley Classifieds
Trades
Bin Blasters Your local wheelie
bin cleaning service. Bin cleaned
and de-odorised inside and out
every four weeks only £2.50 per
clean. Payment collected after
cleaning. 07931 930687.
For Sale
Fireplace cast iron Victorian
bedroom fireplace. VGC offers
invited. 01256 882143.
Surround sound system (main
unit and four speakers) £20, ab
cruncher £10 07885 896 053.
Wooden Venetian Blinds
2x w21xh29 inches, 1x w45xh45
inches. Good condition, free to
collect, 884058.
Shine Cleaning Services. Your
local cleaning company. Services
include window cleaning from £8,
fascias and gutter cleans £40,
conservatories including roofs £30.
Call today on 01256 472641 or
07771 742776.
Two cream leather Peter Green
reclining armchairs with matching
foot stools, less than two years old
and in perfect condition. Please call
01256 883221.
Mamas and papas cot £25.
Buyer collects. Tel: 01256 883542.
Mothercare Playbead Cot white,
plus mattress. Good Condition,
£30. Stairgate, white pressure fit,
£10. Call 883 408.
10
by Anne Stuart
Editor’s Choice Award
by Emilie Baker
Emilie says of the photo “I took it in Southwold in Sussex. The weather wasn't great on the day I went but I took my
camera anyway. I started taking photos of the huts along the beach but then came across some which were actually on the
sand and thought that they would make an interesting image. There were dark storm clouds above which made the photo
look really dramatic. I thought this was a nice contrast and the image also shows the lack of sun we've had this summer!” I
love this one and think it would be great as an arty canvas on my wall. Well done Emilie. It’s a great photo.
by Caroline Sherlock
by Gary Styling
by James Hockley
BRAMLEY265 SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
supported by
MEKANIX
883388
Bramley’s garage since 1947
MOT servicing
repairs
car sales
find us next to the railway station behind the bakery
11
All change at Mekanix
Even the least observant person can see there are changes
afoot at the heart of our village. The row of towering
conifers alongside the station had become unsafe, and
have been removed. In addition, the footpath has been
resurfaced, the earth bank has been pushed back and a
new structure is being built. So what’s going on?
“The whole area’s going to be completely cleaned
up,” says Dave Moore, owner of Mekanix, Bramley’s
Garage. “With the footpath works going on it’s an ideal
opportunity for us to get down there and start making the
changes that we need. There’s been drug abuse,
vandalism and all sorts of problems down here over the
last ten years. The trees had grown and grown and noone was taking care of them, they had become
dangerous, very tall with very shallow roots sitting on a
steep bank. So the the railway company came in and took
them down. We found needles and drug equipment and
all sorts of things.”
So with the trees down and an expected increased
use of the footpath, Dave, together with Simon Smart
from Bramley Bakery, wanted to make the whole area a
bit safer. “There have been a few people concerned about
the changes, but it’s better and cleaner. I haven’t had any
negative comments about it,” Dave adds. “What it’s also
enabled us to do is make the whole area more secure
because our CCTV covers the station area too.”
With two thriving businesses trying to exist in the
same place, the car park can get busy and congested.
“Because of the nature of these businesses there’s a lot of
traffic,” Dave explains. “We have been concerned about
the increased use of the footpath, it’s going to bring more
people into this area on foot so we need to make it safer.”
The access to the garage has been widened and the bank
next to the station will be walled and then planted to
make it a more attractive area. An outside storage area
has been created for the bakery to store its trays.
Bramley Plumbing Services
01256 880853 07770 851598 www.bramleyplumbing.co.uk
plastering tiling electrical installations redecoration
Trading Standards approved, fully
insured, local references available
bathrooms, showers, en-suites, radiators and towel
rails, dripping taps, hot cylinders and cold tanks
12
There’s been a garage on this site since
1947 and Dave Moore took it on in 1991. Before
that Mekanix was based in Chineham. “We
repair cars and do MOTs and servicing, mainly
for local people who are very loyal.” Dave says.
“Most of our customers we know on first name
terms. They come back to us because we can give
them something that no big garage or main
dealer can give them and that’s customer care.”
