Play Area Sept 30th

This afternoon we travelled to Hayling Island to take part in  the re-opening of a play area on an estate managed by the Southern Housing Group.

When we arrived the new area was closed off with a ribbon, ready for the time of the official opening.

However, there were already a large number of local children playing on the bouncy castle a few yards away!

The new equipment included a slide and climbing wall, a very sturdy see-saw and a small roundabout. The swings that were there had been refurbished and repainted.

Who wants to be first?

At 1 o’clock we were introduced to the residents and the patiently waiting children and I then made a very short speech before cutting the ribbon and getting out of the way of the rush!

Testing the see-saw!

Everybody was offered a piece of Pizza and there were cakes, soft drinks and Northney Farm ice-cream for all who wanted some.

Bloom Sept 29th

This unusual and highly original play was performed at The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre in Havant’s East Street.

Put on by Ringwood based Forest Forge Theatre Company, the story charts the history of  the garden at Langley Manor, and the family whose home this is, from its creation in 1912 through two World Wars, the Greenham Common Peace Camp, right up to 2012.

The local performers

The unusual aspect of the play lies in the location of the action. Starting in the foyer of The Spring for an opening few minutes the action, and the audience, then move into the theatre proper for the next ½ hour or so. Everything then moves out through the back of the theatre into the garden and then, finally, out of the garden and in through the front doors and back to the theatre.

The four main characters are played by professional actors and actresses, while the chorus is from Dynamo Youth Theatre with the garden Gnomes coming from Remix Youth Theatre and Junior Moves dance group.

This was a very enjoyable and  entertaining  evening.

 

Beaver & Cub Presentations Sept 29th

This afternoon Elaine & I went to Park Community School to attend the presentation of Bronze and Silver Award Certificates to members of the local Beaver & Cub packs.

We were met by the new District Commissioner, Tim Pike, and were then introduced to all those who were gathered in the Dickinson Centre theatre.

After the Presentations

Around 30 young members of the Scouting movement were there to receive their certificates, accompanied by their proud parents, grandparents etc.

After I had presented the certificates to each of the recipients photographs were taken and there were more taken after first, the Beavers had received their awards, and then again after the Cubs had received theirs. There was then a group photo with all of them together.

Borough in Bloom Sept 28th

This evening it was back to the Council Chamber at the Public Service Village for the presentation of awards for this year’s Borough in Bloom competition. Once again this was organised by Havant Borough’s Sarah Flamson.

Although the weather this year has been particularly unfavourable for the growing of both flowers and vegetables, there was still a good number of entrants, although the numbers were inevitably down on last year.

Certificates were awarded for various categories which included Front Gardens, Back Gardens, Hotels, Licensed Premises, Sheltered Accomodation Blocks and Allotments.

Even with the bad weather over the last few months, the standard of entries was very good, perhaps next year will see better weather and a higher number of entries.

MacMillan Coffee Morning Sept 28th

Today saw invitations to two MacMillan Coffee Mornings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Hayling Island

The morning Coffee Morning took place on Hayling Island. For this one I was alone as Elaine was at a meeting.

Organised by Patricia White from Daisy Chain, a group that Elaine & I visited in August, this was attended by around 25 people and lasted for about 2 hours.

The Woodman at Purbrook

In the afternoon Elaine & I went to the Woodman Public House in Purbrook. Here the event had been going since opening time at 11 o’clock and was still going when we left at around 2.45.

As is to be expected at a pub, there were a large number of people there and the raffle, which had a large number of donated prizes, raised over £600!

At both of these Coffee Mornings there were a good number of cakes on offer and, of course, plenty of coffee (and tea if you preferred it).

Coffee Mornings are a good way to raise both funds and awareness, and can be guaranteed to be enjoyed by all.

Presentation Evening Sept 27th

Elaine & I were very pleased to be invited to the Presentation Evening at Cowplain Community School.

This annual event is aimed at rewarding the many succesful students from the different year groups across the school.

150 pupils were chosen going from last year’s Year 7, to last year’s Year 11, with the latter having already left the school and, in most cases, having started at college.

Apart from the awards given to the Year groups, there were 10 special awards handed out. I was invited onto the stage with the Headteacher, David Rawlinson, to present these and then to give a short speech.

It was a pleasure to see all of these young people who have worked so hard, and who have achieved a great deal at the school. There were some excellent GCSE results from the older students and they should all be very proud of their achievements.

