Christmas Trees in Place

Working 4 Whitchurch has just completed installing the town centre SEEDA funded Christmas Trees and lights.

Most of the shop window displays are in place ready for the start of the shop window competitions for young and old to start on Wednesday.

There'll be prizes for the under 12's, 12's -16's and adults which will be given out by Santa outside the Town hall at noon on 19 December.

Win £50

Just by filling in a simple survey form you can win £50 to spend in Whitchurch.

The Whitchurch Business Centre has been running now for 2 years and offers offers office space, computer use and printing facilities not obtainable elsewhere in Whitchurch. The Centre was set up with SEEDA funding and we would like to know such things as whether it is providing a useful service.

Just download the survey form and complete as much of it as you think is relevant to you and return it to the Centre which you will find downstairs at 1 Winchester Street. In addition to helping ensure the Centre is of use to you, your community group or business you can also win a £50 shopping voucher to be spent in one of the Town's retailers, to do this you need to put your contact details on the form (this is only needed for the draw; if you leave it blank your views will still be taken into account).

The draw will be made by Father Christmas outside the Town Hall at noon on Saturday 19th December as part of the last weekend's Christmas in Whitchurch activities.

Winchester Road Traffic

The traffic bottleneck at the junction of Micheldever Road and Winchester Road is still firmly in place. A van driver reported that it had taken him 15 minutes to get from the Town centre to the Sports Centre between 8.30 and 9am.

On checking, the majority of cars travelling from the direction of the Town centre and turning into Micheldever Road are nearly all carrying one or, occasionally, 2 school children, some wearing Testbourne uniforms. These can't all travel along Micheldever Road without delays because of buses and other other traffic trying to join Winchester Road. This causes a tail back into Winchester Road and is therefore a major factor in causing the jams.

Is it necessary for all these primary school children to be driven to school when the majority live within Whitchurch and hence the maximum distance to school is less than 1 mile? If there is a need to travel by car, can't the car be parked in Winchester Road car park and then the children walked from there? Is the Testbourne travel plan in place; the one which called for those pupils who did need to be driven to school to be dropped off and not driven up Micheldever Road?

At the moment all the expense and, for some, inconvenience of the new parking scheme is in vain in large part because of the number of children being driven to school.

Whitchurch for Walks

Weekly walks organised by Walking for Health and a new signposted Mills tour gives lots of opportunities for exercise, these are in addition to the existing walks covered on the Visitor Information page.

There is good support for the organised walks which start each Wednesday at 10am from the Gill Nethercott Centre. They last around an hour and finish with socialising in the Centre. The walks are free and open to all - but new walkers are asked to turn up by 9.45am to complete a short registration. The last walk this year is on 16th and there is a special New Year's Day session which is longer than usual, starting at 11am (new walkers by 10.45) and covering 6 miles. The good news is there'll be a refreshment break at the Watership Down at roughly half time. For further information on the Walking for Health scheme - please contact Jane Wilding on 01256 845574.

Hampshire County County, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and the Town Council have worked together with Lottery Heritage Funding to produce a marked route covering, the Silk Mill, Fulling Mill, Town Mill and Bere Mill. The routes, which start either in the Winchester Road Car Park or the Railway Station and cover 2, 3½ or 4½ miles. The route is clearly marked with distinctive arrows and as much as possible is alongside the Test. There are descriptive boards along the way.

...... but take your wellies

Some of the routes may require appropriate footware. Whilst much of the footpath to the east side of Winchester Street/Road suffers from bad drainage, the recent rains have highlighted one particularly bad place.

They have caused, even after 3 days, a large pool covering the road outside Longmeadow Sports Centre. At its height it stretched for almost 50m and covered the pavement and part of the Sports Centre's entrance.

As there is no pavement on the opposite side of Winchester Road at this point and is on a bend this can make it dangerous for those on foot, and none to pleasant for those driving into the Sports Centre, including visitors from outside the Town.

The Lights are On

Mayor, Vince Bradbury, ably supported by the Singing for Fun Choir, switched on the Town Hall lights on Friday night.

