PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Following the elections in May and the subsequent Annual General Meeting, your new Parish Council is as follows:

Cllr Bill Andrews (Chairman)

Cllr Steve Cattell (Vice Chairman)

Cllr Helen Bennett

Cllr Mark Bridle

Cllr Alan Ferguson

Cllr Ann Locke

Cllr Rae Tugwell

The Council gave its thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Annie Cooper, for her invaluable service over many years.It is also pleased to report that Liz Green continues as the Parish Clerk and that it will benefit greatly from her knowledge and experience.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURVEY

Following further presentations and public discussion at the Annual Assembly on 21^st March, the Parish Council has asked the NFDC to reconcile the considerable difference between the names and number of applications on its Housing Register for Minstead with the results of last summer's Affordable Housing Survey.No further action will be taken until the Council has a clear idea of the precise need.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING

Minstead now forms part of Hampshire Constabulary New Forest North Safer Neighbourhood Team and is one of the villages that is covered by PC Mike Bemand as the Cadnam Beat Officer. Since the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing he has able to dedicate more time to carrying out high visibility patrols to reassure residents and provide a crime deterrent, build contacts in the local communities and look for solutions to some of the longer term problems such as theft from cars in New Forest beauty spots. He works closely with PC Karen WRIGHT, who covers Lyndhurst and Ashurst and the area has 24hour emergency response teams. They have had some success in reducing theft from cars in beauty spots but it continues to be a problem; people are advised not to leave any valuables in their vehicles and to report any persons seen acting suspiciously. The suspects for this crime often hide nearby and watch as a handbag or other valuable is hidden under a seat or put in the boot. Mike has some notices from the carsafe scheme that state "On the advice of Hampshire Police I have no valuables in my vehicle". If you would like one for your car please contact him.

Mike has now been joined by Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Ling LAU. Ling's role is to provide reassurance to the public by high visibility patrols on foot or push bike; to build a rapport with the Community to help resolve issues that can really affect people's lives such as anti-social behaviour; to get involved with Neighbourhood Watch Schemes; and to attend community and other agency meetings to help make the community a safer place to work, live and visit.

If there are any issues you would like to discuss please contact Mike or his team on Tel 0845 0454545 or email michael.bemand@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or pui-ling.lau@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

For more information about New Forest North Safer Neighbourhood Team please visit www.hampshire.police.ukand go to your Local Policing Team.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

This is a good time to remind people about Neighbourhood Watch with many of us planning to be away at some stage. Please let your neighbours know and tell them if you are expecting anyone to visit the house while you are absent and if possible leave a contact number. Keep watchful for anything you might think suspicious and make a note of any car reg no's. Ring the police if you have any non urgent information on 101, you never know when it might be just what they are looking for. Anyone wanting more info or to get more involved in our Minstead scheme please contact Sue Cole, preferably by email (sue@colefamily.org.uk) or on 8081 3391.

ROAD REPAIRS AND TRAFFIC CALMING

The Parish Council will be meeting soon with Rob Millar of Hampshire Highways to discuss a number of places where it considers the need for road repairs and resurfacing has become a matter of great urgency.In addition, the Council will try to identify ways to slow down traffic following several complaints about excessive speed along some roads in the Parish and through the Village centre.Such work does depend on the availability of funding at county level, but it is hoped that some at least will be carried out this year. Watch this space!

OVERHANGING TREES

There are a number of places where private property trees have grown out over our roads to a dangerous extent.It is the owner's responsibility to have them cut back and everyone is asked to check their boundaries to see if such work has become necessary.

MINSTEAD WI

There was a fascinating tour of HighgroveGardens on 1^st May, just before the lovely weather broke down!Members also had a very amusing evening experimenting with clay, under guidance, to produce their own little figures, with mixed results. There are other monthly events planned for the rest of the year so keep an eye out on the newly restored WI Notice board near the Village Green.New members are always welcome!

VILLAGE HALL

The Village Hall Management Committee held its AGM on 22nd May 2007 with just two changes to the existing Committee of elected members and organizational representatives; and confirmation of Roger Colvin as Treasurer and Colin Payne as representative of the Flower Show.

PLANNING SURGERIES

The New Forest National Park Authority currently holds planning surgeries at the Cottage, adjacent to the Queens House in Lyndhurst every Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.Their purpose is for interested parties to view plans for any current planning application. However, it is still necessary for people to contact the Authority directly if they wish to speak to a Planning Officer.

SATELLITE DISHES

NFDC has asked that New Forest residents be reminded of the need to check whether their satellite dishes are lawful if they live in listed buildings or in a conservation area (e.g. Minstead!). This warning follows a court case in which a Breamore man was landed with a £250 penalty after he failed to fill in a form which called for information on an unauthorised satellite dish.

JUNIOR MINSTEAD

The History of Junior Minstead, described in the December edition of Minstead Mail, was taken directly from the publication "Minstead - A New Forest Village Past and Present".Some of our readers have since asked us to emphasise the major role played by our Church and the PCC in supporting the newly formed group in the early 1970s and this we are glad to do.The great success of this organisation is a considerable tribute to them and everyone else who has been involved with it over the last 35 years and we wish the new chairman, Spike Briggs, every good fortune during his tenure.

MINSTEAD PARISH WEBSITE

Your attention is drawn to the Parish website, www.minstead.gov.uk, which contains a lot of interesting and useful information and links.  We are doing our best to keep it up to date but all comments and suggestions will be most welcome.  In addition, if there is a local community event (not commercial) you would like promulgated on the website this can be done. In all instances, please contact the Clerk.

SOME FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN MINSTEAD

24th June. At 7.30 pm there will be a 'Midsummer Come and Sing' at MinsteadChurch organised by Rosie Tugwell in aid of church funds.  The programme will include popular works such as Faure's 'Requiem' and Handel's 'Halleluia Chorus'. 

1st July. At 6.00 pm there will be a special Sung Evensong at All Saints, Minstead.  The St. Nicholas Singers are coming to Minstead to join with the Minstead Choir to lead the singing that evening.  There will be about 30 of them!  We shall be singing a special setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by the English composer, Sumsion, and the anthem 'How Lovely are Thy Dwellings' by Brahms.  We look forward to welcoming them, and hope that many Minstead residents will come and enjoy the occasion.  Our rector, Reverend Dr James Bruce, will be taking the service.

27^th August. The Minstead Social Club charity "It's a Knock-out" competition.

1^st September.The Fifty-Sixth Annual Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show will be held in the Village Hall.

21^st September. The Forest Forge Theatre Company perform 'NewFound Land' in the Village Hall.

OTHER LOCAL EVENTS OF INTEREST

23^rd June - 8^th July. The fortnight long Hampshire Food Festival, with around 100 different events held at dozens of different locations across Hampshire, celebrates all that is great about food and drink from Hampshire. Request your free festival programme on 01962 845435, hampshire.fare@hants.gov.uk or visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk

24^th to 26^th July. The New Forest and Hampshire County Show will be held at NewPark, Brockenhurst.Highlights include the return of the King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery Four Gun Musical Drive, Show jumping classes for potential Olympic riders, a Four Wheel Drive course and some of the best selection of craftsmen in the UK.