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1 THE OCTOBER 2005 MAGAZINE Circulation 9,000 Vol. 48 No. 5 RATEPAYER ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE INSIDE... HMS PICKLE The White Ensign Hallowe en Plus the regular features MIKE ATTRIDGE 'BRICKWORK' The next WDRA meeting 7.30pm on Thursday 6th October Waterlooville Community Centre WALLS EXTENSIONS PATIOS GARAGES Free estimates with no obligation Horndean-Lovedean-Cowplain Clanfield-Waterlooville Tel: (023) Published by the Waterlooville and District Residents' Association (Covering the Wards of Cowplain, Stakes, Waterlooville and Hart Plain including part of Lovedean). Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors. The Publishers do not accept any liability for advertisements, statements in articles or letters published. The Association reserves the right to withdraw or refuse an advertisement if, in the opinion of the Association, the actions of the advertiser reflect badly on the Association and/or the Ratepayer Magazine. All articles herein may be reproduced only in their entirety and must acknowledge their source W.& D.R.A. 1

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4 Action commenced at 12 o clock on 21st October 1805 off Cape Trafalgar, Southwest Spain; a defining moment in the Napoleonic Wars. Two articles in this edition are dedicated to the memory of that decisive time in our history. Brian Goldacre wrote the first article. Between he was the Mess President of HMS NELSON Warrant Officer s and Senior Rates mess. Every year, it is traditional to celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar at a mess dinner, which is called Pickle Night, in recognition of the ship bearing that name. BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, 1805 As Mess President it was Brian s duty to preside over the Mess Dinner, generally held on the 21st October. Prior to the event he researched HMS PICKLE and was even able to track down a picture of the ship. And yes, a lot of ale and grog is consumed during the evening, so calling the celebrations pickle night is most appropriate! The evening is a tradition throughout the Royal Navy. Geoff Lynch wrote the second article, on page 8, after seeing three different naval ensigns apparently being used by the Fleet at the time of Nelson - this confused Geoff! HMS PICKLE AND HER INVOLVEMENT IN THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR PARTICULARS OF SHIP Displacement 127 tons Length 73 ft Beam 20 ft Complement 40 Armament Eight 12-pounder carronades The Motto on the ship s crest was Courage Grows Under Difficulty The Schooner Pickle was built in Plymouth and originally named STING. She was bought by the royal Navy in 1800 and re-named HMS PICKLE in the first ship to bear that name. From December 1804, Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere, aged 24, commanded her. His family, of French origin, originally called itself La Penotiere. John was the son of an RN Lieutenant. He came from Ilfracombe, Devon and joined the Navy in 1780 at the age of 10. HMS PICKLE joined Nelson s fleet on Tuesday 1st October 1805, 50 miles off Cadiz, after a fast passage from Plymouth, covering approximately 1000 miles in 8 days. On the 4th October, Nelson sent HMS PICKLE to help HMS EURYALUS and HMS HYDRA keeping vigil on the combined French and Spanish fleet at anchor in Cadiz harbour. The combined fleet put to sea from Cadiz on the 20th October and set a course for the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Bay of Trafalgar, on the 21st October, the fleets engaged in battle. During the ensuing battle, HMS PICKLE acted as an attendant picking up survivors and prisoners as ordered. After the battle, Vice Admiral Collingwood, onboard HMS EURYALUS and now in command of the fleet, decided to send his despatches home in the second smallest ship - HMS PICKLE. Lapenotiere was a particular favourite of Collingwood. On the 26th October, Lapenotiere was instructed to take despatches to England for which he would receive 500 and his Commander's commission. The despatches, dated 22nd October, were addressed to William Marsden, the Secretary to the Board of Admiralty. They referred to the victorious battle, the death of Nelson and the highly meritorious conduct of every man of the fleet. They included news of the damage wrought on the prizes because of the ensuing gales. It included the scuttling of the 130-gun Santissima Trinidad, flagship of the Spanish fleet - The greatest warship ever built. HMS PICKLE set sail for England with a crew of 32. It included 17 English, 9 Irish, 2 American, 1 Scot, 1 Welsh, 1 Norwegian