Almost a Scoop!

Three new memorial stones appear in Longparish Churchyard. While new stones in a churchyard are hardly a surprise, there is something obviously unusual about these three. There has not been a burial in the churchyard since 1900 when it was closed. The puzzle is that those named on the stones died in the 1850s-80s. For new memorials to be erected to the long dead is strange, to say the least: strange enough to set a reporter's nose for news twitching. Who put them there? Why now, a century and a half later?

Lodged in the rector's churchyard files lay the beginning of an answer.

Last October, a firm of monumental masons applied, very properly, for permission to remove and clean these memorials. They had indeed been in position for many years, though they were hardly noticeable, covered in patina and lichens, camouflaged by the years they have stood watch. No-one noticed their removal - the area is close to many mole hills and a few rabbit holes. But cleaned and rubbed back to their original colour they certainly stand out, and will continue to do so for a few years until nature takes them in its gentle grip once again.

However, the application gives no details about who commissioned and paid for this work. That's still intriguing.

Martin Coppen

 

Longparish C of E School

At the meeting of parents on 16th March, John Ellicock announced his retirement as Chair of school governors after eight years. John has made a very significant and lasting contribution to the school: in earlier years, by getting the school entrance and administration block built, and in recent years, by envisioning and seeing the complex new building

project through to completion. For the former, John put his walking boots where his hopes were, and walked the length of Britain, securing the sponsorship which made the project possible. For the latter, the naming of the music and drama room in his honour has recognised how significant his persistence and leadership were to the magnificent new building, which enables the education offered in this village to aspire to new heights.


As those who know him will agree, in between these major efforts John, with no less energy, has provided outstanding leadership and support of the school in so many ways that they cannot be listed! Ros Hobrough as outgoing head teacher, paid sincere tribute to how much she had been helped and upheld by his clarity of vision and decisiveness. John has very kindly agreed to continue as a school governor, with a special remit for sports.


The governors are pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Mehaffy as Chair of Governors from the beginning of the new term, and we all

wish her well in her new duties.

Martin Coppen

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Have you visited the Mobile Library?

The Mobile Library is one of the bonuses of living in a village. Every two weeks on a Monday morning it stops at 5 different places in the village, and then at Hurstbourne Priors. You can join it free with proof of identity even if you already belong to another Library. The staff are welcoming and helpful. They carry a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as talking books, and cater for all ages and tastes. You can keep books for 4 weeks and for 50p can order a book or ask for information on a particular topic.


The next visit will be on April 3rd. There is then a break for two Bank Holiday Mondays, so the following one is 15th May.

It stops at

Forton, Gravel Lane 9.20 - 9.35

Longparish School 9.40 - 10.40

(mainly for playgroup and school)

Longparish, Plough 10.45 - 11.00

Longparish, Acre Store 11.05 - 11.40

Longparish, Wood Walk 11.45 - 12.00

Hursbourne Priors 12.05 - 12.20

For further details, contact Andover Library on 01264 352807.

Easter Lilies

Please let me know by April 4th if you would like to give lilies to decorate the church at Easter


Is there anyone who would like to help with flowers in the church? You don't have to be an expert! We will be decorating the church for Easter on Saturday April 15th at 10am. All hands on deck please.

Eila Chamberlen 72069