Happy New Year
The Parish Councillors and office Staff would like to wish all of our residents a happy New Year. We are awaiting information about the local rollout of the vaccine, but will all look forward to a gradual return to normality as 2021 progresses.
Many of the events and activities the Parish Council normally has planned are still on hold, pending better news of being allowed more social freedom. When that time comes, we will post updates in the usual places – Hook Focus, noticeboards, our website, the App and on our Facebook page.
Community Christmas Lunch
Unfortunately, it was not possible to host the Hook Community Christmas Lunch this year. All those who have been guests at this lovely event in previous years have been contacted by phone, to check how they were getting on, and many were able to join family and friends this Christmas. We were saddened to hear that some had passed away during 2020 and will be missed when we are able to resume this jolly Christmas date next year.
Recycling Christmas Trees
In previous years Hart District Council ran free recycling collection points for real Christmas Trees. Due to Crossways Manor Car Park, Hook (By the doctors) being used as a Covid Hantsdoc site, this is not an option this year. Alternatives are being investigated, but if you subscribe to the Green Waste Recycling Service, you can put your tree out with your Green Bin for collection.
There will be other collection points across the Hart District. Please contact Hart on 01252 622122 or www.hart.gov.uk/waste-recycling for more information on these .
We understand the Scouts may be operating a collection system, so look out for more information about this as it is published.
Bassetts Mead
HIWWT Trust have a new Reserve Officer. Ciara Askin will be out and about in Bassets Mead, so do stop and have a chat with her if you see her and make her feel welcome in Hook. She will be very happy to speak to you and has met a number of local residents already.
A new bench is being installed along the riverbank, to replace the one which mysteriously disappeared over the summer.
Litter Picking
We have been encouraged recently by numerous offers of litter picking, both individuals, families and local groups. We have been liaising with Hook & Odiham Lions, who are now co-ordinating a regular programme of volunteer litter picks around Hook throughout the year, which we are supporting with the loan of equipment.
Community Safety Survey
Thank you for all those who completed the Community Safety Survey. As in the past, we had a great response and appreciate the support of our residents. We will report on the findings and next steps for the Working Group, once they have analysed the results.
Parish Council Office
At the time of writing, Hart is in Tier 2 of the latest lockdown and we have no certainty of when we will be able to re-open the office. In the meantime, the staff continue to work from home and all normal services are being offered – albeit some are now virtual. If you do need assistance or to speak to a member of staff please e-mail or call the office.
To enable more effective remote working a new phone system has been installed that enables calls to be transferred between office staff, wherever they are working. Extensions number for each staff member are:
201 – Anne Atkins
202 – Marian Bright
203 – Serena Dolby
204 – Annalie Hadfield
205 – Pam Mercer