Dave and Mekanix are great supporters
of local events, always sponsoring school
fundraising like the Firework Display (see below)
and other community groups. “The bakery and
garage are really the main hub of the village and
it would be nice for it to be more attractive to
passers by,” he adds. Although the garage is
owned by Dave, the day to day running is done by
Raf. “He was there when I bought the garage,”
Dave jokes. “He was there in the corner, I had to
dust him off ! He is absolutely brilliant, though.
Everyone in the village knows him. He’s honest,
very straight and loyal. In fact all my staff are great. They
don’t need me now, but they put up with me.”
Raf Labagnara and Dave Moore from Mekanix
The whole site is now owned by Mekanix, but
used to belong to a family called Hanmore. “Bert
Hanmore owned the garage and at the front there was a
butcher. On the corner was a grocery shop. It was a little
community of Hanmores. He used to sell fish and chips
as well! There’s a bricked up window down the side of the
bakery and my grandfather used to go there and help
out.” Dave’s family has been in Bramley for several
generations. His grandfather lived on Bramley Green
and his other grandparents owned Strawberry Fields
when they were still strawberry fields.
Passionate about cars both in and out of work,
Dave claims to be a ‘Jaguar and Aston Martin’ man. Now
he lives down the road in Ramsdell with his two sons. “It’s
just boys living together, we love sport, motorbikes,
cycling and music. We all play guitars, badly, and make
lots of noise. My life’s really busy and I’m at that age
where I’m just a taxi service really!”
Under construction, more storage space for Bramley Bakery
Bramley School Association
supported by
MEKANIX
Firework Display
Friday 6 Nov, Bramley School
gates open 6.15pm for 7pm start
13
Hot food and licensed bar
buy tickets in advance at
www.villagefete.com
Hitting the wall
Kay Sutton recounts her walk along Hadrian’s
Wall for the Parkinson’s Disease Society
I have recently returned from walking the 75 mile long
stretch of Hadrian's Wall to raise money for the
Parkinson's Disease Society. As some of you may have
read in the last edition of Bramley265 I have been
inspired to take on this challenge in memory of my late
husband John, who fought a brave battle with the disease
but sadly passed away at Easter. Here is my diary of a
truly unforgettable few days!
When I arrived at Haltwhistle in
Northumberland it felt like I was already engrossed in a
marathon challenge having completed a five and three
quarter hour train journey and all before any of the
walking began! I was met by some friendly faces, my
fellow walkers, along with one of the guides before being
whisked away to our living quarters for the next few
nights, a collection of small two man tents and a Scout
tent in which we ate.
The first evening was really just a warm up for
what was to come, walking a little and familiarising
ourselves with the local area. We had a lecture on the
history of the wall as well as a run through of safety
guidelines. It was at this point the realisation dawned that
I was not as prepared as I should have been, having no
gloves, whistle or water container! One of the guides
explained that the whistle was a must (fortunately they
had a spare I could use) as the mist comes down rapidly in
this area and you can easily get lost. My decision and
subsequent organisation to do the walk had been a little
bit last minute but I needn't have worried as my fellow
walkers were only too happy to lend me some kit.
We fell into our sleeping bags exhausted and we
hadn't even started walking yet. It was freezing cold that
night and we ended up sleeping in our coats.
The next day we were up at 6am, and needed to be, with
65 people to share three toilets and showers. We got a bus
to the start point at Lanercost Priory and then embarked
on the walk. After two hours of hill walking and climbing
over walls with ladders (their version of stiles) whilst
carrying a heavy rucksack I would gladly have given up. I
found the best way to keep my motivation up was to keep
up a good pace and stay at the front. Fortunately the
weather was on our side, not too hot or too cold, and
most importantly no rain. Every few hours we stopped for
a break and also to ensure that no one was lost and to let
any stragglers catch up! On these occasions we had the
opportunity to talk to the other walkers and admire the
remote scenery, nothing but miles of wall and hills. The
Romans were very clever resourceful people. They did not
start the wall at one end and finish at the other, they
started at various points and joined up as they went along.
An amazing feat of engineering. We passed many forts
and remains but sadly did not take much notice as we had
to keep going.
The other walkers came from all over the country
and from all walks of life. There were young girls doing
their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and two ladies in their
seventies who were in training for the Wall of China Trek.
There were plenty of people like me who had been
inspired to take part in the walk after losing loved ones to
Parkinson’s Disease and it was good to talk to some likeminded people. At lunchtime we hit the half way point.
