A new play area opens at Itchen Valley Country Park in September, as part of an exciting transformation of the popular green space. The improvements include a new play trail, a visitor hub, an outdoor events and eating area, and better trails, barbecue and picnic areas. The improved facilities will also provide greater accessibility, with a Changing Places room for disabled users, as well as additional toilets and upgraded car parking.
Eastleigh Borough has launched the first fully electric refuse collection lorries in Hampshire, as the Council continues to work towards reducing air pollution and use of diesel fuel. Its introduction is part of the Council’s work to reduce its carbon emissions and move towards net zero emissions.
The use of battery-powered Electra E-star refuse collection trucks is playing an ever more important role and the new zero-emissions lorry will collect between 15-20 tonnes of waste from around 1,100 bins every day. It will only require a single overnight charge to complete its daily round, costing around £10-£12, which is a fraction of the diesel cost for a traditional vehicle.
Cabinet Lead for Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, said: “We’re really excited as this is the first of three electric refuse vehicles to start operating in Hampshire. As a Council, our refuse collection fleet is one of our biggest
Tickets from: £15
sources of emissions so to start to switch from diesel refuse collection vehicles to electric is a great way to reduce our emissions. Traditional bin lorries have a low mileage but a high fuel consumption and operate every day in all our towns and villages – so this all-electric lorry is an exciting development as it’s significantly cheaper to operate and is much more environmentally friendly.”
He added: “This work is all part of the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which sets out how the Council will reduce carbon emissions within its own operations and help local residents, businesses and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint too. From investing in electric refuse collection vehicles, working to improve the energy efficiency within Council buildings, and increasing tree planting within the Borough, we are progressing a number of major projects to help reduce carbon emissions within our own work and across the Borough over the coming months and years.”
See pages 12 and 13
As a Council, we are focused on improving the quality of life of everyone living and working in the Borough, both now and in the future.
The stories in this issue are themed around the key areas where we are making a positive difference to people’s lives.
2
Maintaining and creating an attractive and sustainable environment that is valued, and which can allow residents, visitors and nature to flourish.
We want all residents and visitors to the Borough to live long, healthy and happy lives and so we are focussed on improving health and wellbeing and reducing socio-economic and health inequality.
The Council has approved proposals for the next stage of the creation of a new 103 hectares of green space on existing farmland at Stoke Park Farm, Bishopstoke to guarantee its long-term protection from development.
Local residents gave their views on the future uses of the land. Cabinet has now approved proposals that will see the land used for a variety of initiatives to enhance the environment by changing the land from conventional agriculture, that not only helps to reduce the amount of nutrients that end up in our rivers and the Solent but also increases the biodiversity of the area.
The proposals, that will be subject to planning permission, will include a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) that will provide land for local residents to enjoy. By investing in a SANG within the Borough, the Council is encouraging residents to travel shorter distances for recreation and therefore reducing pollution.
from development means we can work towards a more sustainable future for our local community.”
He added: “Taking this land out of farming helps us to not only protect our rivers and coastal areas but also create a new site for local people and
9
To help support a buoyant housing market we are delivering high-quality homes of all tenures to provide opportunities for people looking for affordable rent, or a new home to meet the diverse needs of residents. We are also co-creating communities, alongside housing development, by delivering infrastructure, employment, leisure and open spaces.
Creating and enhancing places where residents and businesses can thrive.
It is about ensuring that our neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces work well for everyone and that our places are attractive, vibrant, distinctive, and safe.
The proposals also include additional amenities with a focus on not displacing or disturbing wildlife together with management of the land to promote, protect, restore and enhance the natural environment. There would also be the creation of habitats to benefit plants and animals such as great-crested newts, a protected species, working with the Newt Conservation Partnership.
Council Leader, Cllr Keith House, said: “This is a long-term commitment for the Council and our long-term ownership and protection of this land
A new award scheme for schools in Eastleigh Borough, that aims to reduce pollution and encourage parents and children to travel more sustainably, is launched in September.
Schools that demonstrate their commitment to improving air quality in their area will be recognised with an Eastleigh Clean Air Aware Award.Working with Sustrans, the charity making it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle, the students will take part in different activities to learn
about the effects of poor air quality and find ways to promote more sustainable forms of transport on the school run.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution as their bodies are still developing – and the increased volume of traffic around schools at pick up and drop off time has been shown to increase concentrations of harmful pollutants, particularly when vehicles are idling.
create improved habitats for wildlife to enjoy.”
