New Milton Advertiser 29th Jan 2021

14 · Friday 29th January 2021

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News

Farmers to go wild with bird count ‘health check’

A TRIO of community cam- paign groups have raised more objections to plans by a Pen- nington plant nursery to relo- cate into the national park. Northfield Nursery bosses Adam Gore and Rebecca Savin want to switch from Lower Pen- nington Lane – part of land ear- marked for up to 100 homes – to a nearby field they own within the New Forest National Park. Mr Gore and Ms Savin said they employ two people plus four more seasonally. They in- vestigated alternative sites, they said, but “nothing suita- ble” was found. But 44 objections have al- ready been registered with the NPA against their scheme, in- cluding the Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society (Palls), the Lymington Society, and Friends of the New Forest. Palls chairman Bruce Tin- dall said: “If this application is granted a clear message will be sent to any landowner: that they can offer their existing site up for redevelopment and relo- cate to the national park.” LymingtonSociety spokesman Donald Mackenzie said it was “completely unacceptable” such a “major development” could be allowed in the greenbelt. He said: “Whilst understand- ing that this proposal will ena- ble the retention of the current employment generated by the current business, this does not have to be in the national park or in the greenbelt area adja- cent to their current site. “This really is the equivalent of having your cake and eating it.” INSPECTORS praised Hamp- shire and Dorset’s fire services for maintaining regular life-sav- ing duties while supporting partner agencies responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Res- cue Services (HMICFRS) com- mended both Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) and Dorset &Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) for how they adapted to the crisis. Firefighters driving ambu- lances were among the ways crews and other staff from the services helped out. HFRS was found to have up- to-date plans understanding the pandemic’s risks, and it continued carrying out Safe & BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI Forest charity hopes to see increase after conservation work MORE than 1,000 farmers are expected to take part in a na- tional initiative launched by a New Forest nature charity to count the number of wild birds on their land. Organised by the Fording- bridge-based Game and Wild- life Conservation Trust, the Big Farmland Bird Count will pro- vide researchers with a “health check” of the agricultural popu- lation and the impact of protec- tion schemes. A trust spokesperson said: “Counting the birds on their land and comparing the results to their previous year’s data al- lows count participants to see the effects of their efforts. “By submitting their results to the Game and Wildlife Con- servation Trust, scientists can analyse which species are bene- fitting nationally and which are in need of help.” The initiative will run from 5th-14th February and involves farmers, land managers and SPECIAL new direction signs will be installed in Christchurch to encourage residents and visi- tors to walk and cycle. Part of BCP Council’s Trans- forming Travel programme, the distinctive totems provide easy- to-read maps clearly showing routes to stations, hospitals, car parks, retail centres, parks and places of interest. Twenty are due to be erected in the town from March at key locations along the proposed

Measures include wide field margins where little or no pesti- cides are used, allowing broad- leaved weeds to flourish to boost insect populations which are food for birds, and planting and preserving hedgerows for nesting. Dorset farmer Rodney But- ler said: “I enjoy seeing all the different types of birds over my holding. “I am fortunate in having a large stream at one boundary which gives me the opportunity to see birds I would not other- wise have the opportunity to view, such as little egrets, dip- pers and kingfishers.” Dr Roger Draycott, or- ganiser and head of adviso- ry services at the trust, said landowners pay a vital part in bird conservation. He explained: “As cus- todians of 71% of Britain’s countryside, farmers, land managers and gamekeepers are crucial to the survival of cherished bird species like skylarks, yellowhammers, corn buntings and wild grey partridge.” The count is being sponsored by the National Farmers Union. To sign up for the project visit www.bfbc.org.uk

The idea is from the Countryside Education Trust (Photo: Google)

Plans revealed for new climate change ‘fort’

