NEWSAGENT LYMINGTON AND MILFORD NEWS LOCAL TO YOU LYMINGTON TIMES Milford - on - Sea and Delivering newspapers to your door 8 weeks free delivery to all new customers (mention this advert) Tel: 01590 643188 19 HIGH STREET, MILFORD-ON-SEA 24.1 INCORPORATING LYMINGTON AND MILTON CHRONICLE 66, Old Milton Road, New Milton, BH25 6DX Tel: 01425 - 613384 Fax: 01425 - 610257 [email protected] www.lymingtontimes.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] No. 4326 a revised route and a wider range of race options. The future of the popular sporting event, which began in 1982 and has raised more than £1.25m for charity, was in doubt when it was cancelled last year after the committee behind it said the 2013 race had only just broken even. Now Andy Daish (35) and Chris Farr (36), who run Ora Events, have stepped forward to relaunch the marathon and half marathon, as well as introduce a series of shorter courses including a 5k, 10k and family races. It will take place on Sunday September 13th. Andy, a sports development specialist who is well known locally, told the ‘A&T’: “We both know and love the Forest because we grew up here so we are really excited and honoured to have this opportunity to produce a product which can really benefit the area. “So far the response has been absolutely phenomenal –– we are getting between 60 and 100 people registering an interest on our website every day. We want to create something really special that the Forest can be proud of.” Until it was scrapped in 2014, the New Forest Marathon was organised by a small committee of volunteers, with profits donated back to local charities. At the time of its cancellation the committee said it had unsuccessfully tried to recruit new members. The relaunched New Forest Marathon will now be run as a commercial venture, with plans to donate a proportion of the profits back to local charities and good causes. “We are in the process of setting up a New Forest Marathon Community Fund which charities will be able to apply to for grants,” said Andy. Although details of the revised routes have not been announced, the event is likely to be centred in the national park. “We wanted to find a suitable site which would enable the event to grow,” said Andy. “Because we are looking at 5k and 10k races we needed it to be somewhere in the heart of the Forest so that runners would have direct access to it. We have sampled the route we are planning to use on a few people and the response has been really positive.” Andy and Chris are also working with members of the existing New Forest Marathon committee and have recently relaunched the event’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. A statement on its website says: “We are really excited to announce the New Forest Marathon is returning on September 13th 2015. “The event that has been a cornerstone of the running calendar for the last 31 years will see a fresh new line-up of events including full and half marathon, 5k/10k/family race options. “We aim to make this an event for all the family to enjoy and experience the New Forest, with details of our new location coming soon. In the last 31 years your commitment to the event has helped us generate £1.25m for local good causes. “We are excited to see this pot continue to grow to support the many great organisations and individuals that exist in the New Forest and surrounding areas, many of whom volunteer year after year to make the event possible.” Past NF Marathon committee member Susie Ramsay said the former team was “delighted” the event is set to be re-launched: “We are very pleased to be back in the running, so to speak, for 2015. We realise that the new blood and enthusiasm will raise the event to a new level and I am sure that it will now go from strength to strength in the future.” Tony Wickham, chairman of the New Forest Runners, said: “We are obviously very pleased by the news that the New Forest Marathon will be returning in 2015. From our point of view anything that promotes the New Forest in terms of running is excellent news. seawater to get inside. “I think it would be quite nice to With the huge, grounded vessel be- look at a different route and I would coming a temporary tourist attrac(Continued on page 2) tion, plans to refloat the ship on Wednesday were initially abandoned after salvage experts decided the hull contained too much water. However, just before 2pm, a combination of strong winds and a high tide resulted in the Hoegh Osaka