Arena Autumn 2012

Arenawww.rushmoor.gov.uk Autumn 2012

Best of bloomin’ British!Flying the flag in fabulous floral fiesta

Wild about Wiggo?Time to get on your bikeafter epic summer of cycling

Looking for work?Apprenticeships could be just theleg-up the job ladder you need

Who’s bad?King of Pop moonwalksinto town this autumnPL

US

Contents 3

Autumn’s in the airBy Cllr Peter Moyle, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council

Welcome to the September edition of Arenamagazine. This summer was certainly busy,with local events, the Queen’s Diamond

Jubilee and the fantastic Olympic Games. The successof Team GB was truly inspiring,and I’m sure it will excite andencourage a new generation ofathletes in the borough.I hope you managed to enjoy

the festivities, and spend somequality time with your family.As always, I was impressed

with the high number of entriesin our annual Rushmoor inBloom competition. It waswonderful to see so manycolourful floral displays and gardens across our twotowns, and I’d like to thank personally everyone whotook part. You’ll have seen some of the beautifulentries on the cover.As we move into autumn, there’s lots to look

forward to in the borough. We’re now only weeksaway from the grand opening of Westgate,Aldershot’s new leisure complex, that will include aCineworld cinema, family restaurants, a newMorrisons food store and Travelodge hotel.At a time when many regeneration schemes have

been put on hold, Westgate is seen as a huge vote ofconfidence in Aldershot’s future prosperity, and I’mdelighted that it will soon be open for everyone toenjoy. For more details, see page 7.To find out about other events, classes and activities

taking place over the next few months, see What’s Onon pages 12 and 13. For more, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/eventsThis issue brings good news about young

apprentices in the borough. Our ApprenticeshipChallenge, which encouraged local businesses to takeon a young apprentice, was a big success and morethan 120 new opportunities have already beencreated this year. For more information, see page 5.There’s also details about what the council has

achieved over the past year and how your money wasspent – see pages 8 and 9.With the leaves starting to turn, autumn is a

wonderful time to explore our parks and naturereserves. To find your nearest, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/parks. If you’re interestedin cycling, turn to page 11 for details of a new familycycling club starting in Farnborough.I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Arena. Look

out for the next one in November.

Produced by: Rushmoor Borough Council, Council Offices,Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7JU

Tel: 01252 398399 Website: www.rushmoor.gov.uk Email: [email protected] by: Deep South Media www.deepsouthmedia.co.ukAdvertising: Spot on Media Ltd (0845 004 0683)

[email protected] by: PCP Ltd (01952 585585)Each magazine costs less than 20p to produce.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Rushmoor Borough Councildoes not accept liability for any error or omission. Rushmoor Borough Councildoes not endorse products or services advertised in Arena.

Foodbank lifeline for residents waiting forbenefits or struggling mums 4

You’re hired! Future looks brightfor apprentices 5

We’ve got the power to deal withthose dead batteries you couldn’tdispose of 6

The year in figures: how we spentyour money 8,9

All the news that’s “fit” to print:Residents rushing to exercisemore. Could it be the Olympicseffect? See you in Rio! 10

What’s on in Rushmoor – the Kingof Pop, an orchestra of ukeleleplayers, and a beautiful ballet:you can find all your local eventslistings on the packed pages ofour entertainment guide 12,13

It would take more than ahosepipe ban and a soddensummer to defeat green-fingeredgardeners across the borough.Read about Rushmoor in Bloom competition 14

12

5

8-9

www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Did you know that Arena is available as atalking newspaper? Each edition is recorded asan mp3 file and is available free. It is alsoavailable in large print.

And if you have any problems receiving Arenaplease don’t hesitate to call.

Tel: Gill Chisnall on 01252 398744 or [email protected]

Arena Issue 83 Autumn 2012

Cover: Some of the beautiful sights which greetedRushmoor in Bloom judges this summer

Inside

Like us on Facebook orfollow us on Twitter@RushmoorCouncil Make us your favourite onyour browser or phone…

