New Milton Advertiser 20th Nov 2020

6 · Friday 20th November 2020

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Rituals, burials and more in Bronze Age discovery

‘Godsend’ housing for homeless approved

NEW emergency housing in Ringwood for homeless people was approved as a “godsend” by councillors, despite neigh- bours’ concerns over anti-social behaviour. The planning committee of New Forest District Council rejected those worries to sign- off its own proposals to change the commercial use of 110-114 Christchurch Road into tempo- rary accommodation. Several members, including Cllrs Anne Corbridge, Allan Glass and Kate Crisell, stressed how crucial the housing was to struggling families. They said it would also save NFDC mon- ey by reducing the number of people put up in local bed and breakfasts. “Spaces like this are a god- send,” Cllr Corbridge said. “For the people who use them – and they are very well managed and looked after – most move onto other accommodation. “They are also a godsend for the council in saving a huge amount in bed and breakfast fees.” Ringwood member Cllr Mi- chael Thierry added: “Such a facility is very, very much wel- comed. It’s in a great part of the town.” The application said the site will provide for seven people, with five parking spaces. The bedsits each contain their own private en-suite and “robust furniture” for residents to store belongings plus a fridge. POLICE released this image of a man they want to find after a boat’s outboard motor was stolen in a raid on a Lymington garage. A wooden door was forced to gain entry to the outbuilding in Solent Avenue between 2.20am and 2.40am last Tuesday when the Mainer 3.3 motor was taken. Contact Hampshire officers on 101, quoting reference num- ber 44200435395, or call Crimes- toppers on 0800 555 111.

There are also two communal kitchens and an outdoor dry- ing space. In the application, NFDC stressed the housing would support people it was “required to assist” by law. Several neighbours and Ring- wood Town Council had raised their objections, however. NFDC had not consulted Ringwood Town Council at all, Cllr Rae Frederick complained, adding its members knew of alternative buildings in the town that should have been considered. She said the town council believed the units were “too cramped” for families and indi- viduals, and suggested they be reduced from seven to five. Neighbours of the site flagged up the designs’ four double beds and five singles, and ques - tioned if more than seven peo- ple will be staying there at any one time. Opponents feared they would lose their privacy, traffic con - gestion would worsen, and there would be harm to Ring- wood’s conservation area. One, who gave her name as Mrs Palmer, told the commit- tee: “Will there be an emergen- cy local contact in case of any trouble? We will be bearing the brunt of this. Hopefully, it will all be sweetness and light but it might not be and we are con- cerned.” However, the planning com- mittee gave the scheme its unanimous approval.

Archaeologists find remains from more than 4,000 years ago

The shell and two flint tools from the same period were the earliest finds from the site and indicate there may have been a campsite in the area. Mr Milward added: “Archae- ological evidence from the Mesolithic period is rare, but now and again we do find flint tools and evidence for these temporary settlement sites. We know of a few Mesolithic sites close to Beaulieu River and it appears there was another at this site.” Hilde van der Heul, commu- nity archaeologist at the NPA, said: “This project is a great example of how quality archae- ological research can be under- taken as part of a community project, with volunteers learn- ing archaeological techniques and processes. “It aimed to give a better un- derstanding of the New Forest’s prehistoric past, with the direct involvement of the local com- munity. “It was an exciting oppor- tunity for volunteers with an interest in archaeology and heritage to get some hands-on experience in the field, especial - ly with rare and important find - ings like these.” For more information about the project, go to www.newfor estnpa.gov.uk/blog/

BY LIZ HENDRIE

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have dis- covered the remains of a signifi - cant Bronze Age monument on the Beaulieu Estate where bur- ials and rituals may have been performed more than 4,000 years ago. During two digs the team of experts and volunteers un- earthed a ring ditch thought to have played an important role in the local community for generations – although exactly what it was used for remains a mystery. Five Bronze Age cremation urns were also discovered along with some unexpected evidence of much earlier inhabitants from the Mesolithic period. The Beaulieu investigations were part of an archaeology project led by the national park authority and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Our Past, Our Fu- ture Landscape Partnership Scheme. Its final report has now been published and includes some fascinating facts about the pre- DRUITT in Christchurch will soon be home to a new wildlife area after grant funding was secured. Christchurch Town Coun- cil has awarded the Friends of Druitt Gardens £1,330 to devel- op the site, which will feature raised planters, bird feeders, nesting boxes, a bug house, dipping pond and water harvest- ing from the roof of Druitt Hall. The area to the rear of the hall will be primarily for educa- tional use, with members of the Friends group giving parents and children tours of the fenced- off garden. Hand-out sheets and an ex- ploratory guide will also be pro- vided. Gardens