The Council will now further explore a range of opportunities for additional environmental and community benefits.
School heads and pupils will learn more about the award scheme early in the autumn term and an official launch is planned to take place at Toynbee School in Chandler’s Ford.
The two country parks operated by Eastleigh Borough Council have scooped Green Flags in the Keep Britain Tidy charity’s international awards scheme.
Lakeside Country Park, south of Eastleigh town centre, has won its third Green Flag, whilst Itchen Valley Country Park in West End is well into its second decade of success in the awards scheme.
The Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag award is a mark of quality, reflecting excellent facilities and high standards of maintenance.
Itchen Valley Country Park is currently undergoing a major programme of improvements. Work started last month on a project to bring new play facilities, community buildings, covered outdoor seating for the popular café, accessible Changing Places facilities and better barbecue and picnic areas.
Since 2016, improvements to Lakeside Country Park – which was created on restored gravel works - have included the opening of an award-winning community building for users of the lakes and wider park, and the creation of new trails, designed in partnership with the community.
Keep Britain Tidy say that the value of parks and green spaces has never been more important, as they provide a sanctuary for communities to engage with nature, improve their physical and mental health, play and come together. That’s why it’s important that parks are managed to the Green Flag Award standard, which recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.
Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/country-parks-and-open-spaces
Picture: Cllr Cynthia Garton (centre) displays this year’s Green Flag with (l-r) Bonnie Horrex, Country Parks Officer; Martin GareaBalado, Country Parks Operations Manager, Simon Gould, Head of Green Spaces, and Nick Hay, Country Parks Officer.
The Council, in partnership with Podback, is the only Council in Hampshire to recycle coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods.
The Council is working with Podback to provide this new free recycling service, helping residents to recycle their coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods at home.
The Council started collecting pods at the end of March and since then we have already:
•Collected 7.6 tonnes of pods
•Collected 500,000 actual pods
•3,000 customers have signed up
Podback have stated that our recycling of pods is going really well and we have one of the highest tonnages
and largest number of signups in the first few months of participating Councils across the country.
Cabinet Lead for Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Podback to open up this new kerbside recycling opportunity for our residents. It’s great that so many residents have already started to recycle their pods – I encourage all residents to sign up to this free recycling service.”
Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit coffee pod recycling service. Created by the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple and easy ways to recycle them.
To sign up visit: podback.org
The message to residents is do not place vapes in your kerbside bins following a fire in one of our bin lorries, caused by discarded vapes, according to the firefighters who attended the scene.
The incident highlights the fact that vapes or e-cigarettes should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins as they contain batteries and the items cannot be recycled through Hampshire facilities. Residents should check the manufacturers recommendation for disposal and whether the retailer offers a take back scheme to recycle the item.
If not, you should:
• Remove the battery safely if able to do so and place in a clear bag on top of your glass recycling box to be recycled.
• Take the remainder of the vape to a small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) outlet or place into your domestic waste bin.
• Do not take disposable vapes apart, or attempt to remove the batteries from disposable vapes.
• If you’re unable to remove the battery then take the
A new minibus service has launched, providing a convenient and affordable way to travel between Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, as well as Hiltingbury, Fryern and Velmore.
The number 44 service is run by Community First and offers nine daily Monday to Friday roundtrips. It also runs a morning and afternoon peak-time service linking to Velmore when the Bluestar 23 is not operating.
Adult fares cost between £2.50 and £5, child fares between £1 and £3.50.
The service will run for one year to review passenger usage, with an option to extend the contract.
Funding for this service has been provided by Hampshire County Council in partnership with Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, who received a grant from Eastleigh Borough Council.
As part of the continuing habitat work on the One Horton Heath project, two new bat roosts are being completed.
The structures are designed to provide sizable roosting sites for the night-flying mammals. Recently monitored by our ecologists, the bat house located at Chalcroft Farm, has shown the bat colony has had a successful breeding season. All bats are legally protected in the UK.
The Council’s Cabinet has approved a Walking and Cycling Strategy that aims to increase levels of active travel in Eastleigh.