4 News www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Foodbank is a lifelinePeople who havebeen maderedundant and arewaiting for benefitsand mothers unableto feed theirchildren during theholidays areexamples of justsome of the peoplethrown a lifeline bythe FarnboroughFoodbank in recentmonths.Last year the charity

provided some 10,000meals to needy localpeople, but this figure isexpected to be much higherfor 2012.The 25 Foodbank

volunteers, based at StChristopher’s Church inCove, make sure anyonewho needs their helpreceives enough food tomake emergency meals forthree days – breakfast,lunch and dinner.Care professionals, such

as doctors, health visitors,social workers, CAB, schoolsand police identify people incrisis and issue them with aFoodbank voucher. Clientsthen take their voucher to

the church where it isredeemed for the food theyneed. Volunteers can alsopoint people to thoseagencies able to solve theirlonger-term problem.The Foodbank was set up

in 2003 by Farnboroughcouple Mike and SusanShea. Earlier this year Mikeand Susan were awardedthe Rushmoor CommunityAward 2012 to recognise

their dedication tovolunteering in the borough.“We’re grateful for the

community support we’vereceived,” said Susan.“There are lots of people inneed, so if anyone knows ofa friend, family orneighbour desperate forfood, we urge them tocontact Foodbank and findout how to be referred.”Donations of food are

needed throughout the year.They can be in-date non-perishable food items, orpeople can donate money.

There are also other food larders in Rushmoor:l The Church of the Good Shepherd, Farnborough www.goodshepherdchurch.org.uk/community [email protected] The Hope Centre, Aldershot www.hopeheretohelp.co.uk – click on ‘store house’l The Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot www.htca.org.uk/rrt.htm

Keep yourhome cosythis winterGet free advice to help youkeep your home warm andreduce your heating billsthis winter.Hitting the Cold Spots is

a government-fundedscheme offering tips andsupport to help you makeyour property snug.Advisors are on hand to

give advice on topics suchas loft insulation and boilerservicing, and to help youfind fair and honestcontractors for the largerjobs.For more details contact0800 804 8601 or [email protected] You can also turn toRushmoor Healthy Living(RHL) for help.RHL offers a free service

supporting people withenergy bill problems, withenergy advice sessions heldat venues in Aldershot andFarnborough. For more details visitwww.rhl.org.ukl Trading Standards isholding an electric blanketsafety check day atRushmoor Fire Station inFarnborough on October12. Call 01962 833 358 tobook your free session.

Mortgage helpoptions for youAre you having troublepaying your mortgage?Our Housing Options

team can offer you adviceon a range of optionsincluding mortgage rescueschemes. We also have funds to

help with small mortgagearrears.For help and advice,call 01252 398399,email [email protected] or visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk

Don’t get bitten by a loan shark.These money lenders are unlicensed,

which means they operate outside the law.If you borrow from them you could:l get a loan on very bad termsl pay extortionate interest (rates as high as131,000 per cent APR have beenrecorded)

l be harassed if you fall behind on repay-ments

l be pressured into borrowing more torepay one debt with anotherIf you have borrowed from an illegal

money lender, you haven’t committed acrime – they have, and they could receive aprison sentence. It’s also important to consider the

consequences of borrowing from legitimatelogbook or payday loan companies, whichcharge high interest rates. Borrowing £200for one month at 786% APR attracts arepayment of £331. At an APR of 1420%,the repayment rises to £436.66.If you are being chased by a loan shark,

or if you’ve taken out a loan you arestruggling to repay, there are organisationsthat can help. If part of your loan is to anenergy supplier, visitwww.rushmoorhealthyliving.orgFor general advice contact Rushmoor

Citizens Advice Bureau – which hasbranches in Aldershot and Farnborough –on 08444 111 304 or Christians AgainstPoverty (CAP) at 33 High Street inAldershot, 01252 319789.

In over your head to loan sharks?

Susan and Mike Shea atthe Foodbank

Contact usIf you can help call07954 105279, [email protected] or visitwww.farnborough.foodbank.org.ukFarnboroughFoodbank is also onFacebook.

News 5www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Apprentice scheme success

Age no barrierto learningMore than 1,000people already enjoythe many activitiesand courses organisedby the FarnboroughU3A, but newmembers are alwayswelcome.The U3A (University

of the Third Age) is anational learning co-operative of people nolonger in full timeemployment thatenables its membersto share manyeducational, creativeand leisure activities. The Farnborough

branch of the U3A hasmore than 100interest groups.Membership costs just£25 a year and thenmost groups are free.For more details call

Joan Manley on 01252322707 or visitwww.u3afarnborough.org.uk

Youth forumAre you looking for away to make adifference to the livesof young people?The Rushmoor Youth

Forum provides aplatform for youngpeople and those whowork with them, toshare their views withlocal decision makers. The forum is looking

for more youngpeople to join, to givethem a voice on theissues that affectthem.The next meeting

will be held at TheSixth Form College,Farnborough, onTuesday 18thSeptember at 6.30pm. For more information,please contact LindaPhilippson [email protected]

We’ve got learning in libraries covered

It’s been a greatyear for youngapprentices in theborough – and theirfuture looks evenbrighter.So far, the council’s