14
campsite. Again my strategy was to keep up at the front,
which was even more challenging as some of the walking
was more of a climb using our hands to pull ourselves up
the rocks. Again the weather was kind but we were
constantly taking our fleeces on and off. More
breathtaking scenery followed, including passing the oak
tree where a scene from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
was filmed. At about 6pm the end was finally in sight and
I didn't need any motivation to keep going as I could see
we were going to be greeted with a well-earned glass of
champagne! The local Parkinson's Society had turned out
to support us and we enjoyed a big cake they had bought
to celebrate 40 years of the Society.
I was very lucky not to have any blisters, but every
limb of my body ached and I knew it was going to take
several hot baths and a good night’s sleep in my own bed
to recover. Bramley dog walking had stood me in good
stead but this was certainly a few steps up. The walk is
classified as a tough trek whereas The Wall of China and
Killamanjaro are only moderate walks!
Some of us were so overcome and exhausted we
burst into tears with relief that it was all over. I also took a
moment to reflect and think about John as well as hope
that the money I raised would help one day find a cure for
this devastating illness or at least help support others who
are afflicted by it.
I was delighted that I exceeded my target and my
web page at www.justgiving.com/kay.sutton1 has been
updated and will remain open until the end of the month
if anyone would like to give. I paid all my own expenses
so all money raised goes directly to helping the
Parkinson's Disease Society.
Remembering that there were only three showers kept me
focused to stay at the front in the afternoon! At 7pm we
reached the campsite and yes, I was one of the first to get
a hot shower!
That night we were entertained by a ‘Roman’
who explained about Roman soldiers, their way of life in
this rugged country and the weapons they used. Although
I was utterly exhausted after walking so far, I was
somewhat reluctant to go to bed. I knew as soon as my
head hit the pillow I would be out like a light and the next
thing I would know it would be morning, and that meant
only one thing, another day of more than 20 miles of
walking, some of which would inevitably be uphill.
Day three and we were up at 5am, got the tents down,
had a quick spot of breakfast, packed a lunch and then
we were off again. This time we started from the
songs from
Les Mis
Miss Saigon
Phantom
Cats
South Pacific
Chicago
Grease
and more!
Bramley Community Choir presents
Sing-along-a
Musicals Night
Friday
30 Oct
8pm
Bramley
Village
Hall
Bramley Community Choir invites you to come and sing
songs from our favourite musicals. No singing
experience required and you don’t need to read music,
you just need to love musicals. This will be a very
informal night just for the joy of singing. Entry is £3.
All profits will be given to St Michael’s Hospice.
15
Telephone: Jerry Craven
01420 88770/88007
Email:
jerry@hampshirekitchens.com
Web:
www.hampshirekitchens.com
6 Market Street
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 1HA
Showroom open from
9:30am - 5:00pm
ALNO Modern Kitchens also Traditional English Kitchens
Amtico Flooring Specialist
Hampshire Kitchens_135x90.indd 1
18/10/06 15:07:09
16
Village Diary
with Sansome and George Estate Agent
BVH Bramley Village Hall
BR Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall
BCC Bramley Cricket Club
Thursday 8 October
Bramley WI 7.30pm BR
Thursday 8 October
Bramley WI Lite Book Swap 8pm 2 Taylor Drive
Thursday 15 October
NWR meet
Friday 16 October
Library bus visits. Happy Faces Quiz Night (see below)
Sat 17 Oct
Arts and Craft Fair SSJ Village Hall 10am - 4pm
Sun 18 Oct
Arts and Craft Fair SSJ Village Hall 10am - 1pm
Thursday 22 Oct
Bramley WI Lite Cocktail Night 8pm
Friday 30 Oct
Sing-along-a Musicals Night 8pm VH , Library bus visits.
Friday 6 November
Bramley & Romans Floral Society meet
Every Tuesday
Bramley Community Choir meets at 7.45pm BR.
Fully qualified Nursery School Teacher looking to
child mind at home three days a week. Six years’
experience as a Nanny, just finished looking after local
child for past two years. Own children aged nine and
three. References available. Call Nadia 01256 882933
Sherfield 0-5s
Nearly New Sale
Sherfield Village Hall
Sat 14 November 10am-1pm
Do you want to make money
selling quality children’s clothes?