and 1 Channel Islander. After an eventful and hazardous journey. The ship was impeded by gales and flooded when the ship was holed. During lack of wind her crew rowed to keep her on course at a steady speed of 2 knots. She arrived off Falmouth at 9.45am on the 4th November. A jolly boat conveyed the Captain ashore and a postchaise took him onward to London, a journey of 266 miles. Whilst HMS PICKLE was underway, from Cadiz to Falmouth a sail was noticed on the horizon. (It was later identified as HMS NAUTILUS, commanded by Captain Sykes) The two ships hove too and the news of the victory and tragedy imparted. Sykes decided to warn the British Ambassador in Lisbon, after which he set sail for England as he considered that the conveyance of the news should not be left to HMS PICKLE alone in case of her misfortune. HMS NAUTILUS arrived in Plymouth 12 hours after Lt Lapenotiere had departed from Falmouth. HMS PICKLE left the Falmouth anchorage for Plymouth, captained by Lt Kingdom - the second in command. November fog on the outskirts of London slowed Lapenotiere s postchaise from a gallop to a crawl. At approximately one o clock am (37 hours after setting out) on the 6th November, the despatches were handed to William Marsden in the Boardroom of the Admiralty at Whitehall. Captain Sykes arrived later that same day. News of the victory and the sad loss was printed in The Times on the 6th November but it had already been reported in the Gibraltar Chronicle on the 24th October. HMS PICKLE came to grief in 1808 when she was wrecked entering Cadiz harbour - just three years after the Battle of Trafalgar. Brian Goldacre 4

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8 NAVAL ENSIGNS AT TRAFALGAR This year, many of us have seen postage stamps, posters, oil paintings and photographs of paintings of Admiral Lord Nelson. On many of them he is shown in the foreground with a ship of the line in the background. These ships are invariably flying an ensign. Confusingly, I have noticed that three different naval ensigns have been used - red, blue and white. Research has revealed that, up to and beyond the battle of Trafalgar, there were indeed three different coloured ensigns used to identify which squadron of the Fleet a ship belonged to. In the chaos of a sea battle it must have been extremely difficult to identify whether a ship was flying an English naval ensign or a foreign flag because three quarters of the naval ensign could be one of three possible colours. Before the battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Nelson, who was the Vice Admiral of the white squadron, directed that all ships were to fly the white ensign. Whether its use during the battle assisted in identifying friend from foe is unclear, but it was not until 1864 when all Royal Navy ships were officially ordered to wear the White Ensign. The present design dates from It was further decreed that ships in the public service would fly the blue ensign and the red ensign would be used by all other British ships. I consulted: 'Signal!' by Captain Barrie Kent, Royal Navy; 'Nelson - An Illustrated History' by the National Maritime Museum in order to compile this article. Geoff Lynch EVENTS WITH A MARITIME FLAVOUR Royal Navy Treasures at Explosion, Gosport. Rare opportunity to see some of the Royal Navy treasures that have been collected over the centuries. Tel: or visit Watercolour Exhibition at Uppark, near Petersfield from 6th September to 20th October. A collection of contemporary watercolours by Captain James Cottell RM, a veteran of the Trafalgar campaign. (Not open on Fridays or Saturdays). Tel: or visit Trafalgar 200 Celebration Concert at The Chapel, Royal Victoria Country Park Netley on 15th October. Songs, band, poetry and dance with a Trafalgar and Lord Nelson theme. Tel: or visit Trafalgar Gun Firing and Firework Spectacular at Explosion! Gosport on 21st October. Cannons will be fired to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, followed by a firework spectacular. Tel: or visit Guns From the Sea at the Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Fareham on the 22nd and 23rd October. To commemorate Trafalgar Day, watch seaborne weapons in action from Tudor times to the present day. Tel: or visit For further details of these and other events Tel: or visit COWPLAIN SCHOOL - 75th ANNIVERSARY 3rd to 8th OCTOBER 2005 We will be celebrating our 75th Anniversary with a programme of events held during week commencing 3rd October. If you were a past pupil or member of staff, we hope that you will be able to join us. For further information or tickets, please see the school s website