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Parish Newsletter Dec 2006
Romsey Extra Parish Council Extra News December 2006
Christmas & New Year Greetings
Christmas is nearly here and you have somehow managed to get everything ready apart from that last present. Why is this one always the most difficult? Soon it will be time to enjoy the festivities.
Our thoughts go out to those who cannot be with their families at this special time. We think of those who fulfil a vital role in the emergency services and the Armed Forces. Their roles demand high commitment and are often dangerous. They must be particularly difficult to fulfil over the Christmas period. We applaud them.
To all of you we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Extra News Wins 
Rod Simpson and Carol McFarland receive the award for Best Parish Newsletter from HAPTC's Jane Harrap
Organisation of the 2008 Romsey Arts Festival is now underway and the Festival Committee, under its new Chairman, Malcolm Creese, had its first meeting on the 9th October. The festival committee is an ‘enabling' one which co-ordinates the festival and offers encouragement and advice to participants. It also raises funding for the festival brochure etc.
For 2008 the committee is keen to expand the festival into Romsey Extra and beyond. This would mean bringing festival events to areas outside the town itself. There is also a desire to encourage even more engagement by young people in the festival.
Potential participating groups should make themselves known to Barry Marsh on 01794 511590. If there are individual participants who might find it difficult to arrange their own funding, ticketing and staffing for their own event, they can contact us and we will see what we can do to help.
Romsey Arts Festival
Some months back we entered Extra News in a competition for parish newsletters as part of the Hampshire Community Magazine Awards organised by the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils. We were surprised and delighted to be told that we had won the award in the parish newsletter section.
On the 7th November at the Guildhall in Winchester we received our award and, more impressively, a cheque for £150. Not bad going considering the opposition.
We are using part of the award to fund the extra cost of a colour version of the newsletter this month. We hope you like it.
Stop Press
Whilst preparing this newsletter we were told that we have been awarded Quality Parish Status. We are now one of only two parishes in Test Valley who have achieved quality status. We will report later on the formal award ceremony.
Chairman's Report
Another year has gone by and here we are at Christmas. It is not every year a parish can expect to win an award for something it has done. The newsletter award was unexpected and very heartening. To have our efforts recognised by an outside body was very welcome indeed and to win £150 in the process, was the icing on the cake! We will put this money into this special Christmas edition of the newsletter.
As Chairman, I attend many events in the run up to Christmas but am always so impressed with the ones where young people's achievements during the year are applauded. The Certificate Presentation evenings at Mountbatten and Romsey Schools are such events. These schools have such a wonderful atmosphere on these occasions.
This has been a year of much debate about future housing development. Romsey Extra has been a focus for the debate within the Local Plan and will continue to be a focus within the South East Plan. Where additional development is agreed in Southern Test Valley, in response to Government pressure, we will continue to seek a reasonable distribution throughout the whole of the area and not just in Romsey Extra.
Council Meetings
Council Meeting Dates: The Council generally meets at 7.15pm in the council chamber of the TVBC Offices, Duttons Road, Romsey. The March meeting next year will be at 7.30 pm in the Crosfield Hall, Romsey. You are always welcome to attend and there is a short section at the start of each meeting which is set aside for public participation.
The dates of our next 4 meetings are: Thursday 11th January 2007 Thursday 8th February 2007 Thursday 8th March 2007* Thursday 12th April 2007
* In the Crosfield Hall
Public Transport Matters
These are changing times for public transport and to best see how the bus services should be organised in the future, Hampshire County Council are carrying out Passenger Transport Area Reviews.
These are being done because bus industry costs are rising 9% nationally due to staff, fuel and insurance costs and Government funding to local authorities is only rising by 2.3-3%. If nothing were done some people would be left without transport. People's travel patterns are also changing. People now live further from their work, tend to shop weekly, spend evenings by their TV's rather than going out and car ownership is higher.
The reviews are being carried out by survey and use of the 2001 Census to show likely demand coupled with analysis of journey times to key services such as employment, food and retail, education and health.
