St George’s School is going to be completely rebuilt. This is part of the Government’s “Building Schools for the Future” programme. Southampton is in the latest “wave” of Local Authorities to be included in this £2.5 to £3 billion a year programme to rebuild or remodel almost every state secondary school in England. St George’s is one of the two sample schools in the City that will be built first. A major headache must be how to build a new school, whilst the old one remains open.

The new building will not intrude into the playing fields or the woodland on the east side, which is subject to a tree preservation order. During the building, a temporary access route for contractors’ vehicles will be created from Stoneham Lane across the field and around the north end of the woodland.

You may be wondering what will happen to these plans when the next government starts the cuts in earnest.

Many times in this Newsletter have we reminded residents that they live in a Conservation Area, subject to an Article 4 Direction. This means that any development on the front and side elevation of the property requires planning permission. Whilst putting in plastic windows would get a big “No! No!”, it does not mean that new wooden windows don’t require permission. You may argue that your new windows are so like the old ones, that the work is not “development”, but the Planners may not agree with you. In Ethelburt Avenue, a retrospective planning application has been demanded where new wooden windows, made by a nationally well known maker of replacement windows, had been installed.

To avoid this nail-biting situation after spending a huge amount of money, enquire of the City’s Planning Service before starting. Advice can also be obtained from the Conservation Officer, Jane Davies, tel: 023 8083 2555.

These days, for fuel and power conservation, installation of new windows must also comply with Part L of the Building Regulations.

by Peter Martin

The Book Group continues to thrive. We have recently read “The Tenderness of Wolves”, “History Boys” and even tried Zola’s “Germinal”. We get the books free from the Library who offer an excellent service to such groups as ours.

We meet on the last Thursday of the month, usually at my house, 52 Ethelburt Avenue from 7.30 -9.30. After lively discussion on the book, we have a cup of something and a biscuit or two and get our new book for the next month. People take it in turn to choose which book.

You would be most welcome to join us to give it a try! Contact me on 80322332.

.

At what time of year does your garden look its best? As mid-May might not be the optimum time, the Committee wants to canvas your views before deciding on a date for the Open Gardens Day. Tell your street rep or send us an email.

Residents of Summerfield Gardens and Greenways recently received a letter and questionnaire from the City Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Investigator, Charlie Perrin about gating the footpath between these two roads, thus closing it to use by the public. The purpose of the questionnaire is to gather information about antisocial behaviour and criminal damage and the use residents make of this cutway.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 amended the Highways Act 1980 to allow a Local Authority to gate a highway to help deal with crime and antisocial behaviour. If the City Council decides to go ahead, they will make a Gating Order before which there will be a 28 day period of public consultation. Take note if you visit a friend via this path, or it is on your dog-walking route!

by Jack Mellett, aged 10
After a good night’s sleep, I awoke hoping for more snow. Gently, I swung open my still curtains and right in front of me was a blanket of white snow. To my delight our snowman, built the previous day, was still on duty guarding us as we slept. Excited, I made my way down to the playroom to see if school was closed. Nervously, I pushed in the square button and the dull colour changed to an attractive light blue. Like a dog waiting for his bone, I opened up Radio Solent and there I saw it, our school was closed. A happy feeling invaded my sleeping spine and suddenly I was fully awake.

With no time to lose, I ran outside and admired our wonderful snowman. I was naughty and started throwing snow balls at him but he was just too strong and remained standing. Cold, I decided to go in and watch television. Mum said that baby Sophie was coming round. Slowly, her car pulled up alongside our house and her cheeks soon lit up the grey skies. She gave me a small smile but a tight hug; I was feeling very special. Hungry, I ate a cheese toasty with crisps. After that it was time for Sophie to go home.

My friends Craig and Glen had a snowball fight with me whilst building their snowman. All the young children joined in and we had a super time. Mum came out with some hot chocolate to warm our freezing bodies. Soon the sky turned a crimson red and the sun set; it was time to have a lovely dinner. Even though I was hoping for school to be closed the next day, I was still looking forward to seeing all my friends. As I snuggled up in bed, I looked back at what a great day I had had in the snow. Hopefully, it will come again soon.

If the snow lasted for ever, we would never have to go to school!

The North Southampton Community Forum is hosting a public meeting at the Sporting View Pub, the Sports Centre, on Wednesday 10th February at 6 pm on the Council’s plans to appoint partners to manage the sport and recreation facilities in the City, including the Golf Course and the Sports Centre.

A few road repair fund (£30) contributions and subscriptions (£3) for 2009 are still outstanding in Ethelburt Avenue. Please give these to our treasurer, Andy Sharvill at 14 Ethelburt Avenue.