As part of the national response to tackling coronavirus the NHS will be setting up its Mobile Testing Units on a portion of Penns Place car park and Ladyplace car park in Alton.​ The units will not be there permanently but will be set up to run over a few consecutive days at a time. The dates for both sites can be seen below.​

The Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) is a drive-through testing site for people displaying symptoms of COVID-19.​

Appointments are booked through a dedicated website. It is not a drop-in service.​

Click HERE to open the COVID19 NHS test booking page

Specially trained Armed Forces personnel will collect swabs at the sites, before they are sent to labs for processing. ​Swabs are taken by the patients themselves, while they remain in their car, and returned safely and securely to the testers.​ Those being tested do not leave their cars and the testers have little or no contact with them.​

Dates​

Penns Place, Petersfield​
1 & 2 July​
8, 9 & 10 July​
18 & 19 July ​

Lady Place, Alton​
6 & 7 July​
14, 15 & 16 July​
25 & 26 July​

Well Done Glamorgan Road, Catherington!

Put bonfires on the back burner during coronavirus crisis

Don’t be a nuisance neighbour – that’s the message from East Hampshire District Council’s Environmental Health team during the coronavirus quarantine.

With so many people staying at home it is even more important that residents are respectful and considerate towards the people living around them.

Among advice on how to be a good neighbour during the lockdown the council is calling on people not to light garden bonfires and to keep noise to a minimum.

Wood smoke can have a serious effect on people with medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

It is particularly important that residents do not attempt to get rid of household waste by burning it, as this is likely to release toxic gases.

Cllr Ingrid Thomas, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Quality Portfolio Holder, said: “Many people who would normally be out at work or school during the day are now confined to their homes either through sickness, self-isolation or from government requirements to work at home.

“That’s why we’re asking people to be particularly considerate of their neighbours.

“Bonfire smoke is not only anti-social to your neighbours, but it can also be seriously damaging to people that have respiratory difficulties – a major symptom of coronavirus.

“Please think about your behaviour and how it might affect others at this difficult time. That might mean turning the music down or limiting those noisy DIY jobs.”

Any garden waste can be either composted or collected until such time as other more appropriate disposal methods are available.

Household waste and recyclable waste should be put into the respective waste bins as normal to await collection.

If you have any concerns about environmental issues in your neighbourhood please contact the team on 01730 234360 or through the website www.easthants.gov.uk.

Community Spirit at the moment is exceptionally strong and Well Done to Deborah and Ciani in Clanfield who are the Administrators of the “Clanfield Corona Virus Community Support Group”. This was set up on Facebook just 4 days ago and at the time of posting this blog has a remarkable 413 members.

The objective for the group is as follows:

We have created a Clanfield Corona Virus Community Support Group on Facebook with a view to collate a list of available volunteers that would like to support vulnerable members of the local community in these unusual times.

This is a private group. Please join us if you think you might be able to help in any way: telephone support, admin, shopping, prescription collection etc.

We are currently in contact with other Hampshire organisations that are coordinating similar projects.

If you live in Clanfield / or the Northern end of Horndean then it is worth joining the group to see if you can offer assistance and can find them on facebook on this link here: Clanfield Coronavirus Community Support Group

I’m certain that we can post one good news story a day about community spirit and how businesses are looking to help out. The next one will be the Ship Inn in Horndean who are doing their bit and will be tomorrows blog. If you know of any other good news stories please comment on this post and I will be pleased to follow up.

In the meantime don’t buy all the toilet rolls, not everything on Facebook is true, Stay safe and find a reason to smile every day:

At the end of last year Brexit dominated the news in a way that no other story has and (leave or remain) we were all relieved when it came to an end. Covid19 has been the story of the day, week, month and probably the next 3 or 4 months.

Horndean business 4 London Road brought some good spirits to QA Hospital yesterday when they delivered 25 freshly baked pizzas to the emergency staff at the hospital to say ‘Thank You’ for looking after us and for being such amazing people.

The pizzas were so well received that they delivered another 25 today too.

It is great to know that when some human behaviour is to be extremely selfish and stockpile toilet paper and tinned food that there are people out there that are very happy to give something back instead. The Pizzas, delivered by Elio and his team, have a value of £650. When asked, Elios said “We love our community and the NHS and would like to thank the NHS for the support they give us all”

At the moment 4 London Road are still open and plan to continue doing so unless governments mandate full closure. Elio added that “Our customers are welcome as always but we do ask that if you are unwell or have symptoms of a cold or flu that you please get better and sympton free before joining us again”

4 London Road raised £10,000 for Rowans Hospice in 2019 and their 2020 charity is Minds.

All of the small businesses in Horndean will appreciate our support and while the government advice is to avoid pubs and social gatherings everyone will need to make their own choices and judgement. Please don’t go to them if you have symptoms of cold or flu and be safe everyone.

Do you know where your kids are and what they are up to?

Catherington Lith Arson and Criminal Damage.

In recent months there has been an increase in criminal activity by local gangs / groups of children including breaking windows and arson leading to the fire brigade sending out two tenders that might have been needed for a real emergency elsewhere.

The Arson attack on a derelict building at Catherington Lith Nature reserve took two teams of fire fighters over an hour to extinguish. CCTV footage from a nearby property was handed over to the Police who are carrying out their own enquiries now.

Incidents at The Lith include investigating a number of incidents where tyres and other rubbish have been rolled down Lith Avenue onto the A3 where a serious road accident or personal injury could have occurred. On one occasion a car was hit causing significant bodywork damage.

Jubilee Hall Vandalism.