From the results and discussion with stakeholders, preferred options will emerge. Some elements may be suitable for early implementation whilst others will be included in the regular area re-tendering. The whole intent is to best match services to actual demand and real need using the most appropriate form of transport. This covers local buses, school buses, Cango, Call & Go, Dial-a-Ride, taxi-share etc.
Within the bus industry itself changes are already taking place. There are increases in awareness of public transport and also increasing environmental awareness. This has been the first full year of free travel for concessionary passholders. This has all demonstrated a potential for organic growth.
New technology on buses will allow smart cards to be used that will avoid paper tickets. Vehicle tracking will provide real time information to bus operators on the location of their buses.
There are two big issues that will dictate the shape of bus provision over the next few years. These are: · Expansion and funding of free travel for senior citizens and disabled people. · To regulate or not to regulate? There is a National Scheme coming in 2008 that will provide free concessionary travel throughout England for which the Government is making an extra £250m available. Much of this may well be taken up by such authorities as the London boroughs and the scheme will be left for local authorities to administer. Government are now debating whether to deregulate or require a greater form of regulation.
On the railways, the new South West Trains franchise starts on 4 Feb 2007. Key features of the new franchise include the diversion of the Romsey - Totton trains to Salisbury with calls at Mottisfont & Dunbridge and Dean, use of smart cards, car park improvements and accessibility improvements. Changing times indeed.
Website www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/romseyextra
When a planning application that affects you has been submitted, it is important that your comments are made in time. We also would like to know your views in order that we can take these into account when we consider our response.
Planning applications that we will be considering at our next meeting are always shown on the website. Please check when we will be discussing the application that concerns you and either write to us with your views or come along to the meeting itself. We will hear your views at the start of the meeting to avoid holding you up.
Romsey Extra Loses Two Former Councillors
Edwin Thompson, Councillor from June 1999 to April 2001, died on 27 June 2006. He had previously served as a Town Councillor and Mayor in Dawlish. Although long-retired from the teaching profession, he was co-opted to REPC after complaining about the state of the bus shelter by Woodley Grange. Edwin was an "old school" councillor bringing much dignity and respect to the office. He was vice-chairman in 2000.
Peter Minns died on 6 September 2006. He had been a councillor from 1995 to 1999 and chairman in 1996. Peter had previously been a Test Valley Borough Councillor and Romsey Town Councillor. Among his many interests, he was an active member of Amnesty International and was founder of the Romsey Group of Friends of the Earth.
Peter was involved in amateur theatre and was the moving force behind The Circus of Time pageant held in Romsey Abbey to celebrate the millennium. He always put more into our community than he ever took out. His positive view of the world and his constant charm were always refreshing and inspirational.
Household Waste Recycling Centre in Highwood Lane
Hampshire County Council recently announced a proposal for a new Household Waste Recycling Centre for Romsey. The proposal was as a result of a study which looked at options for redevelopment of the existing site at Bunny Lane or relocation to a new site. The result of this study, according to HCC's Projects Manager, was that the only viable option was to relocate to the Luzborough Depot in Highwood Lane. The Luzborough Depot is currently used by the County Council for the storage of chippings.
The Luzborough Depot on the corner of Botley Road and Highwood Lane
It was claimed that this option offered best ‘value for money', was nearer to Romsey and had good road access. The design features of the new site would have included ‘split level design', with an upper area for customer parking and a lower area for container servicing. This would have avoided the need to carry waste material up to the top of skip level . The 'split level' would have also avoided the need for closure of the depot whilst containers were being moved as currently happens at the Bunny Lane site. The proposal did include additional recycling facilities. The depot was to be fenced with 2.4m security fencing and supplementary planting put in on the boundaries. The design was based on the existing Alton Waste Recycling Centre. Widening of Highwood Lane would have been carried out in the vicinity of the centre to 7.3m and improvements made to the visibility when leaving the facility.
We were very unhappy with this proposal and did not accept that the Highwood Lane site was the only viable option. We lodged our formal objection to the proposal. To say that it had good road access completely disregarded the effect traffic accessing and potentially queuing to enter the site would have on Highwood Lane. This is already an overused road. The junction of Highwood Lane and Botley Road is close to the entrance to the depot. One of our fears was that vehicles queuing to enter the recycling depot at busy times would queue back to the junction causing traffic chaos.
