Successful AGM and meeting on Twinning held.
- Wed 23rd Oct 2002
HIRA held its AGM on Thursday, 17th October, after which presentations were made be Roy Perry, MEP, about the role of an MEP and the relevance of twinning in Europe and Ian and Averil Pollicott on our local twinning experience...AGM
Paul Fisher conducted the AGM which was attended by about 30 people. The business of the meeting addressed finance (reasonably healthy), membership (need more) and the past and future activities of the Association.
It was announced that Betty Targett, our President for many years, was resigning and our best wishes go to her. Theo and Megan Tott have agreed to become President and Vice-President respectively and we duly thank them. Theo has been monitoring planning applications on the Island for many years and he and Megan have between them given seventy years service to the Association.
Two new committee members were confirmed, previously not formal members, Jan Arkcoll and Dave Turvey. Following the AGM, two new members volunteered to attend committee meetings, with a view to being elected on to the committee.
Finally it was announced that the Association planned to contact all members before Christmas to announce the programme for next year. Former members who had not re-joined will be sent a membership booklet.
A number of points were raised on local issues, of which note was taken.
It was indicated that local estate agents and many other businesses held copies of the Association’s application form and had been encouraged to distribute them.
Roy Perry, MEP.
Roy described how he had got into politics via local government and lecturing in the subject and he was now serving his second term as MEP for the area. Prior to the 2000 election he had been member for the IOW and central Hampshire, not Hayling, but the last election was carried out under proportional representation lines and now he was one of 11 MEPs covering the SE of England.
As he was one of five Conservative MEPs the region had been divided up and he now took responsibility for Hampshire and the IOW, or the M3 and M27, as he put it.
Roy presented some anecdotes about misrepresentation of the EU and gave as one example the recent story about the Devon vicar shutting off his bells at night ‘because of the EU’. Roy pointed out that this matter was determined by the European Court of Human Rights which was established after WW2 and has nothing to do with the EU. The EU Court is that of Justice.
Another was about someone in Southampton who was told that they could not use a particular size coffin for a cremation, ‘because of EU regulations’. It turned out that the problem was that the coffin selected would have been too big to go in the furnace.
Normally MEPs spend 4 days in Brussels, and three back at home dealing with their constituents. One week a month they meet in Strasbourg. Roy is Rapporteur (responsible for documentation), for the Culture Committee which covers Tourism and this leads to his interenst in Twinning.
Roy’s view was that activities like twinning were at the heart of developing understanding in Europe. No-one liked living near the ‘neighbour from hell’ By developing such understanding such neighbours were far more likely to see your viewpoint and be prepared to become more relaxed in mutual relationships.
While Europe has money to fund various activities, the average amount per head is small. People should not expect too much largesse. Following the potential enlargement of Europe, twinning with Poland and other Eastern countries would be encouraged.
Hayling Island - Gorron Twinning.
Ian and Averil Pollicott are Chairman and President of the Hayling Island - Gorron Twinning Association respectively and their talk described the setting up and the activities of the Association.
It all started because Gorron was the first ‘pit-stop’ en route to Spain when the Pollicott’s went on holiday. They went to shops, had meals and became aware of how friendly were the locals. Eventually they stayed occasionally and as contacts progressed the idea of exchange visits were mooted and ultimately the suggestion of a formal twinning arrangement.
This was largely investigated from the UK and some five years ago the first formal exchange took place. Major visits alternate on a yearly basis.
Prior to setting up links with Gorron, consideration had been given to linking with Jumieges but as this had no secondary school, Gorron was confirmed.
Gorron is a local market town of some 3,000 inhabitants but has a full range of facilities such as swimming pool, co-ordinated sports facilities with floodlit grounds, orchestra, and numerous other club-like opportunities. The town is the centre of an area which has a population of over 15,000.
Visitors from the UK like these provisions. Visitors from Gorron like the golf, sailing and the opportunity to improve their English, vital to European career development. Special emphasis is being placed on developing school exchange activities.
Just as specialist groups from Gorron have come to England, so have successful visits been made to Gorron by the tap-dance school, HIJOS, footballers etc.
Generally it has been felt that both communities have gained a lot and hope to go on doing so. Exchange can be at any level, from individuals with particular aims to the more extensive annual get-together, involving many different interests.
Each exchange is funded by the host community so considerable moneys have to be collected prior to each visit. Many fund-raising activities are held, the next being in November.
Information on the Association is available at Beachlands and in the library or on 9246-8409.
Finally the suggestion has been made that Hayling and Gorron should make a joint visit to Brussels to be hosted by the appropriate MEPs. Watch this space!
Publicity.
Advertising meetings is always a problem. Details are always included in this column and we usually have spots on radio Solent and now Portsmouth TV. This latter is a new service which can be picked up on the Island if you have a reasonable aerial.
Paid advertising is so expensive that we are reluctant to use this method, so please keep your eye on the local media to try to keep up to date with our various activities.
Mengham Crossing.
It has been suggested that the pedestrian crossing in southern Elm Grove should be light controlled to improve traffic flow and safety for all users. We have written to HCC to investigate the implications of this, but would be pleased to have resident’s views.
Seafront Railway.
Since the start of construction of the railway, various matters have arisen, some of which can be resolved and some which cannot.
The problem of location of crossings is clear enough, put them where the current paths or desire lines exist. The location of halts is more difficult. Planning permission was granted years ago and little can be done now to change matters. If someone suddenly finds out about a feature that they do not like it is a bit late to start worrying about it now.
All Islanders should be aware of matters which affect their locality. The Planning Department at HBC is open to all and most queries can be investigated over the counter in a matter of minutes. The Serving You newsletter delivered to every household gives details of enquiry on this and other points in HBC.
Tony Higham.
By forum user, Mat
|
