http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php Copyright 2008, TLC-Online TLC-Online en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080628-225812 The Fawley Falcons under 8’s are pictured in their new football kit that has been jointly sponsored by Easton Residential from Holbury and The VIP Network (Mortgage Specialists) from Langley.

The two companies are honoured and proud to be able to help a local Football Club.

Glenn Jackson of Easton Residential said “We’ve been hearing many good reports about the under 8’s and are glad to help out in their plea for a new kit.”

Having been runners up in two local tournaments recently it’s only a matter of time before trophies start to come their way.

Marshall Palmer of The VIP Network added, “The team had been playing in kit for a few years and needed a replacement so we’re both glad that we could help out.

The team seems to be going great guns at the moment and we are pleased to be associated with them”.

Both sponsors work very closely with the local community ensuring that they get excellent service and support that they need when moving home.

For further and advice visit www.vip.uk.net or www.eastonresidential.co.uk

Photo’s kindly supplied by TLC-Online.]]> • News http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080628-225812 TLC-Online Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:58:12 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080628-225812 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080625-111219 Some of the world’s most exotic plants are in flower at Exbury.

Visitors to the Rock Garden will spot the spectacular blue Puya (Puya berteroana), its blue and orange flowers reaching up to six foot.

The Puya, which has over-wintered successfully at Exbury, comes from the Andes mountains in Chile, where Exbury’s head gardener, John Anderson has seen groups of this wonderful plant growing in the wild.

“There they flower away in quite arid conditions on the sides of slopes and mountains,” he said.

“Here I’m finding them easy to grow given a warm, sheltered well-drained spot that does get too wet. It’s a prickly beast and although it was attacked by some brave badgers, it didn’t seem to be harmed,” he said. “It’s spiketacular plant!”

The Exbury Puya, a member of the pineapple family, (Bromeliaceae), has been planted close to some other fantastic exotics – the Mexican Beschorneria septentrionalis which throws out shocking pink stalks reaching to four or five feet, bearing tubular hanging red and green flowers.

“People come here in the spring to see our wonderful rhododendrons,” said John. “But they really should come back to see these fantastic exotics, flowering away in the Rock Garden.”

John will be showing off these plants and many others to those booking places on the Hampshire Food Fare Breakfast Walks on the first weekend in July.

The walks, which must be pre-booked, last for ninety minutes and start at 8am on Saturday 5 July and Sunday 6 July.

They are followed by breakfast, made with locally produced ingredients. Please telephone 023 8024 5750 to arrange.

They cost Ł16.00 per person or Ł13.00 for season ticket holders. There is free re-admission to the Gardens after breakfast.

Exbury Gardens are open daily until November 9. For details of all events and what is in flower, please visit www.exbury.co.uk or telephone 023 8089 1203.]]> • Exbury Gardens http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080625-111219 TLC-Online Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:12:19 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080625-111219 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080618-225526 Police are investigating a failed attempt to remove an ATM machine at the Morrisons superstore in Spruce Drive, Totton.

Sometime between 11.50pm on Monday, June 16 and 4.30am on Tuesday, June 17, an attempt was made to remove the metal hinges and handle to a door containing the cash machine, using an oxy-acetylene torch.

Investigating officers believe that the offender(s) would have been at the scene for some time while they cut away at the machine, before giving up and driving off.

Anyone who was in the area or used the A326 during this period and saw anything suspicious, particularly a van or an Audi together of separately in the vicinity, should contact the Serious Organised Crime Unit at Hulse Road, Southampton on 0845 045 45 45.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers, the charity, on 0800 555 111.
]]> • Hampshire Constabulary http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080618-225526 TLC-Online Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:55:26 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080618-225526 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080613-154045 Old Winchester Hill is located near West Meon and in walking terms can be described as an ‘upside down hill’ or a bowl in layman’s terms.

This is because the car park is at the top of the hill; so you have to walk downhill first before returning in an uphill direction.

Actually you don’t have to go downhill at all as you can go for a fair walk along the escarpment at the top of the hill.

We decided to walk in a circle by going down into the bowl first, up the other side, and then spend some time walking round the hill fort at the top before returning to the car park.

By this means we got the hard part over as soon as possible and were more able to enjoy the rest of the walk.

The main features of the walk are the scenery and at this time of year the flowers on the chalk downland.

When we arrived at the car park however the first thing we heard was the call of a turtle dove.

They could certainly teach the wood pigeon a thing or two about cooing.

It was difficult to see many other birds because of the vegetation but we did see skylarks and yellow hammers during our walk.

Yellow is the first thing you notice about the flowers at this time of year being late spring or early summer.

Buttercups are there of course but they are crowded out in many parts by the clouds of crosswort.

Crosswort, which is a member of the bedstraw family, is so called because the petals, stems and leaves are all in fours and in the shape of a cross.

Technically two of the leaves are stipules which have copied the shape of the other two leaves so the plant is regarded as having two opposite leaves.

The yellow theme is continued in the birds foot trefoil, kidney vetch and horseshoe vetch.

