Officers investigating a report of an armed robbery at a property in Testwood Lane, Totton, are appealing for information from local residents.

Between 9am and 9.45am this morning (Wednesday, February 22), two men wearing fluorescent jackets knocked at the door of the house. A woman answered and the men forced their way inside. They searched the property and left with cash.

Initial enquiries indicate that the woman may have seen one of the men holding a handgun.

The 35-year-old woman sustained a cut to her lip during the incident and was very shaken up. She has been taken to Southampton General Hospital.

There was a young child at the address who was unharmed.

Detective Inspector Fiona Bitters said, “This is a very rare incident in this area and we have a number of officers carrying out enquiries. We are trying to piece together the offender’s movements and would like to hear from anyone in Testwood Lane who has CCTV installed at their house or business premises, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious either this morning or in the last few days.

“We are keen to identify a white transit van that was seen near the address around the time of the incident, and was heading towards Salisbury Road.

“I’d like to reassure local residents that though we are still in the early stages of this investigation we are taking this very seriously and have committed a number of resources to identifying the men responsible as quickly as possible.”

Anyone with any information should call Southampton Central police station on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Help police cut out cable crime

New Forest residents are urged to be vigilant in their neighbourhood in a bid to crack down on cable crime.

Cable thieves are duping the public by marking their vans with BT logos and wearing high-visibility jackets while they carry out ‘essential work’ in local streets on cables both above and below ground.

But by cutting out lengths of cable, for the lucrative copper wiring, the thieves cause misery and inconvenience to communities – they cut off phone, TV and broadband connections for days while repairs are made.

The Safer New Forest Partnership, Hampshire Police and British Telecom have issued a clear message – if you see activity around BT equipment and you want reassurance that it is genuine – call 0800 321999 at once.

New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing and communities, Cllr Jill Cleary said: “The extent of disruption caused by cable thieves is massive. These thefts are committed every week, all around the UK including the New Forest, and it not only affects BT communications but also hundreds of other communications providers who use the network.

“I urge local residents and workers to be vigilant when they are out and about and if they see any unexpected workmen ‘checking’ BT boxes or working on cable ‘repairs’, please call the free BT hotline number to check it out.”

While thieves often take steps to disguise themselves as authentic workmen, keep a look out for suspicious activity, such as:

• Unknown vans and the arrival of unexpected workmen.
• Any work involving cables in streets and on roads, even if workmen are wearing hi-visibility jackets and their vehicles are marked with a BT logo.
• Little or no traffic safety measures, e.g. use of cones, temporary traffic lights.
• Work taking place outside normal hours.
• Removed or disturbed cable box covers. This may indicate an area that thieves have investigated and intend to return to and steal cables.
• Unusual storage of large quantities of cut lengths of cable and/or twisted copper wiring.
• Palls of black smoke to indicate burning activity taking place.
• Unusual movements of 4×4 or commercial vehicles in your community.

Also being targeted are energy networks, such as the theft of electricity cables, and railway cabling – these attacks are not only disruptive, but potentially deadly to the thieves who take high risks in the process.

New Forest Chief Inspector Lucy Hutson, said: “Cable theft is a huge problem nationally and here in the New Forest, it is vital that we report any incidents immediately. If you spot any suspicious activity, call the police at once on 999 with as much information as possible – take a note of vehicle registration numbers and try to give a description of the workmen, but do not approach them yourself.”

Alternatively, residents can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information relating to stolen cable. A £1000 reward is offered for a tip-off that leads to a conviction.

Information about the work of the Safer New Forest Partnership can be found on www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk or contact Community Safety co-ordinator Stephanie Bennett on 023 8028 5588, email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk

Gym gets Mandy walking tall this Christmas

This Christmas, Mandy Ackrill has the best present she could wish for – she has sold her wheelchair and is able to chase her three-year-old grandson Connor around the house.

Last Christmas, it was a very different story. The 44-year-old mum-of-five from Totton was disabled, overweight, unconfident and suffering from a painful and debilitating illness which left her with dislocated joints.

Shortly after that, she joined Totton Health and Leisure centre and was taken under the wing of gym instructor and nutrition advisor Lee Rich.

