|
st July
Celebration of 90 summers
in Emsworth
A special exhibition is being
held to commemorate 90 years of a horticultural society.
The month-long show is behind held at Emsworth Museum from July 4.
The exhibition on the RHS award-winning Emsworth Horticultural
Society will document the significant part it has played in local
life, from providing space for vegetable growing, to organising the
annual show on August bank holiday.
There will be photos and artefacts on display.
It is open Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
The News 01 July 2009
26th June
Hospital plans
put in doubt by cash crisis
Plans for a new £38m hospital are under threat
because the NHS fears there may not be enough money to pay for it.
Work was originally due to start on the state-of-the-art community
hospital in Havant this summer after a decade in the pipeline.
But the recession has forced NHS Hampshire bosses to review every
major project across the county. Throughout June all work on NHS
projects has stopped.
And a crunch board meeting in July will look at the affordability of
all its schemes –- including
Oak Park Hospital.
Inger Hebden, director of capital planning at NHS Hampshire, said a
reduction in future government funding meant they may not have
enough money to pay off the loan needed for the hospital.
'We are taking stock of all our finances during June and will not be
making any decisions until we can make sure we can afford it.
'I'm still hopeful (the hospital can be built) but not as confident
as before. We need to concentrate on making sure that we provide all
the services that Havant patients need even if we can't do
everything we wanted to do.'
The hospital, which was given the go-ahead by Havant Borough Council
in February, is aimed at taking the strain off the new Queen
Alexandra 'superhospital' in Cosham by treating 25,000 out-patients
every year.
Havant War Memorial
Hospital was due to close when
Oak Park was built but Mrs Hebden said it would
remain open – along with 23 in-patient beds – for the foreseeable
future.
Havant MP David Willetts said: 'I am very worried that this
community hospital has been promised to us for years.
'It's an important part of the healthcare in our area. They are
reviewing their finances and it's not yet dead.
'But the government has run out of money – they have completely
messed up the education and health budget and we in Havant are the
victims.
'I don't think this is the death knell, but there is a real question
mark over it now.'
Chris Curry, an Emsworth resident who fought against the closure of
Emsworth Cottage Hospital in 2007, said: 'We would be very
disappointed if the hospital wasn't built because we had a long term
vision.
The News
26 June 2009
22nd June
Calling All Gardening Guru’s
Last year Havant Borough Council scooped Silver Gilt in the large
town/small city category in South and South East in Bloom
competition. This year HBC are going for gold! Judging will take
place on the Friday 10th July.
HBC
are calling all gardeners on the judges’ route in Emsworth, Leigh
Park, Warren Park, Warblington and Hayling Island, to display a
poster in the window of their homes, businesses and schools if they
wish to take part and support the South and South East in Bloom (SSEIB)
competition.
Councillor David Collins,
portfolio holder for environment and open spaces said:” We are very
proud of our borough and our parks and open spaces are areas of
natural beauty.
“We
know that many residents and businesses share in our pride with
beautiful floral displays in window boxes hanging baskets and
allotments. We embrace their continued support and would encourage
people to take part in this event and go for gold!”
The competition ‘ SSEIB’ is run by the Royal Horticultural Society
and is our regional competition. The council enters the borough to
compete against other local authorities, looking at the quality of
our parks, landscape and green environment. The aim is to improve
and regenerate our local environment through the imaginative use of
plants, shrubs, flowers and trees. Conservation and recycling
projects together with clearing our streets of litter, graffiti and
vandalism also play a major part.
Havant borough is very fortunate to have an abundance of green open
space, parks and many areas of natural beauty to take pride in and
care for. And residents of the borough are invited to share in that
pride.
Emsworth Memorial Garden also won the Community Action Award in last
year’s competition as well.
Source:
Havant Borough Council
19th June
Sunshine, Seals & the
Solar Heritage
With sunshine forecast for
this weekend, why not make the most of it and come along on our
Solar Heritage trip on Sunday morning (21 June). The commentary will
be about Harbour Nature so you will be able to learn more about the
Solent Seal project, find out about the thousands of birds that rely
on Chichester Harbour and much more.