suddenly floating free. Although the vessel was still listing at around 50 degrees, tugs were able to slowly tow it to a safe holding position two miles to the east, near a location called Spitbank. A statement from the Maritime 65-YEAR-OLD motorist died and Coastguard Agency (MCA), isafter the car he was driving sued on Wednesday afternoon, said: ploughed into a tree at Buckler’s “The tow to the new position is being Hard on Tuesday morning. carried out by Svitzer, the salvors, The grey Peugeot RCZ careered off and the new holding position will al- Bucklers Hard Road, at its junction l o w a fu l l a s s e s s m e n t o f he r with Gins Lane, around 10am on condition.” Tuesday. The Queen’s Harbourmaster The male driver, from Dibden PurPortsmouth has placed a 300m exlieu, was the only occupant and was clusion zone around the vessel. pronounced dead at the scene by During the Saturday night rescue, paramedics. No one else was injured. RNLI volunteers aboard the Willet Police put road closures in place plucked one man from the sea after for several hours at the Lodge Lane he jumped from the ship. Volunteer Calshot RNLI helms- and Sowley Lane junctions of Buckman Tom Pederson said the rescue lers Hard Road to allow a full investigation to be carried out. had been a great team effort. Anyone who might have seen the He added: ‘This is not the sort of crash or the vehicle being driven (Continued on page 2) shortly beforehand is being urged to come forward. Anyone with information should contact Sgt Gabriel Snuggs of Eastleigh’s serious collision investigation unit on 101, quoting Operation Sidra, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It is the third death on the road in recent years. In 2001, Charles Wilcox (21), of Buckler’s Hard, was killed when the car in which was he travelling crashed into a tree. Biker Paul Hill (38), of Everton, was killed after a head-on collision between his motorcycle and a horse (Continued on page 2) RNLI members save stranded ship's crew ALSHOT’S two volunteer lifeboats played key roles in the dramatic night-time rescue of the crew of a 51,000 tonne cargo ship which grounded on Brambles Bank in the Solent. Both Calshot lifeboats, Willet and Max Walls, were launched at 9.30pm on Saturday night to assist the stricken vessel, alongside RNLI crews from Yarmouth and Cowes. A pilot and 24 crew members were on board the 180m Hoegh Osaka when it was deliberately grounded on the sand bank at the entrance to Southampton Water after starting to list dangerously. Experts later said there were fears the ship could have capsized if it had not been run onto the bank. The Singapore-registered ship had left port around 8.20pm carrying 1,400 cars, 105 JCB diggers and other heavy machinery, heading first for Bremerhaven in Germany, before sailing for the Middle East. As well as 65 Minis valued at ú20,000 each, its cargo includes around ú30m worth of Jaguars and Land Rovers, plus a Rolls Royce Wraith alone valued at ú260,000. Although most of the cars aboard remained strapped in place, some of the heavy machinery had shifted and a JCB digger made a small hole in the side of the ship’s deck six, allowing C Headmaster’s Halls, The Square, Pennington, Lymington SO41 8GN 24.1 40p Bus bosses promise rethink after public vent fury at cuts US c o m pa n y bo s s e s ha v e Bducing pledged to reconsider reintrosome New Forest and Christchurch services targeted in drastic cuts after hundreds of residents packed public meetings to vent their anger. Operator Morebus has slashed a number of its journeys, including its X1 and X2 weekday and weekend services between Lymington and Bournemouth, because Hampshire County Council has withdrawn some of its funding. All X1 and X2 services on a Sunday have been dropped, as have some of the Sa t u r d a y services to Lymington’s popular market. Weekday afternoon buses have also been reduced from every half hour to hourly. The strength of ill-feeling towards the cuts was evident during two meetings at Lymington Community Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday, with up to 150 people attending each day to have their say. Many were senior citizens with concessionary bus passes and they branded the cuts “disastrous”. They said the service was now “inadequate”, and they felt cut-off and poorly served. The changes would have a “critical” impact, they said, especially on those who could not walk, were ill or elderly, or could not drive and would not be able