Our flagship weekly magazine show presents the best of Petersfield with the fragrant Claire Vennis and the sturdy and genial Joff Lacey.
OK, this was last week … but Joff was just as sturdy
This week, you can hear from Chris Ricketts, a music teacher at The Petersfield School, who chats to our duo about the virtual summer music festival taking place this Friday.
What’s more, completely free of charge and with no obligation, you’ll also hear from walker Suzie Wilde; wild Jon Walker; cash expert Martin Bamford; cash saver Alan Cosh; the Petersfield Museum’s Lauren Wayland; Helen Adams encourages you to stretch; Butser Ancient Farm director Maureen Page chats with Nina Vennis; Noni Needs meets with James Fairweather for a BBQ-special Recipe Exchange; and Richard Marks has some bad news about the weather.
Oh, and Joff goes in search of sympathy and compliments …
This week’s P pod was recorded on Monday, 29, June, in Joff’s garden on the Herne Farm estate and was edited by Stephen Martin in a blur of talented finger movements.
First off, a note about the Grange Surgery, which is currently operating a locked-door policy to minimise the risk of infection. This means each patient will have to ring the doorbell and wait for a member of staff to come outside. All prescriptions will need to be requested online – but reception staff can help you with this. Visit thegrangesurgery.org.uk for more information.
A reminder that Butser Ancient Farm is reopening to pre-booked visitors on selected days and times from Saturday. Tickets will be for a timed slot and released in batches every two weeks. Annual members will also need to book free tickets to be included to control the number of people visiting at any one time, and Butser has announced that all annual memberships have been extended by three months.
The work done by charities throughout the lockdown has, for many of us, restored our faith in our fellow humans. One such charity – which will be continuing its excellent work now we’re emerging from our pandemic cocoon – is Artscape, which provides art workshops for those who face isolation due to poor health, disability, circumstance or mental health. And before we’re tempted to sing more 10cc let’s welcome the charity’s art director, Mandie Molyneux.
INTERVIEW – listen to the audio
The number given out by Mandie is 07452 955626
For those of you already thinking about kitting out the offspring for the new term in September, Petersfield School Uniform Supplies will be at the market every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the school holidays – which for some lucky schools begin when the bell goes on Friday afternoon. Do they still use bells or does t’internet send a digital signal to their phones?
The Secret Garden Flower shop, in Station Rd, is open only from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday at the moment, but it also has online ordering. Visit secretgardenuk.co.uk for details.
The Hampshire Farmer’s market returns to Petersfield for the first time since lockdown this Sunday, 5th July. Social distancing measures will be in place in the Square to ensure the event remains safe. Stalls open at 10am, through until 2pm.
The Malabon Tandoori Restaurant, in Dragon Street is reopening on Saturday from 5pm. Numbers will understandably be limited while government guidelines are being followed, so it is advisable to book. Deliveries and collections will continue. Check out malabon.co.uk.
People contacted us yesterday about the new parking restrictions starting in town and limited signage, there has been rather a lot of confusion. Have you been caught up in it? Were you given a parking ticket? Do let us know on 01730 5 55 500 or email team@petersfieldradio.uk
Travel
Work on loose paving slabs outside Crew Clothing in the Square is likely to continue until Thursday.
SSE has closed part of Bedford Road until 6 July, between the existing substation on Bedford Road to the junction with Frenchmans Road. It’s all part of the company’s ongoing large refurbishment project which will see road closures and traffic control in place across the town for a few months.
Traffic controls are operating on Ramshill as county council contractors upgrade the existing traffic signals. That work should be completed on Friday.
In Liss the work continues on Andlers Ash Road to create a bellmouth opening onto a new development there. Again, that’s expected to be completed on Friday.
And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, email team@petersfieldradio.uk or call Petersfield 5 55 500.
Weather
Any early sunny spells will be limited, with cloud gradually thickening. Showery outbreaks are then likely, but some warmer, brighter spells are possible. Maximum Temperature 21 °C. And the outlook for tomorrow is pretty similar.
If you can’t wait to hear more from us, you’ll be delighted to know that Claire/Joff and I will be back later today with this week’s edition of the P pod.
On tomorrow’s Morning Report Lucy Davies is joined by Alan Cosh to bring you the latest information from our town and its nearby villages. Don’t forget, if you have a story to tell us, call 01730 5 55 500.
Many thanks to our guest, Artscape’s Mandie Molyneux, and to you for listening.
Over the next 19 months, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is installing two new interconnectors to bring additional stability and security to the town’s electricity supply.
The project represents an investment of £8.4m and will result in ongoing disruption to roads across Petersfield town centre, along Station Road, up Rams Hill and onto Hill Brow for more than an year and a half.
Project manager Yu Qian explained to Petersfield Community Radio’s John Welsman how Petersfield gets its power, what’s happening with the project and how it will benefit us living in the town.
Bedford Road is the first closure of the schemeThe work was originally planned to start in AprilThe substation that serves 10,000 customers in Petersfield will be upgradedThe project will link Petersfield’s substation with Elmers Marsh substation in Fernhurst (map: Open Infrastructre Map)
Informed Choice independent financial planners is a specialist investment company in Petersfield, which can help you make decisions about money.
