St. Nicholas Wives Group

We had a very interesting meeting in December when the Revd. Dodie Marsden talked to us about life in Mityana, Uganda.    Dodie is busy raising funds to provide a well which will transform the lives of those who have to walk several kilometres a day to collect water in 20 litre cans.  

Our annual supper was held in the Village Hall in January.    As usual the food provided by members

w as delicious and we were delighted to have as our guests Martin and Christine and Nona and Roy together with our two honorary guests, John and Dick and, of course, our husbands.    The table decorations arranged by Ella Scott were auctioned and the proceeds together with other generous donations raised £236.    This has been given to the Rotary Club of Andover to support their Tsunami Aid Appeal.  

The next meeting will be on Thursday, 17th February at 7.30 pm at Rowan House when our speaker will be Mr. David Sullivan.    The title of his talk – ‘One man minus his dog' – sounds intriguing!

We always welcome new members.    If you would like to know more about our Group please contact me – telephone no. – 720412.

Daphne Bevan

 

???    Quiz Night    ???

 

Saturday 26 th February   7.30pm

  in Longparish Village Hall

 

Tickets priced £5 including supper

  available from Andrea Hulme

tel: 01264 720347

Why not make up a team of 6-8

with your friends?

 

Organised by the Friends of Longparish School

 

 

 

every Saturday afternoon from 2.00pm at Longparish football pitch.   This is a free activity for children between the ages of 7 and 11.   For further information please contact Martin Hulme on 01264 720347.

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Right to Roam –

What does this really mean?

Recent legislation has given people new rights to walk on areas of downland, heathland and registered common in Hampshire. Because this is often referred to in the press as “the right to roam”, it is somewhat misleading.   It does not mean that people can roam over any person's land whenever they want.   The new rights apply to specific areas of land which altogether only make up 2% of Hampshire.   The “right to roam” does not mean that individuals can walk over cultivated fields, fallow fields , drilled (with a growing crop) fields or grass fields.   These are privately owned and form the majority of the countryside in Hampshire.   Walking through fields, without public footpaths, that belong to someone else is no different from people walking through your personal garden.

 

The legislation refers to the right of access to designated heathland or downland areas for recreation on foot only, and includes activities like walking, sightseeing, bird watching, picnicking, climbing and running.   It doesn't allow horse riding, cycling or camping.   In Longparish, the new legislation has made no difference whatsoever to the current areas available for walking.   To clarify a current misunderstanding: in Harewood Forest, individuals may still use the marked footpaths, just as always.   Walking through the woods, has never been an option and may be dangerous in the shooting season.   The legislation has made no difference to this.

 

If you want to find out new places that have been opened up for walking you can purchase a new OS Explorer map, or log onto www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk    In addition, the Parish Council holds a copy of the “Conclusive Map of Open Country”.   Finally, you can telephone the Open Access Contact Centre on 0845 100 3298.

                   The Country Bumpkin