Ellingham, Harbridge & Parish Council Newsletter No 30 Winter 2016

The Annual Ragwort Pull was also well attended Rarely used Phone Chairmans Chat enabling us to keep at least the parish verges and greens clear of this potentially dangerous plant. Boxes – consultation What a marvellous autumn Some residents expressed a well founded view regarding proposed we've had? A photographic that ragwort is most beneficial to some wildlife, removal and paradise with beautiful particularly insects and so we tried just to colours on the trees, potential community concentrate on the grazing areas leaving low winter sunshine and projects inaccessible spots for conservation purposes. very little rain; well, until Four phone boxes in the parish have been recently when a deluge proposed for their phones facilities to be came a couple of weeks Parish Council Projects Update removed by BT, as they are used very little, if ago. Yes, this parish is prone Oh dear, progress seems slower than we would at all. They are sited at Linwood, New Road to flooding at times of high rainfall principally have liked! Over the last few months we seem to in Mockbeggar, just south of the cattle rid due to the run-off from the Forest along the have had a plethora of concerns expressed near the Alice Lisle Inn at Rockford and on Western Escarpment. For the most part the whether to do with footpaths, ditches, hedges, the western side of Green. existing ditches and culverts coped well (I am parking, road conditions, verge management, The Parish Council are in the process of pleased to report we have an ongoing culvert clearance, flooding; the list seems endless clarifying all call usage from these boxes, for arrangement with Natural to help and sometimes it is difficult to see the trees for example have calls been made to Freephone keep the main Gorley Road ditch cleared out the woods! However, they are valid concerns and numbers or emergency services where there alongside the SSSI, Site of Special Scientific we endeavour to address the issues and is limited mobile phone signal? Interest) but inevitably there were specific prioritise those where we can assist. With the Only one of the boxes is a classic British problems of silt and gravel being washed question - 'Maintenance versus Improvement?' - Telephone box, also known as ‘The Red One’! down into our ditches. We will continue to the former should take precedence so with the The Parish Council are planning to adopt this try and target the particular problem areas. New Year around the corner, a determined effort one, which is sited on the corner of the The recent 'blocking' of the ditch near will be made to achieve and conclude more from Gorley Road and New Road in Mockbeggar. Hockey's Farm has also resulted in water our Parish Project list. Our current thoughts are for it to be retained staying on the road leading to treacherous and used for the benefit of the community, icy conditions when temperatures have One of our ideas for the New a Year is to produce such as potentially being equipped with a dropped suddenly. Please take special care a 'Welcome Letter' for new residents. The defibrillator, as a leaflet information point, on the roads and keep speeds down partly pamphlet would give an overview of the work maybe even a book or vegetable exchange? for your own safety but also for grazing carried out by the Parish Council but also provide We are keen to hear your thoughts on this livestock which invariably come closer to links to local churches and the many other scheme, and all other suggestions welcome! habitable areas during the winter months. organisations involved in this special area of the Also, whatever we do with this phone box, It's also that time of year where the cold dark New Forest in which we are privileged to live. Do and especially if we install a defibrillator, it evenings are upon us. I am sure many of you let us know if you have a new neighbour who will rely heavily on the support of several draw the curtains and stay inside, probably would be pleased to receive up to date community volunteers to agree to monitor doing the last minute preparations information and indeed, maybe existing the defibrillator – would you like to be part for Christmas. Sadly, thieves take residents might be interested to know more of this? If so, please contact the clerk. the cover of darkness as their about the area and its abundance of opportunity to be active. opportunities to be involved with?! Availability of grant Please continue to be funds. vigilant, keep Animal Accidents and Did you know the Parish outbuildings and Speeding in the parish Councillors act as trustees for garages totally an age-old charity - the secure and store Dodington Charity? It was set up valuable items where others might least A great sadness was felt in parts in 1638 by John Dodington, for the benefit of expect them to be! If an incident does arise, of the parish this late summer and the poor and needy children and young please don't forget to report to the local autumn following the recent people of Harbridge. In the almost 400 years police and to the Clerk, even if there is no animal deaths on our rural forest since its’ incorporation, times have changed insurance claim to be made. roads in Linwood and South Gorley/Mockbeggar. and now applications can be made at any Looking back since our Summer issue of the A petition was received by the clerk with in time for funds to benefit apprentices, young Newsletter, we had a most successful excess of 180 signatures calling for action to be people and children in order to support set Ellingham Show with local producers coming taken to try and minimise these needless deaths. up costs of items such as tools, equipment up trumps in their most generous As a result, the Parish Council are investigating and books for furthering the education of contributions to our annual raffle. There was whether the use of Speed Limit Reminders (SLRs) apprentices, young people and children a reasonable response to the photo in these locations would be of benefit, along with residing in Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley. competition and I hope you may have seen repainting of speed limit signs on the roads and Why not send your application to the clerk the winning entries on the website? Thank reinstatement of signs warning of animals on the today? you to the Clerk, my fellow councillors for road day and night, which have disappeared over Sadly, now there is no income to this charity their hard work in preparing for the Show the years. Consultation with the Verderers for and its’ funds are dwindling. The Parish and attending on the day and also to you, their expertise on this topic is also being sought, Council is keen to keep this charity residents and friends for visiting the stand and, if you can provide information on sites of operational - would you consider