I start the column this month with some bad news …. Equipment in Coles Mead Recreation Ground has been vandalised.
One of our really nice picnic tables that were made specially for us by the Forestry Commission was broken up and a hand rail was ripped from the buccaneer ship play equipment and another rail was loosened.
Expert advice is that this damage could not have been done by a child or children. Out of something bad we sometimes find that something good evolves.
We needed to see if the bench and ship could be repaired so I consulted the Community Centre’s What’s On and found a new advertiser, John Mackenzie who specialises in carpentry work.
Our Parish Council Chairman, Mark Rollé, met him on site and this resulted in a quick and efficient repair job all done for a reasonable price. Thank you John.
Just briefly we were put off doing anything further for the village youngsters in the Recreation Ground this year but Parish Council enthusiasm won the day and we are going ahead as planned.
4th August will see the opening of a new piece of play equipment and a Fun Day at Coles Mead, including NFDC’s Recreation Road Show.
Maybe the answer will be CCTV but, in the meantime, can I appeal to local residents to keep an eye open and report to myself or any of our Councillors any unruly, suspicious or destructive behaviour at Coles Mead.
We are working with the local Police on this matter and, as I have stated previously in this column, if you see vandalism anywhere ring 0845 045 4545 and obtain a crime number.
The skateboard ramp is in the process of being revamped. It has been resurfaced this year which should give it another two years’ life.
We will then have to decide whether to replace it as it is reaching the end of its life. For the time being though the Committee has decided to put a coat of light coloured paint on the outside and are holding a competition to find budding artists to decorate the four walls of the ramp.
This will personalise it and, hopefully, give users a feeling of ownership and make it something to be looked after.
The Parish Council has decided to play its part in something new at the Community Centre.
To compliment the refurbishment the Community Centre will be having a new five part noticeboard at the Centre entrance.
The Parish Council is contributing towards the cost of this and will have two sections to display items which we hope you will find interesting.
The old noticeboard at the side of the exit to the car park will shortly be dismantled, taken away and the ground made good. We will have a an internal noticeboard as well.
We continue with our fault log and Parish Councillors each have an allotted area and look out for faults such as potholes, overgrown hedges etc.
When notified I then contact Hampshire Highways, who will take remedial action as appropriate.
Incidentally, there seem to be a number of hedges growing out over the pavements and roads around the village.
Vegetation grows very quickly at this time of year but it is an offence to allow hedges and trees to overhang pavements or roads so please have a look and see if there is anything you need to do.
We will shortly be tackling the vermin problem in the allotments and have appointed Ringwood Pest Control to undertake the contract for the next twelve months.
They have been very successful at Ringwood’s allotments so we are hoping that the work will help not only our allotment tenants but nearby residents as well.
Our July meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 7.15 pm in Lyndhurst Community Centre. Members of the public are very welcome to attend.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend.
Margaret Weston,
Clerk to the Council,
Woodlands,
Fritham,
Lyndhurst,
Hampshire
SO43 7HJ
Tel: 023 8081 3218
Email: lyndhurstpc@woodlands.mail1.co.uk.
Please note that it would be appreciated if telephone calls could be kept to office hours as much as possible. |