He said: “When Mandy first came to me for personal training she turned up on a mobility scooter and used a wheelchair most of the time. She was overweight and very unhappy with her body image.

“We settled her into a gym environment and took a step-by-step approach to achieve her goals. We first just introduced gentle cardio-vascular exercise and a range of motion resistance work to improve her body’s muscle memory and we built up from there.”

Slowly and surely with regular supervised training, Mandy toned up, lost weight and became so fit and confident that she was able to swap her mobility scooter for a bike, sell her wheelchair and stop taking her medications.

“Lee has really given me my life back”, said Mandy. “My clothes size has dropped from a size 18 to size 8/10, I feel so confident, younger, really cheerful and inspired.”

Mandy has been ill since childhood and has had several operations since her teen years. She has been treated for hyper mobility syndrome which left her so disabled that she could only walk outside of home for short distances with a leg brace or walking stick. She suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol as a result and was eventually referred to Southampton General Hospital for hydrotherapy. When she was unable to swim because of an ear infection, she decided to try some gym exercise.

“I’d always wanted to body build, but thought it was an impossible dream,” she said. Within weeks of joining Totton Health and Leisure, Lee got Mandy to try light weights – now she is doing squats with 60kg weights and she is toning up with a bodybuilders’ physique.

“One day I’d like to compete as a powerlifter,” she says.

Mandy trains at Totton Health and Leisure most days and says that everybody there has been really supportive – she has made friends with staff and other centre users and always leaves with a smile.

Lee said: “Working with Mandy has been a real joy. She is passionate, committed, dedicated and despite setbacks, injuries and bad days, she has fought on. I may have given her the knowledge and tools, but it is Mandy who has done all the hard work!”

New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for health and leisure, Cllr Di Brooks, added: “I’m delighted that Mandy has made such a remarkable progress to good health and mobility with the support of Lee and other members of staff at Totton Health and Leisure. I hope her example will encourage others to get fit and try new activities in the new year.”

But not only has Mandy got her health and mobility back – she has also landed a job at the centre now as a cleaning supervisor, work which she was unable to even consider when she was so disabled.

Mandy has also been greatly supported by her husband Mike, who first encouraged her to go to the centre, paid for her membership and has even built her a mini gym at home. Her five children, Charlotte, 22, Vicky, 20, Hannah 18, Shannon 17 and Jordan 15, have been great, she says, and are delighted to see their mum so fit and happy now.

It will be a happy family Christmas for them all, not least for little Connor who is sure to keep nana on her toes!

Launch of New Forest Community SpeedWatch

One of the biggest concerns raised at public meetings attended by police officers in the New Forest is speeding motorists. 

Now, thanks to the launch of Community Speedwatch, residents across the New Forest are being empowered to tackle speeding motorists in their communities.

Newly appointed and trained Speedwatch volunteers were on the B3079 fir the first time on Thursday, December 15, monitoring the speed of traffic and recording details of any vehicle that exceeded the speed limit. In just over an hour more than ten vehicles were recorded travelling at over 30mph.

The vehicle information is passed on to police who will send a letter to the registered keeper advising them that their vehicle was recorded exceeding the speed limit. A warning about the associated risks of speeding will also be sent with the aim of educating drivers about the effects of speeding.

PC Dee Faulkner, who is managing the Minstead, Bramshaw and Copythorne Community Speedwatch scheme said: “We have had over twenty volunteers from the community and there are still some being processed. People are really keen to help tackle one of the issues that we find is most prevalent in the New Forest. Some drivers don’t seem to realise the dangers to themselves and the people and animals around them when they break the speed limit on these roads. This scheme should make them think twice and make these roads safer for everyone, and it’s great to see residents coming together to improve their local area.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Speedwatch volunteer or requires further information should contact their local police station on 101 or visit – www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/campaigns/speedwatch.htm

Listen Now: New chair champions the role of social enterprises in Hampshire

Maria Mills has become the new Chair of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Social Enterprise Network (H&IOWSEN).  H&IOWSEN is an open network dedicated to raising the profile and impact of social enterprises in Hampshire.

