Feb 26 Sports Field - SERP

After delays due to the weather we are hoping to complete the drainage works during February which will be welcomed by all, especially the football teams and not least the parents of the children soaked on the trampoline in the playground.

Sherfield FC men’s and women’s teams go from strength to strength, and we are all very proud of their achievements so far. Please pop over on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and join the growing crowd to give them a cheer. Sherfield English Netball club plays on Monday and Wednesday evenings and is run by the lovely Helen Stockting. If you are interested in joining in or simply finding out more and perhaps having a trial session, please call Helen on 07702 071969. All levels including complete beginners will be made to feel very welcome.

TENNIS - The netball is played on the hard courts which have previously

also been used for tennis. Demand fell and currently no tennis takes place at all. SERP are happy to possibly make the investment needed to update the nets etc. but we would like to know how much, if any, interest there is. Please contact us on the mail or number below to let us know if you would like to use the courts either for occasional use or for tennis training or practise.

CRICKET is returning to the village! Whiteparish Cricket Club is a thriving club with several teams, and the third team will be playing throughout the season on Saturday afternoons in Sherfield English.

NEWS FROM THE PAVILLION

We are a small charity with a hardworking committee striving to make the facilities as relevant and modern as possible. As you will appreciate funding is a constant concern, but we are hoping to make some important changes and possible refurbishments and are working towards applying for various grants to assist with the cost. We would very much like to have the feedback from parishioners as to what you think we should prioritise. Please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

DATES FOR THE DIARY.

SherFest Music evening Saturday 15 th August 2026

Fireworks Night Sunday 1 st November 2026

Jerome Hoffman

Chair SERP2000

serp.field@gmail.com 07979785559

Warm & Safe Communities

Get in touch for 1-2-1 confidential support, 340073 or email as above.

Mill Lane Meadows Ranger Update Autumn 25

Autumn 2025 update from TVBC Reserves Officer, Gemma

Hello all, please let me introduce myself. My name is Gemma and I am the Reserves Officer managing Mill Lane Meadows for TVBC, having started the post in August this year.

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you with all that we have been up to at MLM, as it has received a lot of TLC over these last few months! One of my first site meetings since starting in post was to walk the site with your local Councillors, Nick Adams-King and Gordon Bailey, updating them regarding the works planned for the coming months and how we can promote the site to ensure local residents are aware of MLM and what it has to offer. Through October we had a lot going on at the site tree works were completed on the southern path, lifting some of the crowns to let more light in, and some safety work with some low hanging trunks. Following this we had a very successful native tree planting day, which saw 13 volunteers help TVBC staff plant 3 crab apples and 4 cherry trees in both fields. This was the day that Storm Benjamin was due, however we were very fortunate to have exceptionally dry and mild conditions throughout the morning! The trees were funded by the Environment Agency and grown locally at Hilliers in Romsey. After planting, we were very thankful for a wonderful lunch of homemade soup and apple crumble at Sherfield-English village hall for all participants, a lovely way to finish the day. Huge thanks to all who were involved with the lunch for the volunteers, it was very much appreciated by all.

Within days of the trees being planted, our fencing contractor was up at site to install the tree pens around each tree. These pens will ensure protection from deer and rabbits, the finishing touch to the tree planting project. I have held two TVBC team days at site recently to concentrate on willow management, coppicing the willow from around the pond to increase light exposure which will help the biodiversity, and to clear some of the willow on the south-western path which was constantly threatening to encroach. This will be a constant balancing act Ð willow is incredibly important due to its root system stabilizing soil and helping to reduce erosion; however it is also prolific - it can easily take over a site if not managed correctly. The final willow management day is planned for Tuesday 25th November, when I plan to cut the multiple saplings growing in the meadow to the left of

the car park Finally, I have installed a small notice board at the entrance to the site, so

I am able to update visitors to any planned works on MLM. For up to date site information look no further! Please keep on enjoying the beautiful MLM and I will be in touch soon!

Gemma !