MINSTEAD MAIL SPRING 2009
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Details of forthcoming events in the Village can be seen on the Village Diary which is regularly updated and placed on the Parish Council Noticeboard. If you would like to join the growing number of people who receive this by email please send your email address to Cllr Alan Ferguson at alanandfionaf@btinternet.com. More details may also be seen on the Parish Council website www.minstead.gov.uk and on the Village Shop and Church Noticeboards. The following major events are planned for this Spring:
· 7th – 15th March New Forest Spring Clean.
· 20th and 21st March Junior Minstead Pantomime 'The White Company' from a book by Conan Doyle.
· 25th March Parish Council Annual Assembly at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall Green Room. All welcome, wine and nibbles afterwards.
· 31st March Minstead Players AGM Social Club.
· 5th April PCC Annual Parish Meeting at 11.45 a.m. in the Church.
· 19th May Village Hall AGM.
· 22nd May Special event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday. Details to follow.
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
All parishioners are welcome to the Annual Assembly to be held in the Village Hall Green Room at 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday 25th March. This will be an opportunity to hear an overview of the key issues which the PC has been tackling over the last year, to raise matters which may be of concern and to meet Councillors informally afterwards over wine and nibbles. One item to be raised for consideration will be the potential benefit of reinstating an open ditch at the bottom of the Village Green to improve drainage. Also present will be the local supervisor of the HCC Highways Department who will give an overview of his task, budget and allocation of priorities.
GLEBELAND
The new owners of the Glebe Land have generously offered it to the Parish Council for the benefit of all the residents of Minstead. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of some legal aspects, the PC will care for the land and undertake maintenance activities. The PC believes this to be a most attractive and worthwhile asset for our community and on behalf of everyone in Minstead is very grateful to the owners. Use of the land will be open to all but must, of course, be at every individual's own risk.
VILLAGE GREEN SEAT
Many thanks to those who managed to master the paperwork to obtain a grant to renew the seat round the tree on the Village green. The wood has been ordered and work should commence shortly.
NEW FOREST SPRING CLEAN
The 36th annual New Forest Spring Clean which is sponsored by the NFDC takes place between 7th and 15th March this year. Further details can be seen on the NFDC website. To take part locally to help keep our Parish looking as spick and span as possible you can obtain sacks and gloves from the Village Shop where a more detailed notice will be displayed. If in doubt about which areas to concentrate on it is suggested that the verges 100-200 metres either side of your own property would be a good place to start! Many thanks to those who put in a bit of time and effort to clear up the detritus of some our less thoughtful human brethren!
RAGWORT
As many will know, Common Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea) is poisonous to horses and other livestock and can have potentially fatal consequences if ingested either in its green or dried state. It is of note that over 90% of complaints that DEFRA receives about injurious weeds concern ragwort. The Ragwort Control Act which came into force on 20 Feb 2004 provides the legal framework for the DEFRA Code of Practice on how to prevent the spread of ragwort and its guidance on disposal options. Full details can be seen on www.defra.gov.uk/farm/wildlife/weeds/. Ultimately if action is not taken to follow these guidelines then enforcement proceedings can be taken. Last year in Minstead there was a lot more Ragwort than in previous years and Parish Councillors supported by a few others spent a considerable amount of time pulling and disposing of this unpleasant weed from Manor Land where much grazing takes place. However, it was disappointing how few local livestock owners, who are the main beneficiaries from this, actually took part themselves and it is hoped that there will be a better turn out this year.
Minstead Ragwort pulling day is planned for Wednesday 15th July 2009. Please put this date in your diary and help out by making a serious community effort this year!
TRAFFIC CALMING
Action is now in hand to install a sleeve on the C17 at Stoney Cross. A SID (Speed Indicating Device) will be positioned here at random times which it is hoped will help slow down traffic. Meanwhile if you observe any vehicle that you believe may be exceeding the speed limit anywhere in the village (mostly 30 mph!) it would be very helpful if you could inform the Police on 0845 045 45 45 providing the time and identity of the vehicle as best you can and your estimate of its speed.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
The deteriorating economic climate and potential reductions in police force numbers make it possible that there will be an increase in crime, particularly house burglary, shed break-ins and car theft. Indeed, there has recently been a burglary in Minstead. Members of the community can play an important part in helping to combat this trend by passing on information, particularly about things that are out of the ordinary. Of course, if you see a crime actually being carried out or life is in danger you should dial 999 immediately. Otherwise you should ring 0845 045 45 45 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police or contact our Neighbourhood Watch coordinator (Sue Cole tel 8081 3391). Any information about suspicious persons or vehicles, or something that is odd or unusual can be very helpful either in preventing a crime taking place or in providing a key part of a bigger picture.
USED BATTERIES
Old batteries contain a number of different toxic materials and are not suitable for disposal with normal household waste which mostly goes into landfill. If you have batteries which you wish to throw out please place them in the box in the Village Shop which is emptied on a regular basis.
MINSTEAD SOCIAL CLUB
Minstead Social Club was founded by Village locals in 1951. It is a members' club run on a non profit basis but guests are always welcome and membership rates are very reasonable. In the current economic climate the club is struggling to make enough money to meet its expenses. Please do your best to help maintain this valuable community asset by using the club more or joining if you are not already a member. Contact either the Club Steward on 8081 2616 or the Club Secretary on 8081 3052.
TAXI-SHARE TO TOTTON
Many may already be aware of the HCC's Taxi-Share scheme that replaced part of the Bus Service 31/31A route through Fritham, Nomansland, Brook and Minstead to Totton. Residents in these areas can book a taxi to Totton Shopping precinct arriving at 9.45 a.m. and returning at 1.15 p.m. This service connects with the 30/31 bus into Southampton. The Service is available on Tuesdays and Fridays and costs £4 single and £5.50 return and Farepass will be accepted. To find out more and to book call 0845 602 4135 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
OPAL - OLDER PEOPLE'S AREA LINK
OPAL is a network of specially trained trusted volunteers, managed by a County Co-Coordinator, available in your local area. Are you an older person who is...
- lonely and wishing to meet people?
- finding it difficult to cope?
- feeling isolated?
- new to the area?
- not sure who to ask for help?
Or do you know someone who is?
Then an OPAL volunteer would be happy to help.
Freephone 0800 328 7154 in confidence and ask for OPAL.
GREEN ISSUES
For those who are not already aware, the Minstead Transition Project has recently been set up under the auspices of New Forest Transition (see www.newforesttransition.org). A wide range of initiatives are under discussion with the objectives of:
· Reducing energy consumption
· Reducing dependency on fossil fuels
· Fostering self-sufficiency
· Minimising waste
At a recent meeting a number of possible local projects were discussed and more information will be promulgated soon. Anyone wishing to become involved should contact Jane Pownall (8081 3437 or jane.pownall@hants.gov.uk) or Sue Cole (8081 3391 or sue@colefamily.org.uk).
MESSAGE FROM THE AMBULANCE SERVICE – I.C.E.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognised name for this purpose.
In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as 'ICE'. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc.