Why not hire a table at the
Sherfield 0-5s Nearly New Sale.
Contact Judith on 01256 883551
Computer problems?
need coffee?
BRAMLEY VILLAGE BAKERY
New adult beginners
Karate Class
Suitable for all ages and
fitness levels ~ the hardest
part is walking through the door!
Ring Mike 07732 640384
www.sick-computer.co.uk
01256 883302
www.loddonphotography.com
White Hart
S H E R F I E L D
01256 882280
www.whitehartsherfield.co.uk
whitehartsherfield@youngs.co.uk
Children’s Karate and Mi Casa Language Service
Combat Groove
Classes split by age from 4 years and up, 6
days per week, locations around Basingstoke
loddon
photography
needed by fast-growing IT
company located in
Basingstoke town centre. Usual
duties (credit control, purchase
ledger, staff expenses, assisting
Financial Controller). Initially
one or two days by agreement
but the number of days are very
likely to increase next year. £12/
hr. For further information email
careers@mwrinfosecurity.com
Happy Faces Quiz Night, Friday 16 Oct,
Sherfield Village Hall 7:30-10:30. £8, fish and
chip supper, licensed bar, teams up to 8 people.
882062 happyfacesplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk
Internet problems, upgrades, software
issues,viruses, broadband, wireless networks
0778 600 6275
Part-time
Accounts
Assistant
basingstokekarate.com
Bookkeeping
End of year accounts for small
businesses, quarterly VAT returns,
PAYE, Self Assessment Tax returns all
at affordable prices.
anna@bramleybusinessservices.co.uk
01256 886111
17
Freelance Italian Tutor
Fun classes for children and adults,
tutoring for GCSE and A level, Italian for
business, Italian business connections.
07752 892 790 micasaally@aol.com
Bramley Tile
Local and
reliable tiler,
high
standard
guaranteed.
Free
quotations
on
request.
01256 882283 07919 371117
www.bramleytile.co.uk
‘Funstrokes’
SILCHESTER VILLAGE MARKET
SATURDAY 3RD OCT & 7TH NOV
10AM – 12PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
For all your homemade cakes, jams, chutneys.
Meat, eggs & cheese.
HANDMADE CRAFTS WITH LOTS OF
GIFT IDEAS & ORDERS TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS
Teas & refreshments
paint your own ceramics
also at
Bopping Babies
4 Nov and 2 Dec
Viables Craft Centre Basingstoke
Half term opening (see website for other times)
Mon to Fri 11am - 4pm, Sat 10am-4pm,
Sun 10am-4pm (29 Nov to 13 Dec inclusive)
www.funstrokes.co.uk 01256 355557
hot stone massage
We offer a full service of
domestic homecare
Jenny Edwards
Personal care • Domestic chores
Meal preparation • Shopping
Gardening • Home maintenance
01256 880829
Individual home
support services
www.solematters.co.uk
Grove House, Lutyens Close, Chineham Court,
Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 8AG
relaxation for mind and body
Tel: 01256 338388
Fax: 01256 461464
www.abcareltd.co.uk
All requests would be considered. The service extends
to all age groups to include clients recently discharged
from hospital, new parents and the elderly, as well as
clients who would just like to be pampered!
We are prepared to go ‘that extra mile’ to ensure that all
needs are met.
Call now for further information
R Edwards Planning Ltd
Local architectural practice specialising in
planning & building regulation drawings
for new builds, extensions and alterations.
Free quotations & advice.
a little fingerprint caught forever in solid silver
10% discount for readers of Bramley265 ( quote promotion code bram265)
www.redwardsplanning.com
Office: 01256 851617
We are running an Alpha course in
January at home in Bramley. Join us
to discuss the big questions of life
while relaxing over a meal. “Alpha
makes Christianity relevant to
modern life” – Daily Express. Please
contact: keithlinda@onetel.net
J&M
GROUNDWORKS LTD
ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR
Sherborne St John Village Hall
Saturday 17th October 2009 : 10 a.m.– 4.p.m.
Sunday 18th October 2009 : 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Refreshments available and lunch menu on the Saturday.