to get to hospital for appointments. Buses to the popular Lymington market on a Saturday should be reinstated, they argued, as should Sunday services. Others wanted later and more frequent weekday services. Morebus operations director Ed Wills (pictured left) said the meetings showed the “strength of feeling” on the issue, adding that many had made good points. “It shows the importance of these services and the vital links they provide in terms of employment and social activities to people," he said. “We now need to make sure that our services are the best they can be and we will certainly go away and look at the consultations today and (Continued on page 3) Third death on Buckler's Hard road after man's car hits tree A NEW SPRING SUMMER 2015 STYLES N I W O N K C O T S THE BED SHOP Crash scene: police closed the road after Tuesday's fatality WINTER SALE Now On! Up to 50% off VISIT US TODAY! THE LARGEST BED SPECIALISTS IN THE SOUTH WOODEN, METAL, LUXURY, BACK CARE, BUDGET & SPECIAL-SIZES *ALL FROM STOCK* Konturmatic Electric Adjustable Beds Our KONTURMATIC adjustable beds and carer beds are manufactured by us on site, so that you may buy DIRECT. 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Free parking All major credit cards Open 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat www.charismafashions.com Konturmatic Available in a choice of fabric, size and colour Many mattress options available including memory foam, latex and pressure-relief mattresses as well as side safety rails and massage systems www.thebedshop.co.uk DISABLED FACILITIES AVAILABLE FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD BED EASY ACCESS AND FORECOURT PARKING FREE LOCAL DELIVERY & INSTALLATION FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1983 01425 611040 / 0800 9 75 74 73 1-2 FERNHILL LANE NEW MILTON HANTS BH25 5JN Relax in exceptional comfort between sitting and nearhorizontal all at the touch of a button. Bridge road set to close again for up to six months MAJOR route between BrockenAforhurst and Sway is set to be closed up to six months for more bridge repair work. Previous maintenance work last winter on Latchmoor Bridge on the B3055 provoked anger among local business owners who said it had hit their trade and they now fear they will suffer again. However, there is disagreement between Hampshire County Council and Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining the UK’s rail network, about when the work would take place. A Network Rail spokesperson told the ‘A&T’ the road will be partially closed from Monday January 26th. One lane of traffic will remain open until February 9th, when both lanes will be closed for the repairs until “early summer”. However, a Hampshire County Council spokesperson said the date was still being finalised with Network Rail, and discussions were “ongoing”. The proposed work includes a new bridge, masonry, girders and paintwork. According to Network Rail it will not be a demolition of the existing structure but reinforcement. A spokesperson said: “We want to remove the speed and weight restriction from the line and that is what this work will allow. “We wouldn’t undertake this work if it wasn’t needed, and we do appreciate that drivers will have to find different routes. We apologise to them and business owners for the inconvenience, but the work needs to be done.” Brockenhurst Parish Council chairman Harry Oram told the ‘A&T’ he had been present at a meeting held to discuss the issue which was chaired by Coun. Ken Thornber and attended by Network Rail representatives. Mr Oram said: “We did as much as we could to try and minimise the disturbance but reluctantly accepted that nothing could be done. “The line’s been in place since 1846 and they have to replace the stone girders holding the track up. I’ve informed the verderers who are now aware of an extra traffic detour that will go down to Setley Pond and Burley Road. “Network Rail said they would in(Continued on page 2) DISTRICT NEWS LYNDHURST Fears have been expressed for the future of the New Forest Centre’s library after its two paid staff were made redundant to save £20,000. The Christopher Tower Reference Library, which has the most comprehensive collection of works on the Forest, has closed temporarily after the move, made by the charitable trust that runs it. Page 4 HORDLE A man who downloaded “repulsive” indecent images of children was spared an immediate jail sentence after a judge heard he was seeking