I can see snowdrops in my neighbour’s garden so it must be time for the Spring 2020 edition of Community News.

Britain has a real litter problem, as if you haven’t noticed! In order to empower local communities to do something about this awful blight and not always be dependent on local councils, the annual Great British Spring Clean was devised. Tidy Badger Farm organiser James encourages us to take part in the Badger Farm Spring Clean 2020. Meet at Davis Kickabout on Sunday 5th April at 10am. Come and join us and make Badger Farm an even nicer place to live!

Community Centre News

• Jan reports that “after stupidly tripping up my front step back in November and suffering multiple fractures to my right leg I’m really pleased to let you know I’m making really good progress”. She misses “each and every one of you … you are very special and true friends.”
• Currently, Ali, the Community Centre Manager, will be in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• A reminder that you can keep up with all our latest news on our Facebook page, our Twitter feed and, of course, our website. Do Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
• As well as continuing to host their monthly drop-in Cafés, this Christmas, Chat-Tea Café also opened its doors to over 30 guests from all over Winchester who otherwise would perhaps have been on their own.

News from our Local Schools

• Oliver’s Battery Primary School are sad to share the news of the death of their much-loved caretaker, Pete Tibble. “The children have spoken of their fond memories and will always remember him saying cheerio at the end of the day. We as a school community will remember him with affection as he is a very much missed as a member of our team.” In happier news, Years 3 and 4 took part in an amazing Viking Day as a hook for their new project while Years 5 and 6 visited the Mary Rose Museum and had a wonderful day exploring and learning about the Tudor warship.
• At Oliver’s Battery Preschool the children enjoyed a very exciting Christmas party at the end of last term which concluded with a visit from Father Christmas. The children have been busy being creative and making displays for the pre-school walls. They have had a firework and bonfire display and more recently Santa on his sleigh.
• Stanmore Primary School is Making Reading Magical. Recently, children in Year 1 and 2 took part in “Bedtime Stories”. This was a lovely event for parents and children led in part by teaching staff with a contribution for parents from the School Library Service. The classroom looked magical, decorated with fairy lights and everyone enjoyed the hot chocolate and marshmallows provided.

Parish and Government News

• Look out for Badger Farm Parish Council‘s new speed sign on roads around Badger Farm this spring! Following concerns from a local resident, the council purchased a SAM (Smiley Activated Message) sign with generous grants from Winchester City Council and County Councillor Jan Warwick’s small grants scheme. The Parish Council invite you to join them at their Annual Parish Assembly on 11 May 2020 in the Community Centre.
• Oliver’s Battery Parish Council report that large open field around Texas Drive and Yew Hill Butterfly Reserve will remain listed as an Asset of Community Value by Winchester City Council. Following improvements to the Recreation Ground, a simple survey is being developed for its users to identify their views. The Bank Holiday at the start of May 2020 has been moved to Friday 8th May to facilitate the celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The Oliver’s Battery Events Group, with the backing of the PC and the PCC of St Luke’s and St Mark’s, are planning a Street Party to take place on the Battery, subject to approval from Historic England.
• In response to Southampton International Airport’s planning application to Eastleigh Borough Council, Winchester City Council will be objecting to the proposed runway extension. The new Kerbside Glass Collection has been successful, with 275 tonnes of glass collected in October, 221 in November and 264 in December compared to only 185 tonnes in December 2018. On Wednesday 18th March Winchester City Council will be holding the first District-wide Children’s Climate Parliament.
• Hampshire County Council works with the Environment Agency, Southern Water, District and Parish Councils to help make communities more resilient to the impact of flooding. You can sign up for flood alerts on www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings. A new resident permit system will begin operating at Hampshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres from 1st April 2020. Register for free access to any of the recycling centres at hants.gov.uk/vehicle-registration-hwrc or call 0300 555 1389.
• December 12th saw our local MP, Steve Brine, re-elected for a fourth time. He plans to continue his relentless focus on the NHS and will be working closely with the service locally as we look towards the rebuild of the RHCH and securing safe and sustainable services in Winchester for the long-term. Elsewhere, Steve is determined to keep up the pressure on his school funding campaign, he will be pushing Ministers to live up to every one of their green pledges and will ensure our voice is really heard in Westminster around the future of the railways.

News from Local Organisations and Clubs

• Winchester Local Group Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust will hold talks on The Isles of Orkney and Cooking on Sunlight at the Community Centre this Spring.
• Oliver’s Battery WI will be busy in the community again in 2020 as plans are underway for involvement with the VE Day afternoon celebrations on The Battery on 8 May; this is also the potential date of our Annual Plant Sale. Can you help by growing some of the stock required?
• Sandie Vining from Neighbourhood Watch shares information about The Blue Lamp Trust, The Silver Line and St. John’s Winchester Charity Hand in Hand – all of which have schemes designed to help the elderly or vulnerable.
• Winchester Horticultural Society will enjoy talks on Plants and Their Wicked Ways and The Future of Horticulture this spring. Their Annual Plant Sale takes place on Saturday, 16th May, at the Brooks Shopping Centre. This is your chance to buy flower and vegetable plants lovingly grown by their members.

General News

• Local nutritionist Amanda Turner encourages us to Just eat real food! “Wholefoods such as leafy
  green vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, lean red/white meat and seafood, provide nutrients that are important for optimal brain function. These foods contain magnesium, folate, zinc and essential fatty acids … Foods rich in polyphenols, such as berries, tea, dark chocolate, [moderate] red wine
  and certain herbs, also play an important role in brain function.” (Food and Behaviour Research)
• In Simon Lever’s A walk on the bright side, he shares that “Spring is the season of awakening, of enlightenment and inspiration. Springtime lifts human spirit beyond imagination revealing a new chapter of Mother Nature’s wonders.”
• In Tech Talk, Ann Jury investigates Ecosia, a search engine that plants trees. Each search you carry out earns a point; for every 45 points, Ecosia plants a tree.
• In her Nature Notes, Norma tells of her Boxing Day trip to Kew Gardens. Among many avian visitors to her garden, the most surprising a visit by a heron. The Big Garden Birdwatch is scheduled for 25th – 27th January and I’m sure we’ll hear more about that in future editions!

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If you have a community contribution for the next edition or would like to advertise with us, please get in touch with Ann Jury, Community News Editor, at bfobrca.cnews@gmail.com. The editorial deadline for the Summer 2020 issue is Friday 1 May 2020.

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