The Festival opens appropriately with Rebecca Shaw and Jack Sheffield, both renowned for their highly popular accounts of daily life. Rebecca’s books centre on the village of Turnham Malpas and Jack’s on life as a teacher. Readers who enjoy Gervase Phinn and Miss Read are sure to enjoy work by these two authors.

Christopher Martin-Jenkins joins us at 6pm to share his thoughts and experiences as one of the country’s greatest cricketing authorities. We are delighted that he has recently been appointed the new President of the MCC and as West Meon is the last resting place of the founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground it is the perfect setting.

Friday concludes with a sinister evening in the company of Sophie Hannah and Poppy Adams. Sophie’s intriguing psychological thrillers include ‘A Room swept White’ and she is joined by Poppy Adams whose highly-praised debut, ‘The Behaviour of Moths’ has been described as having ‘shades of Du Maurier and Hitchcock’. Our Gothic revival church is sure to add to the atmosphere.

Two superb historians join us on Saturday; Gillian Tindall, whose book ‘Footsteps in Paris’ is both a history of her family and the city itself and Daisy Hay whose book about the Shelley’s, Byron and their circle, ‘Young Romantics’ has already created quite a stir and gives fresh insight into their tangled lives.

Jane Gardam will be spending time with us in the afternoon and reading from her humorous and poignant new book, ‘The Man in the Wooden Hat’, the companion volume to ‘Old Filth’. Jane is a multi award-winning writer with an exceptional reputation and a loyal following and if you don’t know her work now is the chance to experience it firsthand.

We are offering something a bit different at tea-time, in the form of Natasha Solomon’s charming debut, ‘Mr Rosenbaum’s List’ about a Jewish couple trying to cope with being plunged into life in an English village in the 1950’s. Our local Women’s Institute are on hand to serve a scrumptious ‘period’ tea [hopefully not too much fish paste!] amongst the bunting and doilies.     www.westmeonfestival.co.uk

Meon Valley Studio is run by experienced professionals Olivia Lowe and Lindsey Mann and is situated just outside the village of Warnford. From our fully equipped workshop we run our individual craft practices as well as sharing our knowledge through a programme of short courses. Join us for a six-week course to learn all the skills needed to make silver jewellery.    Next dates:

Mondays: 7th June - 12th July, 7pm - 9:30pm
Telephone Olivia on 07939 533 878
Wednesdays: 9th June - 14th July, 10:30am - 1pm and 7pm - 9:30pm
Telephone Lindsey on 07751 593 541
In August we will be running two separate one-day jewellery making courses on Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th August. The courses are suitable for all abilities, with current evening class students having the opportunity to continue their ongoing projects in this intensive session, as well as beginners being able to follow a set project that introduces you to the basics of jewellery and silversmithing.

Each course will run from 10am to 4pm and costs £75 per person excluding materials £60 for current students. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided. Bring your own packed lunch for a picnic outdoors!

For Saturday 21st August please telephone Lindsey on 07751 593 541.
For Saturday 28th August please telephone Olivia on 07939 533 878.

www.meonvalleystudio.com
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MONDAY:
Course 1: Junior/Teenage, 11 – 13 year’s beginners/intermediate
4-5pm  5 week course  :  8 places     Begins 22/02/10   Ends 22/03/10  £35.00 per course

Starting after Easter Holidays

Course 2 : Junior/Teenage 12 - 14 years         Intermediate/Advanced
5-6pm  6 week course  :  8 places     Begins 19/04/10   Ends 24/05/10  £42.00 per course

WEDNESDAYS:
Course 3: 10.30 – 12.00pm Adult Intermediate
5 week course   :   8 places Begins 24.02.10   Ends 25.03.10  £52.50 per course

THURSDAYS:               Private lessons available (junior & adult)

FRIDAYS:
Course 5: 9.30 – 10.30am Adult Beginners, 5 week course  :   8 places      Begins 26.02.10   Ends 26.03.10  £42.50 per course

Course 6: Over 60s Short Tennis (Corhampton Indoor Facility)
12.30 – 1.30pm    5 week course  : Just turn Up  16 places available
£5.00 per session   26.02.10, 05.03.10, 12.03.10, 19.03.10, 26.03.10

 SATURDAYS:
Course 7: 09.00 -10.00am –Mini Red Beginners –5-8 years old
Course 8: 10.00 – 11.00am – Mini Orange – 8 - 9 years old
Course 9: 11.00 – 12.00 – Mini Green 9-10 years old
5 week course  :   12 places  Begins 27.02.10   Ends 27.03.10   £35.00 per course

Please email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for all prices, enquiries and to book/reserve your place(s).

For all membership enquiries please email Jane Waller – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

West Meon Companion Dog Show was held in the beautiful grounds of Hall Place in West Meon, with show rings for both pedigree and novelty classes running side by side, all entrants enjoyed showing off their canine stars.

This years' chosen animal charities are Second Chance Animal Recue, based in Mansbridge, Southampton and International Animal Rescue who are dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of suffering animals.

Best in Show - Deerhound (Isla) owned by Mrs Broughton from East Wittering, West Sussex

Best Local Dog - GSD (Tilly) , right, owned by Mrs Thresher from Bramdean, 2nd Esme Jacobs with Lizzie, left, (Black Labrador), 3rd Rob Morrish with Mitzi, centre, (German Wirehaired Pointer)

The Meon Valley Flower Club meets monthly at the Meonstoke Village Hall with a varied programme of demonstrations, workshops, competitions and visits to gardens.
Contact Ann Hammant 01730 829469 or  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it