Laurence Marshall

The Conservatives at a meeting on Tuesday night selected as their candidate to stand in the forthcoming District Council election, Laurence Marshall. The election takes place on Thursday May 4th at the same time as the ordinary elections within the council. Nominations are due by noon on 3rd April. The election has been called following the resignation of Anne Haddon.

Laurence Marshall is fifty one years of age and married with three daughters and four granddaughters. He has lived in Henley for nearly six years, up on Beaudesert Park at the north end of town. For the last twenty five years he has run his own company but recently moved into semi-retirement when the business was taken over by a leading medical product manufacturer; particularly interested in the new disposable curtain he invented to help combat MRSA in hospitals. He has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Henley in Arden & welcomes having the opportunity to put something back into the community.  

Laurence is currently serving on the Beaudesert & Henley in Arden Joint Parish Council where he sits on two sub committees. He is also actively involved with Henley in Bloom and his other interests include keep fit, playing tennis and squash, crown bowls, amateur dramatics & singing. He has also played a major part in bringing the Normandy Market to Henley this summer (for details, see below).

A senior member of the local Conservative party told Henley NEWS on-line, "We are delighted that Laurence will be representing the Conservative cause and we are sure he will make an excellent District Councillor."

Oo La La!

Beaudesert & Henley in Arden Joint Parish Council are delighted to announce the arrival of a Normandy Market on FRIDAY 30^th JUNE and SATURDAY 1^st JULY.

Please put the dates in your diary, because the High Street of Henley in Arden is set to become a bustling, French street market with all the tastes, smells and joie de vivre you could wish for. Around 130 metres of typically French stalls will be offering produce such as freshly baked French bread & croissants baked on site, cheeses from all regions, wines direct from the producers, pastries, meats, garlic, honey, lavender, mustards and spices – all served with Gallic charm. Oh and just in case the delightful food proves to be too much, there will also be handbag, ceramic and brassware stalls too!

Laurence Marshall, pictured left with one of the town criers at Abingdon near Oxford, was visiting the town in his role as Parish Councillor to investigate the possibility of bringing a genuine French market to Henley in Arden on one of the weekends in the summer.

The Parish Council is now working with Le Marche de France, who organise the highest quality French markets, to make this a really special event for Henley in Arden. In addition to the market, this two day cultural event will feature French music plus two performances of The Spirit of Piaf in the Memorial Hall. So, do come along and please tell your friends, family and work colleagues – as well as giving parish residents a great weekend, we also want to bring lots of visitors and trade to the town.

HENLEY- in ARDEN BOWLS CLUB has told Henley NEWS on-line it is now ready for another season. It meets on Monday evenings from April to September at 6.30pm and plays until it is dark. The club is situated next to the Tennis Courts at the Sports and Social club ground on the A34 just outside Henley.

The Club welcome new members, whether beginners or established players.

For further information contact John Townson 01564 792407.

Henley-in-Arden based coach operator Johnsons are enjoying the business boom thanks to innovative thinking, sustained marketing and the provision of high quality standards.

In 2005 the coach industry throughout the country worked in a fairly ‘flat’ business environment with many operators merging and other consolidating and pulling back on investment.

Throughout that period, Johnsons invested in new vehicles, new personnel and looked hard at trying to do things differently. 

It seems the result have paid off.  Their Coach Hire and Group Tours are buoyant.  The 2006 holiday programme was substantially redesigned and sales are already showing a steady increase on the 2005 figures.  Their – one price – one pick up point “Express Excursions” initiative sold out so quickly that second and third coaches have been arranged for each excursion and the all inclusive Excursion programme is showing signs of steady growth. 

John Johnson Director of Johnsons Coaches said “in 2004/2005 business was flat, but this was in common with many operators throughout the country.  To go forward you have to be prepared to take gambles but gambles based on logical thinking and sound business practice.  We know we have a solid business with an enviable reputation but that reputation has been hard fought for and has to be maintained.  Whilst we are enjoying a boom at the moment, it is so easy to slip back that’s why its so important to keep standards high to keep looking for new ways of doing things.”

For our March meeting, we had a visit from Wendy Conway, who travelled  from the Forest of Dean to be with us.

