| May 6 |
News - I don't seem to have missed a great deal over the past few days, except
the usual amount of local traffic incidents, with people running into things
for no apparent reason (roundabouts x2, trees x1, each other xseveral).
Many thanks to James at Solent IT for really putting himself out for us,
and restoring the message board.
The special offer for the British Food With a Twist event at the Cliffhanger during the Food Fest has been extended. Booking
early - before May 10 - gets you £5 off. Quote CC01 when you phone 01425
278058.
Changes -
Old events removed from What's On.)
|
| May 1 |
News - Yet another serious collision near the Cat and Fiddle once again closed the A35 today at around Midday.
Traffic almost immediately brought Highcliffe to a standstill as all A35
traffic was rerouted. Lymington Road was particularly badly hit, but roads
such as Hoburne Lane also saw a rapid build up as people tried to avoid
the main road.
No details of the incident are available at this time (14.00).
Unfortunately, the server hosting our Message Board has been hit by a hacker, and will out of action for quite a while.
I am hoping we can come up with an alternative soon, but there is currently
no ETA for the forum's return.
Changes -
Just this News page today (apart from the removal of a couple of old events
from What's On.)
|
| April 29 |
News - The traffic census people, along with what seemed like half of the local
police force, have been causing chaos along Lymington Road today, near
the Castle entrance.
While I understand the need to study traffic flows etc, I was intrigued to know what on earth the annual income of my household has got to do with finding out about peoples' road usage.
As many of you have noticed, the site Message Board is currently not working.
The good folk at Saxon Square (who provide it for us) have been having
major problems. Keep checking, as I'm sure it will be back soon.
(It's a pity - the traffic census question about our incomes would have
been a great subject for a discussion.)
Another Highcliffe business is to close shortly. Highcliffe Drug Store is selling off their stock, after which the owners are to retire.
They've provided a very useful service to Highcliffe for years, and will be missed by many of us. It seems, like so many other local businesses, that falling trade has helped them make the decision.
I sincerely hope they enjoy well deserved retirement.
They are probably getting out in the nick of time, as the long awaited
gas main replacement along the busiest stretch of Lymington Road has finally
been given the go-ahead, and will start soon.
If you thought last year's (and the year's before that) repairs caused chaos, you ain't seen nothing yet!
This will involved traffic light control, and of course, is to coincide
with the busiest time of the year for many traders.
Questions are already being asked why this has to be done at this time,
but traders, shoppers, and motorists - as usual - are bottom of the list
again.
With this year's Food and Wine Festival almost upon us, I hear that tickets for the British Food With A Twist event, at the Cliffhanger on Thursday 15, can be had for a reduced price
of £19.95 (saving £5 pp) if you book before May 5. Phone 01425 278058,
and quote CC01.
Changes -
What's On page updated - events amended.
|
| April 28 |
News - Southern Wines in Lymington Road was robbed on Saturday evening.
At around 8 pm, three youths entered the shop and then ran off with cases
of beer Eastwards towards Somerfields. They were unsuccessfully pursued
by the lady working in the shop at the time.
Despite them being caught on various cctv cameras, the police attitude
apparently was that because of the low value of the goods, it wasn't worth
the effort or the paperwork involved in trying to catch the thieves.
(One can only wonder at what stage of these currently juvenile crooks' criminal careers the police will consider them serious enough to be dealt with.)
After being let down at the last minute by someone who was supposed to
start work today, Berties Fish and Chip Shop urgently requires a part time
waiter/waitress to work Monday to Friday lunchtimes (11:30am - 2:15pm approx),
although lots of other evening and weekend shifts are available if anyone
is interested.
Over 18s, preferably with previous experience (although reliability, hard
working, and pleasant attitude are more crucial) can call Berties on 01425
274727.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
|
| April 25 |
News - Priory Photos in the Precinct closes for a week after business today,
for a refit of their production equipment.
The good news for many of us is that when they reopen, they will have installed
a digital photo processing kiosk, such as is normally found only in larger
shops (Asda, Boots, etc). Having the service locally will be a real boon,
especially as it will accompanied by Priory's good old fashioned service
and advice.
Last weekend's beach clean at Steamer Point and Friars Cliff was attended
by an amazing 70 volunteers, who collected 25 bin liners full of rubbish.
The next local beach clean up is planned for July 6. (More details to follow.)
Permission has been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate for Primetower
Properties plan to replace a bungalow at 15 Firshill with two larger properties.
The Inspector ruled that such buildings would have a harmful impact on
the surrounding area's character and appearance.
