3rd October

Seafood Week - Oyster Talk Sell Out

Thursday evening saw the Mountford Rooms at the Emsworth Association Centre packed with an audience of over 200 Emsworth residents listening to an illustrated Talk on The Rise and Fall of the Emsworth Oyster Industry delivered by John Twedell, a former Vice Chairman of the Emsworth Food Festival and an enthusiastic promoter of the town.

John placed the Oyster Industry which reached its zenith towards the end of the nineteenth century in the context of the town’s history from Roman times to the present day.

The audience learnt that in the nineteenth century the growth of the industry from a small scale local affair to pre-eminence was mainly the result of two men’s endeavors, Jack Kennet and J D Foster. Between them they developed the oyster fishery on an industrial scale as well as the associated industries of ship building, sawmilling, timber and shipping. By 1900 over 400 were employed in the oyster fishery alone and 6 million oysters were being exported, mainly by the railway which had arrived in Emsworth in 1847, each year.

It was only in November 1902 that things went badly wrong when, following a municipal banquet in Winchester, at which Emsworth Oysters were served, the Dean of Winchester was taken ill with typhoid and subsequently died one other who having eaten Emsworth oysters there and else where. A Board of Trade Enquiry placed the blame firmly on the oysters which had been contaminated by the town’s recently installed sewage system which discharged raw sewage close to the oyster beds. The Sale of Emsworth oysters was immediately banded and the industry collapsed causing the associated trades to fall into a rapid decline.

Although the town recovered the oyster industry did not. During the twentieth century sevResidents Associationl attempts were made to re-establish oyster fishing but two world wars intervened and the economic and environmental conditions worked against these efforts.

Until the 1970’s the abandoned hulks of the oyster fishing fleet could be seen on the harbour fore shore until they were removed by the harbour conservancy. Today, only traces of the now badly eroded oyster ponds and pens remain and one or two local fisherman harvest the few remaining oysters between November and February.

On Sunday morning John will be leading a guided walk around the Emsworth Heritage Trail which is largely based on Emsworth’s maritime past.
 

22^nd October

England Expects………..

Proudly flying Nelson’s final signal to the fleet before the battle of Trafalgar, yesterday saw the official “launch” of the second Emsworth flower boat.   Restored and donated by Dolphin Quay Boat yard the boat was unveiled by Lulu Bowerman, chairman of the Emsworth Food Festival which had donated £5000 to the project.

Launched as a Part of the town’s seafood week the boat will provide a colourful display for those entering Emsworth from the west and compliments a similar boat at the eastern approach to Emsworth.

Brendan Gibb-Gray, chairman of the Emsworth Business Association, said: 'It went very well – the boat looks very good.
'The flags were the background to the boat and I'm particularly pleased that it was unveiled on Trafalgar Day.'

Monday saw the start of Emsworth’s first ever Seafood Week.   Organised by John Twedell, an Emsworth Resident, celebrate over one thousand years of maritime commerce in this picturesque Hampshire market town. During the week 19th to 25th October Emsworth cafes, hotels, pubs, restaurants and retail outlets will be offering special discounts, offers and special menus to recognise the town’s association with the fishing history at the centre of Chichester Harbour.

As part of the celebration John will give a talk on the rise and fall of the town's oyster industry on Thursday at 7.30pm in the community centre. Tickets cost £2 each and there are still some available in the Bluebell Inn, in South Street. This can be followed up by joining a guided walk around The Heritage Trail featuring the history of the oyster industry on Sunday morning.

For more information about the special promotions and menus on offer visit www.emsworthseasons.org.uk

Havant Borough Council has produced a leaflet (the leaflet may be downloaded HERE) which outlines the main findings from the review of the Emsworth Conservation Area and the Council is seeking on this. Any views expressed as part of this process will be considered when preparing the final draft for Council adoption. The full draft Character Appraisal, Management Plan and Area Map documents can be found on the Council’s website at www.havant.gov.uk and further hard copies can be sent on request.

A consultation evening is also planned to be held on the 29th October 2009 at the Emsworth Community Centre, Church Path, Emsworth between 17:00 and 19:00. Anyone wishing to attend the event should email planning.development@havant.gov.uk  or call (023) 9244 6546.
 