The boat trip departs from Itchenor at 11am for 1.5 hours. Please
book in advance on 01243 513275. Adults £7, children up to 16 years
£3.50.
19th
June
19th
June
Controversial plans of
shellfish trader approved!
A controversial
plan to start up a new fishmonger stall in Emsworth given the
go ahead by Havant Borough Council at its Licensing Committee on
Wednesday. Businessman Jimmy Cairns applied for a licence to sell
cooked shellfish and freshly caught fish from an old-fashioned cart
on the promenade
He was given permission on the basis he would only sell shellfish
and not fresh fish. The hand cart will be located to the north of
the footbridge on the Emsworth promenade.
The committee
granted consentsubject to the following conditions:
(a) the trader being permitted to sell local caught fish and cooked
shellfish only;
(b) trading to be permitted within the location marked ‘X’ on the
attached plan (;
(c) trading to be permitted between the hours of 10am to 5pm, Monday
through to Sunday; and
(d) the trader complies with the following environmental health
legislation
The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006
Regulation (EC) 852/2004
Regulation (EC) 853/2004
Regulation (EC) 178/2002
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
And any subsequent amendments to the above legislation
(e) any such conditions as the Council solicitor may consider
appropriate
Fears have been
raised it could harm trade for the town's only other fishmonger. (
see previous report)
Source:
Havant Borough Council
18th June
MPs’ expenses have
been published today on the internet
Details of claims made by the Havant MP, David Willetts including
the infamous lightbulb claim made in 2005, are now available online.
Like all MPs, Mr Willetts was allowed to go through the forms to
black out certain details.
More on the House of Commons website:
www.parliament.uk
17th June
The Emsworth Show 2009
Preparations are well underway for this year’s Show which takes
place on August 31st (Bank Holiday Monday) on the Jubilee Recreation
Ground on the Horndean Road, Emsworth. The Society was formed
(initially for allotment holders) in 1919 so this is our 90th year
and we have plans to celebrate this, some of which take place at the
2009 Show.
A second marquee will be used to give demonstrations of flower
arrangements, food preparation and beekeeping. Some of our judges
will be holding a gardening clinic here, so bring your gardening
problems to the experts and don’t forget your samples if you can
bring them, for help in identifying your problem. Another of our
judges will be stationed inside the marquee to explain why entries
have or have not done well.
Yet another (small) tent will contain a time line of the Society and
a display of the gardening tools which would have been used in some
of the various decades since 1919.
Entrance to the Show remains at £2 per head (under 12s free) plus £2
per car if you wish to park in the Show Ground Car Park.
SCHEDULES
These are now available at the EHS Distribution Hut at the
Washington Road allotment site on Sunday mornings (10am till noon)
and from local Libraries and from the Tourist Information Centre at
Beachlands on Hayling Island. Please note last year’s entrants will
have their schedule delivered, by hand or post. Anyone who entered
last year and does not receive a schedule by the end of June, should
contact us and we will put that right.
This year, as an experiment, we have printed an extract from the
main schedule for the children and young person’s classes. These
will be held by local schools who will give them to their pupils on
request. If anyone else would like one, please contact us.
To contact us, please see the contacts page.
Classes at the Show include flower arrangements, handicrafts,
cookery and photography as well as the horticultural classes of
vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Something for everyone, so why not have a go!
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE SHOW
This year we are pleased to be able to confirm the return of Jez
Avery who was so much enjoyed a few years ago. Also we have retained
the services of children’s entertainer Andy Cadabra, visiting the
Emsworth Show for the first time. There will also be a full
programme including Falconry, Dog training and the T.S.Unity Band.
After receiving requests from the public, we hope to post the full
time tables for both arenas by about mid August on
www.emsworthhorticultralsociety.org.uk
.
13th June
Havant Borough Local
Development Framework Core
Strategy
andResidential Car Parking and Cycle Provision Supplementary
Planning Document Consultation
Havant Borough Council is
formally consulting on the Core Strategy - Draft (Regulation 25) and
the Residential Car Parking Supplementary Planning Document
(Regulation 17). The consultation period is from the 12th June 2009
until the 24th July 2009. The Core Strategy is part of the Local
Development Framework and sets out the overall development
distribution strategy for the future of the borough over the next 20
years together with polices for determining planning applications
and identifies nine strategic development sites.