'Two-legged, for legged Furry & feathered' - a double bill, the first half of the programme was a visit to USA to the Yellowstone National Park, with its hot springs. The second half was to Africa, namely Tanzania, with a look at the wild life and it's people illustrated by slides.

Wendy brought a selection of her photographs, the ones illustrated are digital, and others she brought were on normal film.

David Evason, chairman thanked Wendy for the talk in the normal manner. Wendy will visit all being well next year with a new programme.

John Love
Reporting

Bob Johnson will be running in this year's London marathon in a Dalek costume for charity. Bob writes:

After a pretty hard weekend throwing planks of balsa wood against the skeleton, we now have a pretty solid-looking DALEK!! The centre section (housing the “guns” and sink plunger) has been planked with fairly thin strips of 3/16” balsa. The strips were cut on the narrow side in order to help them go with the curvature. The gauge was dropped down from ¼” thick to 3/16” in order to keep the weight down. Talking weight then presently the top bit (comprising dome and three rings) weights about 7lbs; the middle 5lbs and the two halves of the skirt about 5lbs each. Thus we’re at about 22lbs and (I guess) heading for about 30lbs in total. Bit heavy but still.

The skirt regions had to be made in two halves – otherwise the structure would not go through the doors let alone transport it to London! A simple jig (read piece of MDF with blocks attached to it) was made in order to help ensure that the two halves would turn out very similar and bolt together nicely. They have turned out pretty well although there is some movement in them and I guess this is something to do with the planking and also the fact that the tissue and dope may have caused some warpage. The skirts have used ¼” balsa wood planking and this is probably a bit over the top so I’ll pay for that after mile 20 or so.

The overall size seems about right – there is enough room inside (although I must not put on too much weight) to run as the front to back clearance is about 1.3m. The height seems about right too as when I’ve added the 50mm polystyrene “buffer” and then the whole thing is off the floor a bit then my line of sight should be in the gap between the dome and the first ring just right. I still think the DALEK looks a bit too lanky but perhaps this is because I KNOW that I’ve had to stretch him in that direction in order to get the standard dome to fit the design.

I’m indebted to wife, Nics, and youngest daughter, Naomi, for their help with the dope and tissue work completed over the weekend. It’s amazing how things progress at a much faster pace when there is a team at work. They both felt pretty crook after breathing the dope fumes so (weather permitting) we’ll try and do the rest of the doping outside….

If you are interested in helping to collect sponsors for the run or have any thoughts or ideas that you think may help then please contact Bob on the phone number shown below. Also note that you can donate to Willen Hospice (using the DALEK “account”) at: 

Contacts for Bob Johnson  or  01908 217930

Free bus travel is being offered to everybody living in Warwickshire aged over 60, and many people with disabilities, from Saturday, April 1. Bus passes are to be issued by Stratford-on-Avon-District Council. Travel can be made after 0900 on Mondays to Fridays and anytime at weekends or on public holidays.

Details of the scheme and how to apply are displayed on the two council websites www.stratford.gov.uk and from council offices.

In anticipation of a large take-up of the new bus pass, holders are being asked to consider their time of travel. Many buses are already busy between 0900 and 1000 and with the likelihood of more passengers travelling there could be capacity problems on some journeys during this time period. By travelling a bit later this potential difficulty could be avoided.

County Councillor Martin Heatley, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Transport and Rural Affairs said: “It is great news for the people of Warwickshire that the district and borough councils have been able to work in partnership with the county council to provide a countywide travel pass. The new pass will give the holder the freedom to travel regularly on the bus without having to worry about cost and this should also offer drivers a real incentive to leave the car at home for local trips. I will certainly be applying for a pass at the earliest opportunity.”

The scheme is one of an overall package of measures in the Stratford-on-Avon District to improve transport facilities for the elderly.

"The Countywide bus pass will complement the new Community Links transport scheme which starts next month in the Stratford District," said Cllr Gillian Roache from Stratford District Council, whose Portfolio includes social inclusion. This is also in partnership with the county council and its aim is to help people who do not have access to public transport for various reasons. I am sure both these schemes will be welcomed by many throughout the District who currently have transport difficulties."

DELAYS in changes to parking restrictions in Stratford have “disappointed” the town’s management partnership.