The Walking and Cycling Strategy 2023-2030 supports the Council’s response to the Climate Change and Environmental Emergency declaration and will encourage and promote active travel, reducing congestion and associated air pollution that will have many benefits for the climate. 82% of respondents were in support of the vision and 68% of respondents thought more space should be given over to walking and cycling even if it means less space for motor traffic.
It was produced following an extensive consultation with local people, businesses and organisations that aimed to identify how safe and what barriers there are to walking and cycling in Eastleigh together with what extent people supported the objectives set out in the draft strategy.
The five most popular measures that would help people to cycle more were:
• More traffic free cycle routes (68% support)
• More physical separation from traffic (68% support)
• More signposted routes (38% support)
• Better links with public transport (23% support)
• Access to an electric bike (15% support)
The five most popular measures that would help people to walk more were:
• Fewer cars parked on pavements (52% support)
• Wider pavements (33% support)
• More road crossings (32% support)
• Nicer places to stop and rest (32% support)
• Better accessibility (21% support)
Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/parking-traveland-roads/cycling-and-walking
Residents who do not have gas central heating can receive energy efficiency upgrades to improve their homes and save money on energy bills - thanks to £41.4 million in funding awarded to a regional consortium that includes Eastleigh Borough Council. The money will go towards improvements such as insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels and heating controls to save households between £220 and £400 a year on energy bills. Eligible homes who can receive support are those that are on a low
Visitors can see progress on the One Horton Heath project and enjoy views across the Allington Lane open space with the construction of a new public viewing point.
In early autumn the site will be an ideal location to watch the construction team lift bridge sections into place for an important new crossing across Quobleigh stream.
The project team and supply chain partners will also be using the viewing point for on-site educational learning.
income, who don’t use gas to heat their homes and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G.
The funding is available under the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG 2) - a government scheme to improve the energy efficiency of vulnerable and low-income homes. The consortium is led by Portsmouth City Council.
Find out more: warmerhomes.org.uk or call freephone 0800 038 5737
The One Horton Heath project team have been working closely with specialists at Enitial, to monitor groundwater on the site.
The year-long field monitoring scheme got under way in February and includes sampling the groundwater at points across the site. This is one of the ways the design and construction teams ensure they protect the environment.
Find out more: onehortonheath.co.uk
Romsey-based sculptor, Andy Frost, has designed five new play features for Itchen Valley. Children can enjoy play equipment inspired by the park’s wildlife, including dragonfly balancing beams, frog slide and a woodpecker tower.
The Council’s popular annual Eastleigh Active programme for five to 16 year-olds took place over August to provide opportunities to experience new activities, make new friends and have fun.
Ninety sessions of 13 different activities were held across four weeks with over 1,250 children and 1,000 attendees registering for free swimming at the three pools across the Borough.
Eastleigh Active is funded by the Borough Council’s SportWorks, as well as the Local Area Committees, Parish and Town Councils, and supported by a broad range of partners, including sports clubs, activity providers and venues. This enabled activities to be provided at reduced rates with further concessions available too. Free swimming and our two SkateJams were also a huge success.
Local children have been enjoying a new play area located on the open space area on Le Marechal Avenue opposite Hollowbread Gardens on Kingfisher Park, Bursledon.
The play area has been constructed of green and yellow coloured steel and it is anticipated that it will be used by children up to 11 years of age. It includes two multi-play units, 2.4-metre climber, a see-saw, swings, ladders and a roundabout.
Chair of Bursledon, Hamble & Hound Area Committee, Cllr Tonia Craig, said: “We are delighted to invest in these new facilities for this area. This new play area will, for the first time, provide local children with a range of play equipment in a safe environment which also encourages them to keep active.”
The new Freespace skatepark at Chandler’s Ford has now opened following an extensive refurbishment, to provide local youngsters with the chance to enjoy the exciting new ramp layout. Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Nick Couldrey, officially opened this exciting new facility and special thanks to Team Extreme who provided a jaw-dropping demonstration of riding, scooting, and skating.
Freespace skatepark was closed following a severe vandalism incident that resulted in the majority of the ramps being removed. Local youngsters helped design the new facility, as part of an extensive consultation, that has resulted in an exciting new design for them to enjoy. The Council invested £150,000 in the refurbishment of Freespace together with £75,000 from the Veolia Environmental Trust.