Apprenticeship Challenge,which encouraged localbusinesses to help find 100apprentices in 100 days, hasseen 120 young people –aged 16 to 24 - startapprenticeship schemes inAldershot and Farnborough,and the number iscontinuing to rise.These new opportunities

provide on-the-job training,as well as a nationallyrecognised qualification andoften qualify for governmentgrants to support trainingand wages.The public and voluntary

sector is also playing its part,with the council, localschools, sports providers andthe Citizens Advice Bureauamong the organisationsnow working with theNational ApprenticeshipService to offer young peoplea foot onto the job ladder.Callum Willis, 17, is an

apprentice for RushmoorCitizens’ Advice Bureau.Alex Hughes, Chief Officer

at Rushmoor Citizens AdviceBureau, said: “Having anapprentice in the team hasbrought a whole new

perspective to how we work.Callum has proved willingand enthusiastic from thestart, and is keen to learnand prove his value to theorganisation.”The council is working with

local housing associationsand Job Centre Plus on otherschemes that help residentsimprove their employmentpotential. ‘Skilled Up’involves residents workingalongside skilled tradesmanto learn new skills andimprove the local area, andRushmoor Skills andEmployment Zone offerstailored training courses to

help people applysuccessfully for local jobs.

Whatever your age and yourinterests, Aldershot andFarnborough libraries willhave an activity right up yourstreet this autumn.A wide range of family and

adult Learning in Librariescourses are again beingoffered, thanks to thesuccessful Lottery-fundedLEAD project.There are arts, crafts,

yoga, zumba, computing for

beginners and improvers,family history – to name afew.The under-fives and their

parents and carers can enjoymini movers and movementwith mummy.Concessions are available

on most of the adult coursesif you are over 60 or getcertain benefits (you willneed to provide proof).Employability courses are

free if you are looking forwork.Booking is essential on all

the courses because placesare limited.

Keen to learn: Callum Willis at Rushmoor CAB

Contact usFor more details, visitwww.hants.gov.uk/learning-in-libraries orcontact the librariesdirect on 08456035631.

Contact usFor information andadvice onapprenticeships, call0800 015 0600 or visitwww.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information onother skills andemployment projectscontact DebbieWhitcombe, thecouncil’sneighbourhooddevelopment officer, on01252 398793.

6 Rushmoor community www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Expansion bidfor first timein a century

From next April, thegovernment is replacingcouncil tax benefit with ascheme called council taxsupport.The new scheme is being

introduced as part of thegovernment’s deficitreduction programme andwill see the money itprovides for council taxbenefit cut by ten per cent.This will reduce the

amount of money we haveto provide this benefit inRushmoor by around half amillion pounds a year.As part of the change,

councils like Rushmoor arebeing given the freedom todesign their own council taxsupport schemes so theybest meet the needs of theirresidents.We need to make sure we

can still support the mostvulnerable members of thecommunity, such aspensioners and those withdisabilities. We are alsocommitted to making surepeople are better offworking than not, so it isimportant that our newscheme also helps peoplewho are receiving low pay,

or are returning toemployment. At the moment, we are

drawing up a range ofoptions and proposals forour new scheme and will beasking for your views shortly.

Council tax support scheme on the way

More than a tonne ofbatteries were collected inthe first two weeks of ournew recycling scheme.We started collecting old

and unwanted batteries onthe same day as residents’recycling in July.All portable household

batteries can be recycledin the scheme, includingrechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries,AA, AAA, C and D size,button cells and any

laptop and mobile phonebatteries. To recycle yours, simply

place the batteries in thespecial recycling bags sentout during early summer.When one bag is full, sealit and put it on the lid ofyour blue recycling bin oncollection day. Once youhave used the batteryrecycling bags delivered toyour home you can useany clear bag, such as afood bag for yourbatteries."Chemicals in batteries

are extremely damagingto the environment,

so it's important toreduce the number ofbatteries that are

incinerated or sent tolandfill,” said JamesDuggin, contractsmanager for RushmoorBorough Council."Once we collect the

batteries, they are sortedand broken down intotheir component partswhich can then be re-usedand recycled."For more details call01252 398399, [email protected] orvisitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/batteryrecycling

Battery bonanzaIf you’ve got the energy, we’ve got thepower to deal with those old batteries

The Aldershot Urban Extension(AUE) will allow the town toexpand for the first time innearly a century and is one ofthe largest brownfieldregeneration sites in the southeast of England.The AUE will provide around

4,000 new homes, two newprimary schools, a local centre,community facilities, householdwaste recycling centre andrecreational space, on militaryland to the north of Aldershottown centre.Grainger, the developer, is

expected to submit a planningapplication for the site, knownas Wellesley Aldershot, thisautumn.

