July 2025

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Bishopstoke Carnival 2025

 

WOW!  Another amazing Carnival organised by the fabulous Carnival Group of volunteers.  They have worked tirelessly over the last 9 months, and on the day, to put on this fabulous event.  It was a hot day, with some unexpected rain, but lots of people turned out to watch the parade and attend the fete.

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It started with the Parade setting off from the Junction Church on Stoke Park Road, working their way down Colchester Road, Underwood Road, Hamilton Road and then down Portal Road to Glebe Meadow.  There the Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Richard Gomer, presented the Parade Trophies to the worthy winners.

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The Fete then officially started.  There were lots of stalls selling fabulous things, plenty to eat and lots of great entertainment.  Out on the river the River Floats made a welcome return, and the Duck Races were as popular as ever.   Some very lucky people also got to meet Snow White and Spiderman.

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We hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did and we look forward to seeing you next year!
 

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​Greening Bishopstoke 

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The local Greening campaign launched their Year of Climate Action in June last year and the enthusiasm of the volunteers has been making a real difference in Bishopstoke.  They have opened a Toy Library, created a community garden at St Paul’s Church, offered thermal imaging of houses to show places where heat is escaping and run a Saving Energy event at St Mary’s church offering advice on how you can make small changes to your house to make it more energy efficient.

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Greening Bishopstoke will be marking the end of their first year off with a Community Picnic held at St Paul’s Church on Saturday 12th July.  Please bring your own picnic and blanket or chairs.  You will also be able to share some delicious treats the volunteers have made from the produce they have grown in the community garden.  For more information, please go to www.greeningbishopstoke.com.
 

 

 

Sewall Drive allotments and temporary Parish Office

 

Although the Sewall Drive site is still owned by Eastleigh Borough Council, the Parish Council now has a license to start work on the site to turn it into an allotment site.  Unfortunately, we have had an unexpected problem.  When the contractor removed the top layer of soil, he found a thick layer of builder’s rubble and waste.  As all gardeners know this is not ideal for growing!  We will now have to order some topsoil to be put over the entire site to make the ground suitable for allotments.   We will keep people on the allotment waiting list posted on the progress.

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We have also started making plans to have a temporary Parish Office at the Sewall Drive allotment site. When it is ready opening hours will be published on our website and Facebook.  
 

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Summer Events in Bishopstoke

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It is going to be a fun-filled summer in Bishopstoke!  We are running 5 Messy Play sessions in the summer holidays, all with a different theme.  For dates and more information please visit www.bishopstokepc.org.  If the weather is not being kind – it is the British Summer Time after all – the Messy Play sessions will be held at the Bishopstoke Community Centre (BCA) on Church Road.  

While you are at one of the Messy Play sessions you could pick up a booklet and take part in our Summer Play Trail.  There is a brass plaque with an animal on it in each of the 6 play areas in the village.  All you have to do is take a rubbing of the animal, complete the details at the back of the booklet, take a photo of this page and send it to us.  You could win a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) to Marwell Zoo!

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We will also be starting our Art Project on the hoarding that is surrounding the old Memorial Hall site.  A local artist, Georgette Newton of Nap Trapped Art, has designed an amazing mural that includes the river which will have ducks on it designed by local children, groups and charities.  We will be looking for volunteers nearer the time to help with applying the undercoat and then Georgette will start on the design.  We are really looking forward to seeing the finished mural!

 

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VJ Day

 

On Friday 15th August we will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.  We are hoping to also have the rededication of the War Memorial by the Royal British Legion on the same day with tea, coffee and cake at St Mary’s Church afterwards.  For up-to-date information and times, please follow us on Facebook or visit our website www.bishopstokepc.org.

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SANG Car Park

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The car park at what will be Stoke Common Cemetery will also serve as a car park for the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Access to the SANG will be through Stoke Park Woods, or alternatively by making your way down the entrance to the car park and crossing Sewall Drive to the bridleway. You can then follow the bridleway all the way to the SANG.

 

Work on setting the car park up is taking place at the moment, with the Borough Council installing signs and designated disabled bays. Once the car park is open we will let residents know in the usual way.
 

 

Parish Council Address

Please address any post to:

Bishopstoke Parish Council

BPC

PO Box 716

Eastleigh

SO50 0RQ

 

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 9th September at 7.30pm and will take place in Bishopstoke Methodist Church. For further details or information about anything the Parish Council does please visit the Parish website.

 

For further information, please contact the Administration Officer, Emma Earl.

by email: admin@bishopstokepc.org.

or visit the Parish website at:  www.bishopstokepc.org

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