PLANS have been unveiled for a special centre in Beaulieu for people to learn about climate change and its impact on the New Forest. The Countryside Education Trust is seeking approval for what it has billed as ‘Fort Cli- mate Centre’ which will include a teaching and exhibition space at the trust’s main site at Home Farm in Palace Lane. The building will act as a fo- cal point for local environmen- tal and community groups, the trust’s application said, while also being a place for “educa- tion initiatives surrounding cli- mate change”. Previously, the organisation used a converted farm build- ing as a study room, but it said that although it is suitable for children it is not big enough for wider use by the community. It now wants to erect a one-storey timber building which will house a classroom with bi-fold doors leading to a decking area for outdoor teach- ing, along with an exhibition space. Established in 1975 the trust welcomes school groups all year with an emphasis on hands-on outdoor learning about country living, rural crafts and wildlife. It also offers experiences of life in the New Forest to families and adults. In its application to the na- tional park authority, the trust

said that the teaching space will be used for “climate change interpretation and learning”. It has undertaken 18 months of research to find ways schools and community groups can bet- ter understand the issue. It has developed teaching modules, games and lectures which it will put to use in the learning space and there will be a “focus on climate issues in the context of the New Forest Na- tional Park”. The structure will be erect- ed on an unused area of grassed land and there will be 30 parking spaces allotted to it in an already existing car park. Planning documents said the building has been “sensitively designed, is modest in scale and will complement the existing Countryside Education Trust buildings”. An NPA planning officer said the building is “broadly accept- able” under current policy but one of the “key issues” would be how much it would increase lev- els of activity at the site. They said that the “impact upon the setting of adjacent historic buildings and also the character of the wider conser- vation area will also need to be assessed”. The NPA is due to make a decision after the deadline for public comments on 8th Feb- ruary.

(Photo: Will George)

(Photo: Allan Drewitt)

Farmers will be keeping an eye out for the lapwing (above) and robin

gamekeepers spending 30 min- utes recording what farmland birds they see.

Many will be hoping to see an increase in the number of birds they spot after carrying out

conservation programmes and providing supplementary feed during the year.

Travel totems to be unveiled in town

Transforming Fund (TCF) sustainable transport routes. Locally the totems are in- tended to help connect the rail- way station with the hospital, the high street, the Priory and the harbour. Cllr Michael Greene, BCP Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The wayfind- ing totems are designed to en- courage both residents and vis- itors to walk and cycle. Cities

“By providing clear informa- tion the maps will show how quick and easy it is to walk or hop on a bike to access local amenities and explore the local neighbourhood.” The signs are being fund- ed by a combination of money secured from the £102m TCF programme by BCP and Dor- set councils and Local Growth Deal funding from the Dor- set Local Enterprise Partner- ship.

Groups add to concerns over nursery’s move

Transport o ered to vaccine appointments

Neil Odin said: “I am proud of the part our services have played in supporting part- ners and the wider community throughout the pandemic. “We have maintained full fire and rescue cover in all corners of the county and on the Island, and have not only delivered our services but we have reached much further to make life safer for our commu- nities.” The report into DWFRS high- lighted how staff volunteered for face-fit testing for PPE while continuing education and fire prevention. It achieved this while battling the largest wild- fire in living memory at Ware- ham Forest. Inspectors praised the crea- UNPAID carers can access newly launched classes to help them look after their own well- being. Psychological therapy ser- vice for Hampshire, italk, has teamed up with mental health charity Solent Mind and South- ern Health NHS Foundation Trust to design the free online self-care sessions with carers specifically in mind. Trained facilitators from So- lent Mind will teach coping strategies and cognitive be- havioural therapy techniques for boosting mood and staying A CHARITY is offering afford- able transport for New Forest residents to carry them safely to their coronavirus vaccination appointments. Community First New Forest, which offers advice, training and support to local groups, also provides transport to med- ical appointments as well as its popular ‘call and go’ minibus service for shopping. Now the organisation is helping with the vaccination drive by dedicating some of its transport capacity to a door-to- door service for those who may struggle to get to their appoint- ments. Tim Houghton, Community First New Forest’s chief execu- tive, said: “We’ve been offering our support to vulnerable peo- ple throughout the pandemic and want to help support the roll-out of the vaccine.

