In the Autumn 2014 edition, our lead story was the BFOBRCA Chairman’s Report to the Annual General Meeting for 2014. Trustee Rachel Skinner reported on improvements to the Community Centre and the development of the new website. She thanked the Badger Farm Social Club for their continued support and also our hardworking and committed staff; Jan Dawkins, Merv Hall and Barbara Angel, who ensure the smooth running of the Centre both front of house and behind the scenes.

Badger Farm Parish Council explained the background to their idea to let cattle graze on Whiteshute Ridge for part of each year. On other matters, they requested that people be gentle with the swings in the Davis play area to help extend their life and that dog owners clean up after their dogs. Simon Fletcher  was welcomed as our newest Councillor

Liz Lindsay stepped down as the organiser of the Badger Farm Parent and Toddlers group.

Oliver’s Battery Pre-school had fun at Adventure Wonderland in Bournemouth and rounded off the year with the much-loved teddy bears’ picnic.

The newest Badger Farm Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator shared her thoughts on setting up a new Neighbourhood Watch area, how she found the process and the response she got from the residents in her road.

Our local councillors reported on progress on the Whiteshute Ridge Project, maintenance on Badger Farm and the City Dog Warden. They shared their concerns over suggested changes by the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the proposed development at Pitt Vale. In good news, the new play area in Oliver’s Battery is a great hit with the children as it was particularly well designed and built.

The first meeting of the Heart to Heart Winchester Cardiomyopathy Support Group was to take place in the Community Centre in October.

MP Steve Brine highlights his Ask the … series, a series of open meetings to debate some of the key local, national and international issues of the day. His Summer Tour included a Supermarket Surgery at Badger Farm Sainsbury’s and he appeared on South Today speaking about Linden Homes’ attempt to force 500 houses on the Pitt Vale site.

Ann’s Computer Corner explored the history of computer viruses and explained how to safeguard your computer.

Stanmore Primary School spent a week focusing on different aspects of the Great War. To raise money for Wells for India pupils devised their own sponsored event, everything from cycle rides, swims, netball throwing, skipping, keepy uppies, walking up St Catherine’s Hill to surviving on limited water for a day – you name it they thought of it!

Oliver’s Battery Parish Council reported on improvements to the recreation ground with the new  younger children’s play equipment, a new map board and the plan to replace the temporary footpath from the car park to the Multi-use Games Area with a permanent one. The fete held on 7 June was a great success and enjoyed by many families and members of our local community.

Nature Notes educated us on  the markings on birds’ eggs and shared that a local resident had recently seen a Greater Butterfly Orchid growing in the Yew Hill Butterfly Reserve.