PLUS Local cash boost

You help us choose worthycauses to share £17,500

Working togetherCouncils merge CCTV operations into top-of-the-range suite and save thousands of pounds

Leap of faith!Rushmoor mayor takes theplunge with charity skydive

Budding gardenersSchools join Rushmoor in Bloom competition

www.rushmoor.gov.uk Summer 2013Arena

News: £17,500 cash boost forlocal groups; free swim sessionsfor under-16s this summer 4News: Crackdown on benefitfraud; new extension meansbowls club triples in size 5First phase of new-look Queensmead is takingshape 6Volunteer Lauren is still making adifference six years on 7There’s still time to blossom withRushmoor in Bloom! 8Blind potter Supriya features inVision of the Past exhibition 9New CCTV suite is state-of-the-artand saving taxpayers’ money 10Leap of faith – the mayor takes theplunge in charity skydive 11What’s on – making a splash at the Lido; musicfor all; plus local events listings 12-13Aldershot Military Festival promises to be asummer week of fun for all the family 14

Contents 3A busy summerahead in Rushmoor

By Cllr Peter Moyle, Leader ofRushmoor Borough Council

Welcome to our summeredition of Arenamagazine.

As always, it is packed full oflocal news, as well as lots ofevents and activities happeningin Aldershot and Farnboroughover the summer months.I’m really pleased that local

groups have been benefiting from the new ‘Have YourSay’ fund. More than £17,500 has already been givenout to local groups and projects – you can find outmore on page 4.You’ve hopefully noticed a lot happening in

Farnborough town centre as we’ve been movingforward with our refurbishment plans forQueensmead. New paving, trees, benches, bins andlighting have been going in as part of a £1 millionproject. It is an exciting time for Farnborough, with aVue cinema and restaurants set to open next summer.Despite the unseasonal start to the summer, I hope

you’ve found time to enjoy some sunshine and to getout in your gardens. As usual, we are busy preparingfor the annual Rushmoor in Bloom competition andresidents, schools and businesses are all invited totake part. Aldershot also has high hopes for the South& South East in Bloom competition – see page 8.I was very pleased recently to be part of the official

unveiling of our new state-of-the-art CCTV controlroom at the council offices in Farnborough, which willbe keeping a watchful eye over Rushmoor. We havebeen working with Hart District Council to provide ashared service, which will save both councils money.This, along with our latest community safety news, ishighlighted on page 10.If you’re looking for ideas to keep the family

entertained over the summer holidays, we hope you’llfind something in the magazine. Don’t miss theAldershot Military Festival from July 1-6 – there’s lotshappening, culminating in a family day on SaturdayJuly 6 on the Queens Parade. Details are on page 14. The popular Picnic to Music in the Park is back in

Farnborough at the King George V Playing Fields onJuly 13 and 14 - tickets are already on sale. We havealso produced a free summer activity guide which ispacked full of ideas to keep the kids busy (see page 13)and don’t forget that the Aldershot Lido is open dailyfrom July. Have a great summer!

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

Arena please don’t hesitate to call. Tel: Gill Chisnall on 01252 398744 or email

gill.chisnall@rushmoor.gov.uk

Arena Issue 86 Summer 2013

Cover:Madeleine Bavastock and WilliamNewson from Tower Hill Primary School,Farnborough collect their free plants fromSquire’s Garden Centre

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

Inside

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

Tel: 01252 398399 Website: www.rushmoor.gov.uk Email: arena@rushmoor.gov.ukDesigned by: Deep South Media www.deepsouthmedia.co.ukAdvertising: Spot on Media Ltd (0845 004 0683)info@spotonmedia.co.uk

Printed 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.

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4 News www.rushmoor.gov.uk

You help us choose worthy causes for funding

Free swimming is on offerfor youngsters, aged 16 andunder, all through thesummer holidays.Young people can make a

splash every day of theholidays if they like, atFarnborough Leisure Centreand Aldershot Pools(excluding the lido).Youngsters need to

register for free swimmingat one of the participatingleisure facilities. This willcost £2. The scheme is beingrun by DC Leisure, whichprovides leisure facilities onbehalf of the council. The

main sponsor is ThamesValley Housing Association.The scheme offers young

people the opportunity totake part in a positivehealthy activity during thelong summer holidays. It isa great way to meet up withfriends or socialise withfamily and enjoy fun timestogether.

Youngsters make a splash this summer with free swim sessions

Contact usFor more informationcontact FarnboroughLeisure Centre on 01252370411, or Aldershot Poolson 01252 323482.