Just yesterday Jubilee Hall which is owned by Horndean Parish Council was also vandalised. The construction works currently being undertaken adjacent to Jubilee Hall in Horndean is being targeted by a group of approximately 12 -15 youngsters on bicycles, who congregate on Jubilee Field and the neighbouring open space.

Residents have reported that this group aged between 11 – 15 yrs., regularly force entry into the construction compound causing damage to the partially built walls and climbing up on to the roof.

On Tuesday 17 March at 4.30pm the group was seen within the compound throwing large stones at the windows of Jubilee Hall resulting in 3 large windows being broken. This being the third occurrence of such damage.

The Chief Officer of Horndean Parish Council attended the site and spoke to 2 members of the group who were openly discussing their ‘exploits’, after an exchange of words the group quickly disbanded.

The ongoing replacement of the windows is costly, and it is unfortunate that the youngsters are oblivious to the fact that the cost of the repairs will be paid from the public purse, to which their parents contribute.

If members of the community have any information or witness any further acts of trespass and criminal damage please could the matter be reported to the police or the parish office- Email: contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk or Tel: 02392597766.

And the Parents?

These are serious crimes with incurring real costs with the potential for serious injury and worse. How well behaved do you think your children are when they are out with their friends and if they will do this when they in their teens and younger, what will they grow up like?

Please be clear, CCTV footage fomr some of these incidents has been handed over to the Police and some families have already been spoken to. Due to the age of the children (who were in School Uniform at the time) the images can not be re-posted here.

Do you know where your Children are and what they are doing?

Horndean Parish Council ahve taken the difficult decision to postpone the Defibrillator training that was planned for April. Please keep an eye out here for a revised date when things are back to normal.

HPC are hosting a South Central Ambulance Service training session on how to use the multiple defibrillators that are around Horndean, Clanfield and further afield. This is on Thursday 16th April at 7pm and at Jubilee Hall – and of course free to attend with everyone welcome.

On the 4th February 2020 Horndean paid tribute to two brave young Australian pilots who died after their Mosquito crashed in Horndean after returning from a bombing mission over Germany in 1945. The dedication was held on the 75th anniversary of the tragic event with a service led by Wing Chaplain, Padre Charles Lewis assisted by Revd Angela Johnson and Wing Chaplain, Padre Phil Hiscock. The Venerable Gavin Collins Archdeacon of the Meon gave the blessing.

Over 300 people joined together to remember these two men at the new War Memorial in Five Heads Road. Detachments of servicemen from Thorney Island, Oswald (Billy) Mountford and Edward George (Teddy) Wickys base whilst they were in England and RAF Odiham represented the Air Force. Vice Lord Lieutenant Rear Admiral Iain Henderson CB CBE DL, the Queens representative in Hampshire  and Squadron Leader Cameron Robottom from The Australian High Commission. In addition to a number of attendees from the Armed Forces, there were representatives from EHDC, HCC and the RAAF. A troop of CCF cadets from Churchers College and children from Horndean Junior School who have parents in the Armed Forces also paraded.

Thirteen Standard Bearers were present in support and we very much enjoyed the musicians from the Royal Marines School of Music who played before and after the service and led the hymns and anthems.

The monument was manufactured by specialist stone workers from Yorkshire, J Rotherham Ltd who also made the very complicated replacement for the Memorial in the village square a few years ago.

We were thrilled to welcome nine members of the Airmen’s families who had travelled half way round the world to see their relatives honoured. They said they were very grateful to the people of Horndean for the magnificent memorial and service and had looked forward to this day since they had first heard of the plans.

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Real thanks must be given to the Children of Horndean 1940s for their vision and persistence in pursuit of their dream. For fourteen years they have been trying to raise the money for this cause and some of them are no longer with us – but they have finally ‘made it happen’

Thank you to BBC South Today for covering the event with a brilliant feature and for allowing the clip to be used.

Thank you also to the private donors who gave so generously as without their support this would not have happened.

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  This passage is one that is often heard at remembrance services, because it sums up the philosophy of the armed services.  When Jesus said this to his disciples he was looking forward to the time when he would be killed on a cross and then rise again in glory on the first Easter day.  If we look in depth at this passage, we are told that we are Jesus friends if we do what he commands, in other words accept God into our lives.

This caveat allows us all to be a friend of Jesus and a friend of all peoples.  We say that we are part of the RAF/RAAF family, we are part of the family of the church and as such these people are our friends.  75 years ago, two young men, Edward Wicky and Oswald Mountford, gave their lives for their friends in this wider sense.

They had come from the other side of the world, as members of their families have come to be here today;  they had come to fight for the United Kingdom against the evil of the axis powers and like all service men then and now were aware that their service could result in the giving of their lives.  On that fateful night their aircraft, a De Haviland Mosquito, serial number PZ452, had been damaged by enemy action and had chased a V1 rocket during their sortie and on the approach to the then RAF Thorney Island it is thought that the aircraft ran out of fuel.  All attempts to glide back to their home station failed and the crew took action to avoid centres of population on their flight path and they managed to avoid most of Horndean, although demolishing the roof of the then village hall which was, thankfully empty, before crashing into fields just outside the village.

Their bravery had been recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross only a week before their death and is an indication that their attempts to avoid civilian casualties was not an isolated act of bravery but part of their normal behaviour.

These young men, whom we honour today, certainly gave their lives for their friends and truly deserve the praise of us all and the accolade of hero.

As we remember with thanksgiving the sacrifice of Jesus for us all let us also remember the sacrifice of these two young men and the many thousands like them.

