EAST NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015

07562 985631 East Boldre E [email protected] W eastboldre-pc.gov.uk Newsletter F eastboldrepc

January 2019 On the verge Verge restoration work has been in progress across the for some time now. The project, which is part of a 10 year Higher Level Stewardship scheme, is Getting connected In September 2018, representatives funded by Natural and managed by the from BT Openreach and Forestry commission. County Council attended the parish Work includes installation of ditches, council meeting to provide an banks and wooden posts (dragons teeth) update on broadband coverage to prevent car parking on the verges. The in East Boldre. The government work is taking place for three reasons: is committed to providing 97.4% • The New Forest is of international broadband coverage across importance for nature conservation and Hampshire by the end of 2019 and this includes its verges. Unauthorised has an obligation to provide 10Mbps parking causes erosion of habitats in a coverage per property by 2020. National Park and the loss of rare and BT Openreach has already declining plants like camomile installed fibre optic cable within the • Erosion from parking on verges reduces copper network at Hatchet Pond. the amount of grazing for free roaming This offers a superfast broadband ponies and cattle, which in itself brings service to properties within 1000m environmental benefits of the installed cabinet, taking an • Grass verges soften the visual impact of roads and buildings and contribute effective broadband service as to the New Forest’s visual appeal. far as the Village Shop, although East Boldre has been highlighted as an area which requires work, therefore service is slower as the cable councillors have had several meetings with the forestry commission to obtain extends further from the cabinet at detailed information about proposals. Hatchet Pond. There are several In March this year the council invited Jayne Albery, verge restoration officer, ways to improve broadband service, to attend a Parish Council meeting and present planned work to everyone. for advice see: This gave the public a chance to ask questions and air their views. The hants.gov.uk/broadband. council have since had further meetings to try to resolve issues, particularly Openreach is committed to with parking opposite the village shop. Plans and maps of proposed work are installing a fibre to the premise available for residents to view in the village shop and on the parish council service to , East End website. and the rest of East Boldre by the Although the Forestry Commission planned to commence work this end of 2019. This will offer effective summer, weather conditions have delayed progress. Work will be taking place broadband coverage which is not before March along East Boldre Main Road. Maps of the planned work can be distance limited. This commitment found on the HLS website and exact dates of the work will be posted here in is fully funded. January - hlsnewforest.org.uk/projects/verge-restoration/ Hampshire County Council Jayne Albery, HLS Verge Restoration Officer, said: ‘We have talked to local has launched a match funding people to identify the verges that are in particular need of restoration. We will scheme to help communities that keep disruption to a minimum while work is being carried out and thank you are considering a self-funding route for your support and understanding. to obtain superfast broadband. ‘Once measures have been installed we will continue to monitor the The county council will provide effectiveness of this work and gather feedback from all parties. I will visit up to half of the funding to match the area frequently to ensure that the measures put in place work, and if money raised by communities necessary implement minor changes. who wish to install and maintain a ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation and superfast broadband connection hope that you can support this restoration work’. in their area. For more information hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com EAST BOLDRE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019 Once a councillor... When you see reports of council matters in the local paper do you think that the same names always appear? Perhaps so, but in 2007 this could not have been the case in East Boldre, for in that year none of the then Parish councillors stood for re-election. Even the parish clerk, only in office for a few months, had made it clear that he was only staying long enough for the new council to be formed and a new Clerk to be appointed. So the 5 new councillors, elected unopposed in the (best?) village