More than a thousandof you voted foryour favouriteorganisations to wincash from our new‘Have Your Say’ fund –and now £17,500 hasbeen handed out to12 groups.Money for the fund was

provided by HampshireCounty Council andadministered locally by us.We invited members of ourCitizens’ Panel and youngpeople to help us decidehow to spend the cash.Farnborough Rugby

Union Football Clubreceived £2,000 for alending store. This willallow the club to encourageboys and girls to playrugby who normallywouldn’t play because theycan’t afford kit – boots andshirts. The store will be agreat help to localcommunities, especially theCherrywood area, wherethe club is based.“The money will give

many local youngsters the

opportunity to try rugby forthe first time,” said KathO’Rourke, the council’scommunity support officer.The 8th Farnborough Air

Scouts are putting their£2,000 towards a new roofand the Go! Club inRushmoor, for children andyoung people with specialneeds, is using its £2,000for activities such as sport,arts, drama and theatre. The Aldershot and

Farnham Athletics Club isbuying floodlights for itsthrowing cage.Topping the votes was

the Mustard Seed Autism

Trust, which providesspecialist sensoryequipment for localfamilies with children onthe autistic spectrum.“Most of the groups are

run with limited funds byenthusiastic volunteers – sothe money will make ahuge difference,” addedKath. Blooming Marvellous, a

group of adult volunteergardeners, will be buying ashed to store their toolswith the £300 they askedfor, allowing them toextend their services toprovide a grass cutting

service to older anddisabled residents. Diabetes UK Rushmoor

Voluntary group received£1,000 for a computer,printer, projector andprojector screen andPyestock’s new youthgroup received £1,000.Girlguiding Farnborough

Division asked for £950 forits 2014 big Browniebirthday adventure, and theMegarider scheme, offeringfree transport in thesummer holidays to 11-16-year-olds who are eligiblefor free school meals,received £2,000.Grange Youth Club, was

keen to enjoy moreoutdoor activities andreceived £2,000 to buyoutdoor equipment,including skateboards,ramps, balls and scooters.

Contact usGroups wanting to applyfor funding through localpots of money, can findout more by visitingwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/grants

All kitted out: Farnborough Rugby Union Football Clubreceived £2,000 for a kit lending store

£17,500 cash boost for local groups

News 5www.rushmoor.gov.uk

The Farnborough GateBowling Club has nearlyTRIPLED in size after morethan £160,000 was spenton a gleaming newextension.Members can now play

at the club all year roundwith short mat bowls inthe winter, thanks to£92,000 from RushmoorBorough Council, £50,000from Sport England and£20,000 raised by the club.Bowling fans launched

the club 15 years ago,from the football club’sold tea room. Thecramped quarters meantmembers, who are inseveral leagues, couldpreviously only play Mayto September.President Les Thomas is

overjoyed with theextension, which openedon June 1.“The builders John King

of Aldershot did afantastic job, giving us anew kitchen, men’s toilet,

new changing rooms andthree large shutteredwindows for light andsecurity,” he said. “Nowmy wife says we will getreally competitive!”Everyone is invited to

try out the new facilities –members of the publiccan just roll up to play for

£2 a session, and join upfor £65 a year. There arecurrently 58 male andfemale members, but withthe new extension theclub can accommodatemany more.Contact treasurer BrianParker on 01252 549757for more details.

More space for more bowls members

On a roll: the extension means members like thisladies’ team can play all year round

The sun may not havetroubled us too much yetthis year, but don’t dashout to catch those rarerays without a dollop ofsuncream. Extra pasty skin after

nearly two years of dulldays will make peopleeven more susceptible toskin cancer.And sunbeds are not a

safe alternative.Protect yourself and

your loved ones fromsunburn this summer byusing spf 30 protectioneven on dull days andalways be prepared tocover up, wear a hat,protect your eyes andseek out some shade –you just never knowwhen the sun might justget his hat on.For more informationvisit www.rushmoor.gov.uk/sunawareness

Meals on wheels are nowon offer for anyone agedover 55, 365 days a year.Apetito can deliver hot

two-course meals to anyaddress, including lunchclubs, for £3.50. Driverswill be able to plate up themeals and provide a drink.People can also have a

Food and Friendshipvolunteer to visit for achat at mealtimes.To request meals on

wheels contact 01962779338 or emailhampshire.office@apetito.co.uk. You can also findout more and register atwww3.hants.gov.uk/meals-on-wheelsIf you would like to

become a Food andFriendship volunteercontact 01962 892455 oremail food&friendship@ageconcernhampshire.org

Our officers quizzedmore than 300 benefitclaimants in the lastyear in a crackdownon fraud, and saved apotential £327,000 inoverpaid benefit fromleaving taxpayers’pockets.We are now working to

recoup a further £110,000in overpayments made as aresult of people notdeclaring live-in partners,work, other income andlodgers.It may be a small portion

of Rushmoor’s £35 millionannual benefits bill for its8,000 claimants, says ourbenefits manager DawnKelly, but she says it is “farfrom a victimless crime”.

She added: “It meansthere is less moneyavailable to help peoplewho need it the most.”Of the 319 cases

investigated in 2012/13,16 were found to haveinvolved benefit fraud.Nine people wereprosecuted and sixreceived official cautions.One person was given anadministrative penalty tohelp cover the council’scosts.Dawn said: “The majority

by far are honest peopleand claiming only whatthey’re entitled to andusing the system fairly.”She added: “It’s

important that people tellus straight away about anychanges to their

circumstances and it’sreally easy do so on ourwebsite. Or come in to talkto a member of ourbenefits team.“An increase in hours, a

pay rise or a child movingout of your home can allaffect your benefits.”If you do suspect

someone of benefit fraud,you can report them to usanonymously online atwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/benefitfraud or through ourbenefit fraud hotline, 08007311955. Tell us all you can about

the person you suspect,including their name andaddress (if you know it) andthe kind of fraud you thinkthey are committing, forexample, an undeclared

Crackdown on benefit fraudIf the sun hasgot his hat on,so should you!

