Volume 1, Issue 5
A Newsletter published by the Minstead Parish Council to Inform & Consult Summer 2002
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION DAY
Held on the village green on Monday 3rd June this event was a great success despite overcast weather and one or two unfortunate setbacks. Many people turned out and enjoyed the various games and activities and took a splendid tea. The appearance of members of the Parish Council in the new Stocks afforded a superb opportunity for Parishioners to give vent to their feelings, though with the exception of one or two children most were quite properly restrained. Those Stocks, which were researched, made and generously donated by Mike Brentnall, to whom we are most grateful, will remain in place as a reproduction of those that were pictured on the green in 1804.
The Union Flag was raised to the National Anthem and a brief speech of congratulations and support for our Queen was made by Mr Peter Green, our Lord of the Manor, after which the church bells rang out.
The Parish Map was unveiled and has subsequently proved to be very popular with visitors to the Village. Our thanks to Ms Berry Stone for her efforts in producing the map, which should soon be covered with a sheet of Polycarbonate for protection. Village Notices are now found on the back of this Notice Board.
We had arranged for a couple of Hounds to be present on the day in a non-threatening, educational, contact session for all, especially the children. Regrettably their participation was cancelled by an anonymous female telephone caller acting without permission from the event sponsors or organisers. Maybe now she would like to justify her action to the Parish Council.
We were all grateful to those ladies who stepped in at the last moment to provide hot tea when the Trustee Servant found itself unable to do so.
We were also most grateful to Jayne Grant and Mike Mawdsley who offered and kindly managed the Bouncy Castle at absolutely no cost to the Council or organisers. This was a truly worthy and most generously public spirited gesture.
Many people made specific cash donations to the cause, including Ray Hoare, Jon Stanwyck and the Minstead Flower Show, we thank you all.
A reasonable amount of money was taken and that, with the remainder of the Council's budget for the event, will pay for the erection of the Bus Shelter at the Eastern end of the village. We hope that it will be in place for the Autumn term.
PROPOSED NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK
We remain opposed to the imposition of National Park designation for the New Forest. A sub-committee was formed at the July Parish Council meeting to co-ordinate your objections with those of other Parishes, and is preparing to defend your position once the Countryside Agency releases its proposals on 8th August.
We also object to the timing of the Public Inquiry, coming, as it is presently proposed, whilst the Dibden Bay Port Inquiry is still in session. Much of the evidence in the one Inquiry will have to be presented for the other, many of the key witnesses will be required at both and there is precious little time for the competent preparation of a proper case in support of the public desires. This is one of the basic tenets of a Public Inquiry and should not be allowed to be overridden. NFDC amongst others have indicated their support of this protest and have written to the various parties involved.
Furthermore it has been announced that "Pro-Parkists" (other than the Countryside Agency) will not be called to give evidence to the Inquiry which may save time but does mean that they cannot be cross-examined by the Objectors.
You may have read of the Minstead Manor Commoners' (MMC's) proposal to "draw a ring around" Minstead Manor Waste and to exclude that from the Proposed National Park boundary. They have asked this Parish Council to amend our "representations to DEFRA to the effect that Minstead Manor and Parish should be excluded from the proposed National Park Boundary in keeping with historical tradition and independence" - is this what you would like us (the Parish Council) to support?
The MMC also hope for support in this from Denny Lodge, Marchwood and East Boldre Parishes.
MMC have already sought a Judicial Review for the timing of the Inquiry and the result of that will be promulgated as soon as it is available.
We should, of course, be delighted to hear just how you feel about this whole thing - do you really want to be subjected to yet another layer of bureaucracy, to be controlled by a detached person or quango without any practical knowledge of running the Forest? Or do you look forward to the potential extra investment in the Forest that has been dangled as a possibility?
Do please let us know your opinions - only then can we truly represent you all.
