September 2024

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Bishopstoke Carnival – Back with a Bang

 

After many years Bishopstoke Carnival finally returned and what can we say! The group of volunteers who came together with only a few months to go to organise the whole event did Bishopstoke proud.

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An enormous vote of thanks goes from the Parish Council to the volunteer group, and also to everyone who took part in any way on the day. Without the people who came along, entered the parade, raced ducks and enjoyed the entertainment all the hard work would have meant nothing.

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Plans have already started for next year and we are still on the lookout for extra help. Whether you can help on the day, or help in the planning, we want to hear from you. Whether you want to just help in the parade, or be involved in everything, we want to hear from you. If you can help in any way please contact the team at admin@bishopstokecarnival.org. 

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You can also use that address to share any feedback about carnival this year. What did you enjoy? What could still be better? All your thoughts are welcome and will be used to improve Carnival for next year.
 

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Bishopstoke Memorial Hall

 

We are relieved to finally have confirmation that the Land Registry have finished the essential job of registering the various bits of land that make up the site of the Memorial Hall and stitching them together into one piece of land going forward. This step being completed means that we can now proceed with demolishing the actual building. That process is being handled by Eastleigh Borough Council who already have contracts in place with a demolition company and are currently working out when the work can start. Once we have confirmed dates we will share those on our website and social media.

 

 

Armistice Day and the War Memorial

 

Having received planning permission earlier this year from the Borough Council to install the War Memorial on Old St Mary’s churchyard, we have been waiting for the Winchester Diocese to give their consent, which is necessary as the land is owned by the Church of England. This finally came through in early September but this has not left enough time for the work to take place before Armistice Day.

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Accordingly the Armistice Day service will follow the same pattern as last year. We will still gather at the site of the old church on Old St Mary’s where the plaques bearing the name of the fallen will be placed and where the wreaths can be laid. This year there will be two or three gazebos provided by the Council so that some refreshments can be made available and also to allow us to display the plans for the location of the War Memorial that have now been fully approved. Do please stay after the service if you can to grab a drink and a biscuit. 

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We are now expecting the work on installing the Memorial to take place in the Spring, after which the memorial will be re-dedicated by the Royal British Legion.
 

 

What’s Stopping You Being A Councillor?

 

Bishopstoke Parish Council would like to help anyone who wants to become a councillor be able to fulfil that goal. Just because you don’t fit the stereotype of the retired man with time on his hands doesn’t mean you don’t have valuable things to say. We know that for some, attending an evening meeting would mean childcare costs they cannot afford. For others actually getting to meetings might be difficult, and there are many other reasons why people don’t feel like they could become a councillor.  Bishopstoke Parish Council is trying to work out what sort of help it could provide to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to be a councillor if they want to.

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If you are interested in Bishopstoke’s play areas, allotments or cemetery; if you love Carnival and want to see more events; if providing travel tokens to those who struggle to use buses is something you would like to see more of then you have a role to play.

What is stopping you? If you would like the chance to be a councillor but there is something stopping you, then please get in touch with the Clerk by emailing clerk@bishopstokepc.org. All the things that get in the way of people serving the place they live in will then be discussed by the Council to try to find ways to help so that by the time of the next election, no-one who wants to be a councillor is prevented by anything other that someone else getting more votes!
 

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Youth Champion

 

Cllrs Geoff Harris and Sid Dajani have been appointed as the Parish Council’s Youth Champions. They will be going into schools and pre-schools to talk with everyone about what they would like to see in Bishopstoke. They will also be working with Youth Options to provide services and outreach for those under 19 who need it.

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Parish Council Address

 

Following the forced closure of the Parish Office next to the Memorial Hall the Parish Council has set up a PO Box address for anyone who wishes to contact them. 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 12th November 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.

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For further information, please contact the Parish Clerk:  David Wheal by email: clerk@bishopstokepc.org or visit the Parish website at:  www.bishopstokepc.org