tive ways the service continued to educate children and young people during 2020, including online road safety packages, which received national atten- tion, and safety stories read on YouTube by famous faces. DWFRS was found to have staff wellbeing support which included regular email commu- nications, virtual meetings, and flexible working arrangements. Dorset’s Chief Fire Officer, Ben Ansell, said: “I am not surprised by the way staff re- sponded to the pandemic, but I am always grateful to them for the work they do to sup- port our communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, Swindon and Wiltshire.” resilient. Sara Langston, who leads on patient engagement at italk, said: “We learned from carers that peer support is vital, so we’ve made the class more in- teractive. “We will keep the session open for 30 minutes after each class, for anyone who’d like to stay and chat.” Attendees must be over 16 and registered with a GP in Hampshire, but do not need a referral or assessment before- hand. To book, visit www.italk. org.uk “We know people will be anx- ious about going out and get- ting the vaccine and, for some, getting to and from the vacci- nation centre or to a GP or hos- pital appointment is difficult and a worry. “We’re grateful to Hampshire County Council [funding] for allowing us to adapt our ser- vices in these difficult times.” All the charity’s minibuses are accessible, Covid-secure and operated by trained driv- ers. There is a small fare for journeys, with prices set at around £1.60 per mile. When contacting the service, people are asked to ensure they have the date, time and loca- tion of their appointment ready. The transport co-ordinator will confirm the specific rate for each journey when booking. Call 01425 482773 or email nftransport@cfirst.org.uk

£1 MILLION REFURBISHMENT COMPLETED Osborne Lodge is a well-established family run care home situated within walking distance of New Milton town centre, GP surgeries and community centre Welcoming and friendly atmosphere All rooms have en suite facilities Choice of all meals Long term highly qualified staff Full range of activities RESPITE & DAY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY Are you looking after a loved one at home? Do you need a few hours to yourself? Or are you living alone in need of stimulating company? Have you had a fall and need to regain your confidence? We cater for clients wanting ongoing or short-term day care, or day care that can be called upon occasionally, whenever the need arises HALF AND FULL DAY CARE AVAILABLE Including lunch and activities (full day includes evening meal) Contact tel: 01425 618248 Email: enquiries@osbornelodge.co.uk www.osbornelodgecare.co.uk

Newwellbeing classes online for unpaid carers

Northfield Nursary’s owners want to rel ocate nearby

Bernie Austin, chair of the Friends of the New Forest’s planning and transport com- mittee, was also critical. “To allow this application would run the considerable risk of setting an undesirable precedent in the face of inevi- table future pressure to expand the business leading to a greater impact by way of visual intrusion, increased traffic and retail ‘garden centre’ use,” he said. The land on which the nurs- ery is based is within a site ear- marked for about 100 homes by New Forest District Council’s Local Plan development strat- egy. The nursery application seeks Well visits and fire safety audits in a Covid-secure manner. Responses to blazes and oth- er emergencies continued to be fast and effective, the inspec- tion found, while crews sup- ported neighbouring services and sent specialist resources to support nationally coordinated incidents. Firefighters volunteered to give fire safety advice for the new Nightingale hospitals and delivered shopping to vulnera- ble people. The inspectorate observed the service ensured all staff had the resources needed to do their jobs effectively, including PPE and extra IT. There was also access to mental health support, one-to-

to relocate two polytunnels, a greenhouse, storage shed and water tank, and install new pathways and a rainwater har- vesting pond. It said: “The proposed loca- tion of the buildings has been specifically designed to be sit- uated in the least sensitive lo- cation along the established hedgerow/screening alongside the east boundary of the field. “We would be prepared to consider further landscape planting with indigenous trees and shrubs to further merge the proposed development into its setting should the [NPA] con- sider this to be necessary.” The NPA will decide the ap- plication at a later date.

Your Home from Home

www.quakerhouse.org.uk | reception@quakerhouse.org.uk

F ollowing the Quaker ethos of kindness, respect & friendship in our care, we welcome anyone to take up our services. Our aim is to make a real difference to the lives of the people who choose to join us at Quaker House.

Inspectors fire up praise for services

We pride ourselves on putting you first, tailoring care to your specific needs and wishes, whilst continually promoting your independence. We offer a range of care, from short-term respite and reablement to extra care for those people who need more than their own carers can manage. Our staff have the heart and desire to provide a confident and competent service whilst also being highly trained professionals.

We have a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (registered provider No. 1-101663819) and are a registered charity (number 1156022)

We welcome families and friends at all times. Why not come and get to know us? You are very welcome to visit us for a day or stay for a short term before committing yourself to this major change in your life. You are equally welcome to move straight in and enjoy everyday life with us.

one calls with line managers, counselling, Covid-19 testing, and financial and legal advice. Hampshire Chief Fire Officer Both local fire services were given glowing reports

40-44 Barton Court Road, New Milton BH25 6NR reception@quakerhouse.org.uk | call 01425 617656