Chair of Eastleigh Area Committee, Cllr Alex Bourne, said: “We are delighted that the new Freespace skatepark is now ready to open. We ensured that local young people were involved in the design of their new skatepark and it’s fantastic that their thoughts and ideas have now become a reality.”
The Council is launching the Eastleigh Covid-19 Community Recovery Grant that will provide local community groups and organisations with the chance to apply for funding to help local people who are still recovering from the mental and physical effects of Covid.
The Borough-wide scheme offers grants of up to £10,000 and priority will be given to groups that support:
• activities that support the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people and those who were shielding and/or self-isolating
• organisations that support individuals experiencing hardship caused by the pandemic
• organisations that support mental health, bereavement and emotional needs arising from the pandemic
• mental and physical health support for young people and adults including mobility and Long Covid
The Council is staging the Hampshire Sports Club conference that will focus on the latest and most relevant information to help local sports clubs in Hampshire become more sustainable and inclusive.
It will be held on Wednesday 22 November between 6pm and 9.30pm at the Holiday Inn, Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh.
If you’re interested in attending the event, please email sportworks@eastleigh.gov.uk to receive the latest information.
The fund is open to any non-profit making community groups, voluntary organisations, trusts, friendly societies, social enterprises and community interest companies in the borough. They can provide a service directly, offer advice/information or promote self-help and must have a wide community benefit and be open to anyone.
Applications for funding can be made from 18 September 2023 until 1 March 2024 or until the grant funding is fully allocated, whichever comes first. There will be monthly reviews to ensure funds can be allocated to successful applicants as quickly as possible.
Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/covidrecovery-grant
Eighteen year-old Josh Finlay has joined Winchesterbased property and construction consultants, Ridge as an apprentice civil engineering technician, after coming to the end of his 18-month T-level placement with the One Horton Heath project team.
Since 2021, One Horton Heath has been ensuring there are pathways in place for young people to gain skills and employment in the workplace through the development’s own team or wider supply chain. Josh’s apprenticeship is the first career success story for the scheme.
Lea Hampton, Employment and Skills Manager for One Horton Heath, said: “We’re delighted for Josh. Inspiring young people through our One Horton Heath placements allows young people real-life work experience and a career route into industry. The development will bring lots of employment opportunities into the area over its lifetime and we want local young people to have the skills and knowledge to succeed in local job roles.
Josh will be continuing his studies at Ridge, starting his HNC Level 4 course in September. His apprenticeship role also means he’ll continue to work on the development, joining the Ridge team who are delivering civil and structural engineering services on the development’s first residential parcel.
Martyn Grant, Associate at Ridge and Partners LLP, said: “The T-Level experience Josh gained on the scheme and a two-week placement at our offices last summer has provided him with a fantastic route into the industry, further offering him the option to carry on down the technician or engineering route. We’re excited to be welcoming him into the team at Ridge”.
Josh, said: “I’m so glad to be starting the apprenticeship and looking forward to being back onsite at One Horton Heath in the near future.”
Pictured above: (l-r) Josh Finlay and Martyn Grant
Find out more and keep up-to-date on the development visit: onehortonheath.co.uk or email: onehortonheath@eastleigh.gov.uk
Follow us on: onehortonheath One Horton Heath
The Council has approved funding to develop a sustainable energy network that will provide a hot water and heating supply for the first new homes at Lower Acre on the One Horton Heath development.
The funding will enable the construction, installation, and ongoing management of a private heating network on land owned by the Council at One Horton Heath that will remove the need to use fossil fuels on the new development. The proposal will enable the installation of ground source heat pumps to supply heat and hot water to the homes on the first residential parcel of the One Horton Heath development. The project will be funded by borrowing repaid by income through a charge to users of the network.
Council Leader, Cllr Keith House, said: “The Council’s aim is to enable and encourage green and sustainable lifestyles for all. Investing in sustainable energy and making our homes greener is a major part of the transition to net zero. New build homes need to be sustainable and technologies such as ground source heat pumps enable us to be able to remove the need for fossil fuels on One Horton Heath.”
The Council’s exciting One Horton Heath project is helping young people into employment
The Council has launched its exciting new Public Art Strategy for 2023-2028. Public art forms an integral part of our commitment to the creation of high-quality, sustainable places throughout the Borough. This strategy outlines a vision to engage communities and bring about a renewed sense of pride, ownership and sense of place through public art.