As the country celebrates Social Enterprise Day 2011 on November 17th, Maria, CEO of Southampton-based social enterprise SCA Group, said social enterprises are playing an increasingly important role in society.

“With tough economic times and cuts in public spending, social enterprises are becoming increasingly important providers of services for the most vulnerable people in society and are also leading the way in environmental change,” said Maria.

“Many social enterprises are also very innovative and adaptable, using business skills combined with their social aims to find creative ways of addressing social and environmental problems.

“There are around 3,800 social enterprises in Hampshire and they account for a turnover of over £1 billion.  Social enterprises employ many people, have a huge social impact and provide a useful bridge between public services and conventional business – they are here to stay.”

National Social Enterprise Day on Thursday November 17 aims to showcase social enterprises all over the country and highlight the contribution they make to society. The campaign aims to encourage more people to buy from social enterprises and to choose them for business to business and personal services.

Social enterprises are businesses driven by a social or environmental purpose. There are 62,000 of them in the UK, contributing over £24bn to the economy and employing approximately 800,000 people (2005-2007 data from the Annual Survey of Small Business UK).

As with all businesses, they compete to deliver goods and services. The difference is that social purpose is at the very heart of what they do, and the profits they make are reinvested towards achieving that purpose. Well known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen, and the fair-trade chocolate company Divine Chocolate.

Some examples of social enterprises in Hampshire and IOW are:
•    SCA Group, which provides health and social care services and NHS dentistry – www.scagroup.co.uk
•    Ethical film company Shedlight Productions – www.shedlightproductions.co.uk
•    Sector Mailing Services, providing work experience for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems – www.sectormailing.org.uk/page3.html
•    Rise Computers, working in computing, community and inclusion – http://riseone.org/
•    Southsea Greenhouse Co-operative Ltd, selling local produce – http://southseagreenhouse.co.uk/
•    Hilsea Lido Pool for the People, preserving Hilsea Lido for the community – http://www.hilsea-lido.org.uk/
•    Visual Vibrations, multi-media art and expression – http://www.visualvibrations.org/
•    Four Paws Aqua, dog hydrotherapy pool  – http://fourpawsaqua.co.uk/
•    Hey Big Spender, combating addiction to spending – http://www.heybigspenders.co.uk/
•    James Rose Productions, film-making – http://www.jamesrose.com/
•    The Shaw Trust, helping disadvantaged people to find work – http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/home
•    Emmaus, furniture recycling project for homeless people – http://www.emmaushampshire.org.uk/
•    Freeset, selling Fairtrade products – http://www.freesetbags.co.uk/
•    Community Matters Partnership, linking communities and business – http://www.communitymatterspartnership.org.uk/
•    NeB Media, social media consultancy – http://www.nebweb.co.uk/index.php

Hampshire also has its own School for Social Entrepreneurs, run by Community Action Hampshire. There are still places for next year’s cohort of students, for anyone who is considering setting up a social enterprise, with a deadline for applications of 25th November.  Find out more at http://www.hsse.org.uk/ or email hampshire@sse.org.uk

To find out about the Hampshire and IOW Social Enterprise Network go to http://www.se2partnership.co.uk/networks.asp?n=6

Listen Now: Benefit fraudster punished

Daryl Russell, 39, from Calmore, Totton, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates Court on 9 November to an 18 month community order for housing benefit and forgery offences.

The offences were committed whilst he and his partner were living in rented accommodation in Foxtail Drive, Dibden Purlieu.

Russell initially claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit from New Forest District Council (NFDC) on the basis that he was unemployed.

However, in April 2010, he started working full time as an administrative assistant for Hampshire County Council on a six month contract.

Whilst working, he filled in a NFDC review form stating he was still unemployed.

A government data-matching exercise identified that Russell had been working and claiming benefits.

Russell was invited for an interview with council fraud investigators and forged two documents in preparation, pretending that he had sent in notification of his work.

When questioned, he admitted that he had failed to tell the council about his work, forged documents and handed them in, attempting to get council staff to believe them as genuine.

On 2 November 2011, he pleaded guilty to six offences, including fraud and forgery.

