July 2023

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Parish Council appeals to residents to report potholes

 

Bishopstoke Parish Council’s Clerk, David Wheal, informed the Council’s July meeting that he had recently written to Hampshire County Council to express the Council’s concern over the increasing number and size of potholes along roads in the village. 

Hampshire’s reply was that whilst there is more money going into repairing potholes, they can only fix what they know about.  “So we would encourage everyone who drives around Bishopstoke to report potholes where they see them,” said David, “and we suggest that they use the following pothole reporting link: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/roadproblems/potholes.”
 

Bishopstoke Carnival plans get underway

 

Planning for September’s Bishopstoke Carnival has begun.  The day will start on the morning of Sunday 17th September with the traditional river float competition. If you are looking for something to do with your family over the summer why not build a river float? Full details and downloadable entry forms are available from the Parish Council website at www.bishopstokepc.org/carnival. 

 

Village War Memorial to move to Old St Mary's Churchyard

 

The Bishopstoke Memorial Hall has been condemned and is scheduled for demolition prior to the erection of a new Village Hall.  Accordingly, the Bishopstoke War Memorial, which is currently adjacent to the Memorial Hall, needs a new home. 

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Bishopstoke Parish Council is planning to re-install the War Memorial on Old St Mary’s Churchyard, Church Road.

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Plans have been sent to the Church and Winchester Diocese for their approval, and they are also being displayed on Parish noticeboards and website. Residents who have comments and suggestions should get in touch with the Clerk by emailing him at clerk@bishopstokepc.org. 
 

Play Area Trail

 

Bishopstoke Parish Council is encouraging families to explore all the play areas in Bishopstoke by running the Play Area Trail for a second year. Families can collect pencil rubbings of different animal plaques in play areas around Bishopstoke and, once they have them all, enter a prize draw. The winning entry will receive tickets for a family of up to 6 to visit Winchester Science Centre, with the winner being announced at Bishopstoke Carnival on Sunday 17th September.

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Other Council News

 

Litter Picking…The Parish Council has a small stock of litter picking equipment which is available for any group that wishes to help keep Bishopstoke tidy. If you would like to borrow the equipment please contact the Clerk by emailing clerk@bishopstokepc.org. 

Audit… The Council has now submitted its final audited accounts for 2022-23 to the external auditor – BDO LLP. The internal audit and regular checks by Councillors found the accounts to be sound and the Council hopes to continue its record of passing the audit with no issues being raised.

Bishopstoke Parish Council’s Mission… At their meeting on July 11th, Bishopstoke Parish Council re-affirmed its main mission – “To be the voice of the people of Bishopstoke and to enhance our village as a great place to live, work and visit”. 
The four aims of the Council are:
   To improve and protect our environment for residents and wildlife
   To promote better health and wellbeing outcomes for all
   To strengthen a sense of place
   To encourage residents to become more involved in the life of the village.

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And finally . . .

 

This month the Parish Council said goodbye to longtime officer Mrs Cheryl Taylor. First appointed in April 2010 to manage the Council finances, over the years Cheryl has also run the allotments and the cemeteries as well as setting up our travel tokens and providing support to the Carnival. Her most recent role involved overseeing the transfer of all Bishopstoke Cemetery records to a brand-new database. At the meeting on July 11th the Council presented Cheryl with a pair of engraved glasses to thank her for all her hard work over the years. Her knowledge and experience will be missed.

 

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 12th 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.

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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