Changes -
What's On page updated - old events removed.
|
| April 22 |
News - Corel Racing Ltd, currently located in Waterford Road near Sea Corner,
have applied for planning permission to allow them to relocate to the long
empty old bank building at 315 Lymington Road (next to Highcliffe Garage).
The notice does not include the planning reference, but any representations
to CBC about the proposal must be in by May 8.
I think the other betting shop application in Lymington Road (opposite
the Methodist Church) by BetFred Ltd, was refused, and I notice that there
are currently no planning notices at the site.
Permission has been granted to convert unused offices above 411-413 Lymington Road (see News, Feb 25)
into 14 flats. The work will include adding another storey to the building.
Stewarts Gardenlands have been granted permission to carry out some demolition,
and to extend the cafe/toilets area.
News that Highcliffe Sailing Club is to host a pre-Olympic (2012) training
camp for competitors in the games,
has led to the creation of the Christchurch Sailing Consortium, which includes
the Sailing Club, local hotels, businesses, and CBC.
Plans are already in place to carve a lower level walkway along the walled
section of Gundimore Promenade, to facilitate access to the water during
low tides.
The Consortium Chairman, Nick Roach, has said that key to all of the plans
is to unite all groups, and to create a legacy for our young people.
Changes -
What's On page updated - old events removed, new events added.
|
| April 18 |
News - Sunday sees open auditions for the next Highcliffe Charity Players show.
The show is a World War II musical, Happy As A Sandbag, and it will be backed by the ever popular Swing Unlimited.
Chairman Tracey Barrington says that they are always looking for enthusiastic
new members, and anyone interested in joining what promises to be a great
fun show should turn up for the auditions (not forgetting to bring a song
with them).
Auditions are from 1 - 6 pm on Sunday April 20, at St Marks Church Hall,
in Hinton Wood Avenue.
One of Highcliffe's oldest houses (not to mention one of the most unique
and attractive) is for sale. Little Meggs is made up of 3 combined Grade
2 listed cottages, in a conservation area, and is a mere £679,000.
If anyone is interested, Slades Estate Agents are handling it.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added.
|
| April 16 |
News - Calling all jazz fans. Here's a date you won't want to miss. There's
an all star concert on Thursday 12 June, at the lovely location of the
South Lawns Hotel near Milford on Sea.
Tickets are £13 and all proceeds are going to a local Citizens Advice Bureau. You need to get your tickets in advance, and all details are on What's On page, including the list of performers.
Christchurch Arts Guild (for artists across the Borough, including Highcliffe)
celebrates it's Diamond Jubilee this year, an amazing record. They have
a nice new website as well (see below).
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added.
Christchurch Arts Guild new website added to Neighbours page.
|
| April 15 |
News - It seems that we're currently having another quiet period in the village,
with little to report.
The Chewton Glen has recived planning permission to expand, with a 12 room
extension bringing the number of rooms to 70. Objections based on green
belt planning restrictions were overruled, due to sympathetic design and
the fact that the extension would be hidden by extensive vegetation.
The huge nearby buildings allowed by the neighbouring nurseries also set a precedent.
Volunteers are needed for a beach clean up at Friars Cliff on Sunday April 20. Meet at Steamer point car park at 10:30am.
This is part of the Great Dorset Beach Clean, and follows the recent Rotary Club organised clean up of Highcliffe beaches (between the Crows Nest and the Castle steps), which saw over 30 bags of rubbish collected in one morning, before storms drove everyone from trhe beach.
Angela Budd, Group Leader of Highcliffe Scouts, won the Community Partnership Volunteer of The Year Award at the recent Christchurch Good Citizen Awards.
In addition to her sterling work with the Scouts, Angela also is Chair
of the Board of Govenors of St Marks School, while still finding time to
raise three children.
For some time there have been rumours that G&Ts were moving out (and
that another block of flats was to built on the site). They are at pains
to deny the rumour, and are posting notices to say that they are definitely
NOT going anywhere. This of course means that the new flats rumour is also
incorrect, at least for the immediate future.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
|
| April 8 |
News - A young man on a course at the Marine & Coastguard Agency was assaulted
by a gang of youths in a car last Thursday evening. It happened at Mudeford
Quay while he was on his way back to his B&B.
He unfortunately needed medical and dental treatment. Nice people.
A meeting of the new Highcliffe Business Group at the Castle couldn't really
be described as a resounding success. For a start, only a handful of people
attended. Then the Chairwoman put forward by CBC to start the group, immediately
resigned, announcing that she now had a job with the Council, who many
local businesses view - if not as the enemy - at least as the body most
battles will be fought with while trying to improve the lot of Highcliffe
businesses.