help. Daniel Hicks (29), of Stopples Lane, was found to have more than 900 offensive images on his laptop, which he viewed when he was high on cannabis and cocaine, Southampton Crown Court heard. Page 15 BROCKENHURST The owner of a family of donkeys has spoken of his distress after another of his animals died in a collision. In the third incident on the same stretch of Sway Road in just over a month involving an animal belonging to commoner Robert Byford, his 15-year-old grey roan was killed. “We’re very upset it’s happened again,” he said. Page 21 OVER 110 JOBS ADVERTISED THIS WEEK REGULAR FEATURES X X X X X X X X 50 Years Ago . . . . Obituaries . . . . . Puzzle Corner . . . Sport . . . . . . . . Christian Comment. Clubs & Societies . Letters . . . . . . . Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.8 . p.8 & p.10 . . . . . p.8 p.13 & p.14 . . . . p.15 . . . . p.16 . . . . p.20 . . . . p.20 EATING OUT arrest has been made by police AatNinvestigating a former teacher a New Milton school, the ‘A&T’ can exclusively reveal. Hampshire Police confirmed officers looking into Tyrone Mark, who taught at Arnewood School, had detained a 39-year-old man in Caerphilly. A s po k e s w o ma n fr o m t h e constabulary confirmed to the ‘A&T’ the man, who has not been named, had been held on suspicion of breach of trust offences. He had been bailed until June 2015. Mr Mark taught geography at Arnewood school for about a decade before he was dismissed from his role in early 2013. He was subsequently banned from teaching after a hearing by the D e pa r t me n t fo r E du c a t i o n ’ s National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). Local restaurants on pages 16 & 17 WHAT’S ON Forthcoming events on page 9, 10 & 11 Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @LymingtonTimes www.facebook.com/LymTimes Page 2 ADVERTISER & TIMES Sat., Jan. 10th, 2014 Key road to shut for six months (Continued from front page) DAY TRIPS 2015 VW)HE*ORXFHVWHU4XD\VIRRGFUDIWPDUNHW WK)HE /RQGRQ0XVHXPV6KRSV WK0DU )ORUHQFH1LJKWLQJDOH0XVHXP WK0DU 6RXWK%DQN/RQGRQ WK0DU &KHOWHQKDPIHVWLYDO,ULVKGD\ WK0DU *XLOGIRUG6KRSSLQJRU6LJKWVHHLQJ WK0DU 6TXLUHV.LWFKHQ)DUQKDP WK0DU ,GHDO+RPH6KRZ WK0DU ,GHDO+RPH6KRZ 8QOHVVVWDWHGIDUHVVKRZQDUHIRUFRDFKIDUHRQO\ )RUDOORWKHUHQTXLULHVSOHDVHFDOO %RRNLQJ2IILFH%URRNVLGH*DUDJH&URZ/DQH5LQJZRRG Visit our website for more information www.solentcoaches.co.uk Photo: Hector Bennett Operation: the Hoegh Osaka was deliberately grounded after it was listing dangerously (Continued from front page) iRoberts Cars Affordable Luxury Private Hire Cars Mercedes Cars or 8 Passenger MPV www.irobertscars.co.uk [email protected] Airports Cruise Ships Eurostar Business Travel Holiday/Ski Groups Sports/Social Occasions 01425 613989 AIRPORT TRANSPORT BY DAVID HILL FOR NEW FOREST AND WATERSIDE AREA FOR UP TO 8 PEOPLE 07808 352381 34 Southampton Road, Lymington, SO41 9GG t.c t.c. Y-NOT PRIVATE HIRE Airports, Docks, Local and Long Distance 01590 610847 07850 033455 Tony Littlefair, The Flat, 12 South Street, Pennington [email protected] t.c. call-out you expect on a Saturday evening but we had a brilliant response from the RNLI volunteer crews and all the other agencies involved, resulting in the successful rescue of all the ship’s crew. “Fortunately, the rescue helicopters managed to winch most of the crew to safety in quite challenging conditions, while two people were rescued by the Calshot RNLI lifeboats. “One of them leaped around eight metres from the ship into the water and was picked up immediately by our inshore lifeboat, the D-Class lifeboat Willet. The other was rescued from the bow of the ship.’ The second Calshot-based rescue vessel, the Atlantic 85 Max Walls, assisted by illuminating the ship and aiding the search for casualties. Ingar Skiaker, CEO of Norwegian company Hoegh Autoliners, which operates the ship, told a press conference in Southampton on Sunday: “Our vessel developed a severe list shortly after she left port and pilot and master took the decision to save the vessel and its crew by grounding her on the bank. “This showed great skill and seamanship on behalf of our crew when faced with such challenging circumstances. “At this stage it is too early to speculate on the cause of the list but we are starting an immediate investigation.” The first teams from Danish company Svitzer had boarded the ship on Monday to assess the situation. Tugs were used to help hold the vessel in place and stop it slipping further