Every week, Martin Bamford compiles a selection of money stories that will help you keep in touch with our changing world as you consider how best to spend and invest.
This week
Coronavirus reveals wealth gaps, the Wirecard scandal reaches Britain, single mothers challenge what they say is a failure in the child maintenance service, property transactions hit a record low and energy companies can chase debts again.
All with Martin Bamford and presented with Informed Choice, independent financial planners of Petersfield.
Martin Bamford
Be informed and plan for your future with the Money Moment from Petersfield Community Radio. Sponsored by Informed Choice.
Laura Sheppard and Noni Needs bring you today’s essential local information and Karen Dodds from the Time to be Me beauty salon shares her difficulties during lockdown and the continuing uncertainty she faces.
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
News of some new shops arriving in town. The pop-up shop in Lavant Street, which is run by The Petersfield Space, has a new arrival from today. The space will be shared by Maria Yadegar Art and The Salvaged Woodshop, selling paintings and resurrected furniture.
And a new shop is coming to town in the place of Frasers in Chapel Street. It is a family run business due to open at the beginning of August selling traditional men’s clothing with a modern flair, as well as formal hire wear.
Before we go any further, we must give you this week’s winning numbers in the East Hampshire community lottery. They are: 9 – 1 – 4 – 0 – 4 – 0 There were 13 winners this week. 50 pence of every ticket you buy goes to your chosen local good cause which, if you like, could be the voluntary project here at Petersfield Community Radio.
As we enter what is, effectively, the last week of what we’ve come to know fondly as ‘lockdown’, we thought we’d give you an idea of what you CAN and still CAN’T do from Saturday, 4th July.
From 4 July:
you can meet in groups of up to two households – your support bubble counts as one household – in any location, public or private, indoors or out. You do not always have to meet with the same household – you can meet with different households at different times. However, it remains the case – even inside someone’s home – that you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble. This change also does not affect the support you receive from your carers;
when you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines;
additional businesses and venues, including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites will be able to open – but certain premises where the risks of transmission may be higher will remain closed;
other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms will also be able to open;
you can also stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household;
However, it will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law.
You should not:
gather indoors in groups of more than two households (your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub;
gather outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households – gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from just two households;
interact socially with anyone outside the group with whom you are attending a place, even if you see other people you know: for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship;
hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing;
stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household)
What this does mean, in theory at least, is that Petersfield Community Radio’s weekly podcast, the P pod, should be able to record out and about in the Petersphere again – Hurrah! We hear you say – so if you have premises which are reopening and would like to be part of a Monday night recording, just call and let the team know on 01730 5 55 500.
And we’ll remind you of these rules later in the week, just to ensure you know whether you’re Cummings or going.
A message now from the Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch team, which has seen an increase in fish poaching offences. If you are thinking about going out fishing, ask yourself these three simple questions:
1) Do you have a rod licence issued by the Environment Agency?
2) Are you a current member of an angling club?
3) Do you have permission to fish at the location you plan to go fishing?
If you answer ‘no’ to any of these then you are poaching. The Police can seize all your fishing equipment, will consider seizing mobile phones and you will be reported for committing a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and required to attend Court.
Please respect our Countryside, protect our rivers and the environment by fishing within the law. If you see anyone you believe to be fishing illegally or any suspicious activity please report via 101 and quote “OP Traverse”.
Butser Ancient Farm has given some more information about its reopening arrangements. It is reopening to pre-booked visitors on selected days and times from Saturday. Tickets will be for a timed slot and released in batches every two weeks. Annual members will also need to book free tickets to visit, to be included in the control of the numbers of people visiting at any one time, and Butser has announced that all annual memberships have been extended by three months.
And I understand that one of their rare breed English Goats has given birth to a very cute young kid they’ve named Ash, and there is another kid expected any day now. So if you want to see them, just ‘bleat’ a path to the farm.
If you’ve had your eye on a toy in the Cancer Research Children’s Shop in the High Street, oryour child has had a growth spurt, you’ll be pleased to hear it is opening today, and the staff has all the appropriate PPE.
As our high street gradually reopens, there are still many businesses in the leisure and hospitality industry that must remain closed, with uncertainty about the future. Time to be Me, the beauty salon in Pages Court is one such business that has been affected. We are joined today by Karen Dodds, the owner of Time to be Me. Good Morning, Karen.
Karen Dodd interview
I’m just relieved the hairdressing industry is allowed to reopen. Apparently, we’re all so desperate for a haircut, that when The Dandy Cat reopened its booking system, it crashed within minutes. Karina the Barberette says the technical glitches have now been resolved, and bookings are open to all. Details of how to book are on the website thedandycat.co.uk So forget the lock down now you can get your locks done.
Today should have been the start of Wimbledon fortnight, but we have news of the Avenue Tennis Courts. Courts 1 and 2 are closed today for cleaning, but Court 4 remains open. Petersfield Town Council hopes to open all courts once the cleaning has been completed. Forget SW19 – it’s game, set and match in GU31.
TRAVEL
Work is due to start in The Square outside Crew Clothing to replace some loose paving slabs. Some traffic control is expected. In Liss the work continues on Andlers Ash Roadto create a bellmouth opening onto a new development there.
