ITCHENVALLEYCHURCHES

Welcome

to the

Itchen Valleywww.itchenvalleychurches.org

WelcomeWe are so pleased that you have joined our community. The Itchen Valley comprises the four beautiful and friendly villages of Avington, Easton, Itchen Abbas and Martyr Worthy.

We are a welcoming church family, spread over the four villages with four churches and our aim is to be at the spiritual heart of the Itchen Valley community, loving God and our neighbours and seeking to deepen and strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ. Do please come into one of the churches to discover more of our life together and also read about what is happening across the villages in the village magazine, the Itchen Valley News. Our parish website is a useful tool to find out things as well – www.itchenvalleychurches.org

We hope this pack will help you settle in and be a guide to some of the activities and facilities on offer. We pray that you will settle in quickly and come to feel part of this valley community.

We look forward to meeting you – do please come along to one of our services. With God’s blessing to you in your new home.

Alex

Meet the teamRectorRevd. Alex Pease Tel: 01962 779845rector@itchenvalleychurches.orgWeb site: itchenvalleychurches.org Licensed Lay MinisterGerry Stacey Tel: 01962 620263

AdministratorBeccy Clark Tel: 01962 779845admin@itchenvalleychurches.orgOffice hours 9am to 1pm, Mon - Fri.

Churchwardens:AvingtonPosition vacant

EastonTheo Mezger 07775 908014Vanessa Rosewell 01962 841182

Itchen Abbas Tony Gaster 01962 779110Nick Owen 01962 779162

Martyr WorthyAndrew Impey 01962 779645Robin Greenwood 01962 779540

Getting InvolvedIf you would like to be involved in the life and mission of your local church please contact a Churchwarden or one of the clergy.

Keeping you InformedIf you would like us to keep you informed about services or what is happening in the Church please do go on to the Data Protection page of our website and fill in the contact form, alternatively you can complete the enclosed form and return it to Beccy Clark our Parish Administrator at St John’s Church.

Pictured from top:St Mary’s AvingtonSt Mary’s EastonSt John the Baptist, Itchen AbbasSt Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy

Itchen Valley Church ServicesWe hold a range of services in our four churches both traditional and modern. Details of these may be found in the Itchen Valley News, on church notice boards, in Church Matters in each church or on www.itchenvalleychurches.org

Refreshments are served after every 10am service – this is a great time to meet new faces and catch up with friends and neighbours. The Churches are normally open every day during daylight hours.

We also hold midday prayer on Mondays at 12pm, Mum’s Bible Study on Mondays at 1.30pm and Informal Prayer on Wednesdays at 1.30pm - all at St John’s Church, Itchen Abbas - everybody is welcome to come along and we would love to see you.

The Ark meets each Sunday apart from the first one of the month when the children take part in the All Age Worship which is directed towards their age. So whether you are in Bubbles (3-5) Splash (6-8) or Extreme (9-11) our team of leaders and other shipmates will be keen to see you. We have some great materials and we will be finding out more and more about Jesus. It is always amazing and so much fun – so please do come!

UTX is our group for young people from 11 - 18. It has two meetings a month, a chance to get together for fun and fellowship on the second Sunday evening of the month and an opportunity to explore questions of faith during the 10am service on the third Sunday of the month. Our evening meeting usually takes place 6.30-8pm in St John’s, Itchen Abbas. Our morning session usually takes place at Dymoke House, Easton. Everyone is welcome and this is a great opportunity for our young people to explore and question their faith in a safe and relaxed environment.

Children and Young People

For parents and carers with their babies and toddlers, come along for a coffee in a fun and happy atmosphere, the children will have lots of space to play and time to come together for songs, Bible stories and prayer. All those with children under school age are welcome. We will meet every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) at Itchen Abbas Church from 10am to 11am. No need to pre book just turn up on the day and the sessions are free of charge. Little Rainbows is a great way to start a lifelong Christian journey.

CAMEOWe offer senior citizens of the Parish this social and spiritual occasion. It is free and open to anyone over 65. Please tell your friends and invite them to come with you. Communion and Meet Each Other on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. A short lunch time service is followed by a light two course lunch. Come and enjoy the fellowship of this social and spiritual occasion and the food is delicious as well.

CAMEO takes place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 12 noon at St John’s, Itchen Abbas. Please let Lavinia Owen know if you would like to come and if you have any dietary requirements – 01962 779162

Valley visitorsA team of pastoral visitors has recently been relaunched as Valley Visitors, they have been exercising a caring ministry on behalf of the Parish of the Itchen Valley for many years. They visit those who are bereaved, housebound or elderly. Visits are also made to those who are ill at home and their carers, those in hospital if appropriate and others who might find a visit helpful.

If you would like more information about this or feel you might be interested in joining the team please telephone Lavinia Owen 01962 779162.