tradition, met informally with the clerk. Our ‘training’ Allotment view consisted of each of us being given a copy of a handbook, ‘The Parish Councillor’s Guide’, and the request to elect a DECEMBER 2018 chairman – even though half of us hardly knew any of the This year has certainly been one of extremes from the others! early mini tornado, the cold wet spring and then the Life was interesting, discovering some of the legacy relentless, hot dry summer. It has been a challenge for all of the previous councils. For example, how the allotments plot holders and some crops have flourished, others not so had been developed and managed, proved an eye- well but its certainly never been boring! Now we are in the opener. If I recall correctly, Bournemouth & West Hants doldrums as my father used to say – a period of uncertain Water, as it then was, had overlooked charging at one weather, and a lack of enthusiasm to venture out in the of the sites for several years, despite having arranged cold and wet. Time perhaps to take stock, plan for next connection to the main supply. We also discovered the season and order seeds with a view to having the best passions that can be aroused by any threat of change, harvest ever, whatever the weather. be it planning affecting property, where to site a shelter We have had three successful events this year. Firstly for the youth of the village to meet, or consultation on in May we had lovely weather for our coffee morning and the Core Strategy for the New Forest National Park, then plant sale which was really well attended and supported newly established. There were even meetings when the so we shall definitely be having another next year in May. village hall was crammed to overflowing with members of So remember to sow a few extra seeds next spring so you the public. Whether more could or should have been done can donate the plants to the sale and come along to buy by us can be debated, but at least as a council we have a different things that you haven’t managed to raise yourself. legal status (equivalent, I believe, to that of larger councils, In September there was the Taste of East Boldre with such as & Pennington, as the level below again good weather but not quite the support we usually the Council) which requires us to be have, mainly due I think to there being lots of other things informed and consulted on many matters. Over the years on that day but we still made a good profit and will be there has been a succession of councillors, many bringing looking at improving things and making some changes for a specific interest or expertise to the council, and we next year’s event. Finally we had our allotment holders have seen a strengthening of the council, though, sadly, a BBQ which also went well and I think was enjoyed be decline in attendance by the villagers. all who came. So a big thank you to all who helped and Why stand in the first place and why now stand down? supported these events. Well, the standing was a chance matter, for having moved Both allotment sites are all but full now. However, to the village a couple of years before I had shown some anyone wishing to have an allotment can always put interest in local matters and standing for election was their names down as things do change. We have a very suggested to me. enthusiastic bunch on both plots now and its great to My father, many years before, had been elected see all your hard work producing a wide range of super to Christchurch Borough Council, in the days when edibles so thank you to everyone and keep up the good Independents, as most then were, were truly independent work. and worked for the interests of community. I think the As always we would like to thank the parish council for Parish council should be, and is, similarly independent all their help in making the allotments run smoothly over and community oriented. What has happened over the the past year – we all appreciate it. 12 years of my tenure has been that younger members of Anyone wishing to take on an allotment should contact the village have come forward, each bringing new vigour either the parish clerk, Nicola Curzon and ideas to the council. My experience of a completely (email: [email protected] new council showed that some continuity can be really tel: 07562985631) or Ruth and Bruce McDermott, helpful but, equally, we do not want a council comprising Allotment Representatives (e-mail: macrandb@btinternet. just old men. So now, with an election coming up in May, com tel: 01590 612231) and we can show you what is seems the right time to stand aside and, hopefully, see the available or take your details and add them to the waiting council continue to flourish. list.