And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, email team@petersfieldradio.uk or call Petersfield 5 55 500.
WEATHER
It will be a windy day across the Petersphere, and it will be largely dry with sunny spells this morning. The temperature is expected to hover around 18 degrees, but may feel cooler due to the wind. It will cloud over by late morning, with the chance of showers, but the sun may peek out again later. And if it appears a second time it will be ‘twin peeks’. Tomorrow is expected to be a mixture of scattered showers and sunny spells, with some possibility of heavy showers.
Before we go, I must urge you to listen to Wilde Walks, where Suzie visits Weald & Download Living Museum, takes pictures of piglets, and encounters a musician playing ‘dragon head pipes’! So that’s drag-pipes then.
On tomorrow’s Morning Report Claire and Joff will be talking to Mandie Molyneux from Artscape, who is offering one to one art sessions to those who are vulnerable – in their garden!
And watch out for this week’s Ppod, which will be bringing you news, views and personalities, including talking to Chris Ricketts from TPS about its virtual music festival this week. Tomorrow is officially social media day. So if you’ve been waiting for a year to post a message to Facebook now’s your opportunity … honestly why do we need a social media day? As if people don’t spend enough time on it already …What next? National breathing week?
Many thanks to our guest, Karen Dodds from Time to be Me, and to you for listening. Goodbye.
Noni Needs and Alan Cosh present today’s essential information for Petersfield and its villages.
We also find out what’s happening with the Open Air Swimming Pool after its major renovation work and delayed opening, caused by Covid-19 restrictions.
Chair of the pool trustees Linda Knutsen is our guest today.
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
Suzie Wilde and Noni Needs present fast, fact-checked information for Petersfield and its villages.
Today we meet Sandra Manktelow of Petersfield Lions to hear about the club’s fundraising activities and how it has been supporting the local community through the lockdown.
Send information to team@petersfieldradio.uk or call 01730 555 500. You can see a transcript of this programme at https://petersfieldradio.uk
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
Petersfield Town Council is collecting good news stories. The Coronavirus has been a difficult time but it has brought our community together in so many ways. PTC wants to try and highlight the positives that have come from this situation by encouraging you to share your good news stories.
Who has been your Covid hero? Who has been there to support you and your family? Who has gone the extra mile to make this difficult situation easier? Help spread the joy at petersfield-tc.gov.uk/page-of-positivity
It’s English Wine week, postponed from May, and there are some great vineyards not far from Petersfield, all listed on www.winegb.co.uk along with details of online tastings and virtual events. Most of the wine estates take orders online and deliver, otherwise The General Wine Company in Lavant Street stocks some local wines so buy a bottle and support local vineyards.
We don’t know if you have spotted an Asian Hornet yet or whether any mated queens have surfaced after hibernation. We mentioned a few weeks ago that they are an invasive species in Britain whose spread could negatively affect pollinators. They are smaller than native hornets, predominantly black, with no more than one yellow stripe. Their sting is no worse than a wasp’s for humans. If you think you’ve seen one, take a photo if you can, but in any case, do contact the Asian Hornet Action Team. That’s Janelle Quitman on 01794 301 754 or email ahat.hampshirebeekeepers@gmail.com
Sheet Primary School is going pond dipping! We should have used this for our wildlife special. Like other schools, Sheet Primary has formed small ‘bubbles’ and this afternoon the small groups are going to the stream near Petersfield Community Garden to see what they can find. Let’s hope it’s worms and insects, not energy drink cans! They may also pop into the garden. I hope they do. The community garden is wonderful but needs volunteers, young and old. It is essential for wellbeing to be out in our lovely environment. New allotments have now been dug there, too. If you want more information, look on our website for my interview there with manager Sue.
Time for our interview and today it’sSandra Manktelow from Petersfield Lions.
Good morning Sandra and welcome to the Morning Report.
INTERVIEW – listen to the programme for all the joyous conversation
Travel news
Sheep Street is still closed for gas network maintenance and work continues to upgrade the Pelican Crossing outside Churchers College with temporary traffic lights on Rams Hill.
In Liss there’s work on Andlers Ash Roadto create a bellmouth opening onto a new development and in Patricks Copse Road Southern Water are making repairs. Both sets of works may cause delays.
There’s work going on (and off) the A3 in both directions and the days and places are varied, so if you need to get somewhere fast before 9 in the morning, check out the upcoming roadworks for our area on trafficengland.com
And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, update us – call Petersfield 5 55 500.
Weather
Another beautiful summer’s day in store.After a very warm night, temperatures are rising; perhaps reaching as high as 30 degrees. There is the risk of a thunderstorm because it stays as hot overnight into Friday as we’ve recently had as a daytime high.
However, Friday’s temperatures remain around the mid-twenties, with greater chance of a thunderstorm. UV levels are extremely high, of course,
Cooler, breezy and changeable on Saturday, with rain and showers.
Alan Cosh and Lucy Davies bring you today’s essential information for Petersfield and its villages, including news of the proposed traffic and parking plan for Petersfield town centre.
Plus William Shakespeare helps us mark the height of summer. Thanks Will.
