Vernham Dean Parish Council

19/03/2023

ACCESS TO FOSBURY HILL FORT,
(Fosbury Camp).
Following a planned meeting with staff from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to review all aspects of farm safety at Box Farm, concerns have been raised by HSE staff for the safety of members of the public visiting the Hill Fort during the calving season.
In accordance with their recommendations, we will be erecting a temporary electric fence to separate members of the public using the footpath across the Camp, from the cattle grazing there, for the duration of the calving season.
This will regrettably restrict access enjoyed by walkers over many years to the Hill Fort ramparts.
Under the Countryside Rights of Way Act (2000), Landowners are permitted to restrict access to land otherwise open to the public as “Right to Roam land”, for valid reasons of land management, including during the lambing and calving season, for a specified period.
We have therefor notified Natural England of the restriction of public access to the majority of the Hill Fort for the 9 week duration of the calving season, commencing April 1st.
We very much regret that such restrictions have been deemed necessary, but recognise that given the well publicised incidence of death or injury to members of the public encountering cattle in other areas, this may be the best course of action for everyone’s benefit.
The footpath crossing the Camp, originating from Woodside Cottages, and continuing towards Upper Farm Fosbury will remain open at all times. Please respect the electric fence, and keep dogs on a lead.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Mark Melly
Box Farm.

15/02/2022

A message from Hampshire Highways

As part of Operation Resilience, Hampshire County Council’s programme to make Hampshire’s roads more resilient to the effects of extreme weather and heavy traffic, this letter is to advise of upcoming drainage improvements on Conholt Hill, Vernham Dean, at the junction with B3048.

The works are currently programmed to start on Monday 28th February 2022, and are expected to take up to 3 weeks. In order to undertake them safely it will be necessary to close the road from approximately 07:30 to 18:00hrs each day, Monday to Friday. The road will be open outside of these hours and over the weekend.

Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the published programme dates there may be times when we have to postpone works at very short notice, e.g. because of poor forecasted weather. We will always endeavour to provide you with up to date information, but sometimes these last minute decisions can be difficult to relay to residents and road users in a timely manner. The dates will be updated on the yellow sign boards located at each end of the site so the travelling public and local residents are aware.

20/01/2022

Conholt Hill Flooding

Work will commence on solving the problem of flooding at the base of Conholt Hill on February 28th with an anticipated completion date of March 18th.
During this period Conholt Hill will need to be closed, except for access, and diversion signs will be prominently displayed by Hampshire Roads Department.

20/06/2021

The newest promotional video on behalf of HCC Countryside Services – again tackling the very current issue of dog faeces on our Rights of Way and public spaces.

Gemma is back again to explain why it is so important that dog owners are responsible and clear up after their dogs. Dog poo can be dangerous to anyone but p...

17/06/2021

Drainage Mound

Work on the installation of the drainage mound on the playing field has finally been completed, the delay being caused by difficulties in obtaining the correct grade of filtration material to ensure that Environment Agency conditions were met. Hampshire County Council have apologised profusely for the lengthy delay in completion of this work.

So as to allow for the establishment of the grass, the mound will remain fenced off for perhaps another two months, depending on growing conditions. It will then be able to become a usable part of the playing field area.

Thanks to everyone for their patience.

15/04/2021

SCHOOL/BURYDENE DRAINAGE WORKS

The Parish Council has made strong representations to Hampshire County Council about the delay in completing these works.

It is understood that there has been an issue with the laboratory results of the filtration material. However, the PC pointed out to HCC on April 12th that the project commenced on October 26th with a 13 week duration and should therefore have been completed by the end of January. Once work recommences it is understood that completion would not be for a further six weeks and it has been pointed out that this is completely unacceptable as it is preventing any planning for events on the playing fields once Covid restrictions are lifted, as well as prolonging the eyesore caused by the works.

It is hoped that escalating this issue to our HCC ward councillor will bring this to a satisfactory conclusion.

31/03/2021

Would you like to earn some extra cash?

We are looking for a cleaner for the Pavilion on Vernham Dean Playing Fields. If you are interested please contact John Hale on 07967 564491 or email [email protected] for further details.

02/02/2021

HCC have advised that the work on the Burydene has stopped for the moment whilst they deal with an issue regarding the filter material (sand) to the drainage mound. The filter material must meet specific criteria to meet the environment agency standards and they have to carry out various tests to prove that it does so. These tests are currently being carried out and providing they get a satisfactory result work will recommence within the next 2 weeks. Once back on site work should be completed in a further 6 weeks.
Any queries please contact The Clerk at [email protected]

13/01/2021

***Covid Test Centre to open in Andover***

I’m pleased to announce that a coronavirus testing facility will open in Shepherds Spring Lane car park in Andover this Saturday, as part of the government’s programme to increase accessibility.

Both vaccinations and mass testing are absolutely pivotal in navigating our way out of this pandemic. And having provided Test Valley Borough Council owned buildings to our NHS colleagues for the vaccination centres, I’m really pleased that we’ve also been able to provide this car park as a testing facility – which will enable users to both walk-up and drive to the site. Making it much easier for local residents to get a test.

If you or anyone you know has any symptoms of coronavirus - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – then you should book a test, which you can now have in Andover. You can do this online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

To reassure other users of the car park, the test centre will be located in the far corner closest to the Sainsbury’s side and will be separated from the most popular parking spots closest to the town. Of course, all of our other car parks are free of charge at the moment too.

13/01/2021

The parish council wishes to re-enforce the government guidelines.
If anybody needs assistance with shopping, getting medical supplies etc. please contact any member of the parish council.

https://gov.uk/coronavirus

05/01/2021

In line with the new national lockdown regulations the Parish Council and Playing Fields committee wish to inform villagers that the play equipment will remain “open” but the MUGA will be locked and unavailable for use.
For full details please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
Keep safe and please follow all government guidelines.

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do.

17/12/2020

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ROAD NAME

Subsequent to the Parish Council’s notice of November 23rd and following both public consultation and discussions with Test Valley Borough Council, it has been agreed that the road currently known as ‘Pond House’ will be changed to ‘Pond House Lane’.

This will not only retain the historical reference but will also serve to obviate any current difficulties with deliveries in the area.