EXTRA NEWS SPRING 2021

Message from Extra Parish Council Chairman John Parker

The community has pulled getting the bus shelter opposite together in a magnificent way to the Mandarin Chef refurbished support those shielding. as we have given up on waiting Mention must be made of Unity for the County Council to carry out their planned junction (previously Test Valley changes with Halterworth Lane Community Services) which has which would have seen the We have been trying to put this organised the support in shelter replaced. newsletter together for nearly a Romsey Town and Romsey Using money from the year now. We were just Extra and is now managing the Abbotswood development we finalising the topics including volunteers manning the have purchased a mobile speed previewing the Romsey Show Crosfield Hall vaccination limit reminder (the sort that and the Romsey Festival when centre. Our thanks must go to attaches to a lamppost and we were suddenly faced with the them and all their volunteers flashes a speed limit reminder). first COVID-19 lockdown. Since We are finalising the various sites it will be visiting and expect then, there has been a roller I hope we can now see the to have that in operation soon. glimmer of a brighter future. To coaster of highs and lows with We are not going to advertise advice and regulations changing echo Capt. Sir Tom Moore: the locations but leave it to week by week. All Romsey’s “Tomorrow will be a good day”. motorists to find out! summer events were cancelled. Lower Ashfield (Whitenap) is Towards the end of the summer, Looking ahead here are a few planned to be the site of a major we seemed to be turning the items that are expected soon. development of 1,000 plus corner then the second wave hit We have arranged with houses, a primary school, us with further lockdowns. Hampshire County Council to community facilities, a local install some more bus shelters centre and an employment area We have been fairly lucky in our using funding from developers. all situated within a park land area; we have not suffered There will be one either side of setting connected to but distressingly large numbers of Jermyn’s Lane close to the separate from Tadburn. There cases and our hospitals have entrances to Hilliers and Kings have been many discussions managed to cope. Now that the Chase. The one on the going on between the Ashfield vaccination programme is well northern side will be the responsibility of Braishfield Partnership and TVBC planning under way, we are seeing some Parish Council. There will also department. We are now stability and we can hope that we be a pair of shelters installed expecting this to culminate in a really are going to be able to get either side of Braishfield Road formal planning application by back to something like normal. between the entrance to the summer. At least the schools are now Abbotswood and Woodley reopening. Close. Finally, we will be

Parish Council Meetings 2021 Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions meetings are being held remotely. Contact the Clerk for details on how to access the meeting. Forthcoming meeting dates: 15 April & 13 May (AGM) Annual Parish Assembly: Wednesday 28 April 7.30pm Agendas & minutes are available on the website: www.romseyextra-pc.org.uk Please check our website for the dates of all meetings. Page 2 EXTRA NEWS SPRING 2021

Highwood Lane Footway Extension

One by-product of this pandemic has Infrastructure Levy (CIL). CIL is a been an increase in recreational levy payable on most new walking. A popular route has been developments to be spent on along the footway in Highwood Lane. infrastructure. 15% of the CIL goes I know as I see people pass by my to the parish council. Later this year kitchen window. However, the we will submit an application for council has, so far, only been able to match funding from Test Valley fund the footway from Halterworth Borough Council (who get the Lane, round the corner and half way balance of the CIL). We will keep down Highwood Lane. The you informed as this progresses and remaining section down to Botley will, of course, carry out a full Road is very dangerous. We would consultation with the residents of like to complete the route, providing Fortunately we have accumulated Highwood Lane. Photo courtesy of safe passage for all pedestrians. some reserves from the Community Google Street View.

Kings Chase Formerly Ganger Farm

The Ganger Farm development is The building has a community room, finished so that the facilities can be more unusual than the average ones studio etc. The Ground Maintenance opened in the summer months. that have appeared around Romsey Association has recently inspected (Covid permitting) in recent decades. the sports area in readiness for Test Any group interested in using the site If you visit or just pass by you will see Valley Borough Council to take it over can contact that the residents of Romsey Extra and were impressed by the standard [email protected] for Parish have beavered away over the of work. more information. last twelve months and now have Other areas of open space (broad very productive allotments. walk/ ecology trail) will be transferred In the coming year the sports facilities soon. will become active. There are multiple The developer is working hard to get football and rugby pitches as well as numerous trees planted (to safeguard artificial hockey and rugby pitches. and replant) and other elements