or Tel: EDITORIAL NOTICES Old Ratepayer magazines, photos and news cuttings I am always willing to give a good home to any of these and can promise they will be well looked after. Tel: Age Concern Cowplain - will be holding Coffee Mornings on Friday the 7th October and Friday 4th November from 10am to 11.45am at the Borrow Day Centre, Padnell Road, Cowplain (Opposite Co-op). Stalls, raffles, etc. All welcome to attend. St. Wilfrid's Church will be holding a Cakes Bakes with TRAIDCRAFT on Saturday 29th October from 10am to 12 noon at the Age Concern Hall, Padnell Road, Cowplain. SNAP (Say No And Phone) disco will take place on Saturday 29th October from 7pm to 11pm at the Havant Leisure Centre. These events enable year olds to enjoy a good night out in a drug and alcohol free environment. Entry is by ticket, 4 in advance. Tel: or visit Havant or Waterlooville Leisure Centres. Supported by Neighbourhood Watch and the Local Police. Watelooville And District Philatelic Society will meet on Friday 21st October at the Westbrook Hall, Tempest Avenue, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Subject: Members Interests - Any material. St George's Church, Waterlooville holds Coffee Mornings every Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12 noon in St George's Hall. All proceeds to charity. Waterlooville Town Market - each Friday in the Precinct. St. George's Market is held every Thursday in St. George's Church Hall, Waterlooville, 9.30am am. Home made cakes, produce, cards, crafts, eggs, plants, etc. Coffee and tea also available. RE-ACTION (Tools for self-reliance) - If you have any tools suitable for refurbishment then contact Bob Ginger Tel: Ark Angels are holding Table-Top Sales with refreshments on Saturday 1st October at St George's Hall, Waterlooville from 10.30am to 3.30pm and on Saturday 15th October at Lovedean Village Hall from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. All proceeds to support Stubbington Ark Animal Shelter. Tel: for more details. Charity Sale - will take place on Saturday 15th October at Age Concern, Padnell Road, Cowplain from 10am to 12 noon. Various stalls, crafts, raffle, refreshments, etc. All proceeds to Rowans' Hospice. Lovedean Village Hall is holding a Car Boot and Table Top Sale on Sunday 2nd October from 2pm. Tel: or for details. Horndean Hoppers Pre school - Nearly New Sale of children s clothing, equipment and toys. Saturday 8th October 2005 at Lovedean Village Hall, 2pm to 4pm. Sellers must have a sellers number and sellers pack. For terms and conditions contact Tel: ROWANS HOSPICE Voices for Hospices - The Rowans celebrates World Hospice Day on Friday 7th October with a Musical Extravaganza at St Thomas s Cathedral, Portsmouth commencing at 7pm. On Sunday 30th October, the Annual Memorial and Thanksgiving Service will take place at St Thomas s Cathedral, Portsmouth commencing at 3pm. Details for the above Tel: A Trafalgar Night Dinner will take place at Denmead Community Centre on 21st October Tel: for details. 8

9 WATERLOOVILLE AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (Covering the Wards of Cowplain, Stakes, Waterlooville and Hart Plain including part of Lovedean) Affiliated to the Hants. Fed. of Residents Associations President: Mr. D. Foyle I.S.M., Tel: Vice President: Mrs. J. Rea, Tel: Chairman: Mrs. L. Bowden Vice Chairman: Mr. D. Pink, Tel: Hon. Treasurer: Mr. N. Chedzey, 103 Sutton Road, Cowplain, Waterlooville, PO8 8PT, Tel: Hon. Secretary & Minutes Secretary: Miss Kim Readman Distribution Manager: Mrs Walker, Tel: The WDRA welcomes Gemma Puntis to the editorial team. ADVERTISING There is no advertising space currently available. For other enquiries contact the Business Manager at 11 Ruskin Way, Waterlooville, PO8 8JX. or NEXT BLOOD DONATION SESSIONS Friday October 7th 1:30pm to 3:25pm and 4:30pm to 7:15pm at St Wilfrid's Church, Padnell Road, Cowplain. Tuesday October 11th 1:30pm to 3:25pm and 4:30pm to 7:15pm and Tuesday November 1st 1:30pm to 3:25pm and 4:30pm to 7:15pm at WACA (Behind ASDA). USEFUL INFORMATION Waterlooville Police Station: Swiss Road Waterlooville, Hants. PO7 7FX. Tel: 999 in emergencies or for non-emergency calls, giving your details, your address or location, and the information or assistance you require. The switchboard should then put you through to the relevant department to assist you. Most incidents will be attended by an officer from one of the shifts, with the community beat officer concentrating on long term problems. You can also leave information-only messages, dealt with in strict confidence, on the Crimestoppers Tel: Registrar of Births and Deaths: Fernglen Town Hall Road, Havant. Tel: Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 1pm. Mon and Tue 2pm pm. Citizens Advice Bureau, Swiss Cottage, 9 St. Georges Walk (Hambledon Road) Waterlooville. Tel: (Answer phone out of hours). Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 10am 3pm. Telephone advice available 1pm to 3pm on Wed and 10am to 3pm on Thu on Tel: Age Concern Day Centres Cowplain: Borrow Day Centre, London Road. Tel: Disabled Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Tel: (answer phone when closed). Good Neighbours Schemes: Cowplain Tel: Waterlooville Tel: (Help line 9am - 6 pm. Mon to Fri. For assistance with collecting prescriptions, lifts, small odd jobs and errands.) Community Centres and Halls: Westbrook Hall Tel: , Wecock Tel: , Waterlooville Tel: , Cowplain Tel: , Stakes Tel: , Merchistoun Hall Tel: , Lovedean Village Hall Tel: Deverell Hall Purbrook Tel: Havant and District MENCAP, Anders House, Milton Road. Available for hire. Tel: Street Lighting Defects These should be reported on Tel: quoting the number on the lamp post. EDUCATION AND YOUTH SERVICES Area Education Officer (Area 3), Havant Local Education Office, River Way, Havant, Tel: PRE-SCHOOL For information please contact the Pre-School Learning Alliance, Mill Hill Early Years Centre, Mill Road, Waterlooville. Tel: INFANT, PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS Hart Plain Infant School, Hart Plain Avenue. Tel: Hart Plain Junior School. Hart Plain Avenue. Tel: Horndean C.E. (Cont.) Junior School, Five Heads Road. Tel: Horndean Infant School, Merchistoun Road. Tel: Hulbert Junior School, Springwood Avenue. Tel: Meadowlands Infant School, 35 Woodcroft Lane, Lovedean. Tel: Meadowlands Junior School, 37 Woodcroft Lane. Tel: Padnell Infant School, Padnell Avenue. Tel: Padnell Junior School, Padnell Road. Tel: Purbrook Infant School, Aldermoor Road East, Purbrook. Tel: Purbrook Junior School, Address as above. Tel: Queens Inclosure Primary School, Corneilius Drive, Cowplain. Tel: St. Peter s Catholic Primary School, Stakes Hill Rd, Waterlooville. Tel: Stakes Hill Infant School, Springwood Avenue. Tel: Waite End Primary School, Mill Road. Tel: SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND POST 16 COLLEGES * Cowplain Community School, Hart Plain Avenue. Tel: The Crookhorn Community School, Stakes Hill Rd. Tel: Horndean Technical College, Barton Cross, Horndean. Tel: Oaklands R.C. School, Stakes Hill Road. Tel: Purbrook Park, Park Avenue, Purbrook. Tel: Havant College, New Road, Havant. Tel: The Southdowns College, College Road, Havant. Tel: ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION All enquiries Tel: SPECIAL SCHOOLS Sunridge Unit, Silvester Road, Cowplain. Tel: Havant Education Support Centre (PRU), Hart Plain Avenue, Cowplain. Tel: Waterloo Special School, Warfield Avenue, Waterlooville. Tel: Rachel Madocks School, Eagle Avenue, Cowplain. Tel: Woodlands Education Centre, 18 Hemlock Road, Cowplain. Tel: YOUTH PROVISION AND COUNSELLING T.A.S.K. After School Club is open to anyone in the Waterlooville/Cowplain Area. Tel: for details. Cowplain Youth Centre, Cowplain School, Hart Plain Avenue, Cowplain. Tel: Off The Record, Youth Counselling and Advice. Tel: KUMON MATHS An after school club takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Waterlooville Community Centre. Tel: for details. * Main Stream Schools with special provision. Schools with Post 16 provision. 9

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13 Many children will be shouting trick or treat! on neighbours doorsteps, dressed as vampires and witches (or perhaps Batman and Robin); some will head off to parties for a night of nibbles and apple bobbing; others will carve funny or spooky faces out of giant orange pieces of fruit but where did Hallowe en come from? Is it merely fun and games, or does it have more sinister roots? WHAT S IN A NAME? The name derives from All Saints Day / Holy Day / Hallowed Day, and because, many centuries ago, Jews and Christians seemingly began each new day at dusk, the Hallowed Day actually began with Hallowed Even(ing). We still celebrate on the so-called night before, that is, 31st October. WHAT GOES ON AND WHY? The theme of Hallowe en is all things spooky, particularly in the colours black and orange. Elements of autumn, including scarecrows and pumpkins, are also involved. Jack-o-Lantern is the real term for the carved pumpkin. It s spooky, glowing face was once intended to ward off evil spirits. Other vegetables, e.g. turnips, are sometimes used in Europe today. Wearing a scary costume is ironically all part of the fun during