Local business owner Bob Denney was invited to join the panel, but declined.
He pointed out that the beurocracy involved was ludicrous, and what was
actually needed were ideas for encouraging people into Highcliffe businesses,
not a Council style organisation, which would merely bog everyone involved
down with paperwork etc.
In my humble opinion, the last thing Highcliffe needs is a business organisation led by the nose by Christchurch Borough Council, who are behind many of the village's problems in the first place.
What may be an interesting couple of hours out takes place on Saturday
(April 12). There is a History of Stanpit walk, starting at the Stanpit
info centre, from 11 am until 1 pm. it costs £2.50 (kids are free).
Work is taking place alongside the Cliffhanger Cafe at present, which seems
to me to be another example of our glorious council spending money unnecessarily.
Apparently, there are (were by now I guess) old steps leading down to an
equally old storeroom, which presumably belonged to the original cafe.
A while ago, the storeroom was half filled with rubble, and fitted with
a wooden door. It has now been decided that the steps are dangerous and
should be removed (rather than fixed or covered with soil and turf to blend
with the surroundings).
The owner of the Cliffhanger had already offered to take over the storeroom
and utilise it, dealing with the steps at the same time. needless to say,
this was far too easy a solution for CBC, who now have sent in the diggers
to solve the problem in their own unique style.
Tulips Cafe and Sandwich Bar has already reopened for business. I admit
that when I said it was to soon reopen, I didn't expect it to be that soon.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old event removed.
Tulips put back on Village Plan and Business list.
|
| April 3 |
News - I should have mentioned this before, but another village business has
closed.
Tulips Cafe and Sandwich Bar at 330 Lymington Road has closed it's doors. However, I understand that it is soon to reopen under new ownership.
Changes -
Apart from removal of the above from the Village Plan and Business lists
- nothing else today.
|
| April 2 |
News - There's an event this coming Saturday that somehow slipped through the
net.
The Friends of St Marks are holding a Spring Fair at St Marks Church Hall from 10:00am until 12:30pm on Saturday April 5.
Lots of bargains to be had, plus all the usual excellent homemade goods.
refreshments available of course.
A bit of a wildlife drama occurred a couple of days ago, when a young deer
suddenly appeared on the beach.
After being chased into the sea near Avon Beach Cafe by a dog, it was rescued following concerted efforts from the the lifeboat and the RSPCA. Local vet Luisa Day (from Priory Vets) gave it a mild sedative and exhamined the animal. It was fine apart from some minor damage to it's hooves, and was eventually released.
The local RLNI group are organising a June coach trip to RLNI HQ in Poole,
which I would imagine will be a popular and interesting excursion. Tickets
are £17.50, which includes a 2 course lunch.
Limited places of course, so book early - 01425 273623.
I heard that our good old council had parking officers in place early yesterday,
(when parking charges reintroduced, presumably hoping to get some tickets
issued nice and quickly, to people who may have forgotten the date.
They probably shouldn't have bothered, as the 80 or 90 pence an hour charges
(depending which car park we're talking about) had predictably put everyone
off using the car parks, which were more or less empty.
As were the various businesses close to the car parks.
Why is it that the only people who cannot see that exhorbitant parking
fees only drive ever more people away are the CBC councillors and officers
who make the decisions? It's just crazy.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old event removed.
|
| March 28 |
News - Highcliffe School has been judged by OFSTED as good, with some outstanding
features.
The inspectors reported a 'positive buzz' about the school, and commended
the high expectations, and the good track record of improving students'
achievements.
There is a meeting next Monday (31st) of the County Council's Partnership
for Older People's Project.
With community leaders, they aim to develop opportunities and activities for older people
Local agencies will be in attendance to give out information, and there
will be a free new-for-old slipper exchange.
The meeting is at the Priory Hall in Christchurch, from 10am until Noon.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.
The Highcliffe & Walkford Safer Neighbourhood Team have been clamping
down on the old problem of boy racers using the Crows Nest car park for
their anti social fun and games.
PC Justin Clarke and Community Support Officer Mark Lane have been issuing
fixed penalties to offenders, along with a Section 59. (This warns that
their vehicles can be seized if they are caught driving in the same way
again in a 12 month period.)
Numbers of offences has fallen, but the campaign is ongoing.