Caring for our Environment

food outlets, despite there being a Community Litter Picker. It's a good adequate litter bins nearby. The bins way of taking exercise and, at the are regularly emptied by Test Valley same time contributing to the care of Borough Council. our Parish's environment. It has been gratifying to occasionally encounter a resident armed with a PS The Romsey and District Society's large blue TVBC litter bin-bag, a litter next Community Litter Pick and picker and a yellow Hi-Vis vest. In Stream Clean is scheduled for the fact, the Borough Council now has week 3rd to 10th April. Contact Mark more than 300 Community Litter on [email protected] Pickers. The Council provides each volunteer Test Valley's car park at The Rapids with a litter-picker, gloves, a Hi-Vis An unanticipated side-effect of COVID vest and a roll of blue sacks. 19 has been the increased number of Community minded individuals can local residents walking the find information on TVBC's website pavements, footpaths and open under the headings 'Community Clean spaces in and around Romsey for Ups' and 'Information for Community their daily permitted exercise under Litter Pickers.' If residents email the three lockdowns of the last year. [email protected]. On their walks many residents have uk TVBC will deliver the equipment to commented on the volume of litter on your front door. verges and under hedgerows. Litter is There is evidence that if an area is particularly prevalent around car relatively litter free, less litter is Ditch Greatbridge Road parks, open spaces, schools and fast dropped. Please consider becoming EXTRA NEWS Page 3 SPRING 2021

Award of Abbotswood Public Art Commission

Cllr Janet Burnage as Ward member highlighting key points of interest with time and space providing hints to the for Cupernham was invited to sit on sculptural storytelling and symbology. rich environment that we live in. We the panel set up by Test Valley The project will include ten urban are delighted to have been appointed Borough Council (TVBC) to go pointer way-markers at key for this unique opportunity to go on a through the selection process for the intersections, creating a trail and creative and inspiring journey with Abbotswood public art commission. It directions. Four sculptural way- Abbotswood community, and are was awarded to Thrussells, a father markers will be slightly bigger with excited to bring this trail to reality with and son creative art practice. The additional detail and coloured glass. the help of the local people.” £56,000 funding for these These sculptural way-markers will be Thrussells are very keen to engage commissions comes directly from located at the entry points to with the local community and make Section 106 developer contributions Abbotswood, the nature conservation sure that they are fully engaged specifically set aside for public art at area entries and the community throughout the project. They will start Abbotswood. facilities such as the community the project with a community Thrussells Metal Sculptors specialise centre and play area. The installation engagement programme that aims to in community public art creating high will also feature two sculptures to reach all residents and stakeholders quality work depicting heritage and enhance the urban green spaces. through research, walks, talks, natural history subjects made from Artist, Thomas Thrussell said: "This workshops, exhibition activities and mild steel, cor-ten, copper and trail will take residents on a journey in social media. TVBC will make sure stainless steel. Their work is created that as soon as there is an opportunity with their belief that public art should to start the engagement process all be for all to enjoy by creating Abbotswood residents will be installations with interpretation, informed and given full details of how durability, longevity, tactility and a they can get involved with the passion for heritage and nature, workshops and exhibitions. These working across the generations. events will be open to residents of any For Abbotswood, they propose a age to develop a wonderful trail comprehensive sculptural trail guiding through Abbotswood. walkers around the development,

Tackling Covid-19 Together

Unity, formerly Test Valley Community prescriptions, shopping, and other Networks in Romsey and Andover to Services, which was started in errands. recruit support and help for the Corvid Romsey about thirty years ago, Developed from this is the Unity clinics. responded quickly to the first Companion Line which has used the To date, more than 740 volunteers pandemic lockdown in March 2020 by skills of the fantastic volunteers and have been recruited and others like setting up the Test Valley Community individuals who have and are providing Romsey Town Council, Waitrose and Helpline. Partnering up with Test a friendly voice and a check on the other businesses are giving a helping Valley Borough Council it has wellbeing of those struggling to cope hand across the Valley - a true supported rural groups across the and feeling lonely. community effort. Valley and recruited their own When the vaccination programme was If you need help or want to give help, volunteers who are continuing to help in the planning stages Unity stepped contact 0330 4004 116 or isolated and vulnerable people access up to support the NHS Primary Care www.unityonline.org.uk Community SpeedWatch – Last Call For Volunteers Are you concerned about speeding traffic? Would you be prepared to do something about it?

