Volume 1, Issue 6 A Newsletter published by the Minstead Parish Council to Inform & Consult WINTER 2003
New Parish Councillors
At the Uncontested Election for Minstead Parish Council held in May 2003, two new Councillors were returned.
Mrs Ann Locke writes
"I was born in a suburb of Manchester and having lived in Tennessee, Southampton and Oxford I moved to Minstead in 1963 on my son's first birthday, and I hope to never leave.
My daughter was born a year later into a village that, to quote Dr Danby (the village GP), "had pensioners' clubs but no baby clinics - indeed hardly any children at all".
In order to give what children there were a sense of community, a small group of us founded "Junior Minstead". This is now of course a much larger organisation and there are many more young families in the village.
When my children started at Hounsdown I commenced working full-time (I was a chiropodist) in local clinics and then ceased to be involved in village affairs. Eventually I became Manager of the Podiatry Service in Southampton and the New Forest, retiring in September 2000.
I was pleased to be asked to be a Parish Councillor and be involved in village affairs once more as I have greatly enjoyed living here and so feel that if I am able to "do my bit" I am glad to do so.
As to what "doing my bit" might entail I have yet to find out but hope I can be of some small use to the community at large.
I am not a "political animal" as such but do strongly advocate fairness and equality of opportunity and treatment for all.
My favourite golden rule is "Do as you would be Done by" and I hope this will guide me in any council business in which I may be involved."
Mr David Gardiner writes
"I came to live in Minstead in late 2002 having lived for five years in Boldre. I have known the New Forest over many years having been an Area Land Agent with the Forestry Commission from 1971 to 1984 including a four year spell at Queen's House, Lyndhurst.
I am now in private practice as a chartered surveyor, practising throughout Hampshire and other parts of Southern England. Since arriving in Minstead I have become a member of the Church choir besides singing in other local choirs. My other interests are walking and bird-watching, doing an occasional overseas charity trek, and a general interest in sport, particularly cricket.
I am married with three children, the youngest of whom is about to embark on a degree course at Cardiff University.
Since arriving in Minstead we have found it to be a "real" village of community spirit and atmosphere. I am keen to further my knowledge of the village and to contribute to its general well-being and beauty.
War Memorial
During repairs to the fence around the Memorial a large crack was discovered in one of the arms of the cross. Temporary remedial measures have been funded by the Parish Council for public safety, but the cross has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced or removed in the very near future. It is not clear where responsibility for this work lies, even the repair of War Memorials is seen as only the moral responsibility of Parish Councils.
Replacement is estimated to cost in the order of £7,500.
Council wishes to ask parishioners for their suggestions and help. Should the Memorial be removed, or replaced? Surely this important tribute and record should not simply be allowed to disappear - "Lest we Forget". Can anyone suggest a source of funding, or propose and run fundraising events? Please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council.
Footpath #3
For public safety the footpath between Mill Lane Farm, Minstead and Mill Lane, Blackwater will be closed for its entire length until 19th May 2004 or completion of the works to replace or repair the collapsed culverts, whichever is sooner.
Parking Clocks
A whole year's parking at NFDC car parks for £5 became available from New Year's Day, when charges were introduced, with the purchase of a parking clock.
These Parking Clocks are available at NFDC Information Offices, recreation centres and visitor information centres, or by post using the application form printed in most New Forest newspapers. They are also very easily bought online at www.newforest.gov.uk/parkingclock or by telephone to 01590 646123. Those who do not have a clock will be able to purchase parking tickets on the spot (initially 50p per hour or £3 for more that 5 hours in most). Parking remains free for motorcycles and for those displaying a valid blue disabled parking badge.
Fridges & Freezers
Are yours environmentally unfriendly and expensive to run? Qualifying parishioners may be able to replace theirs for as little as £50 (fridge) or £75 (freezer), by trading them in under a scheme called FridgeSavers sponsored by Powergen and Currys.
This is open to those who receive an income or disability benefit such as Income Support, Housing benefit, Disability Living Allowance or Pension Credit. Any scheme that helps reduce energy wastage, particularly for those on low incomes, and help the environment is very welcome.