A second ‘flowering boat’, an old Danish lifeboat, is being installed at the western approach to the town on the A259. The ‘launch’ is scheduled to take place on Trafalgar Day, next Wednesday.   The lifeboat comes from a Danish ocean-going ship and was built in the 1930’s and after decommissioning was named Sea Kitten. This project is sponsored by the Emsworth Business Association and Emswortrh Food Festival and compliments the boat at the eastern approached to the town installed in 2007.

 Project co-ordinators Carol Haskett (GCS Computer Services) and Dave Wagg (Emsworth Home Hardware) wish to thank Tim Gilmore from Dolphin Quay boatyard for the boat and the makeover, J & D Castle the landscapers who constructed the project and Havant Borough Council for granting the licence.

The News 16-Oct-09
 

CELEBRATIONS IN EMSWORTH

Celebrations took place in recently, when the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Yvonne Weeks officially opened the town’s first stockbroking and financial advisory business.

Cllr Weeks was at the office of Edward Jones, based at 24 Queen Street and run by Stockbroker & Financial Adviser Richard Taylor.

Speaking at the opening The Deputy Mayor said, “This new business will give Emsworth its first stockbroking service coupled with financial advice. I am sure the Edward Jones ethos of offering an approachable and accessible facility will prove a great asset for the local area, and I wish them every success for the future.”

Added Richard Taylor, “I enjoy living and working in the area and am very pleased to be opening my new office where I will be offering services associated with both a stockbroker and financial adviser.”

Also joining in the celebrations was vetResidents Associationn Financial Adviser and Stockbroker of Edward Jones, Paul Murray. Mr Murray commented, “It is great to see Richard doing what Edward Jones does best – helping individual long term investors plan for their financial future and retirement.

“We find that in current market conditions people really appreciate the opportunity to sit down with their financial adviser and discuss the right course of action to help them achieve their long-term financial goals. That is why as a company we are expanding across the country and being both stockbrokers and financial advisers means we can offer clients a wide range of investment solutions.”

Richard Taylor added, “We are pleased to help all individual investors, regardless of their net worth and they are always welcome to call into the office.”
 

AS a part of Havant LitResidents Associationry Festival the Shed was the temporary home of Shedman, John Davies, a real live poet Shedman, conducted impromptu workshops, invited passers-by to tour his shed and accepted on the spot commissions for an ode or a sonnet. Shedman kindly wrote a poem to celebrate the occasion of Harry's birthday, Harry is an Emsworth resident and a retired journalist.

COUNCILLORS, residents and a Member of Parliament have spoken of their anger that plans for a new £38million hospital serving Emsworth are set to be scrapped.  Community leaders said they were "appalled" that Havant's new hospital – which has been in the pipeline for 30 years – will now not happe  NHS officials asked for the plans to be discontinued at a meeting at the end of September - claiming they can no longer afford the proposed Oak Park hospital's £3million annual running costs.

A Havant Residents' Association member said: "They have spent all this money on Queen Alexandra Hospital and we are losing out in Havant. I am appalled."

Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray said: "Which other area with a population of 120,000 hasn't got a community hospital? They can't afford it because they have put bureaucracy before beds."

Oak Park Community Hospital, at River Way, would have offered services such as diagnostics, endoscopy and a minor-injury unit as well as 25 in-patient beds and 24 elderly mental health beds.

Havant MP David Willetts plans to write a strongly-worded letter to NHS Hampshire's chief executive, Richard Popplewell.

Mr Willetts, who represents the Island, said: "This is not a list of luxury items – these are services which are taken for granted in most parts of Hampshire and yet are barely obtainable locally east of the A3."

The NHS Hampshire Board did not finally discontinue plans for the hospital because health officials must show how the services will be offered if no hospital is built.

Inger Hebden, director of capital planning for NHS Hampshire, said services could be provided by redeveloping the nearby Havant Health Centre and Oak Park Children's Centre, which opened in 2006, offering paediatric services.

She said: "I was disappointed when I first realised it might not be affordable. We quickly had to think about other options.