The junction of Highwood Lane with Botley Road
The site is also not that far from residential development in Highwood Lane and Whitenap and would be bound to afford nuisance to these properties. If relocation was really necessary then other sites should have been sought.
Just as we went to press, we have learnt that the County Council have decided to block the proposal for a waste recycling depot at Highwood Lane. There will be minor improvements to the facilities at Bunny Lane to minimise problems there. An investigation will also be started into the need for large strategic household waste recycling centres and possible deployment of smaller bin type recycling facilities. We welcome this decision as we were firmly of the view that the Highwood Lane site was not the right choice for relocation of Romsey's Waste Recycling facility.
Ashfield Tyre Dump 
As we went to print, the County Council had not made a decision on whether to grant Afropa consent to carry out tyre shredding operations at Ashfield. This decision may have come this month.
Currently discussions are understood to be taking place in relation to some of the details of the application which are not considered to be satisfactory. Whether a revised application needs to be made or not has still to be clarified. Importantly, it seems that requested further outstanding information about the proposed equipment is one of the factors to be resolved.
Whatever decision is finally made, we do hope that if consents are granted they have regard to both the short term environmental and long term planning effects. The application we saw did not, in our view, satisfy either of these.
Planning for the Future
Work is underway by the Borough Planners to prepare the replacement for the Local Plan and look ahead to longer term planning. The new planning documentation is called the Local Development Framework (LDF). It will replace the Local Plan over the next few years. The new planning system is more flexible but also more complicated.
The LDF will be made up of a number of documents. Discussions have just started about the main document called ‘The Core Strategy'. In line with the South East Plan, which determines development requirements, ‘The Core Strategy' covers the period to 2026. The South East Plan has been prepared by SEERA and will replace the Hampshire Structure Plan and Regional Planning Guidance for the South East. Examination started last month and the final version will be issued in 2008. ‘The Core Strategy' needs to be in conformity.
What will not be contained in ‘The Core Strategy' are site specific allocations or proposals. It provides a framework for other documents such as Area Action Plans which will detail development allocations.
Key themes of ‘The Core Strategy' will be: · How many houses and broad locations. · Positions of gaps between settlements. · Contributions towards infrastructure. · New issues such as renewable energy.
We will be involved in consultations on ‘The Core Strategy', anxious that policies meet community development needs in Romsey Extra in a reasonable way.
History Spot
STANBRIDGE EARLS 
The name Stanbridge Earls is derived from a local stone bridge 'Stanbridge' over the Test and that the manor house, was once the residence of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, although the estates history predates Mortimer. It was the initial burial site for the Saxon King Ethelwulf before his remains were exhumed and moved to Winchester Cathedral where they still lie today. Indeed, his ghost is said to haunt main house today as 'the monk', if you believe such stories.
By 1450, the original estate had been split into three separate estates, Stanbridge Earls, Ranvilles and Ervilles. They were purchased and reunited by John Kirkby. The Kirkbys owned Stanbridge Earls until it was taken from them in 1652 because they had supported King Charles 1 during the Civil War'. Its new owner, Roger Gollop, was a Parliamentarian and magistrate of Southampton.
The estate was passed down the family until it was sold to John Fifield in 1703. A relative, another John Fifield, inherited it in 1748. In his time the building fell into disrepair. Fifield's son set about rebuilding the house after he inherited it. His son-in-law, Charles Hall, took over the estates until he committed suicide at Stanbridge Earls in 1870. In the following year, Florence Nightingale's father, William, bought Stanbridge. The property passed to another daughter, Lady Verney who sold it to Sir Basil Montogomery in 1895. Sir Basil added new sections including two three-storey wings at either end. The house was sold to Henry Hansard in 1905. Lord Greenway, perhaps the most flamboyant of Stanbridge's owners, bought Stanbridge in 1917.