At the same time there is consultation on the Residential Car
Parking and Cycle Provision Supplementary Planning Document
(Regulation 17). This sets out the proposed residential car and
cycle parking standards for the borough.
The Core Strategy and the Residential Car Parking Supplementary
Planning Document are available at the following locations; Havant
Borough Council Civic Offices (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm);
Havant library (Monday, Tuesday 9.00am to 5.30pm, Wednesday 9.00am
to 1.00pm, Thursday 9.30am to 6pm, Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm, Saturday
9.00am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm); Hayling Island The Bridge
Centre, Manor Road (Tuesday to Thursday 9.30 to 12.00); Visitor
Information Centre, Beachlands (every day 9.30 to 5.30), Post
Office, 5 Elm Grove, Mengham (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm,
Saturday 9.00am to 12.30pm); Emsworth library (Monday 9.30am to 1pm,
Tuesday, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday Closed,
Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 7pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm, Sunday
closed); Leigh Park library (Monday, Tuesday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday
Closed, Thursday, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm Sunday
closed); Waterlooville library (Monday, Tuesday, Saturday 9.30am to
5pm, Wednesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 7pm, Friday 9am to
7pm, Sunday closed).
Consultations on the web:
www.havant.gov.uk/havant-9117
Public exhibitions of the proposals will be held at the Pastoral
Centre, High Street, Emsworth on 16th June; at Mengham Road in
Mengham on 18th June; at London Road pedestrian precinct,
Waterlooville on 20th June and 10th July; in the Meridian Centre,
Havant on 27th June; at Park Parade, Leigh Park on 9th July and at
Havant market, West Street on 14th July. All these exhibitions will
be staffed between 10am and 2pm. An evening exhibition will be
staffed at the Civic Offices on 18th June (4.30pm to 7.30pm).
Any queries about the Local Development Framework, please contact
us. Planning Policy and Urban Design, Havant Borough Council, Civic
Centre Road, Havant, Hants, PO9 2AX.
Tel: 023 92 446539
Source Havant Borough Council
12th June
Opposition to shellfish
plan
AN entrepreneur may be thwarted in his attempt to set up a
traditional fish stall in Emsworth.
Businessman Jimmy Cairns has
applied for a licence to sell shellfish from an old-fashioned cart
on the picturesque promenade.
But he has come under fierce opposition – as it could jeopardise one
of the town's most prominent family businesses.
M R Starr, Butchers in High Street, which also sells fresh fish, said it
may have to lay off staff if Mr Cairns is given the go-ahead.
Michael Starr has owned the shop for 19 years and says he is already
struggling.
'I have to pay wages and rates for 12 months a year while he will
pay a tenth of that and soak up all the summer trade,' the
64-year-old said.
'There is no doubt that I will have to let the girl who works on the
fish counter go because I can't compete with that.
'And that means Emsworth will be left with no fishmonger in the
winter.
'I don't want to make someone unemployed but I'll have no choice.
'If he was opening up a shop I would accept that because we'd be on
a level playing field but he isn't.'
Two of the three Emsworth ward councilors support the plans and a
petition put before Havant Borough Council has 324 signatures in
support of Mr Cairns.
But Brendan Gibb-Gray, Emsworth councilor and chairman of the
Emsworth Business Association, is opposing the application.
He said: 'Whilst I'm an advocate of competition, I like competition
to be fair.
'It does sound like a good idea and if we didn't have a fish shop
already I would agree, but we have.
'Do we just want someone who is active for a few months or do we
want someone who sells a wide range throughout the year?
'I've spoken to a lot of people who think it is a really good idea
but fish is a precarious thing to sell and it could mean someone at
Starr's loses their job.'
Havant's licensing committee will meet next Wednesday to discuss the
issue.
Mr Cairns was not available for comment.
The News 12 June
11th June
Trader appoints
administrator
The Tarquin Boat Company, which manufactures and sells the Trader
range of motor yachts employing 18 people at its Emsworth boatyard,
has
appointed an
administrator.
Trader MD Tony
Chappell commented about his firm appointing an administrator.
