ERF NEWSLETTER NO 27 August 2025
Editor: David Harris editor.theems@outlook.com
Town Council
Change is on its way—help shape Emsworth’s future!
On 21 July, more than 90 residents joined us to explore how Emsworth can retain its identity and make its voice heard once we become part of a unitary authority of over half a million people. Consultation is vital: gathering diverse opinions, asking tough questions and weighing up available information all feeds into our choice on whether to establish a town council. You’ll find detailed background, FAQ and information on our website:
https://emsworthresidentsforum.org.uk/a-town-council-for-emsworth
At the end of the day, though, we need to decide and soon. As Chair of the Residents Forum, I’ve listened to supporters, sceptics and everyone in between. I’ve thought about the potential benefits as well as the additional costs, and now I’m asking for your help to finalise our stance. We all care about Emsworth’s future we don’t want to be just swept along by the big changes, but have a hand on the wheel. If you have made up your mind to support the ERF recommendation, then please show this by adding your name to the petition, ask your neighbours, friends and family to vote.
Together, we saved the Victorian cottage hospital and protected our library. Now let’s ensure Emsworth continues to be a caring, thriving and vibrant community. With thanks and anticipation
Dwynwen Stepien Chair, Emsworth Residents Forum
To sign the petition go to: https://emsworthresidentsforum.org.uk/a-town-council-for-emsworth
Development
InPost parcel locker refused
Application APP/25/00147 for retrospective planning permission for an InPost parcel locker outside of the Coop in North St has been refused by HBC.
Roads
Thorney Island coastal footpath reopens
After being closed for two years for repairs to the gate access bridge on the east side of Thorney, the circular path around Thorney Island has reopened. The route runs around the island’s coast, offering scenic views of Chichester Harbour and Pilsey Island. The Thorney Island coastal walk is suitable for walkers of
all ages and abilities, being flat and relatively easy from Emsworth in Hampshire around to Thorney Marina and Prinsted in West Sussex. The full route is approximately 8 miles with no facilities (toilets or cafes) available once on the Island.
Road improvements
Rocon Construction Ltd will be carrying out improvement works on Victoria Road, Emsworth, which include the construction of a raised table (gentle speed bump with a flat top), and a new uncontrolled crossing point along Victoria Road, outside Emsworth Primary School. The improvements will help slow traffic near the school and create a safer environment for everyone in the school community and people with mobility needs. Works will start on 28 July 2025 and expected to complete on 2 September 2025. Parking bay suspension will be in place along Victoria Road for the duration of the works. Suspension notices and signage will be clearly displayed on site.
Car parking changes paused pending further consultation
Councillors in Havant have paused a range of changes to car parking provision across the borough following a review. These proposed changes were:
1) The introduction of Pay and Display parking charges at:
Bridge Road Car Park, Emsworth
Langstone Bridge
Hayling Island Gunsite, Hayling Island
Ladybridge Car Park, Purbrook
Wheatlands Avenue, Hayling Island
2) The removal of Chip & Pin and Wave & Pay as a payment mechanism from all Havant Borough Council owned car parks.
3) To cease Premium Parking Permits Scheme
4) The implementation of Sunday parking charges in all Havant Borough Council owned car parks.
5) The promotion of a discounted Pay and Display scheme to shop workers in Havant Borough Council owned car parks.
6) The promotion of monthly Direct Debits as a means of payment for Annual Car Parking Permits in Havant Borough Council owned car parks.
7) To replace paper parking permits with virtual parking permits throughout the borough.
Following suggestions from the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee though, the Cabinet did not agree to the recommendation to introduce charges at the car parks at Emsworth Recreation Ground and Padnell Road, Waterlooville.
Local Government reform (Hampshire)
There appears to be no consensus as to how to take forward the ideas of merging local councils. A group of 12 authorities (excluding HCC and East Hants) have put forward three different proposals
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2ly25d8p3o
Hampshire CC and East Hants DC have also put forward their preferred option.