Birds foot trefoil and kidney vetch are found in small patches but the horseshoe vetch covers wide areas of the hillsides.

If you can identify the birds foot trefoil then the horseshoe vetch is like a smaller version and the kidney vetch is recognised by the downy fluff around the flowers.

Other yellow flowers include yellow rattle which is just coming into flower, mouse ear hawkweed which are like a pale yellow dandelion and catsear or hawkbit.

There are flowers of other colours about but they look less significant.

The small white flowers of fairy flax for instance or the slightly larger flowers of lesser stitchwort are only noticeable on close inspection.

The blue flowers of wild thyme and the white wild strawberry are there in small numbers.

We were lucky enough to have a taste of wild strawberry which although about a hundred times smaller than the commercial variety is about a hundred times tastier.

Orchids are regarded as slightly exotic flowers but the heath spotted orchids are plentiful and the fragrant orchids, although fenced off, are not in short supply.

Salad burnet is there in abundance but the dark purple colour of the ball shaped flowers make them merge into the background of the hill.


They are not so insignificant for the butterflies however.

We did not see a great number of butterflies but there were small heath and brimstone butterflies.

Also common blue, large white and meadow brown butterflies put in an occasional appearance.

The most striking however was the sighting of a tiger moth on the west side of the hill fort but we lost sight of it before I could take a photograph.

You cannot go far on Old Winchester hill before you have to stop and look at the landscape.

We had hauled ourselves up the hill on a hot sunny day and were looking for somewhere to rest when we came across a wooden bench.

On the back of the bench was written ‘The life of Maggie’.

At first sight a wooden bench is no substitute for a life but when we sat on the seat and looked out over the rolling downland with no noise but the sound of birds and the swifts soaring over the hill catching the insects then that seemed to me to be a good life.

Our next outdoor meeting will be to Basingstoke Canal.

Meet at Oak Road car park Dibden Purlieu at 10am on Sunday 20th July.

Our next indoor meeting will be at St. Andrews centre, Dibden Purlieu at 7.30pm on 28th July.

Our speaker will be Carol Watson and the topic will be ‘My Views of Winchester.

All visitors are welcome to indoor and outdoor meetings.

Contact the Secretary on 02380893803.
Any comments to mharrison67@btinternet.com.
]]> • Waterside Natural History Society http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080613-154045 TLC-Online Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:40:45 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080613-154045 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080613-140436 Police in Totton are investigating the theft of a mini-excavator from the garden of a residential property in Winsor Road, near Cadnam.

The New Forest Hire owned turquoise coloured Kubota K008, was taken from the property almost opposite the school, sometime between 5.30 and 6.30pm on Monday, June 9.

At the same time, a man was seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity and a white Ford Transit van with a metal trailer measuring approximately 6ft x 7ft attached was seen close to the property.

This man is described as:

• White
• Aged 25-30 years old
• Thin build
• Dark blonde hair covering the ears
• He was wearing black trousers, possibly jogging bottoms and a green high-visibility jacket over a t-shirt.

Officers investigating the theft are keen to speak to this man or anyone who saw him or knows who he might be.

Information should be given by contacting PC Bemand at Totton police station on 0845 045 45 45 or anonymously on Crimestoppers, the charity, on 0800 555 111.]]> • Hampshire Constabulary http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080613-140436 TLC-Online Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:04:36 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080613-140436 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080604-152526 New Forest District Council is extending its concessionary travel scheme to provide free, all-day travel on registered bus services commencing in the district for those aged over 60 and disabled residents.

The decision to extend the scheme from off-peak travel to an all-day operation was agreed at cabinet today.

This is good news for the 30,000 residents who currently benefit from the scheme. The extended benefit will come into force on Monday 23 June, giving bus operators time to communicate the changes to their drivers.

Planning and Transportation portfolio holder Cllr Chris Treleaven said: “Our assessment of the costs to the council of operating the concessionary fare scheme was more favourable than originally anticipated. This has allowed us to extend the statutory off-peak scheme to an all-day operation for our qualifying residents, which no doubt will be particularly welcomed by disabled or over-60 residents who have a need to travel before 9.30am.”

Leader of the council Cllr Mel Kendal added: “Residents do not need to apply to the council for a new permit. Residents can use their existing passes which will permit them to travel for free all day starting from Monday 23 June.”]]> • New Forest District Council http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080604-152526 TLC-Online Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:25:26 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080604-152526 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080603-091151 Young footballers in Hythe have received a real confidence boost after taking delivery of a brand new kit.

Hythe Football Club, which plays at the Waterside Club in Holbury, has also bought new balls and training equipment with a Ł1,000 grant from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley, in recognition of the time and effort one employee has put into volunteering with the club.

The money has been donated under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations.

The scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

The grant applicant was Mark Sellwood, who works in maintenance at the refinery in Fawley.

He runs the line at matches, as well as helping out with the preparation of equipment for training.

He has been involved with the club for the last four years through his son Alex, who is in the under 11s team.

