A nature-themed library is among the highlights of renovations at Woodlea Primary School, Bordon, where pupils can enjoy learning in surroundings that fit the school environment
Woodlea Primary School in Bordon has a renovated library, cloakroom, and new resources, after a £100,000, nine-month long development.
The resources include 60 new iPads provided by the University of Chichester Academy Trust, who are already working with the school. Woodlea will be officially joining the Trust in the spring term with more improvements to come as a result of this.
To celebrate these wonderful additions to the school, bestselling environmental author Ellie Jackson visited Woodlea to officially open the library, treating classes to a special reading of her books in the new library.
Children learnt about the animals featured in Ellie’s books and the challenges they face. Through her books, Ellie hopes to instil a sense of wonder and responsibility for the natural world, encouraging young readers to act for a more sustainable future.
Woodlea has also refreshed facilities across the school, including a renovated classroom, outdoor area, and key stage 2 cloakroom which features a new historical timeline mural, charting British history from the Romans through to the modern day to help children learn.
The new library features over 2,000 new books and a stunning bespoke mural featuring quotes from favourite stories chosen by children and staff. The library is themed around nature, animals, and the environment, with the mural also featuring pictures of woodland creatures, including foxes, birds and insects.
The school, which is in a forest, chose to theme the new library around nature and woodland to chime with Woodlea’s beautiful surroundings. Pupils at Woodlea are encouraged to spend time outdoors and in nature and are also given woodland classes with activities including den building, bird spotting and woodland safety.
Headteacher Abigail Oliver, said: “I’m delighted our new library is such a hit with our pupils and I’m sure this will help encourage the love of reading which we are so passionate about here at Woodlea.
“The new library and facilities mark a new chapter for the school. It’s fitting for Woodlea that our new library is themed around nature and the outdoors, and I look forward to seeing our children there in the new school term.
“Together with our new curriculum, these developments represent huge improvements at Woodlea which will help give every pupil here the education they deserve.”
Annie B Brown has lived in the village of Church Crookham for 25 years but grew up somewhere very different in South East London, the inspiration for her debut novel Long Live Love
Fond memories of growing up in South East London in the 1960s, the vibrant fashions and ground breaking music are at the heart of Annie B Brown’s debut novel.
A baby boomer growing up Walworth, Annie confesses to loving all things Sixties which provided the inspiration for her family drama Long Live Love.
“It was a time when communities pulled together, neighbours and locals looking out for each other,” she reminisces. “The famous East Lane market where the majority gathered at weekends, carried the excitement, colour and drama of a circus. Walworth was a great place to be.”
She earned the writing bug from a primary school together “who enthralled us youngsters with stories she’d written”. Annie wrote regularly as a teenager and had her first two short stories accepted at age 22. She wrote fiction for The Brownie and The Girl Guide magazines for many years after as well as stories and poems for local newspapers, winning a few competitions.
Long Live Love is a family drama set in 1969 in Walworth following the lives of a fractured family, in particular, two of the sisters who are forced to live apart.
Annie explains: “It is a tale of resilience, danger, and the enduring strength of familial bonds and community. It explores whether love can mend the deep wounds etched into the sisters’ hearts. And whether the family, as a whole, find the strength to reunite in the face of adversity.”
Based around the East Lane market, sub plots involve the lives of typical local characters. “It is a story written during a time when you truly were a part of the community. People supported each other”, enthuses Annie. “The market is the hub of the community and where most of the local gather at the weekends. The traders would flirt with the smiling cross armed ladies while the men raised their eyes to the sky, having heard the good humoured banter many times before. Humour is the essence of life and us Londoners have it in abundance.”
Walworth is famed for being the birthplace of Charlie Chaplin with local pub, The Thomas A Beckett, famous for its upstairs boxing club, where pugilists Sir Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali, and Joe Frazier sparred. The Kray twins apparently sparred there too!
Annie recalls one particular memory concerning the great train robbery in 1963. “My father and elder sister were making their way home along Great Dover Street, on the outskirts of Walworth. As they drew close to the public transport telephone box, my sister spotted two bugling sacks inside. With no one close by she was desperate to investigate, but my father advised against it. The newscaster that evening spoke about monies recovered from the robbery. Those two filled sacks found in the telephone box contained £50,000!”
The book is available from Amazon & Waterstones online.
