JPC rejects working with Allotment Association

The vast majority of allotment growers simply like to grow their vegetables, relax and socialise up at the allotment site. However in recent weeks plot holders have shown a mix of anger, disappointment and cynicism at the way the General Purposes Committee (GPC) of the Joint Parish Council (JPC) have treated them.

Over many months, the Elected officers of the Allotment Association (BHAA) have been listening to their members and potential plot holders about how they would like to see the Allotment site managed and developed. The BHAA Officers and plot holders felt they should have the opportunity to provide advice and input on allotment matters before final decisions were made by the GPC/JPC. For example discussions could include: plot rent reviews and how rents are fairly calculated, a fair and transparent method of allocating plots to existing and new members, supporting Lottery Funding bids for the Allotments and the best use of such funds, the impact of the Railway Station Development Plan on the Allotment site, health and safety etc.

Although the BHAA Officers thought they were making good progress working with the GPC, in recent weeks the GPC has made it clear that their idea of consultation is to make all the decisions without dialogue and then tell the plot holders. As a consequence the three BHAA Officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) have resigned their positions. Apparently a former BHAA Chairman has also resigned in the past as she also felt the GPC did not wish to consult and listen to advice. Another plot holder has said “It is such a shame, the Association is going from strength to strength, all the plots are occupied and there are now 13 residents on the waiting list.”

Anne Dorow, the most recent Chairman of the BHAA to resign, said:

“From our recent meeting with the GPC it is very apparent that they do not seek plot holders' input and do not share our desire for consultation of any kind. The Officers felt they had no real opportunity to formally represent the views of the members and potential plot holders. The GPC emphasised that they are the Landlord and we are simply Tenants, and therefore no discussion is required.”

A further update on the situation will be provided in the next edition of Henley News On-line.

Lost Bench Tests Henley's Warning Scheme

On Saturday morning 18th July, we found a bench dumped in our garden. It had ‘appeared’ overnight – we presumed the efforts of the Friday night revellers.

Over the following week, we made efforts to trace its owner. We tried the pubs on the High Street and various locals none of whom could help us. Clearly the bench had an owner as it had a plaque with an inscription "In memory of Les Harris who loved Henley".

Finally, despairing of finding its home, we contacted Henley News On-line and thanks to an SOS to its readers database, within hours we had traced its owner and its home. With the aid of some willing helpers we have now replaced the bench in its rightful home – next to the tap in St Nicholas churchyard. We are grateful for the help of Henley News On-line and the valuable service it provides to our community.

Liz Brindley reporting & photo

Henley NEWS On-line believes that no other agency can contact such a large proportion of the residents as fast. This service has already been used by the Police and the Environment Agency will use it in the event of another flood alert. We will not allow it to be over used but it remains available to all readers in the case of a genuine emergency in the joint parishes of Beaudesert & Henley. This bench incident was used as our annual test.

You can join our regular alerts scheme by registering at: www.henleynews.co.uk/pages/subscribe.html

Readers can be assured that their details will be secure and not passed on.        Privacy Statement

Hilda Horsley – 100th Birthday

Hilda was born in Birmingham but at the age of 5 she moved with her brother, 2 sisters and mother to Henley-in-Arden as her father had been killed in World War 1. She met her husband, Jim, when they both worked for Newcombes at Mayswood Road, Wootten Wawen. They had 4 children, John, Pat, Roy and David. John sadly died aged 49.

Hilda has 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. 3 of her grandchildren live in Australia, 1 lives in California and 1 lives in Northern Ireland. All are travelling back to England to be with her on her birthday. Just before the Second World War Jim, Hilda and family moved into the house at the Gas works in Beaudesert Lane, Henley. Jim was a one man operator. Hilda did her piece of war time protection, looking out for enemy planes, while Jim recharged the coal ovens to producing the gas. Hilda was a councillor on the Henley Parish Council and ran a weekly bingo to raise money for the playing field funds. Three of her bingo callers will be with her to celebrate her birthday.

Hilda worked as a secretary to Major Nevett at Henley Mill before joining the post office. As an early morning post woman she cycled 12 miles each day to Preston Bagot, Rowington and back to Henley.

