Chuffed
to bits (7th April 2004)
The Andover and District Model Engineering Society will soon lose
the site in Red Rice which they have leased since 1968. Max Jones
reports.
Unfortunately the site owner is hoping to redevelop the land, so
they will have to leave their site in the Autumn. They found a first
choice alternative site, but unfortunately planning permission was
refused. It seems that locals thought they would be too obtrusive!
When I went to visit them on Sunday morning, I thought nothing could
be farther from the truth. It was a lovely peaceful scene. There
was a great smell of steam and wood smoke, and a walled garden next
to the site added to the magical air. Railway enthusiasts abounded,
tinkering away with their engines, and all clad in the appropriate
overalls and hats. For those in the know, the club consists of an
elevated track 730 feet in length for 3 1/2” and 5” gauge
locomotives, plus a dual gauge ground level track (5” and 7
1/4”.) The ground level track was completed in 1995, and extended
in 1998.
I met Club President Robin King, who said that the club is trying
to find some land in the same kind of area as Red Rice, which is
between Stockbridge and Andover. “We have members from Andover,
Newbury, Winchester, and all over the shop, so this area is perfect
for us,” said Robin. “We would like to lease or buy somewhere.
Obviously a lot of the more standard places get snapped up by property
developers, so we could be good if anyone has some land that is
odd shaped! We are not looking for charity. We have quite a few
members, and enough money to buy or lease somewhere.”
I met the oldest and youngest members of the society, Gordon Howell
and 14 year old Daniel Shaw (see picture). Gordon had an engine
called The Dominion of Canada, which appeared to be the apple of
his eye.
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The Cost of Losing (7th
April 2004)
Winchester City Council has to pay a whopping bill of £150,000
after they challenged Orange over the Byron Avenue telephone mast.
The battle was first joined between residents of Byron Avenue and
the telecommunications giant in 2001. The residents are obviously
not happy as the mast will be near a school and a hospital. Anyway,
the council first rejected the application, then Orange appealed
and that was upheld in August last year. The residents then went
to the High Court in London. They themselves have spent in excess
of £20,000. However, the council are a bit more out of pocket.
They got saddled with as legal bill for £74,312. On top of
this they had to pay a £78,194 award for costs. The bill is
to be paid by various means. The council say they have some spare
cash after last years budget. What were they planning to do with
it before this came up I ask myself, but anyway. There is also some
money in the in the planning grants reserve fund. However, the real
danger is that the council will be loth to challenge any plans in
the future, as they would not want to suffer a bloodied nose again.
Therese Evans, deputy leader of the council, said “it’s
an expensive lesson to learn, but we did it for the right reason,
in supporting local residents and their concerns. However it is
a lesson that may stop us appealing against future decisions because
of the prohibitive costs.”
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Horses for Main Courses? Non
Merci (7th April 2004)
Keen readers of The Observer will remember a story about the dastardly
French coming over to steal new Forest Ponies for their dinners.
This was due to a change in the law allowing livestock to be transported
around Europe.
At the moment only horses valued in the thousands of pounds can
be carried round Europe. This allows racehorses to get from a to
b, but horses worth thousands would be a bit too pricey to eat!
However, the price of new Forest ponies starts at a fiver, so that
makes them well and truly viable. However, Dobbin will not end up
on the plates in France now since New Forest MP Desmond Swayne asked
Tony Blair to intervene. Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) welcomed
the move. Their chief executive, Joyce D’Silva said “wer’e
delighted that MEPs have supported our campaign for the UK to retain
its ban on the export of horses for the meat trade.”
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Easter Parade (14th April 2004)
Easter weekend was celebrated in style in the Mid Hampshire Observer
region.
In Winchester there was an ecumenical walk of witnesses on the morning
of Good Friday. The point of this was to show how Jesus suffered
on the day he was crucified, Good Friday.
Then, on Easter Sunday there was a dawn mass to celebrate the resurrection
of Jesus. Also on Sunday, there was an Easter Glory concert in the
Winchester Cathedral. This was on Radio Two, and consisted of Easter
hymns, anthems, poetry and scripture, all to celebrate the resurrection.
The main choir was the Wayneflete singers.
In Eastleigh there was an Easter procession involving some poor
fellow lugging a cross up the High Street, with a stream of pilgrims
and Roman Legionares behind him! Afterwards therewere hot cross
buns for all, and the money raised went to Christian Aid.
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Junco
Partners (14th April 2004)
There is a growing sense of unease amongst the local police that
Winchester is being targeted by drug dealers from London.
These dealers tend to trade in the harder end of the drugs market,
selling heroin and crack cocaine, and seem willing to use force.
Two members of a gang of four people, from Peckham in London, were
jailed in the last fortnight. This was for their part in an armed
robbery at the One Stop in Winnall, where a gun and an imitation
gun were brandished at staff.
