Community Christmas
Hook Parish Council’s theme for December is Combatting Loneliness. Christmas is known as a time to celebrate with family and friends, but sadly, for many elderly and other people, it is the time that they feel most isolated.
A recent survey has found that nearly half a million individuals will spend Christmas Day alone. Cllr Yates says, “By working together we can make a difference to our older people and our communities.”
The hope is that connections forged at this festive gathering can last, create friendships and enable those in the neighbourhood to avoid feelings of isolation in the future.
Please get in touch on 01256 768687 or email to book your place or if you can be a gift of service in preparation before or on Christmas Day. We will need help with transport, cooking, serving, clearing away, organising carol singing and games. We also would like to have a Christmas tree, decorations and a Santa to hand out small gifts.
Hook Hoppa
The new Hook Hoppa service has seen an increase in customers and new people using the service, but numbers are not currently sufficient to make the service viable long term. Feedback suggests that further adjustments to the route would benefit some additional residents. If changes to the route or timetable would enable you to use the service to access facilities, e.g. Hook Community Centre, please contact the Parish Council by 1st December.
Copies of the timetable have been delivered to every household and are available at pick up points around Hook, including Tesco, Drs surgery and the Parish Council Office. For the service to be retained, it needs to be used frequently – remember the saying ‘use it or lose it’!
Men’s Shed
The Men’s Shed open meeting held on Monday 17th October was attended by more than 50 people from Hook and neighbouring communities. There was much discussion and numerous ideas about taking the initiative forward in Hook. If you were unable to attend, but would like more information or to be kept abreast of progress, please contact Liz Glenn at Hart District Council: . The next step is to identify members for a Steering Group in the near future.
Let’s not lose this opportunity for Hook hosts the first Men’s Shed in Hart.
KEEP CALM AND CHAT TO A COUNCILLOR
If you would like to have an informal chat with a Parish Councillor about anything relating to Hook, please join us in Hartletts Café on the 4th Tuesday of every month in from 6 – 7pm. The next one is on Tuesday 22nd November. Further dates are:
- 24th January 2017
- 28th February 2017
- 28th March 2017
COUNCILLOR VACANCY
In October we advised of the publication of the Notice of Vacancy resulting from the resignation of Martin Whittaker. As Hart did not receive the required number of letters calling for a formal ballot, the Parish Council will need to fill the vacancy by co-option as soon as possible.
If you are interested in applying then please contact the Clerk to find out more about this rewarding role within our forward thinking team.
To apply to be considered to join the council, please write to the Clerk, with a summary about yourself, including:
- how long you have lived or worked in Hook
- reasons for wishing to be a councillor
- previous community involvement/council experience
- any other skills you can bring to the Council
- your interests and recent career history
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 14th November. Applicants must attend the Parish Council meetings on Wednesday 7th December and also on Wednesday 4th January 2017 when the co-option appointment will be made.
Hook Fireworks Show
The Annual Hook Schools Parents Association Fire Show and Fireworks will take place on Saturday 5th November. Hartletts Park car park will be closed from 4pm until the conclusion of the firework display for safety reasons. Please remove all vehicles from the car park before 4pm, when the barrier will be locked.
SAVE THE DATE
- Children’s Animal and Wildlife Fun Day (Free) – Wednesday 15th February 2017 – 11.30am to 4pm in Hook Community Centre
- Hook Annual Village Meeting – Wednesday 24th May 2017
- Hook Health and Wellbeing Day – Saturday 20th May 2017