It's 1961 and bright, attractive 16-year-old Jenny is poised on the brink of womanhood, dreaming of a Gauloise-scented existence as she sings along to Juliette Greco in her Twickenham bedroom. Stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine, she can't wait for adult life to begin.

Her life is turned around one rainy day when she meets David. Urbane, witty and twice her age, he manages to charm Jenny's conservative parents and introduces her to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his attractive friend and business partner Danny, and Danny's beautiful but vacuous girlfriend Helen.
A weekend in Oxford is followed by a jaunt to Paris for Jenny's seventeenth birthday. Her parents believe David's aunt will be there as a chaperone, not knowing that Jenny has chosen the time and place to lose her virginity.

On her return, her friends are impressed by her new-found sophistication, but her headmistress is appalled, and her history teacher is deeply disappointed that her star pupil seems determined to throw away her certain chance of higher education. Just as her family's dream of getting her into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by a different sort of life. Will David be the making of Jenny, or her undoing?

Doors open 45 minutes before performances. All tickets are £5. Tea/coffee and biscuits, and wine are available. Tickets can be purchased from P&K Electrical, Fountains Mall, Odiham. Alternatively, you can call The Cross Barn on 01256 701803 or email cinema@thecrossbarn.org.uk

Can anyone explain why this stone has been partially cleaned and what was the reasoning behind it please ?

Please call in confidence either the Parish Council 702716 or the living owners of the grave.

Miller's Ark is currently based at Roke Farm, Odiham, but since the site's ownership changed hands earlier this year, the menagerie has no choice but to relocate to a new area.

Currently on the lookout for the farm's new home, Elizabeth Miller explained how a valuable local venture and its staff are at risk from their new circumstances...

Read the full story here, at Fleet People

(Reproduced with kind permission from Fleet People)

Please Sponsor Spreadie (Steve Spreadborough) in his attempt at a 36 Hour Poll Marathon at Odiham & Greywell Cricket Club. Challenge him to a game between 7.30am Friday 19th March and 7.30pm Saturday 20th March 2010. All proceeds to Help for Heroes and O.G.C.C Development Fund.

Authentic Thai 3 course meal, Licensed Pay Bar
*PLUS* Thai dancing presented by the Thai Dance UK Academy

Odiham resident - Linda Broadbent presents an evening of stories, pictures and entertainment based on her recent travels and experiences in Thailand as a volunteer Massage Therapist working with children and disability.

Tickets £35 available: Richard Ward Opticians,
113 High Street, Odiham
or email: info@massageforeveryone.co.uk

This is a fundraising event on behalf of Christian Care Foundation for Children with disabilities www.ccdthailand.org in association with www.4lifethailand.org reg. charity 1104291

Discover What Sure Start Children’s Centres Can Offer You And Your Family

Hampshire County Council in partnership with Action for Children are providing a Children's Centre to serve the Wards of Odiham, Long Sutton and parts of Upton Grey and the Candovers.

Action for Children who will manage service delivery on behalf of the County Council are currently developing services to meet the requirements of Sure Start and local families with children under five.

Children’s centres are for all families with children under five years and aim to support parents and carers in giving their children the best start in life. The range of services on offer is tailored to each community and can include:

· Information about family support services and activities
· Parenting advice and support for mums, dads and carers
· Drop-in sessions including groups for parents, carers and childminders
· Access to early education and childcare
· Access to child and family health services
· Links with Jobcentre Plus, further education and training opportunities
· Antenatal and postnatal support
· A home visiting service
· Services for children with special needs

All children's centres require a 'gateway' building where staff can be based and some services delivered from, a final location for this area is yet to be decided but, it is hoped that a final location will be decided upon shortly.

This event, now in its fourth year, combines a blues festival, a real ale festival and a family fun day, raising funds for charities, including The Neurofibromatosis Association (NfA). It is located open-air in The Bury, at the heart of the beautiful old town of Odiham, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The music starts at 12 noon and finishes at 6 pm. Entry is free and there’s plenty of parking.

