Garden

Jackie’s County Corner - January 2022

Happy New Year! After nearly two tumultuous years of the pandemic , it seems especially relevant that a new year finds us all vowing to lead healthier lives. I hope you feel well and strong as you read this today. This month’s County Corner includes healthy options for you- without going to the gym… There are a wealth of exercise options that you can follow in your own home, one of which is to keep moving, even if you have arthritis. ‘Let’s move with Leon’ is a programme on www.VersusArthritis.org

"The Avenue was gifted to the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Alresford by the Bishop of Winchester on 23rd September 1869 for the recreational use of the inhabitants of the Town and the Town Trust succeeded the Bailiffs and Burgesses in 1890 acquiring its assets and responsibilities including the Avenue and the trees in Broad Street. Hampshire’s Public Health team are offering a scheme for those of us whose BMI has reached 28. (to calculate your BMI go to www.shapeup4lifehampshire.co.uk) This is a new free Public Health programme (online or in person) to incentivise us to change our eating habits not just for now, but for life. Go to www.hants.gov.uk and search ‘healthy weight programme’ or call 023 8218 0287

The County Council has received £7m funds from the Department for Work and Pensions to distribute over the winter for food, fuel and utility/ heating costs.

50% of the funds are for families, the remainder for other vulnerable households. Parents of children can apply through schools and colleges. Citizens Advice are able to channel this money to residents. I urge you to ask anyone who needs help to contact Citizens Advice direct 0808 278 7861, or refer to me if you wish.

You can also use a Community Pantry whatever your circumstances, giving you at least £15 food when you purchase a £5 voucher. Open Mon—Thurs, 10-2pm, delivery service available. For more details go to www.unit-12.org , call/text 07547 932511

The Avenue is the most important feature of our Town with its western gateway and the many visitors admire its splendour as they drive into Alresford. Ernie Jeffs is the Trustee responsible for the Avenue and he works with the key contractors to ensure that the Avenue is properly maintained. Recent work includes:

• Grass cutting usually 10-13 times per year, performed by Peter Bridges over last 10 years • Leaf collection in November/December by Bill Wellings who also advises on grass and soil cultivation. • Tree maintenance following 4 yearly tree surveys by Chris Mathews/Adam

Maskill. C&D trees have just finished the work recommended in The

Avenue and Broad Street and agreed with Winchester City Council. The work involved removing a tree in Broad Street which will be replaced once the ground has been prepared. • Recent planting of more spring flowering bulbs on grass areas on the south side by the Rotary Club of Alresford.

Children’s Matters:

School staff are amazing! I have been visiting schools in my division to thank schools for everything they are doing and to talk about the impact of the last two years on children. The variants of Covid 19 risk normal school life again, and I’m pleased to see the Children’s Commissioner, Rachael de Souza condemning the idea that we could close schools again. Ofsted resumed inspections in the Autumn Term and it was pleasing to see two local schools being recognised as ‘good’. Don’t forget that the last date to apply for an Autumn 2022 primary school place is 15th January 2022: forms online or from your local school.

Are you waiting for gigabit broadband?

Several valiant organisers in my division set up Community Fibre Partnerships in 2020/2021 to apply for faster broadband from Openreach through the gigabit scheme. The Department of Culture Media and Sport has been overwhelmed by interest (which is no surprise!) and a complicated picture of delays is appearing. Contact me direct or search ‘broadband’ for up-to-date details on my website Cllr Jackie Porter www.jackieporter.co.uk Jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk 01962 791054 (ansaphone) and tel/text 07973 696085

• Additional areas have been restored where they have become overgrown and will be maintained in the future and the boundary line with Perins School has been tidied up.

Robin Atkins, Chair of the Town Trust said “The Avenue which is universally admired by residents is a significant benefit to the whole Town yet the financial costs are borne almost entirely by the Trust with support from the Friends of The Avenue where 23 households in Alresford make annual contributions together with four local businesses namely, Charters, Hellards, C&D Trees and Richard Steel, Funeral Directors.

We have recently spent over £10,000 on the tree work and annual maintenance costs over last 6 years is running at £9,000 pa The question is whether the Town Trust should bear all these costs for the Avenue which benefits all the residents of the town?" Kind regards,

Robin Atkins Chair,NATT

The Avenue, Alresford

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