Control Room Supervisor Skates To Success

BP Hamble control room supervisor James Foster and his dancing partner Sasha Baker have won Gold in the Classic Couples National Championship at the 2011 Federation of Artistic Roller Skating.. Again! James, who has been skating for 20 years, met Sasha through the Meridian Skating Club in Orpington in Kent where they both regularly train. James used to travel there from Milton Keynes, but has continued to make the lengthy journey since he moved to work in Hamble nearly 3 years ago. James comes from a family of skaters; his youngest sister has also enjoyed success as British Youth and Junior Solo Dance Champion, and has placed amongst the top three at the Cup of Europe. They have also shared success internationally achieving first and third places in the New Zealand Open Championship. James is looking forward to the day he can get his daughter Connie, who has just recently turned two, onto some roller skates. The 2011 FARS - National Roller Skating Championships were held in Hayward’s Heath in West Sussex. The weekend long competition featured solo and couple performances across every age range from 14 years and up and at every level including cadet through, youth, junior, and senior to classics and masters. The variety of skating included solo and couples dance, and men and ladies free skating. Some of the events are strictly choreographed routines with a set pattern and tempo, and others are free style, and include jumps and spins comparable to those found on ice. The duo and their competitors in the Classic Couples Championship each had to complete 3 set dance routines: the Skaters March; the Glide Waltz and finally the Swing Foxtrot. The marks between James & Sasha and their nearest rivals were close, but a faultless performance of a Swing Foxtrot won them first place and the Belmar Cup, a trophy which has been in existence for over 60 years. 2011 marks the second year of James and Sasha’s skating partnership and is the second year they have won this prestigious Trophy. This is also the sixth time that James has won the Classic Couples Championship

Beach Clean

As part of the Royal Victoria Country Park's ‘Seashore Week’ in mid-August, members of RYA staff joined forces with BP, local volunteers and the rangers from Royal Victoria Country Park in Hampshire to help clean-up the neighbouring beach.  
Working the whole stretch of seashore that runs along Royal Victoria Country Park the team worked hard to remove as much rubbish from the shore front as possible.  

The RYA’s Beth Ingason, who was instrumental in pulling together the RYA team for the beach clean-up commented: “There were around 10 people involved in the day’s beach clean and we managed to fill some 12 bags of rubbish. It’s quite amazing the things you find along the way but it was definitely looking a lot tidier by the time we got to the end.”
 
The RYA were involved in many other activities running during Seashore Week including a 'Save the Marine Environment' poster competition for children where the winners of each age group win a free signed copy of the RYA’s new publication RYA Go Green!  Go Green! is a great children’s book that helps children in a fun and informative manner to understand and care for our marine environment. You can find out more about this informative and entertaining book at www.rya.org.uk/

Hugo Fox Sponsorship

Hogo Fox are looking to get involved with more sports teams in the Hamble area. As a supporter of this website, Hugo Fox would love you to let your local clubs know about this unique opportunity to gain some funding for their teams.     

Hugo Fox are inviting applications from coaches and players to discuss possible sponsorship deals, in a bid to raise awareness of local listings site http://www.hugofox.com/ and help fund local sporting organisations.    

Detectives Appeal for Witnesses to Hamble Assault

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following an assault in Hamble on Thursday, June 30. At around 3.30pm, a 31-year-old man was involved in an altercation in the village centre and was punched in the face, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head.

The man was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he is currently being treated for serious injuries. A 17-year-old boy from Hamble has been arrested and is currently in custody. Detectives would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or any incident leading up to it.

Anyone with any information should contact Lyndhurst CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Minicom users should call 01962 875000.

Three Charged With Slavery Offences After Hamble Camp Raid

Eastleigh Fun Day at Hamble Primary

Eastleigh Fundays Group are putting on a free fun day for children under five and their parents/carers at Hamble Primary School on Wednesday 6th July. The event will run from 10 am -2pm, rain or shine. For more information see their website at  http://eastleighfundaysgroup.org.uk

Junior Cricket Week

      click here for details

Prince's Trust Recruit in Hamble

The Prince's Trust in Hamble - delivered by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service - is aiming to recruit new team members from the Hamble and surrounding area.