Meals on wheelsfor anyone over 55

6 News www.rushmoor.gov.uk

People in other areas ofthe UK have savedhundreds of pounds a yearon their electricity andgas – now you can, too.The first batch of

customers are receivingoffers after registeringtheir interest in SwitchHampshire earlier thisyear, and you can nowapply to join the secondround of savers.All you need to do is

email or phoneus to registeryourinterest –withoutobligation toswitch.Even if you

have aprepayment meter, youcan register and thescheme will hopefully beable to help.Les Murrell, Rushmoor

BoroughCouncil’senergy andenvironmentmanager,said: “Energyhas gone up

140 per centover the last nine

years – from an averageannual bill of £522 to£1,254.“We’re hopeful that

most people signing up to

the collective energyscheme could savebetween 10 and 15 percent on their energy bills.”

An airy, smart anduncluttered space hasbeen created in thefirst phase of a£1 millionrefurbishment projecttaking shape atQueensmead,Farnborough.The shopping area is

being given a fresh newlook, making it a moreinviting place to spendtime and shop.New paving has been

laid after drainage work,and new trees, benches,bins, and other streetfurniture have opened upthe area from New Lookdown to Wimpy. Improved

lighting will also makeQueensmead moreattractive and inviting atnight.There are new shops

too, including CeX and aStarbucks coffee house. The 45 new apartments

above, known as Centrus,are being fitted out and areattracting a great deal ofinterest from prospectivebuyers. Work has now started

inside the Kingsmeadshopping centre on a newseven-screen Vue cinema(opening in summer 2014)and new restaurants. Theowners of the shoppingcentre, St. Modwen, willbe refurbishing theKingsmead car park and

putting in a new pay-on-foot system, public toiletsand a Shopmobilityservice.Soon, a stroll through

the area will be evenbrighter as phase two ofthe work gets under way.Work to move the taxi rankto a safer spot in the oldIceland car park and pavethe area outside the shopto create a town square ishoped to be complete bythe end of the year.Our project manager

John Trusler said: “Thatarea will be a really big,nice open space at theentrance to the town,which could be used forfor entertainment, marketsand seasonal activities.”

Uncluttered Queensmead willmake shopping a pleasure

Contact usFind out more atwww.hants.gov.uk/switch, call 01962846828, or bring yourmost recent utility billinto the council officesand we will register you.

Now’s your chance to join second wave of energy saving scheme

In briefHave your sayYou could receive a phonecall from us, or a surveythrough your letterbox overthe coming weeks as partof research we’ll becarrying out on the serviceswe provide and how wespend your money. “We want to make sure

that we are delivering theright services, the rightway,” said Karen Edwards,head of strategy andcommunications. “We’ll beasking residents for theirviews on the local area andfinding out what’simportant to them.”To find out how you canget involved visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Fridays are fundays for kidsChildren can try their handat circus skills and get upclose to birds of prey at ourfree fun days in Aldershottown centre in August.The Fun Day Fridays will

feature a host of otheractivities offering childrenthe chance to take part inentertaining events duringthe summer holidays inUnion and WellingtonStreets.For more details, visitwww.rushmoor.gov.uk/fundayfridays

News 7www.rushmoor.gov.uk

JUNE24 Licensing and GeneralPurposes Committee25 Licensing Sub-Committee

JULY1 Standards and AuditCommittee9 Licensing Sub-Committee9 Cabinet17 Development ControlCommittee24 Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol andEntertainments)25 Council30 Cabinet

AUGUST6 Licensing Sub-Committee14 Development ControlCommittee22 Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol andEntertainments)

SEPTEMBER2 Leisure and YouthPolicy and Review Panel3 Licensing Sub-Committee3 Cabinet5 Corporate ServicesPolicy and Review Panel9 Borough ServicesPolicy and Review Panel10 Environment Policy andReview Panel11 Development ControlCommittee12 Community Policy andReview Panel19 Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol andEntertainments)23 Licensing and GeneralPurposes Committee24 Cabinet

Public welcome at allmeetings. Most start 7pm,at the council offices inFarnborough Road. Cabinetmeetings start at 4.30pm.For more information, callKathy Flatt on 01252398829.

Committee timetable

One of our youngleaders has beenhonoured after afantastic six years ofhelping out at youthclubs in Farnborough.Lauren Rawlings, 17, first

started volunteering aged11, when she helpedestablish the need for ayouth club in theCherrywood area. The weekly youth club is

now run by RushmoorBorough Council andLauren is a young leaderthere.Lauren, who is studying

public services and hopesto join the police, was givenone of the HampshireCounty Council chairman’sMaking a Differenceawards.Youth worker in charge

Steve Green said: “Hercommitment, drive andwillingness to help set up ayouth provision at the ageof 11 continues to shinethrough six years on.”He added: “Lauren’s

transition from a youngperson attending the projectto a member of staff hasbeen exceptional.”