Amen.

Padre Charles Lewis

As a reminder the new war memorial in Horndean will be dedicated on Tuesday 4th February 2020 at 12:00 with The Royal Marines School of Music performing from 11:45.

This is to commemorate the two RAAF pilots who were killed 75 years ago to the day while flying back from a bombing raid. The plane was lost and in very poor weather clipped the roof of the old parish hall at the end of Five Heads Road before crashing and blowing up behind the old brewery site.

Because they were not residents in Horndean they did not qualify for a place on the village War memorial so for the last 75 years their sacrifice has not been given proper acknowledgement.

The Children Of Horndean 1940’s who have had this vision for decades and are thrilled to see it a reality and with 9 members of the Airmens family flying over to take part in the dedication they would like to welcome you to join in the ceremony.

This will be attended by:

• The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Rear Admiral Iain Henderson CB CBE DL representing Her Majesty The Queen,
• Air Commodore Allan Vaughn representing the RAF and RAAF
• Representatives from The Australian High Commission,
• RAF Padre Charles Lewis
• The Venerable Gavin Collins, Arch-Deacon of Portsmouth
• 9 relatives of the airmen

The  Royal Marines School of Music have also very kindly given their support to the event and will be providing a group of musicians to take us through The Dam Busters March, Hymns and Anthems.

You are most welcome to come along and support the event.

Hampshire County Council are reviewing all of their services to find savings on some to help fund rising costs in others, for example, Adult Social care. The consultation runs until Wednesday 18th March 2020 and details on how to respond are in the link at the end of this article. There is also a consultation event at Horndean Library on Monday 10th February from 2pm to 6pm where the consultation information is available to view and you can leave your views there and then.

As well as responding to changing needs, the library service is looking to make savings of £1.76 million. All areas of work across the County Council are being looked at to find savings needed to bridge the current funding gap faced by local authorities across the country, as demands for council services grow.

Options include the following:

• change how council-run library services are delivered, including:
• closing up to 10 libraries; and/ or
• reducing and standardising staffed opening hours;
• deliver library services differently within local communities, through:
• transitioning Tier Four council-supported, community-managed libraries into
independent community-managed libraries; and
• exploring better ways to deliver library services in Hampshire’s most deprived
communities;
• make further efficiencies; and
• generate additional income.

Horndean is on the short list of ten libraries to close as with the HCC scoring method it is ranked at number 46 out of the 48 libraries in Hampshire with the other 9 being equally spread throught the County. this will save £37,000 – which does not seem like a lot considering the value that HCC need to find.

To view the consultation details and give feedback please click on this link HERE

To view the consultation document please click on this link HCC Libraries Consultation

You can also contact Cllr Marge Harvey as the HCC County Councillor

On Monday this week, 27th January 2020, The One Stop on Five Heads Road was robbed. The robber is described as Male, dressed in a black coat with hood up and dark tight jeans of tracksuit bottoms with white trainers. He was also wearing a pair of tights over his head and carrying a Blue Lonsdale ‘Bag for Life’. The robber got away with cash and cigarettes.

If you have been offered cigarettes for sale at a cheap price, or saw a red and white mini which was seen nearby at the time of the robbery the police would like to hear from you. The mini driver may been involved, or have seen something that can help the police.

If you can help please call the police on 101 and quote reference 44200033501 or crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where you can leave anonymous information.

Aquind who are proposing the new power interconnector from France to Lovedean sub-station are also it appears considering laying a fibre optic cable at the same time. It is understood that this allows the equipment at both ends of the cable to be monitored for balancing power etc but would have spare capacity for wholesale use to telecoms providers.

Ok, makes sense and if they are laying a cable then why not lay two.

I’m a little concerned however as this comes with the opportunity to be granted a licence by Ofcom to install infrastructure without planning permission, streetworks licences and to secure access on private land through the courts. Extract below from the Ofcom notification of consultation.

The electronic communications code is a set of rights that are intended to assist providers of communications networks and/or systems of infrastructure. Operators to whom Ofcom applies the Code may:
• construct and maintain communications networks and infrastructure (such as ducts, cabinets and poles) on public highways without the need to obtain a street works licence to undertake such works;
• construct communications infrastructure which is classified as ‘permitted developments’ under Town and Country Planning legislation (such as certain types of masts, poles and cabinets) without the need to apply for planning permission; and
• in the event that agreement cannot be reached with the owner or occupier of private land, concerning the deployment of communications networks or infrastructure on private land to apply to the Court to impose an agreement which confers the Code right being sought by the operator or provides for the Code right to bind the landowner or occupier.
Ofcom considers applications for the grant of Code powers from providers of electronic communications networks and providers of systems of infrastructure (or both) with reference to the matters set out in section 107(4) of the Communications Act 2003.

This is an area of expertise that few people locally have had to deal with and my question would be the following: If they are granted this power, and the fibre optic cable runs from interconnector to interconnector they would be able to install this cable from Portsmouth to Lovedean without getting planning permission or streetworks licences. What is to stop them from installing their power cables at the same time? After all we often criticise utility companies for digging up the road to put in a gas pipe, then two days later for a water pipe, “why cant they do it at the same time?” we ask…

Click on this link 2020 01 21 Aquind code-powers to download a PDF of the Ofcom consultation and consultation-form (3) to download a word copy of the response form which has the reply email details in it.

For me I will be replying that the licence should only be granted if the scheme as a whole is given planning permission (so as not to be used as any alternative mechanism to lay cabling) and that it is only to allow the installation of telecommunications equipment, all other utility infrastructure, particularly power cable, to be required to go through the normal planning and highways approval processes.