Future public art projects will provide a sustainable, innovative and distinctive programme which builds on the wide range of public art across the Borough that celebrates and reflects the rich and diverse culture, heritage and biodiversity of the area.
Cabinet Lead for Health, Cllr Tonia Craig, said: “We already have some great public art across the Borough and this strategy, covering the next five years, encourages greater participation in cultural activity and provides better access for our communities to cultural assets. We know that public art and the processes of creating public art, have a positive impact on the physical environment and health and wellbeing of people that live, work and visit our Borough.”
The former post office and sorting office on High Street, Eastleigh has been renamed as ‘Postmark Place’ to reflect the history of the site as part of its transformation into residential and commercial property.
The site is owned by the Council and is part of our ongoing process to regenerate the town centre. The two new buildings will include commercial space on the ground floor of both buildings including the frontage onto High Street. The scheme will also provide improved links between High Street and Market Street.
They will also provide town centre residential rented accommodation on the upper floors in both buildings. In total it is proposed there will be ten onebedroom flats and 18 two-bedroom flats across the two buildings. All of the flats will be available for rent with ten of them provided for social rent.
It is planned that the first homes will be ready for occupation in Autumn 2024.
Work has started on the review of the Eastleigh Borough Local Plan 2016-2036. This review will guide future development in the Borough. It will be used to determine planning applications and will update the policies and sites in the recently adopted Local Plan.
As part of the first stage in the Local Plan Review, the Council published the Call for Sites - an opportunity for residents to send us details of potential sites to be considered in the plan; the Draft Statement of Community Involvement - asking for views on how the Council will consult communities on planning matters, and the Local Development Scheme - a timetable for the Local Plan Review and other planning documents.
Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/localplanreview
For more details of these documents and consultations and for the latest news and updates on the Local Plan Review.
Calling all young people in the local area, spend your evenings having some fun with games and activities, meet new people, seek advice and support from highly skilled youth support workers. Check out our list of youth centres to find one near you.
Energy Youth Centre - Eastleigh
Free drop-in youth sessions for 0 - 19 year-olds.
Tuesday: 6pm - 8.30pm
Thursday: 6pm - 8.30pm
Facilities:
• two pool tables
• ping pong table
• televisions
• recording studio and music equipment
• craft materials eg, glass paints, card making, fabric
Fryern Pavilion - Chandler’s Ford
Free drop-in youth sessions for 0 -19 year-olds (or up to the age of 25 for tailored 1:1 support)
Thursday: 6pm - 8.30pm
YZone - Fair Oak
Free drop-in youth sessions for 0 - 19 year-olds (or up to the age of 25 for tailored 1:1 support)
Winter: Monday and Thursday: 6pm - 8.30pm
July marked the first anniversary of the partnership commissioned by the Council to provide youth services with 1,435 young people supported.
Sessions are delivered in partnership with Youth Options and are commissioned by the Council to provide outreach and in-house sessions across the Eastleigh town, Chandler’s Ford and Fair Oak areas, with a separate outreach project in Bursledon, Hamble and Netley.
Following the recent retirement of the long-standing Clerk, Hilary Blaker has been appointed as the new Clerk of Chandler’s Ford Parish Council. Having previously worked within local schools, Hilary has worked within the Parish Council now for nearly three years. Her knowledge of the community and her experience within finance and local business makes her ideally suited for the role. Based at the Fryern Pavilion Hilary intends to continue the good work of the Parish Council and hopes to increase community engagement by promoting the hard work of the team.
A new website has been set up to address access issues caused by out-of-date pavement furniture in the Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh area. It aims to help everyone in the community – particularly users of, for example, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and buggies - to use the local paths without obstruction from longstanding barriers, steps, gates, kerbs, or other obstacles.
• saves you time and is more convenient
• no more mess or creepy crawlies in your vehicle
• collected fortnightly from your kerbside
• no more booking or queueing at your local tip
•
Join
Residents can find out more and report obstructions to www.removethebarriers.co.uk. A list of 36 paths with unnecessary barriers was recently submitted and, of those, 32 have been accepted for improvements.
The risk of flooding in Chandler’s Ford has been reduced after the Environment Agency agreed to conduct seven-yearly CCTV surveys of culverts carrying the Monks Brook for which they have responsibility.