To contact the team you can call 01202 222222, or email highcliffeandwalkfordsnt@dorset.pnn.police.uk.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old event removed.
|
| March 25 |
News - One village centre business shuts, another opens.
Hairdressers Blondes 'N' Brunettes (403 Lymington Road) has gone, and the premises is To Let.
Honeymoon - Chinese takeaway and small restaurant - has opened at 360 Lymington Road, in the old Grannies Kitchen premises. (They have 4 or 5 tables for in house dining.)
The builders are finally working on the site of 252/254 Smugglers Lane
North (opposite Saulfland Place shops).
The original plans were rejected by planners several times before getting
approval, but locals are still concerned about the extra traffic and parking
problems likely to be caused by what is still an intensive development,
despite the changes.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
Plan and Business Lists changed. Blonds 'N' Brunetes removed. Honeymoon Chinese added.
|
| March 17 |
News - Once again, the Cliffhanger has been mentioned in dispatches.
On Saturday, the Times newspaper had the cafe/restaurant listed as one
of the best places to eat in the UK for walkers and ramblers.
They're doing pretty well for an establishment not even one year old.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
Plan changed. Capstan Security Wessex replaces Hair Removal Company at 317a Lymington Road (above New Image Hair Design).
|
| March 14 |
News - Yesterday saw the retirement of Sue Baker, landlady of Napoleons in
the village centre.
Sue will continue to live in Highcliffe, and I'm glad to say she will still
be heavily involved with the organisation of the Christmas carnival. In
fact, we may all benefit from the extra time Sue may have to spend on local
issues (although she has indicated that she might work part time).
In the short term, Napoleoens will be run by temporary managers, while
the owners decide on their future plans.
The Hinton Oak is up for sale. It can be yours for just £245,000, although
it's leasehold (at £54,000 p.a.).
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
|
| March 12 |
News - The annual RLNI Funday, in aid of the Mudeford Lifeboat Station, will be held on Sunday July 27 this year. If you want some fun for all the family, it's a great place to be, and you can help raise even more than the £20,000 that last year's event raised.
Teams are needed for the now famous raft race, and entry forms can be picked up from H2O Lifestyle in Wick Lane, or easier - print one down from this link.
Monday night's Residents Association quarterly meeting revealed that there are now several vacant posts on the Executive Committee, although the crucial posts of Secretary and Treasurer are now filled.
Anyone interested in improving life for Highcliffe residents, even if it's just to organise distribution of the excellent newsletter (Update) should contact the Secretary. Contact details here.
It seems that there are a few places left for a music night tomorow (Thursday)
at the Cliffhanger.
You can enjoy the excellent Groover Brothers (singing soul and blues) and
have a three course dinner, all for £22 a head. If it's half as good as
the previous music night, it'll be well worth the money.
Give them a ring - 01425 278058.
It seems to have gone fairly quiet in the village. Has anyone any news
or interesting stories for us? Email if you have.
Changes -
What's On page updated - new events added, old events removed.
Residents Association page amended.
|
| March 7 |
News - Highcliffe's Day Centre for the elderly, and the Juniper Centre for
people with learning difficulties, are to suffer job cuts to save money.
It has been pointed out by both local councillors and staff that the axing of three employees will have a profound effect on the quality of service provided to some of the most vunerable members of the community. It was also pointed out by Councillor Fox-Hodges (also on the Christchurch Older People's Forum) that Dorset County Council has spent £750,000 on an outside agency to advise on how best to run the Council, and are employing even more staff to carry out the recommendations.
Just about says it all really - more beurocracy, less service.
Changes - You will probably have noticed that we have started a bit of a facelift
on the site. Due to the size of the site (over 70 pages in total) it will
take a while to update the whole site, so please be patient.
|
| March 5 |
The Marie Curie charity shop will be closing at the end of April. The closure
is caused by escalating costs, especially huge increases in rents, and
high business rates.
The hard working staff are saddened by the situation, but find themselves
without any choice in the matter.
Over the weeks before the closure, there is a half price sale on all clothes,
and everyone would like to make as much money as possible for this very
worthwhile charity in the remaining time. So why not drop in and pick up
a bargain or two?
The completely revamped Old Vicarage Hotel in Hinton Wood Avenue is now open for business. Every part of the hotel has been gutted and redone, including the outside.
The local owners are using local suppliers where possible, and the bar and restaurant are open to non residents. People looking for a location for their functions are welcome to chat with the friendly staff about their requirements,
The adjoining cricket pitch is also being reopened for the summer, and
the (very) old pavillion is being rebuilt.