The Ofcom consultation closes on the 21st February 2020

The Aquind planning application has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for them to decide. this means that EHDC, Winchester City Council, the South Downs National Park Authority and other key local organisations are now just consultees who can give a view on the application.

As a “Nationally Significant Infrastructure project” (NSIP) the Planning Inspectorate weigh up the application from a planning perspective and importance to the Nation.

Details of the application including the documents submitted and the next steps are on this link HERE

The application has been accepted for examination and interested parties have until the 19th February to register. Any group, business or private individual can register and doing so means you are notified of key steps in the application including progress of the application (hearings etc) and the decision. it also means you can register your comments and views.

The link to register for updates and to give your views is HERE

And… a link to the 536 documents (at the time of this blog…) is on this link HERE

Please find below details of various current scams from the Force Crime Prevention Advisor at Hampshire Constabulary from their November 2019 update.

Cllr Sara Schillemore.

SCAM 1

A scammer calls you, claiming to be from your bank or a Police Officer. They tell you that a fraudulent payment has been spotted on your card, or someone has been arrested using your card details.

They’ll either ask you for your PIN or ask you to key it into your phone. No bank or other legitimate service will ever ask you for your PIN. The scammer then sends a courier or taxi to pick up the card from your home. Even the driver may not know they’re being used as part of the scam. Once the scammer has both your card and PIN they can spend your money.

SCAM 2

A scammer calls you or visits you, claiming to be a Police Officer. They tell you there is a corrupt member of staff at your bank/ post office and the police need your help to catch them.

They ask you to withdraw a large sum of your money, which the police or bank will mark, then put back into the banking system. They say this will help them identify the corrupt person. Once you hand the cash over, it’s gone forever.

SCAM 3

A scammer calls/visits you claiming to be a Police Officer. They are investigating a local jewellers for selling counterfeit jewellery/watches. They ask you to buy an expensive watch or piece of jewellery, to try to find out if counterfeit goods are being sold. Once you’ve bought the item, the scammer tells you to hand it to a taxi driver or courier for transfer to the police. The item is then simply kept by the scammer to be sold for monetary gain.

Bicycle Security Tips

1. When out lock your bike to something immovable, an object a bike cannot be lifted over and cannot be broken, cut or removed. Check the object is fastened to the ground.
2. For maximum protection use two locks (a D-lock and a robust chair and padlock is ideal). Find tested and approved bike locks at Sold Secure
3. Register your bike on Immobilise. Consider marking your bike with a bike wrap or similar. You can also invest in a bike alarm as a further deterrent.
4. Always lock your bike up at home, consider installing a ground anchor and attach it securely to a wall or concreate floor.

Action Fraud Update

Action Fraud is warning people to be on the lookout for fraudulent travel websites and unsolicited phone calls from scammers promising “too good to be true” deals on flights (particularly Africa and the Indian subcontinent).

Fraudsters most commonly cold call pretending to be from a travel company after the victim has unknowingly entered their personal details on a bogus website. After transferring the money for the great deal offered, victims may receive a confirmation email but any further attempts to contact the company will be unsuccessful. For more information click here.

ADVICE:

• Do your research – don’t just check one review!
• Are they a member of a registered trade body like ABTA
• Pay safe – use a credit card but be wary of paying into an individual’s account

Online Shopping: 5 Top Tips

1. Use a secure internet connection when online shopping, and avoid using public wi-fi.
2. Paying by credit card offers greater protection as most major credit card providers insure online purchases. Check your card’s Terms and Conditions for exact details.
3. Before entering payment card details on a website, ensure that the link is secure. There should be a padlock symbol in the browser window frame, which appears when you attempt to log in or register. The web address should also begin with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.
4. Check reviews to see if there are reviews and recommendations from a trusted source.
5. Check the web address for subtle misspellings, additional words and characters and other irregularities. For more information visit www.getsafeonline.org

You can read more tips in the Christmas Online Shopping booklet on the OPPC website.

Cyber Protect Team: Email Scams

PayPal Scam: A new PayPal scam/phishing email is going around asking email recipients to click on a link to access their PayPal account. Do not click on the link. If you want to check your account visit the PayPal website here.

Action Fraud phishing email: A new Action Fraud scam/phishing email is being sent out telling recipients that they have money owed to them. Do not click on the link. Under no circumstances will Action Fraud, or a police force, ask you to make a payment in order to recover money that you may have lost. For more information visit Action Fraud.

Urgent message on behalf of Horndean parish Council

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO THE PREDICTED WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR TUESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2019 WE HAVE HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION TO CANCEL THE CAROL SERVICE DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN HORNDEAN SQUARE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES.

WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

HORNDEAN PARISH COUNCIL.

So Flick Drummond, the Conservative candidate standing in Meon Valley, has been to several Question and Answer sessions around the constituency to meet as many people as possible. Here are some of the questions and answers – and if you have any questions for Flick you can find and contact her on this link Here

Can you tell us why you are the best candidate to represent Meon Valley as MP

I have lived in this area for the last 33 years and know it very well. I have also had experience in Parliament as an MP so will be able to hit the ground running if I am elected which is important at this time in our history.

Brexit. Are you Leave or Remain, will you support Boris’s deal, should the deal be amended and do we look to remain in a customs union.

I will be supporting Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement. It is very important that we deliver on the democratic vote despite whatever we wanted and to leave following the referendum and finish the uncertainty for our businesses and everyone. We need to Get Brexit Done and get the best deal we can now.