"Momentum has already started in seeing other ways of doing this. I think we will still be able to provide the quality of service that the people of Havant wanted for their hospital.

"The services are more important than the building."

Hayling Islander 02 October 2009

Mrs Brightwell took six children to the Co-op in Emsworth (30th Sept 2009) to collect the £7500 that had been raised for the school by the Co-op's Community Card.  She was accompanied by Mrs Simmonds, the chair of the SJA (St James' Association - the school's PTA body.)   The children had all come up with ideas for things that we could develop in the school grounds and were prize winners in the school's competition to genResidents Associationte ideas for improving our outdoors.
 They £15,000 was raised which was shared with us and Emsworth Primary School.  The schools are grateful to the SJA, whose idea this was, and to parents, who supported the school by using their Community Service card at the Co-op.

Scource: www.stjamesprimaryemsworth.co.uk

Lulu Bowerman (EFF Chairman) has announced that three projects have been selected to receive financial support from funds raised by the Emsworth Food Festival.  In January applications were invited from individuals or groups within the town and surrounding area to apply for financial support for projects which would provide something special for the town and the residents who live here. A total sum of £25000 was reported to be available.
 

The projects submitted were diverse and will benefit a variety of groups and ages in Emsworth.
 

The main recipient is “Bored in Emsworth” which will be run in conjunction with Emsworth Community Board to offer activities and support for teenagers in the local community. The funding is intended to ensure longevity for this scheme, which will work closely with local schools and the youth service.

A second project will be to improve the steps down to the foreshore from Kings Street to give increased access to more residents. Additional handrails will be installed as an aid for older residents who are struggling to use the steps in their current condition.

Finally, a contribution has been made to the Emsworth Business Association for a new landmark on the western approach to Emsworth on Havant Road.

RESIDENTS have spoken of their anger that plans for a new £38m hospital are set to be scrapped.  Community leaders said they were 'appalled' that Havant's new hospital – which has been in the pipeline for 30 years – will now not happen.

NHS officials asked for the plans to be discontinued at a meeting on Thursday as they can no longer afford the £3m annual running costs of the hospital.

Pat Sutton, from Havant Residents' Association, said: 'They have spent all this money on Queen Alexandra Hospital and we are losing out in Havant. I am appalled.'

Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray said: 'Which other area with a population of 120,000, as well as parts of east Hampshire, hasn't got a community hospital? They can't afford it because they have put bureaucracy before beds.'

Oak Park Community Hospital, at River Way, would have offered services such as diagnostics, endoscopy and a minor-injury unit as well as 25 in-patient beds and 24 elderly mental health beds.

Havant MP David Willetts plans to write a strongly-worded letter to NHS Hampshire's chief executive, Richard Popplewell.

He said: 'This is not a list of luxury items – these are services which are taken for granted in most parts of Hampshire and yet are barely obtainable locally east of the A3.'

The NHS Hampshire Board did not finally discontinue plans for the hospital, because health officials must show how the services will be offered if no hospital is built.

Inger Hebden, director of capital planning for NHS Hampshire, said services could be provided by redeveloping the nearby Havant Health Centre and Oak Park Children's Centre, which opened in 2006 and offers paediatric services.

She said: 'I was disappointed when I first realised it (the new hospital] might not be affordable. We quickly had to think about other options.

'Momentum has already started in seeing other ways of doing this. I think we will still be able to provide the quality of service that the people of Havant wanted for their hospital.

'The services are more important than the building.'

The News 26 September 2009

A group of Emsworth Residents have formed “The Friends of Emsworth Waysides”.

Supported by Havant Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, the group will try to conserve small areas that are, or could, be wayside gems all within the community. One such gem is Bridge Road car park, and our first mini nature reserve. We have already requested Hampshire County Council to establish this as a SINC, (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation).  At the first meeting on September 3rd at The Crown Hotel in Emsworth, chaired by Brendan Gibb-Gray and attended by 9 local residents and Andy Paffett of HBC, the Bridge Road Nature Reserve was set up. Andy Brook proposed the creation of a more broadly based group covering all such roadside reserves, of which Bridge Road Nature Reserve would be the first. Andy's proposal was accepted unanimously. It was decided to call this new 'umbrella group' the 'Friends of Emsworth Waysides', It is hoped that Emsworth could become a truly 'green' town with wild flowers everywhere.