Given that the new owners include the landlady from the Ship In Distress
when it was in its prime, I would expect the food, drink, and facilities
to be of a high order. |
| March 4 |
Recently produced maps from Dorset County Council, showing the locations
of fatal and serious road traffic accidents over a four year period, graphically
illustrates how many incidents there have been in our area during that
time. Our stretch of the A337 from the Runway roundabout to the Naish roundabout
has had several, along with Hoburne Lane and Smugglers Lane North (plus
one or two in other spots).
Somerford Road, and both Bargates and Barrack Road, have all been particularly
bad also.
Anthony Adams, the local delivery driver who came a close second in the recent ITV show The One and Only, in which he sang as Frank Sinatra, has now decided to quit his job. He now has a new management team, and his own big backing band.
Anthony will be appearing at the Bournemouth Pavillion in Simply Sinatra, on Moday May 26, and tickets are already available.
Talking of music, Highcliffe's latest venue - The Cliffhanger - is starting to book more groups and bands, following the resounding success of its Ratpack evening. May be worth keeping an eye on their website for upcoming events.
There was a burglary in Elmwood Way (discovered on March 1). Several attempts
to force doors were made, before the thieves smashed a conservatory window.
The whole house was searched, so not only were they noisy, but were around
for a while. Anyone with info should call 01202/01305 222222 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Also keep eyes and ears open in case these crooks are still around. |
| March 1 |
Residents along the western stretch of Lymington Road are campaigning for
both safety and noise improvements on the road from the end of the 30 mph
limit by St Marks to the Bure Lane junction (where it becomes Highcliffe
Road.)
Their petition asks for an extension of the 30mph speed limit, a crossing
point near the golf course, and a quieter road surface.
The first two points should be easy enough to implement one would think, although the resurfacing may well be more difficult to achieve.
Although it has to be said that residents of other areas of the country
have been successful in such efforts.
Another Lymington Road story, which we raised a while ago, is the way the
verges were left as nothing more than heaps of mud following the recent
work to the pavements. Good news on that front. Council officers have now
been persueded to visit the area, and have agreed to restore the grass
to somewhere near it's former condition.
Planning inspectors have finally allowed a development in Chewton Way,
following a second lot of amendments.
Numbers 16 and 18 are to be demolished and replaced with 3 chalet bungalows
by Caleb Developments.
Superb local band, State of Undress, will be recording a live cd in a few days time, and are inviting all their local fans to attend the gig - free.
It's at The Centre Stage, in Queens Road, Bournemouth. Please be early
- 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start. |
| February 26 |
A correction. In yesterday's news we mentioned that it is planned to convert unused offices into flats above two shops in Lymington Road. We mentioned one to be Go Mobility. It is of course called Go Easy Mobility Centre. |
| February 25 |
I have just received what I am sure is another attempt at computer fraud.
The realistic looking email says it is from the Nat West Bank (who I don't deal with in any way) asking me to logon to activate an 'enhanced new security' function. It's subject line starts Important Security Alert.
The email was not to my email address, but was to this website's general purpose address (which I never use for personal dealings).
I would strongly recommend that if you also receive this you don't even
open it - just discard it.
An application has been made to convert two floors of unused office space
above 411 and 413 Lymington Road (Colour Copier and Go Mobility) into 14
flats.
Permission has been granted for the demolition of 54 Smugglers Lane North,
to be replaced with 2 four bedroom chalet bungalows.
The Chewton Glen has won yet another award, this one for the second year running.
'Best UK Hotel 2008' was won after voting by readers of the magazine issued
by the corporate travel organisation M&IT (Meetings and Incentive Travel).
Management were particularly pleased with this award, as the competition
included famous (and much larger) hotels, such as the runner up, Gleneagles
Hotel.
Two young girls from Beacon Drive who not only witnessed the attempted
murder of their 20 year old brother while they walked their father's dogs
(in December 2006), but behaved with courage and composure in getting help
for the young man. They then dealt with the aftermath and trauma with the
same resolution, in a way beyond their years, and have been given an award
by a national victims of crime organisation.
Only serving police officers can nominate recipients of the awards by the
Child Victims of Crime charity, and the girls nomination was made by the
detective in charge of the case at the time.
The award, presented by Inspector Andy Earley, Commander of Christchurch
Police, includes a fully chaperoned activity holiday of their choice (parents
are not invited). I understand that the only problem is that the girls
can not yet agree on which holiday to choose.
