Category Archives: News

Public Fireworks Displays

by Monxton Matters

Stay safe this bonfire night by taking your family to one of the organised bonfire and firework displays in our area.

Andover Golf Club

Saturday 3rd November
5pm – 10pm Gates open at 5pm, fireworks at 7pm
Tickets £20 for a family, under 5’s go free.
Hot food, drinks, bouncy castle and fireworks

Bulbery Playing Field, Abbotts Ann, SP11 7BN

Sunday 4th November, 5.30pm -7.45pm
This year’s village fireworks and bonfire night, organised jointly by the Abbotts Ann School PTA and the Friends of Bulbery Sports Field, will take place on Sunday 4th November. Tickets available from the village shop, Eagle Inn or the school office. Family ticket = £18 (£23 on the night), adult ticket = £6 (£8 on the night), child (3-U16yrs) ticket £4 (£5 on the night).

The Sports Field, Buckholt Road, Broughton, Stockbridge, SO20 8DA

Monday 5th November
Adult £6 / Child £5
Broughton Firework Club’s amazing annual firework display will once again take place on Bonfire Night 5th November 2018.  There will be a Torch Lit Procession at 6:30pm from The Square (outside The Greyhound Pub) up to the sports field in Buckholt Road. The bonfire will be lit around 7pm and the firework display will begin around 7:30pm.  Hot food and refreshments will be available.  Follow event signs for free parking adjacent to the cemetery on Salisbury Road.  Tickets can be bought on the night.

Fireworks and the law

The law states you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am.

The exceptions are:

  • Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
  • New Year’s Eve cut off is 1am

Bonfire Night

by Monxton Matters

Statistically, homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs; however, if a thatched roof does ignite, the results are rapid and devastating.  We would ask that residents do not have bonfires or set off any fireworks in their gardens, as they pose a serious risk to the thatched properties in the village. If you live under thatch, it is wise to be extra vigilant around November 5th and make frequent checks on your roof.  Chinese lanterns are of particular concern, as the potential for harm when they descend is catastrophic, with a number of thatch fires resulting from these lanterns. 

For further information and advice, contact your local fire safety officer.

The laws concerning fireworks

  • It is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess a firework in a public place.
  • Fireworks cannot be set off by a private individual between 11.00pm and 7.00am except for certain nights of the year.
  • It is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal.

Fireworks and Animals

Recommendations from the Blue Cross:
Every year thousands of animals will suffer as a result of fireworks being let off. Blue Cross animal hospitals across the country see a marked rise in pets requiring medication during such stressful times, and many animals are brought into Blue Cross adoption centres having run away from home.

Animals have very acute hearing. Loud bangs and whistles may cause actual pain in their ears. But by following these simple guidelines your pet need not suffer.

Small pets
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets and birds all need to be treated with special care when fireworks are being let off. These animals are easily frightened. The Blue Cross advises that owners of such types of small animal should follow these precautions:

  • Hutches/cages and enclosures should, if possible, be brought into a quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed.
  • Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so it feels safe.
  • If you cannot bring your pet’s hutch inside, you should turn its enclosure around so that it faces a wall or fence instead of the open garden.
  • Cover any aviaries or hutches with thick blankets or a duvet to block out the sight of the fireworks and deaden the sound of the bangs, but make sure there is enough ventilation.

Dogs & cats

  • Always keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being let off.
  • Make sure your dog is walked earlier in the day before the fireworks start.
  • Close all windows and doors, and block off catflaps to stop pets escaping and to keep noise to a minimum. Draw the curtains, and if the animals are used to the sounds of TV or radio, switch them on (but not too loudly) in order to block out some of the noise of the fireworks.
  • Ensure dogs are wearing some form of easily readable identification (ID) – even in the house. They should have at least a collar and tag.
  • Think about fitting pets with a microchip, so that if they do run away they have a better chance of being quickly reunited with you.
  • Prepare a ‘den’ for your pet where it can feel safe and comfortable – perhaps under a bed with some of your old clothes. It may like to hide there when the fireworks start.
  • Let your pet pace around, whine, miaow and hide in a corner if it wants to. Do not try to coax it out – it’s just trying to find safety, so don’t disturb it.
  • Try not to cuddle and comfort distressed pets as they will think you are worried too, and this may make the problem worse. Instead stay relaxed, act normally and praise calm behaviour.
  • Avoid leaving your pet alone during such potentially upsetting events. If you do have to leave the house, don’t get angry with your pet if you find it has been destructive after being left on its own. Shouting at a frightened pet will only make it more stressed.
  • Don’t tie your dog up outside while fireworks are being let off, ie outside a shop while you pop inside, or leave it in the garden or in your car.
  • Never take your dog to a fireworks display.