As in previous years, the emphasis of this successful event will be on acoustic blues. This year’s performers include:

Ben Payton, from Jackson, Mississippi, USA, has been living the blues most of his life. Now in his sixties, he’s a “real deal” bluesman of the old school, singing and playing traditional material and his own songs on acoustic guitar. Ben’s appearance at Odiham will be part of his first tour in the UK. Ben Payton was born in tiny Coila, Mississippi, in the hill country just east of the Delta. His early musical influences included his grandmother Mabel Johnson’s gospel piano playing and his Uncle Joe Birch’s blues guitar.

Ben Payton's voice resonates with a passion for life and his skills as a guitarist evoke the tradition of the original Delta blues greats such as Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, and Son House. Yet Payton has a style all his own. Visit Ben’s website benpayton.com

Also from The USA, Reverend Robert is a master of pre-war blues. He has delved deep into the styles of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and other Delta blues giants. In 2004 he took first place at The National Slide Guitar Festival in North Carolina, USA. The Reverend is known for his true conviction and powerful delivery. Visit his website revrobert.com

Lewis Cohen is a phenomenal British bluesman; a rising star among the younger generation of acoustic blues players. His powerful vocals and exquisite slide guitar technique, combined with a repertoire of (sometimes obscure) numbers from the 1920s and 1930s, make him a lively and soulful performer. Visit his website www.lewiscohenblues.com

Bob Long is a British blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player specializing in "the old stuff". Most of what he plays is his interpretations of pre-world war II blues, jug band and ragtime material particularly music from the Mississippi Delta where he is a frequent visitor. He has performed at The Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival in Crystal Springs and the legendary Ground Zero Blues Club. When at home, Bob hosts a monthly acoustic blues jam in Southampton. Visit his website www.bobalong.co.uk

Contact Information

Enquiries (music) Bob Long, long.boblong@gmail.com
Enquiries (admin) Peter Fountain, PtrFount@aol.com

In August 2004 singer Jacqui Dankworth was booked to perform at the Chalkpit at the Jazz Picnic in aid of The Neurofibromatosis Association. She was due to bring Trumpeter Lynley Hamilton with her but a week before the Picnic rang me to say that Lynley had problems with his lip and wouldn’t be appearing. She felt bad at letting me down and I said it wasn’t a problem – I’d get a dep!

At such short notice this proved impossible so I let her know, two days before the Picnic that we’d manage with Richard and his Quartet and no second instrumentalist. She said, replied that “I hate to let you down –hang on a minute – I’ll ask my Dad!” Two minutes later she said –“ Don’t worry – Dad’ll do it”!! I relayed this to Richard ( then 18!) who promptly choked on his curry on realising that he was to perform with the great Sir John Dankworth.

On the evening of the Picnic – just before all was due to start a large chauffeur driven car made it’s way slowly down the field and stopped behind the stage. The great man emerged in floral shirt and panama at a jaunty angle and said to the young Quartet – “You open while I warm up!” Richard led the opening number, and was delighted to be told on John joining him on stage – “You’re like Bix Beidebecke – you can’t ever play a wrong note!” Praise indeed! Then he began to play. His phenomenal skill and versatility combined with his creativity were matchless on the up tempo numbers and the two saxes traded witty musical repartee. Here it should be said that many a lesser older musician would try to upstage the youngster but John inspired rather than attempting to outplay. When he accompanied his daughter on her vocal numbers his restraint and sensitivity, matched only by his glorious sound and his intricate use of harmony when soaring on the solo passages were proof that this man’s reputation was justly deserved and the words “Inspired” and “Genius” were not overstating the case.

The audience loved it. My lasting memory was of Jacqui in the break, preparing him a plate of healthy chicken and salad from the buffet I had provided for the musicians. John, spotting a large bowl of Eton Mess said “I’ll have some of that instead please“ and on finishing beamed at me and said “Good fun this gig – have you got any more pud – good grub that!" and devouring another plate of cream, meringue and raspberries!!

When the evening ended to deafening applause I thanked him profusely for honouring us with his presence and he said “No problem – I enjoyed it” What a star. He will be sorely missed both as a great musician and a great human being. Our thoughts are with Jacqui, Dame Cleo and his family.

Odiham Biodiversity Newsletter

Thank you to Sue Bennett for these pictures of Rooks, already paired up and building nests in Chamberlain Gardens, just after the great snowfall of the 5/6th January. Spring can’t be far away!