COPP Memorial Sept 27th

Today saw the unveiling of the eagerly awaited COPP Memorial, between Eaststoke Corner and Beachlands on Hayling Island.

Formed in early 1943, the Combined Operations Pilotage Party was formed to conduct reconnaissance missions throughout the world, and was disbanded at the end of the Second World War.

During its relatively short existence, COPP was responsible for surveying the beaches that were to be used for the Normandy invasion in June 1944, taking core samples and measurements to determine the safest place to land heavy equipment, such as tanks.

Two members of the team, who, having examined beaches on Sicily, missed the rendezvous with their submarine, rowed the 75 miles to Malta with only one paddle!!

The idea of the memorial came from Hayling’s Robin Walton, and he has spent longer getting to this moment, than the COPP was in existence! Today’s ceremony was presented by Anna Chancellor and Wendy Adams Evans, with a speech be the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir David Richards, GCB, CBE, DSO.

Countess Mountbatten

Jim Booth

The actual unveiling was carried out by Patricia, Countess Mountbatten, CBE, followed by prayers and the laying of Wreaths.

After the Last Post and a minutes silence a short talk was given by Major General Ed Davis, CBE followed by another short talk, this time by one of the few surviving COPPists, Naval Lieutenant Jim Booth, who, despite his years, was extremely spritely!

A few final words then followed from the 2 presenters and the National Anthem brought proceedings to a close.

HIOWAA Presentation Sept 26th

The evening saw a presentation, held at the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, which was given by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

As is well known, there is no Government funding for any of the air ambulances throughout the country, and this vital service is reliant on the help of the public for the ability to continue to operate in its role of getting seriously injured people to hospital in the shortest possible time.

The air ambulance always carries at least 2 Paramedics, and it is hoped that, before long, a Doctor will always be available on each flight.

The whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be reached in less than 20 minutes from the base at Thruxton Airfield.

Portsmouth Omnibus

Portsmouth Tram

The venue, Milestones Museum, gives a fascinating glimpse into the past, with a wide range of cars, lorries, buses, locomotives and steam engines, including several buses and trams from Portsmouth. There are also shops containing artifacts dating back through the 20^thcentury.

Hart Civic Day Sept 26th

This was the day for the Chairman of Hart District Council to hold the annual Civic Day.

Minley Manor

We started at the delightful Minley Manor, the Officer’s Mess of the Royal School of Military Engineering.

After presentations from the Chief Executive of Hart District Council and the Commanding Officer of the school, Lt. Col. Jim Fernandes, we were taken to Hawley Lake for demonstrations of Army bridging equipment.

The John Pinkerton

We were then taken to Colt Hill Wharf, where we were told about the restoration of the Basingstoke Canal whilst on the Canal Boat. During the trip we made a brief stop to visit the ruins of King John’s castle, which lies next to the Canal at Odiham

Lunch was taken at The Cross Barn in Odiham. This is the oldest brick built farm building in Hampshire.

The final stop of the day was at the Police College at Bramshill. This is the home of the National Policing Improvement Agency, and is an imposing Jacobean mansion, completed in 1612. The house is said to be the home of several ghosts!

Lord Lieutenant’s Awards Sept 25th

Tonight we went to the Great Hall in Winchester for the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire’s meritorious Awards Ceremony.

Although this was mainly to recognise the work of members of the Reserve and Cadet Forces, there were several other categories of awards.

The first part of the evening was the presentation of their medals to nine recipients of the British Empire Medal. Of the nine, two of them were from the Borough of Havant. The first was Leigh Park’s Michael Chalk, whose medal was awarded for services to Havant Rugby Club, and the second was Councillor Brendan Gibb-Grey, given for services to the community in Emsworth.

This was followed by presentation of Royal Humane Society Awards and then the presentation of Commissions to four newly appointed Deputy Lieutenants.

Next came the Lord-Lieutenant’s Meritorious Service Awards, given to selected members of Reserve and cadet Forces. Other awards included the Hampshire Territorial Trust Award, given to an exceptional Reservist, and the Best Reservist Award, sponsored by Fuller’s Brewery.

Also recognised were companies who gave encouragement to employees who are Reservists.