The Big Sale is back at Churcher’s College in Petersfield helping to save lives with sustainable buys, all in aid of Save the Children. Jane Ribeiro tells us more
This will be the place to bring your clean, good-as-new clothing, unwanted Christmas presents and other quality items for sale on a 50/50 basis on Saturday 15th & Sunday, 16th February.
The Petersfield Branch of Save the Children know they are competing with online retailers but are asking you to make an ethical choice as well as a sustainable one and help change bleak futures for better lives.
Doors open at 7pm on Monday 17th for The Fashion Show at 7.15pm. Entry is by ticket only from [email protected] and includes a glass of wine or soft drink and a chance to shop afterwards!
The Big Sale continues on Tuesday and Wednesday, 18th and 19th February.
2024 was a turbulent year for children worldwide. Every time we read or watch the news, behind the headlines there are always children caught up in conflict or hardship.
It is more than 100 years since Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children, drafted her Charter for Children which evolved into the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite progress over the past century there are still far too many places where children’s rights to safety, health care and education are being eroded and ignored. With the incredible commitment from volunteers and supporters in the UK raising vital funds, progress can be made, children’s lives can be changed for the better.
The war in Ukraine has been raging in earnest since it was invaded in February 2022 and the lives of more than 7.5 million of its children changed forever. Lebanon is in the throes of the worst crisis since the 2006 war. Thanks to Save the Children’s flexible emergency fund, teams can move quickly to help children in crisis all over the world with not only shelters and sanitation, blankets, pillows and mattresses but also recreational materials so children can play. Support is given to unaccompanied and orphaned children so that they can be protected in child-friendly spaces.
Here in the UK more than 30% of children live in poverty. Save the Children UK wants the best possible start for all children in all parts of the country. A vital way of helping children and families to succeed is through building communities with supportive relationships, cutting jargon, increasing parental skills and knowledge and promoting learning and well-being for the under 5s through shared play.
Save the Children will not turn its back on the hopes and dreams of children desperately needing help in any part of the world. We do whatever it takes.
Students design a candle as part of 80 Candles for 80 Years project
Students at Oakmoor School in Bordon took part in a project to design a special candle holder to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January which remembers the 6 million Jews murdered.
The project is a nationwide arts and education initiative which marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of imprisoned Jews, and other prisoners, from Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.
The 80 bespoke candle holder designs focus on the life of an individual or a community persecuted by the Nazis and feature a range of drawings, pictures, words and objects.
Oakmoor’s candle holder, which was designed by students in Year 8, reflects on the life of Sam Gardner, a Holocaust survivor who survived transportation between many camps.
Last year, Sam Gardner’s daughter, Maralyn Turgel, visited Oakmoor School to tell them about her father’s experiences.
The Year 8 students’ design consisted of images reflecting the life of Sam Gardner.
The school also wanted to hold its own tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and held a commemorative event at the school, with the candle design on display.
Nigel Wright, Headteacher at Oakmoor School, said: “Oakmoor School is honoured to have been selected to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s ‘80 Candles for 80 years’ project and we are very proud of our students’ stunning design work.
“We were also very pleased to come together as a school community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and I would like to thank everyone who came along to support us.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment not just of reflection on the past, but also of learning for the future, and Oakmoor School is committed to continuing to educate our young people about these tragic events.”
If ‘start running’ is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, read on! Running coach, Fran Light, from Alton Runners tells us how to get into running and how to keep running
In seven years coaching beginner runners, one rule I have found to be true is ‘keep it fun and you will continue to run’.
Websites offer training programmes and valuable tips on techniques, well worth a look, but if you don’t enjoy running, you will stop, so here’s how you can make your running journey a happy, joyful one.
Every run is a gift
Even on days when you’re not feeling it, a run can add a little joy to your day, perhaps you spot something new, see a particularly adorable dog, a crochet post box topper, or a stunning sunset. You might just enjoy being out in the fresh air or having time to yourself. Look for the positive. Treat every run as a gift, rather than a chore, and you’ll feel enriched and happy.
Mix it up!
Establishing a running routine is a good idea but can lead to boredom. Add some variety and you’ll be less likely to lose your running mojo. Try different routes. Run your ‘go to’ route in reverse. Add some side roads. If you normally zone out listening to music, leave your headphones at home and engage with your surroundings. Run at a different time of day. Set yourself fun challenges, say a cheery hello to at least five passers-by, or find five different coloured doors.
Buddy up
We all have days when a solo run is what we need, but similarly, some days it’s good to chat. Joining a running club (Alton details below) is one way to meet new running buddies. You could also pair up with a friend who runs. It’s unlikely you will both naturally run at exactly the same pace, so agree to run at a pace comfortable for you both.
