Football Coaching

Are you aged between 6 and 11 and do you want to improve your football skills?
Then come along to Longparish football field every Saturday 2 –3pm (bring shin pads and a water bottle).
This is a free activity sponsored by Longparish Parish Council
For further information please contact Martin Hulme 01264 720347

Longparish Parish Council

This report covers the September meeting. Minutes of meetings are on the village website www.longparish.org.uk.


The council objected to plans for a parking area on land adjacent to the B3048 at The Station, primarily because of loss of amenity to the neighbour.
A small group was appointed to consider an application for a new grain store next to the A303 near Harewood Industrial Estate.
The outcome of the recent enquiry was that the Inspector upheld TVBC’s decision to refuse permission for an agricultural worker’s house at Testwood Trout Farm.

Mrs Helen Mehaffey, Chair of the School Governors gave a report and a lively discussion ensued. There have been some serious teething problems with the new buildings; particularly with the heating and security systems, and some significant issues have still to be resolved. Councillors expressed some concern about the level of charges. Helen explained that the Governors have to cover their costs and that the level of charges will be kept under review as actual figures become available to replace estimates. The Governors want to enable community use of the hall and the Ellicock Room and Helen asked that we have patience while the snags are sorted and arrangements are made.
In future Helen will give a report at the council meeting after each governors’meeting which will improve communications.

A second picnic table has been put up at the playground thanks to the efforts of councillors Toby Cooper and Phil Harris and to the cricket club for the use of water and electricity.

The hall is getting quite a lot of use, particularly with the new youth club, and the committee is considering what repairs and improvements are needed.

The sunken manholes on the B3048 which have been causing problems for so long have been mended after the Andover Advertiser did a report. Thanks very much to all concerned, and especially Ricky Bourne who has been pressing for this work to be done for a long time.
Hampshire Highways expect to be able to improve the safety of the dangerous bend between the school and the village hall car park but ask for our patience as it may take some while before they can do so.
Some concern was expressed over parking near The Cricketers.

Thanks go the Mr & Mrs Tacchi for the excellent repairs they have arranged to footpath 6 where it crosses the old railway line near Larkwhistle.
The condition of footpath 12 is much improved. Thanks go to all concerned.
The footpaths committee plan to produce a leaflet about walks in the parish featuring the best ones. If you’d like to nominate a route to be included please contact Martin Lampard on 720529.
Matt Beal has kindly agreed to adopt footpath 32.
We now have half a dozen people who regularly maintain footpaths they have adopted. Can you help as well please? If you can spare some time to help keep our paths in good order or would like to adopt a path please contact Martin. Training can be given if necessary.

Mary Jo Darrah is producing a new Village Directory to be distributed free to all households in the parish. She will also update the Village Handbook.
The next Council meeting is at 7.30 on Monday 9^th October in the Community Hall. Meetings are public and all parishioners are welcome to come and can speak.
Jeremy Barber Chairman. Tel 720459
email jeremy.barber@longparish.org.uk