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
Petersfield’s news, views and personalities with Claire Vennis and Joff Lacey – this week, from the comfort of the big man’s garden.
Claire Vennis & Joff Lacey are two metres apart
This week
Claire & Joff are joined by Elisha Mason from Petersfield Museum to talk about a local competition you can enter – and how much do you know about one of our town’s most iconic images, the statue of King William III in the Square?
Jon Walker is back to give us a taste of what’s in-store from this week’s edition of the Petersfield Post.
Noni Needs brings you the latest Recipe Exchange, in which you can learn how to make a fast and tasty pesto.
Plus
Regular favourites including another of Suzie Wilde’s Wilde Walks, Martin Bamford’s Money Moment, Petersfield’s most in-depth weather forecast from local meteorologist Richard Marks, Helen Adams with another Mindful Moment and more money-saving tips from Petersfield Community Radio’s Alan Cosh in Cosh Saves You Dosh.
Petersfield meteorologist Richard Marks predicts the conditions we’ll experience this week, including the hottest day of the year so far and a likely humid and possibly stormy end to the week.
You can get Richard’s forecasts as a podcast. Just search Petersfield Weather on your favourite podcast app.
More information about local weather at https://petersfieldradio.uk/weather
It’s a wildlife special edition of the Morning Report with Joff and Harrison, packed with information about local nature and Claire talks to Milland farmer Duncan Ascoli.
Bugs, bees and wildflowers, plus the work locally of Hampshire County Council and charities such as Plantlife, Buglife, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Petersfield & District Beekeepers Association. And we reveal how evening crickets can help you tell the temperature.
Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas and information to the programme.
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
First some news from our friends at Canine Partners. It’s the charity’s 30th year, having been registered on 27th June 1990. The team wanted to find a way to celebrate with all you supporters – safely – and came up with ‘Paws for a Cuppa.’. Many supporters – including Suzie – will be hosting their own ‘Paws for a Cuppa’ tea party with friends, family and colleagues to help raise some much-needed funds.
If you’d like to host your own, it doesn’t have to be on 27th June. You might prefer to wait and not have to worry about distancing. In any case, there is a handy digital pack that will help you with everything you need to make your party a success. To download the pack, please look on the website caninepartners.org.uk or Facebook page. If you’d like to support without hosting, you could donate to Just Giving. We’ll give details of that before Saturday.
I talk to many people around the Petersphere and we seem to be saying the same thing: the pandemic has been an appalling time – but this kind of event must bring change and we need to make sure it’s a change for the better.
Yes, and instead of abusing nature, treating the countryside either as a factory or refuse tip, we should continue to engage with it and appreciate it. Older folk, who grew up here, can remember hedgerows that were alive with life. They have been grubbed out to make huge fields – and that happened throughout Britain.
Since the 1930s, we have lost three million hectares, 97%, of the UK’s wildflower-rich grasslands. That means species-rich meadowland covers less than 1% of the UK.
So what’s the plan? It’s not the whole answer but Buglife UK has been creating pollinator habitats along so-called B-Lines, to help wildlife move across our countryside, saving threatened species and making sure that there are plenty of pollinators out there to help us grow crops and pollinate wildflowers.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been recently mapped, leading to the completion of the England B-lines network, enabling Buglife’s vision of a river of wildflowers across the UK to be realised. The next step will be getting wildflower restoration and creation happening across the whole country. And you can help! First, check our region on buglife.org.uk and look for b-lines-south-of-england.
Councillor Edward Heron, Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs at Hampshire County Council, said:
Buglife’s B-Lines complements the work that the Council is doing to support our declining insect pollinators particularly on our rural estate and where they feature along our highways. The Hampshire Ecological Network Map, together with the emerging Hampshire Pollinator Strategy, and making changes to the way our road verges are being cut will all play a part in ensuring, where possible, land owned or controlled by Hampshire County Council will be managed for the maximum benefit of pollinator species. Additionally, we will seek to influence pollinator-friendly land management with our partners and other land managers.
We will all benefit from this initiative: and so will our children, who will be stretched in other ways by recent events. It’s vital for our mental health to contemplate nature – but also to take positive action. Let’s return to this after today’s interview.
INTERVIEW – listen to the audio in the programme
Now here’s what we can all do in our back gardens. No, not a barbeque. A lot of people take up amateur beekeeping as an attempt to help bees. But that’s like having a game reserve where lions are starving because the antelopes have died and bringing in more lions. (Pinched from Dave Goulson’s book The Garden Jungle). We can do like Monty Don and get rid of the classic British stripe lawn entirely. This would save ourselves lots of money in treatments and water usage in sprinklers as well as saving the planet. Even better to mow it once or twice a year and see what comes up!
Research undertaken in May reveals an astonishing diversity of wild flowers growing in Britain’s lawns, with simple changes in mowing resulting in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. Every Flower Counts found that 80% of lawns supported the equivalent of around 400 bees a day from the nectar sugar produced by flowers such as dandelion, white clover and selfheal. But 20% of lawns (dubbed “superlawns”) were found to be supporting 10 times as many – up to 4000 bees a day. Participants who had joined No Mow May revealed very exciting results for our beleaguered pollinators.
