Youth Offender Panels

Would you like to do something about youth crime? The Wessex Youth Offending Team (YOT) want to try a new and more constructive approach to get offenders between 10 and 17 years to make amends for the harm they have done in communities and to change their behaviour for good. Courts will refer those convicted to Youth Offender panels in each area, made up of volunteers, advised by YOT , who will use their local knowledge and experience to devise suitable ways for the young person to understand how individuals and community have been harmed by their behaviour, to do something to put it right and to divert them from further crime. needs volunteers from local communities.

If you want to take part, YOT can offer

• A practical way to make a difference
• A chance to make your community a better and safer place
• The satisfaction of ensuring that victims are listened to
• The reward of helping young people to make good
• Full training will be provided

YOT are looking for panel members to represent a cross-section of people and to reflect diverse communities within the region. They aim to recruit men and women of all ages (over 18) from all backgrounds. The work is voluntary but expenses would be paid. You need no qualifications except:

• Patience, good judgment and objectivity
• Commitment and reliability
• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to relate to young people.

If you are interested in joining a youth offender panel in your area, you are asked to be

• Ready to give about 2 hours a fortnight, possibly evenings and some weekends
• Stay involved for at least a year.

Further information from Martin Goodall, Referral Order Co-ordinator, Wessex Youth Offending Team, 33, Selbourne Avenue, Harefield, Southampton.
Tel. 023 9237 0013

LONGPARISH CRICKET CLUB

Longparish narrowly lost its game against Fair Oak on Dec.16th. We made 118 for 4, but Fair Oak scored a six on the last ball to take their score to 121 for 5. We fielded well against Owlesbury on Jan 16th, but were all out for 82 in reply to their 97 for 4.

Indoor nets start at Testbourne School on Tues. Feb. 5th at 6.30pm, and the Colts have the use of one net.

The first 100 Club draw is on Wed. 30th Jan. at the Cricketers. New members are most welcome.

Work continues behind the scenes, sorting out legal problems and researching possible grants for the hall, playgroup and school. Plans are being made for fundraising and the small planning group led by John Ellicock would particularly like to hear from people who would like to take responsibility for one event. More in the next issue.

The planning team which includes Stuart Bevan, Tim Sweet, Gloria Goodliffe, Jeremy Barber, Sarah Rowlands and Mary Jo Darrah would still like to be told of any new thoughts you have had about the new hall. What would be most helpful is to say what would be required for the uses YOU would have for the hall. These then all have to be balanced and related to cost.

LONGPARISH PARISH COUNCIL

At the January meeting the new Head of Planning at TVBC, Mrs Madalene Winter, gave a most interesting talk on her department and the reform of the Planning system outlined in a recent Green Paper, This is likely to result in a less detailed Local Plan at TVBC level, and more emphasis placed on planners working with local communities to produce village and neighbourhood plans. It is hoped that such plans would help to preserve their distinctive character in future development. Mrs Winter generously stayed to answer many questions, and normal business was curtailed.

A small group is discussing how to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee this year. They have lots of ideas and would welcome offers of help. More next month. The next P.C.meeting is on March 11, and the Annual Parish Meeting will be on April 8th.