He said: “Grants of this sort make a huge difference to the club. It enables us to keep the fees reasonably low so that the maximum number of boys and girls can take part, without worrying too much about the cost. ”

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed more than Ł300,000 to local community projects, since it was started four years ago.]]> • ExxonMobil http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080603-091151 TLC-Online Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:11:51 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080603-091151 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080603-090417 Would-be explorers can test their skills at Exbury’s 2008 Maize Maze which is laid out in the shape of a Mayan temple.

Vicky Scott, who has managed the giant ground puzzle at Exbury since its inception in 2006, has designed this year’s maze, which covers a six acre field offering families hours of fun as they test their skills and complete the quiz trail in the winding pathways leading to the centre, where a golden temple is hidden.

Hundreds of thousand of maize plants are sown in mid-spring and, when they are growing strongly the pattern is marked out in a peg and string grid. Volunteers, led by Vicky, spend days in June pulling out plants to reveal the pathways that make up the giant puzzle.

Vicky, who designed the maze initially on her computer, admitted the task was a tricky one.

“I made lots of changes along the way – I tried to resist the temptation to overcomplicate the design as we want our visitors to enjoy an hour or two in the maze but not to find it so hard that they get lost in there for ever,” she said.

There are also courtyard games and a special mini-maze for younger children.

The maze will also play host to Exbury’s fifth annual Scarecrow Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

This actively supports local charities and volunteer groups. Visitors to the maze can vote for the best scarecrow.

Exbury’s Maize Maze opens on Thursday July 24, closing six weeks later on 2 September.

It is situated in a large field across the road from the Exbury Gardens car park and steam railway.

A joint admission ticket to the Maze and the Gardens is available.
For more information please log on to www.exburymaizemaze.co.uk
]]> • Exbury Gardens http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080603-090417 TLC-Online Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:04:17 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080603-090417 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080602-172846 Police are appealing for information after a large quantity of sentimental jewellery items were stolen from a property in Downs Park Avenue, Totton.

Sometime between 12 and 1.45pm on Tuesday, May 20 a man was seen by a neighbour to jump over the rear fence of the property and the back door was forced open to get inside the property.

Six rings, a cameo brooch, gold bracelet and six antique hatpins were taken from inside, it is not known how much these items are worth but have been collected by the owner over a period of 48 years.

The man seen climbing over the fence is described as:
• White
• Late teens to early 20s
• Approximately 5ft 7ins tall
• Average build
• Blond/mousey brown hair
• Wearing a blue and white colour zip-up hooded top, a camouflage print ‘McKenzie’ t-shirt and jeans.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, may have been offered the jewellery items for sale, or recognises the e-fit is asked to contact Police Constable Chris Barrow at Hythe police station on 0845 045 45 45, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.]]> • Hampshire Constabulary http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080602-172846 TLC-Online Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:28:46 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080602-172846 http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080602-171324 The Beijing Olympics are the theme for the celebration of petal fall at Exbury Gardens this weekend when children get free entry so that they can help to create a colourful floral collage composed of thousands of fallen petals.

Floral artists from the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) will be at the award-winning Gardens to coordinate the ‘petal fall’ design, which will be based on the five Olympic rings.

“Our rhododendrons and azaleas flower in all sorts of fantastic colours” said John Anderson, Exbury’s head gardener.

“Every year at this time, as they fall, we ask children to come in to help collect the blooms and petals so that they can make a floral picture.

This year we are all looking towards China as they host the Olympic Games, which is fitting, as many of our most beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas come from that part of the world,” he said.

Many of Exbury’s plants were collected by famous plant hunter George Forrest, who worked in the mountainous regions of China, often risking his life to bring home many of the trees and shrubs we take for granted in British gardens today.

Tragedy has struck in those regions in the shape of the devastating earthquake which killed thousands of people.

Exbury’s commercial manager Nigel Philpott says the collage will also serve as a tribute and a reminder of the work that is going on to repair the damage in the devastated areas.

Each child who collects petals for the collage, which will be put together on Saturday and Sunday, near the plant centre, will receive free seeds and a sweet treat.

Petal Fall weekend marks the traditional end of Exbury’s high season and the beginning of flowering in herbaceous beds, the exotic garden and Summer Lane garden.

“Just because the rhododendron season is drawing to a close doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to see at Exbury,” said John.

“The woodland walks and views are as lovely as ever and we have some fabulous herbaceous beds, the exotic sundial garden, ponds, a bog garden and many surprises at every twist and turn of the paths. Visitors who take a ride on the train will also enjoy Summer Lane Garden which is nearing its best now.”

All children 15 and under will receive free entry to Exbury Gardens on Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8. The usual charge for riding on the railway applies.

Exbury Gardens are open daily from 10.00-5.30pm. Visit www.exbury.co.uk for details.]]> • Exbury Gardens http://www.thewaterside.net/index.php?entry=entry080602-171324 TLC-Online Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:13:24 GMT http://www.thewaterside.net/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080602-171324