Banish negative self-talk
Banish phrases like “I should go for a run”. Start saying “I want to go for a run” instead (even if you don’t) and soon you’ll be feeling it as well as saying it.
Look after yourself
Running isn’t fun if it hurts, so increase your chances of staying injury and niggle-free by cross-training, taking rest days and doing a warm-up before every run and a cool-down afterwards. Take it slow and steady, and most importantly, just enjoy it!
About Alton Runners
Alton Runners is a friendly and inclusive running club located in Alton, Hampshire, welcoming runners of all abilities. Whether you’re looking to get fit, achieve a personal best at a parkrun, or train for a marathon, we have something for everyone.
We participate in the Hampshire Road Race League and the Southern Cross Country League.
Join us for training sessions twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, typically at Jubilee Fields and Anstey Park.
Fran’s speciality is teaching beginners via the Club’s Alton Rookie Runners programme. For more information visit the Alton Runners website: Alton Runners
Get your trees for Petersfield Climate Action Network’s Fruit Tree in Every Garden project
Petersfield Climate Action Network’s project encouraging people to plant fruit trees in their garden is back for a fifth year and the first round of orders is open now!
Over the last four years PeCAN has distributed nearly 2,000 fruit trees for gardens across East Hampshire as part of its Fruit Tree in Every Garden scheme.
This year choose from apple, pear, plum, greengage, cherry, apricot and filbert (cobnut). There is a limited stock of each variety – so get in quick to secure your top choice! Each fruit tree costs just £12.50 and comes with a stake and instructions on how to plant. These trees usually cost between £25-£35, but thanks to East Hampshire District Council (this project has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) you can buy them at a heavily subsidised price.
On Saturday 22nd February you will be able to collect your fruit trees from collection points in Alton, Liphook, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle. At Petersfield Community Garden you will also benefit from free expert advice, workshops on how to plant, train and prune your tree, and activities for the whole family – at a Festival of Trees. You can select your preferred pick-up point when you place your order and PeCAN request that you please order a maximum of five fruit trees per household.
Trees provide nesting places and materials, food sources and cover for wildlife – so by planting a tree in your garden you can have a positive impact on local populations and increase our collective resilience in the face of climate change.
Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) is an environmental charity, set up in 2020 by local residents. PeCAN’s aims are to reduce carbon emissions in Petersfield and the surrounding villages, mitigate the effects of climate change on the natural environment, and increase biodiversity, which they do by leading and supporting decarbonisation and nature projects in the community.
Treloar’s Winter Appeal launches on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Can you contribute to their fundraising?
This year’s Treloar’s Winter Appeal will focus on raising funds to replace 54 hoists across the school.
Hoists are a life-changing piece of equipment that allow individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, by safely manoeuvring them within their classrooms, learning areas and residential houses.
The Maxi Sky 600 hoists used across Treloar’s are coming to the end of their working lives and will become obsolete by December 2025. The school currently has 154 of these hoists – all of which are in constant daily use. Each new hoist costs £910.
The school is urgently fundraising to replace the remaining 54 hoists. Over the years, the complexity of Treloar’s students’ needs has increased, and today all students are wheelchair-users. The majority have a sensory impairment and over half use assisted speech technology to communicate. For nearly all students, getting out of their wheelchair is impossible without assistance. Having hoists enables students to get out of their wheelchairs in their classrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, swimming pool and leisure areas.
Clare Bradford, Joint Head of Physiotherapy at Treloar’s said: “Given our students’ complexities, hoists are an absolute necessity for safely manoeuvring our students within their classrooms and learning areas and in the residential houses. The hoists also enable students to access a variety of equipment and environments. This includes being able to get onto their trikes or access the trampoline, swimming pool and soft play. Hoists are found in all common rooms, physiotherapy rooms and in students’ bedrooms and bathrooms. Having hoists available in each room plays a huge role in unlocking the potential in our students and enabling them a greater level of independence, choice and comfort. If you are able, please help us provide hoists for all our students by donating to our winter Appeal.”
Treloar’s Student, Leon, said: “It’s nice to be out of my wheelchair. I had never been hoisted before I got to Treloar’s so it’s nice to not be sitting down all day now. I like getting out of my chair – it’s not good to be in it all day so it’s good to do other stuff.”
Another student added: “Having a hoist in class is marvellous, I can now do walking and standing with my friends and not miss out on anything else.”
