February 2011 Bulletin

Get Volunteering
Forget the usual 'lose weight', get fit', or 'give up smoking/drinking' resolutions; this year the New Forest Volunteer Centre is encouraging people to make a New Year's resolution with a difference and "Get Volunteering".

Volunteering is about much more than just helping people or supporting worthy causes; it's also about doing things you enjoy, meeting different people, increasing your skills – and having fun. Research shows that if you make a resolution which has a positive effect, you're far more likely to stick to it.

 

Some straightforward examples of volunteering are helping people with shopping, conservation tasks, dog walking, mentoring young people, working in a charity shop or becoming a trustee.

 

The New Forest Volunteer Centre will be pleased to hear from anyone interested in getting involved. Please contact Hazel Dyson on 01425 482773 or email vol.bureau@cfnf.org.uk

 

The Volunteer Centre is run by Community First, a voluntary service supporting the voluntary and community sector across the New Forest District. The service seeks to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the Forest and includes:

 

· Support with repairs, improvements or adaptations to homes
· Transport services
· Emergency short-term accommodation for homeless young people
· A caring and sitting service for the elderly and those in need
· A low-cost handyman service
· Providing support to vulnerable children, young people and families
· Recruiting and training volunteers

For further information, visit www.cfnf.org.uk

 

Forestry Commission – Recruitment of Volunteer Rangers
Staying with the volunteering theme, the Forestry Commission are currently recruiting Volunteer Rangers and are looking for people who love the New Forest to help with its management.

 

Work would involve everything from leading guided walks and practical conservation tasks to giving help and advice to Forest visitors. Recruits will also find out more about land management, keep active and meet many like-minded people.

The Forestry Commission will provide training, uniform and safety gear. In return, Rangers will need to commit at least two days a month. For more information, please contact Alexis Reeve on 023 8028 6840. Closing date for applications is Monday 14 February 2011.

 

Healthy Walks
Walking is an affordable, flexible and socially inclusive mode of independent travel. It also offers really good natural exercise that contributes to living longer, staying healthy and controlling weight.

Community First New Forest organises a range of 'health walks' around the Forest. Priority is given to individuals and communities identified either at risk of major health conditions or, in some cases, those at risk of social isolation.

 

The new Healthy Walks Co-ordinator, Eleanor Wilde, is presently introducing a range of walks including beginner level (30 – 45 minutes) aimed at those most in need.

For more information on Health Walks, contact Eleanor on 01425 482773 or email Healthywalks@cfnf.org.uk

 

Snow Shovels
Hampshire County Council and its highway maintenance contractor, Amey, have supplied all Parish Councils in Hampshire with a number of snow shovels. This follows the severe weather conditions experienced this winter and complements the new grit bins installed at various locations in parish areas.

Copythorne PC has allocated a snow shovel to Copythorne Parish Hall and also to both Bartley and Cadnam Post Offices. The shovels can be used to help with future snow clearance around these public places or perhaps could be loaned out to a local resident who has a particular need.

 

Hopefully, however, the weather might be a little kinder in the year ahead!

 

Local policing
The local Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the parish of Copythorne as well as Tatchbury, Bramshaw, Brook, Fritham and Minstead. There were 69 reported crime incidents in the Team area in December, with the following incidents occurring in and around Copythorne:

 

Assault 2

Dwelling burglary 2
Non-dwelling burglary 5

Criminal damage 1
Theft from motor vehicle 4

Theft 3
Road traffic incidents 12

 

The non-dwelling burglaries include the removal of tack and garden tools from an address in Winsor, a chain saw stolen from a shed in Cadnam and tack stolen from an address in Blackhill Road. A generator was also stolen from a Copythorne address.

Unfortunately, dwelling burglaries are on the increase, with four recorded in the first two weeks of January. Arrests have been made in respect of some of the incidents.

The Police request everyone to be vigilant and to report anything out of the ordinary or suspicious. Prompt reporting can make a big difference to solving crimes and catching the culprits.

Beat surgeries: Local beat surgeries continue to be held at various locations each month. For details, please contact the Parish Clerk.

 

Parish Council
The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm in the Copythorne Parish Hall (rear extension). Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meetings and speak on any matter of concern during the first five minutes of the meeting.

The dates of the next few meetings are:

Tuesday 8 February 2011 Planning
Tuesday 22 February 2011 Council
Tuesday 8 March 2011 Planning

 

A further reminder that there will be Parish Council elections again in May this year, with seven Council places to be filled. Elected councillors will serve a four-year term until May 2015.

 

If you would be interested in becoming a parish councillor, please contact the Parish Clerk for further information. Candidates will need to submit formal nomination forms in March/April.

The Clerk to the Council (Mike Derrick) can be contacted at

3 Chichester Close,

East Wellow,

Romsey

SO51 6EY.

 

Telephone and fax 01794 322080

e-mail copythornepc@tiscali.co.uk

Web site: www.copythorne.org.uk

 

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