Cllr Brian Mulhall Digital presence W: eastboldre-pc.gov.uk F: eastboldrePC

2 East Boldre Parish Council: 07562 985631 • [email protected] EAST BOLDRE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019 Get involved Defibrillator use Next May, alongside the national A village project to raise funds to purchase a defibrillator commenced in elections, East Boldre Parish 2015, with installation of the equipment in 2017. The parish council realise Council will also be taking on the importance of residents feeling comfortable using this equipment, and new councillors. confident administering CPR. Both actions, whilst waiting for emergency Parish councils are part of local support, significantly increase the chances of survival for someone suffering a government closest to the people. cardiac arrest. They serve the smallest area and On 20 November East Boldre Parish Council hosted a training session to are responsible for the most local provide a group of 14 volunteer residents with the necessary skills to administer of matters. They have a number cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use the automated external defibrillator of basic responsibilities in making (AED) installed in the telephone box opposite the village shop. the lives of local communities more The parish council sought the support of a team from the Lymington and Sway comfortable, many of which are community first responder group. Their approach was excellent; it was serious often taken for granted. Essentially but delivered in a ‘fun’ way. The group sang their way, with apologies to Queen, these powers fall within three through the CPR process. These volunteers now have new skills and knowledge main categories: representing the to differentiate the approach for adults, children and babies. Most importantly they whole electorate within the parish; know that they could now help save a life. delivering services to meet local The group also learned more about the AED voluntary emergency telephone needs; and striving to improve system (VETS) administered by the British Heart Foundation. Over the Christmas break, the clerk worked with Cllr Hawker to test VETS. Now that the test has quality of life in the parish. The been satisfactorily completed, the designated VETS telephone number can be role of a parish councillor is varied registered with SCAS (the south central ambulance service) for the AED in East and rewarding. Cllr Bev Hawker Boldre. Each volunteer’s phone number is linked to a designated local telephone joined a year ago and explains number. If the AED is required in the vicinity of East Boldre, the ambulance service her experiences of becoming a will be able to call this number and it will then link to the telephones of each East councillor: Boldre volunteer on the VETS system (an available volunteer will answer the call). “It was almost 12 months ago This system will allow the ambulance service to speak to an East Boldre volunteer, when I applied to fill a casual who may then be required to take the AED to a specific location in East Boldre. vacancy on the parish council. Cllr Drodge has kindly been testing the AED each week and registering the I have lived happily in East checks with Community Heart Beat. These regular checks are registered with the Boldre for over 30 years; I was ambulance service and this gives assurance that the AED is in perfect working headmistress at Oak Lodge School order. Since the CPR and AED training, the council has now established other for 27 of those years. In retirement volunteers to help to check and register the defibrillator, and a rota has now been and without the pressure of a busy set up. school life I felt that I could give The 14 volunteers who attended training will reconvene at the end of January to something back to the community. receive training in basic first aid. This will be funded by the parish council. Training is available and I am still The parish council would very much like to further extend this pool of learning the ropes. However I volunteers. They will be organising further CPR and AED training in the New Year. have been encouraged not just to Please look out for the notice and help us make East Boldre safer. contribute to the councils routine Beverley Hawker ( Parish Councillor) business, but also to reach out to the community to help provide a broader role for the council.” If you would like to get involved please contact the parish clerk SEEING RED for more information: clerk. [email protected] Two BT kiosks in the village have The second kiosk by School now been de-commissioned and Fields Trust Hall will become a book Please don’t the council can now re-paint and swap library. Shelves will be installed • Leave books repair the kiosks ready for their and we will then be looking for books which are in poor changed uses. The clerk received to fill the library. The parish council condition considerable feedback via social will be looking for volunteers to • Keep taking books media, on ideas for uses for the monitor the kiosk. without putting any kiosks. back COMMUNITY BOOK SWAP Following council agreement, the • Dump boxes of Please do kiosk by Hatchet Pond will become books on the floor • Borrow a book a Local Information Point. The New • Post any adverts in • Replace it with another book (in Forest National Park Authority will or on the kiosk good condition only) which you no help convert the kiosk, providing • Leave any litter or longer want information on local history and anything other than books in the • Keep children’s books separate wildlife, these could also contain QR kiosk • Help to keep this kiosk neat and codes for further information. • Use the kiosk for any other purpose tidy