The Prince's Trust is running the next programme at Hamble Fire Station, Hamble and is looking for team members and community projects which can be undertaken in Hamble.

Prince's Trust Delivery Partner Manager for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Louise Kovacs, said: "This is the second time we are running a Prince's Trust Programme in Hamble. We are excited about recruiting team members from across the region. The fire service works closely with the Army and Police on Prince's Trust programmes and our team leaders have already been seeking recruits and also looking for suitable projects to undertake as part of our group challenge."

The Prince's Trust Team Programme in Hamble is delivered by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.  It is a 12 week programme and is open to anyone aged 16-19  who are currently unemployed and looking to develop their life and/or job skills.

The Team starts on Monday 9th May, with a taster day on the 5th May, but you will need to be free to be interviewed at some point before this.  If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, the team's contact number is 07918 887844.  Call or text "Team" to this number and someone will contact you.

For more information please visit the link below.

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/yoursafety/schemesgroups/princestrust/prince

Campaign to Cycle Hamble River Goes On

The group Warsash CATS (Cyclists Along The Shore) are campaigning for the right to cycle along the Hamble River paths. They have recently submitted an application to Hampshire County Council to have the foreshore footpath redefined as a Restricted Byway in recognition of it’s use as a cycle route for over 60 years.

CATS are dedicated to sensible and considerate use of the pathways that many walkers and dog owners use, despite some recent objections from residents and users. Some 200 forms have been submittedto HCC regarding this issue. HCC will be looking to see if there is any ‘evidence of a public right to cycle the path or if there has been a previously significant period of uninterrupted and unchallenged use by the public as a cycle route’.

Warsash CATS would urge anyone supporting the right to cycle the Hamble paths to contact Hampshire County Council at the following address:

The Rights of Way Office
Hampshire County Council
Mottisfont Court
High Street
Winchester
SO23 8ZF

New Hamble Week Website Launched

The new Hamble Week website has been launched today. Saturday features an all day Wild West event from Rodeo Leisure. See the new website for more details of the events in the first week of July.

http://www.hambleweek.org.uk/

Soap Box Derby Gets a Ban

The annual highlight of Hamble Week, the Soap Box Derby, will not be taking place this year as the police and Eastliegh Borough have indicated that they will reject plans to hold the event if they follow their current form. The concerns are mostly over public safety.

Shaun Lowry, publicity manager for Hamble week, stated on Facebook that the council and the police have concerns about the effectiveness of barriers on the course and have further concerns over the effectiveness of the marshals in previous years, particularly last year where sections of the course were left unmanned, and marshals were drinking whilst on duty. There are more concerns about people sustaining injuries from water balloons.

A review on the future of the soap box derby will be taking place during the next year and it is hoped that the Hamble Week Committee will be able to persuade all parties to reinstate this popular event.

Gravel Pits - "Consultation" by Hampshire County Council

Photo by Nigel Homer

The possibility of gravel pits in Hamble rears it's head again. Hampshire CC are holding several public exhibitions where you can go along to find out more and ask questions about the suggested approach and sites. The dates for these events are shown below:

but note...

THERE ARE NO EVENTS BEING HELD IN HAMBLE

As you can see unfortunately there is no public exhibition in our vicinity and all the exhibitions are taking place before the Hamble STAGE (Steering Group Against Gravel Extraction) Open Meeting at our Community College on Tuesday 15th March at 7pm.  You might like to comment on this fact to the Planning Policy Team at the email address below. There are no new sites near Fareham so one does wonder why there is an exhibition there and not here?