North and Mid Hampshire (Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor, Winchester)
South-West Hampshire and Solent (Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, Test Valley)
South-East Hampshire and Solent (Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth)
Isle of Wight (remaining as a standalone unitary council)
There seems to be agreement that Havant should be part of a greater Portsmouth Unitary authority (Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant). All Hampshire authorities are also of the view that Isle of Wight should remain as a stand-alone Unitary authority. Final proposals must be sent to the government by 26 September 2026.
Local Government reform (West Sussex)
West Sussex CC is backing a proposal to have one large Unitary covering all of West Sussex.
Devolution and mayoral elections
The government has approved proposals for both Hampshire (inc Southampton, Portsmouth and IOW) and Sussex (East, West and Brighton) to become strategic authorities with elected mayors. Elections may take place on 7 May 2026. Elections will also take place on that date for HCC and WSCC and for one third of Havant BC councillors. The office of Police and Crime Commissioner will not be absorbed into the Mayor’s office until April 2027 when a deputy mayor will take over police and fire responsibilities.
Politics
Mak gets sacked
Alan Mak MP for Havant has lost his post as Shadow Secretary of State for Science and Technology in a shadow cabinet shuffle carried out by Kemi Badenoch. According to The Times he refused a more junior post preferring to return to the back benches to concentrate on constituency affairs.
Arts
Financial support for gallery and theatre is approved
Commitment to the financial future of Pallant House Gallery and Chichester Festival Theatre has been agreed thanks to new Chichester District Council funding. At their meeting on 15 July, councillors agreed to offer a grant of £187,500 per year plus inflation for Chichester Festival Theatre, and a grant of £130,000 per year plus inflation for Pallant House Gallery. Both funding offers would be for four years, starting April 2026, subject to funding terms being set.
Emsworth Community Centre Cinema
No films are scheduled for August
Business premises
Unit 24, Palmers Road industrial estate is being offered for sale at £420,000. This is a 2,534 sq ft workshop and yard which has previously been used for car repairs. (Holloway Iliffe)
7 High St (formerly PO10 gift shop) is being offered for rent at £10.000 pa. The 423 sq ft shop is marketed by Holloway Iliffe and is listed as “Under Offer” 57 High St (Old Pharmacy) which closed in April is not currently being marketed
Youth
Summer Holiday Activities in Emsworth Recreation Ground (Summer THRIVE-ing)
The young people activity days run in half term in Emsworth Community Centre have been very successful so it was decided that for the summer holidays it would move into Emsworth Recreation Ground. The days will be run by coaches from Horizon Leisure who will offer Dodgeball, non-contact boxing, cricket and tennis. Young People will have the opportunity to try all of the sports.
The events will be open to all young people in years 6 to 11. To book a place email mwhitelock@horizonlc.com
The days are being sponsored by Friends of Emsworth Community Health who have made a very generous donation. The Cheque was presented at the ERF AGM by Theo Schofield and Stuart Heartfield. The ERF is very grateful for their support.
Silent disco is on its way
Planning is in progress for a Halloween silent disco to be held in the Community Centre on 31st October 2025. All young people in year 6 to 11 will be welcome. So put the date on your calendar and look out for more details in the October issue of The Ems.
For details on youth activities contact Ellie Turnbull youth.erf@gmail.com
Emsworth Show
Bank Holiday Monday 25 August (10.30 am – 5.00 pm)
New Life Church, Thorney Rd, Emsworth
Free parking on site, or courtesy bus which stops all around Emsworth. Come along between 10.30 am 5.00 pm to visit the Greatest Little Show in the South Please note: no parking on Thorney Road on 25 August.