Maintaining a water course and its banks, and preventing blockages, generally falls to the landowner, but it was accepted that it was unsafe for householders to access the concrete tunnels to make inspections.
The work is important to ensure properties are insurable in a flood risk zone.
• SAVE £50: Draught-proof doors, windows and the loft hatch
• SAVE £44: Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
• SAVE 10%: Switch to LED light bulbs
• SAVE £80: Turn your thermostat down by one degree (18°c minimum for vulnerable individuals)
Working from home? Heat only the room you are working in (and close the door to ones you’re not using).
For more ways to reduce home heating costs visit energysavingtrust.org.uk
The Hampshire-based team at Hitting the Cold Spots offers advice on the grants available and ways to reduce your energy bills while keeping your home warm and healthy. Call 0800 804 8601 for more information or email staywarm@environmentcentre.com
The Warm Home Discount scheme will be reopened in October, check the government’s website for up-to-date guidance: gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
£25 a week if the average temperature in the area is recorded as/forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. Eligible residents in receipt of certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) will get automated payments.
Between £250 to £600 for those who were born on or before 25 September 1957 to help pay heating bills. You will get this automatically November-January if you are eligible, get a State Pension or are in receipt of benefits.
Some specific groups are required to claim direct and will not be contacted automatically.
Search gov.uk for updates
Thrive Blackbird Community Fridge, Eastleigh
Pavilion on the Park, Kingfisher Road, Eastleigh SO50 9LH.
Open Monday - Friday 10am to 3pm, Sunday 9.30am to 12 noon
The Eastleigh Pantry
The Dove Suite, Pavilion on the Park, Kingfisher Road, Eastleigh SO50 9LH.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 12 noon, Tuesday 4pm to 6pm £5 per visit for £15+ worth of food per week, there are no restrictions on becoming a member.
Eastleigh Basics Bank
Unit G6, Wells Place, Eastleigh SO50 5PP
Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 3pm
The Food Centre, Hedge End
King’s Community Church, Sovereign Place, Northam Road, Hedge End SO30 4BZ.
Open Mondays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm
Hound Basics Food Bank
30 Queen’s View, Netley Abbey SO31 5AE.
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.30am to 2pm.
Crowd-pleasers at The Point include tribute acts Think Floyd and Eastleigh boy Elio Pace who brings his phenomenal Billy Joel Albums Show tour to a close with a visit to his hometown venue; marvel-lous magic in Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids and comic Ed Byrne tests the theory that Humour = Tragedy + Time by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.
The Point’s regular favourites return including the popular Too Good Tuesdays programme for babies and toddlers, including a new session for Tiny Dancers. A film and a friendly welcome are available to all at Inclusive Cinema, take the opportunity to learn how to help our planet at Sustainability Hub or join weekly classes for adults and young people in dance, theatre and crafts.
Meanwhile, The Berry Theatre’s Christmas show celebrates the 50th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, with thousands of families expected to visit the venue in December.
Comedy fans can enjoy live stand-up from big names such as Sam Avery, Geoff Norcott and Simon Evans, while there are even more chances to laugh your socks off in Looking For Me Friend, a celebration of Victoria Wood’s music and Mum’s the Word, an uplifting and honest show about motherhood starring Eastenders’ Cheryl Fergison.
There’s theatre for all the family with Hancock’s Half Hour and Dinosaur Adventure Live while older children and adults will love the Dolly Parton inspired Goodbye Jolene, jumping out of their seats in The Haunting and singing along to West End musical hits in Dreamcoat Stars.
An alternative festive programme features cosmic game show Astrology Bingo, spinetingling pup-petry in Yule and a hot toddy of a burlesque show with Hundred Watt Club. There’s lots for little ones too, with Nick Cope’s Festive Family Concert and a chance to meet Santa at Eastleigh’s Christmas Lights Switch-on before the venue’s Studio Theatre becomes an icy cave in Yeti, a free experience for under-fives and their grown-ups.
Young children will love Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tales from Acorn Wood while older siblings are invited to take a seat in the immersive set of Kinder, a moving and poignant story of a Czech-Jewish girl escaping to the UK on a Kindertransport train in the 1930s.
Walk & Talks
Join a friendly group for a walk in one of Eastleigh’s green spaces.