The alterations, approved by Warwickshire County Council’s Stratford area committee, have been largely welcomed but the partnership said this week that the county council should act swiftly to get them in place by April in preparation for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works Festival.

People power has won through following the latest discussions on amendments to Stratford-upon-Avon’s decriminalised parking. A proposal to alter the resident parking zones and extend the hours of operation until 10pm received more than 50 objections from local residents and Stratford Town Council, prompting members of Warwickshire County Council’s Stratford Area Committee to rethink the plan, and vote not to implement it.

Cllr George Atkinson, Chairman of the Stratford Area Committee, said: ``We advertised the proposed changes in response to suggestions made by residents, there were a number of objections, we listened very carefully to these views, and the committee agreed not to proceed with the changes. This once again demonstrates that when Warwickshire County Council asks for your views on a subject, it is in your own interests to respond, because your views can make a real difference.’’

There were a number of other amendments to the scheme discussed in the Area Committee debate, including an end to the free 20 minute parking period, which will be replaced with a nominal 20p charge for 30 minutes parking.

Cllr Atkinson explained: ``There have been a number of cases where people do not realise they need to put a ticket in their car because it is free. As a result they have received a ticket. We feel the nominal 20p charge with the extension to 30 minutes is a way to ensure that more people buy a ticket, and we reduce the number of people receiving unnecessary fines.’’

An amendment to provide free parking before midday on a Sunday could not be implemented by Warwickshire County Council following a decision by Stratford-on-Avon District Council not to abolish its pre-midday charging in off-street car parks.

For full details of all the changes visit the Council and Community section of www.warwickshire.gov.uk and click on Stratford on Avon Area Committee under Public Committee Papers. Or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/decrim for more information on the decriminalisation of parking in Warwickshire.

Students in Warwickshire who are going to university this autumn are being urged to apply now to ensure their funding is in place by the time their courses start.

Forms are being circulated to schools and colleges with sixth forms for students to apply for tuition and maintenance loans, and grants for when they enter higher education. Students who have already started courses at university should automatically receive their renewal forms.

Around 3,500 application packs are expected to go out to new students, with 9,500 forms being processed in total. They have to be returned to Warwickshire County Council’s Student Finance Direct team by 30 June to ensure they are processed in time for the academic year.

Student Finance Direct Manager Donna Isard said: “It is essential that students complete the form in full and provide all the documentation required, otherwise this can lead to a delay in getting fees and funding approved.“Warwickshire County Council prides itself in the service that it offers students. We can give advice on the system and how to fill the form in, and are planning a number of events around the county in the summer to make it easier for students to get advice.”

Details of these events will be included in the application packs, and will be advertised nearer the time. More information is available by calling the national support centre 08456 077577 or visiting www.warwickshire.gov.uk/studentsupport.

Henley Goes Greener

Washing Machines and Dishwashers use the same amount of energy and water whether they have a full load or are only part full. To get value for money from the energy and water they use, wait until you have a full load before running them. This isn't always possible but the more times you can wait for a full load the more money you save.

For more information about The Henley Goes Greener project, click here.

John Stott

The latest Agenda and Minutes for the Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden Joint Parish Council can be viewed on the Henley Gateway Website "This is Henley-in-Arden" at www.henley-in-arden.org

And always remember - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Henley Crime Report

This crime summary is a look at the crimes of public interest that occurred on the Henley, Snitterfield and Tanworth policing area over the last 14 days. We do not as normal practice include crimes of shoplifting, bilking, domestic violence or fraud.

BURGLARY DWELLING
Between 19:00 hours on Friday 10^th March and 12:20 hours on Saturday 11^th March unknown offender/s have gained entry to the porch of a premises on Brook End Drive, Henley by unknown means.

