Catisfield Village Association -- Latest Newsletter
From February 2008 the latest newsletter will appear here.

 

Penny Melville Brown, the former Chairman of the Catisfield Village association and now Chairman of the Catisfield Memorial Hall Trustees, was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. The award was made for her contributions to "the disabled and disadvantaged." Part of her nomination reads: Penny began losing her sight in 1995 while serving as a Commander in the Royal Navy and the service's first lady Barrister. She was eventually registered blind and invalided out of the Navy during the year 2000 which makes her contribution to the welfare of others all the more remarkable. During the seven years since this enormous disability ended her distinguished chosen career Penny has achieved more for others and concentrated the thinking of Governments, The Work Place and Her Community than could ever have been achieved by an able bodied person. In our view the commitment made by Penny Melville-Brown has been within the upper echelons of excellence. Penny continues to serve as an adviser on disability to Businesses and Governments, here and overseas, and is a special adviser to the London 2012 Olympic Games. We're sure all members of the Association would wish to congratulate Penny on her richly deserved award.
PLANNING.
The "Little Munchkins" Day Nursery which was mooted for the site of 29 Catisfield Road has now been relocated to a house in The Avenue. However the site still has planning permission, bitterly resisted by the CVA, for demoliton of the existing house and the erection of six new homes. Since the last newsletter plans have been passed for the building of one house at the rear of the current property and for a chalet bungalow on part of what is now the front garden. If built these 2 properties would appear to make the building of the six new homes as originally proposed difficult if not impossible.
SOCIAL.
Sadly, last month we had to cancel the planned Summer Social at the Catisfield Cottage Guest House through lack of support. Despite several urgings only 3 members had rerserved tickets by the deadline and volunteered to take part in the talent competitions. Without a much greater degree of interest the Social sub-committee could not risk outlaying money which would be required to fund the event.
TRAFFIC.
Wheelie bins on Catisfield Road and Catisfield Lane have started carrying messages for motorists who speed down the two residential roads. County councillor Geoff Hockley, chairman of the CVA traffic calming committee was the architect of the scheme and received county funding for the signs that read "PLEASE OBSERVE THE 30MPH SPEED LIMIT" or "KILL YOUR SPEED--NOT OUR CHILDREN". Initial reaction seems to have been very positiove with residents reporting a noticeable slowing of traffic.

The Annual General Meeting of the Catisfield Village Association will be held at the Catisfield Memorial Hall on September 24th starting at 7-30pm. ==================================================================
Digest of Spring Newsletter, March 2009
 THE SAGA OF NUMBER 29.
When a developer bought the substantial property at 29 Catisfield Road last year he failed in a bid to get Fareham Planners to allow six homes to be built on the site. He went for appeal and, in the meantime, applied for permission to build 5 homes instead.
In the teeth of local opposition, led by the CVA, this second application also failed. But celebrations were short lived. Within days the Government inspector shocked everyone in the area by upholding the original plan for six new properties. It seemed the developer was home and dry---but he'd reckoned without the credit crunch. With house prices tumbling and Bank loans drying up what had initially looked like good business suddenly looked anything but. A For Sale sign appeared outside the property quickly followed by a To Let board. The sale price was £750,000.
For a short while it looked as though the large property, in it's extensive grounds, would remain a single private dwelling. Then came the latest twist.
In January, a Mr Gregory, who currently runs the "Little Munchkins" Day Nursery in the Community Hall at Henry Cort School, approached the CVA to sound out views on his proposal to rent number 29 as the site for a new nursery with a view to possibly purchasing it at a future date. This would involve change of use permission from the Council. Mr Gregory then courageously hosted a public meeting at the Memorial Hall in February attended by a few of his supporters and a number of owners of houses bordering number 29. In the event it quickly became clear that immediate neighbours were strongly opposed to the proposal. Initially it was thought that 34 children would be attending the Nursery but under questioning from neighbours it became clear the final figure could be as high as 56 with 18 staff. The ground floor would be the Nursery with the first floor used as accomodation. Apart from the "Trojan Horse" aspect of allowing a former home in the Road to become business premises, the bulk of complaints focused on noise from the children and disruption caused by traffic dropping and collecting children at the site.
Just as we were going to press we noticed an application had been made to build one house behind the existing building on plot 29. The house corresponds to plot 5/6 on the approved plan for six houses on the site. At a meeting of the main CVA committee on March 9th it was resolved to reserve our position on the whole issue of Number 29 until the matter becomes clearer.

