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We made it through the first quarter – hurrah! How good do these lighter evenings feel? All that hope of spring and summer to come really does lift the soul. I’m typing this with the sun shining through the window, the birds singing, and one layer less – I am so happy!
I’m also happy because April is my birthday month. I fully embrace a birthday – there’s cake, obviously, catching up with my favourites, and the wonderful sound of fizz popping. A birthday really lifts the soul!
Another thing that lifts my soul is baking –especially when the results are delicious! This month’s recipe is just that: Chocolate, Ginger & Rhubarb Cookies. Rhubarb is in season right now, so they will taste even better. The recipe is on page 10.
More food talk – we have the results of the Hot Cross Bun Taste Test, plus details of Gosport Rotary’s Doughnut Dash fundraiser – think a charity run fuelled by doughnuts! Details inside.
Now we are fully out of hibernation, we can look forward to getting out and about and enjoying events. There are some great events advertised inside. Whether food, jazz, or all things ‘air’ are your thing, you’ll want to know about Proms & Tea Jazz at Stansted, the Hampshire Air Festival at Thruxton, and The Big Eat Food Festival at Royal Victoria Country Park.
They’re all advertised inside. We also have the local event listings, as always – something for everyone!
It’s definitely time to get in the garden! We have the monthly garden guide to help you know what to do now. If you need someone to sort out your garden, have a vision you want bringing to life, or don’t know where to start, we have local advertisers ready to help. Whether you need a refresh, a tidy, or a total transformation, we’ve got you covered. I clearly need help – I’ve just found a box of daffodil bulbs that I didn’t plant… daffs in June? We’ll see how that goes!
There are lots more lovely local advertisers inside to help with all your needs. Please let them know you found them in Choice Magazine!
Are you a local business looking for more customers? Book an advert in our next edition –we’d love to help, and you’ll love our prices!
Wishing everyone a lovely April!
Ginger, chocolate and rhubarb are, in my world, a perfect combination - even better in cookie form. And with rhubarb in season, it’s the perfect time to share this recipe by the brilliant Anna Jones.
I’ve made these quick and easy cookies many times. The first time, I followed the recipe exactly, but on another occasion I didn’t have quite enough white chocolate, so I used dark instead. I was also short on rhubarb, so I added raspberries - and they were even more delicious!
So I’ve included a few variations. If you don’t have rhubarb, ginger or oats, it’s no problem. I’m hoping these swaps show that there really is no excuse not to make them!
Makes 18
Ingredients:
• 2 sticks rhubarb* (about 180g), cut into 1cm pieces
• 150g plain flour
• 50g porridge oats**
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ½ tsp fine salt
• 150g golden caster sugar
• 125g vegan chocolate, roughly chopped white or dark work well too
Put the cut rhubarb on to a lined baking tray and then put in the oven, turning it to 190°C (180°C fan)/390°F/gas 6. Bake for about 20 minutes while you prep the cookie dough, then set aside to cool.
Recipe
CHOCOLATE, GINGER & RHUBARB COOKIES
Line two large oven trays with baking paper, and start on the cookie dough. Put the flour, oats, baking powder, bicarb, salt and sugar in a large bowl and mix well with a whisk. Add the chocolate and stem ginger.
In another bowl, whisk the oil, vanilla and two tablespoons of water. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together into a batter, and pop the bowl in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
By this time, the rhubarb should be cool; add half of it to the chilled dough, loosely stirring to mix it through. Scoop out the mixture one tablespoon at a time (for smaller cookies use a teaspoon), then gently roll the dough in your hands into balls about the size of a golf ball. Put the raw cookies on to a baking tray, leaving about 10cm between each, so they can spread out while cooking. Gently push them down to flatten them and pop a little extra rhubarb on top.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies have a crisp, golden edge and are not wobbly to the touch in the centre.
Notes
* or the same weight in raspberries or a mix of the two work well
** if you don’t have oats add an extra 50g plain flour
Recipe adapted from Anna Jones annajones.co.uk
April, spring, and we hope to have some fine weather to encourage us out into our gardens. Crescent Garden is beginning to show its spring and summery colours. Most of the daffodils are past their best, but the tulips are blooming. Another plant beginning to show itself is Thalictrum aquilegifolia, commonly known as meadow rue. As you might guess from its Latin specific name it has foliage remarkably like that of another attractive ‘cottage garden’ plant, Aquilegia, often known as granny’s bonnet or columbine. When the leaves first appear it can easily be mistaken for that plant, but when the flowers appear there is no mistaking T. aquilegifolia for anything else. The plant forms clusters of fluffy looking panicles of purple blooms atop stems about a metre high above its cushion of foliage. In the slightest breeze these tall flower laden stems wave gently adding greatly to their delicate understated elegance.