Horses & ponies

  • Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields, or close to buildings housing livestock. Anyone planning a firework display in a rural area should warn neighbouring farmers in advance.
  • Try to make sure that fireworks are never set off near your horse’s field or stable. Tell neighbours and local fireworks display organisers there are horses nearby, so that they can ensure fireworks are set off in the opposite direction and well away from them.
  • Keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine with any companions to make it feel secure. If your horse is usually stabled then keep it stabled. If it is normally out in the field, keep it there as long as it is safe, secure and not near the fireworks display area.
  • Ensure that you or someone experienced stays with your horse if you know fireworks are being set off. This way you can observe its behaviour, ensure it remains as safe and calm as possible and respond to its reactions appropriately.
  • If you know your horse reacts badly to loud noises speak to your vet or perhaps consider moving your horse for the night.
  • Try to remain calm and positive as horses can sense unease in a person and this might make things worse if the horse is startled.
  • Be careful yourself. Try not to get in the way if your horse becomes startled as you may get hurt.
  • Chinese lanterns are known to cause terrible injuries and the deaths of horses and other livestock. As there is no way of controlling where they go and where they land, the advice to horse owners is to be vigilant and to ensure you check your fields and hedgerows for these lanterns.

Asian Hornets

by Monxton Matters

Conservation alert:

Asian Hornets (Vespa Velutina) were found this summer in New Alresford and Brockenhurst. It pays to be observant and aware of this species. There are many good websites with information about what they look like and what to do if you find one for example at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/alerts/index.cfm?id=4.

If you see one this Autumn (or next Summer) report it straight away to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.   Information about a new app can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-app-to-report-asian-hornet-sightings

Flashlight Hats and Village Hall Funding

by Monxton Matters

There is a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and help with the funding of the Village Hall.

A new, local Hampshire Business called Bright Eyes Hats, run by Jon Marquis who is a friend of several people in Monxton, has designed a great new product for kids. These are animal hats in the form of Racoon, Cat, Unicorn and Panda with powerful LED lights in the eyes allowing them to be used as a head torch and keep kids safe on dark winter nights.

Jon has launched a funding campaign on Kickstarter.com to raise money to fund marketing and new designs for the business and has promised to give 10% of the funds pledged, by everyone in the villages. Villagers making a pledge (minimum £12) will get a reward of a Bright Eyes hat(s), which will be delivered in time for Christmas. 

Jon has kindly said that if anyone in the Monxton, Amport or surrounding areas wants to make a pledge (and if he is able to reach the target) he will give 10% of the monies pledged by local residents to the Village Hall Fund.

The village hall team need funds for the project for a new building and every contribution helps and creates a win, win, win situation. Please also forward this link to friends, relations and co-workers

On Kickstarter Jon is promising that the first 500 pledges will receive their hats before Christmas, so if you would like to take part in this campaign, which helps to raise funds for the Village Hall fund please use the link below and go on and make a pledge.

Also please email the link to all your friends as well and post the link on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc, to ensure this campaign goes viral, because it will only be if Jon makes his target that we will get the funds we need.

Check out the video on the website which tells you everything you need in 15 seconds.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/821890802/bright-eyes-kids-animal-hats-with-led-lights

MPC Minutes 16th October 2018

by Monxton Matters

Minutes of the Monxton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th October 2018 in the Monxton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr M Cleugh – Chairman, Cllr S Dowding – Vice Chairman, Cllr J Balding, Cllr P Weston, Richard Waterman – Parish Clerk, Mrs P Kitson – Village Hall Chairman
Members of the Public – 18
Apologies: Borough Councillor Mr B Few-Brown and County Councillor Mrs Z Brooks

WELCOME – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – There were no declarations of interest recorded

VILLAGE HALL UP-DATE – Penny Kitson, Village Hall Chairman.
Penny Kitson gave a comprehensive presentation on the results of the Village Hall Survey. 178 responses were received from Monxton and Amport Villages. 58% from Monxton and 42% from Amport. There was an overall majority to move the Village Hall to a new site. The Black Swan Car Park is the site under discussion.
The results of the survey will be put on the Village Website.
The recent fund-raising event made a £16,000 profit. Amport Parish Council have given £4,750 towards the project. The match funding pot now stands at £50,000. The proposed new Village Hall will aim to be eco-friendly and economically self-sustaining. The building will be promoted as a Community Hub, and a competition to find a better name will be held in the future.
Those present were in full support of the project and thought that the Village Hall Team have done some amazing work to get to this stage.