consult.hants.gov.uk/portal

Hamble Needlecraft

Hamble Needlecraft Circle with the three altar kneelers sponsored by BP Hamble

Hamble Needlecraft Circle meet every Thursday afternoon between 1.30 and 3.30 pm in the Priory Centre of St. Andrew's Church in Hamble. We work on our own designs, and sometimes we work together on group projects for the church or to raise funds for charities.  Currently we are working on two needlepoint projects for the church; knitting and crocheting clothes and blankets for the Premature Baby Unit at Southampton General Hospital, and we are also making a friendship quilt to raise funds for charity. Members decide what they wish to do, and they do it at their own pace. We meet so that we can help one another with techniques, and we also enjoy chatting and drinking endless cups of tea. If you are interested why not pop in on Thursday afternoon to see what is going on, and perhaps to join us? Visitors are always welcome.

Hamble's Proud Record in Aviation History

A very significant chapter in the Hamble aircraft history was the Armstrong Whitworth Ensign class airliners. Fourteen of them were built at Hamble for Imperial Airways just before WWII. At the time it was the biggest airliner in the World, built to carry fourteen passengers with a crew of five; captain, first officer, radio operator and two cabin stewards. The first Ensign class airliners briefly did enter service with Imperial Air, but as WWII started they were pressed into troop transport and other military service.

Click here for more photographs and a You Tube video of the Ensign

Hamble Puts Man On The Moon

Spirit of Christmas

We all know that Christmas is supposed to be a time for giving and sharing but very few people practice this to the extent of those from St Andrew’s Church in Hamble. While most of us spend Christmas day with our families or friends, there are some people who aren’t able to join together with others for one reason or another. This gave local man Roy Pharoah an idea which was immediately taken up and supported by BP, Hamble Parish Council, Hound Parish Council and One Community - to host a Christmas Day lunch for any local residents that wanted to come. As helpful as ever, Father John Travers opened the doors of the Priory Centre in St Andrew’s Church for the day to the thirty guests and the eight chauffeurs, cooks and waiters.

As they served up the last of the meals and joined in the party, the room erupted into a round of applause for Steve Molineaux, the chef, and his kitchen assistants. Then the revellers rounded the meal off with a singsong of Christmas carols. The team plan to organise a similar event for next Christmas and would be happy to hear from anyone who can help out with driving, catering or any other help, support or sponsorship.

The group, who all have strong connections with the church, regularly raise funds for this and other projects with their ‘Place 2B’ coffee mornings. These are held in the Priory Centre at the back of the church on the second and last Saturday of every month, 10am-12 noon. The coffee mornings themselves have turned into lively social occasions for local residents and passers-by, all of whom enjoy the home-made cakes, drinks and raffle.

Carol Grant from local charity One Community, which provides support and services to voluntary and community groups, said: “This project embodies the message of One Community, that together we make a difference.”

New Cricket Club Fixtures Announced

GE Hamble Cricket Club have announced the dates for this year's fixtures - see link here for more details.

Tragedy As Hamble Man Dies

A Hamble father-of-two has died after being trapped in an avalanche while skiing in the Alps.

David Robinson was skiing with a guide off-piste with his wife Chrissy when they were hit by falling snow. Rescuers found Mr Robsinson under 3 feet of snow but it is understood he had been unable to trigger his protective avalanche airbag. The 66-year-old grandfather was on a life-support machine following the accident.

His wife was found safe by rescuers after her safety equipment had worked successfully.

Mr Robinson ran his own sail-making firm Sobstad Sails until he retired and was a member of Hamble River Sailing Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club. The sailing community is reported as being in mourning after learning of the accident.

His son Jeremy is an international sailor currently competing in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, in Australia.

Our condolences go to his wife and family

New Dance Classes

Start the New Year with dance classes for beginners in waltz, quickstep, cha cha and jive at the Memorial Hall, Hamble. Classes commence on Thursday 6th January. Beginners classes start at 7:05pm with improvers classes at 8pm. Call Anne on 02380 569049 for more details and to book a place.