Tuesday 6 and 26 Sept, 3 and 17 Oct
Lakeside, 1pm
Thursday 7 and 21 Sept, 5 and 19 Oct
Itchen Valley Country Park, 10am
Wednesday 20 Sept and 18 Oct - Hound
Wednesday 27 Sept and 25 Oct - Hamble
Wednesday 11 Oct - Bursledon
10.30am
Fungi Foray
led by John Wright
Friday 6 October 10.30am and 1.30pm • Cost: £12
John Wright is one of the most experienced foray leaders in Britain, and has written many books on the subject. He will be sharing his wealth of knowledge, leading two forays to identify the variety of fungi in the park. He still takes forays every year for a variety of organisations including River Cottage in Dorset.
Hamble Peninsula Guided Walk
Tuesday 19 September
10am - 12.30pm • Cost: £4
A 7km circular walk along the Rail Trail to Hamble Village, including a refreshment stop, back along the shore and through Royal Victoria Country Park. For people who enjoy walking at a reasonable pace and would prefer to be with a group. The guide is an experienced walk leader and has knowledge of local wildlife.
Halloween Trail
Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 October
Cost: £3
Track the abominable animals to solve the clues and earn a prize! Pick up a pack from the Woodland Café between 10am and 3pm.
Halloween Thrills and Fire Show
Tuesday 31 October • Cost: from £7
Enjoy an evening of fang-tastic entertainment that will have you howling at the moon this Halloween! Fire juggling, zombie dance, marshmallow toasting and more. Join us... if you dare!
To book visit: itchenvalley.co.uk
Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton SO30 3HQ
The highlight of the autumn and winter season at our theatres is The Berry Theatre’s big festive show, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas – from the creator of that other seasonal family favourite, The Snowman. This much-loved family story of a grumpy Father Christmas getting ready for a night’s hard work on ”Bloomin’ Christmas Eve…!” will bring festive cheer to all ages, from 0 to 90! This year it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary –a testament to its enduring popularity.
In addition to his show at Hedge End’s The Berry Theatre, Santa will also be making a guest appearance at the Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch-on in the town centre on Saturday 18 November –and will be welcoming the little ones to his grotto at The Point. There’s an awesome Autumn season of entertainment, events and experiences at The Point Eastleigh and The Berry Theatre in Hedge End - with top stand-up comedians, drama, burlesque, magic, loads of kids’ stuff and a range of rewarding classes at the popular venues, which are owned and operated by Eastleigh Borough Council.
To book tickets: theberrytheatre.co.uk/FatherChristmas
The Council remembered the bicentenary of Charlotte Mary Yonge’s birth. The best-selling Victorian writer, admired by many of her peers including Lewis Carroll and George Eliot, is important locally for giving Eastleigh its name. A statue of Charlotte has sat proudly on a bench outside Eastleigh Railway Station since 2015.
Charlotte was one of the most prolific and bestselling novelists of the Victorian period and at the forefront of charitable endeavours to develop good housing and facilities for the people of Eastleigh. In 1868 she donated £500 towards the parish church (Church of the Resurrection) and was asked to choose which of the two merging villages the parish should be named after. She chose Eastley but advised that it should be spelt ‘Eastleigh’ as we know it today.
Pictured: Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Nick Couldrey, helps Charlotte celebrate her 200th birthday
A range of community grants are open this autumn/winter from Eastleigh Borough Council to support charities and not-for-profit organisations across the Borough.
The Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound Local Area Committee (LAC) community grants are open all year round, but others have a specific window for applications.
Each community grant has its own timeline, criteria and required supporting documentation - so organisations should read the guidelines thoroughly before applying.
Annual community grants
Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury LAC: Open 18 September to 30 October.
Hedge End, West End & Botley LAC: Open 11 September to 30 October (Autumn 2023)
Borough-wide: New Year 2024
The grants are available for non-profit making community groups, voluntary organisations, trusts, friendly societies, social enterprises and community interest companies all of whom can apply provided that their objectives are charitable as defined by the Charity Act 2006.
Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/communitygrants
The Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding their Festival of Remembrance at The Point, Eastleigh on Sunday 29 October at 3pm with The Band of the Hampshire Constabulary, Muriele French Singer and The Goodnight Sweethearts - New Forest. Tickets are £12.50 and can be booked from The Point Box Office. All proceeds are in aid of the Poppy Appeal.
Wessex Vale Crematorium is holding a Service of Remembrance on behalf of the Branch on Saturday 4 November at 2pm.