The Chairman opened the meeting to a Questions and Answer session on the proposed Village Hall project:
QUESTION: Will the Black Swan Car park site be freehold or leasehold?
ANSWER: Freehold. If the freehold is not obtained, there will be no deal.

QUESTION: Why was the Public Meeting on the 18th August 2018 cancelled and why was a further meeting not scheduled?
ANSWER: The Chairman apologised but unforeseen circumstances meant the August meeting could not go ahead. All the information was posted on the Website.

QUESTION: Why is there no artists impression of what the new building will look like on the proposed site, this makes it hard to visualize what is being proposed?
ANSWER: At this stage of the project it is not wise to spend resources on Architects fees.

QUESTION: What will the total cost of the project be?
ANSWER: In the region of £500,000 with a £50,000 contingency fund. It is estimated that the build costs will be in the region of £300,000 – £350,000.

QUESTION: What is the risk if the build cost goes over budget, where will the funding come from?
ANSWER: The Chairman explained the Community Infrastructure Levy funding at length (CIL). The CIL allows for a contingency to be built-in to cover an overspend. It is also possible to make further applications for CIL funding. Test Valley Borough Council have expressed full support for a CIL application from Monxton.
The Chairman stated that other forms of funding are also been investigated.

QUESTION: What is the process to proceed with this project?
ANSWER: The Chairman explained the process.
1. A ‘Red Book’ Survey needs to be done to value the land of both the Black Swan
Car Park and the Current Village Hall site.
2. Specialists will then be engaged – Solicitors and Architects.
3. Planning Permissions will need to be submitted.
4. An application for CIL funding will them be submitted.

QUESTION: What is the size of the proposed new building?
ANSWER: Roughly the same size as the current Village Hall. 10M X 20M with the addition of a mezzanine floor.

QUESTION: Have other Village Halls in the area been surveyed on their usage?
ANSWER: The Clerk reported that he is the Booking Clerk for the Fairground Hall at Weyhill. Due to the size of their car park they obviously hold big events for up to 160 people. However, the mainstay of the income is Children’s Birthday Parties, Keep Fit classes and small groups hiring the hall.

QUESTION: Has a Developer been identified?
ANSWER: Talks are ongoing with DC Li Builders the owners of the Black Swan. However, three quotes will be required to meet the criteria for the CIL funding.

QUESTION: It was thought that there will be many questions from the village over the coming months about this project. Will there be a forum for residents to register their questions?
ANSWER: Residents can submit questions through the website or forward to one of the Parish Councillors. There will be further consultation with the Village to build momentum for the project. The Chairman thanked those present for their questions and close the Question and Answer session.

PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY.
Cllr S Dowding proposed that Penny Kitson be co-opted onto the Parish Council to fill the vacancy. This was seconded by Cllr J Balding. All agreed.
Penny Kitson signed the Declaration of Office and was given the Declaration of Interests and Data protection Forms. The Chairman welcomed Cllr P Kitson onto the Parish Council.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record.

VILLAGE HALL PROPOSAL
Cllr P Kitson proposed that the Monxton Parish Council support the Villagers majority vote to move forward with a new village hall on a new site on the Black Swan Car park and appoint a surveyor to undertake a Red Book survey and in addition professional advisors (Solicitor and Surveyor/Architect). This was seconded by Cllr S Dowding. All agreed.

PLANNING.
• Barn Cottage 18/01549/FULLN:
• Demolition of existing double garage and erection of a double garage & accommodation on a new 1st floor.
• MPC objection
• Application withdrawn

• Paisley House (formerly JEVVON) planning application 18/01956/FULLN
• Installation of dormer windows to replace the Velux windows to allow top floor attic to be converted to two additional bedrooms
• MPC objection
• Application approved by TVBC

• Issues with Nelsons lorries going through Monxton
• No major feedback from villagers over last 2 months
• EA have confirmed that they will be taking legal proceedings currently

• Alpine/Penchards – Abbotts Ann Manor Farm
• Outline planning proposal presented to MPC in March
• Presentation at Abbotts Ann in September local support is positive
• Potential for a planning application to be presented in the near future
• Who would support the application to build houses at Manor Farm.