In 1968 Hilda, Jim and John moved to Station Road, Wythall to be with her daughter, Pat and son-in-law Ron to help look after their children. In 1982 Jim sadly died after 51 years of marriage. Hilda has had 5 trips to Australia to visit her youngest son David, her last visit being at age 94. She has also enjoyed holidays in Bournemouth, Majorca, Portugal and aged 98 went to Tenerife for Christmas with her family.

She will be having a party on Saturday 8th August at the Oak, Hockley Heath, where she will be joined by 78 friends and family. Hilda, although severely handicapped in her movement, still enjoys reading, watching the TV and a nightly Bristol Cream Sherry.

Peter Pan Down the Pan?

Back in May, we were thrilled to announce that Henley Drama (HADS) were to mount an outdoor production of Peter Pan in the Guild Hall garden. This announcement followed hot on the heels of the Meteorological Office’s statement that the UK was due for a “barbeque summer”.  But not even poor Peter, who is an expert at riding on the back of the wind, can exert any pressure on the position of El Nino and, regrettably, a decision was taken to move the whole production indoors to the Memorial Hall, Station Road.

However this move is not entirely without benefits, as more time and money can be spent on the scenery and special effects. We mentioned at that time that millions of pounds had been spent on the London production of Peter Pan where CGI from Hollywood had been employed - I estimate that HADS will have spent the best part of £65.00 on their production!

So now, whatever the weather, we invite you to come along with your hampers and wine to the Hall where a ‘picnic’ atmosphere awaits you. See the wonderful characters ranging from Peter, Hook and Smee to the scariest crocodile ever, hired from the National Theatre, London, and accounting for almost 80% of the budget mentioned above.

Performances commence on Wednesday the 19th of August at 7:30pm and repeat on Thursday 20th, Friday 21st concluding on Saturday the 22nd with a matinee performance at 2:30pm and evening performance at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at £8 each, with children under 16 at £4.  Each performance will be at tables, rather than in seat rows, so you are welcome to bring your own refreshments if you wish.

Tickets can be reserved by phoning the box office on 01564 795463, or purchased online at http://www.hads.org.uk

Ray Evans & Tony Capps - HADS Correspondents

Mortgage Rescue Scheme Success

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has recently achieved its first success with the Government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme, working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Orbit First Step.  The Communities and Local Government Department have advised they believe this to be the 5th Mortgage Rescue in the West Midlands since the Scheme was launched in January 2009 (awaiting audited figures).

Mortgage Rescue is targeted at the most vulnerable home owners and is intended to prevent these households from becoming homeless. In order to be eligible for the Scheme there are certain criteria which have to be met relating to the household, their vulnerability and income, along with the value and the condition of the property.

Householders who are experiencing difficulties with meeting their mortgage repayments should firstly contact their lender in order to discuss the situation with them. Lenders have a number of hardship criteria which they may be able to apply. The householders should also consult the Citizens Advice Bureau about their situation. If Mortgage Rescue is an appropriate option a Citizens Advice Special Caseworker will be assigned. Stratford-upon-Avon Citizens Advice Bureau can be contacted on 01789 293299.

There are two types of rescue offered by the Scheme: Shared Equity, where a housing association will provide a loan to reduce the mortgage payments, and Government Mortgage to Rent, where a housing association pays off the mortgage, renting back the property to the householder. The Mortgage Rescue Scheme is administered by the District Council’s Housing Advice Team providing free advice to anyone who is experiencing housing difficulties.  Housing options interviews are conducted by booked appointment at the Council’s headquarters in Stratford town and also at the housing surgeries at the Council offices in Shipston, Alcester and Southam.

Councillor Stephen Gray, Portfolio Holder for Revenues and Housing, said “In these difficult economic times I am pleased that Stratford-on-Avon District Council is able to offer this housing option to households who may be in danger of losing their home.”

Anyone wishing to make an appointment should contact the Housing Advice Team on 01789 260861 or email: housingadviceteam@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Three Priorities to be Addressed

Burglaries, speeding and nuisance vehicles emerged as top priorities at the recent Safer Neighbourhoods Team meeting held as part of the Henley and Studley Community Forum.