and supporting the work we do on your any missing signs, it would be greatly bequeathing a donation to it? If so, the clerk behalf. appreciated. would be very pleased to hear from you! Any feedback or suggestions for inclusion should be sent to the Clerk at [email protected] or to 6 Butlers Lane, BH24 1UB Parish Council web site: www.ehipc.co.uk Get it swept! Are you ‘app-y’ It's that time of year when Events & Diary dates enough? it is lovely to snuggle down Even though as clerk I take by a cosy fire drinking Don’t forget… …we pleasure in hearing from cocoa or enjoying a wee need trees! Help the residents, sometimes I can dram with friends. But National Trust rangers easily get bogged down in when did you last have reporting issues to either County in creating a wildlife your chimney swept? It is also the time of year Council or NFDC that residents can report when I am called out for chimney fires and they woodland and reach their themselves. The Hantsweb site is brilliant for are so easy to prevent. If you see you have a target to plant 22,000 reporting Rights of Way issues, salt bin refills, chimney fire then call the fire brigade -always. native broad-leafed trees by abandoned vehicles, flooding or drainage Even if you think it has gone out. If your house 2020 Everyone welcome, all ages & issues and much more – take a trip to is a thatch, tell the operator, the more abilities on Sunday 8th and Sunday 29th https://www.hants.gov.uk/ information we have the better. We can soon January at Foxbury – pop along for as NFDC have a fabulous app where you can check everything is ok. So don't let a chimney much time you can spare between 10am- simply take a photo of the fly tipping or fire ruin a nice evening in. Get it swept. Jim 3pm. To book phone 01794 340757, or see uncollected rubbish (which pinpoints the Spark. Parish Councillor / Ringwood Firefighter. location of the issue), provide a few details www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newforest and hey presto - the issue has been reported Police ‘Meet & Discuss’ from your smartphone! events Don’t forget…...to try Don’t delay - download it today at PCSO Amy Waddington, something new in 2017! Are you http://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/12443/ (Fordingbridge Police Office) interested in practical New-Forest-In-Touch is planning to hold a twice conservation in the great Other things you can report are dead monthly, informal 'Meet & outdoors? Learning to animals, dog fouling, fly posters, fly tipping, light or noise pollution, nuisance bonfires, discuss local issues' session survey wildlife? Helping others potholes… and lots more! Spend 5 minutes at Hockey`s Farm Shop. The next session will be learn about nature and history? on Saturday 17th December at 11 am. Please today and upload it to your smartphone. Supporting people in your local do pop along and have a chat. See Notice boards for future dates. community? Then head to the NEW The New Forest Bike FOREST VOLUNTEER FAIR on Sunday 29 Project (NFBP) is a Difficulties with your January 2017, held in the Lyndhurst social enterprise and Community Centre between 10.30am-4pm Home Insurance re: registered Community Flood Risk? for lots of exciting opportunities to try Interest Company (CIC, something different in 2017. Meet over 40 If so, please let me know, as number 10327640) which a few residents in the Ibsley different organisations such as the Forestry takes in unwanted bicycles area have reported being quoted a very high Commission, The National Trust, and then repairs, restores and relocates flood risk insurance premium price. Looking at Hampshire Ornithological Society and them in the community for those in need in the Environment Agency website under flood many more! the New Forest and East Dorset district. map for planning, it puts a lot of Ibsley and http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/volunte They sell good used bikes and parts at afford- South Gorley in flood zone 2 (if there were no erfair able prices and help people stay on the road, flood defences). Pop your postcode into this ride safely and encourage sustainability. web page for further information: Currently, they are appealing for unwanted Don’t forget…to come adult bikes, parts and accessories to help Balancing the books along to our ANNUAL them fulfil their aim to help people from all PARISH MEETING on walks of life get out on two wheels and for it It's the time of year when the to be an inclusive and fun experience. Can clerk is busy analysing the Tuesday 25th April at you help them? Donations of bikes and cy- half year budget, which is 7.30pm held in Ibsley cling related paraphernalia can be sent or pleasingly on track, to assist the Village Hall to hear how dropped off at NFBP c/o Walkers Garage, 197 councillors in agreeing the level your volunteer councillors Burley Road, , Near Christchurch of precept we request from the District Council have been working hard representing the BH23 8DF open 8am – 5pm Monday to Fri- for 2017/18. best interests of the residents. Chairman’s day, or they can collect locally at times to In this challenging financial climate, and with Report, Guest Speaker (not yet decided – suit you - email Hampshire devolution currently undecided, all suggestions welcome!), and the [email protected] or text the government has been outspoken in the opportunity to catch up with neighbours 07818 403114. cuts to town and parish councils, and we are accompanied by drinks & nibbles going to have to make our money work harder More change coming to serve the parish. This will inevitably result Due to changes proposed by in more responsibilities for less funds! The ac- Christmas Church Services the Boundary Commission, tual amount of funding (precept) we request Please see enclosed details for our parish has been will be agreed at our Planning Committee Hyde, Ellingham and removed from meeting on 10 January at 7.30pm, should you Harbridge churches. and by next April, will come wish to come along. Clerk. All are welcome! within the Ringwood area. Essentially this means that we will lose our existing County We look forward to being of service to you in 2017. As always we are here for you to Councillor, Edward Heron and we would like contact us with any issues or concerns and we will endeavour to resolve them or at to take this opportunity of thanking Edward for many years of ably assisting our parish, least point you in the right direction! Please do contact the Clerk or any of your and his invaluable advice in so many areas of representative members. expertise. He has often 'kept us on track' and his presence, whether at meetings or on the Finally and on behalf of all the Members of the Parish Council, I should like to wish end of a phone, will be sorely missed. you, our residents, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Thank you CCllr Heron.