Develop skillsto find workDo you know a 16 to 25-yearold who is unemployed andneeds help finding a job?The Prince’s Trust is running

a free 12-week course atRushmoor Fire Station inFarnborough to help youngpeople develop their skills andconfidence in finding work.Those taking part will be

involved in team-buildingactivities, a residential visit, acommunity project and twoweeks of work experience. Theyalso receive advice on how towrite a CV and get nationallyrecognised qualifications.Thecourse starts on 24 September. If you know someone whocould benefit, contact 0238062 6706, text TEAM to07918 887865 or [email protected]

Contact usFor more details visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/aueor www.wellesleyaldershot.co.uk

Contact usFor more informationabout the proposedchanges, and how theymay affect you, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk,call 01252 398914 oremail [email protected]

Rushmoor community 7www.rushmoor.gov.uk

SEPTEMBER20 Licensing Sub-

Committee (Alcoholand Entertainments)

24 Licensing and GeneralPurposes Committee

25 Cabinet 4.30pmOCTOBER2 Licensing Sub-

Committee4 Council8 Standards and Audit

Committee10 Development Control

Committee16 Cabinet 4.30pm18 Licensing Sub-


30 Licensing Sub-Committee

NOVEMBER5 Leisure and Youth

Policy and ReviewPanel

6 Cabinet 4.30pm7 Development Control

Committee8 Corporate Services

Policy and ReviewPanel

12 Licensing and GeneralPurposes Committee

19 Borough ServicesPolicy and ReviewPanel

20 Environment Policyand Review Panel

22 Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcoholand Entertainments)Community Policy andReview Panel

27 Licensing Sub-CommitteeCabinet 4.30pm

DECEMBER5 Development Control

Committee6 Council10 Standards and Audit

Committee13 Licensing Sub-


18 Cabinet 4.30pmThe public is welcome toattend all these meetings.Most start at 7pm and takeplace at the council offices inFarnborough Road. For moreinformation call Kathy Flatton 01252 398829.

Committee timetable

The housing benefits team at the council isin the running for two prestigious nationalawards. The team recently reviewed the way they

work and now, despite an increasedworkload, they process more than 50 per

cent of benefits claims on the day they arereceived. The team will find out if they’ve won the

Benefits Team of the Year and Excellence inAnti-Fraud awards from the Institute ofRevenues Rating and Valuation, in October.

Benefits team hopes for awards

There’s not long towait now until theWestgatedevelopment inAldershot opensfor business.The developers are busy

putting the final touches tothe leisure scheme, whichis on target for completionnext month.As Arena went to press,

the cinema operator,Cineworld, was completingthe fit-out of the inside ofthe seven-screen cinema inpreparation for opening itsdoors to customers during

October.Morrisons was also

completing the fit-out ofthe food store for anOctober opening.Travelodge and the new

500-space car park willalso open in October, withthe eight familyrestaurants – Frankie andBenny’s, Pizza Express,Prezzo, Harvester, Subway,Toby Carvery, Nando’s andThe Real China – openingsoon after.The multi-million pound

development is providingaround 450 permanentnew jobs for the area and

will help boost thetown centre by bringingmore people intoAldershot. To support this, we are

also working to make surethere are strong naturallinks between Westgateand the rest of the towncentre.

Contact usFor the latest onWestgate, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/westgate orwww.citygrovewestgate.com

Aldershot’s new leisure complex includes a Cine-world cinema (top, right), restaurants, Morrisonsfood store and Travelodge hotel (right)

Westgate set for Octoberopening

www.rushmoor.gov.uk8 Finance

Every year Rushmoor Borough Councilhas to produce a Statement of Accounts,which sets out its financial activities forthe year and its overall financial position.This summary is intended to give you ataste of these accounts and to show youhow we spent your money during2011/12. The summary is a result ofconsultation with residents who wantedto see this information in Arena.The audited Statement of Accounts isdue to be published by the end ofSeptember and will be available todownload free from our website,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/statementofaccounts or you can get aprinted copy at the council offices.

What does the council spend on running its services?We provide more than 100 localservices, including household rubbishand recycling collections, streetcleaning, parks and leisure facilities,CCTV and community safety, housingand council tax benefit payments,planning and development control,

housing services and environmentalhealth.These services are paid for from

public money, which comes to us inthe form of government grants,business rates, council tax – and alsothrough income we earn from interest

on our investments, plus fees andcharges for some of the services weprovide.In 2011/12, we budgeted to spend

around £65.9 million on providingservices, but spent slightly less ataround £64.5 million.

Where did your money go in 2011/12 (Revenue spending)?