The proposed interconnector project known as ‘Aquind’ is a major concern locally. What is your position on this and how would you get involved to look after local interests?

It is a concern especially with the disruption it will cause for some time, let alone a massive building in the countryside and the permanent noise associated with these installations so I will listen to local residents carefully and work with local councils to find the best way forward. This planning application is being decided by the secretary of state so I will be well placed to help make sure local views are heard.

Social media has grown faster than controlling legislation. How do you feel the best way is to put in place safeguards for young people?

I am very concerned about social media and young people. Many of them use it more often for their social life instead of going out to talk to friends. I am also worried about the impact on mental health as it is difficult to get away from bullies on social media or the feeling that one is not good enough because of comments.

Should Facebook be able to gather vast personal data on us and then use it to sell targeted advertising to political organisations?

It is a big concern that personal data from all sources is being used in the wrong way by all sorts of organisations. We also need to make sure that people know how to identify fake news so they can find out the truth. I urge everyone to look at the Party Manifestos and websites to get the correct information.

How are you going to engage with young people in the Constituency

I hope that I will be invited into all the schools and colleges to meet young people alongside businesses and apprenticeships to hear the views of everyone and will contact them if elected.

What key issues with the NHS do you think need fixing and how would you execute this?

As we are an ageing population, the pressures on the NHS are growing. We have to realise that it can’t do everything and that people must use it correctly. It is very disappointing that people do not turn up for appointments at doctors without letting them know which means that other patients cannot be seen. We also need to encourage people to use pharmacies and walk-in-clinics rather than going to Emergency Departments. We need to see more investment into public health to keep people healthy in the first place.

Land East Of Horndean is our key strategic development that will bring in a new school, community building and vast public open space. What will you do to help support this development?

We must make sure that local residents have a say in any development and that it is appropriate in terms of numbers and design alongside the infrastructure that is needed at the same time. I would like to see better built houses with more space so that families can have the room to grow.

Noise on the A3M is an issue to homes along its length with noise levels exceeding set limits. What would you do to address this?

The best way is to have quiet tarmac but also more trees and acoustic fencing. I will work with the Highways Agency and local councillors to see what else can be done.

What is the best way for us to fund and provide care for the elderly?

We need a cross-party discussion on this. It is a difficult issue but we need to solve it quickly as a country with an ageing population and I think that can only be done if everyone sits down and works towards a system which is affordable for everyone – the tax payer and the elderly person.

How would you help support the increase in homes for first time buyers and make them truly affordable

We must make sure that developers build affordable housing and they are not allowed to get away with just a token amount of money instead.

What are your three top local issues for Horndean, Rowlands Castle and Clanfield

1. To make sure that development is appropriate in numbers and a mix of houses/flats which are affordable. I would like us to be a sustainable community to help with climate change and will be working with local people to see whether we can do this.
2. To work on ways to stop speeding through all our villages
3. Make sure that we retain the individuality of each place and keep our beautiful countryside working for farmers and for all of us to enjoy.

Meet Flick 2nd Dec at The Farmer Inn.

Flick Drummond, our local Conservative parliamentary candidate, will be at The Farmer Inn on Monday 2nd December between 18:00 and 20:00 to meet local residents and take any questions.

To find out where she stands on providing care for an ageing population, funding our Armed Forces, supporting local schools and of course the ‘B’ word please feel free to head over for a drink and a chat.

The Q+A has been organised by Cllr Sara Schillemore so if you would like to pose a question but can’t make it please comment on this post and it will be passed onto Flick.

Please keep comments polite and respectful – this election and Brexit is bringing out the worst in people.

HPC would like to welcome us all to their Christmas Carol Service on Tuesday 10th December starting at 7:00pm.

Message from Cllr Tony Denton:

A3(M) Horndean (Hampshire) Safety Barrier Replacement

Highways England will be replacing a section of safety barrier along the A3(M) northbound carriageway near Horndean, to ensure the network remains in a safe and serviceable condition. Work is scheduled to take place between Thursday 5 December and Friday 20 December 2019.

Aquind and their proposed ‘Interconnector’ cable project that would connect the UK National Grid power supply with RTE in France at Normandy has been in the background for perhaps two years now.

Image from Aquind Website http://www.aquind.co.uk

On the 14 November 2019 Aquind formally submitted the application to the Planning Inspectorate. This means that it will not be heard locally by East Hants or Winchester District Councils.

The Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to review the documents that have been submitted and confirm if the application has sufficient complete information to be considered or not. At this time the documents are not available to view but they will be if the application is registered as valid.

From briefings we understand that the final cable route that has been selected will run through Denmead, not Lovedean. The chosen location for the site is to the West of the existing substation.

HERE is a link to the Aquind application on the Planning Inspectorate website where the documents can be viewed once they are uploaded.

HERE Here is a link to the Aquind Website.

When the documents have been made publicly available there will be an update.

After 3 elections and 9 years as our Member of Parliament, Sir George Hollingbery has decided not to stand again.

George held many posts including whip, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Theresa May when she was Home Secretary and Prime Minister. His last role was Minister of State for Trade Policy.

So, The candidate selected to stand for the Conservative Party is Flick Drummond who was MP for Portsmouth South between 2015 and 2017.

About Flick Drummond

Flick was the MP for Portsmouth South between 2015-2017.

Flick is the Chair of the SE Region of the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee, a Board member of the National Citizens Service (NCS) and Voluntary Director of the Conservative Policy Forum.