There are many types of thalictrums and most are native to south eastern Europe, but some come from the Himalayas, eastwards to China, Korea and Japan where they grow along the banks of streams, in damp meadows and shady conditions. Consequently they do like moist soil to grow in and dappled shade suits them best, but they will grow in sunny conditions.
T. aquilegifolia was introduced into Britain in the early 17th century being described in Parkinson’s work, “Paradisus” and was written
Garden
about and classified by Carl Linnaeus in the mid 18th century. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family) and like many other members of that family it contains toxic alkaloids, so it is rabbit and deer proof and, a big advantage in the garden, slugs and snails avoid it. It can upset dogs, too, and sometimes irritates hands, so best handled with gloves on.
The fluffy appearance of the flowers is due to the fact that they have no petals and even sepals fall off as they open, so the ‘flower’ is almost entirely made up of stamens, the pollen bearing anthers atop the bright purpley-pink filaments. So the colour and appearance of the inflorescence is entirely due to these structures. The lack of petals, hence the exposure of the pollen bearing anthers means that a lot of pollination is carried out by wind, though insects, especially butterflies, do visit the flowers.
There are several of these plants in the beds around the fountain. There are also some white varieties in the bed under the old tulip tree at the western end of the garden.
I hope you will enjoy looking at these interesting plants in Crescent Garden, but even more have a go at planting them in your own garden. They are very rewarding.
HIDDEN TREASURES HIDDEN TREASURES
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Is Easter really Easter without a Hot Cross Bun Taste Test?! Our tasters put five supermarket favourites to the test…
On a sunny Saturday morning, our expert tasters got to work sampling five different varieties. Some were glazed to perfection, others… not so much! Read on for the delicious details.
A. Tesco £2 for 4
Score: 9/10 “Now that’s a hot cross bun!”
Everything you’d want from a hot cross bun! Golden in colour, fluffy and light, with a good glaze and plenty of fruit. A clear winner with the tasters.
B. Lidl £1.19 for 4
Score: 4/10
Far too dry. They looked dry and tasted stale, with a very flat shape that wasn’t at all enticing. There was no real flavour to speak of. The only thing going for them was the colour.
Hot Cross Bun
TASTE TEST 2026
C. Asda £1 for 4
Score: 2/10 “More bread roll than bun!”
Very pale in colour and both looked and tasted undercooked. More like a soft white roll with just a hint of fruit. A very stodgy, claggy bun.
D. Waitrose £2 for 4
Score: 6/10 “Smells nice… but that’s where it ends.”
These looked promising, with a nicely balanced glaze. But sadly, the taste didn’t match the appearance. Extremely dry, with an unusual and not very pleasant floral flavour.
E. M&S £2.50 for 4
Score: 8/10 “A proper classic – just as you’d hope.”
You can always rely on M&S! Packed with fruit, perfectly sweet, moist, and finished with a lovely glaze. The only thing letting them down was the slightly wonky cross!
It just goes to show – you often get what you pay for when it comes to hot cross buns! That said, as we always conclude, any hot cross bun toasted and slathered in butter is bound to be delicious.
We hope this helps with your bun shopping this Easter. Huge thanks to our brilliant Taste Test Team!
4th
There is no excuse not to be in the garden with the lovely, lighter evenings — especially with a G&T in hand! A cup of tea will also suffice, and it’s the perfect reward after ticking off a few of these things:
Around the garden
• Sow perennials
• Plant out your sweet peas
• Pot up your dahlia tubers
• Keep on top of the weeding
• Prune hydrangeas
• Protect the new shoots of hostas, delphiniums, lupins and other vulnerable plants from slugs and snails
• Continue deadheading spring bulbs and bedding, so they don't waste energy setting seed
• Tie in your climbing roses. Bend over any upright stems to encourage more flowers –
In the Garden
DURING APRIL
you will normally only get flowers at the top of an upright, but if you bend them you will get more flowers along the stem. Tie them in so they are lying horizontally.