The services we provide include street sweeping, collecting rubbish andrecycling and providing and maintaining parks and play ar eas

Total spending was £64.5m

Central services to the public(including council tax collection,elections, grants andemergency planning) £7.6m

Cultural &related services£5.4m

Environmentaland regulatoryservices £7.6m

Planning services£2.6m

Highways &transport services£3.3m

Housing services(including housingbenefits) £35.9m

Adult social care (meals on wheels) £0.1m

Corporate & democratic core £1.5m

Trading undertakings £0.5m

A year in figures – how your money was spent

l Launched our new website,www.rushmoor.gov.uk makingit easier for customers to findinformation and use onlineservices. One of the key newfeatures is the ‘In My Area’ sectionwhich helps you find informationtailor-made to your home bysimply putting in your postcode.l Worked with our developmentpartners to create Westgate, amulti-million pound leisure andretail scheme in Aldershot towncentre. The development includesa new cinema, hotel, restaurants

and a food store and is due toopen this autumn. For moreinformation, see page 7.l Worked with key local partnersand property owners to improveour town centres and attractshoppers and business by holdingmore events, such as AldershotLive Music Day and Italian foodmarkets in Farnborough.l Opened Runways End activitycentre in Aldershot. The newcentre was financed jointly byourselves and the county counciland offers a wide range of

activities, from abseiling andcanoeing to caving and archery.l Introduced a new foodhygiene rating scheme inpartnership with the FoodStandards Agency. Its aim is toprovide customers with at-a-glance information, so they canmake informed choices aboutwhere to buy and eat food.l Started our new batteryrecycling service. We now collectbatteries from homes across theborough, on the same day asrecycling.

Among the things we did last year were:

Other spendingWhere does themoney come from?

After accounting adjustments, the council’sreduction in net spending was £170,000. Thiswas mainly due to increased income fromservices, including bereavement services, rentalincome and events at Princes Hall, togetherwith a reduction in expenditure in some areas,including staffing costs.At the end of the year, the council’s revenuebalances were £1.586 million. This is just abovethe mid-point of the target range of reserves of£1 million to £2 million agreed by councillors.

Capital spending

This was paid for in the following ways: 2011/12

£million

Capital receipts (sale of assets) 2.0

Government grants 0.4

Other grants and contributions 1.4

Revenue finance 0.7

Total 4.5

The services we provide include street sweeping, collecting rubbish andrecycling and providing and maintaining parks and play ar eas

Revenue (%)

Use of balances and reserves 0.8%

Council taxpayers 9.2%

Governmentgrants andbusinessrates 70.7%

Other grantsandcontributions2.1%

Interest received 1.3%

Fees andcharges15.9%

Land and buildings £2.7m

Total £4.5m

Finance 9www.rushmoor.gov.uk

A year in figures – how your money was spent

Vehicles, plant& equipment£0.2m

IT £0.3m Housing schemes£1.3m

We also spend money on buying, improving andrepairing property and other assets:

We’re a healthy bunch inRushmoor. In the latestActive People Survey – thelargest study to date ofsport and active recreationacross Europe – Rushmooris in the top five nationallyfor the increase in thenumber of residents whoexercise.The survey, by Sport

England, measures thepercentage of adults whotake part in sport or otheractive recreation for at least30 minutes, three times aweek. This figure hasincreased six per cent overthe past six years.“It is great that more

people in the borough aregetting active,“ said MartinSterio, the council’s healthand physical activity officer. This has been achieved

thanks to our healthyrelationships with localclubs, excellent sportingfacilities, our playgroundsand cycle routes and ourrich natural environmentwhich encourages peopleoutdoors.There are lots of new

facilities available, such asthe new Cove Brook cycleroute, Aldershot Parkpavilion and Runways EndOutdoor Activity Centre.Improvements in thepipeline include extensionsto Farnborough Gate BowlsClub, synthetic pitches atthe Samuel Cody and

Connaught Schools andthe 3G pitch in Cove.“We’ve also recently

received funding fromSport England to replacethe Manor Park skate park,and to refurbish the muga(multi-use games area) atMunicipal Gardens inAldershot,“ added Martin.


