Despite a second-half resurgence from the Rams the Crows showed their experience to see the game out on home soil. A packed crowd watched the hosts impose themselves early on, piling on pressure without creating a clear-cut chance. In the opening 15 minutes a couple of shots flashed wide of Rams keeper Ellis Grant’s goal. The home side took a deserved lead after 18 minutes through a well-taken goal by Harry Forster. Steve Smith delivered a sumptuous ball into the area, and Forster had time to control the pinpoint cross and finish past Grant. The second half brought a change in style from the Rams. Brandon Miller replaced Dan Wood as the Rams deployed a more attacking set-up, and the shift in focus brought a shift in momentum as the visitors got on top. The second period became ill-tempered, and Rams captain Liam Kimber was sent to the sin bin after 55 minutes for dissent as frustration seeped in. The visitors’ best chance of the evening came after 65 minutes. Jack Lee flicked on a header which was clawed away by Crowborough keeper Charles Holmwood and the rebound fell to Callum Kimber, whose shot under pressure went wide. The hosts doubled their lead in the 75th minute. Grant made a good low save but the rebound fell to Marcus Goldsmith, who did well to finish first time into the roof of the net. Kieran Alcock then became the second Petersfield player to be sent to the sin bin. Bob Tudway and Harrison Hide came on for the Rams and provided attacking intent, combining well to force a goal-saving tackle from the hosts before Tudway placed his shot wide. Comments Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 Roadworks haven’t been the only obstacle to free flowing traffic in Petersfield town centre recently as two huge potholes off Dragon Street have been interestingly filled. Sizeable potholes on St Peter’s Road and The Avenue have been filled with cones ahead of long-awaited repairs. Town councillor, John Lees, recently described the latter pothole as “big enough to fit a dog in”. “I was very surprised when I drove down The Avenue to find a cone sitting in the pothole in the middle of the road,” said Steve Dewey to Petersfield Town Council on Thursday (May 1). County councillor, Russell Oppenheimer, claimed the move means it’s likely that Hampshire Highways have the work “in their system” and repairs are scheduled. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Further Links A councillor has accused contractors of being irresponsible after guerrilla litter pickers left an “embarrassing pile” of discarded road signs and highway apparatus under a bridge in Petersfield. Nine A-frames and five road signs were among the items removed from the verges and undergrowth around the A3 Winchester Road roundabout on April 26. The clean-up followed an earlier litter pick which saw volunteers fill more than dozen bags with rubbish – namely fast food packaging – from the slip roads. Members of the group – identified as the Rubbish Singers during last week’s Petersfield Town Council meeting – did the work independently during a quieter period to minimise safety risks. And they certainly made their feelings felt loud and clear, with Hampshire County Council quickly removing the large pile of signs left under the dual carriageway bridge. The pile was called “embarrassing” by town and district councillor Jamie Matthews when he highlighted the work of the mystery pickers to HCC’s Russell Oppenheimer. “There is dialogue going on with East Hampshire District Council, which is the leading authority, and they’re aware this has been happening,” said Cllr Matthews on Thursday (May 1), during the Rose Room meeting. “They can’t sanction (the volunteer litter picking) but it’s a group of individuals that have taken it on themselves and are aware of the risks. “They’re trying to minimise the risk by picking at quieter times, but the net result is we now have nice clear slip roads and hopefully that is going to be picked up on.” Cllr JC Crissey revealed the cleaners were the “Rubbish Singers” while Cllr Oppenheimer admitted the results were embarrassing for the authorities, before turning his ire to contractors. He spoke in passing about HCC plans to introduce a ‘lane rental’ disruption charge to reduce the length of roadworks on the county’s busiest roads. The plan aims to incentivise utility companies or agencies not to prolong work by charging them a daily fee. Cllr Oppenheimer said: “It’s a really big bugbear of mine and I’m really grateful for Andrew Bulmer and the Rubbish Singers for what they’ve done and I’m glad the pile was got rid of quickly. “It’s very embarrassing and it’s mostly utility companies who employ contractors who are just irresponsible,” he added in referring to discarded road signs. “It’s littering, really and we are now cracking down. When we have our new road lane rental scheme it will mean more fines for contractors who act in this way.” One of the pickers, Glenn McLernon, also recently got in touch with the Post to highlight the fact that motorists aren’t the only culprits when it comes to littering. While fast food packaging was prevalent among the litter, the detritus also included a barrier and two large bollards along with the aforementioned signs and A-frames. He wrote: “There were also eight sandbags, one estate agents sign and four bags of slip road litter. “Most of these items had been there for many months, if not years. It’s fly-tipping in anyone’s language.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Further Links Petersfield Rugby Club’s first team secured their highest-ever finish this season with a fifth-placed finish in Regional Two South Central. Field had been promoted to Level Six and the Regional Two South Central League for the 2024-25 season, which is the highest level of league rugby the club have ever reached. Their opponents in the league were several teams who topped their own county leagues, along with teams who had already experienced playing in regional leagues. Petersfield’s ambitions were to end the season close to the top of the table and realistically in the top half. The senior coaching team of director of rugby Matt McLean and player-coach Liam Perkins, both of whom joined the club for the previous season, had played much of their senior rugby in the National Leagues – most recently for Worthing Raiders. McLean and Perkins were ably supported by long-serving club coach Andy Patience and assisted by Jason Ford. The senior squad included many players who had come through the ranks at Penns Place, together with new recruits joining from other local clubs or moving into the area. With the second team promoted by two leagues to Hampshire Two, the club’s plan was to train as a large squad from which selection would be made for both teams. McLean adopted the policy of also including colts in training to encourage their development and future transition to the senior teams. The season started with a home game against new opponents North Dorset RFC from Gillingham and a bonus-point win followed by a narrow defeat at home by experienced Level Six team Tottonians. Petersfield then won away at Chichester and at home to Wimborne, before a tricky run saw Field win only one of their next seven matches. Thirty-seven senior players were selected for the first team squad by December, including three colts, as Field won four and lost seven of their first 11 league games. In the second half of the season a further nine players were selected for first-team honours, including three colts. Results swung in Petersfield’s favour with seven wins and four losses as Field finished the season with a final total of 64 league points. Having slipped to seventh in the league at Christmas, Petersfield finished the campaign in fifth place with 11 wins and 11 losses. Prop Dan Sargent scored 20 tries this season, while fly-half Nick Blumlein took his personal points total for the club past 1,500 points. Sargent and Blumlein both recorded 20 appearances for the club’s first team, while Karter Whittock played 19 games, Joe Knowles made 18 appearances, Jack Janaway and Perkins both played 17 games and Oli Hunt and Franco Tomic both made 16 appearances. Tomic was also selected for the Croatian national team and was capped four times in their international campaign in the Rugby Europe Trophy. Petersfield will host their 29th annual pub sevens tournament at Penns Place on Sunday, May 4, where rugby sevens squads represent their chosen pub sponsor in a knockout competition. Many of Petersfield’s senior players will be included in the squads. This year will see upwards of 24 teams taking part in this all-day festival of the short form of the game. There is then a period of recuperation until pre-season training starts at the end of June. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Petersfield doesn’t really have a skyline, but it lost one of its most prominent features 14 months ago when a 33-metre chimney was brought down to earth. The edifice at Whitman Laboratories which towered over the landmark and nearby A3 was brought down in sections with manufacturing not being affected at the Bedford Road site. Yet the chimney and its parent Estee Lauder factory – which has been one of the town’s biggest employers for the last five decades – might not have existed in its current form, or at all, if a local watchdog had its way. Arthur Gill, chairman of the Petersfield Society, told guests at the group’s annual general meeting in 1985 that the building would “do little for unemployment figures”. But he went even further with the group’s criticism, calling the decision to build the factory on the edge of Petersfield “one of the biggest errors in county planning history”. He said: “I think the members (of the planning committee) that had been in favour are also beginning to feel the factory is rather bigger than they thought. “This building is a large warehouse, with automated handling, and it will do little for unemployment figures.” Nearly half a century on, the constant shuffle of employee minibuses up and down the A3 suggests Mr Gill was incorrect in his assumption. But the group did have some minor success in their bid to “preserve the character of Petersfield and the surrounding countryside”. They succeeded in persuading Hampshire County Council not to erect illuminated bollards while some of the greenery around the entrance can be partly attributed to their input. Mr Gill added: “We were anxious to reduce the urbanisation of this area and have recently approved the tree planting scheme to replace those felled during the road widening.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A top ten list of parking ticket hotspots in East Hampshire has been revealed – with roads in Petersfield taking up six of the places. Hampshire County Council has confirmed their civil enforcement officers handed out 8,408 parking tickets around East Hampshire during the 2024/25 financial year. That roughly equates to 23 tickets a day, with the vast majority being issued in Petersfield and Alton. Town centre streets in Petersfield take up places two to six in the top ten list, with Lavant Street and The Square coming second and third, respectively. St Peter’s Road, High Street and Swan Street take up places four to six, while Charles Street is number eight. Two villages also feature in the top ten with Headley Road and Redhill Road in Grayshott and Rowlands Castle coming in seven and tenth, respectively, with Market Street in Alton sandwiched in-between. And taking the top spot? That was High Street in Alton although HCC haven’t revealed the exact number of PCNs issued to motorists on the featured roads. “Regarding visits by civil enforcement officers, we do not have specific figures for individual towns or villages,” said a spokesperson. Responsibility for on-street parking enforcement changed hands from East Hampshire District Council to HCC in April 2023. The former still oversees enforcement in EHDC-run car parks like central car park in Petersfield and Ladyplace in Alton. The Post & Herald also asked for figures for Liss as parish councillors continue to have gripes about ongoing illegal parking around the village centre and Hill Brow Road. Councillor Andy Smith has urged more people to report parking infringements on the HCC website as the more received, the more likely wardens will visit. Motorists frequently park in the disabled bay outside Tesco Express and on the double yellow lines on The Whistle Stop corner. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us The Giant Indoor Easter Charity Market returns to Petersfield this Easter weekend. It will take place at Festival Hall on Saturday, April 19, from 9.30am to 3pm, raising money for Portsmouth Hospitals cancer fund. Other local charities taking part will be The Rosemary Foundation, Petersfield Musical Festival and Petersfield Lions. Including the knitters who are creating the giant poppy display at St Peters Church for later in the year and will be promoting their work. Jeremy and Martin Holmes who organise the charity markets have invited mayor Lesley Farrow and the town crier Faye Thompson to open this year’s market as it will also be their 60th event. More than 50 stalls will be set up in the main hall and Rose Room with plenty of Easter gifts, collectables, greetings cards, original art, books, crafts and jewellery. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. A raffle for the hospital cancer fund is to be held in the foyer. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Shoppers are getting two stores for the price of one as the doors to Old Labels Vintage and Vinyl Revival spun open on Saturday, April 26. The venture is a family affair as Andy Sworn oversees the vinyl side of the shop while his daughter, Ellie, is the material girl with a passion for vintage clothing. The latter also gets a helping hand from her partner, Jack Bourton, while Andy’s wife, Tanya, is also involved in the independent shop. Andy and Ellie have been trading vinyl and vintage clothes, respectively, for a while but they saw an opportunity when the unit became available at the beginning of the year. Andy said: “We saw this shop was up for rent and my daughter and I loved the look and feel of it. “My daughter said ‘this would be perfect’ as we both sell online but have talked for a while about opening a shop. “It all came together in four months and the landlord really liked the idea. I’m a strong believer that if things come together then it’s meant to be and I felt that happen.” Andy and Ellie believe their shop will be the perfect fit for Petersfield as it’s got a “great vintage vibe” while feedback was very encouraging on the opening day. Ellie said: “A lot of people have come in saying this is really going to boost the town and we’ve really been blown over by the feedback we’ve had.” Shoppers will find vintage menswear and womenswear from the 1930s to early 2000s and vinyl, CDs and cassettes at the shop, look for Old Labels Vintage or Vinyl Revival on Facebook for more. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Petersfield will mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day next month - to remember Victory Day in Europe. The Town Council is inviting the community to commemorate the occasion with a service on Thursday, May 8 at The Square. A Town Council spokesperson said: “We will honour the courage and sacrifice of those who lived through the war, and reflect on the peace and freedoms we enjoy today. It is a chance to connect with neighbours, celebrate our history, and pay tribute to the sacrifice of past generations.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us An environmentalist is feeling stumped and upset after a handful of mature trees in Petersfield town centre were quietly felled. The axe recently fell on two specimens in Central Car Park along with a further pair along the Criddle stream and a multi-stem sycamore off Hylton Road. Melanie Oxley has accused East Hampshire District Council of carrying out the work without giving notice to civic bodies and asked if the felling took place at night because of a lack of witnesses. She said: “It’s almost as if the work was carried out clandestinely. “I believe we should, where at all possible, save every tree from destruction unless there is a pressing need to remove it on safety grounds.” An arboricultural officer confirmed the felled pair at Central Car Park are on council-owned land but could not verify the location or ownership of the others mentioned. He said the two trees, which did not have a preservation order, posed “a considerable risk” to car park users as they showed signs of distress and were heavily dead wooded. They were brought down “in a controlled and managed way” without complaints from the public during a quieter period on February 16 and not overnight as suggested. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A community Swimathon is being held at Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool during May to raise money for the charity-run pool which has been a feature of the town centre for more than 60 years does not receive subsidies and is reliant upon ticket sales and fundraising to pay for its continued development The pool reopened for the 2025 season two weeks ago and the water temperature is already up to 26 degrees making it a safe and inviting place for swimmers of all ages to enjoy a dip To celebrate the return of the heated swimming season swimmers are invited to sign up for the Swimathon and commit to raising money for the pool whenever they swim there during May chair of the trustees who oversee the running of the pool said: “A few years back we invested in renovating the pool the deck and the changing rooms and we’ve had some fantastic feedback from our swimmers since then “But we have ambitious plans for other areas on the site which will help us support more local people to access the health benefits of outdoor swimming all year round a group of friends or even a team from work please do spread the word and help us raise some money for future development of the pool swimmers pick their own distance and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a certificate of thanks “The money raised during the Swimathon will go directly towards supporting our community pool helping to ensure it remains a vital resource for everyone in Petersfield and the surrounding area.” For more details of the Swimathon, including how to sign up and set up a fundraising page, visit www.petersfieldpool.org Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Petersfield has outshone Farnham this year, with the Sunday Times ranking the East Hampshire town as the best place to live in the South East Petersfield takes the top spot from Folkestone in Kent The overall UK winner for 2025 was Saffron Walden in Essex and Thame to claim the title for the South East—despite not making the top 10 in 2024 Judges were particularly impressed by Petersfield’s family-friendly credentials They said: “It offers excellent schools – several of which are working together to support the Smartphone Free Childhood movement – plenty of sporty and artistic pursuits and a caring community that looks out for all ages “From am-dram to events at the excellent museum and art gallery and the busy weekly markets there’s always something happening in Petersfield’s historic streets set against the backdrop of the glorious South Downs countryside.” Farnham was also in the top 10 places to live in the region it has excellent schools and it’s just an hour from London by train” thriving feel of a town but the community of a village,” the judges added editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor explained the selection process: “The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport broadband speeds and mobile signal to culture as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street “It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world but there really is so much to celebrate as we look much closer to home From small gestures that lift the everyday - like verges blooming with daffodils to volunteer-run dementia cafés to larger initiatives from repair cafés to new railway stations.” The chosen locations come in all shapes and sizes from the Scottish island of Tiree and the remote Welsh village of Maenclochog to vibrant market towns There are more new entries than ever before in this year’s guide and no place for many previous winners including Winchester the judges looked for thriving locations with a strong sense of community rather than famous names with high house prices “What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there,” Ms Davies said “That means we can see what people really love about the places they live That could be anything from exceptional schools and fast trains to beautiful houses and countryside The health of the high street is important villages and cities with strong communities who work hard to make the best of where they live High house prices are no barrier to inclusion - as long as they provide value for money Different people will be looking for different qualities when they are choosing a place to live One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.” The annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, featuring 72 locations across the UK, is released online today (Friday, March 21) and will be featured in the newspaper on Sunday. The guide is sponsored by the mortgage lender Halifax, which has provided an average house price for each location. The top 10 in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide for the South East are: Note: apart from the winner, the towns are not ranked but published in alphabetical order. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A 1950s toilet block in Petersfield will undergo refurbishment work this spring after receiving a funding boost in January. The Heath Toilets have been due for refurbishment for some time, with the last work done in the 1980s. Thanks to a combination of £75,000 of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) from the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) and 106 funding, work can begin. Petersfield Town Council approved the contractors Impact Construction last month to carry out the works and the work is expected to start in mid to late March. Alternative arrangements will be provided by the council while the work is carried out, and it is hoped the work will be completed by mid to late August. Steve Field, projects and office manager at the town council, said: “The refurbishment will include ‘grey water storage’ for flushing, sensor taps, LED lighting and hygienic wipe down surfaces. “The new facilities will include ladies and unisex cubicles, gentlemen’s urinals, as well as a baby and adult changing facility. The toilet building will keep its existing character with some added features to make the building more in keeping with the general surroundings. “Solar panels are also being considered as an addition to these works, and this will depend on whether this is considered to be economically viable.” An SDNPA spokesperson said the facilities are past their 'sell by date' and do not cater for the wide range of visitors to the Heath. They added: “The project was successful for CIL money as it supports the SDNPA’s priority of ‘National Park for All’, which in turn supports our Purposes. Petersfield is a key town within the National Park, improving these facilities will support the area.” According town council data, the site attracts between 350,000 to 400,000 visitors a year. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Rams Walk in Petersfield will be fully occupied this Christmas with a pop-up shop taking the parade’s only vacant unit.  Ladieswear retailer Peony opened its doors to customers on Wednesday 23 October and will continue to trade into the New Year It means that the Rams Walk parade will have full occupancy and it signals the start of an active time as the Christmas shopping period begins to ramp up.  “We are delighted that this high-end brand has chosen Petersfield as its latest location and I am sure it will be a popular addition to an already vibrant town centre."  Rams Walk is owned by East Hampshire District Council and is a key driver in the town’s thriving economy.  said: “We are delighted to open a new store in Rams Walk.  “Petersfield is the perfect place for our elegant and individual range of ladieswear and I am confident our customers will appreciate the quality and style of our collection.” Car boot sales are returning to Petersfield from spring taking place on the fourth Sunday of the month to August The initiative has played a key role in helping local residents repurpose unwanted items keeping them out of landfills and into the hands of new owners these sales have not only reduced waste but have also nurtured a thriving culture of sustainability and second-hand shopping in Petersfield A Petersfield Town Council spokesperson said: “This year The Avenue Pavilion will once again be transformed into a bustling marketplace with sellers eager to declutter their homes and buyers searching for unique finds at affordable prices “Whether you’re looking to sell pre-loved belongings The Council is offering designated ‘Upcycle Pitches’ free of charge allowing individuals to give away items for free fostering a culture of generosity while ensuring that reusable goods don’t go to waste table pitches are available for those without a car making the event more accessible to the community Petersfield’s car boot sales offer an enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to spend a Sunday morning Sellers are encouraged to book their spots in advance to secure a pitch To reserve your space, visit the Petersfield Town Council website. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Petersfield Post Office will be temporarily closed for a few days to allow some renovations of the premises at The Square. It will be closed from Tuesday, February 18 at 5.30pm and will re-open on Monday, February 24 at 9am. New Postmaster, Kalyan Kumar, known as Kumar by customers, is undertaking a refurbishment of part of the shop, which he took over in October. An unused financial services office is being removed to create additional retail space for stationery, cards and gifts, making better use of the space alongside the Post Office. Graham Brander, Post Office area change manager, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during the work. The safety of our customers is of paramount, therefore, to allow for the building work to take place, it is necessary for the service to close temporarily.” During the interim alternative branches include: Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us The Petersfield Women’s Institute (WI) is welcoming new members and hosting an open event next month in the exhibition room at Petersfield Community Centre and it’s free Attendees will be able to learn about the WI take part in a raffle and listen to an ‘Inspiring women of Petersfield’ talk All are welcome and the group encourages everyone to bring a friend The WI says the benefits of joining the group include friendship the group meets on the second Wednesday afternoon of the month at the same location as the event For more information, contact [email protected]. In a special moment of Naval history coming full circle, a Naval Captain, who lives near Petersfield, has now officially "passed out" of Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth . Captain Malcolm Farrow OBE RN (Ret’d) stood proudly alongside Midshipman Charles Murphy, the grandson of his best friend for the event. Farrow, who originally joined BRNC in September 1962, followed a unique career path which meant he never formally passed out of the college. Initially training as an engineer, he transferred to the seaman branch after a year at RNEC Manadon, going on to serve 39 years in uniform, reaching the rank of Captain without ever returning to march on the parade ground. This chapter has now been completed in lovely way as he shared the moment with Charles Murphy, who passed out as a Midshipman, Captain Farrow served closely with Commander Charles Roe, Charles' grandfather, who died suddenly more than 30 years ago. Murphy and Farrow stood together at the passing-out parade, representing three generations of naval service and enduring friendship. Captain Farrow said: "To be invited back to the parade ground at BRNC after 63 years is a huge honour and privilege - and a lot of fun. Joining in 1962 and leaving in 1996, I was a 1* Civil Servant in the Cabinet Office for a short while before being promoted in retirement and re-joined the Navy in 1999, leaving again in 2001, but re-joined once more in 2003 to leave finally in 2005, so I guess it is about time I passed out or I may have to join up for a fourth time.” Farrow’s daughter Alice, Charles’s godmother, has carried on the Naval tradition, working for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, which supports BRNC Dartmouth in many different ways. It is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. Supporting the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families, past, present and future. Midshipman Murphy commented: “The highlight of training was finding out our whole division had passed their final maritime exercise; it was a huge milestone.” Midshipman Murphy, passing out as an Air Engineering Officer will continue his training in Portsmouth, where he will board a P2000, an Archer-class patrol vessel, accompanying the ship on Baltic operations. Farrow’s journey may have been unconventional, but his dedication and legacy are undeniable. The passing-out parade marks not just an official moment for Midshipman Murphy, but a symbolic completion of Farrow’s naval journey—proof that some traditions, no matter how long delayed, always find a way to be fulfilled. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Bird lovers will come together in Petersfield to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day The dawn chorus is the symphony of song performed by birds looking for love Join Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) in the Sussex Road car park at Petersfield Heath at 4.30am on Sunday, May 4, and then walk together to Music Hill: w3w.co/rags.cluttered.diet. If you miss the group, take the footpath from the car park to the north, around the pond, take the first footpath to the right and you should find the group towards your right. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes are a must, you can bring a hot drink (and breakfast if you wish), a torch, and something to sit or lie down on. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us the final steam train was signalled through the railway by three signal boxes between Farncombe and Petersfield Network Rail revealed that the Merchant Navy Class Clan Line No 35028 was the final steam train to be sent through by the retiring signal boxes It was hauling the first leg of the Great Britain XVII The train departed London Victoria in the morning and finished its first day in Bristol Network Rail added that the three existing signal boxes had been in service for nearly 50 years but were becoming less reliable and increasingly difficult to maintain a long-term programme of work to upgrade the signalling systems – the railway’s traffic lights – between Farncombe and Petersfield will be completed with control of signalling being transferred from these three signal boxes to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre (ROC) This new digital signalling technology is part of wider upgrades to the railway between London and Portsmouth and will make the railway more reliable and increase the future potential capacity of the line for more and faster train services Once control of the signalling has been moved to the ROC Petersfield and Haslemere signal boxes will be decommissioned which will be run by the Haslemere Community Station and Signal Box Trust signalled the final steam train through Haslemere It really is an honour to be part of this fantastic piece of history and to get to take part and to cherish that in your memories going forward as I take that into my career Network Rail’s Wessex route infrastructure director said: “We have been working for many years to modernise the signalling on the Portsmouth Direct Line and the Farncombe to Petersfield scheme is just one of the areas we have been improving “Once this vital work has been completed we hope to have increased capacity to run more services connecting Hampshire Surrey and London with reduced journey times We know that signal boxes across the route are part of the romance of the railway and we are delighted that Haslemere’s signal box will be preserved for years to come.” Chairman of the Haslemere Community Station and Signal Box Trust added: “We are determined to preserve the Haslemere Signal Box as an educational facility for future generations to enjoy and celebrate the railway’s heritage in this year of Railway 200 We would like to thank NR for their constructive support in our endeavour and look forward to being able to open the signal box up to the public in the very near future.” A Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society spokesperson said: “To see Clan Line haul the final steam-hauled charter service to be signalled by Farncombe and Petersfield signal boxes is a poignant and historic moment These boxes have been an essential part of railway operations on the Portsmouth Direct line for generations and their closure marks the end of a remarkable era With Clan Line’s strong links to the South Western division of the Southern Region during its operational life under British Railways and under MNLPS ownership it is the ideal locomotive to mark this milestone “The MNLPS is especially delighted that Haslemere signal box will be preserved through the efforts of The Haslemere Community Station and Signal Box Trust This ensures the history of the route and its signalling legacy will continue to inspire and educate future generations We’re proud and honoured to contribute to this moment in railway history.” 