down the sandbank, while pumps were taken on board to begin removing water from inside it. The spectacle of the vast hull of the Driver dies in car tree smash (Continued from front page) box in 2004. Vice chairman of Beaulieu Parish Council, Patrick Fairweather, told the ‘A&T’: “I drive along the road every day, and I’ve looked at the markings and everything is at it should be. “Unfortunately, the corner is at the end of a very long straight run, and unfortunately I think the temptation is to build up speed before it. Coun Fairweather added: “I’m not a road traffic investigator, but it does seem to be a well marked route. The council will be discussing the matter and will ask the highways authorities to look at whether measures should be made to make it more safe, given the road’s record.” LANGHAM BROWNE LTD OCEAN CARS Long distance specialist Airports / Docks Stations / Hospitals Lady driver on request Any destination Hampshire vouchers accepted SALOONS / ESTATES / MPVs / 8 SEATER LONG ESTABLISHED FAMILY BUSINESS REMOVALS — STORAGE FREE ADVICE & QUOTATIONS FULLY INSURED PACKING SERVICE OR FREE LOAN CASES FOR SELF PACK “Our Reputation Depends on your satisfaction” Email: [email protected] Tel: Website: www.langhambrowneltd.co.uk 31 New Street, Lymington grounded vessel brought sightseers in their hordes to Calshot and Lepe on Sunday, causing long queues to stretch out of the car parks and Hampshire police to issue warnings about the congestion on Facebook. Bramble Bank last made headlines in November 2008 when the QE2 ran aground at the end of its penultimate voyage. The famous transatlantic liner was returning to its home port of Southampton from a Mediterranean cruise with 1,700 passengers aboard. Strong winds were reported to have blown the QE2 off course and onto the bank. Five tugs had to be used to pull the liner off at high tide. After returning to Southampton an hour late, the QE2 left for its final voyage to Dubai, where the former Cunard flagship has been undergoing conversion into a luxury hotel. Bramble Bank is also known in local yachting circles as the venue for an unlikely sporting event –– an annual cricket ‘match’ between the Hamble-based Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club. The two clubs take turns to win the game, with the length of time for play and the size of the pitch depending on weather, tide and whether the bank has moved over the year.– 01590 674300 Telephone: 01425 612211 a.w.2 31Forward Carisbrooke Lhotse, Drive,Court Pennington [c-t.c.] tc ON THE MOVE... NEED A VAN? Meadens of Hythe Southampton Road, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 5DA 023 8084 1222 Late model vans available inc. Luton Tail Lift. Prices from £55.00 per day incl. VAT, insurance and AA cover OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. www.practical.co.uk SKIP HIRE Low-cost Skip Hire Capacity 1.4, 2.2, 4.6 & 7.5 cu. m. Roll-on Roll-off 12 & 27 cu.m. G. FARWELL LTD 01590 682527 Est. 1952 Good, Friendly and Prompt Service OPENING HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7.00 am - 5 pm CRABBSWOOD LANE, SWAY t.c FOREST MINI SKIPS LYMINGTON SKIP HIRE (01590) 676512 12 Fairlea Road, Lymington. t.c. 1 ST CHOICE PRIVATE HIRE For your local and long distance, 24 hour, bookable, Private Hire Car Service. Airports/Docks/Stations/Doctors/ Dentists/Hospitals/Shops/Forest Drives New Milton Tyre Co. ESTABLISHED 45 YEARS 01425 619922 07976 587968 R. V. BATES BELLE VUE, STEM LANE, NEW MILTON t.c. FREE TYRE & BATTERY CHECKS COASTAL Hundreds of Fully Charged BATTERIES now in stock 24 Hour Service (pre-booked only) Private Hire Competitive Rates Saloon/Estates/MPVs Air/Seaport Transfers Chauffer Services Contract Work Business Accounts Weddings » QUALITY EXHAUST SERVICE » » THOUSANDS OF TYRES – ALL LEADING MAKES – AT AMAZINGLY LOW PRICES » METICULOUS WHEEL BALANCING » QUICK AND EFFICIENT REPAIR SERVICE » FREE WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECKS » ALLOY WHEEL SPECIALISTS » NEW MILTON TYRE CO. Tony Westall, 10 Wessex Ave., New Milton 01425 628443 131-133 Old Milton Rd. 01425 - 613647 (OPPOSITE NEW MILTON ADVERTISER) OPEN ALL DAY SATURDAY tc Mobile: 07711 144583 www.coastalprivatehire.co.uk aw2 form the interested parties and we will be keeping the parish council website updated with information.” Landlord of the Hare and Hounds pub in Sway, Brendan Treacey, was involved in previous talks with the county council and Network Rail over the repairs. He told