At the Henley and Studley Community Forum meeting held in June, residents selected three new priorities for police and partners to address over the month ahead. These included house burglaries, speeding around Wootton Wawen and nuisance vehicles at Node Hill in Studley. At the Community Forum meeting residents also received a presentation on sustainability in the Forum Area. They also voiced a number of other concerns including CCTV in Henley, road signs, grass cuttings in Pettiford lane, parking in Henley, especially outside Somerfield and One-Stop, and disabled parking in Henley. As parking was so high on the agenda this will be an item for a future forum and parking in Henley is under review.

The next meeting of the Henley and Studley Community Forum meeting is on Thursday 13 August starting at 7.30pm at Wootton Wawen Village Hall. The meeting is an opportunity for people who live in and around Henley and Studley area to come along and join in the debate. There will also be presentations on Empty Homes and Delivery of Rural Affordable Homes.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team surgery will take place before the Community Forum meeting at 7pm and officers will be giving feedback on the issues raised earlier at their surgeries and residents will be able to hear the latest on policing in their area from Warwickshire Police.

Community Forums are an interactive event enabling residents to learn about issues big and small affecting their area, get answers to questions and influence local decision-making. Anyone with a question about a local issue can go along and put it to officers from a range of organisations. For more information about this forum please contact Lizzie Price, Area Support Officer on 01789 290784.

Charity Theatre Night on Monday September 7th

Henley-in-Arden Rotary Club are organising a Charity Theatre night at the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth. This is a delightful little theatre that puts on very high quality productions. The evening will include your show ticket and a post show buffet held in the theatre bar.

All profits from this night are in favour of ShelterBox and Polio Plus. These are two charities that are very high on the list supported by Rotary, both locally and internationally. They are very deserving causes indeed and more information on them can be found by following these links.

The play being presented is Tom, Dick and Harry by Ray Cooney. As can be inferred from the Author, it is a farce and gales of laughter can be guaranteed.

Details for the evening are as follows:
Date: Monday September 7th
Time: 7.30 pm
Price:£12 to include a post show supper buffet

Everyone is welcome. Please contact Tony Capps for more information.

Tony Capps reporting - Tel: 01564 792840, eMail

Download latest Rotary Club Newsletter

SUMMER FUN ’09 at Henley Youth Club.

This year’s summer activities available to all young people (12 – 19) last 3 weeks. Every week day from August 3rd to August 21st there are outdoor challenges and opportunities to learn new skills.

The programme includes team challenges, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, raft building, orienteering and mountain biking. The summer programme will finish with a trip to Drayton Manor Park. The activities take place at Warwickshire County’s new Outdoor Centre at Kingsbury Water Park.

The cost is heavily subsidised and includes transport to Kingsbury and Drayton Manor Park. This is very popular and therefore you need to contact Anna Stowe urgently for the last few places. Text or call 07967369140 or e-mail: annastowe@warwickshire.gov.uk

Peter Crathorne reporting

Heritage Centre’s First Sunday Special A Success.

On 2nd August a small group gathered at the Heritage Centre to mark the 744th anniversary of The Battle of Evesham (4th August 1265). Using information gathered by Peter Crathorne they explored the lives of the main characters, their motives and actions which finally led to the bloody defeat of the forces of Simon De Montfort.

We discovered that Henley was demolished by King Henry III’s troops as a punishment for supporting Simon and that Peter De Montfort (no relation), the Lord of Henley, was brutally killed in the battle. The afternoon concluded with a viewing of the DVD “Alice” the play performed at the Court Leet Day in 2007 in St Nicholas Church. The film depicted the response of those left behind when the men from Henley went to battle. Participants declared it an informative and enjoyable session.

There are three other Sunday Specials, two for children and one more for over 11s about Henley and the 2nd World War.

Please see the poster below. The Heritage Centre continues to add value to life in Henley with its fascinating displays, detailed local information and a shop of local interest including some lovely, unique postcards of Henley which you could send to your friends. Visit and discover for yourself, we are next to the Ice Cream Shop.

