Highlights of our Spring 2013 edition include, in News from Oliver’s Battery, retiring Chairman Terry Morris shares his thoughts on what living in Oliver’s Battery means to so many people.

City Councillors Brian Laming and Lynda Bannister learn about the land management in Shawford Down. They give updates on the City’s tree reduction plan for Badger Farm, the proposed Housing Development to the south of Oliver’s Battery and the recent prolonged power failure in Oliver’s Battery.

County Councillor Charlotte Bailey is strong believer in the benefits of having libraries – as many as possible.

I visit the Discovery Centre frequently but also get books from my local mobile library. Now I have started to get books from the new library at the Carroll Centre in Somers Close, Stanmore. With the recent cuts, Stanmore Library was due to close but local Councillors
worked hard to find a new home for it and it now uses volunteers to keep it open. Why not give it a visit?

Badger Farm Social Club held a very successful children’s Christmas Party.

Our MP Steve Brine was briefed by representatives of Oliver’s Battery Pre-School on plans to replace its ageing and unsuitable building with something modern and fit for purpose.

Badger Farm Parish Council reports on the future of Whiteshute Ridge.

Whiteshute Ridge is owned and maintained by The Parish Council on a lease from Winchester City Council. The
cost of the upkeep was originally paid for by the interest on a lump sum provided by the City but with inflation and
extremely low interest rates the yield on the lump sum now comes nowhere close to covering the costs. The vast
majority of the cost is now covered by the precept and our contingency funds. It has been noted that the grass
land and general condition of the flora has been suffering over the last few years, and this has had a knock on
effect on the wildlife particularly the insect population.

Winchester’s Neighbourhood Watch’s main focus is the reduction of crime and the fear of crime.

A Neighbourhood Watch scheme can be your own road, close, part of a road or perhaps a block of flats. It should not be so large that it is difficult for the coordinator to keep in contact with other members. The ideal size for a scheme is 12 to 24 households but there really are no rules! Neighbourhood Watch involves two way communication between yourselves and the police to ensure that important information and advice can be shared to keep you and your neighbourhood safe. Your home, garden, shed, garage are important and you will want to ensure that they are protected in every way against theft, vandalism and malicious damage. Neighbourhood Watch will help you to do this. By sharing information about any local crimes and also providing crime
prevention advice Neighbourhood Watch is there to help the whole community to become stronger and more resilient. You
can help us to help you!