Giant Sunflower Goes Down A Treat

The Beryl Rogerson Memorial Luncheon took place in the Hamble Village Memorial Hall in early November. Over 80 people enjoyed a sumptuous roast dinner courtesy of the fund and its’ supporters. Just over a month before 4 year old Joshua Greir and his grandfather Geoff Williams raised money for the fund with their 11 ft 8 inches (357cm) winning sunflower in the 2010 BP Hamble Tallest Sunflower Competition. BP gave the fund £1 for every inch of the winning sunflower.

The Beryl Rogerson Memorial Fund was established in 2007 to provide a spring and autumn luncheon for all Hamble residents over the age of 70, and their carers. The fund also provides transport to the event for those who need it. If you would like to find out more about the fund please contact the Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council.

Pumpkin Festival

There were even some big winners, including a new UK record pumpkin weighing in at 1,504lb (682kg) grown by Paton’s of Lymington. The family Festival is an entertainment filled day organised around pumpkins, all things autumnal, and the sea

There are two elements to the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s mission: one is to overcome prejudices and misconceptions about disability amongst able-bodied people and the second is to enable people with a disability to show to themselves and to others what they are really capable of when the environment is designed to be inclusive. The JST use two specially designed tall ships ‘Tenacious’ & ‘Lord Nelson’, to break down barriers for a better, more inclusive world. 

More Than A Degree of Success! A Hamble father put on gown and mortar board to celebrate his graduate-level qualification, present in Nivember at Brunel college. Clive Reed, 37, of Spitfire Way, Hamble, Southampton, graduated with an HND in Computing & IT at Uxbridge College in North West London.. The new father, whose baby was born in October 2010, is now looking for a job in software development. He had worked as a printer and taught himself some networking skills before enrolling on the HND. He said: “I really enjoyed it, it was great. I learned a huge amount and the staff were really helpful.”

Reaching New Heights

Geoff, Janet, Caitlyn & Joshua presenting the £140 cheque to Kathleen Hand from the ‘Beryl Rogerson Memorial Fund’.

It may not have been a world record, but the winner of the BP Hamble Tallest Sunflower Competition growing in the Bursledon, Butlocks Heath, Hamble-le-Rice and Netley was 11 ft 8 inches (357cm), and was grown by Joshua Greir who is nearly 4 years old. His grandfather Geoff Williams, planted 3 seeds in the spring and his 3 grand children chose and cared for one each. Joshua’s keen eye made him choose the biggest plant which ultimately won him the £50 first prize; and every inch of the sunflower earned £1 for the Beryl Rogerson Memorial Fund! Joshua generously split his prize winnings with his sister Caitlyn and cousin Emily.

The Beryl Rogerson Memorial Fund was established in 2007 to provide a spring and autumn luncheon for all Hamble residents over the age of 70, and their carers. The fund also provides transport to the event for those who need it. If you would like to find out more about the fund please contact the Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council.

Sports Awards 2010

BP’s Charlotte Crook (Left), Max Brick, Colin Morris, Alyce Elsey, Hannah Adkins, Megan Brickwood, Tom Elsey (Right)

Once again the annual Hamble Community Sports College Awards filled the air with stars. Over 100 students of all ages received a wide variety of awards from all disciplines ranging from Athletics to X-Country. Everyone involved with the evening was a winner, the pupils, the teachers and even BP Hamble who had the honour of sponsoring the awards.

The evening was superbly organised by teacher Hannah Adkins and hosted by the Director of Sport Colin Morris whose gift for banter must be the envy of TV chat show hosts everywhere. Colin smoothly orchestrated the distribution of awards, the film and photo shows and the interviews with VIP sporting guests Max Brick, Laura Edwards and Matt Watson who all have strong links with the College. Each of the VIP guests was interviewed about their achievements to date and then had the pleasure of presenting awards to some of the winners. Whilst they all had tips for the sporting heroes of tomorrow they all agreed that all the students should seize the opportunity to try as many sports as they could to find the ones they enjoyed. Max Brick started as a gymnast but was spotted by a talent scout at free taster diving session in Southampton; and just two years later at the age of 18 he won Gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Max modestly said “What I do is just chuck myself off a 10 metre diving board whilst looking fancy!” I think we can all agree that he and his diving partner Tom Daley do it very fancily indeed!

