Minstead Parish Council hopes that you have enjoyed the 'summer' which arrived eventually! Just remember to wear sunscreen and a hat; The sun can burn very easily if you are not prepared.
The Assembly was held on Wednesday 22nd March. Our guest speaker was Debbie Rhodes, who is the Rural Housing Enabler from Community Action, Hampshire who spoke on Affordable Housing. It was a very interesting Power Point lecture, which showed the Housing that is now being provided by Housing Associations in Villages where house prices have risen to such a high level that it is impossible for people who grew up in a village to return there. It is even worse for children of families who would dearly like to remain in the Village in which they were brought up. It was a great pity that only twelve Parishioners could attend what was a very interesting meeting.
As a follow on from the meeting, Debbie Rhodes has sent us sufficient forms for your Parish Council to distribute them with this copy of the Minstead Mail. Please do read, complete and return it, don't just add it to the rubbish that is burying the Planet. If anyone would like help in filling in the form, please ask any of your Parish Councillors who will be only too happy to help. When completed, the form is to be sent direct to Debbie Rhodes so that it will be unseen by the Parish Council.
It is with great sadness that we have to report the resignation of David Gardiner. David has worked extremely hard on behalf of all of us; especially with the application for a new sewerage system. He also made your Clerk's life much easier when he précised several local plans for the Council. We wish him and Annesley every happiness in their new home in pastures new.
We have been asked by HCC to publicise the fact that, if your child was born between 1st September 2002 and 31st August 2003 you should apply for a school place by midday on Friday 17th November 2006. You will need to collect a brochure and an application form (CR2) from your local Primary or Infant school. For more information contact the Hampshire Admissions Team, Tel: 01962 846004/846001/846020/846038.
It has been reported to the Parish Council on several occasions that Deer are invading parishioners' property on a regular basis and in ever increasing numbers.
The Parish Council has written to the Deputy Surveyor at Queens House who in reply stated that deer are, by their nature a nomadic animal, therefore the problem can only be addressed by joint action by all landowners. The Forestry Commission has culled 27 deer in an attempt to alleviate the situation. The Clerk has contact details of the Forest Keepers whose beats cover the Village boundaries.
The Clerk has been given to understand that a similar problem exists in the Brook/Bramshaw areas.
While some owners appear to have acted on the article in the last edition of the Minstead Mail; inappropriate parking continues to be an issue. The Parish Council asks for your support in this matter. Erosion of verges is detrimental to both grazing and the appearance of the Village; not to mention increasing the risk of animal accidents.
While the dry conditions have held Ragwort in check; it is now the time of year when it flowers. Please be aware that it is extremely poisonous to Commoners' animals, so if you see it growing on or near to your property, please pull it up and either burn it or put it in a plastic bag and during the last week of July 24th to 29th place on the inside of the fence at the Village shop, where we will arrange for the Forestry Commission to collect it.
This will take place on 19th August on the Glebe Field and Village Green commencing at 11.30am and finishing at 4.00pm. All Saints Church is also having an Open Day. The Village organisations and anybody who is interested will join us. All proceeds will be equally divided between those organisations that take part.
The Minstead Social Club is organising a BBQ and Skittles in the Hall from 4.00pm onwards.
Junior Minstead is organising sporting activities throughout the day; there will be three categories for different age groups; there will also be fun & games and pony rides. So come prepared!
The PC has also organised a LARGE SKIP which will take all the things that are too big for the dustbin and which you keep meaning to take to the dump but haven't yet done so! It will be in the Glebe Field from Friday 18th to Monday 21st July. Please make use of it!
All six NFDC-run health and leisure centres are signed up to the National Commit to Get Fit campaign and are offering five weeks trial membership for only £45.
