New Parish Councillor
At the closing date, one application had been received for the councillor vacancy on the Parish Council. The candidate will, therefore, be appointed at the Parish Council Meeting on the 1st November. A brief resume about the new councillor will be in December’s Focus.
South Western Trains
South Western Railway is proposing major changes to the rail service to Hook at peak times. Our local MP, Ranil Jayawardena is running a petition to persuade South Western Railways to change their proposal to reduce both the number of peak morning services from Hook to London Waterloo from five to two. The South Western Railway proposal is currently out for public consultation, which closes on 22nd December 2017.
Please go to (https://www.tellranil.com/campaigns/save-our-train-services) to find out more and support Ranil in his efforts to change these proposed timetable amendments, as we are aware that this will affect a large number of Hook and Winchfield residents who use the train to get to work in London. You can also send your comments directly to South Western Trains by email
Hook Fireworks Show
The annual Hook Schools Parents Association Fire Show and Fireworks will take place on Saturday 4th November. Hartletts Park car park will be closed from 4pm until the conclusion of the firework display. Please remove all vehicles from the car park before 4pm.
Hook Community Christmas
The Parish Council plans to host a Hook Community Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day again this year. Anyone who will be alone on Christmas day can join the party for a free Christmas dinner, some fun, carol singing and to enjoy the company of others. This event is free for guests thanks to a number of local organisations, volunteers and sponsors who have been extremely generous in providing money, time and goods.
If you are able to volunteer your help on the day or if you will be alone on Christmas Day and would like lunch, please get in contact by e-mail at or call the office on 01256 768687 for more information or to register your interest.
Hook Christmas Cracker
The Hook Christmas Cracker team are busy putting together a programme of entertainment for 2nd December from 5pm. See http://www.hookchristmascracker.com for information.
Bassetts Mead
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who manage Bassetts Mead on the Parish Council’s behalf, have been busy pruning trees, shoring up the river beds and pollarding the area. This is all in a bid to increase the diversity of habitats for wildlife and fish stocks in the river which will hopefully encourage otters to return. For Information about what the Trust has been doing go to https://hook.gov.uk/about-hook/facilities/bassetts-mead/
Public Transport Survey
The lack public transport in Hart is a major problem for those who do not have access to a car or bus service; or who would prefer not to have to drive to the train station. It can make it difficult for some to find employment; and for others to attend their hospital appointments, do their shopping or even do every day essential visits to friends etc. For those with mobility problems it can lead to social isolation.
Transport in Hart is a Group founded to establish whether there are ways of increasing the amount of road based public transport available to the community of Hart District and to see if there are better ways of integrating scheduled bus or train services, with proposals for new and improved Community Transport. The Group includes the 21 Town/Parish Councils in Hart, the 7 Voluntary Care Groups and the current Community Transport operators.
The Group now needs your help to understand your particular needs, so that options of what may be available can be explored. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HartTransport2017
Hard copies of the survey are available at the Parish Council office. The survey closes on 30th November 2017
Dates for your diary
- HSPA Fire Show – Hook Junior and Infant Schools – 4th November from 5pm
- Hook Christmas Cracker – Saturday 2nd December 2pm – 9pm – Station Road and Crossways Car Park
- Hook Community Christmas – Monday 25th December 2017, Hook Community Centre 12 noon – 3pm