Jane Brook, a founder member of the group, said,

“If you know a bank wherein the wild thyme grows? Or more importantly a path or road verge, a pocket of green space, where you would like to see wild flowers and butterflies thrive once more? Let the group know by contacting Brendan Gibb-Gray on 377355, Jane Brook on 389131 or Brian Fellows (Chairman) on 375548. The group will then organise one of the team to come out and look at the area. This community project and we need your help. Keep a watch on Emsworth's notice boards too for details on how to join the group, as a supporter or if you want to be actively involved.”

The group will have a website:  www.emsworthwaysides.hampshire.org.uk   

Source: www.emsworthwildlife.com

The 37-year-old man was walking through the subway that runs under Havant Road in Emsworth  was then knocked unconscious by a person who was walking by.

When he woke up, he had had £420 cash and his Sony Ericsson mobile phone stolen from him.  

Police are appealing for witnesses following the attack, which happened between midday and 2pm on Friday.

Detective Constable Deborah Alexander said: 'The victim cannot recall how long he was unconscious for and cannot provide a description of the suspect, so we are hoping that somebody on Havant Road or using the subway at this time remembers seeing the incident take place.'

Anyone with information should contact Waterlooville CID on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Fifty firefighters were called to The Barn in Mill Lane, Bedhampton, Havant, at about 0330 BST and found flames going up into the trees.

The owners were away, but were later traced by police. There had been concern they were inside.

Police said the cause was "doubtful" and the incident was being treated as a crime scene.

The detached bungalow and sevResidents Associationl outbuildings were razed to the ground.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "Fire investigators from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service are working closely with police scenes of crime officers to establish the cause which is thought to be doubtful.

"Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything or anyone suspicious in the area prior to the fire to contact them."

BBC South 06-Sept-09
 

The proposed £38m Oak Park Community Hospital is on hold due to the recession.
But Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray feared a decision had already been made on the hospital's future.
He spoke out at a meeting yesterday in which residents were asked to come up with alternative ideas for services planned for the new hospital at other NHS premises in Havant and East Hampshire.
'I think there is a lot of anger about this in the borough and I think people will be a bit more relaxed if you were really up front and truthful about what's going on,' he told NHS Hampshire chiefs.
'Those that have made enquiries know that Oak Park is on hold, those that were going to be building it and architects have been told it's on hold.
'I think you're doing a great disservice to many people who have followed this caravan around for years and years.
'You have got to come clean and say Oak Park is not going to happen in the near future and we would like to know what we're looking at, is it two, five or 10 years?
'People are angry that we have lost services at Emsworth Cottage Hospital on the promise that there would be a new community hospital in Havant.
'That is all we want.'
Cllr Gibb-Gray also said the workshops – with yesterday's meeting held at the Waterlooville Community Centre – were 'a total sham'.
Jack Climpson, non executive director on the board of NHS Hampshire, denied that it was a done deal.
He said: 'That is not the way we do things in the health service.
'We have got some difficult decisions to make because the budget is substantially reducing and because of that we have to look across all the areas of major expenditure and see if there are any other options.

The News 04 September 2009
 

Barbecue bank holiday weather sent thousands of people flocking to the annual Emsworth Show, which has been hailed as one of the best ever.

The event, held at Jubilee Recreation Ground, was organised by the Emsworth Horticultural Society which is this year celebrating its 90th anniversary.

The show on bank holiday Monday was so popular organisers had trouble finding room for all the exhibits in the main marquee.

This year the competition attracted more than 1,000 entries, with numerous specimens of perfect fruit and vegetables including a very large pumpkin.

The best in show was awarded to Isle of Wight resident Paul Rogers for his selection of three onions.

Around 6,000 people attended the show and to mark the horticultural society's 90th birthday, there was another marquee which housed a cookery demonstration, a talk about beekeeping and a flower arranging demonstration. Also popular was a display of Victorian gardening tools.