The archaeological team during the dig on the Beaulieu Estate

region. Jon Milward, project officer at Bournemouth University Ar- chaeological Research Consul- tancy, said: “Monuments with entrances and apparent open interiors such as this one may have been meeting spaces used to carry out rituals and ceremo- nies that were important to the local community. “There is evidence here of

regular modification and an apparent continuity of use over a long time, implying that this monument was perhaps more than a burial place and played a significant role in the communi - ty for many generations.” The charred remains of a ha- zelnut shell sent to America for radiocarbon dating was given a Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) date of 5736-5643 BC.

historic communities which once inhabited the New Forest. Three of the urns discov- ered were carefully assessed at Bournemouth University, where they were found to con- tain cremated human bone. And the investigation of the ring ditch has added signif- icantly to the team’s under- standing of monument build- ing and burial practices in the

Hunt for motor thief

Wildlife boost for town gardens after grant

A spokesperson for the Friends group said the development would transform what is currently an unused area. Further plans for Druitt Gar- dens include a wildflower mead - ow and the installation of bird and bat boxes, made and do- nated by local Men’s Shed vol- unteers. Work on the educational area is expected to start soon, and volunteers are currently clear- ing leaves and creating com- post. For more information about the Friends of Druitt Gardens, visit www.druitthall.org.uk/ FoDG or email FoDG@druit thall.org.uk

Rings worth £6,500 stolen from car

GOLD rings worth £6,500 were stolen when raiders smashed their way into a car near Hurn on Monday morning. A black Kia Sportage was targeted between 11.30am and 11.45am in a small gravel car park close to the Mildren Con- struction site in Matchams Lane. Its passenger window was broken and a handbag contain- ing a purse was snatched. Inside the purse were three platinum-gold rings: an en- gagement ring with a square diamond worth around £4,400, an eternity ring val-

ued at nearly £1,500, and a wedding ring worth more than £500. Police have released pictures of the jewellery and are urging people to come forward if they recognise them or have been of- fered them for sale. Community support inves- tigator Chis Wilson said: “We are making enquiries into this theft and I would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Matchams Lane area around the relevant time, or may have captured anything on dashcam, to please contact us.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who comes across these items of jewellery matching those stolen being offered for sale in unusual circumstances locally or online. “Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public not to leave valuable items unattend- ed in their vehicles wherever possible.” Those with information should contact Dorset officers on 101, quoting crime reference number 55200172658, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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New Forest Disability

Have your say on plans to improve transport routes

New Forest Disability free disability related information and advice for anyone across the New Forest

ANTHONY HARRIS & COMPANY Solicitors

working in partnership with Public Health Dorset, More- Bus, Yellow Buses, Beryl Bikes, Cycling UK, Sustrans, Bourne- mouth University and Arts Uni- versity Bournemouth to deliver the project by 2023. The expansion of a bike share scheme running in Bourne- mouth and Poole into Christ- church in partnership with Ber- yl Bikes, which was announced last month, was also funded through the Transforming Cit- ies Fund. The council said 275 bikes would be provided from bays across the town, available through the company’s app. To comment, visit haveyour saybcpcouncil.uk.engagemen thq.com/transforming-travel and for more information go to www.transformingtravel.info BCP Council has also an- nounced an additional £1.1m from the government’s active travel fund to support walking and cycling through local infra- structure.

ed to £102m by contributions from both councils, developers, bus companies and bike share operators. Both councils are now invit- ing initial feedback from resi- dents ahead of formal consulta- tion early next year. Responses will inform the de- sign plans, which are all aimed at offering “environmentally friendly, safer and quicker jour- neys to work, education and leisure”. Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Coun- cil cabinet member for trans- port and sustainability, said: “These sustainable infrastruc- ture plans will make walking, cycling and travelling by bus much more attractive and give people viable alternatives to using the car, particularly for short journeys. “Online engagement enables people to see and have their say despite the current nation- al lockdown, and I would urge people to visit the website and help shape plans.” BCP and Dorset councils are

VIEWS are being sought over plans for improved cycling routes and better bus connec- tions between Christchurch and Poole. The project by BCP and Dor- set councils will see a “con- nectivity corridor” between Christchurch and Poole involv- ing infrastructure improve- ments to bus, cycle and walking routes. It also includes four new cycleways across east Dor- set, including one between Christchurch and Bourne- mouth. Further work includes new bus stops, local travel apps and the introduction of elec- tric bikes, along with improved pavement access for people with mobility needs, and cy- cle facilities for businesses, schools, colleges and universi- ties. The scheme is being funded by a £79m grant from the gov- ernment’s Transforming Cities Fund, which invests in sustain- able transport. This was boost-

Welfare benefit and Blue Badge applications, new and lightly used mobility equipment and daily living aids, advice on living at home safely. Telephone first for essential equipment supplies during lockdown. Telephone Appointments available Helpline 01425 628750 info@newforestdis.org.uk www.newforestdis.org.uk Head Office. 6 Osborne Rd, New Milton, BH25 6AD

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