After some discussion, the bluebells were given to Whitchurch Cof E Primary School for children to plant in their woodland area. Planting took place in the last week of April and although the weather was not good the children from Year R did a fantastic job planting them.

Councillors were very pleased to receive a thank you letter from Sarah Peters, the Head Teacher, and thank you cards from the children. We hope the bluebells will establish and thrive in the woodland as a special reminder of the DJ for years to come.

Photograph of the children kindly supplied by the school.

The competition is being staged this year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and an impressive panel has been assembled to carry out the judging on Saturday 18^th August.

Chair of the panel is Cllr Jackie Day, Mayor elect 2012/13;  Jody Scheckter, owner of Laverstoke Park Farms and former Formula 1 racing champion;  Geoff Knappett,  local resident and Development Director for the Newbury Building Society; Graham Burgess, internationally recognised garden designer and also a local resident and finally WADS actress Cllr Claire Isbester.

(left to right Jackie Day, Jody Scheckter, Geof Knappett, Graham Burgess and Claire Isbester)

The competition which is open to all Whitchurch Town Council Allotment holders , has already seen a concerted effort by the holders to get their plots in excellent condition during the early part of the growing season.   The prizes on offer are a £100.00 first prize of a hamper to be donated by Jody Scheckter and a best newcomer prize of £50.00 gardening vouchers, donated by Geoff Knappett of the Newbury Building Society.

The judges will be assessing each allotment plot under three categories:

1. Cultivation and cropping
2. Husbandry
3. Environment

The judging will take place for two separate awards:

The best overall allotment site for existing allotment holders

1. The best newcomer site for allotment holders signed-up for 2012
2. The best newcomer site for allotment holders signed-up for 2012

The best overall allotment site winner will also hold the Mayor and Mayoress’s Diamond Jubilee Shield for one year and will have their name inscribed on it for posterity.  It is the Council’s desire that the competition will be held annually from this year on.

For further information please contact Cathy Burt, Town Clerk on 01256 892107 or visit the Town Council office in the town centre.

WHITCHURCH ANNUAL TOWN ASSEMBLY
TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY 24^th APRIL 2012. 
IN THE PARISH HALL,  LONDON STREET,   AT 7.30 p.m.

This is an opportunity to meet and hear reports from your Town,  Borough,  and County Councillors,  and local Police. You will also be able to find out about the activities of some of the many groups and organisations in the Town. 

 Come along and join us. 

Saturday planting

Sunday planting

We would like to thank all volunteers that helped with this memorable event and special thanks to Phil Cooper who kindly provided the fertiliser to help the snowdrops establish in their early stages of growing.

Photographs supplied by Jackie Day

Hopefully in years to come they will be proud to say ‘I helped plant this tree’.

Cllr Linda Thomas explains how high oak trees can grow,  while Cllr Jackie Day helps
the children plant the tree.

Matthew Hardy and Will from A&M Hardy contractors kindly prepared the tree pit beforehand and completed the planting after everyone had left by giving the tree a well
deserved watering and adding timber stakes for tree support and protective fencing. 

 A big thank you to all involved in making this a success.

Photographs used were kindly supplied by John Buckley.

Sue Reynolds and Helen Knight were nominated together for this award in recognition of their dedicated service to the community.  They have been the Co-ordinators for Whitchurch Neighbour Care for many years, arranging transport to ensure that people reach their hospital and other important appointments on time, and then are returned safely to their homes. They will also do their best to provide other forms of help for local people at times when they would struggle to manage alone.  Sue and Helen receive their awards this evening as an expression of the gratitude of those they have helped, and those who they will continue to help in the future.

Tommy Brooks is a local man who for many years has supported and promoted the interests of the Town.  He was a Basingstoke and Deane Borough Ward Councillor representing Whitchurch for seventeen years.  During this period he always made himself available to local people, and he would take up town-wide issues or individual problems with equal enthusiasm and cheerful dedication. In later years, Tommy has continued his support for the community by helping with the Lunch Club at Testbourne School.

Lynn Parnell came to the aid of elderly and disabled residents in Whitchurch, Laverstoke and the surrounding areas when the system for receiving travel passes and tokens changed in January 2011.  Many of these people would have found it impossible or extremely difficult, to obtain the required passport-type identification, but Lynn kindly took their photos in their own homes, and in sessions at both Seeviour’s Court and the Gill Nethercott Community Centre, and then printed them.  She continues to help, also taking photos for the disabled parking blue badges.

Nick Copp receives this award for his many year of organising quizzes, which have not only given pleasure to those who take part in them, but raise money for a variety of charities and the local Hospice.  He has also raised sponsorship funding for young athletes’ including Holly Croxford and Jordan Lucas.

Cindy Dunlop was nominated for her work with the Whitchurch Festival Committee. She gives her full support to all the annual events organised throughout the year. She makes the Carnival Queen’s, Princess’ and Attendant’s dresses and outfits to a superb standard, and to personally suit each individual.  She is also active in the organisation of the “We’ll meet Again” party for the over 60’s, is a volunteer at the Silk Mill, and an active member of the Singing for Fun group. Cindy’s positive attitude not only encourages the Festival Committee, but is one of the driving forces in maintaining the community spirit of our Town.

Hector Goldsack receives his award for his services to the recording of local history.  He originally produced videos of Whitchurch life in 2001, 2002, and 2003; DVDs on life in Whitchurch, including Whitchurch Worthies ~ interviews with members of our community who have made a contribution to our local society; the opening of the Gill Nethercott Community Centre,  and the visit of the Salvation Army Household Troops Band.  He also produced a promotional DVD, using footage from local homes as a guide for use at the Hampshire record Office when logging artefacts.  He is a valued member of the History Society, having been Chairman for two years, and recording some of the Society’s trips out. Hector never refuses a request for help to record and preserve important local information, having recently made an electronic copy of the Town’s hand-written Burial Register.  Future generations will be grateful to Hector for his generous contribution to the recording of Whitchurch life.

 Congratulations to you all.

Several issues were raised including safety and security, rabbits and rats, plants and seeds swap to joining an Allotment Association and a Diamond Jubilee ‘Best kept allotment’ award 2012.  

A copy of the meeting notes will be posted on the Council’s website and also on the notice board at the Winchester Road allotments. 

Cllr Mike Kean said ”The Town Council were delighted to see so many people at the meeting, as it really helps everyone get to know one another so much better, and collectively resolve some of the minor issues that occur along with suggestions for improvements.” 

The ‘Best kept allotment’ award 2012 was formally a launched at the meeting and our current Mayor Cllr Barry Jackman handed the winners shield to Cllr Kean for safe keeping until the awards ceremony later in the year.  Mr Jody Scheckter of Laverstoke Park Farm has kindly offered to sponsor the first prize of a £100.00 Hamper.

 Since the meeting it has now been announced that the Newbury Building Society has offered to sponsor the ‘Best newcomer to allotment gardening’ award 2012 with a £50.00 gardening voucher.  Mr Geoff Knappett, Development Director at the Newbury Building Society will also be one of the judges.

 For anyone wanting further information about Whitchurch Town Council allotments, the competitions or any suggestions for improvements should contact Cathy Burt, Town Clerk on 01256 892107 or call into the office.

Mayor’s Reception and Community Awards takes place in the Gill Nethercott Centre  – by invitation only