Have fun and learn about the environment at Go Green

Keeping upthe goodwork:LaurenRawlings,17, has justreceivedanotheraward forher work asa youthleader and(inset below)when shereceived theSaferRushmoorYoungVolunteer ofthe YearAward in2009.

Farm animals, music andfun will be on offer inAldershot on SaturdaySeptember 7 when theGo Green in Rushmoorevent comes to the towncentre from 10.30am –3.30pm.The town will be full of

stalls and colourfuldisplays, with plenty offree activities to keep thewhole family entertained– all with anenvironmentally friendlymessage.“There will be lots to

see and do,” said LesMurrell, the council’senergy and environmentmanager. “Go Green inRushmoor is acelebration of theenvironment and weinvite visitors to havesome fun while theylearn how to lead agreener lifestyle. There’llbe arts and crafts forchildren, Africandrumming workshops,street dance performers,folk music, a Fairtradecafé, cookery

demonstrations, plus afull day of music and liveperformances splitbetween the PrincesGardens bandstand andThe Wellington ShoppingCentre,” added Les.

Contact usFor more informationvisitwww.rushmoor.gov.ukor like Go Green in Rushmooron Facebook.

Six years on and Laurenis still making a difference

www.rushmoor.gov.uk8 Rushmoor in bloom

Thieves are being warned thatRushmoor’s allotments are protected.Allotment Watch was launched by the

council and the police at the HornRoad/Fernhill Road site, Farnboroughand allotment holders at the eight othersites are being encouraged to set uptheir own.PC Stuart Rogers and Susan Jones

from the council have joined forces onthe project, which is being led byvoluntary allotment watch co-ordinatorNigel Powers.PC Rogers has already given advice

on improving the security of the siteand the council will be repairingfencing, replanting the northernboundary and putting a newcombination lock on gates. Nigel said: “There have been ten

incidents reported to the police on thissite in the last two years, and otherincidents that have gone unreported. “I will be sending alerts and

newsletters to members of theallotment watch, and posting on thenoticeboard.”Call Nigel on 01252 547934 for moreinformation on how to join or how toset up your own Allotment Watch.

On the look-out: PC Stuart Rogers,Nigel Powers and Jacqui Dawkins

Budding horticulturalists andseasoned gardeners are brushingup their baskets, titivating theirtubs and giving weeds the‘heave-hoe’ in the run-up to theRushmoor in Bloom competition.Schools, businesses, residents and

pubs have all thrown down the greengauntlet to enter Rushmoor BoroughCouncil’s hotly-contested annualawards.There is still just time to enter one of

the 13 categories – the closing date isJune 24. It is open to all residents andbusinesses in Rushmoor, it’s free andthere are categories for bothexperienced and novice gardeners.Rushmoor in Bloom chairman Cllr

Frank Rust said: “Every year people pullout all the stops to make Rushmoorbeautiful, and it looks like this year, theborough’s going to be even brighter andmore stunning than ever.”Organisers are particularly keen to

encourage more businesses to enter. Entry forms are available from Susan

Jones on 01252 398005 or fill in theform at www.rushmoor.gov.uk/rushmoorinbloom Judging takes placebetween July 8-17.

l There is also a competition forschools, and pupils from 22 schools andpre-schools went to collect free pots andplants from Squire’s Garden Centre (seefront cover) to help them with the ‘FiveSenses’ project. There are eight categories in the

school competition, including theopportunity to design a flower bed forPrinces Gardens, Aldershot in 2014. Allotments are automatically included

and will be judged in June andSeptember.

Time for Rushmoor to blossom!

Aldershot town centre, thecrematorium andallotments are beingentered into the South andSouth East in Bloomcompetition. The town centre hopes to

match, if not beat, lastyear’s Silver Gilt award,while the crematoriumhopes to match the Goldit won.The Aldershot Allotment

Society and the residents ofCheyne Way, Farnborough,have entered the ‘It’s YourNeighbourhood’ category,while Shaftesbury Court,Farnborough, has beenentered into the ‘It’s YourNeighbourhood Championof Champions’ aftermaintaining an outstandinglevel for at least two years.

Aldershot hopes tobetter last year’sin Bloom awards

Recycling collections will bea day later after the nextbank holiday (weekcommencing Monday,August 26).Crews will be working on

the Saturday of that week tocatch up.You can check your next

collection day and print off acopy of your recyclingcalendar by using the In MyArea feature on our website,

www. rushmoor.gov.uk/inmyarea We also post thelatest informationon our Facebookand Twitterpages.

Make a note ofyour Augustbank holidayrecycling dates

Riot of colour: last year’s ‘Best frontgarden’

Allotment Watch scheme launched

National recognition for our coach Ben

Don’t miss Vision of thePast, an exhibition featuringthe amazing story of blindAldershot resident SupriyaLamport, on at AldershotMilitary Museum until June26 and coming to Aldershotlibrary in August.Supriya, who lost her sight when

she was two, is a member of theOpen Sight social club for thevisually impaired in Aldershot –one of 23 clubs across Hampshiresupporting more than 4,000 people.Supriya, who has many hobbies

including pottery, is featured in anew book titled Vision of the Pastwhich tells the story of changingattitudes to sight loss over the last90 years. The book, which is alsoavailable in an audio version,includes the stories of nine otherHampshire people who haveovercome their sight loss and gone

on to lead inspirational lives.Open Sight chief executive Tessa

Barrett said: “We are so oftenhumbled and amazed by theachievements made by those witha visual impairment – andsometimes saddened too. But it istheir incredible journeys andstamina that shine through.”The book and audio book are

available from Open Sight on 02380 641244, with an accompanyingtalk available for schools andcommunity groups. l Don’t forget that Arena is alsoavailable as a talking newspaper.Each edition is recorded as an mp3file and is available free. It is alsoavailable in large print.