the ‘A&T’: “I’m not satisfied that it needs to be fully shut. I think this will be terrible for the village of Sway. They can build a brand new bridge in that time surely? “It cut us right off last time. I don’t think it should be allowed, especially during such a busy trade time for the New Forest.” Owner of Brockenhurst-based bookshop Bestsellers, Jane Dalton, said: “I’d be extremely concerned if it took six months just to rebuild a bridge. “Clearly the work needs doing but closing the road will be a huge issue for traders. I just want it started and done as quickly as possible, and I hope it’s open for Easter and the summer.” –––––––––––––––––––––– C & C Travel Lymington based company with pick-up points throughout the New Forest Coach Day Trips The listed price is for coach seats only, unless stated otherwise Tues. 13th Jan. Thurs. 15th Jan. Sun. 18th Jan. Tues. 20th Jan. Fri. 23rd Jan. Wed. 28th Jan. Fri. 30th Jan. Sat. 31st Jan. The coach will operate providing the trip is viable 023 8084 5083 or 07710 765005 Silver Street Farm, Hordle Chrysler Grand Voyager Mercedes E Class Saloon (Continued from front page) MASTER CHIMNEY SWEEP Over 45 years’ experience Brush & Vac. – Fully Insured IMMEDIATE ATTENTION B. R. EARWICKER NEW MILTON 618196 31 MARRYAT ROAD Quality Corporate Hire & Private Hire Cruise Ship, Airport & Holiday Transfer Specialists Weddings Coastal Tours and Day Trips Lady Driver on request TC MR SWEEP THE CHIMNEY SWEEP keep it clean – keep it safer Open fires, wood burners, stoves etc. Both private and commercial properties. 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I’m sure that many of our members will be involved both as competitors and volunteers. ” Anyone who is interested in being involved either as a volunteer, sponsor or participant is asked to register their interest on the website at www.newforestmarathon.co.uk “We have lots of people who have been involved in the marathon for many years and although some things like the route will be changed, there will be lots of similarities,” said Andy. “We are still looking for sponsorship from local business –– the more money we can inject into the event the better it will be.” HALF MARATHON OFF The John Austin Half Marathon, which has taken place in the New Forest every March for the last three years, raising £56,000 for Oakhaven Hospice, will not go ahead this year. A spokesperson for Oakhaven said the charity planned to stage a half marathon event in the spring of 2016. –––––––––––––––––––––– REGENT ART SHOW CHRISTCHURCH Regent Centre is hosting an exhibition by West Moors artist Michael Jones. The display, which runs form Saturday January 23rd to Friday February 13th, will feature more than 25 examples of his work. He has a bold and direct approach to colour and tone to achieve a mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Salisbury market, optional afternoon in Wilton outlet Visit to the only Crocodile Zoo in the country Winter Mystery Tour Leisurely drive into Cotswolds to Bourton on the Water Sandown Park, Esher Stitch & Creative Crafts Show To Sussex to visit the historic city of Chichester Morning visit to Romsey, afternoon in Winchester Craft 4 Crafters Show at Westpoint Exeter BARRY C-B & SON, 7a FAIRLEA ROAD, LYMINGTON aw2 Former school cricket coach awaits sentence for kissing teenage girls New Milton Glass Company Providing Quality Since 1977 º Suppliers and fitters of upvc and aluminium windows and doors º Replacement misted and broken double glazed units º Secondary double glazing º Glass cut while you wait º Greenhouse glass º Mirrors made to measure º Coloured glass splash backs º Glass Tops º Full glazing service º Large mirror showroom Visit our website: www.newmiltonglasscompany.co.uk Contact us: Tel. 01425 618384 Fax: 01425 619700 E-mail: [email protected] 44 - 46 Old Milton Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 8DX (Continued from front page) Lymington Restoration Ltd Antique & Modern Furniture and Works of Art French Polishing Full Upholstery Work FREE Collection/Delivery (local) Insurance Work Undertaken Friendly and Professional Service 01590 677558 Unit 2, Riverside Business Park, Gosport Street, Lymington. tc tc 3x2 Filler ADVERTISER & TIMES Page 3 Edgell joined Canford School in April 2012. His profile on the school’s website said he had played cricket at under 17 level for Dorset, West of England and England Schools. A statement from the school said: “Canford School can confirm that