East Boldre Parish Council: 07562 985631 • [email protected] 3 EAST BOLDRE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019 Community Hub Update A special place The New Forest is a wonderful Good progress continues to be made with the plans for the refurbishment place to live, with animals free of the Village hall with the inclusion of a community shop. to roam across the The Village Hall Trust required approval from, among others, Natural England. heath, along the A pre-application was placed with them in order to establish any concerns they roads and up to your may have. As part of this process a site visit was undertaken at which Michael front gate. Husband, Stephen Antczak and Guy McNair Wilson briefed them on the history Here are some useful of the Hall, the project progress and current thinking on design. The onsite tips to help keep the feedback was positive, this was followed up in writing. There were of course grazing animals - and conditions which were expected but these can be effectively dealt with. This your garden - safe: was a very important step forward for our plans. • All the land beyond Further meetings have been carried out with the Forestry Commission, your fences and hedges is kept whose feedback was positive and the Verderers who have yet to respond. The tidy by the grazing of commoners’ Commoners Defence Association have also been briefed. The key purpose animals, so it is important to keep of these briefings is to ensure these important groups are fully briefed on our it accessible for them to graze. plans and thinking so that they can advise of any concerns they may have. Please do not move your fences, Ongoing positive discussions are being maintained with Ian Evans about the parking areas or gates onto the transfer of the Post Office to the proposed new venue. grazed areas, even if they are part Briefings for residents were undertaken on the 12 - 13 October at the village of your property. hall. Over 90 residents attended. The key purpose was to update them and • You are responsible for preventing seek feedback about design, sports/arts facilities to be potentially included grazing animals getting into your and seek volunteers to support the project. The overwhelming response was property. If they do enter you will positive. Further briefings will be undertaken in 2019 be responsible for their safety, so The Village Hall Trust has joined the Plunkett Foundation, who have a huge please make sure that your gates resource available about Community Shops and Pubs. A first meeting has are kept shut and your fences and been held with an assigned advisor, concerning business case development hedges are stock proof. for the Hall and Shop, which will be needed as the project progresses, to • Keep your domestic rubbish and secure funding and also methods of engaging with the local community. recycling inside your gate: the The Parish Council has written an outline letter of support for the project council’s refuse collection staff and budgeted for funding support in 2019/20. will collect it from there. Rubbish In the next stage of development the group are seeking a leader for the sacks left shop group, who will be supported with input from the Plunkett Foundation on the and volunteers. The key tasks are to identify a legal structure for the Forest are Community shop and how it will be fitted out, staffed etc. The key requirement attractive is some sort of business background and plenty of common sense. to grazing Michael Husband, Chairman East Boldre Village Hall Trust animals and may be torn open and East Boldre Football Pitch the contents eaten. There have Over the past two to three years East Boldre Football Club has been been reports of livestock eating unable to raise a team. Whilst it always used to be predominately local contents of refuse bags and apart people, topped up with some from surrounding districts, the last few from the terrible mess that is left, teams were nearly all players from outside the village. Following the this could be incredibly dangerous retirement of Kevin House, who was a faithful servant to the club for to livestock. decades, the fence around the pitch deteriorated to the extent it was a • And be aware – donkeys love danger to commoners’ livestock, people riding horses and young children cardboard. playing football. Something had to be done. Parish councillor Michael Husband contacted the Forestry Commission to New Forest Commoners Defence understand if it was possible for the parish council to take over the football club Association lease and if so what work needed to be undertaken. The Forestry Commission Co-ordinator: Shared Forest project agreed with the Verderers that the council could take on the lease provided all newforestcommoners.com wire fencing was removed. Marker posts outlining the area of the pitch could email: [email protected] remain. Quotes were obtained for the work, so that the council could decided the best way forward, understanding that if the lease was not taken up the pitch would revert to open grazing and it Your councillors Cllr Ian Moyse would be very unlikely for it ever to be restored in the future. Chairman Cllr Michael Husband The council decided to take out the lease at £200pa so Mr Kevin Holmes that it could be retained for use by the village into the future. Vice Chairman District Councillor They also agreed to undertake fencing work at cost of £650. Cllr Brian Mulhall Cllr Michael Harris The parish council would be delighted to see the pitch Cllr Deborah Drodge County Councillor used if any resident would like to organise football for children or adults. Cllr Bev Hawker Cllr Keith Mans

4 East Boldre Parish Council: 07562 985631 • [email protected]