Suzie Wilde and new boy Michael Auger are here with today’s essential information for Petersfield and its villages.

We talk to local sculptor Jonty Hurwitz whose bronze sculpture dedicated to walkers, Rejuvenation, was stolen at the weekend from the waterfall in Steep.

You can find out more about Suzie and her writing on her personal website and Michael’s band Collabro here.

Get involved with the show

Send information updates, questions and thank you messages, for people who’ve helped you, to team@petersfieldradio.uk or phone 01730 555 500.

We share information with the Petersfield Coronavirus Resource Hub, the Petersfield Voluntary Care Group and other local agencies.

Information transcript

Following on from our report last week about a new kid on the block at Butser Ancient farm, another of their English Goats has given birth – and it’s a boy! They’ve named him Pan and he’s very cute. There’s lots there besides, and pre-booked tickets are available on Thursdays and weekends; with limited numbers for safety. 

The Rosemary Foundation has some great news about fundraising.

The Harrow Inn has raised £4200 from its plant and flower sales.

Eric, ‘the plant man’, has raised £1300 from the socially distanced plant sales.

The takeaway cream teas raised £1000

And I’ll add a Sheet villager to the list. Jill Haines has been tirelessly making masks and bunnies throughout lockdown and raised £1650 so far. She’s making more bunnies as we speak – and hopes they will bring the total to an amazing £2000!

Opportunities for fundraising have diminished over the last few months, and everyone at the Foundation is very grateful. So to a round of applause to you, no matter how big or large your contribution to a great cause.

<THANK YOU FANFARE>

We’ve had more comments than ever about the barriers in town, installed as part of Covid safety measures. In a Hampshire County Council newsletter sent out yesterday, Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “The idea behind these “pop up” schemes we’re putting in place is to support social distancing for those walking and cycling, supporting local businesses as we move into a stabilisation phase after lockdown by giving people the confidence to return to the high street.

The schemes are experimental, and of necessity, we’ve had to put them in quickly; if they’re not effective for whatever reason, they will come out just as quickly and we will then concentrate on other measures that are proving to be more effective.”

The County Council specifically supports the measures taken in Petersfield – but perhaps you agree with our listener Jocelyn, who calls them “Absolute madness.” She goes on  “Turn Waitrose car park into free parking for 2 hours – after all it does belong to us rate payers.”

There are plenty more. Here’s Dean : “Why wasn’t this implemented at the height of the pandemic or earlier? Too little too late. 

And Katrin makes several complaints, including this one: “The fact that the official council survey is via Sustrans leads me to think there is a bias towards favouring cyclists and pedestrians in the longer term.”

Do you agree? Or do you think we rely too much on car use? If you want your views to be heard or find out about how similar schemes elsewhere compare –  visit the website hants.gov.uk and search for Petersfield popup

And if you missed the P pod’s Claire Vennis interviewing Councillor Rob Mocatta about all the local issues with the scheme, the whole seventeen minutes is on our website as a separate piece.

Here’s a form of transport dear to my heart: The Watercress Line is getting ready to welcome back customers from this Saturday, the 11th of July, and the team would love to see some customers dressed-up in nostalgic outfits. It’s not obligatory but what a great way to celebrate the reopening by organising some vintage clothing to really look the part! You need to pre-book your tickets by calling 01962 733 810

IDENT

I’ve done two Wilde Walks in the past year that have passed the waterfall in Steep, and often paused at the wonderful bronze statue on the bridge, as have many other ramblers. We’ll talk to its maker now, Jonty Hurwitz, to find out more about him and if there is any more news on the sculpture.

Good morning, Jonty. Can we start by talking about the work that seems so site-specific?

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Thank you so much for talking to us, Jonty, and we hope there is soon some good news.

If anyone out there knows anything about the disappearance, you can contact us anonymously on 5-55-500 or email team@petersfieldradio.uk

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TRAVEL 

As we’ve mentioned, new traffic measures are active in Petersfield to help with social distancing. It means the road is closed to traffic between the Square Brewery and Nationwide and many car parking spaces are closed too. There are other restrictions in place so check the signs and stay safe.

South East Water is working on Heath Road to renew pipes. 

The road’s up at the junction of Bedford Road and Frenchmans Road as part of the major electricity resilience project that will rip up roads across Petersfield.

And in West Meon there’s council work on Warnford Road.

As ever – If we’re not saying what you’re seeing, please let us know – you can reach us on Petersfield 5 55 500 or via email at team@petersfieldradio.uk

WEATHER 

A sunny start will give way to thickening clouds and an overcast afternoon. It will feel humid, but it should stay dry, with a maximum temperature of 19 degrees in a moderate SW breeze.

The outlook is for increasing cloud, with outbreaks of mostly light rain or drizzle on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Exciting news: the latest edition of the P-Pod has been recorded live at The Old Drum! It’s almost like old times – with extra distancing. Claire and Joff chat to Nicki Lahiri from Meon Valley Travel  – and if he stops long enough, Dean himself.

There’s all your old favourites: Jon Walker with breaking news from the Post; 60-Second History, Cosh Saves you Dosh and Suzie’s Wilde Walk.

Yes, this week I’m unusually well-informed about who has lived at Fynings House! There’s football, robbery, billionaires and divorce: what’s not to enjoy? 

Before we go, there’s news of a special birthday today. Here’s a shout-out to Hannah in Tilmore. She’s 15 today and I’ve heard she likes chocolate nearly as much as me! Many happy returns, Hannah!

Yes, happy birthday, Hannah and I’d better sign off while Michael finishes his family-size fruit and nut …

Any comments, news items or stories, email team@petersfieldradio.uk or call us on 5-55-500 where you can record a message.

Lucy and Alan are here with you tomorrow.

But until then, it’s goodbye from us – Goodbye!