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 nationwide celebrations are planned throughout the year showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow Railway 200 encourages everyone to join in this once-in-a-generation opportunity whether that’s by displaying the Railway 200 logo Rail Business Daily’s market leading news and profile enhancement services enable your business to tell your story to the wider rail community Engage with thousands of readers via our rail news platforms including the hugely popular 7am newsletter rail news website and Rail Director magazine you agree to us sending you emails on behalf of railbusinessdaily.com Councillors are keen to swing into action after boosting plans for a new play area in Petersfield. These are exciting times for children in east Petersfield as plans for a new play area at Penns Field will soon be shown to the public. The site next to the Taro Centre is waiting for a revamp as the previous facility was removed for health and safety reasons last summer. But a tendering process has been completed and town councillors selected a winner last Thursday after the applicants were whittled down by a panel. Councillors Jamie Matthews, Phil Shaw and Lesley Farrow met with the PTC climate officer and deputy grounds manager on February 26 for point-scoring review. The winning contractor impressed councillors with an initial design that offers five main zones of equipment and plenty of play options for children aged 4 to 12. Their £140,000 proposals, which will be funded by Earmarked Reserves, offer climbing, balance, exploring and strengthening exercises, along with swings, picnic areas, benches and landscaping. A digital public consultation will take place shortly to allow residents to have their say with excitement growing. “Several of my residents are very keen to get this installed and put in place,” said councillor Steve Dewey. “I would definitely recommend contractor C and would like councillors to approve it and move it along,” he added, with colleagues backing his recommendation. Steve Field, PTC projects manager, suggested that the digital consultation would be launched “very quickly”. He said: “We will be doing something through Facebook and will put a little bit more detail into that. “We will want to do that very quickly so all of your residents can be out of their misery,” he joked. “We already have some very good designs of what the play area could look like.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Petersfield Town Council’s sports, recreation & environment committee will consider a proposal for a memorial bench at The Heath at a meeting this Thursday (March 13). Petersfield Cricket Club would like to install a memorial bench in memory of Mark Vincent, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. He was 41-years-old. Mark was a volunteer lead coach for the club’s boys U11 side and played for the 3rd XI league and Sunday friendly sides with his two sons aged 13 and 11, who both play for the club, Mark coached his youngest son’s team. In his letter to the committee, club chairman Chris Russell, said: “In conjunction with the family we established a just giving page and as part of this the family would like to install a memorial bench in Mark’s honour by the cricket pitch at the Heath. “It was felt that this would be a fitting reminder of Mark, his contribution to the club and a place for his boys to sit should they want to feel a connection to Mark.” The letter also states there are only three benches on the outskirts of the cricket pitch which are frequently used by spectators and other visitors to The Heath. It is the recommendation of council officers to approve providing permission. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us There is only one week left for the public to have their say on a proposal to build new homes in Petersfield A planning application to build 85 new homes on land north of Buckmore Farm is currently open for consultation there would also be a green space and associated infrastructure including internal movement routes and sustainable urban drainage features Developer Dandara Southern Ltd says the development would provide: A recent objection read: “There is only a single access road and there is insufficient infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to access the railway station and town centre “We remain concerned that the increase in traffic and the existing dangers to pedestrians and cyclists on Winchester Road have not been mitigated.” Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) objected to the application the Council is concerned with the lack of compliance with the PNDP and 2020 planning permission’s housing mix and with the lack of self/custom-build dwellings in the mix whilst we are generally supportive of the broad design principles of the scheme we have highlighted fundamental deficiencies in the layout and access design and some unjustified departures from the development plan particularly the Design Framework in the PNDP According to a recent comment from an EHDC housing development officer the application now proposes 40 per cent on site affordable housing an increase of 10 per cent from what was previously put forward A tenure split of 50 per cent affordable rent and 50 per cent intermediate housing is proposed Because the development may have a “a significant effect on the purposes for which the South Downs National Park has been designated” The application will be determined by the South Downs National Park Authority and not East Hampshire District Council Application reference is SDNP/24/03588/REM More information at: https://tinyurl.com/Buckmore-Farm-85-homes. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Work is “progressing well” on a 1950s toilet block according to Petersfield Town Council (PTC) Refurbishment work is being done on the Petersfield Heath Toilets with temporary porta-loos provided until completion The block has been due for a makeover for some time the project should be completed no later than the end of August A PTC spokesperson added: “The Heath Toilets are progressing well with the completion of all the internal walls and fixtures being removed and the extended foundations being dug out in preparation for the adult changing room and extended storage room “Additional temporary toilets are being organised for the Easter break We appreciate your patience and understand of this project going ahead and we hope that the new arrangements will be a great improvement on the old toilet block.” The new facilities will include ladies and unisex cubicles as well as a baby and adult changing facility Anyone with concerns should report to the projects manager via [email protected] or call the office on 01730 264182. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us The first phase of work begins this month on the site of a former care home in Petersfield that closed in 2014. Bulmer House off Ramshill will be demolished to make way for a new 56 apartment extra care scheme and day centre with associated landscaping. Since its closure the site has remained unused and attracted little interest from potential developers with applications rejected or falling through. In his February report, Cllr Russell Oppenheimer said: “I feel that the imminent commencement of works is good news for Petersfield. The extra-care apartments will provide much-needed downsizing opportunities for people across the area and the day-care facilities will also be a welcome addition to the town.” The new apartment extra care scheme was a part of Hampshire County Council’s £45m pledge in October 2011 to create the development of schemes for older people over the next 10 years. Extra care housing offers older people affordable housing and a secure place to live in a home of their own. Care and support staff are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet resident’s assessed and emergency care needs. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Businesses in Petersfield’s Bakery Lane will not find out their fate this week regarding a planning application decision The Blacksmith's Daughter and Fez Baazar are under threat from a fourth planning application from their landlord. The application was meant to be determined on Thursday, January 23 but has been postponed due to late representations and will be rescheduled at a later date. If approved by the East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) planning committee, the current buildings housing the businesses will be demolished and replaced with a single story commercial unit. Last year, Blacksmith's Daughter owner Kristina Cousen, said: “I’ve been here for 25 years and it's extremely stressful. If the landlord is successful, then he will be putting two very successful and small independent businesses out of business.” According to official documents, 123 objections have been made against the application. Reasons given include the historic importance of the buildings, the resultant closure of businesses, and the loss of jobs. One objection described the application as a “money-making scheme” and said it shows no “empathy for the people who make a living from them”. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Advice on dealing with waste and keeping your pipes clean Learn how to manage water issues and save water Dealing with and reporting flooding and leaks We provide various building and development services to help you complete your project and get you connected to the network We’re here to help you get your development connected to the public water supply We’re here to help you get your development connected to the public sewer network Here’s what to do when you’re in the early stage of planning water and wastewater solutions When installing new water mains for your development you can go through us or use a self-lay provider (SLP) how they operate and how to make a bulk supply or discharge application Learn more about our connection charging arrangements for when you need to connect premises to the public water supply or a public sewer We provide a range of commercial services across our region You can learn more and enquire about them here we have 31 reception sites that can accept a range of domestic and commercial waste Trade effluent is any liquid waste discharged into our sewers from a business or industrial process on a trade premises When you need a supply of water outside our normal service you can hire a standpipe from Water Services We provide a complete biosolids recycling service for farmers through our contractor ACS Here you can access all the information you need about our retailer commitment We want your experience with us to be simple and straightforward Here you'll be able to find useful information and links for water retailers Trade effluent is any liquid waste (effluent) discharged into our sewers from a business or industrial process Every year the population of the South East grows but the amount of available water remains the same Learn what your business can do to save water Here you can find all relevant documents for wholesale charges and the timetable of settlement dates Here you'll find all the latest information on what's happening in our region including our current Pathfinder projects Here you can view our latest environmental reporting on bathing water quality Here you can view our investment plans for 2020-2025 These will help us to improve and protect our region's water environment Here you can access our latest water level figures from our main sources - groundwater Find out what we're doing to tackle this challenge Here you can learn more about us and our ambitions and the people organisations and policies that underpin our business Here you can view or download both the latest and previous reports on our financial and non-financial performance Here you can find more information and access our latest reports about our environmental performance medium and long-term plans for protecting our environment and ensuring our water supplies With over 2,000 employees delivering essential life services to more than four million customers there is a role for everyone at Southern Water Read more about what we're doing to give back to our communities and customers and how we can help you too Here you can read more about our Board of Directors and their experience Find out what's happening in your area,reported incidents and planned works Liss and Petersfield Wastewater Treatment works have had various works completed that will help protect the environment and allow both sites to treat more wastewater means that the water leaving the site is even cleaner bringing greater benefits to the local ecology All the sites have had new equipment installed which will allow the sites to treat the wastewater to an even higher standard before it’s released to the environment  At Petersfield a £2.7m project means additional storm storage has been installed which has nearly doubled the existing capacity This means more storm water will be stored on site before it is returned to the works for treatment The new tank can hold 50,000 litres – which is equivalent to more than 211,000 cups of tea At Liss the £1.3m scheme has helped increase the amount of flows the site can treat by increasing the size of the pipes The work at both sites is being carried out by contractor GTb who are supporting Southern Water on a number of other key projects to treatment sites across its region, including recently at our Portswood works in Southampton.  Andrew Dredge said: “We’re delighted that these projects are now finished The teams have worked hard to make sure we meet the regulation dates We are now able to fucus our attention on several other sites to ensure we finish them by the end of March we’ll be removing our cabins and making good the areas where we have been working Project Manager for Southern Water Ben Gogan said: “We’re pleased that both of these treatment works have had important work finished before the end of our 2020-2025 spending period (AMP 7) These schemes will mean both sites can treat more wastewater during times of heavy rainfall which helps our work to reduce storm overflows.” BN13 3NX. Copyright © 2024 Southern Water Company number 2366670 - Registered in England and Wales The Butser Neighbourhood Policing Team will be holding a bike marking event towards the end of April It will take place at The Petersfield Mens Shed on Saturday The marking kits police will use are from BikeRegister and consist of two temper-resistant labels which are placed on the frame of the bike The bike will then be registered on the BikeRegister national cycle database using the unique code on the label For information on the details collected and the Privacy Policy for the BikeRegister database please visit, https://www.bikeregister.com/information/privacy-policy. BikeRegister is the national cycle database loved by cyclists and preferred by police. It is used by every police force in the UK to reunite hundreds of owners with their stolen bikes every year. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us The opening of Petersfield’s new police station has been delayed, with its launch being pushed back from May to the summer. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones visited the site this week to mark the halfway point of the transformation of the old Barclays bank building into a state-of-the-art facility. The new station aims to bring increased police visibility and a closer connection between officers and the community. Despite the minor delay in the opening schedule, Ms. Jones said she was “delighted with the progress of the new police station for the people of Petersfield”. “Policing needs to be in the heart of communities directly serving and engaging with members of the public,” she said. “Having a new permanent base in Petersfield town centre will increase police visibility and help build the vital relationship between police and communities that underscores British policing. “I am looking forward to the summer to celebrate its official opening with the community.” The police station is expected to enhance community interactions and improve service delivery. Chief Inspector Alex Charge, district commander for East Hampshire, said the facility would bring ”the local policing team back to the town centre”. “I believe this will have a very positive impact on our ability to engage with the community and provide the best possible service to residents, visitors, and businesses in the area,” he said. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us This year marks the 200th anniversary of modern railway and Petersfield will mark its own significant milestone and Hampshire Community Rail Partnership and partners have announced that planning is underway for celebrations later this year The station first opened on January 1, 1859 and lines used to run to Midhurst until 1955 and one branched into a coal yard. Buildings from that time are still standing and are still used at the station today Cllr Anne Stephenson met representatives from South Western Railway and the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership today (Friday According to RailwayData, Petersfield had 1,118,506 entries and exits, making it the 455th most used, out of 2,581 stations in the UK. Daily average of passengers at the station is estimated to be around 3,860 passengers. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A company based in a village near Petersfield that builds temporary buildings is set for expansion as its new workshop is given approval. Applicant McGregor Polytunnels Pension Scheme submitted a planning application to demolish four industrial units with one large building at its site at Lacey’s Farm, Bramdean, off the Petersfield Road. Winchester City Council planning committee met in mid-April to approve the building after the applicant’s discussions with planning officers on-site saw design changes to the original plans. The new 662.1 square metre building was reduced in height from from 8.9 metres to 6.73 metres overall and a change in materials was agreed from steel composite panelling to natural finish timber as a vertical cladding.  The application came before the committee because of the number of concerns raised during the public consultation. There were six letters of objection and one letter of support.  Concerns raised included the adverse impact of noise at the site, public rights of way and traffic, water and drainage, the impact on the watercourse and the height of the proposed building, said the officer’s report.  