ANIMAL ROAD CASUALITIES
We recently received a letter from a Parishioner requesting that it be published in the Minstead Mail. In its present form there is insufficient space therein for a "Letters" column but there are lessons to be learned from the content of that letter. The writer clearly expresses their distress and concern over a road traffic accident in Minstead, in which a motor vehicle was in collision with a black foal wearing a fluorescent collar. As a result of injuries sustained the foal sadly had to be destroyed. The writer of that letter was particularly concerned that the driver was a resident of this Parish.
It is a sad fact that, over the Forest as a whole, approximately two thirds of all animal accidents involve local drivers, even worse is that many of those accidents go unreported. In this incident the Police and Agister were immediately called to the scene and three days later the driver appeared before New Forest Magistrates and the Law took its course. Proper compensation was promptly made to the owner of the foal.
Every animal accident is distressing for all concerned, whether owner, driver, witness, Agister etc and it must be said that we are fortunate in Minstead that animal accidents are the exception. It is also worth noting that the village is not high on the list of Forest "Black Spots". These two facts make it even more upsetting when an accident does occur. Both the driver and passenger were absolutely devastated by this accident. In an ideal world there would not be any accidents.
These comments do not in any way make light of or justify this particular event but are an attempt to keep it in perspective. Commoners are fully aware of the risks involved in exercising their Right of Common by turning their animals out and generally regard this as a calculated risk
Sue Westwood, Clerk to The Verderers, reports the following statistics for animal road casualties in the Newtown, Fleetwood, & Minstead area up to the A337
for a total of 18 in 21 years or less than 1 per year. The figure for the whole of the Forest is about 120 deaths each year or slightly more than 2 per week.
It is vital that every driver learns from such events and is constantly aware of the risk that an animal, particularly a young foal, might suddenly move into their path. Long term residency in the Forest is no safeguard; some very knowledgeable Forest residents despite their understanding of forest stock have been caught out, as have newcomers and visitors.
So, native or newcomer
BE AWARE, BE VIGILANT, BE WARNED.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
The New Forest Voluntary Service Council (NFVSC) operates two Demand Responsive Accessible Transport schemes which benefit Minstead Residents. They are available to all members of the community and have wheelchair access. Passengers must be registered with the NFVSC and must have pre-booked their trips. The services can be used end to end or between places on the routes.
On Tuesdays the bus leaves Lyndhurst at 10.00am serving Emery Down, Minstead, Cadnam, Brook, Newbridge, Furzley, Bramshaw and Fritham en route for Salisbury, where it links with Shopmobility. The return journey leaves Salisbury at 2.00pm.
Tel: 01425 482773.
On Thursdays the bus leaves Minstead at 09.30am serving Emery Down, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Lymington, and Sway en route for New Milton. The return journey leaves New Milton at 12.30pm. Tel: 08456 024326.
We know of at least one local person who has used these services recently and the bus comes right to her door to pick her up.
RAGWORT and YEW
Thanks to those public spirited people who turned out to pull Ragwort around the village. Despite posters and notices it was disappointing that only four of you managed to help - and only one of those keeps horses! Fortunately previous years' efforts were better supported and the Ragwort count has been dramatically reduced, though we would hope for a much more representative turnout next year, especially from those with ponies on the Forest. We note that there are some fields with a bumper crop of Ragwort that need to be cleared, and are pleased that HCC are pulling the whole of the A31. Cut Yew is also a problem to animals and should not be left where they might eat it.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Please report any suspicious vehicles, people or events to Sue Cole (8081 3391) and Cllr Simon Fisher (8081 2790) as well as your normal contacts. Recently there have been occasions when the Police have been out to Minstead as a result of information received and we encourage everyone to be alert and proactive.
TELEPHONE HELP LINE for DISABLED PEOPLE
A new line - 01425 656096 - launched by NFDC aims to provide a "friendly ear" for those who need it. This line is intended to eliminate the unfortunate occasions when a disabled person rings with a query and is then passed around endlessly because they do not know exactly to whom they should be talking in the first place. A number of people have been specially trained to man this line.