A basketball coach who isinspiring young people inRushmoor has nettednational recognition.Ben Woods is one of our

three StreetGamescoaches, working withyoungsters in Farnboroughto bring them professionaltraining on their doorsteps.Ben started basketball

coaching for young peopleaged 14-25 after theyasked for the sport to beincluded in theStreetGames programme,which provides theactivities youngsters askfor at a time and place tosuit them.Football, basketball and

street dance have all beenincluded in Rushmoor, andBen’s basketball coachingat Samuel Cody SpecialistSports College attracts 75youngsters every week.

Now his dedication andthe popularity of hissessions have beenrecognised at the NationalStreetGames Awards,where he was nominatedfor Coach of the Year andhe was runner-up in thiscategory.He said: “To be

shortlisted for the awardswas amazing. There were

so many people helping somany young people toplay different sports – Iwas honoured to berecognised as a part of it.”Debbie Wall, our children

and young people officer,said: “We believe that allyoung people should havethe chance to access goodquality sportsopportunities.”

Next time it’s your turnto take the rubbish andrecycling out, don’tforget that your bluewheelie bin is for paper,card, tins and plasticbottles only.LOTS of glass is

finding its way into theblue wheelie bins andcontaminating otherrecycling.All glass should go

into the separate basketor box, or be taken tobottle banks acrossRushmoor (seelocations atwww.rushmoor.gov.uk)You can order extra

boxes for your glass bycalling 01252 398399 orby emailingcustomerservices@rushmoor.gov.ukThey are free of

charge, whether youhave one box or two.

Blind Supriya is aninspiration to others

Contact usVisit www.vision-of-the-past-opensight.org.uk for details ofthe exhibition.

Get your glassrecycling sorted

Supriya Lamport with some of her work

Community 9www.rushmoor.gov.uk

United to battle anti-social behaviour

10 Safer Rushmoor www.rushmoor.gov.uk

News in briefTribute bandshead Music inthe Park festivalTwo days of fabulous funin Farnborough arepromised on July 13 and14, with a tranche oftribute bands due to playat the bi-annual Picnic toMusic in the Park.Bands include tributes

to The Four Tops, TheSupremes, Jackson 5,Queen and Status Quo,all playing at the KingGeorge V Playing Fieldsin Sycamore Road.The event is organised

by the Rotary Club and inaid of the Phyllis TuckwellHospice. Tickets costing £20 are

available fromwww.pthshop.co.uk, thehospice’s charity shops,Farnborough RecreationCentre, Princes Hall inAldershot and RushmoorBorough Council offices –or they are £30 on theday. Children under 10 goin free but must beaccompanied by an adult.

Women’schoir’s concertin aid of charityA concert of musicperfect for a summer’sevening will be held atthe Methodist Church inLynchford Road, NorthCamp, on July 23.The Lydian Singers, a

female choir that wasestablished in 1957, willbe performing theirSunrise Sunset concertfrom 7.30pm.Tickets are £5 on the

door, and there will berefreshments in theinterval. A donation toMarie Curie will be madefrom the proceeds.For more information goto www.lydiansingers.net16.net

A watchful eye isbeing cast over theborough from ourstate-of-the-art CCTVcontrol room, saving£50,000 a year.Rushmoor and Hart

councils have joinedtogether to build a room atthe council offices inFarnborough that willmonitor 120 existingcameras across Aldershot,Farnborough, Fleet,Yateley, Blackwater, Hook,Hartley Wintney andOdiham. The £260,000 control

room replaces twoexisting rooms inFarnborough and Fleet,and has saved £170,000compared with buildingtwo new ones. Phil Stoneman led the

project for RushmoorBorough Council, and said:“This is an excellent

example of how twocouncils can work togetherto provide an enhancedand more cost-effectiveservice. We now have astate-of-the-art controlroom that is equipped tomanage requests from thepolice and other partnersto help us ensure thatnorth Hampshire remains

a low crime area.”“I’m really impressed

with how well the team,made up of CCTVoperators from Rushmoorand Hart, have adapted tothe new technology,including digital mapping,which is essential for pin-pointing locations quicklywhen incidents happen.”

Our staff are teaming upwith the police andhousing associations tocrack down on anti-socialbehaviour in Rushmoorthis year.The borough’s

community safety teamis also trying to cut drugand alcohol-relatedoffending and raiseawareness and increasereporting of domesticabuse, focusing onhelping victims. The team is also

focused on working atnight in hotspots for anti-social behaviour andreducing violent crimeand criminal damage.Community safety

manager Caroline Ryansaid: “It is absolutelyright that we prioritiseanti-social behaviour, as

it is the single mostcommon type of incidentand increases at nightand at the weekend,particularly over thesummer months.”

