Winter lingered for such a long time this year! In the Summer 2018 Edition of Community News, Norma (of Nature Notes fame) asks “Do you wonder what passes your windows in the night when you are fast asleep tucked up in your warm bed?” Her neighbours sent  the photograph below of puzzling tracks in the snow in their front garden and she would like to know what you think may have made them. Clearly the main tracks are rabbit but what are the mysterious holes at regular eight inch intervals; surely not a rabbit with a walking stick?

BFOBRCA News

The annual general meeting of the Badger Farm and Oliver’s Battery Residents’ Community Association will take place in Wednesday 25 July 2018 in the Bushfield Room at Badger Farm Community Centre at 7.30pm. All local residents are invited to attend. This will be followed by the annual User Group meeting.

News from our Local Schools

Oliver’s Battery Primary School celebrated World Book Day with children dressing as their favourite character and teachers digging out and reading some of their favourite childhood books. The Grounds Team worked hard cutting bramble, scrub and grass to improve the ground for both the children and wildlife. Six beautiful fluffy ducklings hatched in reception class and were the inspiration for lots of are, writing and maths. Each class has been learning about a different movement in art and the school created an art gallery, showcasing the children’s work inspired by the great artists they had studied.

With the warmer and drier weather, the children of Badger Farm Pre-school Playgroup have started again to explore outside with a trip to the Ridge to look for bugs and butterflies. The play areas provided by the Parish Council are very much appreciated by all the children who can experience a wealth of opportunities to promote physical development. The zip wire and roundabout proved very popular with all!

Oliver’s Battery Pre-School had a busy Spring Term with topics including spring and Chinese New Year. The “home corner” has been transformed into a castle for the Royal Wedding. In the summer term, the children will be taking part in their own Sports Day, have a day trip to Adventure Wonderland and have the end of term leavers’ picnic to look forward to. The school is pleased to now be offering the new government funded 30 hours childcare.

Parish and Government News

Badger Farm Parish Council would like to concentrate on getting the parish looking really neat and tidy. If you know of any unsightly areas where there are overgrown shrubs, bushes etc or collapsed fences please do email clerk@badgerfarm-pc.gov.uk, call 07463 760801 or write care of the Community Centre. The Council’s new website is up and running. If you have any bright ideas of things you would like to see covered, or any photographs to contribute, please let the council know. Councillor Mrs Heather Nicholson, who chaired the sub-committee set up to oversee the installation of our two new playgrounds, stood down in May having given many years of service to the Council.

Oliver’s Battery Parish Council and Winchester City Council have been reviewing parking and waiting restrictions, particularly at junctions and around bens in the parish. As a result of the formal consultation process, amendments have been made to the proposals which will now be taken forward, although no implementation date has yet been set. The Council have tried to have the Texas Drive field listed as an asset of community value, but their initial application has been rejected. Oliver’s Battery Plan has recently been published and copies of the Summary Report delivered to all households in the parish. The Council has formally adopted the Plan and are currently considering the actions identified.

MP Steve Brine discusses the landmark 25 Year Environment Plan recently launched by the Prime Minister. On a local level, he met with Michele Ingerslev, founder of Final Straw Winchester, asking local businesses to stop using single-use plastic straws. Find out more on Facebook or follow Michele on Twitter. As Cancer Minister, Steve was delighted to visit the site of what will become the new adult hospice in Winchester. Winchester Hospice will have 10 inpatient beds and become a community hub for specialist palliative care services.

News from Local Organisations

Oliver’s Battery Community Centre Ltd held its second AGM in April. Guest speaker Tim Houghton congratulated the Management Team on its progress so far but acknowledged the difficulties that need to be overcome. He encouraged more residents to become actively involved in the exciting project and to help in moving it forward in its next phase. OBCC is holding another Community Quiz Evening on Saturday 30th June at St Mark’s Church Hall. Tickets are available by contacting Terry Morris on 01962 861082 or obccltd2016@gmail.com.

The Badger Farm Social Club’s darts teams continue to have success with League promotions and Cup wins. The held a barbeque at the end of May and plan a BIG FAMILY party over the Summer 2018 August Bank Holiday weekend.

Revd. Mike Gardener now works as the associate Priest of St Luke, Stanmore, St Mark, Oliver’s Battery and now, St Barnabas in Weeke. Revd Ed Dines, who is Priest in Charge at St Barnabas will also be Priest in Charge of St Luke and St Mark. St Mark’s offers a Coffee Po-In and access to the community book case every Thursday from 10.30 for an hour. The annual Seniors’ Holiday at home Club in St Luke’s will be at the end of August; keep an eye out for more information.

With the summer here, the Wildlife Trust‘s Winchester Local Group are spreading their wings with a Lime Quarry Walk at Old Burghclere, a trip to Crab Wood and Farley Mount and a Wildlife Walk at Broughton Down. Their regular programme of talks will start again at Badger Farm Community Centre on 12 September.

Winchester Horticultural Society are holding their Late Summer Show at Badger Farm Community Centre on 18 August. It is an Open Show and schedules can be found on their website or by ringing 01962 275498. Take part or come and see what they have managed to produce in their gardens because of, or despite, the summer weather. Tea and home-made cake will be available.

General News for Summer 2018

In her Computer Corner, Ann is sad to be saying goodbye to Windows Live Mail but feels she must as Microsoft no longer supports it. If you have made the same choice and are looking for a replacement she shares some suggestions, looking at Windows 10 Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird and eM Client. Will one of these become your new favourite?

Local resident and BFOBRCA Trustee Simon Lever decided to brave the strong winds and walk over Whiteshute Ridge during late Spring. He shares his beautiful photos and his lyrical descriptions with us.