ROAD "RAGE" AND OTHER DRIVING ISSUES.
 Suggestions by Cllr Geoff Hockley, Chairman of the Traffic sub-committee, designed to deal with traffic using Catisfield Road, Fisherman's Hill and part of Catisfield Lane as "rat runs", have generated a healthy debate among CVA members. Cllr Hockley offered some County Council cash to print day-glo stickers to be placed on wheelie bins facing oncoming traffic bearing slogans urging vehicles to slow down. These are now in the processs of manufacture and will be distributed to interested residents when available.
Cllr Hockley also suggested some concerned residents might like to park their cars at the kerb thus restricting fast traffic flow. This he hoped would persuade some drivers at least that using the roads as a short cut was not viable after all. This in particular prompted Michael Ferris, who lives in Hunters Lodge, to write a long heartfelt plea to the Committee pointing out that the far from being a "rat run", Catisfield Road was a feeder road providing the only access to properties in ten roads off Catisfield road. This, he maintained, was where the great majority of the traffic came from and to interfere with the flow with only hurt other members of the CVA.

Digest of Autumn Newsletter, September 2008.
The Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008.
Penny Melville-Brown, the inspirational and dynamic Chairman of the Catisfield Village association, resigned her position at the AGM on Sepgtember 16th to "allow new blood to take a turn in serving this community." All present wished her all the very best and indicated she would be sorely missed.
Earlier in the proceedings Stephen Flay from The Driving Standards Agency gave an amusing and informative illustrated talk on the possible perils facing the older motorist and how to avoid them.
The Treasurers report, showing the Association in rude financial health, was accepted on a unanimous show of hands as were the nominees for the new Committee.
Officers for 2008/9 were formally elected at the first meeting of the new Committee in October. " CHAIRMAN. Stephen Day. " SECRETARY. Cllr Geoff Hockley Chairman Traffic Calming sub committee. " TREASURER. Judy Ekins. Chairman of the environmental sub committee. " Sally James. " Maureen Sygrove. " Margaret Day. " Mike Finlason. Chairman of Social sub committee. "
Co-opted members: " Andy Hay. " And hopefully: " Roger Esnault. " Doug (also elected new Auditor) and Yvonne Pharoh.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBS FOR 2008/09 ARE DUE NOW. Please pay to Judy Ekins at 36 Catisfield Lane.

PLANNING UPDATE.
Just as the Fareham Planners rejected a bid to build five houses on the site of 29 Catisfield Road news came through that an appeal by the developer against earlier refusal to allow six houses on the site had been successful. This marks a considerable setback for both the CVA campaign to preserve the ambience of Catisfield and Council efforts to do likewise.
Meanwhile controversy continues over the apparent failure of the developer of the block of flats at 36 Catisfield Road to stick to agreed plans. More divergences from the plans permitted have regularly been logged but as of going to press the developer has failed to follow instructions from the council to remedy "mistakes" already made.
Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008: Wednesday December 17.

"Midsummer Murders" solved in Catisfield. Some 100 members of the Association became "Poirots" or "Miss Marples" for a Saturday evening in July at the annual summer social. Held in the extensive and evocative gardens of the historic Catisfield Cottage Guest House, members were entertained whilst eating their picnics by the KatchaKilla Murder Mystery company while youngsters queued up for face painting. The location was appropriate because the owners of the Guest House, the Hesselmann family, saved their property for future enjoyment when they turned down repeated seven figure bids by developers to grab their garden for redevelopment. For a change this Summer, the weather co-operated and the event took place in mild and fine conditions. A flight of veteran light aircraft flew over in formation in the middle of proceedings adding a completely unplanned and unexpected bonus to the thirties themed event.
Live Theatre Comes To Catisfield. Not content with one social extravaganza this year the CVA organised a theatrical experience this Autumn. On Saturday October 18th a range of CVA members were joined at the Memorial Hall by students from local schools to watch a performance of the musical "Stamping, shouting and singing home".

News From The Sub- Committees.
Traffic sub-committee. Easing Access. The Committee chaired by Geoff Hockley report they have successfully managed to have a "Keep Clear" notice painted on Catisfield Road at the entrance to Woodbourne Close. This will ease access to the Close and roads off as well as perhaps discouraging those who use Catisfield Road as a "rat run" by slowing the exit at that end.
Environmental sub-committee. Prospects of Spring! Springtime in Catisfield has been enhanced over many years with wonderful displays of daffodils and crocuses planted by a group of volunteers each autumn. A CVA working party again planted bulbs this October and we look forward to the results in ther Spring.