Breast cancer thriver and cancer carer Charmian D’Aubosson has launched The Thrive Tribe, a new supportive community gathering for women aged 18-50, impacted by cancer
The inaugural meeting of The Thrive Tribe was held at Cassidy’s Bar in Alton in October, we asked Charmian to tell us more about The Thrive Tribe, what the thinking is behind it, who it’s for and how women can benefit from it.
“I set up The Thrive Tribe with the sole purpose of providing a safe, caring community for other women impacted by cancer, something I didn’t have access to when I was going through cancer. The aim is to be a different kind of cancer peer support group by creating a welcoming, safe space run by women, for women where we can come together to laugh, enjoy fun activities and focus on the brighter moments (even finding humour in the darker ones). I believe that when we can be our authentic selves, with people who truly understand, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted.
“Rather than sitting quietly discussing our diagnoses there’ll be fun stuff such as quizzes, craft workshops, mocktail tastings, wellness events and more. There’ll also be the opportunity to chat, get support and be around others going through similar experiences.
“Wherever a person is on their cancer journey, they’ll be welcomed into the group and invited to be part of a caring, non-judgemental and fun community.
“Cassidy’s Bar is kindly hosting our monthly meetings where attendance is free, just buy a drink and/or a snack. Workshop events might incur a charge from the workshop host which will be communicated in advance. Attendance at monthly meetings or events is without obligation. We look forward to welcoming new members to our community so please do share with anyone you know who’d benefit.”
Charmian holds an Accredited Diploma as a Transformative Life Coach and is an Associate of the International Coaching Federation. She has a passion for supporting individuals going through cancer so that they feel supported, heard and empowered each step of the way. Charmian also partners with organisations to support them to work better with cancer, improving the wellbeing of those impacted by cancer in the workplace.
In addition to coaching, Charmian works as a yoga teacher in the local community and offers private yoga for cancer classes. In her spare time, she loves being out in nature either walking or cycling and her happy place is anywhere in the mountains. Charmian lives in Alton with her husband and two dogs.
If you’d like to know more, if you have any questions about The Thrive Tribe, or you’d like to sign up to join one of the monthly meetings, please visit: Charmian D’Aubosson | Transformative Life Coaching
Here the Good Hotel Guide invites you to explore 10 of the top hotels in Hampshire. From the wild beauty of the New Forest to the historic haunts of Southampton, country house hotels to bijoux retreats, these are hotels that are destinations in their own right.
A restaurant-with-rooms in the village on Beaulieu Water, the Montague Arms offers traditional architecture and contemporary hospitality. On the banks of the Beaulieu river, the wisteria-clad Victorian hotel is popular for its food, offering both a fine-dining restaurant and a pub called Monty’s Inn. Many of the rooms overlook an enchanting garden, allowing you to wake to a view of wild ponies wandering by. There are also dog-friendly, open-plan courtyard studios in the grounds, each with a private terrace, and there’s a general atmosphere of relaxation to ease you into your stay.
A five-star hotel in the New Forest, Lime Wood is an idyllic combination of natural beauty, heritage architecture and modern style. The country house hotel is the ultimate retreat, just a 90-minute drive from London, and surrounded by ancient woodland. It’s also home to The Herb House Spa – a dedicated space for wellbeing, complete with forest views from the sauna and hydro pool. A luxury retreat set within the grounds, facilities include a mud house, outdoor hot pool, rooftop techno gym, ozone-treated lap pool with glass doors to the garden, and a manicure and pedicure room.
A five-star country house hotel and spa, Chewton Glen combines heritage elegance with modern hospitality. There are stylish rooms and suites to choose from in the main house, all with traditional decoration and sumptuous furnishings, as well as unique treehouse suites that make the most of their enchanting New Forest location. They allow you to wake amongst the treetops, watch deer roam by, and an extra layer of connectivity with nature.
Named because pigs have foraged in these parts since the Norman Conquest, The Pig in the Forest is a popular member of Robin Hutson’s collection of piglets. There’s a variety of rooms to stay in, from hideaway suites in the stable yard, to lodges and a forest hut at the bottom of the garden. Food is a feast for sit senses using ingredients from the kitchen garden or grown and reared close by. Dishes might include wild garlic tagliatelle, goat’s cheese and walnuts, or venison loin with artichokes and smoked yoghurt.