Come Dancing in Beaudesert

Yes, you can dance! I’ve been teaching dancing for long enough to know that everybody can move to music and everybody wants to!  Whether it is learning a routine for the ‘first dance’ at the wedding reception or complicated moves for competitive dancing, I’ve seen so many people get excited through getting up and having a go…and finding that they can do better than they imagined! So many people stop me in Henley High Street and say that they would like to learn to dance; well, the opportunity is on your doorstep. New classes are starting this September!

For those who love the Latin American beat, but haven’t a partner to dance with, I am starting a new ‘Latin Line’ class on Wednesday 16th September, 7pm to 8pm in the Church Hall, Beaudesert Lane. These classes have also proved popular with friends who might want to turn up and enjoy themselves as a group.

For those with partners I’m starting a Ballroom and Latin American Class for absolute beginners, again in the Church Hall, Beaudesert Lane, starting Wednesday 16th September, 8 pm to 9 pm. Ladies, encourage your men to have a go!

And then, for those who already know the basic moves but would like to learn more and enjoy the company of other couples, there will be an ‘advanced’ Ballroom & Latin American class on the same night, same place, 9 pm to 10 pm.

If you want to know more, contact me, Elaine, on 01789 751646, or have a word with my husband, John Ganjavi – he’ll give you an honest answer!

Elaine Davies (Ganjavi) reporting

Summer Garden Party

Yes, we did have Summer on Saturday 25th July! It took place on Sue and Brian Westmacott’s lawn where they held their second annual garden party in aid of the Henley Christmas Lights. The weather was kind and we all enjoyed a remarkably balmy and pleasant evening.

Sue and Brian generously donated the food and provided the service, the ambience and the marquee. Les Goodman made a short speech and Peter Cornford of John Earle & Son conducted an auction.

Our thanks must of course go to Sue and Brian for their generous hospitality once again and also to Richard and Wendy Ackland who, with the support of Harveys of Bristol, provided and served the reception drinks.

The event raised some £2,300. We can all enjoy the Henley lights again this Christmas.

John Garner reporting

Using Blogs, Social Networking & Audio

Over the past year or so marketing on the web has become a big thing thanks to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Because the media and celebrities are talking about them, many small business owners have become interested in how they can use them to market and promote their business. But just what are blogs and social networking sites and how do you use them to get business?

On this workshop Helen Dowling from Exceptional Thinking is going to be showing you how to make this new way of marketing your business work for you. Learn:

. Which social networking site (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) is the best one to use
. What tou write about on your blog
. How to use audio and video recordings to market your business
. What you need to do to get business from this new way of marketing
. How to update just one site so that it updates all the others for you
. The best way to create one profile that you can put on all these sites

This workshop presents a great opportunity to learn new and very cost effective ways of marketing your business. You will learn how to profitably exploit the marketing and business opportunities presented by blogs and social networking sites.

Thursday 20th August 2009 4:00pm-7:00pm

Henley-in-Arden Golf & Country Club

Just £40 per person

TO BOOK EMAIL simon@swbc.co.uk or CALL 07976 236 531

Only 20 places, so book now to avoid disappointment

Stunning Summer Style at The Bluebell

The quintessentially English setting of the Bluebell at the North end of the High Street was transformed into an exotic hub of high fashion and style when Studio 34 launched their stunning new summer collection. More than 100 guests delighted in the quirky contradiction of traditional afternoon tea and Champagne cocktails served by dashing topless male models as they admired the latest in beachwear, kaftans, informal evening outfits, sunglasses and accessories from the Henley High Street ladies boutique.

Our picture right shows Lesley Knowles and Jacqueline Johnson with 'topless waiter'.

"It was an amazing combination of styles and another example of how well the Bluebell and Studio 34 work together to create really original and successful occasions" said Leigh Taylor, proprietor of the Bluebell, which last year won a clutch of awards including the prestigious ‘Dining pub of the Year’, Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink Awards.

Traditional afternoon tea which includes a choice of delicate finger sandwiches, scones with runny jam, a three tiered cake stand stuffed full of treats and a choice of teas served in an eclectic mix of fine bone china - is now a feature at the 15th Century pub and eatery. Afternoon tea or Perrier Jouet Champagne Afternoon Tea is available Tuesday to Saturday 2.30pm – 5.30pm.

