Harvest Home Folk Club Success

Following the success of the first meeting of the group last week, there will now be more meetings.

Sue Rampton, the organiser, says "the meeting was such a resounding success, that we will be holding another one on Wednesday 25 March 8 p.m. onwards.  Free entry, everyone welcome, musicians, singers & audience especially".

More .......>

Community Arts Entries on Show

The entries in the competition to find a community arts feature for the Town are on show in the library until 20 March. Thanks to the support of Barry Meehan, Wendy Sperry and the library staff, all the entries are on display for you to see during normal library hours - Mon & Fri 10am - 5pm, Wed 10am - 7pm and Sat 9.30am - 1pm.

You can vote for the one which you think will best make Whitchurch more attractive to residents and visitors alike. In addition to being attractive, what is needed is something that will involve the community, provide education and make us prouder of Whitchurch when it is installed - and if it will get the Town in the papers, on the TV or radio, that's even better.

Town Centre Improvements on Schedule

Despite the snow, work in the Bell Street car park is on schedule, according to Hampshire County Council. The snow did stop work for a couple of days but that was allowed for in the plan.

Detailed investigations conducted by digging several holes where the shrubs had been alongside the entrance road from Bell Street revealed (after much staring into the holes by council officials) a gas main, which means that the planting of trees there is not feasible. Planting on the other side of the road would be lost in the new development on the old library site and so would be a waste of money.

The most obvious sign of progress is the construction of the brick and wood screen for the recycling bins. The tall wooden poles are in fact hardwood cuttings and so they could produce the hoped for trees. Work is scheduled to start on the refurbishment of the Town Hall forecourt in the first week in March.

Free Publicity for Groups

In addition to the free brief details of groups that are published on this website and their regular activities. There's a chance for even more!

The next edition of the Community Magazine, Update, is due to be published in the next 3 weeks; it is distributed to the just over 2,000 homes in the Civil Parish of Whitchurch. If you would like to publicise your group in 2 - 300 words, please contact Phil using the contact page.

Businesses are welcome to advertise in the small ads for £10 upwards or display ads start at £35.

You can see what you're getting by having a look at the last edition here.

Stop Smoking

There are now weekly session run by the NHS' Quit4Life team at the Bell Street Surgery.

Statistics show that you are FOUR times more likely to quit smoking with support, and we are focused on giving you every possible chance of success. The course can offer 8 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy treatment for the cost of a single prescription.

Green Initiatives Take Off

The upsurge of interest in the environment that was sparked off by Beth Wright's bringing Earth Hour to Whitchurch is already having quite an impact. For Earth Hour, individuals and businesses are asked to switch off their lights and work (or relax) by candelight between 8.30 and 9.30 on 28th March. During this time they should think about their impact on the environment. Please support this, contact Beth for more information.

Michelle Toogood-Johnson is taking it several stages further with Earth Day which is aimed at getting individuals and businesses to take positive steps to lessen their impact on the environment. Michelle has also formed the Earth Day Community Project, with businesses and individuals in the Town already showing their support; details are on the supporters' page.

Earth Day will be launched by an event starting at 10.30am in the Gill Nethercott Hall, where, not only can you buy beeswax candles to use during Earth Hour, but there will be a gallery of art by the Town's children, lots of information about Michelle's campaign, local produce and details of how you can take part by taking one action every year that makes a change in your lifestyle to enable a permanent reduction of your carbon footprint. There will be a 'promise tree' to record your promised action for Earth Day 28 March 2009!

During the day several of the Town's eateries will be offering a special menu and John Dennett is making special sausages and burgers which will be available during the week defore the launch.

If you're interested in helping on the project, come along to the Harvest Home at 8pm next Tuesday,10 February or email Michelle.

Clamping is Back

After Bill Judge spole to WPC Paula about the issue, she approached the landlords of Longs Court who have agreed to improved signage to raise awareness that clamping in operation including a notice at the entrance. The information on this website has also been printed in the Basingstoke Gazette.

It is assumed that no one would park there in defiance of clearly displayed warnings, so this action should made it abundantly obvious what the rules are. The previous company that had the clamping contract did admit to taking £10,000 out of that car park, and therefore out of Whitchurch, in their first week!!

The initial signs, which presumably meet the legal requirements, are displayed around the parking area and warn of fees of £130 per day (sic) for the removal of clamps or, if the vehicle is removed, £330 (plus a £5 surcharge for the use of a credit card).

There is no warning as visitors enter the parking area which could act as a deterent but there was a van in the parking area earlier today whose attentive looking driver may well have been ready to warn those about to park about the regulations.

Please tell anyone you know about this and any visitors who may visit the Town as this will presumably help Parking Control Management (UK) in their task of discouraging unauthorised parking.

Winter Road Safety Campaign

Bad weather can strike suddenly so the best advice when severe weather hits is to stay off the road. If you must drive, make sure you are prepared for the conditions. Here are Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service's top tips for winter driving:

• Ask yourself - is your journey absolutely essential?
• Check local and national weather forecasts to prepare for hazardous conditions.
• View weather forecasts at The Met Office website...
• Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive, and allow plenty of time for your journey
• Take time before a journey for your vehicle to defrost
• Have your car checked and serviced regularly
• Beware of black ice, taking extra care in shaded areas
• Use major roads for journeys rather than smaller, quieter roads
• In wet and icy conditions brake gently to avoid skidding
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles - give yourself time to react
• Always keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety
• Before you go - Make sure you always have a warm coat, hat and gloves in the car in case you get caught out
• Always carry a full charged mobile phone with you so you can call for help
• On the road - Be extra vigilant during the winter months
• The braking distance is twice as far on wet roads and increases 10-fold on icy roads
• Bad weather can strike suddenly so the best advice when severe weather hits is to stay off the road
• If you must drive, make sure you are prepared for the conditions.

Snow Causes Chaos in South East but ......

There's a silver lining to the grey snow clouds that have caused problems elsewhere.

• Dowlings report a very brisk trade in wellingtons and gloves.
• Drivers found Micheldever Road quieter than on a normal Monday morning.
• The youth helped clear the snow from Blacksmith's Bridge (to make snowballs).
• There was no noise from the contractors in Bell Street Car Park.

Table Tennis

Equipment has been found and there are at least 3 players wanting to start a group or at least have a regular session - anyone else interested, please use the contact page or call 07825 112677.

Make Whitchurch England's Smallest Green Town

Beth Wright and Michelle Toogood-Johnson have both come up with some ideas to make Whitchurch a greener place. If you want to be involved or have ideas or views on the subject come along on Monday night to the Harvest Home at 8pm. If you can't make it or have a burning idea please email Beth or Michelle.