Highcliffe Castle have introduced some new ideas for this Spring/Summer. For example, alongside the old favourites is a series of Spring Lectures. To be held on Wednesday evenings, the five lectures will have nationally recognised speakers, and range from The Mystery of Healing to The Genius of Beethoven. Take a look at the Castle website for details.
The Times newspaper has listed local cafe/restaurant The Cliffhanger as one of the top ten restaurants in the UK for kids. It is the only establishment
chosen south of Pattiswick in Essex. |
| February 21 |
The latest Residents Association newsletter - UPDATE - which is about to be delivered to members, is now available online.
It's a full edition, containing lots of good information, including an article on the plan to revitalise the Old School House, known as The Rainbow Project. Members recently voted in favour of all the proposed aspects of the plan,
so if it succeeds, we should end up with a vibrant location, containing
something for just about everyone, both young and old.
UPDATE is available from the HRA page, the Community links page, or from their website, but it is quite a big file, so you may need to be a little patient while it opens. |
| February 18 |
Anthony Adams (as mentioned last week) came second in the final of Saturday's
One and Only show, which was won by the Dusty Springfield impressionist.
While Anthony is not off to appear in Las Vegas as the winner, the competition judges were sure that he probably won't be returning to his job as delivery van driver.
Police continue to search for Scott Anthony Kenny. He is the suspected
gang member still on the run after last weeks excitement in Stuart Road,
when police shot out the tyres of a car, and arrested two men in connection
with a series of armed robberies across Dorset and Hampshire last year.
(The raids included one on the Total petrol station in Somerford Road.)
A third man was arrested at the Naish Holiday Park on the same day.
The application to build a 2.5 storey block of 10 flats on the site of
70-72 Glenville Road has been thrown out by the Council Planning Committee. |
| February 12 |
Apologies for the lack of activity on this site for the past week. I've
been hit by a major computer problem (mainly a very nasty Trojan working
it's way through my network).
Here's a few items we have missed.
A TV film crew was in Highcliffe last week, filming for Saturday evening's
One and Only show. Anthony Adams - the Frank Sinatra impressionist, who has made it
to next weekend's grand final, comes from Southbourne, but used to have
a Highcliffe business, and now delivers frozen food locally.
He was put forward for the show by the good people at The Scullery on Sea Corner, who were also featured in the film.
The Cliffhanger was featured in last week's TASTE, the Bournemouth Echo food supplement. (A copy of the article can be found on their website for anyone who missed it.) It also looks like they are aiming to become
a regular live music location, as they now have several quality groups
and performers lined up over the next few weeks.
Our old friends McCarthy & Stone have announced that in their first
year since returning to private ownership, profits were up by 40%.
Enough said.
Just in case anyone is not aware of the dangers of the area beneath Chewton
Bunney and Naish, a 56 year old architect had to be rescued by emergency
services on Saturday lunchtime, after becoming trapped waist deep in the
mud. He had been cut off by the incoming tide, and had tried to climb to
higher ground.
Luckily, he was not alone, and his wife called for help. Other people in
the area at the time tried to help, but were unable to get close enough.
It looks like we're in for a 4.9% increase in the Christchurch Borough
element of the 2008/09 council tax. (The maximum allowed by central government
is 5%.) |
| February 5 |
Residents along a stretch of Lymington Road are understandably upset with
the mess that's been created outside of their properties.
Following the recent installation of the shared footpath and cycle track, property owners around the Nea Road junction (opposite the Golf Club) are particularly incensed. The work not only created inconvenience and disruption while it was taking place, but involved digging up the grass outside of the properties. This grass has always been kept very neatly by the residents, but has been left as a muddy pile of dirt, with no attempt having been made to restore the area at all.
It appears that good old CBC have no intention of doing anything to rectify
this mess, leaving the residents wondering why they ever bothered to keep
the area neat and attractive.
Rumours still abound about G&Ts being sold for development. The latest
one actually mentions our old friends McCarthy and Stone (although there's
nothing new there - most rumours about Highcliffe property or land mention
them).
if anyone has any actual facts, please email.
At long last, a planning appeal has been won. The Government Inspector
dismissed developers (New Forest Projects) plans to open a landlocked site
behind properties in Hinton Wood Avenue and Woodhayes Avenue. The Inspector
agreed that the plan would cause unacceptable harm to living conditions
of neighbours (especially in Rossley Close), and that there was also a
threat to protected trees on the proposed site.
Highcliffe Castle reopened for the 2008 season last Friday. Leaflets are
now available from all the usual souces, but details are also listed on
the Castle website. Many of the special events will also be listed on our
What's On page of course. |
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