WHAT’S HAPPENING?

WEST TYTHERLEY DECEMBER 2004

WEST TYTHERLEY AND FRENCHMOOR PARISH COUNCIL

It is approaching the time that we have to look at how much to set the Parish precept for the following financial year 2005-2006. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for projects, please inform myself or any of the parish councillors. We did for instance as for your thoughts on a basketball net for the recreation ground in the last newsletter, but as far as I’m aware we had a negative response!

Finally in the light of recent events in the village and the lack of a local policeman, it pays to be extra vigilant. If you notice anything or anyone you are concerned about, ring Romsey Police on 0845 045 4545 and ask for ext. 734 124. Or ring 999, or 112 on a mobile.

Andy Bowditch, Chairman West Tytherley and Frenchmoor Parish Council.

FROM THE PARISH CLERK

The district Auditor has signed off the 2003-2004 parish accounts with no qualifications or comments. Once again we thank Robert Horsford for acting as our Internal Auditor.

Expenditure in 2003-2004 amounted to £10,159 against income, including the Precept of £8,500, of £9295. This meant a slight reduction in our reserves. These include ring-fenced funds to cover the possible need to hold an election and to provide emergency support to First Responders. Insurance is a major item of expenditure each year, including a contribution the council makes to King Edward’s Hall insurance. The new fence for the recreation ground was a one-off expense last year, at £1,762 including VAT which the council can recover. The Council is now starting to prepare its budget for 2004-2005 and possible projects which have been identified so far include improvements to the play area on the recreation ground.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 comes into force in 2005; more information on how this will work in the parish will be posted on our notice boards in due course. We have been informed that all parish and town councils are required, under the Data Protection Act 1998 to Notify with the Information Commission for entry onto the Data Protection Register.

Global warming appears to mean that grass now continues to grow all winter. Mike Eastwood, who mows the recreation ground, has agreed to give it the occasional cut during the winter months, as and when it needs it and conditions permit. Would the Football club please let me know when they think the pitch needs attention.

John Mursell, Assistant Chief Roads Engineer for Test Valley has retired. He gave our parish a lot of his attention, especially a year or so ago during the floods. His successor is Andrew Milne, based at Beech Hurst (TVBC Andover) and we have come to an agreement with him the we will let him know on a regular basis of any highways problems in the parish. So if you come across major potholes or other problems please let a parish councilor or myself know. Stuart Dowding and I have just attended a Community Catchment Liaison meeting in Stockbridge. This was organized by the Environment Agency. Of particular interest to this parish is the fact that problems of groundwater flooding, more or less confined to chalk areas of the county, have now moved up the national flood agenda.

David Lyon, Parish Clerk

COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER

Romsey Police Station 0845 045 45 45 ask for ext 734124.

E-mail romseyruralbeat@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Chris Day PC1450

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The Neighbourhood Watch group is still in existence although its efficacy has undoubtedly been compromised by the recent changes in rural policing. Regular meetings of the Neighbourhood Watch with the Community Police Officer have, over the years, resulted in an exchange of intelligence and views which have been of value both to the police and the people. Apparently we cannot in the future expect police attendance at our meetings and, strangely, NW liaison is now the responsibility of a police officer in Eastleigh! These changes which will undoubtedly weaken the links between people and police, appear to run counter to the government initiative trumpeted last week by a minister. She forecast that those links were to become stronger & that police officers were to become much more integrated with the community and “addressed by their Christian names”, whatever next!

Peter Collinson, Coordinator

WEST TYTHERLEY C OF E (Controlled) PRIMARY SCHOOL

We have now begun the countdown to Christmas! The PTA, staff and pupils will be getting ready for the Christmas Bazaar on the 26^th November at 6 p.m. in West Tytherley village hall. Father Christmas will be visiting us, so please come along and meet him. The children have been packing up their shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child appeal and the school entrance is overflowing with boxes covered in Christmas wrapping paper. The rehearsals for the Christmas Production of ‘Ali Baba’ are sounding good and we look forward to seeing this in December. The PTA has been busy raising money for the school as usual with a sponsored cycle ride in Bentley Wood and a Halloween Disco for the children at half term. We have also raised money for books during book week, when we held a book fair, a sponsored readathon and a day of dressing up as a book character (great fun for pupils and staff alike). The School Council, which is made up of pupils from each class in the school, have organised fundraising events for the Children in Need Appeal on 19^th November – look out for lots of Pudsey Bear look-alikes!

We are hoping to start a board games club for the children and would love to find a local chess player who would be willing to give up an hour of their time to help. This could be at lunchtime or after school at 3:30pm. Please let us know if you are interested.

You may be aware that 2005 marks a big milestone in the school’s history as we celebrate our 150^th anniversary. We hope that the village will join us in celebrating this occasion and we are hoping to organise several events during the summer months, including a big village show on the 25^th June. We desperately need help with the funding for these events and would be delighted if we could find a sponsor or sponsors, willing to help? If you could help or know anyone who may be interested, please let us know.

If anyone would like the school newsletter emailed to them every week, please drop me a note at admin@west-tytherley.hants.sch.uk.

Jane Rimmington, Admin Officer

KING EDWARD’S HALL

The Christmas Pantomime – see separate flyer for details.

Friday 25^th February at 7:30pm – The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, presented by the Forest Forge Theatre Company. Join us for this ripping yarn which guarantees an hilarious night out. Zany zoologists on a prehistoric plateau, talking apes, madcap balloon rides, monstrous dinosaurs and a pterodactyl loose in London - how can it possibly be done on stage?

Jane Larner, Chairman