David Edwards, pictured right, has told HNOL about www.2old.co.uk, which brings together the local employer and the mature job seeker. The mature job seeker has many advantages over their younger counterpart, they are also more likely to be lifestyle orientated and therefore willing to work for less in exchange for meaningful employment.

Local employers, particularly small and start-up businesses, would be more willing to employ mature job seekers if they were willing to work for less.

• 2old.co.uk is free to all employers and to all job seekers, there are no hidden charges.
• Employers automatically receive an E-mail alert when a job seeker matching their requirements registers with 2old.co.uk.
• Employers may list up to five vacancies.
• Employers have unlimited free access to Job Seekers' CVs.
• Employers and job seekers will have access to more than 1,300 different occupations at more than 2,500 locations in England.
• When an employer or job seeker selects an occupation and location, 2old.co.uk automatically searches for a match within commuting distance.
• Whilst 2old.co.uk was founded to promote the mature job seeker, it is of course open to job seekers of all ages.

The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, says:

“Many mature job seekers find it difficult to get back into work after a redundancy or a period away from the workplace. I welcome the launch of 2old.co.uk and hope that it will provide a valuable resource for mature job seekers.”

Website: www.2old.co.uk

David Edwards  info@2old.co.uk

Grumpy Old Man

Our popular correspondent, the Grumpy Old Man, has come out of retirement to help Mr Darling in his hour of need. He suggests, in a letter to the Chancellor, ways to fix the economy.

Dear Mr. Darling,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing Britain's economy. Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan.

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new British CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Motor Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

4) They MUST send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed

5) They MUST buy £50 of alcohol / tobacco a week - there's your money back in duty/tax 

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know.  If not, please disregard.

Grumpy Old Man

John Garner's Business Column

Yet another acronym

Pay attention now!  Fingers on buzzers……

What does “BIS” stand for?

Is it:

• Bank for International Settlements?
• British Interplanetary Society
• British Infection Society
• Biodiversity Information Service
• British Inventors Society
• British Iris Society
• British International School

(I am indebted to Google for these…)

The answer is of course YES, all of them. But I’m talking about the latest piece of government bureaucracy: The Department for Business Innovation and Skills. Has anyone heard of BERR (Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform)? Well don’t worry if you haven’t because it doesn’t exist anymore. I’m sure you all remember the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry)? Well, the Labour government didn’t like that name as it was invented by the Conservatives so they renamed it BERR.

Now for the second question: Which government minister is in charge of BIS?

YES, right in one. Lord Mandelson of course! Full marks! He’s in charge of just about everything else so he might as well have that one as well.

So what does BIS do? (I could ask what BERR did but the answer is too boring).

The BIS website (www.bis.gov.uk) says:

“The new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has been created following the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Investing in our future: Building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy.”

(Please note: the dodgy punctuation is theirs not mine. I had to take off my proof reader hat there for a minute).

Apparently the BIS portfolio includes “advocating the needs of business, promoting innovation and an environment for enterprise, designing tailored policies for sectors of the UK economy that represent key future strengths, investing in the development of higher and further education and science, assessing the changing skills needs of the economy, defending a sound regulatory environment, working with the EU on single market regulation and regulation affecting the competitiveness of companies, and working to expand exports and encourage inward investment in the UK.”   

I could add “and finding employment for even more civil servants.” If anyone can tell me what all that actually means then please come and write this column.

BIS has already attracted criticism. Lord Mandelson was asked in the House of Lords, “Does he agree that it is a shameful and retrograde development that further and higher education have been subsumed in this way, to be judged not worthy even of a single letter in the new departmental acronym?”  (What is it with these politicians and acronyms?)

Mandelson celebrated the creation of BIS, saying: “We have a new phoenix in this department.”

An unfortunate analogy: the phoenix is famous for its triumphant rebirth, rising from the ashes, but it was also condemned to an endless cycle of death and renewal.

I leave you to ponder on how long BIS will last, whether it will achieve anything and how much more it will cost the taxpayer.  And when its name will change.

John Garner - Business Correspondent

Stratford District Council

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