FINANCE
Financial Report – 1 st April 2018 to 16th October 2018

INCOME.
Opening Balance 1/4/18 = £ 831.90
Precept = £6,200.00
CIL Funding = £3,703.12
= £10,735.02

EXPENDITURE.
Wages = £700.00
Insurance = £350.35
Village Maintenance = £1,001.00
Speed Sign Programme = £300.00
Church – Mower Service = £134.39
Audit = £340.00
Dog and Rubbish Bin Empty = £333.00

= £3,158.74
= £7,576.28
Bank Balance 16th October 2018
Parish Council £ 7,576.28
Reserves £ 6,000.00
Village Hall £ 7,523.35
£21,099.63

ENVIRONMENT AND FOOTPATHS – Cllr J Balding
• Lengthsman Scheme
• Local contractors will be appointed
• Proposal: sign a contract with HCC to have Monxton as its own Cluster and Thruxton as a member – each to appoint a local contractor. Proposer: Judith Balding; Seconder: Mike Cleugh
• Overview of the scheme
• Issues with the current scheme (Cluster) run by Penton Mewsey for HCC
• Monxton to set up their own cluster joined by Thruxton
• Monies from HCC directly controlled by MPC
• Lengthsman Scheme
• Local contractors will be appointed
• Proposal: sign a contract with HCC to have Monxton as its own Cluster and Thruxton as a member – each to appoint a local contractor. Proposer: Judith Balding; Seconder: Mike Cleugh
• Footpaths
• Part of a fallen dead tree covered in Ivy blocked the Hook Lane Bridleway and had to be removed.  Otherwise no reported problems.
• A new Footpaths Representative is required, please contact the PC if you regularly walk the footpaths and would like to volunteer for the position.

MONXTON AND AMPORT WEBSITES – Cllr S Dowding
• Merge much of the info on both the Monxton and Amport websites.
• Each village website will retain the issues that relate to Monxton and Amport Parish Council matters, Church and history.
• Parish Clerks will manage the relevant Parish Council sections
• David Baugh will do Church section
• Each village web address will still work

TRAFFIC – Cllr P Weston
Cllr P Weston reported on the data collected from the Flashing Speed Sign.
• Total 16827 records
• 34% (5668) under 30 MPH
• 67% (11159) above 30 MPH +
• 34% (5574) at 35 MPH +
• Max speed recorded above 75 MPH
Cllr P Weston stated that the data can be collated over the coming months to put together a report on speeding to be presented to the Police.

Two further sites were identified for the speed sign. Broad lane and Abbots Ann Road. Cllr P Weston asked for help when siting the Speed Sign as it is a two-man job.

SUNNYBANK – Cllr P Weston
• The Farm has spread the muck that was too close to the path – Min.10 metres
• Nothing to be stored there for at least 12 months
• Traffic Sign Information

CLOSE OF THE MEETING
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
15th January 2019 at 7.30pm in the Monxton Village Hall

Monxton Parish Council Meeting & Village Hall Consultation: Tuesday 16 October

by Monxton Matters

MONXTON PARISH COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PARISH MEETING

THE MONXTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING IS TO BE HELD

ON TUESDAY 16th OCTOBER 2018 IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM

AGENDA

At 7.30pm there will be a presentation of the survey results for the Monxton & Amport Village Hall consultation, and a discussion with Q&As from anyone present with regards to the future of our community spaces.

The Parish Council meeting will commence afterwards, hopefully at about 8pm.

  1. Welcome and Apologies
  2. Parish Council Vacancy – Co-option
  3. Declaration of Interests
  4. Members of the Public (Pre-booked slots if requested)
  5. Minutes of the previous meeting – sign that they are correct
  6. Planning
  7. Reports:
  • Environment & Footpaths
  • Traffic
  • Neighbourhood Watch
  • Sunnybank
  • Financial Report
  • Village Hall Up-date and CIL Funding.
  1. HCC and TVBC reports (if provided)
  2. Correspondence
  3. Close of the meeting

Date of next meeting – To be confirmed