Dr Trevor Dines from Plantlife says that if you need some lawn for the children to play on, consider mowing to 1 or 2 inches once a month or so (it won’t grow in hot weather) and leave some strips unmown to let taller flowers come into bloom. You can even rotate patches around your garden so there are always some areas in flower. For flowers, bees and butterflies there is one lawn ‘haircut’ that really suits: the mohican!
What happens if you see a large swarm of bees? Don’t panic! Most bees swarm in April or May but if it has been chilly, some may still swarm in June.
Beekeeper Keith, on Facebook, says:
If you see a large cloud of bees congregating somewhere or a large cluster of them hanging on a branch, sign, fence post, etc – do not be frightened! These bees are homeless, wayward travellers and looking for a new place to set up a hive. They not only have no home to defend, but they are also full and fat on honey so that they have enough resources to start fresh wherever they end up. They won’t want to sting you.
As the old saying goes:
A swarm in May is worth a load of hay, a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon, a swarm in July is not worth a fly.
Whatever that means, a swarm of 20 to 30,000 bees can be intimidating. Leave well alone and call Petersfield & District Beekeepers Association – they have a dedicated swarm number 07531 901767, and they will collect the Queen and the swarm and give them a good home.
Travel
Sheep Street is closed this week for work on the gas network.
Work has begun outside Churcher’s College to upgrade the Pelican Crossing – they’re installing new pole retention sockets. Expect some delays at the temporary traffic control at peak times.
In Liss there’s work on Andlers Ash Road to create a bellmouth opening onto a new development
And Openreach is working on a fibre connection in Pulens Lane.
And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, update us – call Petersfield 5 55 500.
Weather
Wall-to-wall sunshine across the Petersphere, with temperatures climbing to 23 degrees. Early evening may bring some light cloud. The soft, southerly breeze keeps it warm. We’re only just past the Summer Solstice and the weather is set to get hotter this week, so make the most of over 16 hours of daylight. Since we’ve majored on insects today, here’s a trick for finding out what the temperature is: Next time you hear the sound of crickets on a balmy summer evening, listen closely to the chirping. The frequency of a cricket’s chirps is consistent with air temperature, so you simply need to count how many chirps there are over 25 seconds then divide by 3 and add 4 to tell you the temperature in Celsius.
If you have any old wive’s tales, get in touch – or if you have any news items for us or story to tell email team@petersfieldradio.uk or call Petersfield 5 55 500.
Lucy and Alan will be with you tomorrow, but until then, have a great day!
Informed Choice independent financial planners is an investment specialist company in Petersfield, which can help you make decisions about money.
Every week, Martin Bamford compiles a selection of money stories that will help you keep in touch with our changing world as you consider how best to spend and invest.
This week
A longer payment holiday for people in debt, research suggests poorer families have been hit hardest by the lockdown, some supermarket prices have gone up during the Covid-19 outbreak, the Bank of England rules on interest rates and quantitative easing and how worried are you about the standard of other people’s driving?
All with Martin Bamford and presented with Informed Choice, independent financial planners of Petersfield.
Martin Bamford
Be informed and plan for your future with the Money Moment from Petersfield Community Radio. Sponsored by Informed Choice.
With more time at home for many of us, and a reduced range of products in some supermarkets it’s time to plunder the pantry.
Food-loving James Fairweather shares tips on using-up all manner of ingredients you may have in your larder or cupboards with Petersfield Community Radio’s Noni Needs.
Follow James’s advice and your lunch could look like this
Noni Needs and Laura Sheppard bring you today’s essential local information for Petersfield and its villages.
We also hear from One Tree Books owner Tim O’Kelly on the changes he has made to ensure browsing, buying and picking-up a coffee is safe, and home-schooling teenager Nina Vennis pens the latest entry in her Lockdown Diary.
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
Petersfield Heath Pond has now opened for Private Boating. Only enclosed vessels are permitted, so this doesn’t include paddle-boards. Please refer to Petersfield Town Council’s website for details on how to obtain a boating licence, and look out for Mole and Ratty. The website details are in the transcript. For transcript: www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/the-heath
Butser Ancient Farm is hoping to open from 4th July. At first it plans to be open at the weekends and on Thursdays. More details will follow this week how to book tickets, and the safety precautions it is putting in place. If you have courses booked, you will be contacted.
The Grange Surgery has launched a new website, which is now live. There is lots of information on the website, including access to the Econsult service, where you can get general advice, help and information and an online consultation. Have a look at www.thegrangesurgery.org.uk – your feedback is welcomed.
Saturday 27 June was due to be the 4th Annual nurses’ tea party run by The Rosemary Foundation. The tea parties have been well attended, and have provided much needed fund raising. The nurses are instead offering a take away home made cream tea. Each takeaway box will contain 2 scones, 2 cupcakes, 2 slices of cake, clotted cream and jam – all for £12 per box. Gluten and dairy free is also available. Collection will be from 35 Lavant Street on Saturday between 2 and 4pm. Email info@rfpetersfield.org to order your box, stating your name, number of boxes required and if you have any gluten or dairy free requirements. That sounds like something to look forward to during National Picnic Week – yum! Noni, how do you do your scones – Devon or Cornwall style? And do you say scones or scones?
The Armed Forces flag will be flying outside of HCC Headquarters to mark Armed Forces Week (22-27 June). Local regiments have been providing much needed support during the COVID-19 crisis, helping communities to stay safe and deliver vital supplies and healthcare. The flag will be raised in Winchester as a symbol of the high esteem for our Armed Forces and our gratitude for their valuable work.
News of a competition coming up, but first a diary entry from Nina Vennis about life in lockdown.
NINA’S DIARY ENTRY
South Central Ambulance Service has launched two competitions for children and young people. The first is the SCAS Kids Competition. You have sent some amazing colourings and drawings in over the past few weeks and 999 Ted would love to see them brought to life in 3D! Children can use anything that they can find at home, like cereal boxes or cardboard boxes, milk cartons, loo rolls and more to make their own ambulance. There is a template on the website www.scaskids.co.uk to help them get started. The competition is open to children 13 years and under. Winners will receive a special visit from 999 Ted, direct from the teddy bears’ picnic, with an ambulance and paramedic to teach children about first aid and how to save lives next term if government guidelines permit. Email a photo of your creation before the 21 July.
The second competition is to support young people. If you could send a message of support to any other young person right now, what would you say? Use your creative skills to spread encouragement to young people in your area. You can draw, paint, write a poem – the choice is yours! Your entry may appear on the SCAS website, as well as winning a visit to your school in the future. So go to, getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk. And if you don’t have a pen handy, the email for both competitions is in the transcript on our website at Petersfieldradio.uk.
There has been another call for donations from Bohunt School and TPS who are helping children who are still learning at home to get online. If you have unused computers, iPads, Chromebooks and laptops, please take them to the drop points at the main Tesco in Petersfield or Sainsbury’s in Liphook.
Our guest this morning is Tim O’Kelly from One Tree Books. He spoke to Suzie Wilde about the impact of Coronavirus on the book shop.
INTERVIEW
And you can hear more from Tim and Suzie chatting about lockdown books, including crime thrillers, Hilary Mantel and Anglo Saxon literature, plus what links Tim to Black Lives Matter and statues. You can find the full interview on the website petersfieldradio.uk (well, you will be able to once we’ve published it later today).
Travel and Weather on their way, but first: Stay Loyal, Stay Local. (The country already has enough Lerts.) Stay Loyal, Stay Local is the rallying cry in a new campaign celebrating Hampshire’s independent retailers and local producers. Lockdown saw local food shops and suppliers stepping up immediately when we all needed to reduce our travel and stay safe. Let’s back Hampshire Fare’s initiative to support the county’s economic recovery.
Don’t forget Shopmobility in the Waitrose car park has reopened 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. And if you need a wheelchair, as I did back in February, you can rent them by the week.
Make sure you pop into Rainbows, tucked away in Pages Court off the high street. Now open 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Saturday.
Time to be Me is open from today 10am to 4pm for collection of products, and to make appointments scheduled from 4th July. They’ve also been posting skin care tips on their Facebook page.
And The New Peking Chinese Takeaway in Lavant Street is now open. Available for delivery, collection and in store orders. Call Petersfield 233 323 That’s 01730 233 323… And they have oodles of noodles to choose from.
Travel
And the travel now. BT is working in Pulens Lane between Heath Road and Moggs Mead today to connect a fibre. Multiway traffic lights will be in operation, so expect delays.
After the pause button being pressed at the beginning of lockdown, Sheep Street will be closed this week for work on the gas network.
The level crossing will be closed on Station Road overnight for annual maintenance.
And work begins this week outside Churcher’s College to upgrade the Pelican Crossing – so your pelican can stay safe – expect delays at beak … er … peak times. And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, update us – call Petersfield 5 55 500.
Weather
And the weather. Sunny all day across the Petersphere, with temperatures expected to get up to 20 degrees. The south westerly breeze will be gusty at times, and sunset will be at 9.22pm as the nights start drawing in. The outlook for the week is sunny, getting warmer as the week goes on.
If you live or work in Petersfield or the villages and have a story to tell do get in touch – on team@petersfieldradio.uk or call 5 55 500.
Joff and Claire will be with you tomorrow, but until then, have a great day
Harrison and Noni present your fast, fact-checked package of essential information for Petersfield and its villages.
Today, Churcher’s College holds a virtual open day. Ian Crossman from the school explains how you can take part and how Churcher’s has adapted its teaching for the Coronavirus lockdown.
Noni Needs
Harrison RB
Your presenters today
Get involved with the show
Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.
The recycling centre on Bedford Road continues to be open every day – but by online appointment only. The staff there tell us that quite a few people are turning up without booking, causing delays, while this is explained to them patiently and repeatedly. Obviously not Morning Report listeners. For appointments and more details, go to the EHDC website.
Local farmers have told us about some shocking incidents involving uncontrolled dogs around the area, including one occasion when a dog killed 5 lambs. Several farmers including Duncan from Milland say that sheep-worrying by dogs and human anti-social behaviour is rife now that lockdown has eased. There is also an increase in fly-tipping and takeaway rubbish being reported to us; and incidents of gates being left open so that livestock could escape, endangering the animals and adding risk to the roads.
The countryside is one of the reasons many of us choose to live here in the Petersphere so please think very carefully about how you act when you’re out in nature. The Countryside Code is very clear on the rules. Dogs on leads. Gates as you found them. Take your rubbish home. Thank you.
Even back in town, we’re blessed to live in a low crime area thanks to everyone being so community-spirited around here and of course thanks to the local police. But there are bad apples in every town and Petersfield Cricket Club reports some anti-social behaviour and criminal damage at its pavilion on the Heath.
Frankly, it’s the final straw says the group’s Frank Straw. He believes a group of youths is responsible and reports that Hampshire Police are aware of them.
You can help. If you see or hear anything suspicious on the cricket ground please report it to the police by calling 101 and quote INC202006171370.
Herne Junior School says it has found a way to bring in a few more children of Key Workers from next week. The school has been close to the limit of what it can do but says it’s looking at ways to slightly expand capacity and will share its plans with parents today. Herne also is trying to get Year 5s back into school for a few days before the end of July.
It’s Pride month, and like many events, parades are on hold for now. Instead of its annual event that many Petersfield residents attend, Portsmouth Pride is going all digital tomorrow {Saturday 20 June} and is holding its first ever Digital Pride Live on Facebook Live and its official YouTube channel – Just search for “Portsmouth Pride”.
And here in Petersfield, the Library has assembled a collection of novels from LGBT authors to mark Pride month. You can order books from the Library online or from a service called BorrowBox which lets you read a digital copy of the book on your phone or computer. Search ‘Hampshire Libraries’ for details or use
Sheet village is pleased to have its church open again for private prayer. St Mary Magdalen has been offering online services throughout this period and now vicar Richard Saunders welcomes anyone who wants to return to a sacred space. The doors are open 8.30am to 8pm.
We’ve focused a lot on shops this week, for obvious reasons, but if you’d like to get out of town this weekend, you might like to know that Uppark House and Gardens are also now open. You have to book in advance and book a half hour slot for entry. Uppark is releasing slots on a day-by-day basis and they are selling out fast so check the National Trust website for what’s available.
And if you like the outdoors, there is a free Nordic Walking Taster Session with fitness instructor Sarah Parke at 9.15am tomorrow {Saturday 20 June} starting at the Taro Centre. It’s a free 30 minute session to help you understand how beneficial Nordic walking is and how it is far more than just walking with poles!
Joining us this morning is Ian Crossman, The academic registrar from Churcher’s college
Vintage and Vogue Boutique in Chapel Street has just reopened. Initial opening times are Thursday to Saturday, 10am until 2pm.
For those of us whose printers have been working overtime, World of Inks have reopened 9am until 3.45pm Monday to Friday, and closing at 2pm on Saturdays
The Barn in North Road has reopened Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm, and Sundays 11.30 until 4pm for all your ornamental stone figurine and gargoyle needs.
Travel
Buses replace trains for part of the way between Petersfield and Portsmouth this weekend. Check the timetable on the South Western Railway website for details and remember your face covering – you’ll need that on the bus and the train.
Next week – there’s work outside Churcher’s College to upgrade the Pelican Crossing. Do you think they’re upgrading it to a Great White Pelican with a large beak? No – , well expect delays at peak times anyway.
From Monday, Southern Gas Networks is working on Sheep Street to connect a new gas main. Expect the usual mess down there.
And also on Monday, BT Openreach is on Pulens Lane in Sheet to connect a fibre.
Weather
Yesterday we only got up to 16.9 degrees according to Dave Tidd’s digital weather station in Buriton.
Today, any early rain will waft off to leave mostly dry conditions across the Petersphere with some sunny spells later.
Quite cool for mid-June with temperatures climbing to nothing more than eighteen degrees.
A moderate wind from the South West will help to dry things out, and the outlook for the weekend is another mixed bag – mostly cloudy on Saturday, with sunshine and showers through Sunday.
Another week has drawn to a close. If you live or work in Petersfield or the villages and have a story to tell do get in touch – on team@petersfieldradio.uk or call 5 55 500. This week’s P-Pod is available now – and it’s great listening over the weekend.
Suzie Wilde and Laura Sheppard round-up the latest essential information from across Petersfield and its villages, including local food services and the latest stores to reopen in town.
Our Morning Report guest Katy Bishop explains how members of Petersfield Ladies Circle have been supporting the community during the Covid-19 lockdown period while raising a smile.
We’re trying to keep on top of the fast reopenings around the Petersphere, so do get in touch if you want your business mentioned and help us to provide our dailyupdated, fact-checked bulletin of news and information.
You’re unlikely to forget it’s Father’s Day this weekend, with all the reminders from shops needing our custom – and here’s an idea! – you could also record your Father’s Day Greetings by calling 01730 555 500 or emailing team@petersfieldradio.uk and you might hear your voice on Friday’s Morning Report, or your message read out.
Today we’ll be chatting to Katie Bishop from Petersfield Ladies Circle. The ladies have been doing amazing things for charity during lockdown, so listen out for that later in the show.
Apologies if you’re in the middle of breakfast but let’s consider public lavatories, as we ladies often must. There’s been much discussion in the press, quite rightly, about towns that have failed to reopen their loos after the lockdown. No such problem in Petersfield where the conveniences in the Waitrose car park and those behind Joules on the Square are open for business.