Your vote will count at inaugural police poll

More taking up exercise

Keep on running: You’re on the right track

Electoral rollregistrationreminderHave you registered for thenew electoral roll yet?We delivered voter

registration forms across theborough during July. If you are already on the roll

and the information on theform is correct, you canconfirm your details online,call the Freephone number onthe form, or return it to us bypost.Even if you don’t want to

vote, you must register byOctober 15. If you don’tregister each year you mayhave trouble getting credit. The new 2013 electoral roll

is published on October 16, intime for the Police and CrimeCommissioner elections inNovember (see story, above,left).For more details call01252 398826/28, [email protected] or visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/elections

Fancy a date?Pick up the perfect birthdaygift with the 2013 AldershotCalendar.Filled with eye-catching

photographs taken byAldershot and Farnboroughresidents, the calendars willgo on sale in November.All money raised will be

donated to charity – this year,Aldershot organisationParkside, which helps localpeople with learningdifficulties.Last year’s calendar raised

more than £900 for theSource Café, which supportsyoung people in Aldershot.The calendars are £5 and

will be on sale in outletsincluding Princes Hall inAldershot. For information, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/calendarcompetition

Contact usTo find out moreabout the leisurefacilities available inAldershot andFarnborough visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/leisurefacilities

Electors across Rushmoorwill go to the polls onNovember 15 to vote forthe first ever Police andCrime Commissioner (PCC)for Hampshire and the Isleof Wight.The job of the PCC is to

make sure the policingneeds of their communitiesare met as effectively aspossible. They will betasked with cutting crime

and delivering an effectiveand efficient police service.The PCC will oversee

policing in Hampshire andthe Isle of Wight and willreplace the HampshirePolice Authority.PCCs will make and

influence key decisions onhow communities look andfeel – from CCTV, streetlighting and graffiti totackling gangs and drug

dealing.You can vote at your

usual polling station andpostal voting facilities willalso be available.

Contact usFor more details visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/elections, call 01252398826/8 or [email protected]

Jump in the saddle and joina new cycling club gettinginto gear in Rushmoor thisautumn.The weekly cycling club will

be based at Farnboroughfootball stadium and offercycling skills, instructor-ledrides, as well as mountainbiking, cycle maintenanceand group riding skillscourses. The club is aimed at juniors

and families, but close linkswith local cycling clubs willprovide opportunities forthose who’d like to go a bitfurther with cycling as a sport.“But the main aim is to

give people the confidenceand skills to get out on theirbikes – for pleasure, forcommuting, to get to school,or just to get to the shopswithout using a car,” saidMartin Sterio, RushmoorBorough Council’s healthand physical activity officer.“This is how world

champion cyclist MarkCavendish started. His mum

started a cycling club on theIsle of Man which he joined.That club now has more than400 members and look atwhat he went on to do.”The new local club is being

set up following therecruitment of an externally-funded specialist SustransBike It officer for Rushmoor,

who is working closely withthe council, local primaryschools and on communitycycling projects.There is also a Rushmoor

Cycle Forum. Membership isfree and is open to anyonewith an interest in promotingall forms of cycling in theborough.

News 11www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Olympic fever inspires the boroughHundreds of local school children had thechance to see the Olympic flame, as partof Rushmoor’s Olympic celebrations. The event was organised under strict

conditions set out by Olympic bosses, whoinsisted the celebration must be a small,invitation-only event for school children.Schools that were involved in theborough’s Personal Best Olympicchallenge were invited to perform theirend-of-year finale at the celebration.Children from Aldershot dance andgymnastics clubs also took part.As well as the flame event, the borough

celebrated London 2012 with bunting andartwork in Aldershot and Farnboroughtown centres. Schools took part in nationalsports and poetry programmes and a fullprogramme of Olympic-inspired activities,including family, sport and cultural events,took place in the borough.Residents also cheered on local athletes

competing in the Games, including fiveswimmers from the RushmoorSynchronised Swimming Club.

On your watchThere are more than 350Neighbourhood Watchschemes across Rushmoor– is there one on yourstreet?Neighbourhood Watch

schemes see residents,police and other agenciesworking together to reducecrime – and the fear of it –in their community.There are many benefits

of joining a scheme –members tend to havemore secure homes andbelongings, and oftenqualify for cheaper homeinsurance.Criminals find it harder to

commit crime in areas withschemes, and workingtogether with friends andneighbours boostscommunity spirit, too.To find out more visitwww.rnwa.org.uk

Wiggo wannabes, on your bike!

Got a light? Olympian Mark Richardsoncarries the flame in a lantern

Feel the ‘burns’: If Bradley Wiggins’ summer cycling victories have inspired you asmuch as our Bike It officer Ben Knowles, above, there’s a new cycling club in theborough. Tour de Rushmoor anyone?