Application forms are available at all Council Offices and for further information you may telephone 0845 604 0045.
Broadband
Several parishioners have consulted Council about the availability of Broadband Internet Access for those of us with "8081" (Cadnam exchange) telephone lines.
Visit www.broadband4cadnam.org.uk for further information, and to register your interest. Please also encourage anyone else you may know or contact within this exchange area to do so.
BT has set an unrealistically high trigger level of 500 to modify the exchange to provide us with Broadband, a handful of local people are actively seeking an alternative, in conjunction with Lyndhurst - we await further information.
The Manor of Minstead Land Registration
Anxious enquiries about the registration of the common land known as the Manorial Wastes of the Manor of Minstead at H. M. Land Registry, have been followed up by your Parish Council in consultation with the Lord of the Manor's (Peter Green Esq.), Land Agent Mr Martin Lowry FRICS, FARV, FRSA. of Messrs Dreweatt and Neate, Chartered Surveyors of Winchester. It was explained that the applications for registration have been made as a private procedure in part, as a family arrangement of Land Ownership in the Lordship of the Manor, and part, as a legal and historical expediencyfor voluntary registration to ensure that the detail of this unique Manor is preserved for posterity in HM Land Registry, i.e. the modern archives of land ownership.
As such, the registrations are of no impact or effect on the driveways and means of access to the residences already in existence in the area, to the detriment of local residents interest (financial or otherwise). They will effectively clarify the legal position on a once and for all basis for the future, something which is very desirable in a difficult and often baffling legal subject for those who have come to the Forest and have not fully understood the somewhat
feudal legal position of common rights over the 'Manorial Waste' (a technical term for common land).
Your Parish Council is wholeheartedly supportive of any course of action, which will maintain forever the unique and peculiar status of Minstead in the Forest's history for the benefit of the village, and it's residents.
The Council has been asked for input in this exercise where there is local knowledge to assist clarification of boundaries and delineation of all or any parcels of the common. Your Councillors therefore ask for any information, which you may have in your memories or on (old) papers in your possession, to be made available to the Clerk or any member of the Council by 31st March 2004.
This is important for the benefit of the whole village.
It is not a selfish exercise for the owners of property vested with common rights or for the Lordship of the Manor. It is all the more important as the threat of a National Park and the monster of bureaucracy of its creation looms over the Forest as a whole and Minstead's unique independence in particular.
MANOR WASTE REGISTRATION: VIEW THE MAP AT ACRES DOWN FARM
Parish News of 2003
Our lengthsman, Mr S. Short, was knocked from his motorcycle and received severe injuries, from which he has yet to recover. In the meantime, Mr Barnicoat has been carrying out essential works as required.
A new lighting column was installed on the Village Green to replace the old concrete column.
At the Parish Assembly a spokesman from the Southern Water Board explained how we could apply for a first time sewerage system.
The Parish Council had a new bus shelter installed at Football Green, mainly for the use of school children and their parents, while waiting for buses on freezing, cold and wet days.
The National Park inquiry closed. We await the result with interest.
Advertising space on the Village notice board is available for rent. The charge is £25.00 per annum. The year runs from 1st June to 31st May. £200 was raised this year, which helps to keep the Parish precept for the coming year, the same as last.
The Parish Council organised the ragwort pulling evening. This year a team from Minstead social club joined them, for which the PC was very grateful. Ragwort is an extremely poisonous plant to ponies and cattle, therefore it is imperative that it is cleared from the land on which it grows. A law has been passed that declares that anyone who does not clear ragwort from his or her property can be prosecuted.
The HCC sent the PC details of their proposal to close the C17 from Emery Down to the Robins Bush crossroads for the rebuilding of the Red Open Ford Bridge. The details showed that they intended to send traffic travelling from Lyndhurst to the A31 via the Lyndhurst road in Minstead. It was pointed out to the HCC, that once the outside world learnt of the route, it would become a rat run similar to Mill Lane. The Clerk contacted the HCC and suggested that traffic travelling to the A31 continue along the A337 to Cadnam to join it there. Thankfully they agreed.