Flick was a city councillor in Winchester before she went to America in 1999-2004 where she saw the horror of 9/11 at the World Trade Centre and campaigned for John McCain. Locally, Flick was a school governor at Milton Park Primary School for 7 years and is now a trustee of the Salterns Academy which looks after Admiral Lord Nelson School and Trafalgar School.  She has been an active trustee of the Citizens Advice Portsmouth since 2010 and helps various charities in the community.

Flick set up Pompey Litter Pickers and a Small Business Forum to help local retailers and businesses. Flick helped out at the Foodbank before she was elected as an MP and worked on a project tackling homelessness in Portsmouth including setting up the Street Support website and app. Flick understands many of the issues and challenges facing local residents. She used to work as an insurance broker, Ofsted lay school inspector and was a member of the TA Intelligence Corps.

Flick lives in Southsea and is married with 4 grown up children.

You can visit Flick’s website on this link HERE

Looking ahead you might want to register for a postal vote instead to save going out on what might well be a cold wed December day and can do so on this link HERE but you must do this before 5pm on the 26th November. If you are not currently registered to vote then the deadline for this is midnight on the 26th November.

The 4 candidates standing in Meon Valley are:

• Conservative – Flick Drummond
• Labour – Matthew Bunday
• Liberal Democrat – Lewis North
• Green – Malcolm Wallace

The 2019 Remembrance service in Horndean, blessed with excellent weather, drew a record turnout with some 350 serving, veteran and uniformed organisations taking part in the parade and an audience exceeding 2,000 – the largest turnout ever. Well done to the team at Horndean Parish Council for again organising this excellent event

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The team at 4 London Road in Horndean have held their second major charity event which raised in excess of £10,038 for Rowans Hospice who are looking to raise £7.5m to transform their Waterlooville facility.

The very popular venue received significant support from their suppliers and local businesses.

The £35 ticket was donated in full as due to very generous support from the suppliers who provided all of the food for the evening with the owners of 4LR funding the staff for the evening.

Local businesses also gave generously which meant there was a ‘spin the wheel’, raffle and also auction. Some of the donors included Portsmouth Distillery, Contemplation homes, General Wine, Cummins and Pope, Molland Projects ltd and Havant and Waterlooville Football Club.

Auction items included a hot air balloon ride for 2, half day in a Rolls Royce to Goodwood, a Tank driving experience, hotel stay with dinner, champagnes and many more.

The Tank Driving and Rolls Royce auction items were donated by Horndeanmatters.com and raised over £1,000.

In addition to the sponsors, sincere thanks are due to Elio and the team for organising the event, the owners of 4LR for giving up the nights potential sales to allow it to run, and of course, the customers who came and supported the event, and donated or bid so generously for the prizes.

If you missed out and would like to support then you can still do so on this Just Giving link here.

To book a reservation at 4LR you can call them on 0239 425 1221

During World War 2 the commonwealth countries contributed large numbers of personnel to the war effort. 464 Squadron – also known as The Gestapo Hunters who were tasked with bombing strategic targets well behind enemy lines – was based at Thorney Island. RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Pilot Officers Edward Wicky and Oswald Mountford were flying a Mosquito back from an operation and trying to land in exceptionally poor weather.

While trying to land at Thorney Island, they flew over Horndean and, at a very low altitude, clipped the roof of the old Horndean Parish Hall which were then located on the end of Five Heads Road, damaging the roof. Within a few hundred metres they had flown over the Red Lion and crashed in the fields along Havant Road, sadly killing the pilot and Co-Pilot who were believed to have been fighting the damaged aircraft to avoid hitting any buildings and loss of civilian life at the expense of their own.

Photo – Horndean Parish Hall following the crash

Photo – The WW2 Horndean Parish Council officeswhich were at the end of Five Heads Road.

Over the last twelve years, a group of local residents who remember the incident (sadly now only a handful remain) have been looking to fund and install a memorial dedicated to the two pilots. This is especially important as they are not recorded anywhere else in the village, including on our own War memorial.

Cllr Sara Schillemore, who helped with the project to restore the war memorial in the village square, has given this project much support over the last few years and has been able to secure the much of the £26,000 needed to fund the project.

Hampshire County Council and their Highways contractor Skanska did the groundworks for free.

S106 funding worth £10,000 was allocated to the project.

Fullers donated £2,000 with a further £8,000 raised by public subscription including significant sums from the local Masons organisations.

The final £6,000 to make the project viable was donated by Nolan Bird, a local businessman who also made a significant contribution to the Horndean War memorial restoration project a few years ago.

Over the next few weeks the memorial will be completed with planting and some benches with a formal dedication service on the 4th February 2020 which will be the 75th anniversary of the incident. It is hoped some members of the family will be able to make it for the ceremony.

The Prime Minister has today recognised Allen Parton, from Clanfield, for his exceptional service founding ‘Hounds for Heroes’, a charity which provides specially trained assistance dogs for disabled veterans and emergency services personnel, which he established in memory of his service dog, Endal, who helped him recover physically and emotionally after a traumatic injury in the Gulf War.

Allen suffered severe memory loss and was left unable to walk, speak or write, spending five years in hospital. Through Endal, he was able to rebuild confidence and his relationships with his wife and children, with Endal capable of responding to over a hundred commands to provide Allen with support, including reacting to an emergency in 2001 when Allen was knocked out of his wheelchair by a speeding car and left unconscious in a car park. Following this, Allen realised how transformational assistance dogs could be for disabled members of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services and set up ‘Hounds for Heroes’ to provide this service. The charity runs an intensive two year training course for puppies, and since 2011 has achieved 15 successful placements.