The family-friendly event had plenty of entertainment for children including a bouncy castle, magic shows, pony rides and a miniature railway. A fun dog show and BMX displays kept people of all ages entertained.

Staff from the falconry display by GMR Falconry had a slight panic in the afternoon when one of its birds decided to fly off and explore the area. The falcon was missing for some time, but found safe and sound in someone's garden.

Horticultural society member Dennis Doye said organisers had been very pleased with the show.

"The weather was wonderful which always helps and we had more entries in the show than before. The children's exhibits were very popular and we have had some very favourable comments."

Money raised from the show will go to charities and other worthy causes in the area.

Chicester Observer 03 September 2009

The EBA represents more than 100 small business and service providers in Emsworth and district. We are 11 years old this year and continue to promote the town as an excellent place to live, work and play,
The results of this survey will assist us in planning ahead and ensure that Emsworth town centre remains a special place.

Complete the Emsworth Shopping Survey now by clicking on the button below to give your views on Shopping in Emsworth and how it may be improved:

Remember the Emsworth Cookbook? The magazine edition "Emsworth Seasons" is due to be launched at The Emsworth Show on Bank Holiday Monday. Written by John Tweddell and sponsored by The Emsworth Business Association, Borland and Bound and Emsworth Home Hardware, the 64 page magazine features:

• An eight page special on Emsworth's food history

• The best places to eat and drink in town

• Brand new recipes from Emsworth

• The official Seafood Week programme - October 19th -25th

Plus, much more and loads of original high quality photos all for just £2.00

Available from August Bank holiday Monday at the Emsworth Show and thereafter in Emsworth's Pubs Restaurants, and Shops.

More at : www.emsworthseasons.org  

HBC Development management committee have agreed to endorse the draft Character Appraisal and Management Plan for the Emsworth Conservation Area which sets out the special interest of the area and the draft management proposals for community consultation.

Apart from a small modification to the boundary of the conservation area in Bath Road there are few changes since the last review between 1992 and 1994. The full report can be downloaded HERE. Arrangements for the public consultation will be announced shortly.

Source - Havant Borough Council

14th August

Work was due to start on £38m Oak Park Hospital, in Havant, this summer but the recession has forced health bosses to review all major projects.
It would have meant around 25,000 patients being treated closer to home rather than having to make the journey to Portsmouth to either St Mary's Hospital, Milton, or Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital, Cosham.
So far 800 angry residents have signed a petition set up by Havant Conservative Association in a bid to persuade bosses at NHS Hampshire to give the community the hospital it was promised.
Leigh Park councillor Mike Fairhurst organised the campaign. He said: 'People are very upset about the situation.
'There is real anger that we have lost many services from Emsworth Cottage Hospital because this was in the pipeline.
'And St Mary's and QA are very difficult for elderly or infirm patients to get to.
'People recognise that QA will provide a very good service for the seriously ill, but they want a local service for less critical treatment.
'We are not going to give up on this – we were promised a hospital and that is what we should get.'
It was hoped that 30 per cent of outpatients visiting QA would have been able to go to Oak Park instead. But it will be a long process of more consultation before a decision on the hospital's future is made.
Ann Crocker, of Priorsdean Crescent, Leigh Park, said: 'We need as much healthcare as we can get in Havant. I've had major problems myself trying to get to the Portsmouth hospitals and I've even been given an appointment at Haslar before, which I could not get to from here.
'For elderly people and mums with young children it is vital we get a hospital in Havant.'
Inger Hebden, director of capital planning at NHS Hampshire, said the petition would be taken into considResidents Associationtion. 'We actually have workshops where key stakeholders including councillors and the local community will look at all kinds of options,' he said.
Petitions are being sent out across Havant. To help with the campaign email info@havantconservatives. com or phone (023) 9247 5066.

The News 14 August 2009

7th August

Big thanks to the community

A memorial garden would not have been possible without the support of the community, a councillor said today.
Emsworth Memorial Garden is now there for residents to use and remembers all the men and women who gave their lives in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts.

The garden features a plaque and a memorial statue called Absence. The garden was uADVERTISEMENTnveiled last month.

