INTRODUCTION BY TOWN MAYOR

Town Mayor Brian Terry

The Town Council had a very busy year in 2007 and it looks like 2008 will be equally busy during which time we will be seeking to improve still further the services we provide to you. 

Regrettably 2008 started with the sad passing of Cllr Malcolm Daly following a long struggle with illness.  Malcolm was at the forefront of our proposals to improve sports facilities in the town and also open up access to the river.  He was also a very well known supporter of cricket locally and had played for Ringwood for the past 45 years.  Everyone who knew Malcolm will miss him dearly.

The Election to fill the Casual Vacancy caused by Malcolm’s passing will be held on 8 May.  All Electors in the South Ward will be entitled to vote at the Polling Station which will be at the District Council’s Offices in Christchurch Road.  Polling hours will be from 7am to 10pm.

Cllr Brian Terry

Town Mayor

Annual Assembly

The Annual Assembly this year will be held in the Ann Rose Hall at Greyfriars on 23 April commencing at 7.30pm.  This year in addition to the Mayor and Chairmen of Committees giving their annual reports there will also be a presentation by our Student Advisors.  Their brief is to explain how they can help the Town Council take account of young people’s views when Councillors make decisions.  Come along and listen to them – you may be surprised by how committed they are to putting something into the community.

Police Community Support Officers

Residents will know that the government has encouraged police authorities to appoint Police Community Support Officers.  Hampshire Constabulary has appointed PCSOs throughout the Forest, two of whom are based in Ringwood.  To ensure that they are not moved away to other parts of the Forest, the Town Council is making a grant of £6,000 per year for the next two years to Hampshire Constabulary which will guarantee that at least one of the PCSOs will always be based in the town during that 2 year period.

We are also providing funds to equip the PCSOs with handheld radios as part of the Shop Watch scheme.  This is very similar to the existing Pub Watch arrangement and will enable information to be passed between shops and the PCSOs when problems appear within the town.

Police Support

Over the past year or so we have been working very closely with the Police to try to combat the effects of anti-social behaviour.  We are paying for the cost of hiring a pitch on the Wednesday Market once a month.  For their part the Police have undertaken to utilise the space and make an Officer available to give advice and support to members of the public.  Please make use of this facility as we believe the exchange of information between the public and the Police will be of benefit to the town. 

Festival

R-Rocks

4 July.  But remember the main purpose of Festival is to enable local clubs, societies and organisations the opportunity to advertise themselves in the Market Square on Saturday, 12 July.  This is an ideal opportunity for Clubs to let the rest of Ringwood know what is on offer and to obtain new members.  Brief details of the full weekends programme are:-

Friday, 11 July

Morning
Golf Tournament at Moors Valley

Evening
Swing Fever Jazz Concert at the Meeting House – tickets £6

Saturday, 12 July 10am – 4pm

Main Festival Day with charity/local organisations stalls in the Market Square with daytime entertainment provided by Ringwood Judo Club, a Town Crier competition, children’s rides, street entertainers and also the KK Band and New Forest Meddlars plus much more.  Crowning of the Carnival Queen will also take place during the morning.

Saturday, 12 July Evening

Classical concert in Parish Church includes music by Mozart, Beethoven and Dvorak – tickets £8 in advance, £9 on the door

Ringwood Rocks! Free concert on The Bickerle

Sunday, 13 July

Morning
Introduction to Football Tournament on Carvers organised by Ringwood Rangers YFC

Afternoon
British Pedal Car Grand Prix within the town centre.

Watch out for further details around the town or check on our website, www.ringwood.gov.uk for full details.  Tickets available for all events from the Town Council’s offices and other locations in the town.

Play Areas

Christmas Lights

Council’s Services – Single Point of Contact

Town Plan

We are pleased to say that the Town Plan is now virtually complete.  This contains details of all the comments you made to us about how you wish Ringwood to look in five, ten and twenty years time.  Full details about the contents of the Plan will be circulated to every household in the town through the Royal Mail.  Copies of the Town Plan and all of the supporting data will also be available on our website and in future Newsletters.  The Plan will form the basis of the development of the Town Council’s services over the next few years because it incorporates all of the things you have told us that you would like to see happen in Ringwood and how you want us to keep the town’s unique character.

Contact us:

Remember if you wish to raise anything with the Council, write to us, send us an email or telephone us where the enquiry is relatively straightforward. Contact us page

Youth Conference

As part of our aim to involve, interest and provide facilities for young people in the town, we intend to hold a Young Peoples’ Conference in the next couple of months.  The intention of this Conference will be to find out everyone’s views on a way forward.  If you belong to a Youth Group or are one of a group’s organisers and would like a personal invitation then please write to us at the address below.

Greenways,
71 Christchurch Road
Ringwood BH24 1DH
Email: town.council@Ringwood.gov.uk
Telephone: 01425 473883

Voting in the South Ward Election will be on Thursday, 8 May.  Please attend your normal Polling Station.

Our next Newsletter will be published in July 2008.