He said: "Like many in the yachting industry, the banking crisis of
autumn 2008 caused a reduction in new boat orders, which has led to
the current situation.
"However, along with the first indicators of economic recovery,
interest in new boat orders has increased in the second quarter of
2009.
"Obviously I feel disappointed that a business that has been so
successful for more than thirty years is now in a position where it
must be restructured in order to move forward.
"But I remain optimistic for the future of Trader, as it is one of
the most innovative and popular UK cruising yacht brands."
He promised it was far from the end of the Trader marque: "I would
like to thank the customers and staff who have supported Trader over
the years, making it one of the
UK's
top cruising yacht brands.
Carl Faulds and James Tickell of Portland Business and Financial
Solutions were appointed administrators on Tuesday 9 June.
They are inviting potential buyers for the business to come forward,
and say already some Trader owners have expressed an interest in
investing in the company's future.
A spokesman for Portland Business and Financial Solutions told MBY:
"Our role very much is trying to deal with existing boats which are
in production and looking for buyers.
"We have only been involved for 24 hours but it is a sign of the
times. People are not spending the kind of money on luxury goods
that businesses like this need them to.
"They have got current orders and we're working through them but in
terms of the future they have suffered a drop-off.
"We're still trying to work through where each sale is at. Customers
are being contacted as we do so."
However he asked any Trader customers or potential buyers to get in
touch with Portland.
The firm does not have any stock boats to sell off.
Family-run firm Tarquin are the highest profile UK marine industry
victim of the recession so far.
CEO Tony Chappell has been a key figure in the
UK
marine business for the past 30 years, selling boats to customers
worldwide from his Emsworth base.
The news will send shockwaves throughout the industry and perhaps
persuade other builders to tighten their belts yet further until the
economy shows signs of improving.
Trader unveiled plans for their innovative 38 Sprint in November
last year to wide acclaim, selling the first boat off-plan.
Earlier this year the firm unveiled their impressive Trader 75, a
new flagship and a move into the lucrative big boat market.
The launch was timed to coincide with the marque's 30th anniversary.
Source: Motor Boat and
Yachting
11th June
100 per cent start as
Emsworth lose derby
HAYLING Island Cricket Club started the season in blistering form
with both the senior teams winning their first two games with ease.
Unusually the first game for
both teams was against local rivals Emsworth.
The games were characterised by excellent team performances with a
few notable mentions, young "Swanny" scored 49 and "Gorvy" picked up
3-11 for the Seconds.
In the firsts, it was mainly a top quality performance by all the
bowlers which won the day as they shared the spoils.
Both the Seconds matches were equally enthralling with the Firsts
again thumping Gosport II thanks to some fine batting from J Jones
(46) and M Mcdowell hitting 42.
There were also excellent all-round bowling performances from A
Shayegan and R Poole, who bagged three wickets each.
The Seconds beat Locks Heath III with Gary Martin scoring a top
drawer 72, assisted ably by a young at heart Rob Cordell 47.
Hayling Islander 11 June 2009
10th June
Exhibition
for Emsworth school centenary
The history of a school which
is now 100 years old is being told in an exhibition. Emsworth Museum
has reminiscences, artefacts and photos from former pupils taught at
the Washington Road Primary School.
It opened as a council-run junior school in 1909 and is now the home
of Glenwood School for children with learning disabilities.
Some of Emsworth's oldest families were taught there and have
contributed to the exhibition. There are also recordings of pupils
from more than 80 years ago.
The museum is open Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sundays
2.30pm to 4.30pm. The exhibition runs throughout June.
For more information go to
www.emsworthmuseum.co.uk or call 01243 373780.
