North Hampshire Group Report 2006

North Hampshire District Group

by Julian Pilcher

Committee and Organization

During the year we were pleased to welcome Caroline Sykes from Steventon and sorry to say farewell to Gordon Summers (moved away). Nevil Wilson continued to chair the Planning sub-committee, Etta Pullinger and Jane Royle Social and Fundraising. Jack Castle took over Transport and Caroline Sykes has recently taken over Membership.

Planning Activities

Following Nevil Wilson's submissions to the Public Inquiry on the Revised Draft Local Plan, we were gratified to hear that the great majority of these were supported by the Inspector and adopted without further modification by the Borough Council on 15th June 2006.

The Examination in Public of the Draft South East Plan is currently in progress with submissions relating to North Hampshire being drafted by Hugh Sheppard from CPRE Hart & Rushmore District Group with whom we are liaising. Hugh Chairs the Committee representing those Counties bordering on the Western Corridor high development area.

We have, as usual, maintained a watching brief over all significant planning applications during the year, have liaised with the appropriate Parish Councils and have supported them in connection with many unsuitable proposed developments.

Membership and Fundraising

We again had some very successful events during the year - A Country Walk in the Spring, Garden visits to Rousham House and Broughton Castle during the summer and an Autumn Supper with (by popular request) a repeat talk given by Ashley Smith of the Hawk Conservancy. All very enjoyable and financially successful (see below).

Membership numbers have fallen this year from 264 to 255. This is the first decline in at least seven years and is a challenge which needs to be addressed.

Publicity

We have had Articles about CPRE published in Parish Magazines covering at least 18 parishes in North Hampshire. A number of Articles in the local press and photos at Kingsclere in connection with Dr Voikhanskaya's cycle ride to publicise Countryside under Particular Threat. A couple of radio interviews have been given.

Finances

We raised an overall surplus of £2,006, thereby exceeding the £1,500 budget set us by County.

A Big Thank You

We have had another busy and successful year thanks to the hard work, good humour and commitment of our Committee and also great support from our members.

Future Events

District Group AGM April or May. Details TBA
Rosemary Corfield's Memorial Bench to be formally inaugurated in the Spring. Details TBA
A Garden Visit on 11th June to beautiful Forde Abbey in Somerset. Details TBA.
Lady Portsmouth is opening her Garden at Farleigh Wallop near Basingstoke on 1st July (A County CPRE Event)