Herald - Issue 401

28th January 2021 • The HERALD • Page 27 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v New Forest Scaffolding All aspects of scaffolding undertaken • Extensions • Chimneys • Re-Roofing • New Builds etc For a friendly, local, reliable service and a free quotation Telephone: 07734 476855 www.newforestscaffolding.co.uk Full Liability Insurance Lychette Cottage, Roughdown, Blackfield SO45 1XG PVCu FASCIAS & GUTTERING CLEANING SERVICE Gutters checked for leaks and repaired Also new installations Driveway, Patio and Decking Cleaning and Restoration Service Very reliable and fully insured Good Rates and Professional Service Special Rates for OAP’s Call us now for a free quote Holbury 023 8194 1220 or 07884 112416 FAMILIES MATTER AT CHRISTMAS TIME by Julia Cross, Project Manager, Hythe URC A huge thankyou to everyone who sent in donations of food or Christmas gi s for children for our Christmas parcel scheme this year. It was an amazing success, and we were blown away by the generosity of the church. ere was a huge amount of donations – thankyou to everyone who gave! e church hall was lled with a mountain of mince pies, sweets, crisps, Christmas goodies of all kinds and loads of wrapping paper! We were able to provide Christmas gi s for 41 children in the local area who otherwise may not have had presents this year, as so many families are su ering hardship at this time due to lockdowns and job losses. We were also able to provide 45 gi s to elderly and sick people from the Hythe Huddle, the church, or who were known to us. ese parcels were very well received by people who were isolated and not able to see their families this year. We received so many kind words of thanks: “ Thank you so much for the gifts and food. They are so much appreciated! The children loved their presents!” From H. “What a wonderful thing to do! You brought happiness to a lot of people which is amazing!” From L. “ Thank you so much to Families Matter for my wonderful hamper delivered by Jen on Thursday. It was a particularly difficult day, so it was a very well-timed gift to remind me that I am not alone while my husband is so ill. God bless” From C. “My parcel was such a lovely surprise, so unexpected! Thank you for all the wonderful work you do” From H. Christmas presents wrapped and ready to go out to children in the area Donations in the church hall We have also been able to deliver 10 urgent food parcels to families in need during the Christmas/new year period. If your family is struggling to provide food and necessities due to the lockdowns, please get in touch with us. We may be able to help you. Call us on: 023 8020 7623 or email us at: Julia.fm.hurc@ gmail.com IN HYTHE WE HAVE A GREAT COMMUNITY CENTRE which is tucked away next to the Car Park in Brinton Lane (o Jones Lane). e Centre is overseen, in the main, by a Volunteer who has been part of the Association Management Team since 1978 and currently works there almost full time. e Centre is run by O cers of the Association and Volunteers but with time these have reduced to a level which is not sustainable. In addition there is a part-time O ce Manager and two cleaners who are on partial furlough. Graham Parkes who is the Chairman and mainstay of this centre is fast approaching a time when he would like to reduce his involvement. In short, THEY NEED HELP. It is obvious that, like a lot of organisations and businesses, they are struggling under the regulations imposed during this pandemic. All of the groups that usually use this centre are unable to do so but they need to look forward and plan for brighter days. However, the Centre is still open for medical related bookings such as the Age Concern Chiropody Service, the InHealth eye-screening service for Diabetics and is used daily as a base for Hythe & Dibden Voluntary Car Group. Without new and younger members becoming involved in the running of the Association and the Centre, they will inevitably reach a point of no return and have to close ey are looking for both Association Committee Members and Centre Volunteers. So whether you wish to be a decision maker or a ‘hands on’ helper, there are a range of voluntary positions urgently needing your help. When the Centre is fully open there is a Pre- school every day, general social groups, groups for Art (both self-help and teaching), Local History, Literature & Reading, Cra & Knitting, Weight Watchers, Ballet for young children etc. ese are all very important to the Community and if they cannot maintain sustainable levels, then we will lose this vital asset to our Community and all the services that go with it. PLEASE if you can spare a few hours each month/ day/week, then contact the Centre on: 023 8084 4074. GET INVOLVED AND SAVE THE HYTHE & DIBDEN COMMUNITY CENTRE. A PLEA ON BEHALF OF HYTHE & DIBDEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION down. With the current low and potentially lower level of volunteers this could be very soon. Hythe & Dibden Commmunity Centre Friendly, family business Boiler Breakdowns • Servicing & Maintenance Landlord Inspections • Installations Nick and Sarah-Jane 07840 684760 forestedgeheating@hotmail.com