There was a slight delay in the programme, covered by more mellifluousness from the choir, whilst phone calls from PC Paula found someone to "work the magic" inside the Town Hall. The result was a loud count down from the crowd and the new Town Hall forecourt and sign were lit in the best traditions of Christmas in Whitchurch.

1,500 Signatures on Bank Petition

The Save the Whitchurch Bank group has announced that over 1,500 people have already signed the petition calling for HSBC to meet and talk to local residents and bank users. They include individuals, businesses and local organisations who all call on HSBC to consult locally. The group says "It is an incredible number for such a small town showing the strength of support for meaningful dialogue over the proposed closure".

Meanwhile a reply* is awaited from HSBC on the invitation to the Public Meeting on Thursday 10th December in the Testbourne Theatre Hall, where it is hoped discussion on how HSBC and the Town can work together for the best of all can be given consideration. The Group says it "does not consider the campaign "final" until all avenues have been explored". Amongst the guests will be our MP, Sir George Young.

Full details of the campaign are available on the Save Whitchurch bank website.

* The Group says a detailed reply is expected on Friday, 27th, morning.

Christmas in Whitchurch is Go

Working 4 Whitchurch has been out in force installing Christmas Trees for Christmas in Whitchurch 2009 for the fifth year in a row.

Stewart Parrington, ably assisted by Jo Syani and Keith Sawyer, both of Brockenhurst Estate Agent have been decorating the SEEDA funded trees in Santa's Grotto, aka Clacy's Garage, and fitting them to Town Centre shop fronts.

The Mayor, Vince Bradbury will be switching on the Town Hall lights at 7pm on Friday 27th November. From then it's less than 4 weeks to Christmas and posters around the town will highlight Christmas events and all the churches' activities. Also have a look for the events listed in yellow in the Events Diary.

Support the Town centre shops - they need you as much as you need them!

Parking Fines Not Legal

Some of the parking fines imposed between February and mid-September this year in North Whitchurch cannot be enforced.

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has recently confirmed that penalties for parking in a residents parking bay or 30 minute parking bay in the ‘North Whitchurch’ parking area (Evingar Road, Station Road, Fairfield and Berehill) were not legal. Anyone who has paid a fine should contact the Council for a refund or, if they haven't paid yet, contact the council to confirm that the fine will not be collected.

Award to John Wall

Former County Councillor John Wall has been made an Honorary Alderman in recognition of his work over many years for the county. John was County Councillor for Whitchurch and Clere between 1993 and 2005.

Decision to close the bank "is final"

In a letter to Sir George Young, following his meeting with HSBC Management, the bank has said "the decision to close is final".

The letter is published in full on Sir George's website and follows his meeting on 10th November with Jos Robson, Acting Regional Director, Personal Financial Services South. The letter includes HSBC's assertion that "costs considerably exceed income at this branch, and have done so for some time".

The one glimmer of light is that the ATM is to be retained in the immediate future at least. Jos says "Following concerns being raised with regards to limited access to a fee free cash machine in Whitchurch, we have taken the decision to retain our existing cash machine whilst we look to secure an alternative site, which would be subject to local planning permission and our security guidelines".

Jos also says "I would be grateful if you would kindly make me aware of any individual cases of difficulty that may be raised with you, so that we may do our utmost to arrange for appropriate assistance". So if you believe that this applies to you please contact Sir George, full details are on his website.

Art in the Parish Hall - Again

Hampshire Arts returned to the Parish Hall with a vengeance when 10 artists, some with international reputations, staged the group’s second show over a very wet weekend.

Despite the appalling weather, around 400 people turned up from Whitchurch and much further afield to see works by Tim Richardson, Amy Goodman, Ray Galvani, Sue Climpson, Damien Rochford, Elaine Peto, Kate Talbot, Clare Andrews, Steve Climpson and Andrew Stott. A wide range of media were displayed covering original paintings, fine art prints, jewellery, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography and stencilling.

Steve Climpson, one of the organisers, was very pleased with the response and is already working on attracting more artists to create an even bigger exhibition next August. He says "this is putting Whitchurch firmly on the arts map as the place to meet quality artists and purchase their works directly". He said that Hampshire Arts was grateful for support given to the group by the SEEDA funded Town Centre Improvements Programme.

