Herald - Issue 410

Page 52 • The HERALD • 5th August 2021 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Yours Faithfully... Trinity Church is pleased to announce they are open for services on Sunday mornings at 10.30am. You will need to book your space by calling: 023 8029 2046, masks are a must and social distancing must be observed throughout. ey look forward to welcoming everyone back to Trinity Church Totton. Trinity Church Totton ‘Counselling Together’ is a professionally trained counselling service for Men, Woman and Couples in the local area. e counsellors are either accredited with the Association of Christian Counsellors, or the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, or working towards accreditation, and all receive regular individual supervision. e Trustees are chosen from various Christian denominations and the service is also supported by medical and legal professionals. ey are incredibly pleased to, once again, carry out face-to-face counselling sessions with new clients, in addition to counselling remotely online. ey operate out of local churches and follow the current government guidelines for COVID-19. ‘Counselling Together’ is a registered charity and is very appreciative of the assistance and donations it receives. Donations are used exclusively to provide bursaries to support clients on low incomes. e service is open to those of all faiths or none. For more information on how to access support visit: www.counsellingtogether.co.uk or call: 07983 320450 A PROBLEM SHARED… FOREST ORGANISATIONS ARE ASKING FOR PEOPLE’S VIEWS ON KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK Working together, New Forest partners have drawn up a dra Partnership Plan to 2026, to secure the future of the New Forest and champion the recovery of the climate, nature and ourselves. e lead organisations are New Forest National Park Authority; Hampshire County Council; Forestry England; New Forest District Council; the Verderers of the New Forest; Test Valley Borough Council; Wiltshire Council; Natural England and the Environment Agency. More than 50 other organisations are also involved in taking action for the Forest. New Forest National Park Authority Chair Gavin Parker said: “ This special New Forest landscape faces significant challenges from the climate and nature emergencies; changes to land management and farming subsidies; pressures from new development around our boundaries; recovering from the COVID- 19 pandemic and managing recreational impacts. It is vital that organisations, businesses, residents and visitors come together to pool our resources and energy so there is a real step-change in our approach, increasing opportunities to deliver a greener future for all. We need to hear from as many people as possible – particularly the younger generation – about how we can make a better future for our landscape and ourselves.” e focus of the dra plan is on achieving outcomes in ve key areas, which were created with the help of a ‘snapshot survey’ earlier this year where over 2,700 people gave their views about the pandemic, nature, sustainable living, health and wellbeing: • Nature recovery – creating a network of restored and expanded habitats enabling wildlife to thrive. • Net zero with nature – delivering nature-based climate solutions through local partnerships. • riving Forest – sustaining a living, working landscape with commoning at its heart. • An inclusive National Park – pride in the New Forest and connection with nature for all. • Team New Forest – communities, organisations and businesses working together and all contributing – being greater than the sum of our parts. e dra plan builds on initiatives already under way ranging from restoring wetlands; to developing a ‘Natural Health Service’ where people are prescribed nature-based therapies; to creating more green skills and jobs; and new opportunities for mass volunteering. Councillor Edward Heron, New Forest District Council Leader, said: “This plan shows the commitment in the area to working together on shared aims. Our priorities at NFDC are focussed on the economic prosperity of the district very much alongside our drive to care for the environment and the Forest’s unique heritage. Getting the balance right is so important for the area and I am happy that we are continuing to work together in a coherent way which will ultimately ensure the area continues to thrive in a sustainable way.” Michael Pittock, Head of Planning and Environment for Forestry England, added: “Forestry England shares the view of other Forest partners that it’s time for all of us who use the New Forest to play a positive and active role in prioritising current and future challenges. We continue to work together with other Forest organisations to plan and agree key priorities. The views gathered from a wider network of people in this consultation will help us to make the right choices for the future benefit of the Forest.” Councillor Nick Adams-King, Test Valley Borough Council Planning Policy Portfolio Holder, said: “The New Forest is an extraordinary place and it’s crucial that we ensure it is protected and managed in the right way. Test Valley Borough Council is fortunate enough to have a small section within our boundary and we’re determined to work together with the other partners to make sure this beautiful part of the country is maintained for future generations.” Read the draft Partnership Plan and take part in the online survey at: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/ yourfuturenewforest e consultation ends at midnight on 3rd September . A Prickly Plea! East Boldre Hedgehog Rescue has recently taken in numerous orphan baby hoglets and sick or injured hedgehogs which need treatment and recuperation so they can eventually be released to the wild. Louise Godden, who originally set up the Rescue at East Boldre, is grateful for the valuable support of a group of volunteers who help with the complex and time- consuming care of these endangered animals. Hedgehogs are now o cially on the Red List of British mammals due to their vulnerability. East Boldre Hedgehog Rescue is working hard to support our hedgehog population in the New Forest and surrounding area. e rescue is constantly in need of funds to buy food, bedding and medicines and would welcome one-o or a regular contribution. Bank details can be provided by getting in touch with Louise on: 07595 709617 (Please TEXT only) Or send a cheque payable to: East Boldre Hedgehog Rescue at Wood End, Pages Lane, East Boldre SO42 7WG. For more information check out their page on Facebook.