Once inside offender/s have stolen a number of coats from within before making off in an unknown direction.
Incident number 30 of 11^th March refers 

BURGLARY COMMERCIAL AND OTHER BUILDING
Between 17:30 hours on Monday 6^th March and 07:15 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have cut the padlock of a gate to a commercial premises on Edge Lane, Henley and gained entry. Once inside offenders have used wheelbarrows from within to remove numerous amounts of materials such as Aluminium, steel and Brass. Offender/s have made good their escape.
Incident number 50 of 7^th March refers

Between 18:30 hours on Saturday 4^th March and 10:00 hours on Sunday 5^th March unknown offender/s have caused damage to a secure allotment shed on Station Road, Henley by forcing the window. Once inside offender/s have removed property from within before making good their escape.
Incident number 181 of 5^th March refers

Sometime before 09:00 hours on Thursday 16^th March unknown offender/s have forced open a wooden garage door to a premises on Forde Hall Lane, Tanworth by using a chain Saw or similar. Once inside offender/s have forced a cycle lock, which secured a cage area, inside the garage, where two scrambler motorbikes were housed. The offender/s have then placed the vehicles into the back of a van and used the van to force open the electric gates to the property.
Incident number 264 of 16^th March refers

Sometime before 09:00 hours on Saturday 11^th March unknown offender/s have used bricks from a nearby wall to break the windows of a premises on the Warwick Road, Henley in an attempt to gain entry. No entry to the premises has however been gained. Incident number209 of 11^th March refers

AUTOCRIME
Between 19:30 hours on Monday 6^th March and 07:30 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have snapped the aerial off a Ford Ka motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Aspley Heath Lane, Tanworth by unknown means. Offender/s have made good their escape in an unknown direction.
Incident number 439 of 7^th March refers

Between 18:00 hours on Monday 27^th February and 08:00 hours on Tuesday 28^th February unknown offender/s have approached a Volvo motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Rushbrook Lane, Tanworth and gained entry by unknown means.

Once inside offender/s have stolen a canon digital camera before making good their escape.
Incident number 0120 of 7^th March refers

At approximately 16:11 hours on Saturday 4^th March an unknown offender has been seen to break into a car parked secure and unattended on Poolhead Lane, Tanworth by unknown means. The offender has stolen a set of golf clubs from within before making off from the scene in a black VW Golf motor vehicle.
Incident number 423 of 4^th March refers

Between 18:00 hours on Monday 6^th March and 08:00 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have sprayed paint over a Silver Ford Fiesta motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Arden Leys, Tanworth. A number of other cars in the road have also been damaged.
Incident number 151 of 8^th March refers

At approximately 20:49 hours on Wednesday 8^th March unknown offender/s have thrown bricks through the windows of two motor vehicles parked secure and unattended on the High Street, Henley. Offender/s have made off from the scene in an unknown direction.
Incident number 528 of 8^th March refers

Between 19:00 hours and 20:40 hours on Wednesday 8^th March unknown offender/s have smashed the window of a Jaguar X Type motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Liveridge Hill, Henley

Sometime before 12:20 hours on Thursday 9^th March unknown offender/s have gained entry to a Smart Motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on the Alcester Road, Beoley. Once inside offender/s have stolen a satellite navigation system before making good their escape in an unknown direction.
Incident number 244 of 9^th March refers  

Between 18:00 hours on Tuesday 21^st March and 11:00 hours on Wednesday 22^nd March unknown offender/s have stolen a Honda Concerto motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Shutt Lane, Earlswood by unknown means.
Incident number 213 of 22^nd March refers

Between 19:00 hours on Monday 20^th March and 07:00 hours on Tuesday 21^st March unknown offender/s have stolen a red Ford Escort motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Whitley Road, Henley by unknown means.
Incident number 79 of 21^st March refers

Sometime before 15:43 hours on Tuesday 14^th March unknown offender/s have gained entry to earth moving machinery parked secure and unattended on Beaudesert Lane, Henley by breaking the side window. Once inside offender/s have pulled the wires from the back of the ignition in a believed attempt to get the vehicle started, this was however unsuccessful and offender/s have made off from the scene in an unknown direction.
Incident number 314 of 14^th March refers

Between 15:55 hours and 17:30 hours on Tuesday 14^th March unknown offender/s have stolen a Land Rover Defender motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on the High Street, Henley by unknown means.
Incident number 405 of 14^th March refers

Sometime before 07:00 hours on Thursday 16^th March unknown offender/s have gained entry to a Renault Clio motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Shelby Lane, Snitterfield by smashing the front window.