In 1942, during the Second World War, Stanbridge Earls became the first ‘Flak Shack' - a rest and relaxation home for American Air Force Officers. Roke Manor served a similar function. In the same year, the estate was broken into lots and auctioned. Walter Hutchinson, the last private owner of the estate, bought the house and around 60 acres. His publishing business went under some time after his death in 1950, although his name survives as in the Hutchinson's Encyclopaedia. The estate then came under control of the Army and some years later was finally auctioned off. Having originally covered around 900 acres and fishing rights to the River Test, only 50 acres now remain as part of Stanbridge Earls School. The rest is mainly farmland.
News of Other Organisations
Contact List of Groups, & Facilities
Carers Forum & Carers Club -anne@meader.com Diabetes Aware - 01794 515126 Mobile Library 023 80 267393 NOMADS - amateur dramatics - ticket sales 01794 523578 or 02380 348317 Romsey Acorns Out of Schools Clubs - 02380 735744 Romsey Citizens Advice - 01794 516378 Romsey Dial-A-Ride - 01794 521515 Romsey Sea Cadets - 01794 514387 Test Valley Community Services - 01794 519998 Scouts - Romsey District Scout Council - Mr D Sutton 01794 502817 Woodley Village Hall Booking Mrs Garland -01794 523473 Youth in Romsey - 01794 500581 If you're a woman with a business idea & you want help to progress call 08454 58 85 58 or visit www.businesslinkwessex.co.uk/women
Farmers Market
 For more information about your nearest Hampshire farmers' market or for a free leaflet detailing all the markets for 2007, visit www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk or telephone 01420 588671. Leaflets are also available at libraries and Tourist Information Centres across Hampshire.
Woodley Village Hall
The Hall Committee has decided to look at improvements to the Hall and to seek finance for this from the Big Lottery Fund for Community Buildings. They have already engaged an architect to advise.
In January, they will be consulting current and possible new users and members of the community on their thoughts. Please be on the look out for questionnaires to make your views known on improvements you would like to see.
Romsey Allotment Holders Association
Membership continues to expand at the 143 plot Romsey Allotment Holders Association site opposite the Rapids on Southampton Road. It has attracted new, younger members looking to grow their own healthy crop of vegetables whilst providing valuable exercise. www.romseyallotments.org.uk
Phil Evans, Secretary commented at the recent AGM "The threat of losing the allotments to developers is still with us". Hopefully the long history of the Association, started in 1942 coupled with local community spirit will help us maintain this valuable local resource for Romsey people.
The Association have put in an application to the BBC to host Gardeners Question time in 2007 and are now waiting expectantly for the BBC's reply.
Romsey Youth Council
Romsey Youth Council's recent activities have included a Halloween Ball held at the Crosfield Hall on the 21st October. It was a well attended fun evening with some fantastically inventive costumes on show. A great night out for all.
The Council was also active on Late Night Shopping Night on Friday 8th December. To round off the year a ‘Christmas Rave' was held at the Crosfield Hall on Saturday 16th December which provided a fitting start to the Christmas festivities.
Plans are already being discussed for events in 2007, so if you are in senior school and would like to join in Youth Council activities do go along to one of their meetings. For details see: www.ryc.org.uk
Woodley & Crampmoor Friendship Club
The club meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in Woodley Village Hall at 2 pm and is open to members over 55. Interest is provided with slide shows, talks, demonstrations, bingo and some social time (chat) at each meeting.
Meetings for the next three months are: Jan 3rd - Poetry and Fun - Mrs Patricia Morris Jan 17th - Hitchhiking in Wartime - Mrs Margaret Frost Feb 7th - AGM and Bingo Feb 21st - Amazon Adventure - Mr Gordon Massie Mar 7th - Tools for Self Reliance - Mr Chris West Mar 21 - Introduction to Moths - Mr Philip Budd
Feedback e-mail us at carol_mcfarland@hotmail.com
We welcome any feedback you might have on any issues raised in this newsletter or any other issues that concern you in the local area. Your feedback will help us to confirm that we are representing the general views of the parish as well as identifying particular problems that we are not aware of. We welcome any comments you might have and your participation in our activities. Please send them to the Clerk at the address on Page 1 or e-mail as above.
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