Taxi Share to Replace Buses to Romsey

What is a Taxishare?

It is a public transport service for anyone who needs to travel from Wherewell, Chilbolton, Longstock, Stockbridge, King's Somborne, Houghton into Romsey. The service is similar to a bus service, except passengers need to book in advance and the journey will be operated by a taxi instead of a bus.

Other Transport Information

Test Valley Dial a Ride serves various parishes and can be used by people who do not have transport available as well as people with mobility difficulties. This service runs from Longstock to Andover and return on Thursday's. Telephone 01264 356808 for further information.

Stockbridge Neighbourcare - Serves Stockbridge and neighbouring villages. For further information call 01264 810363 or 0845 094 3713.

These reports give information on crime incidents in the local area and offer advice on crime prevention.

If you want to see what crime is happening in and around Hampshire there is a web site that can be visited, www.crimereports.co.uk.

If anyone would like the Police Community Support Officer, Sophie Downie (Stockbridge area), to visit and chat about crime prevention please call 0845 045 45 45.

Beat Report Summer 2011
Beat Report Apr 2011 - May 2011
Beat Report Feb 2011 - Mar 2011
Beat Report Dec 2010 - Jan 2011
Andover Rural Beat Report Nov 2010
Credit Card Scam
Test Valley Rural Sep 2010
Test Valley Rural Aug 2010
Test Valley Rural Jul 2010
NHW Rural 16-06-10
NHW Rural 08-06-10
NHW Rural 01-06-10

For years the parish council has tried without success to have the stretch of road between Southside Cottages and Bottom Road made a 30 mph limit, which would neatly link the two existing 30 zones at each end of Longstock.

In 2007 the county council launched a 'Village 30' scheme, under which villages could bid for 30 mph speed limits where they did not exist, and once more the parish council applied. But this was rejected by HCC because there were not enough houses along that bit of road to justify a 30.

Not to be put off, and knowing how dangerous that straight bit of road is with traffic speeding past cyclists, riders and pedestrians, the parish council then applied for a 40 limit. They cited other villages in the area (Houghton for one) that had a 40 limit in apparently less dangerous lengths of road; but this seemed to tax the best brains of the county and borough councils, since the bid continued to be ignored in the county's annual road scheme plans.

When the parish council complained again this autumn about the lack of progress, they quickly heard from Highways that they had completed speed surveys in the same section and the survey data revealed that a 40 mph limit would be suitable in this area after all, and would also help to improve overall safety on the road. They now wait for the change to be made and, when completed, hope for more considerate driving throughout the village.

The next Stockbridge Fun Run, which will be the 25th event held, will take place on Sunday 8th January in aid of the Spinal Unit at Odstock and the Cardian Unit at Southampton.

Gather at Stockbridge Town Hall from 9am, for entry forms and further details please call 017994 500600 or 01264 810000, or enrol on the day at Stockbridge Town Hall before 10am.

Entrants, donations and raffle prizes would be very much appreciated.

As you know we finally gained approval last year from Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) for the adoption of the Longstock VDS. We have had many comments about the high quality of the photography, map presentation and general layout - a short but concise document concerning the future for Longstock.

TVBC have recently provided a £650 grant for production of some hard copies in booklet form.

Please apply to the Parish Clerk on musters358@btinternet.com or by ringing him on +44 (0) 1264 810459 should you need a copy.

Click here to down load the VDS

A country wide appeal is taking place at the moment to try and find Alaska who has gone missing from her home. It is believed she was taken from the garden so could be anywhere. Her family miss her so much - please print off a poster and place where is can be clearly seen so more people can watch out for her, to download the pdf file Click Here.

If you spot Alaska, or any dog that you think could be Alaska please use the contact details on the poster or email contact@longstockvillage.com

Thank you.

Affordable Housing:  The team from Hyde Martlett Housing, Community Action Hampshire and the Borough Council who came in September to assess potential sites for affordable housing have reported to the parish council.  The council is now looking at the options and will pass comment to the team.  It is too early to say what the outcome might be.

Parish Lengthsman: £10,000 has been set aside for a second year for work around the dozen villages involved in the area.  Longstock spent less than half its allocation last year, and there are plenty of useful tasks that remain to be done.

Henry Smith Charity: In the year to 30th September, £400 was paid in grants to individuals in Longstock, and the Charity paid for the Over 60’s lunch in March, as well as the minibus outing to Mottisfont rose gardens in June.  The Charity has increased its generous offer this year to £2,000, which gives plenty of scope to help those eligible in times of need.  If you know of any such, please contact one of the parish councillors.

Cemetery: All dead cherry trees in the cemetery have gone, leaving just the healthy ones round the ashes plot in the far top corner.  The saplings planted in early 2009 are now well established and will soon add to the charm of the site.  Six councillors were joined by two villagers on 19th November for a useful morning tidying up for the winter.  Sunken graves were levelled with topsoil, and will be sown with grass seed to allow for mowing.

Grit Bins: Bins have been topped up for winter, but HCC rely on individual villages to call when they need a further refill.  If a bin near you needs topping up, please call the parish council clerk to arrange for it to be replenished—and remember the grit is for use by the public on that stretch of road or pavement, not for private driveways.