Contact usFor more details aboutthe new club call Benon 07824 812219,[email protected] or visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/cycling

12 What’s on www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Wednesday September 19An evening of clairvoyance. Princes Hall.7.45pm. £15Sunday September 23New junior badminton club launchConnaught Leisure Centre1.30pm to 2.30pm junior school pupils,2.30pm to 4pm secondary school pupils; First session free, then £3. 07745 098239Monday September 24Movement with mummyFarnborough Library and Learning Centre10.45am to 11.30am. £20Monday September 24One day art workshop. Aldershot Libraryand Learning Centre. 10am to 2.30pm£16 (concessions available)Monday September 24 to Saturday 29Behind the Bike Sheds. Princes Hall7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm. £15Tuesday September 25Movement with mummyAldershot, Library and Learning Centre.1.45pm to 2.30pm. £16Wednesday September 26Mini movers. Aldershot Library and LearningCentre. 9.45am to 10.30am. £20. Wednesday September 26Writing for wellness. Aldershot Library andLearning Centre. 2pm. Free (must book)Thursday September 27 (starts)Zumba. Aldershot Library and LearningCentre. 7.30pm to 8.30pm £40 (concessions available).Thursday September 27 (starts)Getting started with IT. Aldershot Libraryand Learning Centre. 10am to midday£40 (concessions available)Sunday September 30Hospice to hospice bike rideChristopher’s Children’s Hospice,Guildford. 9.15am to 4pm£7.50 children, £12 adult (early bird fee)Contact 01932 823137 [email protected] Monday October 1 (starts)Fact or fiction: starting your family historyFarnborough Library and Learning Centre2pm to 4pm. £32Tuesday October 2 (starts)Back to work: create a CVAldershot Library and Learning Centre10am to 2.30pm. Free

The listings

BOX OFFICE & BOOKING: Farnborough Library – 01252 [email protected] Library & Learning Centre –01252 322560. [email protected] Hall – 01252 329155www.princeshall.com West End Centre – 01252 330040www.westendcentre.co.uk

Jacko is back and theRoll up, roll up and get yourtickets for the Princes Hall thisautumn.There’s comedy, family shows, music

and entertainment galore for the children.Comedy lovers can enjoy a return visit

from Lee Nelson, star of BBC Three’s hitshow Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show.Well-known medium Colin Fry returns

after two previous sell-out shows. There’salso another chance to have a fun-packed evening with The UkuleleOrchestra of Great Britain.The Moscow Ballet is back to perform

the perfect Christmas treat, TheNutcracker.The hit-packed show, That’ll Be the Day,

with music from the 50s, 60s and the 70sis a must, along with one of the besttributes to the king of pop, Jackson Live.If you fancy having some foot-tapping,

sing-a-long fun, come and join TV legendDuggie Chapman in The Good Old Daysof Music Hall and Variety.For the whole family, there’s a first-time

visit from characters from Channel 5’sMilkshake! Live in their brand new show.The year is then finished off with theaction packed and magical pantomime –this year it’s the story of Beauty and theBeast.Tickets are available atwww.princeshall.com or the BoxOffice on 01252 329155. Jackson: Princes Hall, Oct 26 a nd Nutcracker: Princes Hall, Oct 28

Make Christmasbrighter for some ofFarnborough’s olderresidents by enjoyinghomemade cake andsome festiveshopping.All proceeds from

the annual Autumn

Fayre at DevereuxHouse, in Albert Road,will be used to buyseasonal treats andentertainment for thehome’s residents andfor day caremembers.Jewellery, books and

toys are just some ofthe goodies on sale.The fayre takes

place from 2pm to4pm on SundayOctober 28.The entry fee is £1

and includesrefreshments.

Autumn fayre goodies

Half-term playschemeA wide range ofactivities will keepthe kids busy atOctober half term atthe Wavell Codycommunityplayscheme inFarnborough.

Running fromOctober 29 toNovember 2, it costs£16 a day (8.30amto 5.30pm), or £15(until 4.30pm).The playscheme is

open to four to 11-

year-olds and israted ‘good’ byOfsted.For more

information or tobook a space foryour child, call01252 317603.

What’s on 13www.rushmoor.gov.uk

The listings

BOX OFFICE & BOOKING: Farnborough Library – 01252 [email protected] Library & Learning Centre –01252 322560. [email protected] Hall – 01252 329155www.princeshall.com West End Centre – 01252 330040www.westendcentre.co.uk