The News 10 June 2009
7th June
Tories romp home in
Emsworth
Unsurprisingly, Emsworth remained blue, on a greatly reduced turn
out, with the election of Ray Bolton as a County Councillor but with a reduced share of
the vote, down by 4.4% compared to his predecessor , David Gillett
in 2005. Likewise, Labour were driven into last place
behind the Greens with their share of the result reduced by 10.7%
For the first time UKIP had a candidate and came third in the poll
impacting on the other parties.
|
Results for
Emsworth and St Faith's (Havant District) 2009
|
|
|
|
2005 |
2009 |
|
|
Party |
Percentage of
vote |
Percentage of
vote |
Percentage
Change |
|
Conservative Party |
51.03% |
46.66% |
-4.37% |
|
Liberal
Democrats |
25.27% |
24.46% |
-0.81% |
|
UKIP |
|
11.98% |
11.98% |
|
Green
Party |
6.99% |
8.10% |
1.11% |
|
Labour
Party |
16.71% |
6.03% |
-10.68% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turn out |
70.6% |
45.4% |
--25.2% |
29th May
Havant Literary
Festival judges are unveiled
The judges of competitions at the Havant Literary
Festival have been announced.
The second annual festival will run from September 25 to October 4
with a full programme including talks from Fay Weldon, Maggie Gee
and Stella Duffy and a poet in a shed.
There are also several competitions being run in the run-up to the
event.
Emsworth author Vanessa Curtis will be one of the judges of the
children's short story competition which, along with the poetry
competition, has launched in schools across Havant.
The theme is 'other people's shoes' – tying in with one of the
festival's three main themes of crime, water and journeying.
The festival hopes young writers will be inspired to explore
alternative viewpoints, characters and situations. The other short
story judge is Jayne Woodhouse, who writes The Victorians for the
BBC. Southsea poet Maggie Sawkins will judge the poetry entries and
conduct workshops in some schools.
All the winners will receive their prize from a
VIP guest
at the festival's grand opening and prize giving ceremony at Havant
Arts Centre on September 25.
The News's education reporter, Siôn Donovan, who spearheaded the
News's Spread the Word literacy campaign last year, will judge the
adult short story competition which is also inspired by the
journeying theme.
The adult poetry competition has also now launched. The judge is
the widely published poet Anne Stewart.
The maximum number of lines is 40 on the theme 'water'.
E-mail
hlfnewsletter@googlemail.com for an application form – or
download one from
www.havantlitfest.org.uk Closing date is August 1.
The News 28 May 2009
20th May
A free festival at Staunton Park,
Havant that promises to deliver the very best in family
entertainment with a programme that explores on of our vital
resources - water! - Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th July 2009
The event is being put together by
the organisers of the Emsworth Food Festival, which was scrapped
last year as some residents and businesses thought it had become too
big for the town.
The water festival has been held in Winchester and Romsey over the
past few years and has attracted up to 10,000 people over two days.
Hampshire Water Festival 2009 will include:
-
FREE entry to event and
Staunton Park, including Gardens and Farm
-
Over 50 exhibitors to include
gardening and local food producers
-
Workshops and demonstrations of
water efficiency and conservation
-
Hands-on activities for the whole
family
-
Open daily from 10am to 5pm
-
Children’s activities
-
Live entertainment
For more information contact:
Lulu Bowerman – Event Organiser
Email: lulu.bowerman@googlemail.com
Tel: 023 9245 3405
Web:
www.hampshirewaterfestival.co.uk
Read the article in
The News
14 May
8th May
A&E
department to remain at St Richards Hospital
The service model proposed by clinicians and backed by Sir Graeme
Catto, which would keep A&E services in all three hospitals (St
Richards Hospital, Princess
Royal Hospital and Worthing
Hospital), has been approved by West Sussex Primary Care Trust at a board meeting
held today (07 May 2008).
Model three which did not feature in the original proposals and was
designed by clinicians during the consultation period last year
received overwhelming support at today’s board meeting held in
Haywards Heath.
John Wilderspin, Chief Executive of West Sussex PCT said the model
approved was the ‘best model for providing hospital care for people
in West Sussex’.
Speaking after the board he said: “This model has the support of the
local NHS and has been designed with the public’s views in mind. It
will ensure that the majority of people can still go to their local
A&E apart from those needing really specialist care who will be
better supported in a hospital with more specialist services. I
believe this is the best model for hospital services in West
Sussex.”