“We are alsoprioritising tacklingdomestic abuse, drugsand alcohol issues toimprove life for ourresidents.”

CCTV suite is state-of-the-art

Hot summer days,barbecues and summerevents involving alcoholcan lead to a surge inabuse. But help is onhand if you see orexperience it, or if yoususpect it is happening.Don’t suffer in silence

– there are lots of peoplewho can help if you’reworried aboutsomeone’s abusive orcontrolling behaviourtowards you. Female victims can call

Women’s Aid on 0808200 0247, male victimscan call the Men’sAdvice Line on 0808 8010327, same-sex victimscan call Broken Rainbowon 0300 999 5428 and ifyou are worried aboutyour own behaviour youcan call Respect on 0808802 4040. In anemergency call 999.

Contact usGo to www.nehantsdvf.co.uk for advice.

Domestic abuse: help is at hand

News 11www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Rushmoor joins elite withEurope twinning awardOur borough is now thesmallest holder of a verybig award for twinning.Rushmoor has become

only the third authorityin the UK to receive theCouncil of Europe’sPlaque of Honour for itslinks with its twin townsin France, Germany andPoland. Just 12 of the 600

councils across Europe,who applied for theaward this year, weresuccessful and only twoother councils in the UKhave ever received it,both of them cities –Edinburgh and Leicester.Twinning association

chairman Brian Jupp

said: “It is fantasticrecognition of the manylinks that our 30community groups,schools andorganisations havedeveloped with our twintowns of Meudon,Oberursel and Sulechow.“We are especially

thrilled because it's sucha major achievement fora small borough.”Any organisations or

groups that areinterested in gettinginvolved in towntwinning can contact theTwinning Association attwinning.association@rushmoor.gov.uk orphone 01252 812442.

Rushmoor’s new mayor isurging people to help him raisemuch-needed funds for threecharities.And never one to shrink from the

job at hand, Terry Bridgeman isleaping out of a plane himself to raiseyet more cash.The mayor has also persuaded chief

executive Andrew Lloyd to do thedaring deed with him when heparachutes onto Chiltern Airfield nearReading on September 14.The challenge will raise money for

Parkside (a day centre for people withlearning difficulties), which Terrychose because it is a long-standingcharity based in his ward, and theRoyal British Legion’s FarnboroughBranch Poppy Appeal.He is also supporting the Breast

Cancer Charity Appeal at Frimley ParkHospital because he has relatives andfriends who have, or have had, breastcancer. Before the intrepid duo don their

parachutes, the mayor is inviting all-comers to join two sponsored events.A charity walk of two-and-a-half

miles will be held on July 14 at 11am,which is open to all ages.The event will involve a gentle, two-

hour guided walk around Aldershot

Park and surrounding areas, startingat Parkside’s headquarters inGuildford Road, Aldershot. It costs £5 for an individual, £8 for a

couple, £10 for a family of two adultsand two children.A sponsored cycle ride will be held

on August 31 at 10am, which is opento over 16s only, starting atFarnborough Community Centre inMeudon Avenue. Four and 12-mile courses will be on

offer, with varying entry feesaccording to age and ability.Participants are invited to get

sponsorship as well. Sponsorship isalso being sought for Terry andAndrew’s parachute jumps.

Contact usFor more information, to makedonations or offer sponsorship,contact Kathy Flatt in DemocraticServices, Council Offices,Farnborough Road, Farnborough,Hampshire GU14 7JU, call 01252398829, or email kathy.flatt@rushmoor.gov.uk

Rushmoor mayor’s leap of faith!

Farnborough-France cycle challengeA local charity is looking forcyclists to take part in a200-mile sponsored bikeride from Farnborough toits twin town of Meudonnear Paris, France.The challenge takes place

September 5-8 and isorganised by Farnborough-based Parity for Disability,which offers services forpeople with multipledisabilities. Entrants pay a £50

deposit and need to raise atleast £600 in sponsorship. After an official send-off

from Parity’s Farnboroughday centre, they will ride toPortsmouth, complete anovernight ferry crossing toLe Havre, and travel

through scenic northernFrance before receiving ahero’s welcome in Meudon.“This is a great bike ride

with a difference,” saidParity events organiserKimberley Norris. “As it’sfor a local charity, thepeople taking part willknow exactly where themoney raised is going.”

