APOLOGIES: To all and sundry, for the technical hitch that prevented the inclusion of our news for a fortnight!

In particular, deepest regrets go to the Hartley Wintney Twinning Association's Burns Night, the Heckfield Memorial Hall jumble sale, the Whitewater Churches' get-together, and Hook Tandoori's all-day charity buffet for Naomi House - local events highlighted which all went with a swing over the past two weeks.

Who says winter in the villages is dull?

DID you know? Rotherwick has several areas officially identified as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), and includes Lyde Green.

We are classified as having "ancient semi-natural woodland", meaning our leafy bits have had continuous woodland cover since the 1600s - that's more than 400 years!

As such, we are part of the Loddon and Eversley Heritage area, which boasts its own project officer, Alison Cross.

Alison has lots of ideas about what we can do to preserve and enjoy our landscape, including available grants for local projects, wildlife headcounts and landowner stewardship schemes.

To find out more, give her a call at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on 01489 774424.