Community SpeedWatch is a scheme supported by the police which enables volunteers to use equipment that can monitor the speed of passing traffic and pass the details on to the police. Letters are then sent by the police to the registered keepers advising them of their speed, if excessive, and reminding them of why it is a community concern. The parish owns a set of equipment to operate a Community SpeedWatch but needs to establish a team of at least six people to get it started. Members of the community need to be trained, be vetted and become Police Support Volunteers to join a SpeedWatch scheme.

If we cannot get a team of volunteers, then we will pass the equipment on to another parish who can. If you would be interested in helping to set up a Community SpeedWatch scheme in our parish then please contact the Chairman urgently. Romsey Extra Parish Council SPRING 2021 Page 4 Contacts

Borough Councillors: Abbey: Sandra Gidley & Nik Daas The Chairman Parish Councillor John Parker Mark Cooper Blackwater: Nick Adams King & Gordon Cornerways 22 The Thicket Bailey Highwood Lane, Romsey Romsey SO51 5SZ SO51 9AF Chilworth, Nursling & Rownhams: Phil Tel: 07774 638310 Bundy Tel: 07825 514348 cllr.mark.cooper@ cllr.john.parker@ romseyextra-pc.org.uk Cupernham: Dorothy Baverstock, Janet romseyextra-pc.org.uk Burnage & Neil Gwynne Tadburn: Mark Cooper & John Parker

Vice Chairman Parish Councillor County Councillors: Dorothy Baverstock Matthew Southey 7 Westering 9 Hestia Close Mark Cooper 01794 516028 or Romsey SO51 7LX Romsey SO51 8PA [email protected] Tel: 01794 517552 Tel: 07816 901442 cllr.dorothy.baverstock@ cllr.matthew.southey@ Roy Perry 01794 322472 or romseyextra-pc.org.uk romseyextra-pc.org.uk [email protected] Member of Parliament: 01794 521155 or Parish Councillor Parish Councillor Janet Burnage Dr Susan Tippett [email protected] 2 Hogarth Close 22 The Thicket Romsey SO51 7TF Romsey SO51 5SZ Carers Forum & Carers Club: [email protected] Tel: 07764 584522 Tel: 07802733292 cllr.janet.burnage@ cllr.susan.tippett@ romseyextra-pc.org.uk romseyextra-pc.org.uk Diabetes Aware: 01794 515126 NOMADS: amateur dramatics - 01794 513860 Parish Councillor The Clerk Janet Cairney Carol McFarlnd Police: Safer Neighbourhood Team: 101 35 Feltham Close Cowesfield Lodge Romsey S051 8PB Romsey Road Romsey Citizens Advice: Whiteparish Tel: 01794 503336 SP5 2QY Admin Only 01794 522137 cllr.janet.cairney@ Tel: 01794 884826 romseyextra-pc.org.uk [email protected] Advice available on 03444 111 306 Romsey Dial-A-Ride: 01264 356808 Romsey Sea Cadets: 01794 514387 E-mail: [email protected] Romsey Twinning: website: www.romseyextra-pc.org.uk [email protected] Test Valley Community Services: (UNITY) 01794 519998 Scouts - romseyscouts.org.uk Woodley Village Hall Booking: Community News Mrs Garland [email protected] Youth in Romsey: 01794 500581

Woodley Village Hall — Needs You Woodley Village Hall is in urgent need of additional committee members and a new chairman. Peter Macfarlane has decided after being in the chair for a number of years that work pressures mean he must step down as chair but will remain an active member of the committee. The committee also needs a secretary. The Hall is in good repair and financially sound but does need an active management committee. If you would like to help support this much used and loved local community facility, please contact John Parker for further information.

Saving Lives - Defibrillators The Council has donated a defibrillator to the Romsey 10th Scouts and we are pleased to see that is installed at the Scout Headquarters on Braishfield Road. In addition the Council has recently purchased a defibrillator located on the Sports Centre, adjacent to the rugby pitch on Southampton Road. Both are available to the public should they be required. We were pleased to receive the very good news that the defibrillator at Woodley Village Hall purchased by the Council in 2016 had saved the life a local man.