Allen is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. Allen received his award at the Houses of Parliament today from his local MP, Sir George Hollingbery KCMG, alongside his two assistance dogs EJ (Endal Junior) and Rookie.

In a personal letter to Allen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are paying tribute to the memory of Endal by training assistance dogs for other veterans, helping them to rebuild their lives as you bravely did. Our Armed Forces do so much on our behalf and I thank you for all that you do to honour our selfless veterans.”

Sir George Hollingbery KCMG, MP for Meon Valley, said:

“I am very pleased Allen’s tremendous work with Hounds for Heroes has been recognised by this much deserved award. To sustain injuries in conflict but then, through real determination, set up a charity making such a big difference is a wonderful achievement.”

Allen said:

“I am so incredibly humbled and honoured to have been nominated for a Points of Light award. I am though constantly reminded to look over my shoulder at those who have supported me over the years and made my dreams and visions the reality they are today. The message that comes out of awards such as this is “that folk really do care” and from where I sit that is such a powerful message to receive, I salute you all!”

Allen is the 1262nd winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.

Reminder about the Local Plan Consultation:

The local plan is going through its consultation stages at the moment and some of the larger sites in the north of the district have received a number of objections so EHDC are obliged to review other options across the district.

One of these options EHDC would like your views on is the land to the South of Land East of Horndean and you can view the options in full at the consultation being held at Barton Hall (Horndean technology College) on Monday 23 September starting at 4:00pm running till 7:00pm.

For my thoughts across the district we need to take our equal share of housing to cater for our own growing needs so the areas to the north need to do this too. The allocation for land East of Horndean takes us to 2036 and we need to consider the further land as an option for use beyond this date. In addition the land owner and developer who have the option are not doing an efficient job of bringing the current allocation at LEOH to fruition so should not be rewarded with further allocated land.

If you cant make the local consultation on the 23rd September then here is a full list of the other dates and locations:

The consultation will last six weeks and include six drop-in events.

• Alton Assembly Rooms – Tuesday 3 September, 4-7pm
• Barton Hall, Horndean – Saturday 7 September, 10am-2pm
• Alton Assembly Rooms – Saturday 14 September, 10am-2pm
• Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Thursday 19 September, 4-7pm
• Barton Hall, Horndean – Monday 23 September, 4-7pm
• Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Saturday 28 September, 10am-2pm

The 10 sites under consideration are:

• Northbrook Park
• Whitehill & Bordon
• Chawton Park Farm
• Land East of Horndean (Hazelton Farm)
• Land south east of Liphook
• Neatham Down
• Four Marks south
• Land west of Lymington Bottom Road, South Medstead
• South Medstead
• Land south of Winchester Road, Four Marks.

For more information please go to www.easthants.gov.uk/draft-local-plan

Cllr Sara Schillemore

I appreciate many people are concerned about Brexit and have asked me for my views.  Indeed, I have been contacted by a large number of people on both sides of this debate and wanted to set-out my thoughts for all members.

First, on the issue of prorogation.  I have copied below the text of the letter the Prime Minister sent all MPs:

“..…I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the Government’s plans for its business in Parliament.

As you know, for some time parliamentary business has been sparse.  The current session has lasted more than 340 days and needs to be brought to a close – in almost 400 years only the 2010-12 session comes close, at 250 days.  Bills have been introduced, which, while worthy in their own right, have at times seemed more about filling time in both the Commons and the Lords, while key Brexit legislation has been held back to ensure it could still be considered for carry-over into a second session.  This cannot continue.

I therefore intend to bring forward a new bold and ambitious domestic legislative agenda for the renewal of our country after Brexit.  There will be a significant Brexit legislative programme to get through but that should be no excuse for a lack of ambition!

We will help the NHS, fight violent crime, invest in infrastructure and science and cut the cost of living.

This morning I spoke to Her Majesty The Queen to request an end to the current parliamentary session in the second sitting week in September, before commencing the second session of this Parliament with a Queen’s speech on Monday 14 October.  A central feature of the legislative programme will be the Government’s number one legislative priority, if a new deal is forthcoming at EU Council, to introduce a Withdrawal Agreement Bill and move at pace to secure its passage before 31 October.

I fully recognise that the debate on the Queen’s Speech will be an opportunity for Members of Parliament to express their view on this Government’s legislative agenda and its approach to, and the result of, the European Council on 17-18 October.  It is right that you should have the chance to do so, in a clear and unambiguous manner.

I also believe it is vitally important that the key votes associated with the Queen’s Speech and any deal with the EU fall at a time when parliamentarians are best placed to judge the Government’s programme.  Parliament will have the opportunity to debate the Government’s overall programme, and approach to Brexit, in the run up to EU Council, and then vote on this on 21 and 22 October, once we know the outcome of the Council.  Should I succeed in agreeing a deal with the EU, Parliament will then have the opportunity to pass the Bill required for ratification of the deal ahead of 31 October.

Finally, I want to reiterate to colleagues that these weeks leading up to the European Council on 17/18 October are vitally important for the sake of my negotiations with the EU.  Member States are watching what Parliament does with great interest and it is only by showing unity and resolve that we stand a chance of securing a new deal that can be passed by Parliament. In the meantime, the Government will take the responsible approach of continuing its preparations for leaving the EU, with or without a deal.

The Leader of the Commons will update the House in the normal fashion with regard to business for the final week.  For now, I can confirm that on Monday 9 September both Houses will debate the motions on the first reports relating to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 (NIEFA).  Following these debates we will begin preparation to end the Parliamentary session ahead of a Queen’s Speech.