A letter supporting said it encouraged the reuse and tidying up of the existing brown field site for light rural industry. McGregor Structures Ltd started in 1980 as a family business working primarily within agriculture and is now a 45-year-old business with a global client base. It designs modular canopies that attach to cost-effective and readily available foundations, said its website. It also said: “Today, with a team of industry-leading designers and engineers, the business is geared to serve large-scale military operations and global businesses from our UK sites. We take pride in our relationships with the exceptional businesses and organisations that rely on us.” The application SDNP/24/01974/FUL was approved unanimously by the committee. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A “lifesaving” service which provides free support and advice to Petersfield’s neediest residents is facing closure because of a massive drop in town council funding. Citizens Advice may have to check out of the library as their annual grant from Petersfield Town Council (PTC) has been slashed from £12,000 to £2,000, leaving the service unable to cover leasing costs. Their chief executive Helen Drake told councillors the town’s vulnerable people would be missing out because of the 83 per cent drop in funding, which was agreed without warning or face-to-face notice. She said: “We’ve noticed a trend for the most vulnerable people coming in person to the library to speak to us – our face-to-face presence prevents many of them slipping through the net. “Significant welfare reform is going to make demand for our services even bigger, yet PTC has decided without warning to cut our funding. I was quite upset. “As chief executive I will have no choice but to consider closing the Petersfield office when our office is up for a break lease later this year.” Helen also queried the “disproportion” with PTC – which has increased its precept by 16.8 per cent – reducing its community grants by 75 per cent while increasing funding for climate action by 150 per cent. Citizens Advice is not only the only town institution to face a massive drop in funding with PeCAN’s being cut from £14,981 to £2,930 and the open air pool getting £2,012 instead of last year’s £5,000. Town mayor, councillor Lesley Farrow, said the council’s “well scrutinised” budget was only finalised a fortnight before last Thursday’s meeting. She said: “We don’t want to do CA out of anything and we fully appreciate the work you do, but we’ve had to look at wider resources to cover our costs, which are rising.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Two fundraising brothers from Petersfield have delivered a late Christmas present as eggs-citement builds over their next event. Jeremy and Martin Holmes recently handed over the £800 proceeds from their Giant Christmas Charity Market to the Portsmouth Hospitals Cancer Services Fund. The sum was raised through stall rents, a raffle, book and bric-a-brac sales, and donations from the Petersfield Lions and Stroud Evening WI who run the market café. The pair have thanked sponsors Chapplins of Liss, The Petersfield Bookshop, Halsa, MRH Removals, The Good Intent and artist John Starling for their support. The organisers of the Petersfield Festival Hall event are now preparing for their Easter Market in the same venue on Saturday, April 19. Call 07798 753836 for more details. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A busy footpath and cycleway in Petersfield is once again under threat from a Tesco planning application The supermarket operator has submitted new plans for a Timpson pod, after the previous application was withdrawn in 2023 following strong opposition from the public A Timpson pod is a small retail kiosk that provides dry cleaning the pod would be located on the path that runs round the back of Tesco and links The Petersfield School (TPS) Consultation for the current plans is open and comments must be submitted by email or in writing with the reference SDNP/24/05317/FUL by Monday More details can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/Tesco-2025-Timpson-plans. In its comments, Hampshire Highways highlighted the previous application and how its position then was refusal and that is their position now. The authority said: “This pedestrian/cycle link is well established and surveys (17/18 May 2023) taken to the east of the school gate within the extent of the Tesco boundary, have confirmed the popularity of this route. “Peak flows of pedestrians occur during school arrival and departure times, and that space is shared with cyclists, but numbers of cyclists are noticeably lower during those busiest times. “The Highway Authority considers that this established route is a key strategic off-road walking and cycling route in Petersfield and is identified within the East Hampshire Local Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Plan.” In addition to Highways, the case officer for the application has also flagged similar concerns and is anticipating ones that were raised in the previous proposals. The pod would be located on the corner of Tesco, near the disabled parking bays. The parking provision report reads: “The proposed location is outside the current parking layout, preserving the convenience and accessibility of all existing parking bays for customers and staff. “Adequate pedestrian access will be maintained to and from the pod and the store, ensuring the safety and flow of movement around the site.” Alongside the safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, there is also the threat to local businesses. Nearly 1,000 people signed a petition against the Timpson pod in 2023, due to the implications it would have for The Petersfield Cobbler in Chapel Street. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us A special opening ceremony by the town mayor and town crier marked the 60th Easter fundraiser event for brothers Martin and Jeremy Holmes. The Giant Easter Charity Market was a huge hit for shoppers and visitors at the Easter Saturday event held at Petersfield Festival Hall and raised more than £2,000 for local charities. More than 50 stalls packed into the main hall and Rose Room selling a range of Easter gifts, collectables, scented candles, vintage jewellery and crafts. A giant book stall was set up in the main hall and there was local artwork, cards and prints on sale with wooden gifts and colourful crochet. Local children’s author Glenn McLernon sold his books, which he also illustrates and publishes. There were jams and chutneys and surprise hand-painted gift boxes. Main organiser Jeremy said: “It was the charities that really made the day a success and the main charity to benefit will be Portsmouth Hospitals cancer fund making a profit of £1,000 thanks to donations, stall rents, takings from the giant book stall and a bumper raffle. “Thanks are due to Petersfield Tesco for a raffle prize, and other private raffle donations and the sponsors. Including The Petersfield Bookshop; Chapplins of Liss, MRH Removals, Halsa, The Queens Head, John Starling, Sarah of Picketts & Pursers, Fez and Green Globe Solar Ltd.” A special welcome was given to the poppy knitters for their forthcoming waterfall display marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of WWII. The group promoted their community project, raising funds and recruiting new knitters for the 6,000 poppies needed. Funds were also raised for Petersfield Lions, Stroud Evening WI (who ran the café), The Rosemary Foundation, and Petersfield Musical Festival. Jeremy thanks everyone for their help and support and will be organising a market for Christmas. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us News that a craft beer pub could be opening in Petersfield has been met with both cheers and fears from the community. Chichester-based Escapist Brew Co. wants to develop the former SureFix Home Improvements premises in Chapel Street into an independent micro-pub. The business will be located just around the corner from The Square Brewery in Petersfield. In its planning application, Escapist Brew Co. said: “This proposal will be of positive impact to the town’s environment and will remove one vacant unit from the street.” Petersfield Town Council has raised no objections but has recommended that adequate soundproofing be installed to mitigate noise. The Petersfield Society shared similar concerns, particularly regarding late-night noise disturbing nearby residents. A business owner on Chapel Street, who did not wish to be named, said: “There's always concerns about whatever goes in there. At the end of the day, my priority is for the units to be used and it makes me happy that someone wants to use it.