Saturday October 6Willow-working workshopAldershot Library and Learning Centre,10am to2.30pm. £16Monday October 8 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great BritainPrinces Hall. 7.45pm. £17 to £19Tuesday October 9 (starts)Creative writing. Farnborough Library andLearning Centre. 10am to midday. £48Wednesday October 24Charlie Landsborough. Princes Hall7.45pm. £16.50 to £17.50.Wednesday October 24Arty flowers – one day art workshopFarnborough Library and Learning Centre10am to 2.30pm. £16Friday October 26Jackson Live in concert. Princes Hall7.45pm. £16 - £18Sunday October 28Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker. Princes Hall3pm. £20 to £22Monday November 5 (starts)Back to work: computing, internet andemail. Farnborough Library and LearningCentre. 10am to 2.30pm. Free.Monday November 5 (starts)Fact or fiction: finding your family historyAldershot Library and Learning Centre2pm to 4pm. £32Saturday November 10Christmas card labels. Aldershot Libraryand Learning Centre. 10am to midday. £8Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 NovemberBen & Holly’s Little Kingdom. Princes Hall10am, 1pm and 4pm. £10.50 and £14.50Wednesday November 14Get ready for Christmas: cards, bags andtags. Farnborough Library and LearningCentre. 10am to 2.30pm. £16Tuesday November 20 (starts)Back to work: create a CVAldershot Library and Learning Centre10am to 2.30pm. FreeSaturday December 1Watercolour painting workshopAldershot Library and Learning Centre10am to 2.30pm. £16Fri December 7 to Sun December 30Beauty and the Beast. Princes Hall£14 and £16.50

Nutcracker’s sweet!

Jackson: Princes Hall, Oct 26 a nd Nutcracker: Princes Hall, Oct 28

CBBC’s Katy Ashworth

Come to Aldershot andget into the festive spiritthis November bycheering on theChristmas lights.The annual lights

switch-on in the towncentre starts at 2.30pmon November 17, with anafternoon full of familyfun including FatherChristmas on his sleighand CBBC favourite KatyAshworth. The lightsthemselves will be turnedon at 4.45pm.For more informationvisit www.rushmoor.gov.uk/christmas

Lighten up!

Double helping of dazzling displaysDon’t miss the Aldershotsky erupting in colour andsound at the annualRushmoor FireworksSpectacular, on November3.Held at Manor Park,

audiences can again lookforward to two dazzlingdisplays. A special, quieter,

display set to children’sTV themes and designedfor under-fives is at6.45pm. The main displayis a 20-minute spectacularstarting at 8pm.For more details,including ticket prices,visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/fireworks


Despite challengingweather and thehosepipe ban, gardensin Aldershot andFarnborough were infine floral form for theannual Rushmoor inBloom competition.This year, residents,

schools, communitygroups and localbusinesses from across theborough took part. Judgesvisited individual gardenentries during July andtoured Aldershot andFarnborough to view thelarger community entriesin an open top bus,sponsored by Veolia.All allotments in the

borough wereautomatically entered intothe allotment competition,which was judged in Juneand September.“It was a very tough year

for all our gardeners, asthey had to cope with verydry and then exceptionallycold and wet weather,”said Councillor Frank Rust,Chairman of the

Rushmoor in Bloom Forum.“However this didn’t

dampen the enthusiasm ofthose who supported thecompetition and enteredtheir gardens and pots.It’s great to see residentsand volunteers workingtogether to take part. Iknow the judges wereimpressed with the entries,which showed the resultsof lots of hard work.”The borough also

submitted eight communityentries in the regionalSouth & South East inBloom competition.

The results for bothcompetitions are due to beannounced in September,with the winners of gold,silver gilt, silver andbronze awards in theRushmoor in Bloomcompetition revealed at apresentation evening atthe Princes Hall onSeptember 17.

Best of British!Wet, wet, wet: Hospipe bans and torrential rain challenged gardeners

Foliage in fine floral form for Rushmoor in Bloom

Pest control helpEvery year, we receive callsfrom residents asking for helpand advice on foxes andpigeons. Pigeon numbers are

increasing in Farnboroughand Aldershot town centres.Their droppings are unsightlyand damage buildings andpavements. We’re working toimprove this situation and youcan help by not feeding them.Sightings of foxes are also

increasing. They are attractedto gardens with access to foodand shelter. Keep them out by:l Putting rubbish in closed

bins, not plastic bagsl Sealing fox hiding holes

(first making sure there are nofoxes in the holes) and cuttingdown overgrown vegetationl Putting bird food in

feeders and not leaving foodout for other animalsFor help and advice. visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk orcontact our environmentalhealth team on 01252398399 or [email protected]. We canalso help deal withinfestations of mice andrats. Treatment is free.Contact customer serviceson 01252 398399 or [email protected]

Gimme a breakAre you a carer who deservesa break? If so, apply for agrant from a carers’ fundmanaged by RushmoorVoluntary Services (RVS).Grants are small – usually

no more than £100 – and canfinance treats such as daysout, a pamper session or ameal at a restaurant.To apply, simply tell RVS how

you would spend the money,what benefits it would make toyour life, and if you canarrange suitable cover for theperson you care for. You canalso nominate a carer. For more details aboutthe grant call GregAlexander on 01252 540162 or [email protected]

Contact usFor more information,visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/rushmoorinbloom

Documents

Arena Autumn 2012