He had obtained £1470 overpaid housing benefit and £763 council tax benefit.

The court was told that over £800 had been repaid and the remainder was being taken from ongoing benefits.

His case was adjourned till 9 November for a probation report.  Southampton Magistrates sentenced him to an 18 month community order, consecutively for each of the six offences.

He has to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.  He was also ordered to pay £850 prosecution costs.

NFDC’s head of customer and financial support services, Glynne Miles, said: “In the current climate it is imperative that the council rigorously protects the public purse and takes any allegations of fraud seriously.

The council operates a confidential free phone 24 hour hotline where suspected fraud can be reported on 0800 085 1637.”

from left to right: Robyn Smith (National Young Ambassador), Cllr Barry Rickman (Leader of New Forest District Council), Julian Johnson (Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority), Laura Edwards (GB gymnast).

Listen Now: New Forest on London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route!

Communities across the whole of the New Forest will be able to share in the Olympic celebrations when the Olympic Flame comes to Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Lymington next year, it has been announced.

Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Lymington will act as host locations for the Olympic Torch Relay when it visits the district on Saturday 14 July 2012, and a warm invite is extended to all the surrounding communities to join in with the celebrations, welcome the Olympic Flame and share in the celebration and excitement together.

They are three of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in the New Forest to devise the route.

Leader of New Forest District Council, Cllr Barry Rickman, said: “We feel truly privileged that the Olympic Flame will be coming to communities in the New Forest next year.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone in the New Forest to welcome the Olympic Flame and to witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.

“We have strong links to the Olympics with the continued success of our sailors from Lymington and now this is a chance for the wider forest community to be a part of the Olympic legacy as the Flame shines a spotlight on our area.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the Flame and showing our support for the Games and our many talented athletes from the New Forest.”

Julian Johnson, Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority added: “The New Forest National Park is a special place and we are looking forward to showcasing what makes our area so unique to people across the UK, and the world, as the Olympic Flame travels through our communities. “

Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Lymington will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people across the New Forest to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across the New Forest to start planning how they can be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to start the Olympic Games.”

The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012.

On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population.

Olympic Torch Relay

In fact, over 95% of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer.

The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.

People are invited to view the interactive map at  www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community.

In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.

Today LOCOG launches two new public participation programmes.

The ‘Local Leaders’ initiative is an invitation to people to take the 2012 Games into their community and create their own celebrations next year, for the Olympic Torch Relay and other key moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

People are encouraged to sign up to the Local Leader programme at www.london2012.com/localleaders to receive further information on a range of themed celebration ideas focusing on the Opening Ceremony evening, gardening, quizzes and barbecues and be in the front row to receive free London 2012 event materials to support events.

Also launched today is the ‘Get Set for the Olympic Torch Relay’ education resource, available to all schools registered with Get Set, London 2012’s official education programme.

The aim of the resource is to provide schools with cross-curricular resources aimed at teachers working with 3 to 16 year olds to aid learning around history of Olympic Torch Relays, the design of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and the Torch itself.

A further education resource will launch next year to encourage schools to plan a welcome for the Olympic Flame and show support for the Torchbearers.

Lloyds TSB, official Education Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, have launched their Flame Followers schools programme which compliments the Get Set resources, and gives schools once-in-a-lifetime opportunities be right at the heart of the excitement and celebrations of the Relay.

Lesten Now: New Forest District Councils plea over rising energy costs

New Forest District Council is supporting local householders by appealing directly to Prime Minister David Cameron to hold back on further increases in energy prices.

Leader Barry Rickman, backed by his cabinet, has written to Mr Cameron after the council adopted a motion regarding the UK’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions.

The motion urges the government not to make commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions further or faster than other major industrial nations without a world-wide binding commitment by everyone.

The council is concerned a unilateral commitment in Britain would add further increases to energy prices and cause increasing hardship for local residents.

“In adopting the motion, the council noted that energy bills have been rising at rates well above inflation, and that this was already adversely affecting business and causing financial hardship to many people on low incomes throughout the country, including residents of New Forest District,” writes Cllr Rickman.

