IN THIS ISSUE - Test Valley...Lane please join us for a walking crocodile, from Abbotswood to...

Abbotswood Resident Newsletter May 2014 – Update 4

Abbotswood Resident Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE...• Abbotswoodbiglunch• FREEguidedwalkofHilliersArboretum

• RomseyFuture• Acommunityassociationfor

Abbotswood?• AbbotswoodConsortiumInfrastructureWorks

• Communitytravel• NeighbourhoodWatch

Russ Harvey, the Community Developer Worker for Abbotswood, has moved on and the post is currently vacant. We will be recruiting a new Community Development Worker very soon. Unfortunately we are unable to open the temporary Community Centre for the drop-in sessions as regularly as previously advertised until the new person is in post.

In the meantime, should you have any questions regarding the development, services or activities, please contact Louisa Rice via email [email protected] or phone 01264 368000.

Summer is approaching and the nice weather encourages us all to get outside more. Please be aware that children may be playing outdoors so drive with care and attention.

Housing occupationsHousing occupation figures obtained from Taylor Wimpey, Bellway and Bovis show that as of the end of March there were 336 properties occupied on Abbotswood. This figure includes private homes and housing association properties.


www.thebiglunch.com©Aardman Animations 2013

The big lunch is a national initiative. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours annually on the first Sunday in June in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. This year’s big lunch is on Sunday 1 June 2014.

A big lunch can be anything from a few neighbours getting together in the garden or on the street, to a full blown street party with food, music and decoration that quite literally stops the traffic.

So in honour of this initiative we thought Abbotswood should have its very own big lunch! We are going to hold the following:

Abbotswood big lunchSunday 1 June 11am to 2pm on the play park open space.

Come along and meet your neighbours! Please bring a picnic and blanket for you and your family. We will provide a bouncy castle, face painting, coconut shy, games and more. Look out for more information about the event at the temporary Community Centre.


WalktoSchoolWeek–TheAbbotswoodCrocodile!The annual Walk to School Week takes place during 19 - 24 May with the aim to encourage parents to ditch the car and walk children to and from school for health, environmental and fun benefits. To celebrate the opening of the shared cycle/footpath from Sandy Lane to Woodley Lane please join us for a walking crocodile, from Abbotswood to Cupernham Infant and Junior schools, on Wednesday21May.

The route will start from the play area at 8.15am. All children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

The consortium of developers will be providing high visibility jackets for children and adults to wear for safety. These will be given out en-route.

FreeBookSharingPlease come and look through our free to borrow selection of books in the temporary Community Centre. Would you be interested in getting involved in an Abbotswood book club? Let us know.

SpringhalftermactivitiesonAbbotswood–May/June

Date Time Activity WhereTuesday 27 May 10am to

12 noonResidents coffee morning, pop along for a chat and to meet fellow neighbours

Temporary Community Centre

Thursday 29 May 10am to 11.30am

Stay and play for 0 to 5 year olds, provided by Little Oaks Centre

Temporary Community Centre

Friday 30 May 2pm to 4pm

Community sports - come along for rounders, cricket and football. Ages 10 years and above

Play park open space

Sunday 1 June 11am to 2pm

Abbotswood big lunch! Community picnic, bouncy castle, face painting, coconut shy, games and more

Play park open space

What’s on in Abbotswood?

HilliersArboretum–FREEGuidedWalkforAbbotswoodResidentsHilliers have kindly offered to open up their famous gardens for Abbotswood residents on Tuesday1July!Come along to Hilliers Arboretum for a freeguidedwalk at sunset. The walk will start at 6.30pm, after the Arboretum has closed so you will have exclusive access to the gardens. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is famous the world over. Among its outstanding features is the splendour of the seasonal planting displays set in 180 acres.

Why not cycle there? There are bike racks to secure bikes to just outside the visitors’ centre. Please meet by the entrance to the visitors’ and education pavilion, and wear sensible footwear as the walk will take about 1 - 1.5 hours.

To give Hilliers an indication of numbers to expect, please RSVP with the number of people coming from your household to [email protected].


NeighbourhoodWardenDrop-inThe Test Valley Borough Council neighbourhood wardens will be at the temporary Community Centre alternate Thursdays, starting on the 8 May from 12 noon to 2pm. Please feel free to pop in and have a coffee and a chat with them about any issues you may have regarding your neighbourhood. If they can’t help you they will certainly know a person who can!

NewandImprovedHealthWalksTheHealthWalksthathavebeenrunningonAbbotswoodforthepastfewmonthsarenowchanging.From1Julytheywilltakeplaceweeklystartingat10.30amfromthetemporaryCommunityCentre. On the last Tuesday of every month, the walk will start from the village hall in Braishfield, giving a whole new set of routes to walk and explore. The village hall also runs a community café on Tuesdays so after you’ve walked and built up an appetite, you can blow it all on a coffee and a cake!