Following an extensive refurbishment by the new owners, Stanwell House is a Georgian hotel in a New Forest yachting town on the edge of the Solent. A family-friendly, dog-friendly bolthole, it’s chic but warm, with each room offering its own unique charm. There are heritage influences to the interiors, a glass orangery for lunch, and a decadent restaurant, Samphire, with exuberant pink and purple Colefax & Fowler floral wallpaper and a lavish menu.
Surrounded by free-roaming ponies and donkeys, Daisybank Cottage is an Arts and Crafts-style single-storey house in the magical surroundings of the New Forest. A family home turned boutique B&B, attention to detail is paramount. All rooms have an espresso machine, mini-fridge, Roberts radio and Bramley toiletries, while the spectacular Marryat Suite (named after Captain Frederick Marryat, author of The Children of the New Forest) is complete with a private entrance, patio area, barbecue and heater. Place your breakfast order in a flowerpot outside your door at night with options including American pancakes, homemade granola and soda bread, local free-range eggs, kombucha, kimchi and microgreens.
A city-centre bolthole and the smallest of The Pig hotels, the Pig in the Wall is as stylish as its siblings but unique in every way. Tucked away in the medieval walls of Southampton, the historic building welcomes you into the world of rustic wooden table and chairs, low sofa seating, a roaring log burner and cosy corners. There’s a deli-bar serving food sourced from the kitchen garden at The Pig, Brockenhurst, and homely rooms with plush bedding and elegant furnishings.
A little gem dating back to 1822, The Grosvenor sits proudly at the heart of Stockbridge, the smallest town in England. A town that’s home to the world famous chalk stream River Test, it’s a popular spot for fly fishing, shooting, walking and cycling, with guests returning to the immaculate retreat for rest and relaxation afterwards. Dog-friendly (dogs beds available), you can stay in a choice of rooms within the main building, as well as The Tap two-storey cottage adjacent to the hotel. There are also multiple dining areas, each with its own decadent style, from the Market Room restaurant with its intricate chandeliers and a stunning verre églomisé mirror, and the stylish 1822 Bar – perfect for coffee and cake or drinks and nibbles.
A country house hotel and spa, Burley Manor is a New Forest retreat with a contemporary eclectic twist. The property dates to 1852, and is a spectacular baronial-style manor house set within an 800 year old estate. It’s also just a few minutes’ walk from the picture-perfect village of Burley. Rooms are split between the main house and the garden wing, all individually designed with thoughtful details. Imaginative menus champion local ingredients, and are served in an elegant dining room. Meanwhile, wellbeing is enhanced with a treatment room where they offer TEMPLESPA therapies to rebalance and restore.
Part of the Luxury Family Hotels group, New Park Manor is a stylish and welcoming retreat in the heart of the New Forest. A hideaway for nature lovers, it’s surrounded by woodland trails and opportunities to watch resident deer and ponies go about their day. Rooms offer contemporary comfort and easy going style, while dining is a feast of seasonal menus in The Vinery Restaurant, complete with family-friendly amenities such as games like Dobble, Bugaboo Giraffe highchairs, and a children’s menu. Completing the experience, the spa is an adult-only haven with two outdoor hot tubs and forest views, an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and Somadome technology-enabled meditation pod.
The multi-million-selling British singer songwriter Gary Barlow is the latest act announced for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series in June
The Take That star will headline the series on Friday, 20th June, alongside a selection of soon-to-be-announced special guests.
As a member and lead songwriter of Take That, one of the biggest British boy bands of all time, Gary Barlow has sold over 45 million records, over eight million concert tickets and won eight BRIT awards. Gary has also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career with three number one singles, six top-ten singles and three number one albums. He is one of the most successful British songwriters in history having written a total of 14 number one singles as well as being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award.
Gary joins the line-up for next summer’s Nocturne Live series alongside Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons, who perform on Thursday June 19th 2025. More acts for the series will be announced in due course.
Nocturne Live transforms Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a spectacular 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and since its inception in 2015 has gone on to become one of the UK’s most popular stately home concert experiences. Over the years the series has presented shows from a host of huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others.
Nocturne Live 2025 runs from Wednesday 18th to Sunday June 22nd. Tickets for Gary Barlow start at £54 and go on sale at 9am on Friday November 29th. Pre-sale is available to those signed up to the Nocturne Live mailing list and begins at 9am on Tuesday, 26th November.
Tickets, along with a limited number of VIP packages – which provide an exclusive opportunity to dine in the State Rooms of Blenheim Palace – are available fromnocturnelive.com.