OTHER LOCAL CHURCHESWinchester Cathedral – Daily servicesFor details contact: Cathedral Office: Tel: 01962 857200www.winchester-cathedral.orgDiocese of Winchester: www.winchester.anglican.org

Churches of other denominations

Roman CatholicSt. Peter’s – Jewry Street, Winchester 01962 852804St. Gregory’s – Grange road, Alresfordwww.hampshiredowns.winchester.org

Baptist ChurchSwan Lane, WinchesterTel: 01962 868770www.winbap.org

Methodist ChurchJacklyns Lane, Alresford Tel: 01962 735278www.alresfordmethodistchurch.org

The United ChurchJewry Street, WinchesterTel: 01962 849559www.unitedchurchwinchester.org

Hope Church WinchesterThe Middle Brook Centre, WinchesterTel: 01962 840800 www.hopewinchester.org

Winchester VineyardBar End Road, WinchesterTel: 01962 863217www.winvin.org

LOCAL INFORMATIONSchools

Itchen Abbas Primary School, School Lane 01962 779310Princes Mead School (Independent) Worthy Park House, Kings Worthy 01962 888000Itchen Valley Montessori Itchen Abbas Village Hall Caroline Butcher 01730 829377Riverbank Kindergarten Martyr Worthy Village Hall Maria Odgers 07900 437685

Little Rainbows mother & toddler groupLittle Rainbows a great way to start a life-long Christian journey for parents, carers and children under school age. St John’s, Itchen Abbas, Mondays 10-11am Contact Claire Hunt 01962 779238 claire123weston@hotmail.com

Pubs

Easton: The Chestnut Horse 01962 779257 and The Cricketers 01962 791044Itchen Abbas: The Plough 01962 779191

Village Halls

Itchen Abbas and Avington Village HallBookings: 07947 191229 or www.iaavillagehall.co.ukEaston Village HallBookings: 01962 779465 or evh.bookings@googlemail.comMartyr Worthy Village Hall Bookings: Lucinda Ffennell 01962 779701

Village MagazineThe Itchen Valley News is distributed monthly to all households in the parish. Copies are in the churches and pubs and online at the Itchen Valley Parish Council website. Contact editor Vernon Tottle itchenvalleynews@gmail.com

The Itchen List A mailing list for residents in the Itchen Valley. Sign up and send email to our mailing list address and everyone on the list will receve a copy. Very useful! www.itchenlist.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATIONThe following information has been put together to help you get to know what services are available in and around the Itchen Valley. The list is by no means exhaustive, so please do let us know if we have missed out anything important and we will include it in future editions.

Bus serviceNo 67 – Petersfield/Alresford/Itchen Abbas/Martyr Worthy/WinchesterBus timetables at bus stops and also on page 40 of the Itchen Valley News.

ChemistsAlresford Pharmacy, Broad Street, Alresford – 01962 732858Wessex Chemist, Broad Street, Alresford – 01962 732445Springvale Pharmacy,18 Fraser Rd, Kings Worthy – 01962 884848

Doctors’ surgeriesThe Alresford Surgery, Station Road, Alresford Tel: 01962 732345The Friarsgate Practice, Stockbridge Road, Winchester 01962 717730St Clements Surgery, Tanner Street Winchester Tel: 01962 852211

Farmers marketwww.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk

Farm shopsWest Lea Farm Shop Itchen Stoke Road 01962 732476Good Life Farm Shop Headbourne Worthy 01962 889000

GarageEaston Garage 01962 779319

Golf coursePark Golf Course, Avington 01962 779945

HospitalsRoyal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester – 01962 863535BMI Sarum Road Hospital, Winchester – 01962 844555 (Private)

Itchen Valley Parish Councilwww.itchenvalleyparishcouncil.org.uk

Library Broad Street, Alresford Tel: 0300 5551387

Milk deliveryMilk and More0345 606 3606 www.milkandmore.co.uk

Post Office Newsagents: Kings Worthy Tel 01962 881732

Public telephonesAvington – between the Church and Avington ParkEaston – opposite The Chestnut Horse PubMartyr Worthy – at the entrance to Couch GreenItchen Abbas – opposite Village HallPlease note these do not accept cash.

Winchester Railway stationwww.nationalrail.co.uk

Recycling centresProspect Road, Alresford Winchester Recycling, Barfield Close, Bar End

ShopsA wide range of shops can be found in Alresford, Kings Worthy and WInchester including supermarkets, butchers, bakers, delicatessens and greengrocers. Alresford has many other specialist shops and services such as coffee shops, hairdressers, gift and china shops, ladies fashion and florists, plus a market in Broad Street on Thursday mornings.

VetsCedar Veterinary Group New Farm Road, Alresford 01962 732535Mildmay Veterinary Centre, Easton Lane, Winchester 01962 854088Companion Care Vets, Pets at Home, Easton Lane, Winchester 01962 843885

Other activitiesBell RingingSt. Mary’s Easton and St. Mary’s AvingtonPractice night every Thursday in Easton 7.30-9.00pmPlease contact Judy Bishop on 01962 779205.

BoulesFriendly groups of people who enjoy socialising with inter-village competitions. Contact:Avington – Tuesdays, Ralph Matthews 01962 779632Easton – Mondays, Simon Broadley 01962 779435Itchen Abbas – Tuesdays, Jenny Sloan 01962 778913Martyr Worthy – Tuesdays, John Prince 01962 779227

Easton and Martyr Worthy Cricket ClubThe David Roth Cricket Ground is in the heart of Easton Village. New members always welcome. Coaching and matches at both senior and junior levels. Contact Adam Murch 07801 211428 www.emwcc.co.uk

Easton WIMeets 2nd Thursday of month 7.30pm Easton Village HallContact Kyrene Beames 01962 779304 for more information.

Itchen Valley Choral SocietyEvery Wednesday except holiday periods Sept-May 7.45-9.15pm. A mixed age choir for anyone who enjoys singing. No audition, but it is helpful to be able to read music a little. We sing everything from swing to choral music. Everyone welcome. Contact Lynda Denyer 01962 791101

The Valley Gardeners Second Tuesday of each month except December in Itchen Abbas Village Hall. Guest lecturers on gardening and garden visits/tours with resident experts. Contact www.thevalleygardeners.com.