The trial membership can start any time between 3rd July and 13th August and includes entry to the gym, a free induction session and free entry to many aerobics classes and public swimming sessions. Details of activities taking place at all the health and leisure centres will be updated regularly on the website. http://www.newforest.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5192
Alternatively you can call the customer adviser centres
Ringwood Health and Leisure 01425 478813 or
Totton Health and Leisure 02380 867474
The NFDC has asked that people be very careful when disposing of sharp items in their rubbish. This summer disposable barbecues have been a real problem, the griddle has many sharp edges which easily cut through bin bags, they have been known to cut through protective gloves.
Either wrap all sharp items (including broken glass and tins) in layers of newspaper; or seal in a clearly labelled cardboard box.
As our living standards rise and we witness the effects of climate change, we are facing the unpleasant prospect that all of this could change. If things continue as they are pollution, floods and freak weather will be the norm, yet water will be in short supply and there will simply not be enough space to adequately deal with all of the rubbish we create.
Doing Our Bit
- Use energy saving light bulbs
- Install a water meter
- Recycle as much as possible
- Fit a dual-flush system or save-a-flush bag in the toilet cistern
- Buy goods with little or no packing
- Buy locally produced food
Taken from HCC's Hampshire Now Magazine.
Over the 18 months since it closed, a campaign has been waged to get the decision reversed and the Fenwick Hospital reopened. As a result of the terrific support by the public, Local MPs and the Friends of Lyndhurst Surgery, the PCT have undertaken that the hospital will be reopened during the course of this financial year. What is envisaged is that it will become a centre for Long Term Chronic Conditions, initially for Diabetes. We are hopeful in the longer term that palliative care and end of life care will also be available there.
To assist the acceleration of a decision, so that it is made before the local PCT is merged into the larger organisation; the League of Friends has agreed to make a contribution to extra staff costs involved.
For the League of Friends of the Fenwick Hospital
George Dibben - Chairman 8th July 2006
Recently Minstead Players have put on plays involving actors of all ages, so that youngsters graduating from Junior Minstead Panto have the chance to continue their acting. For example, in November 2005 they put on 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾' by Sue Townsend, which was a resounding success and enjoyed by cast, crew and audience alike.
In June, the Players presented Nigel Pascoe's moving play 'To Encourage the Others' - the true story of the Court Marshal in 1757 of Admiral John Byng. Already performed in various venues includingWinchester Crown Court, Dartmouth Royal Naval College and Greenwich, 'this educative courtroom drama combined powerful writing, astute direction and firm commitment from its cast' as Anne Waggott wrote in the Daily Echo.
Our thanks go to Nigel for putting it on in Minstead.
In contrast the same weekend the Players put on 'A Little Bit of Midsummer Madness'. This was described by compère Geoff Green as 'a mellifluous mish-mash' of acts. Songs ranged from 'Summertime' beautifully sung by Ingrid Bond with melodic backing group, to 'Summer Nights' suitably performed by a group of teenagers with commitment and attitude. This was time for the Players to say 'Goodbye' to the Ware family, who have now moved to Yorkshire.
What next? Who knows? Minstead Players are keeping this a mystery even to themselves! They will be providing the infrastructure for forthcoming professional entertainment in the Hall. On the agenda for the next season, beginning in the autumn, are: - plays performed by Forest Forge Theatre Company with a comedy entitled 'A Wild Weekend' (15 September); 'A Christmas Carol' (3 January); an evening of top-class country music with the Reg Meuross Trio (9 February); and a journey to the 'Heart of Sahara' with travel writer John Pilkington (13 April). There should be something for everyone, so don't miss out. Come and support these events in your village hall! The last two are Hampshire 'Hog the Limelight' events, and all will be great value for the ticket price!
Marian Young
At the moment the #31 bus leaves the Trusty Servant, to Lyndhurst at 09.39 and 12.40 on weekdays and the #31A leaves at 17.51. The #31 Bus leaves the Trusty to Southampton at 07.43, 09.21 and 13.08.
Make the most of them whilst you can, they stop all together this summer!