a teacher left the school following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the 2013-2014 academic year. “The school takes all such matters seriously and immediately informed the relevant authorities. As this is now a matter before the courts, it would not be appropriate to say anything further.” Bus chiefs under fire at cuts meeting T.C º º º º º º withdrawn and Edgell was formally found not guilty of it, while the other three matters will remain on file. Edgell (pictured) was working at Canford School near Wimborne as its director of cricket when he kissed the young women, then aged 16 and 17, the court heard. Prosecutor David Bartlett said the defendant, a former Dorset youth cricketer, had resigned from the school after the allegations were made and did not plan to carry on teaching. Judge John Harrow warned Edgell he may go to prison and granted him bail to return to the court on April 20th for sentence. A SHAMED former teacher from Christchurch could be jailed after he admitted kissing two teenage girls he taught at a top private school. Ben Edgell (30), an ex-opening batsman for New Milton Cricket Club’s first team, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. The Lyndhurst Road resident denied a further three similar charges and another of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. O n e o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s wa s Sat., Jan. 10th, 2015 the bus times and our services, and also what the council says, so we can find a solution to these problems.” He stressed the company was “not the instigator of the cuts”, pointing out that was HCC, and said services would now be run on a commercial basis. The pledge to review bus frequencies and cuts was echoed by Julian Barnes, commercial manager for Go South Coast, which works and provides bus services with Morebus. “We will take away all the comments that have been made,” Mr Barnes pledged. “There were strong feelings, especially on the Sunday services — they were very much a big issue, as were the services on a Saturday. “We will certainly go away and review this and see if we can make some things happen.” The new timetables started on Sunday but this week’s meetings were the first public ones over the cuts. The bus company bosses appeared initially to have underestimated the strength of feeling, as they booked a small room containing around 20 seats for the first day. The meeting was hastily switched to a larger room and some people were even turned away. Hampshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy, transport and environment, Coun. Séan Woodward, who gave the green light for funding cuts, was a no-show for the Tuesday meeting, which prompted several people who attended that day to phone his office and complain. The following day Coun. Woodward again failed to appear, instead sending Colin Wright, an officer who was unable to give answers over decisions the council had made. When the ‘A&T’ approached Mr Wright, a principal transport officer for HCC, after the meeting, he would only say he would report comments made at the meeting back to Coun. Woodward. Asked why Coun. Woodward was absent he would not be drawn, remarking that he had been asked to solely attend as a representative for the county council. The biggest round of applause came after Lymington mayor Coun. Michael White made a speech, in which he said the meetings should have taken place before any cuts were made. He called the county council’s consultation process “woefully inadequate”. Coun. White told Mr Wills: “We all accept that you have to make cuts, but what you are asking people to shoulder is inadequate. “The changes to the 119 service are a social disaster as it is used by elderly people who have not got other methods of transport to get to Lymington or New Milton. “I note that you have said you have no opportunity to make any changes until May — I think you really need to adjust that one.” Mr Wright said the council had put the weekend buses out to tender but the prices that had come back were too high. Christchurch borough councillor Coun. John Lofts said the cuts affected Highcliffe just as badly as New Milton. He accused the bus operators of failing to consult with the borough council, but Mr Wills said they had, although he conceded they dealt more with the officers behind the scenes than members themselves. Coun. Lofts pointed out Yellow Buses offered a more frequent service in and around Christchurch and said