Pub Reopens

After closing for refurbishments, the Watership Down is open again and under new management. The pub is under new management and serving home made pub grub at reasonable prices, dogs and children are welcome. Between 2 and 4 cask conditioned beers are on offer.

We'll Meet Again Supper

Another first, and another success for the Festival Committee.

Neville Bright's organisation with support from the Committee, Julia Cobb, Pat Gilbert and Lesley Peters (all from Kingfisher), Cabbage (David Freeborough), WADS, The Scarlets, Singing for Fun and all who helped, produced an evening that was appreciated by the 100 or so senior citizens that attended. Thanks to the Harvest Home, The Hurstbourne & Kings Arms for the drinks which made the evening go really well, the Old Paper Shop and Flower Power for raffle prizes. Keith Blakey, Alan Philips, Brian Langer(Kingfisher) and Eric Dunlop drove many of the diners to the Hall.

There's a video being produced by Derek Philips but in the meantime here's what the venue looked like before the event started - thanks to the Parish Hall Committee for giving and decorating the venue.

New Website

The proposals that Blooming Digital have for the new website will be on show in the Gill Nethercott Hall on Saturday 22 November. Starting at 10am, Jay Lloyd and Kat Jones will explain their ideas for how the new site will look and the features it will offer.

Come along and find out more - and have your say. A mock up of the site is here, see what you think of it. If you can't make it on Saturday, please use the contact page to submit your comments.

Cats Protection

There's a new page on the site which contains the monthly news from Cats Protection here in Whitchurch. Full details of the group are on www.andovercats.org.uk 

Get in the PIcture

There'll be the chance to have your photograh taken free in a nativity scene during Christmas in Whitchurch.

Whitchurch Baptist Church is taking part in a nationwide scheme on 12 Dec between 9.30am and 12.30pm which allows you to dress up and have you photo taken as part of the original Christmas. You can then download the picture from the internet. Just turn up outside the Town Hall to join in the real Christmas spirit!

Professional Art Exhibition

Hampshire Arts' exhibition on 21 & 22 November will involve 10 artists and culminate in another Jazz evening.

Tim Richardson, who is organising the event again says "It's good to be holding another event at the Parish Hall, this time under the banner of Hampshire Arts. We have a greater number of artists participating this time, which will make for a splendid show. So we look forward to greeting all that come to make for continued Hampshire Art Fairs in Whitchurch. The goal is to showcase professional artist working in Hampshire and nearby counties and promote Whitchurch as the town in the North Hants area for such events where you can buy art direct from the artists."

"On 22nd, jazz will return to the stage as before. If you missed it first time around, be there this time for what promises to be a great performance from The Oxford Jazz Quartet with Lizzie Newbury."

Whitchurch Arts is supporting local businesses by having its promotional material produced by John Dollins and the Whitchurch Business Centre.

Full details are here.

End to Traffic Chaos?

The new road markings have been put in place around the Town. The work in Micheldever Road, the Weir and Winchester Road took place whilst the problem that the new regulations are trying to solve was happening around the workmen. It remains to be seen whether the new parking regulations have the desired effect on traffic during the earling morning and mid-afternoon rushes.

New Improved Website

Blooming Digital are to start work on the new Town website which is being funded as part of the SEEDA Town Centre Improvements Programme. This new company, which operates from the Whitchurch Business Centre, won the competition to build the site with some great design work and innovative suggestions such as an exciting virtual tour around the town centre - information about the businesses will be available by clicking on the image of their premises!

The funding is to support businesses and attract visitors but everyone in the town should benefit as things like an events diary, details of local groups and public services and facilities will be included. Things have moved on since theWhitchurchWeb was created and the new site is expected to build on its content but in a way which makes it much easier to manage and for businesses, groups and individuals to contribute.

Blooming Digital has already put a lot of thought into what it thinks would meet the Town's needs and will be showing their ideas in the Gill Nethercott Hall on Saturday 21st November. Why not come along and see what is being suggested and have your say? The presentation will start at 10am and run until 12noon.

