Volunteers help protect New Forest A total of 100 volunteers in the New Forest have committed almost 32,000 hours to helping protect and enhance the National Park. They each clocked up well over 100 hours of activities such as unearthing ancient artefacts during archaeological digs, surveying unique species and recording fascinating historical documents. Brian Matthews has contributed over 1,200 hours removing invasive non-native plants, creating wildlife corridors and improving Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Sylvia Crocker from Woodlands has
dedicated over 800 hours volunteering in the Christopher Tower Reference Library within the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst and updating the New Forest Knowledge website. Volunteer, training and mentoring co-ordinator, Richard Austin, said, “This scheme has enabled volunteers to see parts of the New Forest that they hadn’t before, all while making new friends, learning about this historic landscape and becoming custodians of it. They can give as much or as little time as they like.” You can find your own volunteer role in the New Forest at www.newforestnpa.gov. uk/volunteering. Volunteer Brian Matthews pulling Himalayan balsam
Action group looks for support People living in Alderholt and the surrounding villages are being urged to join a group that is working to protect the area. Action4Alderholt are also looking for enthusiastic people who understand and can help with updating their website and social media platforms. The group recently conducted a village survey, which they hope will help the parish council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. Since the formation of the new Dorset Unitary Authority earlier this year, the original East Dorset plan for up to 2,400 houses in Alderholt is ‘on hold’ but not necessarily cancelled. Action4Alderholt is seeking further meetings with planning officers in the hope of convincing them that there are better areas in Dorset to put their housing allocations. Councillor David Walsh said, “When the council agreed to write a single plan for the new Dorset area it was agreed that all work on previous plans would stop and obviously
that includes the East Dorset Plan. Through the plan process we will be reviewing all evidence gathered and consultation responses already received.” He added that he understood the group’s views on development at Alderholt and said Councillor Tooke had pointed out, in detail, the issues and constraints to development. A spokesman for Action4Alderholt said, “It is worth bearing in mind that Dorset Council and our own parish council have agreed to a Climate Change Emergency Plan, which will entail severely reducing carbon emissions. The remoteness of Alderholt from employment and public services combined with poor access roads and virtually non-existent public transport must be considered to be in our favour. Membership of Action4Alderholt is free. If you would like to help, contact Chris Walker on 01425 655631 or 07966 451124.
Don’t touch syringes If you spot a syringe or a needle on public land you shouldn’t touch it. In Dorset you can either report online at: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ syringes or call Dorset Waste Partnership on 01305 221040 and a cleanup will be arranged as soon as possible.
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VIEWPOINT November 2019
In Hampshire you should report discarded syringes or drug paraphernalia to the New Forest District Council on 02380 285000. If you’re unsure which council area you are in, visit www.gov.uk/reportsyringes and enter a postcode.
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