Browse the 70+ stalls around the showground which include crafts, baked goods, tombola and games. Watch the events in the arena: duck herding with Quack Pack, Melana Dance, Morris Dancing. Join the fun with Dolly and Gracie in the Sports Day Spectacular, Welly wanging and much more! Enter your best friend in the dog showdetails on our website. Get your lunch from one of the numerous food stalls, or sit and chill with a glass of wine, while listening to the musical entertainment including Alder Valley Brass, Slow Burn Reggae, and, new this year, singer Archie Mac. Visit the Emsworth Horticultural Marquee to see all the prize-winning vegetables, flowers, cakes and preserves, photography and arts and crafts, to name just a few of the categories. If you wish to enter please see the schedule which is available on the website at www.emshs.org.uk Early Bird tickets are £5.50 (full price ticket £7.00 from 1 August,) available from our website www.emsworthshow.co.uk
Dates for your diary
Emsworth Artists Summer Exhibition 2025 (23 -27 August)
Emsworth Artists are an exclusive number of artists who live within 2 miles of Emsworth Square. The purpose of our Exhibition is to help raise funds for the Community Centre which we have been doing for many years, raising up to £50.000 for the running of the Centre. Our visitors are very important to us and we hope to welcome you. The Exhibition is from Saturday 23 until Wednesday 27 August at the
Community Centre from 10 am until 5 pm daily. We very much look forward to seeing you,
Wemsfest 9th Beer, Cider & Wine Festival 19 -21 September
Despite damage to the roof of Emsworth Community Centre the 9th Emsworth Beer, Cider & Wine Festival, organised by WemsFest, will go ahead as planned from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September.
Wemsfest concerts
11 Oct : Gordon Giltrap & John Etheridge
19 Oct : John Fiddler from Medicine Head
23 Oct : Asere - 6-piece Cuban band playing honest roots music
24 Oct : Fairport Convention
31 Oct : The Emily Barden Band
3 Nov : El Pony Pisador - hugely entertaining 5-piece band from Spain
16 Nov : Wreckless Eric - one time Punk pioneer who never went away and has a new album to share
20 Nov : Ranagri - blending traditional Irish and British roots music cleverly together
26 Nov : Flook - Anglo-Irish quartet celebrating 30 years of performing great tunes
12 Dec : Maroon Town - London's finest mix of ska, reggae, rap, dub, breakbeat, jazz and fun
Havant Borough Heritage Festival 2025 12th – 21 September 2025
Following last year’s successful Heritage Festival it is planned to run another this year, mostly focussed on the National Heritage Open Days theme of architecture, across the Borough, but with interesting additions. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
Of particular interest to Emsworth Residents are:-
10 am 6 September. Prelaunch Event at The Spring Havant
10 am – 5 pm 12 - 21 September. Exhibition at Meridian Centre, Havant. Any questions please email: neil.spurgeon@bcs.org.uk
ERF NEWS
ERF Membership Secretary Vacancy (volunteer post)
The ERF is looking for a volunteer to take over the role of Membership Secretary. You would be joining a team of enthusiastic people to help with the running of the ERF. Duties include:
Maintaining a database of members which is connected to the payment system. This takes 1 -3 hours a month (see https://membermojo.co.uk/ )
Attending ERF committee meetings which are held bi-monthly (up to 2 hours)
Attending ERF quarterly public meetings
Producing and implementing campaigns to increase membership
You should have good IT skills, attention to detail and be able to work from home
If you are interested, please contact: ellie.turnbull10@gmail.com
Deliverers wanted (volunteers)
We are always looking for people to help deliver The Ems. Please contact jandgmil@btinternet.com if you can assist.
THE EMS
Back issues are available online https://issuu.com/theems
COPY AND PUBLICATION DATES 2025/26
THE EMS Edition Deadline for commissioned articles and advertisements
Autumn 2025
Winter 2026
Spring 2026
Summer 2026
Friday 26 Sept 2025
Monday 21 December 2025
Friday 27 March 2026
Friday 26 June 2026
The Ems is distributed to all homes in Emsworth from
Thursday 9 October 2025
Thursday 8 January 2026
Thursday 9 April 2026
Thursday 9 July 2026