Contact usFor more information,contact Kimberley on01252 375581 or emailkimberley@parityfordisability.org.uk. For an information packvisit www.parityfordisability.org.uk

Magnificentmen andtheir flyingmachine:chiefexecutiveAndrewLloyd (left)and mayorTerryBridgeman

12 What’s on

Thursday 27 JuneRushmoor Oddfellows sing for youPrinces Hall. 7.30pm. £10Call Hughie Hill on 01252 330441Friday 28 JuneKnit and Natter (meets every four weeks)Aldershot Library. 10am. Free Saturday 29 June Aldershot Lido open daily until September 1www.rushmoor.gov.uk/lido Monday-Saturday 1-6 July Aldershot Military Festival. See page 14 for details. Monday 1 JulyEmployability applications and interviewsFarnborough Library, 10am-2.30pmTo book call 0845 6035631Free to jobseekersTuesday 2 JulyComputer Club (meets on the first Tuesdayof every month)Aldershot Library, 7pm-9pm. FreeSaturday 6 JulyFarnham Brass BandPrinces Gardens Bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSunday 7 JulyOrgan recital – Cindy Castillo, titular organistat the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart,Brussels. St Michaels Abbey, Farnborough3pm. Free, with retiring collectionCall Sam Parkin on 01252 518564www.cavaille-coll.co.ukWednesday 10 JulyKnit and Natter (meets on the secondWednesday of every month)Farnborough Library, 10am-12 noon. FreeFriday 12 JulySNAP DiscoPrinces Hall, Aldershot. 7pm, £7Saturday 13 JulyOur Big GigPrinces Gardens Bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSaturday 13 July100 Watt Club – burlesqueWest End Centre, Aldershot8pm. £10 (£8 concs)Sunday 14 JulyAldershot Bandstand MarathonPrinces Gardens Bandstand, 12 noon. FreeFriday 19 JulyRussell KaneWest End Centre, Aldershot. 8pm. £12Saturday 20 JulySandhurst Community Brass BandPrinces Gardens Bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeTuesday 23 JulySunrise Sunset, The Lydian SingersThe Methodist Church, North Camp,Aldershot. 7.30pmTickets £5, available at the door

The listings

www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Summer days in the park,accompanied by aquintessentially Englishentertainment, are making usdream of picnics and cricketright now.This summer will see nine

weekends of music concerts inthe Princes Garden bandstand.On July 6 Farnham Brass Bandwill play. Saturday July 13 willsee the return of theBandstand Marathon, nowrenamed ‘Our Big Gig’.Sandhurst Community Brassplays on July 20.Bagshot Concert Band will

play on August 3, CharlesChurch Camberley Band onAugust 10, FarnboroughConcert Band on August 17,Police Unity Band on August24 and Rushmoor ConcertBand on August 31.On Saturday July 27 the

town will host its Live MusicDay event (pictured above).More than 30 local bands andperformers of all ages are setto take to the stage inAldershot town centre.Three stages will be set up in

Wellington Street, the PrincesGardens bandstand and at theWestgate leisure complex. Performances will be held

from 11am until 4pm.Go to www.rushmoor.gov.uk/

aldershotlivemusic for moredetails or to register an interest.

Summer of music for all tastes

The Aldershot Lido is open(daily from 29 June) for whatwe hope will be a sizzling andsplashingly good summer!All-day passes cost just £4.10

for children and senior citizensand £6.70 for adults – and youcan take along your own picnic(no barbeques or alcohol areallowed). There are also family

tickets available.The lido, in Guildford Road,

has three flumes, a divingplatform, a toddler paddlingpool and sandpit, a picnic areaset in nine acres, a waterfountain, plus hot and cold foodand a swim accessory shop.For more details go towww.rushmoor.gov.uk/lido

Magic moments – enjoy a family dayout at the Aldershot Lido

What’s on 13The listings

BOX OFFICE & BOOKING: Farnborough Library and Learning Centre –01252 516458Lynda.Baines@hants.gov.ukAldershot Library & Learning Centre –01252 322560. aldershot.library@hants.gov.ukPrinces Hall – 01252 329155www.princeshall.com West End Centre – 01252 330040www.westendcentre.co.uk

Friday 26 July-Saturday 27 JulySummer Westival – indoor festivalWest End Centre, Aldershot. 2pm£7.50 (under-12s free) Friday 26 July-Sunday 4 AugustFun Fair, Manor Park, Aldershot. £1.50 a rideSaturday 27 JulyAldershot Live Music Day, Aldershot towncentre. 11am-4pm. FreeTuesday 30 JulyCraft WorkshopPrinces Hall, Aldershot. 10am-4pm. £15Tuesday-Wednesday 30-31 JulyBen & Holly’s Little KingdomPrinces Hall, Aldershot. £10.50-£14.50Tues: 1pm and 4pm. Wed: 10am and 1pm.Wednesday 31 JulyPlay in a Day, The Little MermaidPrinces Hall, Aldershot. 10am-4pm. £15Thursday 1 AugustFuneral for a Friend – Welsh hardcore bandWest End Centre, Aldershot. 8pm. £12Friday 2 AugustTech in a Day, theatre technical workshopPrinces Hall, Aldershot. 9.30am-4.30pm. £25Saturday 3 AugustBagshot Concert Band Princes Gardens bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSunday 4 AugustOrgan recital – Johannes Trümpler, Organist.St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough3pm. Free, with retiring collectionCall Sam Parkin on 01252 518564www.cavaille-coll.co.ukSaturday 10 AugustCharles Church Camberley BandPrinces Gardens bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSaturday 17 AugustFarnborough Concert BandPrinces Gardens bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSaturday 24 AugustPolice Unity Band. Princes Gardensbandstand. 12 noon-2pm. FreeSaturday 31 AugustFarnborough Concert Band of the RoyalBritish Legion. Princes Gardens bandstand12 noon-2pm. FreeSaturday 7 SeptemberGo Green in RushmoorAldershot town centre, 10.30am. Free

www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Young thespians and aspiringbackstage crew will have greatfun at three workshops atAldershot’s Princes Hall Theatrethis summer.On July 30 there will be a craft

workshop for four to seven-year-olds, and the next day there’s aPlay in a Day session for seven to11-year-olds, where they willstage The Little Mermaid for theirfamilies after just a few hours’rehearsal. Both cost £15.On August 2 there will be a

Tech in a Day workshop for 12 to16-year-olds, where they canlearn about lighting and sound,costing £25.The workshops are held every

half a term and are always verypopular, so book quickly on 01252329155, at www.princeshall.comor at the theatre.