Apparently they had come down to Winchester to collect money off
a Stanmore woman who had been selling drugs for them. The two people
imprisoned, Daniel McLean and Daniel Doyle, were part of a gang
who were dealing drugs in Winchester. They were headed up by an
unnamed man who has not been caught yet. After the gang called on
the woman who was allegedly selling drugs for them, they had to
leave empty handed. So, it is thought that they decided, in a spur
of the moment decision, to go and rob a shop at gunpoint!
As well as this debacle, the police think that there have been several
attacks on local dealers by their London suppliers which have gone
unreported. Apparently, what happens is that the big dealers give
drugs to their provincial counterparts on credit. These dealers
then sell them on for a profit. However, as a lot of class A drug
dealers tend to be users themselves, they often end up ‘getting
high on their own supply.’ So, the money does not go back to
the big guys, who have to come down to Winchester and administer
summary justice.
Detective Constable Gary Steward, of Winchester C.I.D, said “there
has been a noticeable increase in people from London dealing drugs
and cornering the market. It is happening with Winchester with people,
mainly from the Afro Carribean community, frequently coming down
by train or car for illicit purposes. They are intimidating, and
with drugs comes violence. If someone sees something happening,
strangers talking to local riff raff, we can stop and check. We
could capture a lot of hard drugs.”
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Death
Smash (14th April 2004)
The road safety team at Hampshire County Council has added its weight
to World Health Day. Max Jones Reports.
The theme this year is road safety. At the moment road accidents
are one of the leading causes of death in the world. In America
more young adults are killed in road accidents than anything else.
In this country there are targets set by the government to reduce
deaths on the road by half. Hampshire County Council is embracing
this idea.
In Hampshire alone there were 608 child casualties of accidents
last year. This is clearly far too many. One of the ways in which
the council is hoping to lower these figures is through the launch
of an initiative called Edge 44, which gives riders of powerful
motorbikes the chance to have their skills assessed and offers advice
on how to deal with accidents and bike security.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Counillor
Keith Estlin, said: “We’re pleased to lend our support
to this valuable campaing by the WHO. Road safety is a subject at
the forefront of our minds, and our road safety team will continue
its work to increase everyone’s awareness of how to stay safe
on Hampshire’s roads.”
For more information have a look at www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety.
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Punch Off Duty (21st April 2004)
Two off-duty Metropolitan Police officers are alleged to have sparked
an 18-man brawl at a Winchester bar that left three people in hospital.
The officers were arrested, along with two other men, after a fight
using smashed bottles was broken up by door staff at Moloko, The
Square, at around 11.20pm on Good Friday. A source told The Observer
that the policemen were involved in a case against their rival protaganists.
It was, said the source, “an unhappy coincidence that found
the two parties drinking in a bar together.”
Eight officers and two ambulances were called to the bar after one
man was taken out of the venue unconscious. Revellers were shepherded
away from the violence, which started upstairs next to the toilets.
Witnesses said another man was led out with a deep cut on his forehead
and a badly injured right eye.
General manager Graham Bexley, 45, of Chilbolton, near Stockbridge,
said: “His eye looked like a golf ball, there was a lot of
blood and he told me he had been hit with a bottle.”
Paramedics treated a third man outside for a cut to the right hand
and a chest injury. Mr Bexley explained how one of the men thrown
out then showed bouncers his police identification and was allowed
back inside to help calm the situation.
After a total of 15 people had been ejected from the premises, fighting
spilled out on to the street near to where the victims were being
seen to by ambulance staff.
Door staff said at least three people were trying to climb into
an ambulance to attack one of the injured men.
“It was mayhem,” said Mr Bexley. “At one point a
member of my door staff had to stand between the gang and the ambulance
to stop them causing more damage.”
It is thought that during the melee paramedics were forced to drive
off for their own safety with the ambulance back doors still open.
Two casualties were taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital
in Romsey Road, while another man, thought to be part of the rival
gang, was taken to Southampton General.
Door supervisor, Mark Burney, 24, of Southampton, said: “It
was not like a normal fight in that it just didn’t stop. Even
as we were pulling people off each other they just carried on. Fists
were flying everywhere and blood was all over the wall.”
Sergeant Steve French, of Hampshire Police, said: “We are limited
in what we can say because investigations are ongoing. Four men
were arrested, but as yet nobody has been charged.”
When asked to confirm whether two of the men were police officers,
the sergeant said: “I can’t say that what you have been
told is untrue.”
The incident took place on the day that Moloko landlord, Jonathan
Turpin, 34, received a summons to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates’
Court on April 22. Mr Turpin faces six counts of selling alcohol
to under age drinkers after police raided the venue in November
last year.