Health Walks are short, free and friendly walks led by volunteers, aimed at people who need or want to improve their health and wellbeing by becoming more active. They are a great way to get to know your local area and also to meet new people. Big thanks goes to our very own Abbotswood Health Walk leader Jessie, who is the driving force behind this Health Walk.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Health Walk leader please let Jessie or Louisa know. You will be provided with free training and support to take part and give something back to your community.

Information on all our Health Walks can be found at: www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/communityandleisure/cyclingwalking/health-walks-step-healthier-future

How do you see Romsey’s Future?

Romsey Future is an exciting project aiming to involve the community in setting out a ‘plan’ for Romsey and the surrounding area for the next 5, 10, 20 years and beyond.

Volunteers have been working in themed groups: environment; economy; housing; leisure; community facilities; getting about and community engagement, and have identified some key priorities that they would like the wider public’s views on.

OnSaturday14June,10amto3pminRomseyTownHallandatRomseyMarket there will be an exhibition open to members of the public see what the Romsey Future project is all about. Please drop in and have your say on the proposals.

Those attending will be given a free raffle ticket to enter a draw for a hamper of prizes (donated by Romsey businesses). There will be cakes and refreshments provided by the WI and face painting for children.

For more background on the Romsey Future project visit: www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/communityandleisure/romsey-future

FutureRomsey


Public Art for AbbotswoodAs part of the Section 106 planning agreement for Abbotswood, Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC)has secured funding for public art. During the summer we will be running a programme of workshops and events to engage as many residents as possible to come up with themes, locations and ideas for the artworks. These will then be pulled together into an artist’s brief which will be put out to tender for professional artists to submit proposals to carry out the commission.

If you would like to take part in the activities and events please contact Alex Hoare, Arts Officer at Test Valley Borough Council, on 01264 368844 or email [email protected]

Volunteering in AbbotswoodAs advertised in this newsletter, a range of events and activities are starting to take place in Abbotswood. For example: the community picnic; Health Walks; sports session and neighbourhood watch.

If you would like to see more events and activities like these and you have some ideas, a few hours to spare and an interest in volunteering please contact Louisa Rice on 01264 368000 or email [email protected]

A Community Association for Abbotswood?Over the next few months TVBC Community Engagement Officers are going to be in and around the area. We are keen to meet residents who are interested in getting involved in shaping the Abbotswood community and keen to influence the way that things are done. In order to achieve this, we would like to establish a community association for residents of Abbotswood.

A community association is open to all local residents and gives them a role in shaping social, educational and recreational activities for their community. It also provides a focus through which local people can highlight any needs and issues of the new community. The community association that will be formed in Abbotswood will also take an active role in running a new Community Centre in which it can base its activities. Plans for the centre are in the process of being drawn up.

If you think you might be interested please contact Louisa Rice on 01264 368000 or email [email protected]

We will be holding a public meeting at the end of the summer which you can attend to find out more about getting involved.


Good progress has been made on the completion of the western cyclepath and ancillary landscaping works. It is intended to open this route for public use on 9 May 2014. The perimeter heras fencing will be taken down over a three day period commencing on 7 May. During this period plant and operatives will be accessing the area to remove heras panels and limited access only will be available until the removal operation is complete. A plan which indicates cyclepaths already in use and the connection to Woodley Lane is below. Ground preparation and grass seeding is currently being undertaken in the Abbotswood Nature Conservation area which borders the cyclepath.

The landscaping maintenance works have commenced over the development as a whole and grass cutting, weed killing, re-seeding where necessary will be undertaken over the next few months.

The regrading of the peripheral areas of play area 1 was undertaken to allow the perimeter

planting to be completed. There remains some grading work to the south of the play area and this is programmed to be completed in May.

Following a recent event witnessed by the Consortium’s Ecological Advisor, the Consortium wish to remind residents that the great crested newt is an endangered species and is protected by law. This protection extends to not handling the GCNs or removal from their natural habitat

GreatCrestedNewtsatAbbotswood

At Abbotswood there is an area set aside for nature conservation which is full of wonderful creatures. But may we take this opportunity to remind you of the following, this will ensure that there are still newts in this area for many years to come.

The great crested, or warty newt, is the largest of the European newts. It is an amphibian closely related to frogs and toads. They have a soft, porous skin which must be kept moist all the time. In spring, the newts return to ponds to breed and can often be seen swimming close to the surface.