Five Years of the Loddon and Eversley Heritage Area

Thursday 25th March. It hardly seems possible that it was over three years ago that Alison Cross from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust gave us our first talk on the Loddon and Eversley Heritage Area project. This project is now five years old and Amanda Bassett is returning to update us. She will also talk about the small projects grants (one of which we have obtained for the restoration of the pond at Broad Oak) and the Wildlife and Heritage Walks (the books may be available for sale on the evening). The evening will include a showing of the DVD which has been produced recently. The talk will start at 7.45 pm at the Cross Barn and will cost £2.

Adder watching at Hook Common

Sunday 21st March and Saturday 27th March (tbc)
Peter Vaughan will be taking small groups for a short walk on Hook Common to look for Adders – and possibly Slow Worms and Common Lizards. These will be bookable events and cost £1. To book and for further details please phone Sheila Bates on 01256 701187.

Polecat?

It was Mark and Sheila Forrester who spotted the (late) ‘polecat’ on the A287 near Crondall. Paul Hope dutifully scooped it up to get it verified by Martin Noble of the Hampshire Mammal Group. Polecats virtually became extinct many years ago due to persecution but since WW2 they have gradually spread back into England from their last stronghold in Wales. The first sighting in Hampshire was in the mid 1990s in the south of the county so a confirmation here is important.

Egrets, Egyptian Geese and a Waxwing

Thank you to all of you who have contributed bird sightings. Several people have spotted the (almost certainly Little) Egret on the River Whitewater in the Fire Show field and there was also another one up at The Firs. It was only 20 years ago that the first Little Egrets became established on Brownsea Island, now they are spreading throughout the country. Philip Riley and Lynda Hampton saw two pairs of Egyptian Geese in Dogmersfield Park. One pair has been there for a couple of years and probably are escapees.

The recent cold weather has attracted more unusual visitors to gardens. Mike Reggler has had Fieldfares (flocks), Blackcaps (several single visits) and a Bullfinch (once). Sue Bennett has also had Blackcaps. Jill and Gerald White have a hen Pheasant as a regular visitor and Mandy Jackson in South Warnborough saw a Waxwing in her garden.

Odiham Common Update

The Management Plan Advisory Steering Group last met on 17th December. The meeting was largely a consideration of the Draft Management Plan for the common, looking at its structure, then a section by section run through in preparation for its eventual public consultation.

The Odiham Biodiversity Group feel that grazing by cattle would be an important tool for the future management of Odiham Common. Grazing has significant conservation benefits over many other options. Benefits of the uneven grass height across a site that can be achieved with carefully managed conservation grazing will help provide a more diverse habitat for insects such as butterflies and moths. Also insects associated with cattle dung provide for insectivorous birds and bats. Our aim is to support and promote management practices that would lead to a sustainable increase in the biological diversity of the common, with particular emphasis on those practices that would provide most benefits.

Highgrove Visit in the Spring

Lynda Hampton has kindly offered to organise a visit to Highgrove in the spring. Please contact Lynda on 01256 702109 by Friday the 19th February if you would be interested in such a visit. Admission is £15.

RSPB Evening walks

Peter Hutchins of the Basingstoke RSPB has offered to arrange an evening walk (May/June) in the Odiham area. Please contact him on 01256 770831 if there is a particular area which you think would be good for an evening walk and/or you would like to lead a walk.

HWT Work Party Sun 31st January at 10.00am North Warnborough Greens

The work party will be cutting bramble scrub on the edge of the Southern Meadow, opposite the Jolly Miller pub. The scrub is encroaching on the flower rich grassland and also shading out a stream that runs alongside the meadow. For more details please e-mail Tim Ransom [transom@btinternet.com] or phone on 01256 764541 or Mike Morton on 07786 678604

HWT Wildlife and Heritage Walk at Eversley

Thursday 4th March Please contact Sarah Broadhead on 01256 381103 for more information.

It has been suggested that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which celebrates the sacrifice of those who flew during the 2nd World War, will be cut in the next round of defence cuts. This will be a travesty if it goes ahead. The BBMF costs a mere £3m a year, less than 0.1% of the defence budget. It is a great delight for all who see their displays, and the memory of 'The Few' will be lost. Please vote to ensure that the BBMF is not closed.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ensure that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is not axed in any defence cuts.