He has also been told to attend a hearing at Andover Magistrates’
Court on May 5 when police will apply to revoke his licence.
Mr Bexley was brought in five months ago to tighten security, but
Sgt French has called for the bar to be closed down. He said the
‘all you can drink’ Sunday night promotion (£15
for men and £10 for women) has become a major headache.
“Hampshire Police wants Mr Turpin’s licence to be revoked
because we are increasingly concerned by the number of violent incidents
reported at Moloko.”
He added: “We are particularly aware that the promotion encourages
people to drink more than necessary.”
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Vicious and Strange
(21st April 2004)
A man who beat two women up in the space of a few minutes has been
jailed for 15 months.
James Hicks claims that he attacked the two women because he was
‘drunk out of his mind’.
Judge John Dixon said that this was not the behaviour of a normal
fellow. He said “I’m not sure you understand even now
the frightening effect on this young woman your actions have had.”
What happened is that a drunk Hicks was by the river, just down
from the City Mill, when he grabbed a 20 year old girl and pushed
her to the ground. He repeatedly slammed the girls head on the concrete.
He only let go when two passers by saw them struggling. He did not
run off at this juncture, though, but is described as ‘sloping
off into the dark’.
The police arrived at the crime scene, and, chillingly, heard screams
from just down the way. Hicks had run off and attacked another girl,
a 15 year old who had just been dropped off by her mother on College
Walk.
She fought back, and Hicks ran off across the water meadows. When
the attacks were reported in a local paper, Hicks broke down and
confessed all to his girlfriend.
James Hicks is also a cross dresser who enjoys dressing up in women’s
clothing, although he was not indulging his hobby at the time. It
was because he turned himself in that the judge allowed his two
sentences to run concurrently. Hicks got 15 months for actual bodily
harm, and six months for common assault.
One of the investigating officers, Detective Constable Steve Deeprose,
said: “This was a vicious and strange attack because it was
so unprovoked, and as such it is very rare.”
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Keep up with the Jones (21st April
2004)
Local pilot Barry Jones is planning to fly round the world in an
autogyro. This is a kind of flimsy helicopter made famous by James
Bond in the film ‘You Only Live Twice’. Max Jones reports.
While it may sound terribly dangerous, an autogyro is apparently
one of the safest forms of aviation out there. This is because it
is so light that, should it stop working, rather than plummet to
the ground, it would float down gently.
The autogyro was meant to take off last Wednesday, but the main
event was postponed due to a mechanical hitch. It is hoped the launch
will now happen next Monday.
Barry, who will be accompanied by a team of six, seems remarkably
cool about the whole trip. He did admit that he was scared of landing
in the sea, but only because that would involve him losing his aircraft,
which has been nicknamed ‘The Eagle’.
The most worrying stretch of his journey is the passage between
Greenland and Iceland. This is 700km, over the Atlantic, a long
way for such a little aircraft. Barry plans to cross 25 countries
and notch up approximately 40,000 kilometres. An autogyro flies
at 130 km per hour.
Barry is certainy a skilled pilot. He says that if there was a problem
he could set the aircraft down in a ‘car parking space’.
We wish him luck!
Next week, read Max and Alex’s account of the take-off.
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Goatnap (28th April
2004)
A nanny goat has been stolen from Ladycroft, in Alresford.
The Saanen nanny goat was wearing a blue fabric collar, and is worth
a whopping £200.
The goat was taken some time last Sunday. Saanen goats are a quite
sought after breed. They are heavy milk producers, with the milk
coming out at around 4/5% in fat. They are also rugged, and are
described as ‘having plenty of vigour.’ On the Saanen
goats website it says that ‘Does should be feminine and not
coarse’!
The owner of the stolen goat says that he would know it was his
by a tattoo on its ear. Police would like to speak to the owner
of a black Land Rover Discovery which was seen in the area. Wayne
Curson, a sergeant at Alresford, is dealing with the crime.
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Eight, Big Max to Go (28th
April 2004)
Aghast to hear that his friend Michael had lost £50 by his
inability to eat eight Big Macs in an hour Max Jones got involved.
Surely such a task would be ludicrously easy, I thought. I love
Big Macs, and I love eating, so, after few beers I threw down the
gauntlet to Michael, and took up the challenge myself. Turning up
at my friends house on Monday evening for the challenge, I was quietly
confident. I had prepared myself by eating just a light salad and
a milkshake at lunchtime, and going for a walk beforehand. Unbeknown
to me, Michael had invited loads of his friends over to watch the
spectacle, and, as I was led out into his garden, I could imagine
how a Christian being fed to the lions in Roman times must have
felt. Still, I got stuck into the Big Macs in front of me, and was
travelling nicely, having got four down me in just over ten minutes.