Finally five new Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were presented with their badges, and the five outgoing ones were given certificates. Included in the last category was Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Beacham from Cowplain, who was selected last year and was previously the Havant Mayor’s Cadet in 2010 – 2011.

COPP Exhibition Sept 25th

This morning Elaine & I went to the Newtown House Hotel on Hayling Island to look at the Combined Operations Pilotage Party exhibition which is on show there for the until Thursday from 11.00 till 5.00.

The exhibition includes maps, story boards, clothing and various items of equipment.

Old & new

Some of the storyboards

However, what must be the centrepiece of the exhibition has to be a Mk2 COPP canoe which has recently been restored by Hayling  boatwright Derek Abra. It is hoped that it will be used to paddle around the Isle of Wight to raise funds for charity. For comparison there is a modern SBS canoe alongside the original.

With plenty to see, the exhibition reveals a little of Hayling’s hidden past.

Havant Rotary Sept 24th

Tonight I was invited to attend the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Havant as the guest speaker.

The meeting was held at the Bear Hotel in East Street where I was the guest of the President, Chris Heath.

I was able to meet up with many people that I have known for quite some time, and was able to also make new acquaintances.

Following a very nice meal and, after the usual Rotary announcements, with which, as a member of the Rotary Club of Waterlooville, I was well acquainted, I was asked to give a talk on the mayoral year so far and my plans for the rest of the year. I was able to explain my choice of charities for the year and to give an indication of some of the events that have been planned to raise funds.

 

Mayor’s Concert Sept 23rd

Introduction

Today saw the first charity band concert of this Mayoral year. The concert was performed by Meridian Winds and took place in the Council Chamber at the Public service Plaza.

The band is led by Don LLoyd  who served in the Royal Marines for 32 years, both playing and instructing. He finished his service as Chief Instructor Higher Training at the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson. Currently, Don is Director of Learning Music at Bourne Community College, Southbourne.

Conductor Don LLoyd

With over 30 members, there was a wide range of musical styles to be enjoyed, ranging from marches through film music to music from the stage.

There were also two excellent solo pieces, the first being a piece for Tuba called Tuba Smarties, written by Herbie Flowers from the group Sky, and the second being a fine Xylophone solo called The Joyful Skeleton written by Frederick Joseph Ricketts under the pen name of Kenneth J. Alford.

After the National Anthem, the concert proper began with the Overture from Light Cavalry by Von Suppe, and finished with excerpts from Schoenberg’s Les Miserables.

Heritage Trail Sept 22nd.

Today saw the opening of the Hayling Island World War 2 Heritage Trail.

The Trail crosses land which which was taken over by the military during the war and there are 6 information boards which tell the story of preparations for the D-Day landings and the construction of Mulberry Harbours on Hayling Island.

Starting with a talk by Laurie Noble on the use of Hayling Station during the war to bring in material and equipment, including anti-aircraft guns, for military use, there followed a short slide presentation by the driving force behind the trail, Robin Walton. This included pictures of the construction of the 6,000 ton Mulberry Harbour units.

Unveiling the information board

Ferret Scout car

The unveiling of the first Heritage Trail information board was performed by Douglas Sharp who, as a young Royal Marine Captain, trained specialist landing craft crew members on one side of the Hayling Island Sailing Club while, on the other side, members of the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties were being trained.

In the car park of the Station Theatre several ex-military vehicles were on show, including a Jeep and a Ferret Scout car.

T.S. Active Sept 19th

This evening we went to visit T. S. Active, Maritime Training Corps, at St. George’s Church hall in Waterlooville for the presentation of awards and medals.

We arrived in time to watch the colours being raised, and we were then asked to inspect the Naval and Marine cadets and speak to each of them. Two of the cadets, Scott Cahill and Harry Woodman, were chosen earlier this year to become Mayor’s Cadets for this Mayoral year.

Later we watched as several of the Royal Marine cadets performed a silent arms drill.

Fundraising Certificate

Also there for the evening was last year’s Mayor, Councillor Ken Smith, who was there to present a certificate to naval cadet Lewis Triggs to mark his efforts raising sponsorship for one of the Mayor’ Charity walks. Lewis was also the recipient of his first good conduct badge.

An unexpected promotion

After this I was asked to present Queen’s Jubilee Medals to some of the instructors, and then, to his great surprise, to present Second Lieutenant’s pips to one of the Royal Marine instructors on his promotion from Sergeant.