29th Oct – Musical Theatre Workshop in the Hall
1st Nov – Concert in Minstead Church for the Pahar Trust
2nd Nov – All Saints Festival Service
9th Nov – Remembrance Day Service
9th Nov – Come and Sing Messiah in aid of Church Funds
25th Nov – Minstead Players play reading
2nd Dec – Flower Show AGM in the Village Hall includes exhibitor advice and demonstration
21st Dec – Carol Service
23rd Dec – Jack and the Beanstalk in the Village Hall
For further details and other information look on the Parish Council Noticeboard or website www.minstead.gov.uk and the Village Shop Noticeboard.
A BIG THANK YOU FROM RAE AND ROSIE
"In June we had a lifetime's experience thanks to the generosity of many of you. Our trip to Verona was eagerly anticipated and exceeded all our expectations. Aida was simply amazing in the open air arena as was the weather. To make the most of our time we enjoyed the delights of beautiful Venice for a day ..... need we say more. Your contributions also covered a wonderful day of cricket and our travel to South Africa for our fantastic holiday. We are enjoying our retirement and love seeing you all on our frequent visits to Minstead.
With so many thanks again for your friendship and generosity that covered a very special time in our lives we send our love Rae and Rosie."
HEDGES
The hedge cutting season is here again! In many places over the years some hedges have grown wider and wider and they encroach much more over verges and roads than they used to. Within the bounds of what is reasonable, landowners are asked to try to cut back their hedges as hard as possible this autumn.
ROAD REPAIRS
Delays to repair work have been caused by a change of HCC contractor and a considerable increase in the number of potholes around the county due to the exceptionally wet weather. The new contractor is now fully engaged and an additional £1 million has been allocated to repair potholes so it is hoped that further work will be completed in the coming months.
CHURCH WAY AHEAD AND OPEN DAY
The PCC will be reporting back on what has been learnt from the Open Day on 28th September via the Christmas services leaflet, delivered through your door at the beginning of December, and through Minstead Mail and the parish website.
DRAFT NATIONAL PARK PLAN & RECREATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
The draft National Park Plan sets out the long-term vision and objectives for the National Park, together with the policies and actions for the next 5 years and beyond. It combines two important statutory documents in a single integrated plan. The draft Recreation Management Strategy is a complementary document which sets out the strategic direction for the management of outdoor recreation in the New Forest National Park over the coming 20 years. The documents may be viewed on-line at www.newforestnpa.gov.ukwhere you may also request that paper copies be mailed to you. You may also telephone Nick Evans on 01590 646679 or Sarah Applegate on 01590 646673. Final responses from individuals or groups have to be submitted by 31st October 2008(now 14th Nov). Please would you also let your Parish Council know how you would like it to respond.
STARTING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2009?
Was your child born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005? If so, it is important that you apply for a school place by midday on Friday 21 November 2008. To do this you should collect a brochure and an application form (CR2) from your local primary or infant school from September 2008. Alternatively you can apply on-line at www.hants.gov.uk/admissions. If you need further information about starting school or if you need information in large print, in Braille or translated, you should contact the Admissions Team, telephone 01962 846038/846020/846001/846004.
CARE AND COMMUNITY ALARMS (LIFELINES)
The community alarm service, also known as lifelines, provides peace of mind for people who feel at risk in their own homes. It is a 24 hour 365 day monitoring service giving you the freedom to live your life independently knowing that you can obtain assistance when you need it. If you would like to know more about the Community Alarm Service the NFDC will arrange a free demonstration in your own home. For further details contact the NFDC on-line at www.newforest.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4381 or by telephone on 023 8028 5523.
RUNNING HILL
The proposal to close the A31 turn off on to Running Hill is under review by the Highways Agency and is expected to be approved in time for the work to be done by next spring.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
A further unpleasant burglary in the Village serves to remind us all yet again about Neighbourhood Watch. Please let your neighbours know if you are going away, 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 unusual and make a note of the registration numbers of any cars you do not recognise. You should report anything suspicious to the Police immediately on 999 in an emergency; 101 (a new service) for non-emergency anti-social behaviour, community safety advice, information and action; or 0845 045 45 45 for general enquiries or if you want to report a crime.
LYNDHURST NEIGHBOURCARE
Lyndhurst Neighbourcare serves Bank, Brook, Emery Down, Lyndhurst, Minstead and the surrounding villages. It is a voluntary organisation that offers assistance to those local residents who, through age or infirmity, or any other reason, are in need. It is able to drive people to medical appointments, or help with shopping etc. If you need help, ring the Neighbourcare Voicemail number 0845 0945 818 and your call will be returned. The organisers too are also in great need of assistance (!) and are always looking for drivers, as well as people to help with other tasks. If you think you could help, please also ring the voicemail on 0845 0945 818.
HAMPSHIRE ACTION TEAMS
The New Forest Hampshire Action Team (HAT) is a team consisting of all the New Forest County Councillors. The role of the HAT includes engaging with local residents and supporting local partnerships, helping to ensure the effective delivery of Hampshire County Council services, and influencing County decisions impacting on the New Forest. The Bulletin contains information about some of the work of Hampshire County Council with a local focus to support the work of HAT members and includes a calendar of events and the latest information on such subjects as adult services, social care, health care, environment, transport, consumer protection, recreation and heritage and much more besides. Further information about the New Forest HAT can be found by visiting the website www3.hants.gov.uk/hats/hats-findyourhat/hats-newforesthat.htm or by phoning Jo White 0n 01962 8457854.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
Information about active HCC Public Consultations can be seen on the HCC website at http://consultations.hants.gov.uk/active.aspx. The present list includes:
· Hampshire Market towns Project
· Minerals and Waste Consultations 2008
· Strategic Review of Substance Misuse Services in Hampshire
· Draft County Freight Strategy for Hampshire
· Draft Equality Scheme
· Supporting Hampshire's Rural Communities – Developing a Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County
· Building Schools for the Future
ADVICE FROM THE NATIONAL FLOOD FORUM
In view of the wet summer, readers may be interested to look at the National Flood Forum website www.floodforum.org.uk. In particular this contains useful information about riparian ownership (ditches!). If a ditch borders your property in any way then you are responsible for maintaining it. If you have a fence between your garden and the ditch, the ditch is still your responsibility. This responsibility lies 50:50 between you and the landowner on the other side of the ditch. If the ditch is between your property and a public area e.g. a park, then you have riparian ownership of the half that borders your property. This ownership split applies even if there is a fence between your property and the ditch and it appears as though the ditch is within the park boundaries. Even if the ditch no longer appears to be wet, the responsibility to ensure it is kept clear of debris and other obstructions still applies.
FREE ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
New and small businesses will have the opportunity to improve their business skills for free at the New Forest Business Partnership's Brilliance in Business Seminars on Wednesday 29th October (3 – 7 p.m.). For a full list of seminars and for further details call 023 8028 5371 or visit the New Forest Business Partnership website at www.nfbp.org.uk where bookings can also be made online.
INQUIRY INTO POST OFFICE CLOSURE
A special inquiry has been set up by the National Audit Office to investigate the government's handling of the post office closures. To find out more you can email or phone the study contact, Charles Nancarrow, at enquiries@nao.gsi.gov.uk (mark for his attention) or on 020 7798 7399. Also note the link at http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/workinprogress/postoffice_closures.htm
TRUSTY UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
A big welcome to Trusty Servant new owners Emma and Paul Stratton who offer a warm welcome to all locals. We wish them good fortune for their new venture in the Village.