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CATISFIELD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Summer Newsletter, July 2008.

Planning Update. The credit crunch appears to have stopped would be developers in their tracks with no new major applications in our area during the last quarter. However the rejected application to build six homes on the site of 29 Catisfield Road has now gone to appeal. Any additional comments should be made to the Inspector by July 23rd. Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008: Wednesdays July 9. August 6. September 3. October 1. November 26. December 17.

Step back in time with Miss Marple and Poirot. Plans are now well advanced for the CVA whodunnit picnic garden party to be held at the Catisfield Cottage Guest House on the evening of Saturday July 19th. With a 1930's theme, the centrepiece will be a script performed by actors in which guests are invited to find the perpetrator of various crimes. .

Showtime in October. Tickets are also now on sale for the second CVA social event of 2008--a performance of the Musical "Stamping, Shouting and Singing Home" at Catisfield Memorial Hall on October 18th. The performance will be staged by Hampshire's Forest Forge Theatre Company.

Barbara Pechal. Yogi--and respected neighbour. A warm tribute appears in the current newsletter to the memory of Barbara Pechal who sadly and unexpectedly died. "Barbara was a true 'people person'. Her gentleness and hospitality made her a perfect hostess and a valued friend and neighbour." Many knew Barbara through her Yoga classes held at the Memorial Hall.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY.
Summer Fun. Saturday July 19th. Catisfield Cottage Guest House. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.

Autumn Theatre Evening. Saturday October 18th. Catisfield Memorial Hall. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.

Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008. September 16, 7-30pm. Catisfield Memorial Hall. With five of the maximum 7 members of your Committee seeking re-election nominations are sought to fill at least two posts. Details can be found in the Summer newsletter. Also members wiling to be co-opted are urgently sought. The guest speaker will be from the Driving Standards Agency and will be of particular interest to older drivers.
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CATISFIELD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Spring Newsletter Digest, April 2008.
Planning Update. The last quarter has been relatively, and thankfully, quiet on the planning front with the sole contentious application being rejected. Again, many thanks to Andy Hay who religiously carries out a weekly planning scan on behalf of the CVA.
REJECTED. The application for 6 detached properties on the site of 29 Catisfield Road was rejected by Fareham Planners on the grounds of "over development". The CVA and several individuals had objected to this application. Councillor Connie Hockley led the opposition but it should be noted that only a few CVA members turned up to support her.
PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB. As we go to press we learn that Portsmouth Football Club now have a preferred site in Gosport for the Academy and training ground they proposed to build alongside Titchfield Abbey. However they're believed to still own the land and we'll keep a close eye on any future proposals for it.
BUILDING. The construction of a block of flats on the site of 36 Catisfield Road continues with considerable disruption being caused to the lives of adjacent residents. This is added to by work on the two houses opposite on the site of number 21 which appears to be almost complete. Thank you to all those who supported the CVA in objecting to plans which we consider to be in contravension of planning guidelines and detrimental to the neighbourhood.
Note: Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008: Wednesdays May 14. June 11. July 9. August 6. September 3. October 1. November 26. December 17.

Flower of the village. "Catisfield Pride" preserved.
The Catisfield Horticultural Society holds its Summer Show this year on June 28th in the Memorial Hall and will feature cuttings for sale of a very special fuchsia named "Catisfield Pride". It was bred by John Bridgland who lived in Friars Pond Road, off Catisfield Road. Sadly, he died in August 2007, just after reaching his 100th birthday.
John was a very keen gardener - in a previous house in Gudge Heath Lane he had 120 rose varieties. He became Vice-Chairman, and later President, of Catisfield Horticultural Society and President of the Solent Fuchsia Club. He bred a number of different types of plants but specialised in fuchsias. He produced over 40 named varieties of the plant. Quite a number were sold commercially, the most successful being "Amanda Bridgland" which is still sold today (in the Netherlands, USA and Germany!).