• Cut back your lavender plants. Don't prune hard into old wood as this will prevent new growth. Remove any leggy or unwanted stems
• Cut back any shrubs and winter flowering jasmine once it’s flowered.
• Keep putting out food for birds
• Sow sunflowers
In the greenhouse and on the veg patch
• Sow salad leaves, carrots, peas, beetroot, spinach and chard. Along with pumpkins, squash, sweetcorn, basil and French beans.
• Keep on top of thinning seedlings.
• Plant out onions, shallots and garlic.
• Plant second-early and maincrop potatoes
DARTS TOURNAMENT AT DICEHEADS
3rd April 12pm. 10 Coates Rd, Gosport Pairs tournament. Cash prize, trophy, raffle. £10 per team. £2 entry for spectators. Email kirsty@mbfcommercial.co.uk to register. Check out the Diceheads facebook page for info!
CATS PROTECTION GOSPORT PROMO STAND
9th & 10th April 1.30-3pm Tesco, Alver Valley, Gosport. CP branded giveaways and cat care advice from knowledgeable volunteers. Donations of cat food welcome.
25th April 8am-3.30pm Gosport High Street Market. Cat-themed goods and donated items for sale. Volunteers on hand to give cat care advice.
SHORE LEAVE HASLAR MEMORIAL GARDEN
Wednesday 8th April 11am-1pm.
Free entry, donations gratefully accepted. Crafts, plants, produce for sale. Homemade cake and drinks. Walk around the peaceful garden. Please park in main Haslar site.
STUBBINGTON AND HILL HEAD HISTORY SOCIETY
Roman Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Monday 13th April 7.30pm The life and legacy of Admiral George Anson - speaker Duncan Colin-Jones. Guests welcome for a £5 admission charge - cash on the night. Annual membership fee £15pp. Last meeting until September. Info www.shhhs.co.uk
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT
Visit gosportchoice.com and head to the ‘submit an event’ button from the menu.
Local Events
SEAFARERS SAILING CLUB OPEN DAY
25th April. 11am-4pm
Salterns Car Park off Crofton Lane, PO13 3QS
Come and meet us and find out about Membership and our RYA learn to sail courses. Subject to suitable conditions there will be a chance to try Dinghy Sailing & Gig Rowing too, but please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Refreshments will be available. For further details and to book a slot please email: memsec@seafarers-sailing-club.org.uk
STOKES BAY WI
Meet 3rd Tuesday of the month. St Mary’s Parish Centre, Alverstoke. 10am-12noon. Our motto is ‘Inspiring Friendship and Fun’. We enjoy companionship and laughter in our meetings, outings, special events and interest groups. Members choose charities to support which, for 2025/26, are Level Up Gosport and Rowans Hospice. Find us on Facebook and www.stokesbaywi.co.uk
MONTHLY QUIZ - POWDER MONKEY TAP HOUSE
7pm Last Thursday of the month. Priddy’s Hard, Heritage Way, Gosport. Round up your team for the chance to win a cash prize! Book ahead to avoid missing out. Max 6 per team. £2 pp. Call 023 9252 3970 to book.
CROFTON PROBUS CLUB Monthly lunch at Leeon-the-Solent Golf Club. Are you a retired gentleman, missing social contact? Come to a trial meeting. New members welcome 07508711299 morton.wouter@gmail.com
HUGE PLANT SALE
Sat 2nd May 10am-4pm.
66 Catisfield Rd PO15 5LY. All plants grown locally. Knowledgeable plant advisors available who can assist you with your choices if required. Come and browse. ALL proceeds donated to Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance.
CROFTON GARDENING - PLANT SALE & OPEN EVENING
Monday 20th April Roman Catholic Church Hall Bells Lane, Stubbington, starting at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available. Crofton Gardening Club has also organised a trip to Wisley on Thursday April 23rd. Contact Lynda Woodhams on 07763100425 if you are interested.
Local Events
INTERNATIONAL FOLK/CIRCLE DANCING
April 14th, 28th 10am-12noon, RC Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington. No Partner required & all dances are taught. New members welcome. £7 Contact Bob & Mary 01329 609589, 07748009838 neal.bob61@gmail.com
SEAFARERS SAILING CLUB OPEN DAY
25th April. 11am-4pm Salterns Car Park (off Crofton Lane, PO13 3QS) Come and meet us and find out about Membership and our RYA learn to sail courses. Subject to suitable conditions there will be a chance to try Dinghy Sailing & Gig Rowing too, but please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Refreshments will be available. For further details and to book a slot please email: memsec@seafarers-sailing-club.org.uk
STOKES
BAY CHARITY LIFEBOAT PULL
5th April 10am-2pm
Gosport & Fareham Walking Rugby are pulling a lifeboat along Stokes Bay from GAFIRS to the barrier to the west. In aid of the established official just giving page for Gosport community defibrillators. We hope to have TV coverage and other media down at this community event. It is being supported by the local Council Members and our MP. Please come on down, bring your Easter eggs and support us both vocally and with donations.
