A NEW after-school drop-in session has started at St Mary’s Chapel in Kings Worthy. Organised by Wildfire Youth Project, the sessions give secondary school pupils a place to chill, chat with friends, play games and enjoy snacks every Thursday from 3-5pm.

The drop-ins are in term time only and visitors will be asked to fill out a consent form to be completed by their parent or guardian at the first session. Entry is free but students are encouraged to bring along £2 for food.

For more information call 07591725236 or email hello@wildfireyouthproject.com.

THE Martyr Worthy Lecture Series is back for its 2023/24 season. Beginning on Tuesday, November 28 with author and historian, Jessie Childs, who will talk about her book The Siege of Loyalty House, a new history of the English Civil War, through the story of the siege of Basing House from 1643-45.

The series, sponsored by Savills, is in aid of the four churches of the Itchen Valley Parish. Events start at 6.30pm in Itchen Abbas and Avington Village Hall for drinks and canapes before lectures commence at 7.15pm.

Tickets cost £25. For more information on the whole series or to book go to tickettailor.com/events/martyrworthylectures. Any enquiries should be sent to Sophie Parry at martyrworthylectures2023@gmail.com.

SPARSHOLT Harvest Festival will start at 10am in St. Stephen’s Church on Sunday, October 15. Residents are being encouraged to join the celebrations and donate goods for the Winchester Beacon. A list of suggested items is available outside the village shop and in the church porch.

EVERYONE is welcome to join the All Souls Service at St Stephen’s Church in Sparsholt at 6pm on Sunday, October 29. The service is a way for people to remember their loved ones and light a candle in their honour.

Anyone who would like the named of a loved one they have lost read out during the service should contact Sally Wesley at sally.wesley@btinternet.com by Friday, October 20.

SPARSHOLT Village Shop is celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau Day on Thursday, November 16. Customers can pre-order their bottle of red for £16 by visiting the shop or emailing sparsholtvs@gmail.com.

The next Sparsholt Music winter concert will be on Sunday, December 3 at 3pm in the village hall. Tickets will be available from Saturday, November 11 and must be purchased by Friday, December 1. For more information go to sparsholtmusic.org/.

RESIDENTS in Sparsholt are being told to save the date for the Sparsholt Christmas Market and Christmas tree delivery day. The event will be open on Sunday, December 10 from 10am-2pm. More information will be shared nearer the time.

VOLUNTEERS from the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal will be collecting donations at Littleton Recreation Ground Car Park on Saturday, October 28 from 9am – 4pm. The parish council is hoping people will give their support to help the armed forces community. Cash or card will be accepted.

FOLLOWING the success of September’s Littleton and Harestock show, the committee is already on the lookout for volunteers for next year.

To get involved go to volunteerfirst.co.uk/ (type in your postcode and the keyword Littleton to see the list of jobs), or email helpers.lhshow@gmail.com.

Organisers are hopeful that the show has made a substantial profit this year which will be split between Barnie’s Kitchen at St Barnabas Church, Winchester and District Young Carers and Harestock Primary School.