Hamble Conservation Volunteers
New Website

If you would like to get invloved in the conservation of Hamble's common and foreshore you can join this informal and friendly group dedicated to conservation related practical work, wildlife monitoring, educational and community events

click here for their new website

John now has a personal best time of 3 hours and 15 minutes, but that wasn’t set in desert heat whilst carrying kit. However John spent nine years in the army before joining BP so he is fully aware of the challenges ahead. Apart from the personal sense of achievement which must drive all sports people John is running the Marathon des Sables to raise money for ‘Help for Heroes’. He’s already raised nearly £2000 of his £2500 target but would like to raise as much as possible for this very worthy charity. John said, “Unlike the young men and women in our armed forces today; my years as a soldier were fairly peaceful. I am continually humbled by their selfless acts of sacrifice and courage; they truly have earned the right to be called heroes”.

Recently some of John’s fan club showed their support by coming to work at BP wearing their sports kit; they all donated money to ‘Help for Heroes’ via www.justgiving.com/johnmckenzie All monies raised goes to the charity.

Celebration 900 – The Priory Church of St Andrew Flower Festival

Imagine standing in the same place for 900 years. Imagine the seasons passing, 900 springs, summers, autumns & winters. Imagine the people coming and going, the happy occasions and the sad. The Flower Festival was a part of the 900 year celebrations of the Priory Church of St Andrew which took place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend which aimed to depict many of the events the priory church could have witnessed.

The designer of the festival was Christine Wright, who has spent the past 25 years being closely involved with horticulture. She has won numerous RHS medals at many of their shows including Chelsea. Christine said, “This has been a real team effort and Valerie Pritchard has helped me immensely.

click here to see John Goodman's photos of the displays...here

Photo Shows

Father John Travers (Left) Christine Wright (Middle Left) Valerie Pritchard (Middle Right) Grant Hearn organiser of the 900 celebrations (Right)

BP’s Sharon Coates, who is a volunteer cycling proficiency trainer at the local primary school said, “BP is always interested in road safety projects and it’s great to be involved with one with such positive intensions”.

The idea of the scheme is that the PCSO’s who serve Bursledon, Hamble, Hound and Netley and specially selected staff from the local schools distribute the reward cards to children they see behaving safely out and about. Staff from each of the schools are only allowed to give cards to children from their own school, and the PCSO’s are only allowed to distribute them when they are in uniform, so all children will know exactly who they are being approached by. The cards are then completed by the kids and handed in to their school and every child who hands in a card will be rewarded with a certificate and a small prize; and the more cards the youngsters get the better their reward will be. Linda Knowles from Hampshire Families has been the main prize fundraiser and so far she has received support from Eastleigh Community Safety Partnership, Ferneham Hall, Hamble Community Sports College, Jesters Jewellery, Kids Kingdom, Manor Farm Country Park, Portsmouth Football Club, Royal Victoria Country Park and Railways, Southampton Football Club as well as promises from other businesses and local clubs.

The scheme started in July and the first reward card that Rhona gave was to a boy from Netley Abbey who was wearing a cycle helmet and he encouraged his friends to rush indoors and get their own helmets. Rhona said, “I hope this project will help children to be safe but it’s also to make them aware of their own responsibilities”.

Any one interested in participating in the Safe Road User project should contact Linda Knowles linda.knowles@hampshirefamilies.org.uk

All monies raised will go towards replacing the timber trail for the children of the Primary school to enjoy.

If you would like to get involved, or for more information, contact Lisa Souter on 07906 686406.

The leadership team is very strong, highly qualified, experienced and works well together.  There is a good mix of youth and experience within the team.  They are supported by a very strong and well led group executive and enjoy full parental support.

This was a first class, well organised, inspection of an excellent Sea Scout Group who fully earn and deserve RN recognition.  Well done.