FRIENDS OF STANLEY PARK LITTER PICK
Litter pick first Sunday of the month 10-11am
Meet in car park at rear of The Alverbank Hotel. Free car parking if you join us in a car, also pickers, gloves etc.
STUBBINGTON AND HILL HEAD HISTORY SOCIETY
Roman Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Monday 13th April 7.30pm The life and legacy of Admiral George Anson - speaker Duncan Colin-Jones. Guests welcome for a £5 admission charge - cash on the night. Annual membership fee £15pp. Last meeting until September. Info www.shhhs.co.uk
FRIENDS OF STOKES BAY LITTER PICK
18th April 10am-12noon. Meet at Splash Park. All equipment supplied.
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT
Visit gosportchoice.com and head to the ‘submit an event’ button from the menu.
Local Events
DOUGHNUT
DASH Mon 25th May 9am
Charity fund-raiser organised by Gosport Rotary Club. participants running, jogging or walking a two-mile route along the Stokes Bay promenade to Fort Gilkicker and back. At the halfway point you will encounter a “refuelling station” and challenged to eat two Krispy Kreme doughnuts before continuing to the finish line. It’s £10 for an adult entry, £5 for children, with £25 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under-16). For all finishers, there will be a special Doughnut Dash medal. To enter, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4leJ5ry
SPITHEAD ARTS MONTHLY LECTURE
28th April 7pm. Bay House School, Gosport. Captain Robert Fitzroy, Charles Darwin & the voyage of HMS Beagle. by James Taylor. Everyone welcome. Guests £7 per lecture, £1 for students. Annual subscriptions £50pp. www.spitheadarts.co.uk
GOSPORT JAZZ CLUB Gosport RFC, Dolphin Crescent, Gosport 8-10.30pm
8th April John Maddocks Jazzmen book by 6th 22nd April Forest Hill Owls book by 20th G/NM£12 to book: gjcreserve@gmail.com or 02392429302 gosportjazz.org.uk
COFFEE MORNING
Alverstoke Parish Centre 10.30am-12noon. Every fourth Tuesday of the month. £4 for coffee/tea & cake. Book stall and raffle. All proceeds towards Regeneration Project.
Looking for something to do over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend?
Why not take part in an unusual charitable fund-raiser which combines fresh sea air, some exercise along the coast and a slightly unusual mid-race challenge.
The Doughnut Dash, organised by Gosport Rotary Club, takes place on Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday, May 25th at 9am, with participants running, jogging or walking a two-mile route along the Stokes Bay promenade to Fort Gilkicker and back.
While the scenic coastal run will appeal to regular runners, joggers and families alike, it is the halfway point that gives the event its distinctive twist. There they will encounter a “refuelling station” and challenged to eat two Krispy Kreme doughnuts before continuing to the finish line.
Junior runners are also welcome to take part, although their challenge will be limited to one doughnut.
The event has been designed as a lighthearted community fundraiser, building on the success of the club’s popular Christmas Pud 5K, which has attracted runners from across the region in recent years. The race HQ will be at the Diving Museum along Stokes Bay Road which is expected to re-open in May after refurbishment.
Doughnut Dash
GOSPORT ROTARY’S FUNDRAISER
Organisers say the Doughnut Dash is intended to bring the same spirit of fun and camaraderie to the spring calendar, while also raising funds for charities supported by Gosport Rotary. Participants are reminded that the doughnut challenge is entirely optional, particularly for those with dietary concerns or allergies.
“If you have any concerns about allergies, including nuts or other ingredients, please do not eat the doughnuts,” organisers said. “The run is about having fun and supporting local causes - nobody will be required to take part in the eating challenge.”
With a flat seaside route, a relaxed atmosphere and the promise of a sweet treat along the way, the Doughnut Dash promises to be one of Gosport’s more memorable Bank Holiday activities.