Popular workshops return

There’s plenty to keep the kidsbusy this summer with manyfree or low-cost activities onoffer in Aldershot andFarnborough. Swimming, cycling, tennis,

basketball, street games andfootball are among some of thesporting activities available andthere’s also Rushmoor’s parks,games areas and skate parks toget outdoors. As well as sportsclubs, there are full-dayplayschemes at WavellCommunity Campus andConnaught Leisure Centre, plusarts and craft sessions, dramaworkshops, fun days – andmuch more happening all

through thesummerholidays.For details

of more freeyouthactivities text07841 340442for aprogramme orlike ‘Summer inda Boro’ on Facebook. Alternatively, you can go to

www.rushmoor.gov.uk/summeractivities, call us on 01252398766 for a free brochure, orpick one up at RushmoorBorough Council offices,leisure facilities and libraries.

Fun for free for kids

Magic moments – enjoy a family dayout at the Aldershot Lido

News in brief

14 News www.rushmoor.gov.uk

Service personnel canbag a bargain and get upto 25 per cent off atcertain shops in Aldershotfrom June 29 until July 6.We have worked with

retailers to offer specialdiscounts as part ofArmed Forces Day andshops will display postersto show they are part of

the scheme. People willneed to show theirmilitary identification totake advantage.There will be a flag-

raising ceremony inPrinces Gardens onMonday 24 June at10.30am to honour themen and women whomake up Aldershot’s

military community,including serving troops,service families, cadetsand veterans. There willalso be a specialbandstand concert.

Discount shopping deals for service personnel

All-weatherpitches are aboost for clubsTwo new artificial 3Gfootball and rugbypitches are being built inRushmoor, and you cannow book up to play onthem.The floodlit pitches – a

full youth-size pitch atConnaught School inAldershot and a full adult-size pitch atFarnborough’s SamuelCody Specialist SportsCollege – are set to givethe borough’s 262 teamsa great space to train andplay on from September.Rates range from £25-

£34 an hour for trainingand £66 a match on theadult pitch.To book, or to find outmore, contact Connaughton 01252 344438 orconnaughtleisurecentre@rushmoor.gov.uk, orSamuel Cody on 01252401080 orIrene.james@samuelcody.hants.sch.co.uk

Families can marchup for an army ofattractions at thissummer’s AldershotMilitary Festival, fromJuly 1-6.The free festival, which

is following on from thehugely popular ArmyShow, is offering sixdays of fun for all thefamily and somefascinating insights intomilitary life past andpresent at a new sitebetween Queen’s Avenueand the Garrison SportsCentre in Princes Avenue.A film festival will be

held at Cineworld,Westgate, with a host ofmilitary-themed moviesshown Monday to Friday.On Monday and Friday

there will be a tour ofAldershot MilitaryCemetery, and a localhistory talk at lunchtimewill be given at the PrinceConsort’s Library each day,Monday to Friday.An art compeition

featuring entries from localschool children will be ondisplay at the Princes Hallon Wednesday. The themeis the army in Aldershot.There will be history

walks on Wednesday, achoir concert headlined bythe Aldershot MilitaryWives Choir and three

Aldershot school choirs atSt Andrew’s Church onThursday, a concert at thePrinces Gardensbandstand on Friday and aboot camp for militarychildren.The event will culminate

in a family day onSaturday, featuring all thepopular attractions of theformer Army Show, suchas military vehicles, afunfair, stands from all theservices and food outlets.A rugby sevens

tournament will also beheld, and there will be

displays by the the RLCSilver Stars parachutedisplay team and theSealed Knott Society. TheGrenadier Guards will beputting on two displays.In addition to all that, 17

different army sports willbe demonstrated atvarious venues. The publicwill be able to have a goas well as watching theArmy Sports Board demos.

Blue Badgeholders can stillpark for free Do you receiveattendance allowance?If you do, you can still

park for free at our carparks.We are making sure

everyone who reallyneeds free parking stillgets it, and if Blue Badgeholders bring theirbadges and their letterfrom the Department forWork and Pensionsshowing evidence of theirattendance allowanceinto our offices, we’llissue them with a permit.Contact customerservices on 01252 398399or emailcustomerservices@rushmoor.gov.uk

‘Ten-shun! Army Show nowa week-long family festival

Contact usFor more details visitwww.armyshow.co.uk

Contact usGo to www.rushmoor.gov.uk/armedforcesday

Family festival: theweek-long eventwill end with afamily day featuringdisplays, militaryvehicles and ‘have-a-go’ sports