the council may consider discussions with that company. It was suggested by one woman that people, including those with concessionary bus passes, pay a small amount for each journey they went on to help subsidise the cost of running the buses. “I would be quite happy to pay £1 for a single trip if it was going to help the buses survive,” she said. In response, Mr Wills said the bus company was barred by law from doing that, adding: “As a bus operator I would love to be able to put that to people and if they supported that and were able to pay, it would absolutely help to protect services. Legally though we are not able to do that.” He said in another area of the UK the same situation had arisen and a bus company had asked customers to make donations on each trip. But the government then stepped in and stopped it. Mr Wills highlighted the high population of older people in the area with concessionary bus passes made fulfilling the commercial needs of the service “difficult”, to which one woman answered: “Well, that’s not our problem.” One woman told how a service being moved by five minutes had left her having to shut a shop she managed early, which potentially could cost her her job, while another explained that she would have to wait up to two hours for a bus from hospital. A bus user in Hythe said they faced huge delays and long walks on some days, while other people suggested that some service routes to New Milton and Hordle could be altered. Many users supported a service that went to and from Lymington hospital on a daily basis to help people who had appointments there. Some wondered whether services should terminate at Christchurch, but Mr Barnes stressed that the route to Bournemouth was well used by tourists, locals, and those wanting to get to the hospital and said that would continue. Mr Wright also confirmed that from April 1st, concessionary passes can only be used from 9.30am, not 9am as is currently the case. He said the county council would discuss the matter further with the bus companies and mooted the possibility of exempting those in remote areas from that change. During the meeting Mr Wills revealed that Lymington bus station would be sold off by June this year, but a deal had not been concluded. He said the proceeds would go back into improving the business. Mr Wills added that the firm would retain its base near Lymington train station, and pledged to set up a passengers forum which could meet with bosses to discuss proposed service changes in the future. At times emotions became frayed, with some people questioning why Hampshire County Council had not sent a senior representative and why New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne was not at the meeting. After the meeting, people were divided over what they had heard. One man was optimistic some services may be reinstated, saying it was the first time he had “seen and talked” with bus company representatives in public. However, another woman was sceptical about changes, adding: “We often find and have seen that when a decision is made there is no going back.” Local resident Paul French said: “The bus company are seemingly doing the best they can by offering at least some commercially viable services while seeking their own direct and independent consultation with the local community. “That is unlike the local authority, which has instructed them to cut ‘non-commercial’ services from January and withdrawn £250,000 of funding without consulting local businesses or residents. “Total cuts to some X1, X2 and 119 services will mean days of isolation for aged and disabled residents, as well as the inability of staff to get to work on some days and many other restrictions. “Although it is accepted that there should be some reduction in services due to government funding cuts, the failure of HCC to engage with the community makes these cuts more severe than if they had been structured, and will lead to problems in retail, tourism and the care sectors.” Coun. Woodward later told the ‘A&T’: “I was not invited to the meeting, I was advised by a New Forest resident that it was happening the night before. “I was unable to attend at such short notice due to a prior engagement. I therefore asked one of my officers to attend as I thought it was important a representative from Hampshire County Council was there.” He continued: “I have already received a report and will read it with interest. 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