New Milton Advertiser 30th Oct 2020

Friday 30th October 2020 · 5 News

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Plaque tribute to Big Issue seller Ed

Protests and pledges in free school meals row

A PLAQUE is set to be placed in New Milton town centre in memory of popular Big Issue seller Ed Sirani, following calls for a special tribute. Residents have been mourn- ing the loss of Ed (pictured), a fixture in Station Road for more than a decade who died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on 20th Sep-

outside the store, although chairman Cllr Geoffrey Blun- den said this would be a matter for Hampshire County Coun- cil’s highways department. But arguing that wall and floor plaques were usually re- served for “famous or signifi- cant people”, Cllr Steve Clarke believed a plaque on a suitable bench or seat would be more ap- propriate. This idea was supported by

ditional welfare payments. New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, now an Independent, also defended voting against Labour’s motion, telling the A&T: “Having been elected as a Conservative MP, I shall con- tinue usually to vote for the rec- ommendations of the Conserv- ative government. “In this case, it was that £9.3bn extra invested in welfare during the Covid crisis was a better way to proceed than us- ing vouchers for periods when children are neither at school nor being forced to work from home during school shut-down periods.” Christchurch MP Sir Chris Chope was absent from the vote. Both New Forest MPs came under fire from political oppo- nents with New Forest East Labour Party spokesperson Je- thro Bor describing Dr Lewis’s vote as “shocking”. He said: “While we really wel- come the support of altruistic local groups across the country helping to provide disadvan- taged children with free meals during the holidays, we are dis- gusted that it has come to this reliance on charity.” Cllr Helen Wallis-Dowling, a Labour member of New Milton Town Council, said: “Our com- munity will continue to support those in need, but this is not nearly the same as those fami- lies receiving the security they need each week. probably doing it. “I’m not saying these are nefarious criminals, but these vouchers are not intended to be used in that way. I raised it because I was concerned.” During the closure of schools, the coupons were sent to families electronically via schools or as a gift card for those without internet access, and could be spent on food at supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S.

BUSINESSES coun- cils in the New Forest and Christchurch have pledged food parcels and support to those at risk of going hungry after the government refused to extend free school meals into the half- term holiday. Dozens of local pubs, cafes and restaurants stepped up to help, with BCP Council and Hampshire County Council – both led by Conservatives – also promising aid. Earlier this year, the govern- ment had funded a voucher scheme for children of low-in- come families during the Easter and summer holidays, after a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford. But last week the Tories vot- ed down Labour’s motion in the House of Commons to extend that policy until Easter 2021 – with both New Forest MPs, Sir Desmond Swayne and Julian Lewis, backing the government. In response, local business- es have offered free lunches or special schemes for children this week, including Gordleton Mill, Rivaaz and the Wallhamp- ton Arms in Lymington; the Cottage Loaf in Fordingbridge; the London Tavern and Café Aroma in Ringwood; and Bake and the Naked Pantry in New Milton. BCP Council announced from Monday it would provide food parcels, with families in need urged to call the helpline on 0300 123 7052. Tory leader Cllr Drew Mellor said: “Local councils are the ones best placed to support families that find themselves struggling with food poverty in these difficult times.” Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Keith Mans said it would distribute £150,000 to food banks, charities and oth- er organisations over the half- term to compensate for the loss of the voucher scheme. He added: “I will be writing Forest MPs defend voting down plan to o er half-term help BY LIZ HENDRIE and

tember following a period of ill health. As reported in his obituary in the A&T, he was remembered for always having a smile and a car- ing word despite battling his own troubles.

fellow members including Cllrs Valya School- ing and Robert Murrow, and Cllr Blunden said the committee would look into it further. Ed, who lived in South-

Honoured by the Big Issue charity for his tireless support, he had in recent years been sta- tioned outside McColl’s. An online meeting of the town council’s amenities com- mittee heard an outside wall of the store was suggested for a commemorative plaque. Cllr Christine Ward also mooted a pavement plaque

bourne, made many friends during his time stationed in New Milton. His commitment resulted in the Big Issue charity naming him the Bournemouth office’s vendor of the year in 2015, saying he was “a much- loved part of the New Milton community”.

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A Labour group dumped empty plates on Sir Desmond Swayne’s constituency offi ce in Barton

for feeding their children”. He wrote: “In total, eligible families collectively received £380m in meal vouchers while schools were partially closed, but I do not believe that this is an effective way of dealing with the problem.” He pointed to a rise of £1,040 this year in Universal Credit in response to coronavirus, the adult national minimum wage climbing to £8.72 per hour, and £53bn spent on income protec- tion schemes and £9.3bn on ad- up his claims, and said that given most vouchers were sent to parents digitally, a scam would seem unlikely. Speaking to the A&T, Cllr Gossage explained: “It was put to me that families on a limited income may have a need for cash for higher priorities, for instance to get their car repaired. And if somebody has thought of it, somebody is

District Council urging it to add support. Local Labour Party activ- ists angry at New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne’s vote covered the doorstep of his Barton constituency office with empty plates, with one saying: “Enjoy your lunch, Sir Desmond. 3,000 kids in the New Forest won’t.” On his website, Sir Desmond argued it had never been the government’s policy to “take from parents the responsibility and the cash acquired can be used for other purposes.” New Forest West Labour Party responded angrily to the comments, which they branded “ d i s g r a c e f u l ” . It called on Cllr Gossage to “consider his position”. Party spokesperson Trina Hart demanded Cllr Gossage cite evidence to back

to the secretary of state and Hampshire’s MPs to press for government to implement a long-term strategy to cover the Christmas and Easter school holidays to help those families who have been specifically and significantly affected by the pandemic.” New Forest Liberal Demo- crats welcomed HCC’s funding but called for it to bring in a school meals voucher scheme over the Christmas period. They also wrote to New Forest A PENNINGTON councillor came under fire for alleging low-income families in receipt of holiday food vouchers are selling them. Conservative Cllr Andrew Gossage (pictured) made the claim on Facebook and stated in his post that a “flood of additional vouchers locally” would “promote a black market”. He continued: “Individuals can buy food more cheaply using under-priced vouchers,

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“It is extremely likely that children in the New Forest will suffer hunger during this time.” Councillor claims more food vouchers would ‘promote a black market’

Hijacked tanker ‘not headed to refinery’

a mayday alert on Sunday morning. It had sailed from Nigeria but was forced to anchor south of the Isle of Wight after the stowaways reportedly became threatening. Control of the ship was

regained later that evening after assistance from the elite Special Boat Services based at Poole. Hampshire Constabulary confirmed seven people had been arrested on suspicion of seizing control of an oil tanker.

A HIJACKED oil tanker rescued by military forces at the weekend was not headed to Fawley oil refinery, a spokesperson for Exxon Mobil has confirmed. The crew of the Nave Andromeda tanker issued