Councillor Virginia Wilson-Smith, chairman of The Friends of Emsworth Memorial Garden, said: 'We are delighted with the way the garden has evolved since its opening.

'I would like to thank the organisations, businesses of Emsworth and individuals, who have given us their support both financially and in spirit. The people of Emsworth can feel that this is their memorial garden as, without their support, we could not have done this.'

Sarah Sanderson, garden designer and manager from the Horticultural Society, added: 'Havant Borough Council has provided us with the space to create a tranquil and beautiful haven for people to enjoy and reflect in. I'm thrilled to have been a part of this community project that with the support and hard work from many people will give pleasure to its community for years to come.'

The News 06-Aug-09

The Tory believes the state-of-the-art hospital has become the latest victim of public spending cuts in the wake of the recession.

He said residents might have to make do with a 'patch-up job' of modernising existing health facilities, including Havant War Memorial Hospital, Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital and Havant Health Centre.

His comments come as cash-strapped NHS Hampshire has announced a financial review of the project, which was set to go ahead this summer after getting planning consent earlier this year.

Mr Willetts said: 'I think we have a less than 50 per cent chance of getting a community hospital. It means the public expenditure crisis is hitting Havant harder and harder. We have had two flagship projects, improving the college campus and the new community hospital, and they have both hit the buffers in the last 12 months.'

Havant War Memorial Hospital and Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital were due to close with the building of the new hospital, but Mr Willetts said they could be revamped to offer more facilities.

He said Havant Health Centre, in Civic Centre Road, one of the largest GP surgeries in the country, could be redesigned to accommodate more facilities.

But he added: 'It is a patch-up job. This is something we have wanted to see for years. It's very frustrating it's now looking unlikely.'

NHS Hampshire says another round of public consultation will look at what residents think of cheaper options to deliver the same services, including outpatient treatment and a mental health ward for older people.

But Inger Hebden, director of capital planning at NHS Hampshire, stressed no decisions had been taken.

She added: 'I doubt we will have a firm decision by the end of September simply because we need to do more consultation.

'We will have a number of options which we think are feasible.'

The News 06-Aug-09

Once again the sun shone on Emsworth enabling residents and visitors alike to enjoy the third Emsworth Sunday Market.  With over fifty fine food and quality craft stalls the day was a great success with many visitors taking advantage of the freshly cooked food stalls and nearby pubs and cafés
.
 

www.emsworthfestivalmarkets.co.uk

Trader is sold to a UK conglomerate

The Tarquin Boat Company, the firm behind the Trader range of motor yachts, has been sold for £440,000.

A UK conglomerate of investors calling themselves the Trader Boat Company Ltd bought the business, with the deal concluded late on Friday 24 July.

Tarquin appointed administrators Portland Business and Financial Solutions to find a buyer for the company in June.  It is not known who is behind the acquisition.

"The conglomResidents Associationte was set up as a vehicle to acquire the business," explained a spokesman for Portland. "There are a number of investors behind it.

"There was a bidding process and various parties expressed an interest. Theirs was the highest offer on the table.

"They took on the business as of Friday evening. It was quite a drawn out process. We hoped to conclude in the early part of July, but the size of the funds involved and the fact that they were coming from different parts of the UK meant it was a challenge to coordinate for them."

One of the first things the new owners will look at is the ongoing build of Trader's new models, as well as ensuring customer builds in process are continued.

Trader's yachts are built in Taiwan and China by separate and independent firms who have continued to make boats for other brands.

The Chappell family are expected to make a statement in the coming days. Tony Chappell started the Trader marque 30 years ago and has sold boats worldwide from his base in Emsworth, Hampshire.

 

Source: Boating Business

1-31 August  Special exhibition in Emsworth Museum “CATHOLICS IN EMSWORTH 1959 to 2009”
  Fifty years of Catholics in Emsworth are celebrated in this exhibition set up by Father Tom Grufferty Items currently in use in the Ss Thomas Church and some artefacts rarely seen nowadays will all be on display.For the first Sunday of the exhibition, August 2nd. The Museum will be specially opened from 10.30 am to 4.30pm