Latest News - Vizzit New Forest Online Magazine

The New Forest Association has urged the National Park Authority (NPA) and other organisations to tackle the problems caused by rogue cycleriders.

Spokesman Eve Gillmon said rogue riders who breached the Forest by-laws should be taken to court by the Forestry Commission and fined.

Speaking at a meeting of the NPA, she stated: “Many visitors believe they can take part in their recreational activity anywhere, at any time.

“The other problem involves cyclists who don’t care about the rules.

“These are the people who ride in the Forest away from recognised off-road routes, leaving trails in their wake and causing disturbance to flora and fauna.

“With the implementation of appropriate fines, this area of damage would drop dramatically.”

But Ian Taylor, who represents Hampshire Cycling, said the environmental impact of cyclists was equal to that of walkers and “significantly less” than horses.

However, NPA members cited problems caused by off-road riders and large groups of cyclists taking part in organised competitions.

Maureen Holding said: “I’m not anti-cycling but I’m very anti the type of cycling that takes place in the Forest.”

A Forestry Commission spokesman said: “We see prosecution very much as a last resort.

The NFA is campaigning against cycling races being held in the Forest, concerned that events involving thousands of bikes being ridden at speed will harm the special qualities of the area.

Their campaign has provoked an angry backlash from cycling groups, who say the Forest is there for all groups to use.

Facelift for New Forest Park

Facelift for New Foerst Park

HUNDREDS of villagers turned out to celebrate their new-look park.

The park in Whartons Lane, Ashurst, has been given a makeover thanks to a £45,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

A path for joggers and dog-walkers has been created around the edge of the recreation ground.

Other improvements carried out by a group called Friends of the Park include seats, extra trees and shrubs and display boards showing the trees and birds in the area.

Councillor John Penwarden, chairman of New Forest District Council, took part in the celebrations by planting a willow tree to celebrate the opening of the revamped park..

Police investigating a theft at a New Forest shop are issuing CCTV pictures of two women they want to speak to.

On March 22 at 6pm, two women went into the Ampress Park Co-op at Wellworthy Road, Lymington.

They asked the cashier to change £200 in twenty pound notes into ten pound notes. They then further asked for fifty pound notes instead-and playing on the need to be served quickly, handed back only £100 to the cashier, thereby stealing £100.

PC Arron Wood is investigating and said: “We’d like to speak to the two women pictured and to anyone who saw what happened in the shop.

“I’d also like to advise other shop staff to be on their guard for this kind of scam.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at Lymington on 101 or via the website

www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm

You can also call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

Minicom users should call 01962 875000.

Ends

Beaulieu Primary School Treat

The Master Builders Hotel hosted a ‘biscuit making’ afternoon for four children from the Beaulieu Primary School. One child was chosen from each class for a variety of reasons and they had a wonderful time with Head Chef Adam Duebel, and went away the proud owners of the decorated biscuits they made that day.

The Master Builders Hotel support Beaulieu Primary School in a number of ways. Every time a child eats at the Hotel, 50P is donated to the School. Other activities include – decorating the Christmas trees in the Hotel, helping with a Family Food & Drink Festival to raise money for the school on the weekend of June 30^th /July 1^st this year, and offering to host any other activities during the school year.

The New Forest has an excellent train service which runs from Waterloo.  Train stations in the New Forest include Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Sway and Lymington.

Woman charged with bed and breakfast frauds across South East
A 52-year-old woman has been charged with a number of offences involving fraud and making off from bed and breakfasts without paying.

Denise Bell-King from Commercial Road, Limehouse, London, appeared at Mid Sussex Magistrates' Court on March 8 charged with a total of seven offences in Haywards Heath and Bognor Regis, the New Forest area of Hampshire and Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire between June and December 2011. She was bailed to appear at the same court on April 19.

Sussex Police believe that there could be similar offences around the south east of England that have not been reported. PC Steve Lambeth from the Response Investigation Team at Crawley Police Station said: "If anyone has been the victim of this type of crime, but hasn't reported it, please call police on 101."

Date 26 March 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Down in the forest something stirs!

Wave goodbye to winter and say hello to Spring as the New Forest shrugs off the cold and gloom and prepares for the return of holidaymakers.

With spring on the horizon it’s a busy time, not only for the nest building local wildlife but also for this season’s campers. Long Meadow campsite is located in the heart of the New Forest exactly half way between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, and preparations are well underway to ensure that its summer season visitors get the warmest of welcomes.

This popular 100 pitch family campsite has big plans for the future.

Investment is already in place and plans awaiting approval by the local authority for redevelopment of the facilities, with a purpose built luxurious shower and toilet block, and the addition of 18 new, fully serviced hard standing pitches.

Long Meadow campsite is now in its fourth year and despite being launched at the start of the recession has grown in popularity, with visitors returning year on year to enjoy all that the unique location has to offer.

Peace and quiet is the motto, as the site backs directly onto the open forest, offering all the simple energetic pleasures that nature can provide, from tree lined walking and cycling trails to splashing water and paddling at the beautiful picnic spot of Bolderford bridge. There is also something very special about waking up to find deer grazing outside your tent!

And as the woodland campsite fills with birdsong, the resident wardens have also flown home 7000 miles from their winter travels in the jungles of Borneo to roll out the welcome mat for the new season. For more information and to book a pitch please ring 01590 622489

The New Forest & Hampshire County Show will be held on Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th July at New Park, Brockenhurst. Discounted tickets are available now on the Show’s ticket hotline on 01590 622409 or via the web site on www.newforestshow.co.uk until July 11th

The New Forest & Hampshire County Show helps raise funds to support the New Forest Agricultural Show Society and other local and national charitable organisations.  The New Forest Agricultural Show Society is a private company limited by guarantee. Company Number 2646090 Charity Number 1004255 

Driver in fatal crash handed 12-month suspended sentence

The driver of a car involved in a collision which killed 17-year-old Esther Walters was today handed a 12-month suspended sentence for causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Richard Hadler from Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge, was driving a Vauxhall Corsa carrying front seat passenger Esther and a 17-year-old friend in the back when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed along the B3078 Godshill on June 9, 2011.

Esther, from Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital where she died the following evening. (June10).

The 17-year-old male back seat passenger sustained serious spinal injuries but survived.

Hadler, now 19, pleaded guilty to the charge at Southampton Crown Court on February 27. He returned yesterday where he was sentenced to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid community service and a five year driving ban.

Sgt Darren Ord said: “This was an extremely tragic, completely avoidable incident which has affected the lives of three young people – cutting one painfully short - and their families.

“This is another reminder that young drivers in particular need to drive carefully or they too may find themselves in circumstances similar to this terrible incident.”