Once inside offender/s have stolen a laptop computer from within before making good their escape in an unknown direction.
Incident number 67 of 16^th March refers

Between 23:30 hours on Wednesday 22^nd March and 06:11 hours on Thursday 23^rd March unknown offenders have gained entry to a Vauxhall Corsa motor vehicle parked secure and unattended on Danzey Green, Tanworth by forcing the door and denting same. Once inside offender/s have stolen the car stereo and speakers and numerous packets of cigarettes. Offender/s have then made good their escape in an unknown direction.
Incident number 48 of 23^rd March refers

THEFT
At approximately 09:25 hours on Sunday 12^th March an unknown offender have stolen a blue and yellow saracen mountain bike which had been left insecure outside a shop premises on Umberslade Road, Earlswood. The offender has made off on the bike towards Malthouse Lane.
Incident number 152 of 12^th March refers

Between 09:00 hours and 21:00 hours on Wednesday 22^nd March unknown offender/s have gained entry to a caravan parked secure and unattended on Bearley Road, Snitterfield by unknown means. Once inside offender/s have stolen a fire extinguisher, a number of miscellaneous bedding and cutlery items and six gas bottles from within before making good their escape in an unknown direction.
Incident number 524 of 23^rd March refers

CRIMINAL DAMAGE
Between 19:00 hours on Monday 6^th March and 16:00 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have approached a property in Aspley Heath Lane, Tanworth and have proceeded to pull down a discard a sign attached to the front of the house. Offender/s have also knocked over a wishing well in the front garden and have used black spry paint to graffiti to the wall next to the front door.
Incident number 262 of 9^th March refers

Between 19:30 hours on Monday 6^th March and 07:30 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have removed a garden lamp from the driveway of a premises in Aspley Heath Lane, Tanworth and have thrown it into a neighbours garden damaging same. Offender/s have then made off in an unknown direction.
Incident number 190 of 8^th March refers

Between 19:45 hours on Monday 6^th March and 08:00 hours on Tuesday 7^th March unknown offender/s have used black spray paint to graffiti the letters ‘BCFC’ onto the garage door of a premises in Aspley Heath Lane, Tanworth.
Incident number 339 of 7^th March refers

During overnight hours on Sunday 5^th March unknown offender/s have walked up Earlswood Common, Earlswood throwing the areas rubbish bins about, smashing billboards and pulling up road signs. Nothing has been see or heard.
Incident number 182 of 5^th March refers

Between 22:00 hours and 23:00 hours on Monday 6^th March unknown offender/s have approached the entrance to a driveway on Broad Lane, Tanworth and have proceeded to damage two 3ft electric lanterns at the top of the driveway, by pulling them out of the ground.
Incident number 85 of 7^th March refers

Between 22:00 hours on Friday 10^th March and 09:00 hours on Saturday 11^th March unknown offender/s have entered an open compound on Bear Lane, Henley and have proceeded to cause damage to three motor vehicles, by smashing all the windows and lights. Offender/s have also smashed four windows to the property by unknown means.
Incident number 241 of 11^th March refers

VIOLENT CRIME
At approximately 18:13 hours on Saturday 4^th March unknown offender/s, driving a silver estate motor vehicle have pulled up alongside two youths waiting at a bus stop on the Stratford Road, Henley. Once the vehicle had stopped in front of the youths the offender from the vehicle has called the lads over asking them the time.

Once the two youths were closer to the vehicle one of the offender/s has grabbed one of the youths and pulled his arm into the car threatening him with a knife and requesting his mobile phone, which the youth has given.

The offender/s have then made off in the direction of Stratford with two mobile phones.
Incident number 587 of 4^th March refers

HENLEY POLICE SURGERY
Henley In Arden Police will be holding a ‘drop in’ facility at Henley Police Station for you to come and discuss any issues or problems, within the community, with your local policing team!

The next ‘police surgery’ will be held on:

Wednesday 5^th April 2006between 11am-1pm

New Telephone Number for Neighbourhood Watch Office
Neighbourhood watch Officer, Barry Armitage, based at Stratford Police Station, has a new direct dial phone number. Anyone wishing to contact Mr. Armitage can ring on 01789 444544.

BE AWARE
If you have any information or have witnessed the above incidents, please can you contact Alcester Police on 01789 762207.  Thank you.

HENLEY, SNITTERFIELD AND TANWORTH COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM