Longparish Cricket Club
Sponsored by Barker, Son & Isherwood, Solicitors
Following the extremely wet weather in April and early May, games in both the Hampshire League and the Winchester & District Cricket Clubs' Association Evening League were lost. However, Saturday, 15 th May saw both HCL teams at last start their programmes and both achieved wins! The First XI were away to Paultons II and, thanks to some good batting (including an excellent 96 by Justin Jackman) they posted 197 for 8 at the close of their 45 overs. In reply, tight bowling restricted Paultons to 129 all out in 38.6 overs, with Shane Carnell returning figures of 5 wickets for 37 runs off 10.5 overs, and Ross Stewart 4 wickets for 31 off 9 overs.
In the first match by a Longparish 2 nd XI since 1995, Steve Benco's team put up a good batting performance to finish off their innings on 195 for 8 off 42 overs. The visiting Redlynch & Hale III team replied with 155 all out off 38.3 overs, Steve Benco taking 5 wickets for 34 off 11 overs.
In June, an exciting day out at the Rose Bowl, Southampton is planned for the Colts on Sunday 6 th when they will take part in the Quick Cricket games on the outfield before the start of the NCL match between Hampshire and Warwickshire.
On Sunday, 20 th June we will be holding the second Barker, Son & Isherwood Cup Day at the ground, starting at 10am. (This will be an additional attraction during the Gardens Festival.) Last year's competition proved extremely successful, and the Club is delighted that teams from Wherwell and Goodworth Clatford have again agreed to take part and compete for the BSI Cup. Please come along and enjoy village cricket at its best – you will be most welcome. Kate Hibberd
Over thirty parishioners attended the Annual Parish Meeting in April. The formal part of the business was a review of a very busy and successful year. I'd like to say a public thank you to all the councillors and everyone who has supported them for their hard work.
Jenny Jolliffe led on Open Spaces . The playground has been enlarged, and a new roundabout installed for younger children. The skate ramp is well used and the cemetery is looking very good, thanks to Clive Kent. The pocket nature reserve on The Common has been improved over the year, thanks to volunteers' efforts, co-ordinated by Pauk Knipe. The Footpaths team, led by Jane Rowland installed two new kissing gates, and did much clearance work. Two new bridges have been erected.
On Roads Ricky Bourne, as Parish Lengthsman, is co-ordinating road litter collection with a group of volunteers under the Adopt-a Road scheme. Many drains have been cleared and soakaways dug. New warning signs for the playground have been installed. Mike Johnson, chair of Planning guided us though a busy year. Councillors have spoken at several meetings of the Test Valley Planning Committee.
A fundamental piece of work completed this year was the Village Design Statement , led by Mary Jo Darrah.
Our village website is lively and informative thanks to David and Fiona Gould.
The Village Hall chaired by Sandra Jones had a successful year. Use of the hall is increasing, and last year's bookings were 2½ times greater than those of the any of the five previous years.
Following the formal business the meeting heard two lively presentations. Christine Beresford and David Wright, members of the steering group spoke about the Village Plan . Over 200 people have commented so far and a summary has been distributed to every household.
John Ellicock, Chair of the School Governors led a presentation about the School and Community Project .
Speaking for the School , Deputy Head, Penny Chermside Sergison said that the new buildings would replace temporary classrooms which had been there well over thirty years. They would enable the school to deliver the National Curriculum more effectively.
For the Church the Parish Priest, Nona Harrison said that the new complex would enable the School and the Church to work more closely together.
Speaking for community users , Gloria Goodliffe emphasised the need for a community facility. The original ground plans have been changed to accommodate this need. The Playgroup kitchen, for example will be available for smaller activities in the hall. The main kitchen will be available for larger functions. The ambience of the hall will be excellent and the ‘glass wall' will have lovely views over the river.
Maggie Barber Playgroup Supervisor, told the meeting that the playgroup opened in 1988, in a converted container hut, with 8 children. The new building will accommodate up to 24 children with excellent facilities. For Maggie the new building will be a dream come true.
All this and a huge amount more, which there is not space for, helps make Longparish such a good place to live. Thank you very much to all concerned .
Jeremy Barber