Welcome


This website has been created for the residents of Abbotts Barton and surrounding areas so that you can keep up to-date with what's going on.

Apart from news you can find information about events, campaigns, and how to contact councillors.

Abbotts Barton Community Group is a community association which serves the people of Abbotts Barton and aims to act as a community anchor organisation. The main areas of work for the Group are:
  • ☐ To enable residents to find out how we can make where we live even better and do something about it.
  • ☐ To run events and activities for the benefit of inhabitants of Abbotts Barton.
  • ☐ To strengthen community participation.

Big Lunch 2014
We always welcome people to join us, it's easy and free and there is no obligation to do anything! Please see our Membership page for more info!

If you should be interested in helping out at events, as a street champion, or as a Councillor's Surgery visitor, please don't hesitate to get in touch! Also let us know if you have some ideas for events or skills that could be useful (e.g. face painting at the picnics)! Read more about how you can help on our Get Involved page!

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Thursday 7 November 2013

News roundup

For most people it was back to school this week, with Halloween, bonfires and fireworks all done now! I hope you all got out of it safe and sound!

Thank you to all the kind people in Abbotts Barton who opened their doors to the Trick-and-Treaters last week, our little gang had a great time! And I think I managed to scare some little ones with my big nose as well! :)
We also really appreciated all of those superbly carved pumpkins: I think we (as in little grim reaper and mother witch) have to do better next year, ours looked like beginners' versions next to the pieces of art we saw around the neighbourhood! Some people also prepared very special Halloween treats, see what our own 'Eats Amazing' had on offer.

 

According to Hampshire Chronicle there were about 19,000 people at the annual Winchester Bonfire/Fireworks. What I'd like to know is whether they got more or less money for charity now that they have used tickets. It seemed like there was a little less crazy parking going on this year in Abbotts Barton. What's your impression?

There are updates to the Abbotts Walk car break-in post from Monday:
  • The sheet music has been found, albeit without the bag. 
  • On the bad side, there were more news about break-ins in the area: the police posted a letter to residents in the Francis Garden area which mentioned a 'theft of car', however we are not quite sure whether this really means that a car was stolen or simply something was taken from a car (in which case it should have been 'off' I believe). Also I've been told that something has been taken from a van at Austen Close but the van might have been open, so that one was really an opportunity theft. 
Please keep your eyes open, lock your car (also on your drive!), and in case you spot something suspicious call the police on 101.

Council activities


Today: Is there anybody who would like to join us on our monthly Councillor's Surgery visit?

On Wednesday evening there was a Cabinet meeting and the agenda didn't include any obvious items referring to Abbotts Barton and the Leisure Centre controversy. However, late yesterday there was a tweet from Save The Rec:
Now I am all curious what was going on, hopefully we can find out at the Councillor's Surgery tonight.

Dates have been announced for the Riverpark Leisure Centre exhibition, it "will run from 1pm on Monday 18 November to Monday 2 December at two venues: the River Park Leisure Centre at North Walls and Guildhall Winchester in the city centre. [...] For those unable to attend the exhibition, all the information and the chance to respond will also be available on-line via the City Council’s website from 18 November."

The two-week exhibition on proposed 20mph for Winchester is now open! Information can be found "at four venues – the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall, the BID offices in Parchment Street, the Winchester Discovery Centre and the Brooks Shopping Centre (ground floor) – from Monday 4 November to Friday 15 November."

It is National Adoption Week (4-10 Nov) - HCC are looking for adoptive parents from all walks of life: County Council asks 'Could you adopt a child?'

Community


Winchester Nightshelter tweeted: "The first truly cold weather arrived. We'd be grateful for any spare blankets or sleeping bags as we frequently give these out at night."

Environment


WinACC have published a summary of the responses to the Winchester Community Strategy survey. While a high percentage of those who filled out the survey have supported climate change being a priority, it is shocking that only 204 people actually responded to the survey! Winchester City Council's summary of responses can be found here.

Greenpeace UK had this article running: "Fracking bosses: "It’s like pushing sh**e uphill. Why anti-fracking campaigners should take heart"

Things to do


Today: Fancy a visit to the Winchester Science Centre (Intech Science Centre and Planetarium) without children? Here's your chance! But I also recommend a visit with children, the exhibits have been renewed, things have been arranged differently and almost everything seems to be working!

If you like to be out in the woods, this new Woodland Trust website might be for you: VisitWoods.org.uk

The Winchester Christmas Lights Switch on runs from 3pm-7pm on Thursday 14 November and will be held on The Broadway, next to the Guildhall.

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