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Businesses in Petersfield’s Bakery Lane are breathing a sigh of relief after a planning application threatening their livelihood was rejected. Over the last three years, Fez Bazaar and The Blacksmith’s Daughter have been at risk of losing their premises after planning proposals to redevelop the site by their landlord. But at an East Hampshire District Council planning committee on February 20, the latest plan was turned down again. The Blacksmith’s Daughter owner Kristina Cousen, told The Petersfield Post that she is “very pleased” with the outcome and thanks the community for their support. She said: “There were probably over 100 people, we asked them to vote with their feet and they came in their droves! It was fantastic, they all stood behind us, it was wonderful. “My family were there and my extended family, which is now the whole of Petersfield. “The committee saw this was worth preserving, it’s a heritage building and they got that.” The proposal was to demolish the single-storey building where the businesses operate and replace it with a commercial unit. But after representations from the public and lengthy discussions, three councillors voted in favour and six were against. Ben Bozdag, brother-in-law to Fez owner Bilsen Gonul, said the family is glad the decision went in their favour. He added: “It is a family-owned business and I work there and manage it in the evenings. My sister-in-law has done a great job, so did Kristina, and the community support has been amazing and that's what it's about.” Councillor David Podger, local ward councillor covering Bakery Lane, attended the meeting and expressed his support. He said: “I have never seen an East Hampshire Council meeting with as many members of the public attending. I suspect the presence of so many people also influenced the committee’s decision.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Hampshire’s largest jazz and blues festival has confirmed the formation and appearance of a jazz super group for this year’s festival The group features top guitarists Nicolas Meier and drummer Demi Garcia Sabat performing for the first time ever as a jazz quartet at this year’s Petersfield Jazz & Blues Festival The new supergroup is set to thrill jazz fans across the world and features guitarist a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group; Pete Roth accomplished session guitarist having played with Genesis’ drummer; Stefan Redtenbacher of jazz legends Funkestra his session credits read like the line-up for an eclectic June 14 and the timings are now confirmed for 10 hours of musical heaven for jazz and blues fans alike the chief organiser and driving force behind the festival said: “The stars have aligned to form a stellar spectacle will be thrilled to see this new supergroup play on June 14 It will be a unique treat and one not to be missed.” Tickets are priced at £40 are limited and are available along with full details of the festival at: www.petersfieldjazzfest.com. The Festival will take place in the grounds of Churcher’s College, Ramshill, Petersfield, with two marquees, food and drink as well as ample parking for ticketholders. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Householders in Petersfield face a council tax increase this year, with both the town and district councils raising their precepts. Petersfield Town Council has announced a 16.8 percent rise in its council tax precept, adding nearly £30 per year to a Band D household’s 2025/26 bill and bringing the total to £208.32 annually. A town council spokesperson said: “Throughout the budgeting process, we’ve worked hard to find cost-saving measures that do not compromise the quality of our services. We’ve also reviewed and reallocated our reserves to support key projects, helping to ease financial pressures. “Overall, next year’s budget will allow us to sustain our services, care for our cherished community spaces, and build a more financially secure future. We are also laying the groundwork for some major enhancements in the years ahead.” Planned capital projects include work on Festival Hall, refurbishing The Heath’s public toilets, and installing new play equipment at Penns Place playground. Meanwhile, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has finalised its 2025/26 budget, confirming a £5 annual increase for Band D households. This will bring EHDC’s share of council tax to £151.92 per year, a 3.4 percent rise. Cllr Charles Louisson, EHDC’s portfolio holder for finance, said: “Although we have raised our council tax, the money that will generate does not even cover the costs added by inflation this year.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Gary Boxall, owner of Petersfield Photographic on Lavant Street Despite the challenges of different technology and the changing face of retail over the years Gary has enjoyed his time helping people with their photographic enquiries Gary said: “It boils down to working at a subject that you're enthusiastic about and it's also a hobby you want to help other people to learn about photography “Back in the old days when we used to sell cameras and things we would spend time with people and show them what apertures and shutter speeds were all about “People would come in and they would ask for other tips and ‘how do I do this?’ Then we'd have great pleasure in showing them how to do it and seeing their results afterwards “I've had a very enthusiastic crew with me for the past 35 years and they've all been enthusiastic photographers and very good at with dealing with people's enquiries as well Gary had worked in the photographic trade for eight years having purchased his own camera and sold his first photo when he was seven After outgrowing his original shop in Chapel Street the opportunity for the current location was available and he expanded and kept refurbishing the place to make it into what it’s today Gary explained: “I'd been trying my hardest to approach different people and companies to see whether they would like to take it on lock “Snappy Snaps will take over and they will be starting on the first of April Gutting the shop and refurbishing the place and I think after two weeks it will be open.” Snappy Snaps is a photographic franchise that was founded in 1983, and provides a variety of services, including ones that Petersfield Photographic has done over the years. Gary added: “I haven't really dealt much with Snappy Snaps, but looking at what they do and dealing with their directors, they seem to be very customer based, which I have been. “They said if you had particular customers who had special requirements and I have a number of them, let us know their names and we will help them.” Behind the lens, Gary will continue to explore his family history, which can be traced back to 1230, and write more books about it. Saying farewell, Gary said: “It has been great, it's been a challenge, and an adventure as well, I'm leaving on a high. “A huge thank you to all of you for your support over the years and for the most kind comments we continue to receive.” Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us It is time to get growing as entry forms are now available for the Petersfield in Bloom competition. Green-fingered individuals and groups have until Friday, June 27 to spruce up their gardens and get their entries in. Forms can be found at the Library, Winton House and the Town Hall, you may also want to print a copy from Petersfield Town Council’s website. There are several categories to choose from with something for everyone to participate in. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can enter for one of the ‘Unusual Container’ categories which caters for both young people and adults. A Petersfield Town Council spokesperson said: “It seems that spring has arrived ever so quickly and with it comes the announcement of the ever popular Petersfield In Bloom event. “We were delighted last year to see some different as well as long term winners of the Petersfield In Bloom awards and we would like even more entrants this year, with individuals, businesses and organisations taking part in this well established ‘competition’ to make Petersfield as beautiful as ever.” Judges from various garden clubs and societies will be visiting Petersfield on July 10 to travel around to the different entrants for each of the categories to award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Trophies and certificates will be awarded at the prize giving evening on October 9, and will be held in the Rose Room at Festival Hall, attended by the competition’s vice-president Steve Amos, along with the town mayor. All forms are to be returned to the Town Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, GU31 4EA. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us