this holiday, yet historically, the ancient Celtic people did so to protect themselves against evil spirits if you were dressed as a demon you would not be bothered by one. Trick or treating is the main event. A treat offered to those dressed up at your front door is favourable to an unexpected prank! This idea allegedly originates from the Celts, who believed the spirits would try to return to a house they once lived in. So, in an attempt to appease them, the people left nice food treats on their doorsteps. However, the angry ghosts would choose to vandalise farms HALLOWE EN: WHAT AND WHY? HOW DID IT ALL START? The festival of Samhain was celebrated by the Celts. It marked the end of summer and the time when the real and the supernatural worlds temporarily collided. This would mean strange creatures walking the Earth. With winter came the New Year (1st November then). Fires were lit in the hopes of reawakening the sun and banishing all evil. Witches and their notorious black cats were burnt because of their apparent evil magic. Though spirits, witches and ghosts are no longer considered such troublesome threats, we still see pranks and mischief today. On the other hand, Christians on this day remembered the Saints and their martyrdom. Ironically, with two celebrations merging, holy people were honoured at the same time evil spirits were being remembered. SO The Celts marked the end of summer and the meeting of the two worlds; the Christians celebrated All Saints Eve ; the Romans, who invaded and incorporated their own ideas, honoured the dead, as well as the harvest, and nowadays, we just want to enjoy ourselves! So, is Hallowe en just a fun holiday where families can be creative with pumpkins and costumes? This is arguable. Hallowe en is not strictly identified with one particular nation or group of people. A mixture of beliefs concerning the supernatural world comprises the (much commercialised) holiday we celebrate today. In spite of many discussions, little is actually known concerning Hallowe en a hybrid of facts and theories exist. What is understood is that many customs have transcended the ages, perhaps being reinterpreted along the way, rendering Hallowe en a combination of various historical ceremonies. Gemma Puntis Champions in first season! and spook the animals. REFERENCES CBBC Newsround website; Celebrations, the Complete Book of American Holidays p258; Hallowe en Through Twenty Centuries, Ralph Linton; Spooky Hallowe en Entertainments, Circa 1920; Wikipedia; Year of Festivals p76; Oct HAVANT AREA BUS NEWS Stagecoach Service 39, Havant - Waterlooville - Wecock Farm circular. Owing to increased pressure on its bus subsidy budget, the County Council has withdrawn funding for three lightly used, late evening journeys on Sundays. From 2nd October, the last round trip from Havant will commence at 7.20pm. The Monday - Saturday timetable is unaffected by this change. Timetables for Stagecoach services are available on: First Service X40, Southsea - Catherington Lane, Monday to Friday. Owing to increased pressure on its bus subsidy budget, the County Council has withdrawn funding for two lightly-used journeys on route X40. After the end of service on 30th September, the 5.30pm journey from Southsea to Catherington and the 6.05pm journey from Commercial Road to Wecock Farm will no longer run. Alternative journeys are available on Service 40. The Plusbus scheme has been introduced into Portsmouth. Plusbus offers unlimited bus travel for between 1.50 and 3 a day when you buy a rail day-return ticket for details see IS YOUR ELECTRIC BLANKET SAFE? Recent checks in Hampshire have found only 45% of electric blankets to be safe to use. This year Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Officers have teamed up with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Havant Borough Council to provide more opportunities to get your blanket tested. The test is free but space is limited and you do need to book an appointment on Tel: The date for testing is Thursday 13th October and the venue is Havant Fire Station, Park Way, Havant. Be a bright spark and get your blanket tested! CHRISTMAS 2005 Yes, I know you are probably still trying to recover from the excesses of your summer holiday but the next bank account draining episode, Christmas, is not too far away. If you are planning an event during the festive period then I need to know by the end of September. Please submit your material to the Business Manager contact details on Page 9. Help in Bereavement - Trained visitors to stand by you when you need a friend. Tel:

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