He adds: “I would like to stress that the Council does support the principle of reducing the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions, but not at a higher or faster rate than other industrial nations.

“The UK’s commitment to reducing emissions by 34% by 2020 is far in excess of the 20% applicable in the European Union, which has been leading the way on this issue for some time. It is understood that a recent proposal to increase the EU’s reduction target to 30% was not approved.”

Cllr Rickman urges Mr Cameron and his government to review the UK’s position in light of the council’s comments.

He stressed that the proposed measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions faster than other nations would inevitably lead to further increases in energy prices, at a time when businesses and individuals are facing considerable financial challenges.

He said: “Placing additional burdens through larger and faster reductions than other industrial nations would put UK businesses at a disadvantage compared with those in other countries with cheaper energy at a time when the UK desperately needs its businesses to grow and contribute to the economic recovery.”

Listen Now: Warning over bogus phone call scam

An anonymous male has been calling vulnerable residents across Hampshire to inform them that they have subscribed to a telephone monitoring service and run up bills of between £3,500 and £6,000.

He tells them they have defaulted on the payment and asks for immediate payment over the phone by card.

Residents who have questioned this are told that unless they pay up they will be arrested within hours by the Metropolitan Police and transported to the Queen’s Court in London.

Hampshire Trading Standards advises anybody who receives these calls to hang up immediately. Residents can also register for anonymous call barring with their telephone provider.

The Partnership urges local people to be wary of all cold callers, either over the telephone or on the doorstep.

If anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling or requires any advice, contact Hampshire County Council’s Quick Response Team on 01962 833666.

Alternatively, contact Hampshire Police by dialling 101 if you are concerned after such a phone call.

Information about the work of the Safer New Forest Partnership can be found on www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk or contact Community Safety co-ordinator Stephanie Bennett on 023 8028 5588, email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk

A magical musical steam train ride to see Santa, through a winter landscape filled with story-book characters, has become part of the family Christmas fun at Exbury Gardens in the New Forest.

Entrance to the world-renowned Gardens may be enjoyed by everyone who buys a ride on the Santa Special, while the Christmas Trail through the woodland walks is something the whole family can explore together.

“Our steam train ride to see Santa is an adventure that all children and lots of grown-ups love, and everyone finds a bracing winter walk round the Gardens a lot of fun,” said Exbury’s Commercial and Marketing manager, Nigel Philpott.

Exbury’s head gardener, John Anderson, has devised a new trail through the award-winning Gardens to see the winter beauty and learn the folklore associated with many trees.

“The shapes of the trees, the berries and colourful leaves make this a very special time of year at Exbury. Because we are closed for most of the month not many people get to see this wonderful winter garden,” said John. “The trail takes visitors to winter highlights, including ‘Christmas Cheer’, a December flowering rhododendron,” he said.

The Santa Specials are train rides with a difference – passengers board the Exbury Gardens steam railway for a trip through a garden filled with favourite Christmas characters. There’s a Nativity scene, the Ice Queen with her sleigh, snowmen, reindeer, while Exbury’s cast of animal characters are dressed in woolly hats and scarves. Christmas music plays and passengers can sing along with seasonal favourites, to bring the snowmen and reindeer magically to life.

Exbury Central Station is decorated with fresh greenery cut from the Gardens. Mother Christmas is on hand with chocolates for children while hot punch and mince pies are offered to the adults.

Each child has a chat with Santa in his magical grotto and receives a present. Christmas gifts may be bought from the shop and plant centre.

Trigger the land train is on hand on a first-come, first-served basis to take visitors into the Gardens.

Mr Eddy’s restaurant will be open, selling delicious food, including warming soup and Christmas roasts.

Santa Specials are on December Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th and Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th.  They are very popular and should be pre-booked by calling 023 8024 5750 between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Tickets are £15 for adults and children (ticket price includes entry to the Gardens and the children’s ticket includes a present from Santa) and £7 for under-threes, who will also receive a present.

Gardens-only tickets are available at normal entry prices on Santa Special days in December. They can be booked at the box office number or bought at the gate.

Please visit www.exbury.co.uk for more information.