Great crested newts have suffered a decline in numbers throughout Europe due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and are now protected under both UK and European legislation. Please note it is illegal to catch, possess or handle great crested newts in anyway without a licence and it is also illegal to cause them harm or death, or to disturb their habitat in any way.

Abbotswood Consortium Infrastructure Works


MyJourneyRomsey

www.myjourneyhampshire.com is the best place to start finding out more about car sharing, local bus services, fuel saving techniques, walking, cycling and traffic and travel information in your area. The site brings together all the information you need to choose the best way to get from A to B more easily.

The website’s journey planner www.myjourneyhampshire.com/journeyplanner allows the entire route of a journey to be calculated, using all modes of transport necessary, as well as giving the option of which mode is used. If a cycle journey is selected information regarding the terrain is also provided. In addition the duration of the journey, calories burnt, and carbon dioxide emissions produced are all provided.

Live traffic and travel information is also provided, including that relating to public transport. Live bus and rail departures for both stations are found on the homepage.

We are running a number of activities for Romsey residents in the next few months. Please get in touch with [email protected] to sign up or find out more.

RomseyRailEvent

Saturday14June10.30amto1.30pmatRomseyRailwayStation

To celebrate Bike Week and the start of the summer we are teaming up with our partners at Transition Towns and Three Rivers Rail Partnership to offer advice and activities to help you get around Romsey this summer, including:

BikeDr: The Bike Dr can safety check your bike for free and carry out any minor repairs, so you will be ready for Bike Week! You only need pay for the parts.

Travelclinic: Come and find out about trains, buses, cycling and walking in Romsey and the surrounding area. We have some great activities including a smoothie bike and craft activities for young people whilst they wait.

HealthWalk: Walking is one of the simplest, healthiest and cheapest ways to get around, so join us for a gentle walk from Romsey station at 11.30am. It is a great opportunity to explore the town and find out about other regular Health Walks in Romsey. Please get in touch with [email protected] to sign up or find out more.

Community Travel

BikeMaintenanceCourse-19June6pmto8pmatCrosfieldHallDo you have flat tyres, squeaky brakes or noisy gears? Come along to our two hour bike maintenance course and our cycle mechanics cover all the bike maintenance basics for just £5.


RomseyFamilyRidesOur monthly family friendly rides are coming to Romsey with the first one on 25 May. We start at Romsey Rail Station on the last Sunday of every month at 10.30am and follow a short circular route. The rides are free and suitable for all, but you will need your own bike. Please get in touch with [email protected] to sign up or find out more.

Neighbourhood Watch Neighbourhood Watch is a national scheme recognised by the Home Office and supported by the police. Each watch is an independent local group run by local residents with the primary objective of creating safe, attractive, friendly places to live where crime is less likely to happen and people are less likely to turn to antisocial behaviour. Typically a watch covers a street, part of a street or a block of flats. Each watch appoints its own volunteer coordinator who is the point of contact with the local police beat officers and with its area association.

Romsey District Neighbourhood Watch Association (RDNWA) brings together over 160 separate watches in southern Test Valley. The association aims to encourage and support local watches, channelling information to them and advising on best practice. It has been in existence since 2011 when it emerged as a separate organisation from the Eastleigh and Romsey Neighbourhood Watch Association.

The association and the individual watches work in close collaboration with the local police beat teams, with the TVBC anti-social behaviour

team and the TVBC Neighbourhood Wardens. While the watches primarily focus on crime prevention and reporting, many of them are now taking on a wider range of activities including supporting the elderly and vulnerable members of their community especially in extreme weather.

We are still trying to gain sufficient interest in Abbotswood to start one or more Neighbourhood Watch schemes. If you are interested in any way please contact us.

Streets that are covered by a Neighbourhood Watch are clearly marked by the familiar signs on lampposts and telegraph poles.

To find out more about your local Neighbourhood Watch or to get help setting one up contact RDNWA at [email protected]

BusTravelThere are two bus companies now providing services from Abbotswood to Romsey. For information and a timetable please contact:

Wheelers Coaches 02380 471800 www.wheelerstravel.co.uk

Stagecoach (Route 32/33) 0845 121 0190 www.satgecoach.com/south


Recycling on Abbotswood

Disposing of rubbish and recyclingTest Valley Borough Council (TVBC) collect kerbside rubbish from Abbotswood properties on Fridays, alternating between household waste (black bin) and recycling (brown bin). Please leave your bin at the edge of your property by 7am and bring it back onto your property as soon as possible once emptied.

Abbotswood residents are embracing textile recycling, as donations to a new clothing bank in the area have continued to rise.

Residents have now recycled more than 150kg of clothing and textile items to the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) bank at the temporary Community Centre, just off Braishfield Road, since it was installed in December 2013 – a fantastic achievement.

Julian Sharpe, area representative for SATCoL, a trading arm of The Salvation Army, said: “SATCoL has been working closely with Test Valley Borough Council to encourage textiles recycling within the local community and we are very pleased to see residents are embracing it. We are very grateful to Abbotswood residents for their generous support so far and we hope even more people will be encouraged to use the bank.”

What to donate:- Shoes (tied together in pairs) - Clothing- Handbags- Belts- Bed linens- Blankets- Towels- Underwear

SATCoL would be grateful if items are clean and dry – although don’t worry if they’re damaged. Even items that can’t be reused may be recycled into items such as mattress stuffing, car soundproofing and industrial wipers. Among the things SATCoL is unable to accept are quilts, mattresses and duvets. It’s helpful if you can place your donations in a bag before putting them in a bank. Join In. Recycle. Be a Recycling Star!


TheRomseyForum

The Romsey Forum is an open debating chamber where the issues of the day affecting Romsey and its surrounding area can be fully aired and where the general public and local organisations can question officers and councillors from the County Council, the Borough Council and the local town and parish councils.

It meets at Romsey Town Hall four times a year. There are a number of organisations who send representatives to the Forum such as the Romsey and District Society, the Romsey Chamber of Commerce, the Abbey and Broadlands. But any citizen of Romsey Town or Romsey Extra is welcome and is automatically a member. All local Councillors are members of the Forum but they are encouraged to listen rather than lead in the context of the Forum.

Romsey Town Council and Romsey Extra Parish Council fund the Forum although costs are insignificant as all communications between Forum members are by e-mail. The only rules are those laid down by the Chairman. The Chairman and Secretary are elected by Forum members annually. Each agenda is agreed by the Chairman and Secretary after consulting the previous Forum and having regard to the hot topics of the day.

Recent topics have included the proposed closure of Nightingale Lodge, the application by Tesco to build a supermarket on Broadlands, Neighbourhood Watch and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The current Chairman is Councillor John Parker of Romsey Extra Parish Council.

Joint Secretaries are Sandra Smith and Carolyn Nixson.

ParkingPleaseuseyourallocatedparkingspacestoparkyourvehicles.

Cars parked on a pavement and roadside make it difficult for pedestrians to walk and cross the road safely. This can be especially dangerous for children. Emergency services such as fire engines could also find it difficult to access some roads/houses where residents have parked inconsiderately.

Vehicles parked on pavements which are causing an obstruction should be reported to the police using the 101 number.

Contact us to be put on our e-mail list or if you have topics that need airing.E-mail: [email protected]: www.romseynet.org.uk/romseyforum/index.htm

Nextmeeting:Thursday 26 June 2014 7.30pm at Romsey Town Hall.


ACTION SHOT

There will be a skateboard, BMX

and scooter winner for each of

the following age categories:

7 years to 12 years

13 year to 15 years

16 years to 19 years

20 years +

PHOTOGRAPHY COMP

Reckon you’ve got a skateboard, BMX or scooter trick worth sharing? Catch it on camera and you could win loads of great prizes.

You can send your photos by post, email or mobile. Make sure you include your age and contact details. Please submit your entries by 30 June 2014.

Email: [email protected]: 07734 044639

Community and Leisure ServiceBeech Hurst, Weyhill RoadAndover, HampshireSP10 3AJ


Potholes!Did you know you can report potholes, damage to roads and pavements or faulty streetlights directly through to Hampshire County Council (HCC) on their website and then track the progress to getting the problem resolved? This however only applies to roads adopted by HCC, so until the roads and services on Abbotswood have been handed over to the County, please report any concerns either to the Community Development Worker or the developers directly.

www3.hants.gov.uk/roads/all-forms

Useful contactsWoodley Village Hall, School Road, Woodley www.woodleyvillagehall.co.uk

Romsey Extra Parish Council Chairman - Mrs T Hibberd, 02380 732247 [email protected] Clerk - Mrs C Mcfarland, 01794 884826 [email protected] Valley Borough Council Councillor Ian Hibberd, Romsey Extra 02380 732247 [email protected] Councillor Alison Johnston, Romsey Extra, [email protected]

If you have any news, reviews or achievements that you would like to share with the community and feature in the next newsletter, or if you require further information about any events/activities please contact Louisa Rice on 01264 368000, email [email protected].

Dog ownersThankyouforcleaningupafteryourdogaroundAbbotswood.

When the roads on the Abbotswood development are adopted by TVBC, rubbish/dog mess bins will be provided. Until that time please take your dog’s mess home with you to dispose of. This will help keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy and reduce the potential health risk, especially for children.

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