An Armistice Day (11.11.11) Service will be held from 10.45am on Saturday 11 November at the War Memorial in Eastleigh Recreation Ground. Remembrance services and Parades will be held around the Borough on Sunday 12 November.
The Council will again be placing the two large poppies on the bandstand to provide a very visual sign of support for this year’s Remembrance. People are encouraged to tie a poppy onto the Bandstand on the Leigh Road Recreation Ground to show their support and respect.
Tail End Charlie Eastleigh Veterans’ Centre opened in August and will be running weekly every Thursday from 11am to 3.30pm at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Blenheim Road, Eastleigh SO50 5LQ.
The centre has been set up by Digger and Aline Gardner to help veterans in the Borough of Eastleigh.
Find out more: email: enquiries@tailendcharlie.uk or call 01489 359 869
The document that turns the Council’s guiding strategy into a range of actions designed to support communities and improve lives across Eastleigh Borough has been adopted by the Council.
The Corporate Plan Three-year Action Plan identifies the outputs we need to deliver on the aims of Corporate Plan 2023-2026 –the blueprint that will guide the work of the Council over the next three years.
The Corporate Plan is the detailed roadmap that sets out our vision to lead and support Eastleigh Borough and its communities under four priority themes: Enabling a Healthier Eastleigh, Shaping Places, Protecting our Environment, and Creating Homes and Communities. There is also an internal focus on Improving our Organisation so that we can deliver the required actions.
The Action Plan commits us to enabling improved quality of life for residents, promoting thriving and healthy people and places, supporting the local economy, and maintaining an attractive and sustainable environment that our residents value. It considers where we are now under each priority theme, sets out what our aspirations are, then pledges our specific commitments, and the enabling and supporting actions that need to be in place to achieve them.
Council Leader, Cllr Keith House, said: “We are proud of our record of delivering excellent services that improve the lives of our residents and support the communities that make up Eastleigh Borough. We approach the coming years with the confidence that comes from our strong record and a determination to meet the challenges on the horizon.”
The plan can be found at eastleigh.gov.uk
Your household will have received a form recently from the Borough Council showing the names of residents who are currently registered to vote at your property.
Please check this information to ensure the details are correct. If the information needs to be updated, please visit householdresponse.com/eastleigh to make any changes. The information is used to confirm who, at your address, is eligible to vote. This information can also be used when applying for credit such as a mortgage or personal loan. Not being registered can risk you being refused credit.
Please help us by responding as soon as you can to prevent reminders being sent and to avoid the need for additional contact with you.
Local Area Committees (LACs) are made up of elected Ward Councillors. They take decisions and make representations relating to their area on a wide range of Council business, including determining planning applications and environmental improvements.
Public question sessions are held at the start of each meeting and if you would like to speak, you must register before the meeting begins. Please email democraticservices@eastleigh.gov.uk or you can register at the meeting.
Each LAC has a Local Area Manager who works with the Councillors to set the strategic direction of the committee’s work.
Contact us: Eastleigh Borough Council, Eastleigh House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 9YN 023 8068 8000 @EastleighBC eastleigh.gov.uk • my.eastleigh.gov.uk
Sign up to receive updates from us at: eastleigh.gov.uk/weeklynews
Bishopstoke, Fair Oak & Horton Heath
(7pm) 27 September • 29 November
Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/bifohh or contact kitty.budden@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 8418
Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound (6pm) 21 September•30 November
Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/bhh or contact ross.mcclean@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 3367
Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury
(7pm) 20 September • 15 November
Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/cfh or contact guy.riddoch@eastleigh.gov.uk 023 8068 3369
Eastleigh (7pm) 26 September •14 November Visit eastleigh.gov.uk/elac or contact guy.riddoch@eastleigh.gov.uk
023 8068 3369
Hedge End, West End & Botley (7pm) 25 September •20 November ross.mcclean@eastleigh.gov.uk
023 8068 3367
Details are correct at time of print. Distribution period - We try to ensure that the dates featured or listed in the Borough News fall after the last copy is delivered. However, some events may occur during the delivery period. We try to avoid this, but we are keen that events get as much publicity as possible.
Eastleigh Borough Council makes no representations, endorsements, warranties or guarantees, and is not liable for any loss or damage, in relation to any advertisements placed in the Borough News.
