“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy” so put your feet up and enjoy the Summer 2019 edition of Community News.

The children from Badger Farm Pre-School have been learning about helping others. They took part in April’s Chat-Tea Café and helped Sainsbury’s staff money for Red Nose Day.

As part of the local community it is essential to us as a group to join in and support local events and explain to the children that it is important to care for others.

Community Centre News

• Please note the change of month for the Badger Farm and Oliver’s Battery Residents’ Community Association AGM. It will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26 June in the Bushfield room at the Community Centre. All residents are welcome.
• We are happy to announce that Merv, our Caretaker, is back after a health issue which necessitated him being away from work for a considerable time. Thanks also go to Graham Linnell who stood in for Merv during his absence.
• Jan is delighted to introduce you to Ali Cochrane who is working in the office with her as an assistant for four hours per week.
• We are working continually to balance the running of the centre with the needs of the community and would love your input. We would love to hear any feedback or suggestions for what you might like to see happen at the Community Centre in the forthcoming month/years, whether it be a group suggestion or any other ideas you would like to share with us.
• The Chat-Tea Café had a lovely meeting on Easter Monday and continues to flourish. The next one will be held on Monday 27 May (Bank Holiday Monday).

News from our Local Schools

• Oliver’s Battery Primary School celebrated World Book Day in March. They had visits from Little LifeSavers, who taught Years 5 and 6 basic first aid and lifesaving skills, and Pam Meir, the Young Arts Rep for Winchester Art Society, who donated a framed print of Winchester to the school. The school’s annual fun Quiz Night will be on 17 May.
• The children of Stanmore Primary School have been making the most of their rich environment, with Year 2 designing and cultivating a fairy garden and Year 3 finding Neolithic cave paintings in the school grounds. If you would like to volunteer to help get the grounds in good shape, contact the school.
• Oliver’s Battery Pre School has had a very exciting term with an Easter Egg Hunt. After half-term they will be all excited about Sports Day. A popular ‘home corner’ this term has been a space rocket and the children have enjoyed zooming into space.

Parish and Government News

• Badger Farm Parish Council discusses the training given to Councillors. They currently have two vacancies, so if you are interested do get in touch. The Council would be very keen to receive your photographs of Badger Farm to include on their website.
• Oliver’s Battery Parish Council reports that the recreation ground is well used and valued as the Council continue to improve it. They debate over the designation of the field around Texas Drive and Yew Hill Butterfly Reserve as Asset of Community Value is ongoing. Accessibility improvements will be made at the top of Downlands Road. The Council are holding monthly drop-in sessions at the Thrive Café to develop their communication with residents of Oliver’s Battery.
• Councillor Jan Warwick takes the opportunity to update us about our waste and recycling are dealt with in Hampshire.
• Hampshire County Council encourages us to Enjoy the Outdoors but Beware of Ticks!
• Winchester City Council welcomes Hannah Williams as our new District Councillor, joining Brian and Eleanor to represent the Badger Farm and Olivers Battery ward. The autumn traffic survey highlighted many issues in the ward. The council has made the first interim Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) served by Winchester Council in Badger Farm. In Oliver’s Battery they have supported the Parish Council and residents with the problems on Texas Drive. Finally, councillors Brian Laming and Hannah Williams would like to congratulate their colleague Eleanor Bell on becoming the next Mayor of Winchester.
• Now back on the back bench, our MP Steve Brine has wasted no time in speaking about various issues, including the urgent need to reform business rates and the many challenges facing sixth form colleges. His remarks in the House come hot on the heels of a recent visit to our own Peter Symonds where he met with new Principal Sara Russell. Sara set out some of the issues PSC faces due to increased costs without any increase to the base rate of funding in many years. Steve is putting the finishing touches to his Summer Tour for 2019.

News from Local Organisations and Clubs

• Oliver’s Battery WI enjoyed an interesting visit to the Hampshire Federation of the Womens’ Institute Spring Council Meeting AGM at the Portsmouth Guildhall where they were entertained by the “sharp and wry as ever” Pam Ayres. Their March meeting featured the author, artist and speaker Alice May speaking on ‘The House that Sat Down’. This April was a celebration of the Oliver’s Battery WI’s 19th birthday which was held at Badger Farm Community Centre, where an audience of more than 40 members and invited members from surrounding WI Groups had the absolute pleasure of being thoroughly entertained by the stupendous Romsey Ukulele Group.
• As it is summer time,Winchester Local Group Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust will not be meeting at the Community Centre, but will instead be hosting a number of guided walks in the area.
• Winchester Horticultural Society are getting busy in the garden but will allow themselves the odd evening off to enjoy talks on the National Garden Scheme, the birds in your garden and “An eye for design”.
• Our local Neighbourhood Watch representative, Sandie Vining, offers us some Crime Prevention Advice on burglary. Vulnerable/elderly victims can contact The Blue Lamp Trust who will send out a Bobby Fitter to perform a home security check.
• Nicki, who runs the Hampshire Ostomates Support Group, explains the truth about some of the myths around having stoma.

General News

• Simon Lever takes “A walk on the bright side” from Badger Farm and shares how you can make the most of our beautiful environment … “Often overlooked, but never taken for granted.”
• In Tech Talk, Ann helps you use technology to make the most of your holiday snaps.
• In her Nature Notes, Norma talks about the problems she is having with her frog pond. Her squirrel-proof bird feeder sounds like a wonderful idea. And if you’re curious about mistletoe do read her column and perhaps visit the Physic Garden in Petersfield.

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If you have a community contribution for the next edition or would like to advertise with us, please get in touch with Ann Jury, the Acting Editor, at bfobrca.cnews@gmail.com. The editorial deadline for the Autumn 2019 issue is Friday 2 August 2019.

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