NSPCC Christmas cards, cakes and jam, pottery, paintings, silk
flowers, cards and calendars, sugarcraft, jewellery, artwork,
handbags and scarves, home furnishings, natural beauty, house signs,
slate art and pebble designs
Organised by NSPCC and Sherborne St John Village Hall Committee. (Registered charities)
patios, drives, paving and brickwork,
foundations, concreting, land drainage,
surfacing, plant hire, roadworks
fully insured
Silchester Church of England Aided Primary School
School Lane
Silchester
For parents of children due to
01189 700256
start school in September 2010. Head teacher Mrs S Elliott
OPEN DAYS
01256 329685
07710 804 886
Tues 13 October at 9.45am,
Wed 21 October at 2.00pm, Thurs 22 October at 9.45am
Your chance to see our excellent village church school in action.
Please let us know if you wish to attend All enquiries and
visitors welcome. Places available in other year groups
18
Emma Cunningham
The Last Word
Every girl needs a bit of glamour once in a while. So
imagine my excitement when I was invited to review fine
dining at nearby Tylney Hall!
Tylney Hall is a very posh country house hotel set
in 66 acres of parkland as featured in July’s Bramley265.
It’s way beyond the realm of my usual nights out, so I
dusted off my poshest frock, slipped on my high heels
and dragged Mr Tim out for our first proper dress up
date since...ever!
The Tylney experience starts the moment you
reach the front door where someone is waiting to greet
you and lead you into the lounge for drinks. While Tim
tried the beautifully neat canapes presented on a silver
dish I sipped a Cosmopolitan and took in the sumptuous
surroundings. The staff were helpful and attentive and
made us feel very special. Before long we had ordered
and were led into the Oak Dining Room.
In a secluded little corner we had a table for two
and a great view of all the other diners. A man at a
grand piano played plinky plonky jazz tunes and it felt
very romantic. We studied our fellow guests and played
name that tune.
Tim’s first course was a crab and mango salad,
but being an exceptionally fussy eater, I had opted for
plain melon, something that wasn’t on the menu but
which the staff were happy to provide anyway.
Following that were were served a mandarin sorbet which
was refreshing and delicious, and ‘cleansed the palate’ as
I’m told it is meant to.
Then Tim’s duck with garlic mashed potatoes
arrived under a grand silver dome and the carvery trolley
was wheeled in my direction. Being a girl of very simple
tastes I had opted for the roast beef which arrived on said
carvery trolley and was sliced from an enormous joint in
front of me. Served with roast potatoes, crusty Yorkshire
puddings and a ‘selection of vegetables’ and covered in
proper tasty gravy (I asked for an extra ladleful), I can
honestly say it was superb. Tim said his duck was pretty
quacking too.
For pudding I chose a chocolate crumbly cake
which was served looking like a work of art, all swirls of
chocolate sauce and loops of white chocolate. Quite
fancy and quite a lovely end to the meal. Tim had an
‘assiette of raspberries’ which was a teeny version of four
different raspberry desserts including something called
raspberry foam. Strange, but delicious!
Tylney Hall is a very special place where you can
eat finely crafted food in an atmosphere of elegance and
refinement. You can be served by the most obliging and
attentive waiters and for one night experience something
very special. But it comes at a price. The Table d’Hote
menu is £37 per head. Is it worth it? Undoubtedly.
Dinner at Tylney Hall is a very special treat and I would
love to go back again, very soon.
Tylney Hall is now booking for Christmas and
New Year. To see the seasonal brochures visit
www.tylnethall.co.uk or to book your fine dining
experience in the Oak Room call 01256 764881.
Little Apples Public Meeting
BCC & St Michael’s Hospice proudly present
Friday 9 October 7-9pm Bramley Village Hall
A chance to see the plans for the new Little
Apples building proposed for the Council owned
land in Farriers Close. www.littleapples.org
Please also come to our fundraising coffee
morning at 9.15am on Wednesday 7 October.
Cakes, books, cards tea & coffee! All welcome.
Handel’s Messiah
Basingstoke Choral Society, The Hanover Band, David Gibson
conductor. The Anvil, Basingstoke 7pm Sunday 15 November,
seats £10-£22, £5 students and under 16. Tickets 01256 844244
www.theanvilarts.org, BCC is a registered charity no. 274009
Bramley265 is a monthly magazine compiled
and edited by Emma Cunningham. All
material is subject to copyright and may not
be reproduced without the editor’s
permission. © Emma Cunningham.
BRAMLEY VILLAGE BAKERY
make today taste good
19