BP in Faultless Performance

BP Hamble Oil Terminal has just undergone a thorough inspection by the BP top brass, and its’ performance was faultless. European Logistics VP Wolfgang Langhoff; the UK Logistics Manager Nigel Wardle and the Continuous Business Improvement Manager Steffen Kropp were impressed with it all. The group toured the site with Terminal Manager Mike Myden and Marine Superintendent Captain Emma Tiller. Among the many aspects of the terminal they also inspected the new bio-ethanol storage tanks which are being constructed to comply with UK government legislation.

Hamble will Miss You..

For the past 20 years BP Hamble Oil Terminal’s PR Advisor David Dawes has been the main link between the site and the local community.  David has worked for BP for over 40 years and when it came to hanging up his hard hat all he wanted was a quiet celebration with a few friends and colleagues, but the event was far from quiet and David, who collects and makes walking sticks, was presented with a 19th century sword stick to add to his collection of 250.

Dave Dawes left Fleet Street in March1967 to join the Shell-Mex and BP press office to help promote the BP image in the UK which was then dominated by the Shell brand. He and his team then oversaw the promotion and publicity of the formation of BP Oil in 1976. Throughout the 80’s David became more involved with the developments at the Hamble Oil Terminal, and in 1988 he retired as the head of Press and Public Affairs in London to take on a two year stint helping the  local community adapt to the coming of crude oil from the Wytch Farm oilfield.In 1990, having developed the Terminal’s PR policy he was again prepared to retire but was asked by management to continue on a part time basis. This he did – for nearly 20 years! Just before Christmas 2008, at the age of 79, he decided that the 60 mile journey to and from his home at Woking was becoming too tiring and he made the decision to retire – for the final time.

Terminal manager Mike Myden said, “David, is one of the nicest people I have ever met, me and everybody at the terminal will miss him. We wish him the best of luck in his retirement"

European Stars

Christmas saw BP Hamble Oil Terminal staff awarded two stars to Sharon Coates and Dave Whittaker. Sharon was awarded a Bronze European Star for the voluntary work she does with the local community and particularly Hamble Primary school and Dave was awarded his for mentoring trainee members of the Hamble marine team.

Both were nominated for their dedication and ceaseless enthusiasm by BP’s Captain Emma Tiller.

Nat West Bank Robbery

A local man has been charged after an attempted armed robbery at the local Nat West Bank in the High Street, after he demanded cash and threatening one of the two female clerks with a knife.

The raider fled with a quantity of money, but police swooped on the village and deployed the force spotter plane, and the man was arrested just half an hour later, near Hamble Marina.

For more detail read the Daily Echo account of the incident here...

link

Tapestry Group

The St John's Tapestry Group are currently creating a new tapestry depicting the history of the BP Hamble Oil Terminal. They welcome new members and have an open invitation to join them on 11th December. if you are interested in joining them please click on the link here to find out more...

link

BP's John Takes It Off!

From the moment Ann Margaret Phillips came home from hospital Macmillan Cancer Support were there to make her final weeks as comfortable as possible. So her son John Phillips who works for BP in Hamble resolved to show his gratitude by starting a sponsored slim and he’s already raised £1260!

John who has raised the money by eating healthier and exercising more said, “This is my way of thanking Macmillan, they were there from the moment mum came home, they gave mum anything and everything she needed”. Katie Blake who received the money replied, “Everyone is affected by cancer, we are so grateful to John and everyone at the terminal for this money”.

The money will be used to buy much needed equipment, or pay for nursing staff, or to staff the Macmillan Information Centres which offer a wide variety of support to patients and families.

Hamble Common Beach Warden's Scheme

A new and exciting project based around the conservation and wildlife preservation of Hamble Common commences in January.

The project involves practical tasks, training sessions, wildlife monitoring and reporting and community events  - so there's something for everyone.  An information evening is being held on the 9th December for people to find out more.  Please click below for a copy of the leaflet and keep looking out on the website for more information.

PDF leaflet here or contact Katy Dudman on 02380 769719