This quarter, we highlight some aspects of the Community Centre, including the rooms for hire, the pre-school’s new garden and the Badger Farm Social Club.

Badger Farm & Oliver’s Battery Residents’ Community Association will hold their Annual General Meeting on 26 July. All local residents are invited to attend.

Highlights of our other news

Find out more about some of the clubs and activities that take place at the Community Centre. This quarter, among others, get an insight into the Badger Farm Art Group. Find upcoming events by Winchester Horticultural Society and our local Wildlife Trust.

Our local MP Steve Brine tells us what is was like during the terrorist attack in Westminster in March. We see him addressing pupils from our local secondary school, Kings’, in parliament earlier that day.

In further political news, we hear from County Councillor Jan Warwick, who was elected to represent Downlands in the local elections in May, and from Max Priesmann who ran as the Green Party candidate at these elections.

Oliver’s Battery Pre-school launch their new logo. They have been celebrating St George’s day and are planning their exciting annual trip to Adventure Wonderland.

The children at Oliver’s Battery Primary School enjoyed an exciting Easter Egg hunt and are looking forward to Sports Day and Science Day later in the summer. The school is holding open days on 29 September and 17 November.

Stanmore School were delighted to host the launch of author Ali Sparkes‘ new novel “Thunderstruck”. Many of the children in Year 3 were brave enough to sample some French snails at Brasserie Blanc, as part of their French topic.

Badger Farm Parish Council have received some fabulous designs for the redevelopment of the Central Play Area. They hope to have it completed this coming summer. Local residents had the chance to chat to the Wildlife Trust about what to expect with the ongoing plans to introduce cattle on Whiteshute Ridge.

Oliver’s Battery Parish Council have completed work on new play equipment for younger children. They await the results of a new feasibility study for changes to the problematic junction of Oliver’s Battery Road South and Badger Farm Road. They have carried out an Ease of Access Survey of footpaths in Oliver’s Battery.

There is discussion on the proposed replacement for St. Mark’s from both the parish council and the Oliver’s Battery Community Centre Charity.

Our local vicar, Mike Gardner, shares details of some fund-raising events coming up in the summer. Members of the church are opening their gardens once again over the summer months and would love to have you join them for tea and cake. Mike notes that he will start his 20th year in the parish in June. Congratulations, Mike!

Oliver’s Battery Countryside Group have held some very successful work parties in the wildlife area. They are always happy to welcome new members.

In her Computer Corner, Ann talks about browser extensions and shares some of her favourites.

“The answer lies in the soil”. Nature Notes brings us the news that soil harbours the very beneficial bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae which has anti-depressant properties and also improves cognitive function. There is also a word of warning on why we should protect this precious resource.