A blaze of glory. Still on a horticultural theme, the Environmental sub-committee led by Judy Ekins, and her army of volunteers, have rightly been complimented on the wonderful blaze of Spring colour, especially at the junction of Catisfield Road and Highlands Road, that resulted from their bulb planting efforts on a truly stormy and dreadful day last autumn. Volunteers will be needed again this year--hopefully in better weather, More in the next newsletter. Meanwhile, if you have a local environmental concern. Judy and her sub committee would be delighted to hear from you.
Indeed our other two sub committees, Traffic Calming and Social, would also welcome ideas and input from members. Contact details for all can be found under Committees.

EARLY WARNING. Wanted ----Fresh Faces. With both Chairman Penny Melville-Brown and Treasurer Sally James giving early notice of their intention not to seek re-election at the next AGM (see date below), the Association is actively looking for new blood. Neither Penny nor Sally are stepping down for any other reason than their wish to see an injection of new life into the Committee. Penny has even let it be known she may well stand for re-election when her batteries are recharged.
So if you have both the time and inclination to put something back into your community put your name forward. Better still come along and sit in on a committee meeting. The work isn't onerous, is always satisfying and is often even enjoyable. If you wish to come along please contact Penny Melville-Brown at the number at the end of this newsletter or any committee member. The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday July 1st at 25 Catisfield Road. We look forward to seeing you and you can be sure of a warm welcome.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY. Summer Fun. Saturday July 19th. Catisfield Cottage Guest House. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.
Autumn Theatre Evening. Saturday October 18th. Catisfield Memorial Hall. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.
Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008. September 16, 7-30pm. Catisfield Memorial Hall. Please note that nominations will be required for mermbers to replace the current Chairman and current Treasurer at this meeting. The guest speaker will be from the Driving Standards Agency and will be of particular interest to older drivers. More in the next newsletter

 

CATISFIELD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Winter Newsletter Digest. February 2008.

Pompey plans for Training Academy don't chime with the planners!
So many members of the public attended the meeting of Fareham Planning Committee on January 14th that they overflowed into the adjacent council chamber. Among them were several CVA members.
They were there to hear the result of the Portsmouth Football Club application to build a training centre and Academy on land between Cartwright Drive and Mill Lane in a Conservation Area. Several individuals spoke in favour of the application but the stronger lobby was against.
The CVA was not the only organisation objecting to the plans. We were joined by the Titchfield Village Trust, the Titchfield Society, The Titchfield Players, the Fareham Society and, crucially, English Heritage. Stephen Day of the CVA spoke ably against the proposal on behalf of the CVA..
Fareham planners had recommended refusual and, after some discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to reject the application. However it is believed the football club will be appealing.
Some we win--some we lose.
Planning Update. The last quarter has seen mixed results in our attempts to preserve the character of Catisfield in the face of determined developers with, often, inappropriate plans.
On the negative side, the Government allowed the appeal on the failed application for retrospective permission to continue building two detached houses on the site of 21 Catisfield Road which had been started in the wrong position. Work has now recommenced.
A new application for 6 detached properties on the site of 29 Catisfield Road was lodged, some might think suspiciously, on Christmas Eve! The CVA and several individuals lodged objections before the January deadline about aspects of the application including the number of proposed homes and the siting of the houses.
Garden Grabbing. The Prime Minister re-acts to the online petition.
Many of you will have added your names to the recent Number 10 online petition asking the Prime Minister to ban "garden-grabbing", the practice by which large gardens can be regarded by developers and planning authorities as "brownfield sites" suitable for development. Prime Minister Gordon Brown's response to the petition can be viewed at www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14457.asp
NEWS IN BRIEF.
Subs frozen for 2008.
Because the overwhelming majority of members paid their subs on time the Committee are delighted to announce they have decided to keep subscriptions at the same modest level for the immediate future.
EARLY WARNING. Wanted ----Fresh Faces.
With both Chairman Penny Melville-Brown and Treasurer Sally James giving early notice of their intention not to seek re-election at the next AGM (see date below), the Association is on the lookout for new blood. Neither Penny nor Sally are stepping down for any other reason than their wish to see an injection of new life into the Committee. Penny has even let it be known she may well stand for re-election when her batteries are recharged.
So if you have both the time and inclination to do something on behalf of your community put your name forward. Better still come along and sit in on a committee meeting. The work isn't onerous, is always satisfying and is often even enjoyable. If you wish to come along please contact a committee member.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY.
Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008. Wednesdays: February 20th, March 19th.
Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008. September 26, Catisfield Memorial Hall.

 
 
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© 2009 Catisfield Village Association. Most recent revision July 7th 2009 2008

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