Sir Graeme Catto, President of the General Medical Council and
Independent Chair of the Options Assessment Panel, who looked at the
proposals for West Sussex said he was delighted that the board
approved model three. He said: “The case for change made by the PCT
was very clear. Healthcare cannot stand still and changes have to
be made. But the public’s voice was also clear – the majority did
not want to lose A&E services or see a reduction in health services
at their local hospital. By adopting this model for the people of
West Sussex, I think that the (West Sussex) PCT has listened to
clinicians and the public but at the same time has ensured the model
for hospital care is one that will last. Model three means health
services will remain local where possible and will only be
centralised where the benefits for patients are clear – such as
maternity services. I welcome this news. ”
A&E services will stay at Princess Royal, St Richard’s and Worthing
Hospitals, together with intensive care (treatment and monitoring
for people who are in a critically ill, or unstable, condition),
routine planned surgery (when a patient goes into hospital on a
specific day, for a specific operation, such as a hernia repair) and
acute medical emergencies, for example heart attacks.
There will be the gradual centralisation to one hospital site of
some services: consultant-led maternity services, inpatient
children’s services, emergency surgery, for example acute
appendicitis and the majority of trauma cases, including hip
fractures. These changes will be supported by the development of
services in primary and community care and increased investment in
the ambulance service.
As well as the consultant-led maternity service, West Sussex PCT has
promised to increase the range of birthing options for local women
by providing two midwife-led units at other locations in West
Sussex; a service which is currently not available.
Source:
West Sussex PCT 7th
May 09
7th May
Residents set to fight plans for 700 homes
Neighbours say they are ready for a fight over proposals to build
hundreds of new homes on their doorstep.
People living in Emsworth say they will oppose a plan to build 700
new homes in the village over the next two decades.
They are angry as up to 90 per cent of those new homes could be on
green spaces.
The row comes as Havant Borough Council has forged ahead with
proposals to build 6,300 new homes in the borough to meet government
house building targets.
The council's executive voted at a meeting on Wednesday to put out
the report for public consultation in June.
Residents say they are going to make their views known during the
six-week consultation.
Pene Salter, of Birch Tree Drive, Emsworth, a member of Emsworth
Residents' Association, said: 'We are not going down without a
fight.
'This is just urban sprawl and we seem to be spreading concrete
across the whole of the region.
'We should be looking at refurbishing empty homes, rather than
building out.
'These fields are our green lungs and I just think it's criminal to
build on them.'
The council has not confirmed any sites in Emsworth that could be
developed in the new report, although other sites, such as Woodcroft
Farm in Waterlooville and Hayling
Island seafront have been confirmed as 'strategic' sites for development.
But last year, as part of an earlier council report, possible sites
for development were 280 homes in the Emsworth Gap, which is
farmland between the village and Westbourne, 227 homes to the west
and east of
Horndean Road and 123 dwellings at Horse Field, south
of the A259 in Emsworth.
Council leader Tony Briggs said all councils had a statutory duty to
produce house building targets.
He said: 'These are the numbers we have to provide between now and
2026.
'But we have always said the infrastructure has to be in place
before these properties are built.'
Asked whether the targets could be met, he added: 'In the present
economic climate, that is extremely doubtful.
'It's quite clear the housing numbers that have been allocated
across the country are not going to be achieved in the present
economic climate.'
The News 05 May 2009
7th May
The News 05 May 2009
7th May
CCTV in the Havant Borough
Havant
Borough Council is investing in the future of CCTV in the
borough
Havant Borough Council agreed to some major changes in CCTV
provision within the borough on the 25th of March 2009, following an
extensive evidence-based review of the current scheme.
The review of current CCTV provision has been conducted to ensure
that a more focused and future proof system is in place to tackle
crime and anti-social behaviour in identified areas of need across
the Havant Borough. The findings of the recent review along with
strategic recommendations were presented at the meeting on Wednesday
25 March.
Making the borough a safer place to live, work and visit and
tackling anti-social behaviour and crime are key objectives of the
Havant Borough Council Community Strategy, the Corporate Strategy
and the Crime and Disorder Strategy. The provision of public space
CCTV is an important element in achieving these aims as part of a
fully co-ordinated partnership approach to community safety.
As part of the recent review, a comprehensive technical survey of
the Havant CCTV command and control system was undertaken, which
found that the current system has outlived its useful life. The
system is in need of a complete overhaul and upgrading to digital
recording technology. Many of the camera units are outdated and
spare parts are no longer available. With new technology appearing
on the market it was felt that it was time to review the current
system.