It’s £10 for an adult entry, £5 for children, with £25 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under-16).
For all finishers, there will be a special Doughnut Dash medal. To enter, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4leJ5ry
Gosport Road Runners are hosting a Couch to 5k Beginners course starting on Tuesday 7th April.
Sessions will be at 7pm on a Tuesday & Thursday at Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club, Dolphin Crescent and will be led by England Athletics qualified Run Leaders.
Starting something new like running can feel overwhelming, but that is completely normal. Many people feel this way at first. The Run Leaders will take it one step at a time guiding you from the couch to 5km in a couple of months.
Couch to 5K is a simple, running plan for absolute beginners. It’s perfect if you want to get moving but don’t know where to start. It has you running every week, with rest days in between and a fresh schedule to follow each week.
What are the benefits?
Running is great for your body and mind. It can:
• improve your heart and lung health
• help you manage your weight (when paired with a healthy diet)
• strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis
• boost your mood, ease stress, and give you more confidence
Remember, Couch to 5K will guide you through each run, so you don’t need to worry about planning. It’s all about starting small and building up gradually.
There are also mental benefits of running. Taking on the challenge of Couch to 5km can help boost your confidence and self-belief, as
COUCH TO 5K WITH GOSPORT ROAD RUNNERS
you can prove to yourself that you can set yourself a target and achieve a goal.
The gentle, structured approach to learning to run is great for those who have always been terrified at the mere thought of it! Starting your Couch to 5K journey is simple and exciting! Just lace up your trainers and take that first step.
For more information, you could join our Facebook page ‘Gosport Road Runners Beginners 2026’.
If you can already run 5k and are looking for a friendly, supportive, and fun running community please come along and join us at the Clubhouse on a Tuesday (except the first Tuesday of the month) or Thursday and try us out before becoming a member. Some forthcoming club events:
• 7th April - 5-mile Time Trial. Meet 1845 at Kingfisher Caravan Park
• 12th April - Salisbury 10-mile Race Hampshire Road Race League
• 5th May - 5k Time Trial. Meet 1845 Kingfisher Caravan Park
• 17th May - Netley 10k Race Hampshire Road Race League
• 29th May - Club Training Camp Weekend Gloucester
If you would like to know more about our club and all our activities, please refer to our website gosportroadrunners.org.uk
W L S
Do you have important legal documents in place to protect your interests and make life easier for you and your family, whatever the future brings?
If you have received a diagnosis of dementia, or are concerned about becoming ill and unable to cope with paying your bills, wouldn’t it be helpful for a family member to be able to step in and deal with your finances? If your family member needed to make decisions for you, instead of just acting on your instructions, they would need your formal written authority to do this.
Formal authority can be given by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney. This document will allow your family member to take over managing your money, either temporarily or long term.
You can also create a Lasting Power of Attorney which allows your family member to make decisions for you about medical treatment, if you are unable for any reason to make your own decisions. This is not the same as an Advance Decision, which is a document which sets out your decision to refuse medical treatment in the future, under specific conditions.
If you are caring for an elderly relative, or are likely to be doing so in the future, a Lasting Power of Attorney will mean that you can provide the support your relative needs and access services on their behalf, without the difficulties, stress and resistance you would otherwise encounter.
Having a Will gives you peace of mind that your money, property and personal possessions will be going to the people you have chosen to benefit. An out of date Will can cause problems within the family or mean that a chosen beneficiary receives nothing.
If you have any unanswered questions about Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney, Christine will be pleased to help, so do please get in touch for a free, no obligation, chat.
Call Christine Davies Solicitor on 07860 772274 or email: christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk
Christine is a Fully Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend. Christine will visit you in your own home and aims to provide a warm personal touch to every meeting.
Christine Davies Solicitor
HVR GARAGES
With 3 sites in the local area, all of our Garages are high ranking members of ‘The Good Garage Scheme’ and ‘Checkatrade’. Our Garages
MOTs | Servicing | Repairs
All Makes and Models catered for.
Solent Airport MOTs, Unit il1-3, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX
Specialists in VW’s, we also cover many other makes and models in the full or part conversion of camper vans, kombi vans and caddy’s. We manufacture and design custom built camper interiors for Volkswagens and other makes.
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HVR Customs, Unit il3-4, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX
CARS AND VANS ALWAYS IN STOCK FOR SALE!
Specialising in transporters and small low mileage cars. (The cars are ideal for first time drivers.)