Jay Lloyd, who, with Kat Jones, forms Blooming Digital says “this promises to be a really enjoyable project to work on, due to its great potential benefit to the community. All our planning and research, combined with a good deal of community feedback, should lead to the creation of a brilliant tool and resource for businesses, residents and visitors alike - we hope people will enjoy it and use it to its full potential”.

The new site is scheduled to be up and running by the end of March next year.

Whitchurch Business Centre - One of the First

Whitchurch Centre was the first of its type in the South-East, now it is part of a county-wide network.

It's joined by other Smarter Working Centres (SWC) and will be supported by a real-time web based booking system which will go live from Monday 9th November. This announcement follows on from the SWC network programme launch at the 2009 eHampshire Conference on 8th October. Three centres are already operational - in Fordingbridge, Havant and Whitchurch - and these will shortly be joined by others in Aldershot, Basingstoke (Worting), Fareham and Gosport. Further centres will be announced next year.

The new innovative website provides an easy introduction for visitors new to the concept with information ranging from cost-of use to locating your nearest SWC. However the main functionality comes in the form of real-time space availability checking, on-line booking and secure on-line payment. The website also offers the opportunity to register as a member, the area also providing the opportunity to view/amend or report on bookings.

The Centres offer entrepreneurs, business start-ups, home-based businesses and commuters the chance to work and meet locally and avoid the stress and cost of the peak-time journey to work. Accommodation and usage costs are kept low by a scheme where users can opt to either 'pay as you use' or by discounted prepaid usage options.

With more than 58% of Business Start-ups home-based - and with a similar number failing to make it beyond the third year of operation - it is hoped that the agency supported collaborative working environment of a Centre will improve business survivability prospects. The Centres outside Whitchurch are supported by part of the £1/2 million Hampshire County Council funded recession-response initiative.

Project Manager, Tony Corbin, added "An SWC offers an alternative to the isolation of regular home-based working and the negative impacts of trying to run a business from home. Many workers don't even get the opportunity to work from home as their property is simply not big enough or not conducive to health and safety compliant, productive home-working. Now we have an affordable alternative, where space can be booked by the hour and there's no lease to sign or heat and light bills to pay. You only pay for the hours you use".

The eventual aim of the network is that in Hampshire, 'you will never be more than twenty minutes away from a Smarter Working Centre'. As an extra incentive to try out the radical new, SWC way of working, Hampshire businesses are being encouraged to visit the website where if they register as a member by 31st December, they will go into a draw to win £200 of SWC work-space use absolutely FREE. Indeed everyone wins, because those who become members by 31st December will also be able to get a FREE hour of workspace at the SWC of their choice.

Save Our Bank - Latest

An initial plan of action was agreed last night and your help is needed, following the advance of the Campaign for Community Banking Services, the ways forward identified to date are:

• appoint a single point of contact, this will be the Town Clerk, Cathy Burt
• organise a public meeting to which a senior HSBC manager will be invited
• get a media person on the team - we already have a volunteer
• concentrate on collecting information about bank usage and hence the impact its closure will have on all but specifically businesses and the old and disabled
• contact various other groups such as neighbouring parish councils, business associations, agency that are concerned with supporting rural communities
• writing to key persons in HSBC, the Mayor will be doing this on behalf of the community and other supporters such as our MP will be asked to do the same.

Your help is requested:

• In supporting the Town Clerk in admin tasks, making phone calls and so on in the Town Hall - call Cathy on 892107 if you can spare a bit of time to help
• come to the meeting - maximum attendance will show how concerned we all are - the date will be announced soon
• help collect the information we need, this will involve in the street/at the railway station collection names and whether the person banks with HSBC/First Direct and would be looking to move to another bank - please contact Cathy on 892107 if you're willing to help.

There is a Save Whitchurch Bank website where the official information will be put out when the media person is on board meanwhile watch this space for news. You can have your say on the forum where any evidence that will allow the Town to challenge the bank's assertions that the branch is not economic will be welcome.

Special Offers in Whitchurch

To try to help the town's businesses and those shopping here, there's a new webpage.

Prompted by an offer of lamb from Tufton Smallholding and the fact that local business need every bit of help they can get (please note HSBC!!) the new page is there for all Whitchurch based businesses to use. Just send the information using the contact page.