News from Hampshire Library Service. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, libraries have offered online workshops, activities and even bedtime stories on the service’s Facebook page.
However, they recognise that many of us miss physical books. Because their buildings are not due to reopen until July, they are offering paperbacks and hardbacks with the launch of Ready Reads: We Select, You Collect. This is a new book collection service, where library teams handpick books according to your preferences, for you to collect from your local library. Signing up for Ready Reads will give you a chance to try something new. Who knows – you may just discover your next favourite author,
You can sign up for Ready Reads by calling 01962 454747 (local rate charges apply) or by visiting: hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives
Here are the additions to all the reopenings we have already listed in the Morning Report. In every case, you can be assured that the staff are putting safety as priority, with a variety of distancing and hygiene measures.
Robert Dyas reopened this week and the staff are thrilled with their customers’ behaviour. This is echoed around town, so well done all of us!
And all shops are sorry for any delay with new layouts and so on.
So down to business:
The Sweet Stop in Chapel Street is open for collection or local delivery – just in time for Father’s Day!
The Great British Cake Shop, in the High Street, has temporary opening times of 10 – 3 Monday-Saturday.
Jake’s Toys in Chapel Street is open Monday-Saturday 9 – 5 but presently closed on Sundays.
Ann’s Prams in Chapel Street is open by appointment only via website, facebook or email annsprams@btconnect.com
Willow, in the High Street, is open 10 – 4. Such a lovely old building has to limit the number of customers but private appointments are also available after 4pm.
Plumage Boutique, the fashion and hat hire business in Chapel Street is open 9.30 – 5
Phone Ambulance in the Waitrose car park is open Monday to Saturday 9 – 6 and Sundays 11 – 4. So for those of us who cracked our mobile ‘phone screens…
Gotcha. The Petersfield Bookshop in Chapel Street has a changed layout. New opening hours are 10 – 5 Monday to Saturday, or other times by appointment.
Rainbows in Pages Court, off the High Street, has many adaptations, including a one way system and staff can advise.
Refill & Replenish, in the Folly Market, is open from 10 – 2 Tuesday to Saturday. They will operate home delivery from 2pm on Saturday, but will prefill the liquids you need into sterilised glass jars and containers rather than use your own.
We’ll have some food news later but now our interview with Katie Bishop.
Good morning, Katie. Can we start by asking What is Petersfield Ladies Circle?
[LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN THE PROGRAMME]
Food updates
The Hidden Kitchen in Folly Lane has a trial opening this coming weekend, for take-aways only, with order and collection through the door/drop off window. It’s open 10 – 2 and you can pre-order coffee, food and cake by calling 233590 or via Facebook.
Hibiscus Mexican Kitchen is doing one last weekend delivering delicious Mexican food in and around Petersfield. Order on hibiscusmexican.com for a delivery slot from today until Saturday.
The Lemongrass Thai Restaurant in Dragon Street is open for takeaways, with collections 7 days a week 5 – 9.30pm. Call 267077 to get a 10% discount for collections, or free delivery via the Deliveroo app.
We mentioned yesterday that Lara at the Country Kitchen & Cellar in Hawkley and Simply African Food have launched a Braaii Box – that’s a barbeque to you and me. Well, if you are back at work now Lara will deliver home-cooked food straight to your office, and she tells us she’s thinking of offering a free beer for Dads this coming Father’s Day. Don’t forget to order one for Mums, too! And that’s on Petersfield 827 005 or go to countrykitchenandcellar.co.uk
Before we go on to traffic news, here’s a walking update: The new boardwalk around Petersfield Lake finally opened this week. There is a one way system in operation to keep our distance, so check the signs before walking the plank!
Travel
Who… is the masked traveller? Well, we all are if we want to use public transport. If you’re going by train, bus ,taxi or the Gosport Ferry you’ll need a face covering with you and, crucially, on your face.
All being well, the overnight lane closures on the A3 are over for now, but it was such fun that Highways England plan to do it again at the end of August.
South East Water is working on the Causeway from today and across the weekend near the Tesco roundabout. They’ll have traffic control in place there.
There’s work on Warren Road in Liss to fix a leak.
And an early warning that next week there’s work outside Churcher’s College to upgrade the Pelican Crossing. Expect delays at peak times.
Further afield, the seafronts in Portsmouth and Southsea remain closed to parking until mid-July.
And if we’re not saying what you’re seeing, update us – call Petersfield 555 500.
Weather
Weather word: Petrichor
The lovely earthy scent produced by rain when it falls on dry soil.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for our area today. Thunderstorms that have hit other parts of the country over the past few days are headed south, with the possibility of flash flooding if you catch one.
Temperatures are lower, with a maximum of 18 degrees C
Friday will start cloudy, breaking to sunshine and afternoon showers, perhaps heavy, especially to the north of our region.
That’s your lot. If you live or work in Petersfield or the villages and have a story to tell do get in touch – on team@petersfieldradio.uk or call 555 500. This week’s P-Pod is available now – and it’s a corker, packed with the voices of Petersfield.
It’s Noni and Harrison with you tomorrow, so till then, goodbye.