The Business Managers in both Houses will shortly engage with their opposite numbers, and MPs more widely, on plans for passing a deal should one be forthcoming.  Decisions will also need to be taken about carrying over some of the bills currently before the House, and we will look to work constructively with the Opposition on this front.  If agreement cannot be reached we will look to reintroduce the bills in the next session, and details on this will be set out in the Queen’s Speech.”

Boris Johnson PM

As you may know, there is an EU summit scheduled for next month and the Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear he hopes to come back from that meeting with a new deal.   Given that he was only elected a few weeks ago, I think it’s absolutely right we give him the opportunity to attempt this new negotiation with the EU.  I will, therefore, be supporting the Prime Minister in any confidence vote which may be brought forward in the next few weeks.

Now, I fully understand the dates and sequencing have clearly been chosen to guarantee we formally leave the European Union on October 31st.  Perhaps it is worth explaining why this is the case.

The Privy Council has endorsed the decision to prorogue (i.e. suspend) Parliament on September 10th with a return on October 14th, this means that even if there’s a vote of confidence on that day, or if the Government loses Queen’s Speech votes on October 21st and 22nd, the Fixed Term Parliament Act allows 14 days in which a new administration can be formed.  Even if the Queen’s Speech were to be amended to suspend the strictures of that Act and a General Election were to be called immediately, the date of that election would have to be after October 31st.

So, we know full well why the dates have been chosen as they have.

Which takes us back once again to the central issue of leaving the EU.  Parliament suspended its right to make decisions on behalf of the British people on this issue and a referendum was held.  That referendum resulted in a vote to leave.

I have never hidden the fact that I would prefer to leave with a deal and continue to believe this is the best way forward.  Plainly it has to be preferable to leave the EU in a way that does as much as can be done to mitigate the economic effects of doing so, and I do believe it is the Prime Minister’s intention to find such a deal.

But we are rapidly approaching a point where we may be leaving without a deal and it is right that I make my position clear.

I am more than well aware of the economic damage that a ‘no deal’ exit may incur.  One of my key roles as a minister was to deal with the plans my department had in place for just such an eventuality.  But this comes down to more than economics.  It is about faith in the political system and, however much I weigh this in the balance against the economic cost, I cannot persuade myself that undermining the fundamental tenets of government by consent is worth the trade.  If we do not leave we risk enormous disengagement from the political process by millions of people who were told many times their vote would be honoured.  I understand others profoundly disagree with me but it is much easier to quantify a cost of an action you can put on a spreadsheet than one whose consequences may be less defined, but potentially more profound.

As such, if a deal cannot be agreed with the European Union for a reasonable exit, I believe we have no option but to leave without a deal.

Yours sincerely

George Hollingbery MP

Member of Parliament for Meon Valley

House of Commons │London │SW1A OAA │Tel: 0207 219 7109

www.georgehollingbery.com <http://www.georgehollingbery.com/>

The next Horndean and Clanfield litter pick is on Sunday 4th August.

The Sally and the team meet at Morrison’s carpark at 9.30am

Sally will allocate hotspots then bring rubbish back at 11.30. All equipment including bags and pickers is provided. New volunteers are always welcome!

Lets keep our area looking nice!

Consultation to open on Large Development Sites for Local Plan

Some of the largest potential development sites in East Hampshire will be the subject of a special consultation in the autumn. The consultation, to be held from 3 September – 15 October, will focus on ten large sites, of which two will be included in the Local Plan.

Run by East Hampshire District Council it is another step towards producing a new Local Plan. The Local Plan provides guidelines for future development in parts of East Hampshire outside the South Downs National Park.

The six-week process, called the Local Plan Large Development Sites Consultation, will put the ten possible sites to the public and invite comments and information.

Residents will have the chance to give the council information about sites that might affect its suitability for development and to say what infrastructure is needed in that area. The responses received will be used by the council along with technical information and evidence from other organisations to decide which two sites will be included in the plan. It will not include other policies and sites already considered in the draft Local Plan.

The consultation will last six weeks and include six drop-in events, all in September.

Alton Assembly Rooms – Tuesday 3 Sept, 4-7pm
Barton Hall, Horndean – Saturday 7 Sept, 10am-2pm
Alton Assembly Rooms – Saturday 14 Sept, 10am-2pm
Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Thursday 19 Sept, 4-7pm
Barton Hall, Horndean – Monday 23 Sept, 4-7pm
Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Saturday 28 Sept, 10am-2pm

Cllr Angela Glass, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “The council is committed to working with the local community to deliver a new Local Plan. Developing a Local Plan is like having a conversation – we listen to people’s thoughts, consider them and respond accordingly. We are particularly keen to receive representations from across the community and involve local people as early in the process as possible.”

A broad consultation was held on the Local Plan in February and March. During that process the council received more than 2,000 comments.

Cllr Glass said: “The overriding message from those responses was concern about infrastructure and the impact of new development on existing communities. We therefore intend to consult on all potential large development areas, to gather further information and ensure local communities are engaged and aware from the early stages.”

The results of the consultation will inform the council’s decision as to which sites will be included in the Local Plan. The council will not be taking comments on polices and sites not included as part of this consultation.

The ten sites under consideration are:

Northbrook Park, Bentley
Whitehill & Bordon extension
Chawton Park Farm, near Alton
Land East of Horndean Extension
Land South East of Liphook
Neatham Down, near Alton
Four Marks South
Land west of Lymington Bottom Road, South Medstead
South Medstead
Winchester Road, Four Marks

Detailed plans of the sites will be available during the consultation at www.easthants.gov.uk/draft-local-plan