It has been a few weeks since our last Parish Council meeting and I don’t want to repeat what went in the September Parish Magazine which I’m sure you have all read.
There has been a good outcome regarding the 2 bicycles which were left leaning on the fence by the railway line at the bottom of Holly Road.
It transpires that the person who had left them there did so hoping that the scrap man would take them.
I mentioned to him that it would have been better if he had phoned the scrapman who would have collected them from his address.
As it was, he could have been done for fly tipping!
Tim found a social enterprise called The New Forest Bike Project in New Milton which is registered as a Community Interest Company who repair, restore, recycle and relocate bikes then gives them to those in need by referral.
They also sell bikes and do free ‘Fix and Learn’ sessions to help people learn about maintenance.
The NF Bike Project is grateful for any bikes or parts which can be reused so there is no need for anyone to ever dump a bike.
The blue and yellow bike that was left at the bottom of Ashdene Road hill and was seen being taken by two men was eventually returned to its grateful owner.
It was a bit of a convoluted story which started with a lady who said she had found the bike calling our Parish Clerk Karen after reading about it in the Parish Magazine.
It was good to read in the Daily Echo that the person from Southampton clocked doing 79mph through the village was disqualified for nine months and had to pay £278 in fines and court costs.
Another local person was caught doing 53mph and was disqualified from driving for 14 days and had to pay £278 in fines and court costs.
I had a call recently from a chap living next to a cut way who has had problems with 3 lads in hoodies throwing large branches (a few feet long and quite thick) over his fence which have landed on his car port and garage.
His main worry is that damage may be done to the carport and indeed his car.
This started at the beginning of the school holidays. I asked if he could remove any ammunition from the cut way and he has already done so.
He says that they are getting the branches from the path along the main road where the council has been cutting trees and leaving the wood in the hedge by the path.
Maybe they were too big for the chipper. Is this something that perhaps our Lengthsman could help with?
The fete was well supported considering the incredibly hot weather and our stand had a steady stream of visitors who had a chat and took information leaflets.
PCSO Richard had intended to bring a police car and had cleaned it the previous day.
However, it was needed for police business on Saturday and the other vehicle he could have brought had a criminal in it!
So he came on his push bike. PCSO Richard stayed for a couple of hours and chatted to many people too.
There were several NW coordinators who came along to do a stint on the stand and we all felt that it was very worthwhile.
Thank you to the Parish Councillors for all the hard work in setting up the fete. We are looking forward to next year.
I have forwarded a donation of £30 to the Parish Council’s chosen charity The Hampton Trust as NW have always given a donation at the fete each time.
This month we are focusing on burglary prevention with ‘Think Like a Burglar’ and the WIDEN initiative.
WIDEN is the acronym for windows, interior, doors, exterior and neighbours.
I have asked for this information to go in the next edition of the Parish Magazine.
I do have some Vibration Sensor alarms which stick on your window or door and are very sensitive to movement if anyone is trying the door.
The noise is incredible and enough to put any burglar off.
They are £5 but you can get them cheaper online for £4.99.
The police issue these to people most at risk and PCSO Richard was most enthusiastic about how well they work.
Are there any questions?