Quietly confident, I got stuck into my fifth, starting to work up
a bit of thirst by now. Luckily I was ably assisted by my pit team,
Gareth and Serge, who made sure the water kept coming. By now the
burgers were taking an awful lot of mastication, and a little walk
seemed prudent. I had to be accompanied by an impartial judge to
stop me doing ‘a Roman’ and vomiting before starting again.
I got back into the ring, and burger number six was s struggle.
Then, on burger seven I hit the wall! My body may as well have said
to me ‘no chance mate.’ The last Big Mac had taken on
a persona of pure evil, and I had to throw in the towel, mush to
my chagrin! Still, I sportingly handed over my £50, plus £17
to cover the cost of the Big Macs, to Michael, and headed home a
chastened but much wiser man. Still, I think I will never visit
McDonalds again, and that has got to be worth a quid or two!
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Winchester Crack Wardens
(28th
April 2004)
Run-down areas of Winchester will soon be cleaned-up by a crack
team of wardens. Alex Kalinik has the inside dope.
The new scheme, which could be launched in Stanmore and Highcliffe
by the end of the year, has already attracted support from community
groups, the police and the city council.
Jim Cutts, chairman of Stanmore Community Action said: “It
is something I think most residents will find extremely useful as
these guys will be extremely hands-on - I think it is a fantastic
idea.”
The wardens’ duties will include improving the local environment
by collecting litter, removing graffiti and working with voluntary
groups.
They will also provide a link between residents, the police and
the city council.
The council hopes the wardens will help to cut crime and reduce
people’s fears as well as improving the environment and giving
communities a boost.
The initiative could cost up to £113,000 a year and mirrors
similar warden schemes which have been set up in Southampton and
Thames Valley.
Alan Weeks, chairman of the Winchester Residents’ Association,
lives in Stanmore and has experienced some of the problems on the
estate.
Three weeks ago his car was set alight by vandals and Mr Weeks believes
wardens could help improve things.
He said: “Stanmore has become characterised by years of neglect.
We have anti-social behaviour and vandalism and the environment
needs improving. “All sorts of things are happening that need
to be pulled around and a neighbourhood warden would have a part
to play.”
Wardens could be hitting the streets as part
of a larger force which will swing into action in the autumn.
The council plans to introduce community safety officers with minor
police powers - it is hoped they will take some of the everyday
burden off the force.
Superintendent Bob Rose said: “Neighbourhood wardens and community
safety officers do a very good job. Hopefully they will release
police officers to do more demanding work like investigating crime
and responding to emergencies.
“I welcome any idea that cuts crime and anti-social behaviour
and reduces fear of crime.”
Over the next two years community groups, Tenants and Council Together,
the Town Forum and the Community Safety Partnership will be consulted
to find out their views on the scheme.
It is estimated this will cost £180,000.
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Up The Junction (28th April 2004)
Local luminaries, a steel band and Miss Great Britain gathered in
Andover last weekend to celebrate the opening of ‘The Junction’
project.
The Junction is a great thing. It is a centre that offers advice
to people aged between 13 and 25. The advice offered is on such
things as training, education, and work.
I spoke to a lady from Connexions, who offer advice to young people
in the area. She said “we offer advice on the important things
in life. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. And housing.”
The Junction is part of the Test Valley Foyer Project. So far these
guys have set up shared accommodation at Oasis House, Sarum House,
which has 18 flats in it, and now The Junction.
One of the main aspects of the place is the new I.T suite. This
was donated by Barclays. After the furore earlier in the year over
banks earning billions in profit, it is nice to see that Barclays
give around 1% of their UK profit to charity each year. The suite
was opened by the lovely Miss Great Britain, Louise Lakin. She was
perhaps the most diverting celebrity, but there was also Mary Fagin,
the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, The Mayor, Pat West, and local
MP Sir George Young.
There was also a steel drum band from Kensington and Chelsea in
London. They were brilliant. Another great aspect was the food.
I tucked into a hearty repast of Mexican wraps, lovely spring rolls
and some great crisps. A screen in the corner of the food room showed
footage of some of the young clients who use the centre breakdancing,
BMXing and doing all sorts of youth stuff.
This had a garage and drum and bass soundtrack, and was very effective.
The Junction is a collobaration between various groups, notably
Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Youth Service and
the Silbury Group. This group, in its turn, comprises Sarsen Housing
Association and Ridgeway Community Housing. They provide maintenance
and management for around 5000 affordable homes in the south and
south west of the country, and are generally all round good eggs.
The Junction is a ‘foyer’ and one of 115 such projects
in the country. Altogether these provide safe and affordable accommodation
for 5000 homeless and disadvantaged 16 to 25 year olds, and advice
for those 13 years old and upwards.
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