At the meeting on the 25th of March it was decided that:
26th
April
24th
April
St George's Day
Video
Courtesy of
The News
23rd
April
Proud day in
Emsworth as the cross of St George flies high
The cross of St George was flying high in Emsworth
today (Thursday, April 23) as the town held a major celebration of
the patron saint.
The
main feature of the celebration was a parade from the 47
Regiment Royal Artillery based at Thorney
Island who marched into a packed St
Peter's Square, lead by a HVM Stormer vehicle.
Each member of the regiment was given an Imjin flower to
mark the battle of the Imjin
River in the Korean war, which is also remembered on April 23 every year.
Men who served in
Korea and Chelsea
pensioners were also at the parade to be presented with
the flower by the Mayor of Havant John Smith.
|
 |
Chairman of Emsworth Business Association Brendan Gibb-Gray said:
"It's absolutely amazing. The number of people has been brilliant.
We had many more people than we thought.
"I think it struck a cord with people. People have shown their pride
in the military in public and there were people crying, tears
rolling down their cheeks.
"The people of Emsworth have always been proud of our association
with the military but this is the first time we have had tanks
rolling up and down the street."
Mid Sussex Times:
23 April 2009
13th April
Steam
Hauled Train Marks Anniversary
The
150th anniversary of the opening of the 'Direct' Portsmouth Railway
between Farncombe in Surrey and Havant, which allowed rail
travellers between Portsmouth and London Waterloo to make their
journey by the most direct route via Guildford, rather than via
Eastleigh or Chichester was marked by a special strain hauled by
Britannia class 70013, Oliver Cromwell.
Until 1859 rail travellers were unable to travel
between Portsmouth and London via Guildford without travelling on a
stagecoach due to a dispute between London and South Western Railway
and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway companies, and in
fact the rivalry between the two companies led to the famous
'Battle of Havant'
in December 1858 where a train was chained across the new junction
at Havant. The dispute was shortly settled in the Courts and the
first train using the 'Direct Railway' between Havant and Farncombe
ran on 24th January 1859. Today this is still the most direct route
between Portsmouth and the capital with trains from Havant doing the
journey to London in 80 minutes.
The link about the Battle of Havant (above) is also
available in hard copy from the
Buriton Heritage Bank. Articles about the planning and
building of the 'Direct' Portsmouth Railway appeared in the
March/April (812 kb PDF ) and May/June
(388 kb , PDF ) 1947 issues of 'Railway Magazine'.
Source:
Havant Borough Council
Photo: Carol Swift
11th April
 New
Havant Tesco store approved
The new Tesco Store in Havant has
finally been given the green light after a controversial decision by
councillors. Havant Borough Council has voted to approve the
demolition of the Havant's Tesco to make way for a new store double
in size.
A new traffic light system will be installed at the junction of Park
Road South and Solent Road rather than the slip road as originally
planned.
The old store will close on April 19th
Melanie Chiswell, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said: 'We're
delighted to get approval for a better store.
'We look forward to seeing everybody in our new store at Christmas.'
3rd April
Havant District Pubwatch Launch
New Website
Picture courtesy of The News; Portsmouth Dozens of pubs in the
Havant and Waterlooville areas have joined a scheme which will make
it easy for bar staff to identify known troublemakers.
Called Havant District Pubwatch, the website will assist in bringing
the local Pubwatch community together.
On 12th January 2009, a presentation and proposal at Havant Borough
Council was put forward to licensees showing how this idea could be
put forward and how it could benefit the local community. A
unanimous and positive response was given and six weeks later, the
first part of the website was launched showing members of the public
what Havant District Pubwatch is all about.
At the time of writing, another part of the site, a secure section
reserved for licensees, is being designed.
Many pubs have been members of the existing Havant Pubwatch scheme
for years, but it has a limited effect, as it often means landlords
must call police for information about offenders. Now however, this
site will help unite the Pubwatch community on the south coast.
The secure members' section will have information only for
licensees, including details of people banned from pubs, access to
CCTV footage and easy communication features built into the site.
www.havant-district-pubwatch.co.uk
30th March
Sailors rescued from Chichester | 
