Local Issues

09 Nov

SARISBURY ARMISTICE DAY COMMEMORATION

I am so grateful to Rev Philippa Mills from Whiteley Church for officiating at our first Armistice Day service which considering the lockdown went so well with many passers-by pausing to reflect for a few minutes.
Andy Mellor from the Royal Marines Association Concert Band gave a tremendous rendition of the Last Post and Reveille rounded off with the National Anthem. Thanks to Gabby Lashmore for the recommendation.
My first Facebook Live attempt is here with the best sound being from Andy Mellor!
Thank you to Councillors Mike Ford, Trevor Cartwright and Susan Bayford for joining me with special guests on bikes from the Royal Marines.
08 Nov

BARCLAYS AT PARK GATE TO CLOSE

Barclays has announced that its branch on Botley Road, Park Gate is to close on 5th February 2021. The company claims that “ony 19 customers use the branch exclusively for their banking” and there has been a 30% reduction in counter transactions in the 2 years to March 2020. The transaction data is attached to this posting.
The nearest alternative branches are at Fareham and, currently, Hedge End.
It is very sad to see steady closures of such local services but it is a reflection on the way people conduct their business in 2020.
08 Nov

FAREHAM BOROUGH REMEMBERS

A wonderfully poignant ceremony of remembrance at our town’s war memorial today for the two-minute silence and wreath laying. https://fb.watch/1DCNFJjp8Y/
An honour to lay a wreath on behalf of Fareham Borough Council following the Mayor (on behalf of the people of the Borough), the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant (on behalf of the people of Hampshire) and HMS Collingwood. A lovely service was live streamed from Holy Trinity Church but so sad to view a totally empty church. Thank you to Rev Sally Davenport for leading the Act of Remembrance for Fareham, to the bugler for a rousing performance and the 100 or so residents who paused to remember.
I so hope that next year we will be able to return to the thousands of attendees we are used to as we pay our deepest respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.