This is it for now untill the next academic year, I hope you all found it a good read and useful source for news making.
Make sure you keep on reading my ther blog:
Veronica Frydel - Journalism - Photojournalism
And also for my polish speaking followers - Veronica's Poetry
" i rowniez dla moich polskich czytelnikow - Poezja Weroniki !"
Do not miss out on these and have a great summer
Yours
Veronica Frydel
Monday 7 June 2010
Saturday 15 May 2010
Hampshire Goes Surfing in 2010-the eighth annual Silver Surfers Week 17 and 21 May
Press Relesae from 14 May 2010
Hampshire County Council will be helping older people to keep in touch online through social networking, share photos, and catch up with their favourite TV and radio shows online, during Silver Surfer Week 2010.
These are some of the new skills on offer during the eighth annual Silver Surfers Week 17 and 21 May. During the week, the County Council holds a series of free, fun sessions around the county to help older people, less familiar with today's technology, to use the internet and pick up handy hints on making the most of going online.
The sessions will cover a range of areas from basic skills such as using email, surfing for news and local events, finding travel information, to more specialised sessions like using social networking such as Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, sharing family photos on Flickr, shopping online, and researching your family history.
The sessions will be held in friendly, informal environments such as libraries, community centres and also schools, where pupils will also be able to share their web-surfing expertise and help to bridge the generational gap. All participants will be given a pack to take away as a reminder of what they have learnt, with ideas for trying out a range of things they can do online, such as planning a rail journey, booking a cinema trip, and finding out useful help and advice from the County Council about wellbeing issues.
Hampshire County Council IT Champion, Councillor Keith Evans, said: “Computers and the internet play a part in the lives of so many of us nowadays, whether its buying your weekly groceries, keeping in touch with family and friends, or learning new skills, but getting to grips with IT can be daunting for those who’ve never used it before.
“Through the range of sessions on offer during Silver Surfers Week, the benefits of this technology will be accessible to even more older people across Hampshire who will not only be able to learn lots of new skills, but also find out for themselves how the internet can make life easier and more enjoyable.”
To find out more about Silver Surfer Week or where your local session is being held visit:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/silversurfers-events-2010 or telephone 0845 603 5638.
There’s also lots of help and support available through our Computer Skills for Life website http://www3.hants.gov.uk/computer-skills.htm which has been designed to make it easy to learn how to access the internet and find out many things to do online from keeping up with the news and finding out about Council services to using email and making free internet phone calls.
Once you have mastered those first few steps, you will also find other information and web links that will help you on your new online adventure.
ENDS
Notes for editors
2x photos attached
For the attention of broadcast media - 3 x audio interviews to be sent separately
1) Jane Danser speaking with Hampshire County Council IT Manager Arthur England
2) Jane Danser speaking with Silver Surfer John Gardiner
3) Jane Danser speaking with Silver Surfer Madge Mills
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
Issued by: Suzie Southgate, Media Communications Manager (Policy and Resources) on 01962 847367
Hampshire County Council will be helping older people to keep in touch online through social networking, share photos, and catch up with their favourite TV and radio shows online, during Silver Surfer Week 2010.
These are some of the new skills on offer during the eighth annual Silver Surfers Week 17 and 21 May. During the week, the County Council holds a series of free, fun sessions around the county to help older people, less familiar with today's technology, to use the internet and pick up handy hints on making the most of going online.
The sessions will cover a range of areas from basic skills such as using email, surfing for news and local events, finding travel information, to more specialised sessions like using social networking such as Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, sharing family photos on Flickr, shopping online, and researching your family history.
The sessions will be held in friendly, informal environments such as libraries, community centres and also schools, where pupils will also be able to share their web-surfing expertise and help to bridge the generational gap. All participants will be given a pack to take away as a reminder of what they have learnt, with ideas for trying out a range of things they can do online, such as planning a rail journey, booking a cinema trip, and finding out useful help and advice from the County Council about wellbeing issues.
Hampshire County Council IT Champion, Councillor Keith Evans, said: “Computers and the internet play a part in the lives of so many of us nowadays, whether its buying your weekly groceries, keeping in touch with family and friends, or learning new skills, but getting to grips with IT can be daunting for those who’ve never used it before.
“Through the range of sessions on offer during Silver Surfers Week, the benefits of this technology will be accessible to even more older people across Hampshire who will not only be able to learn lots of new skills, but also find out for themselves how the internet can make life easier and more enjoyable.”
To find out more about Silver Surfer Week or where your local session is being held visit:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/silversurfers-events-2010 or telephone 0845 603 5638.
There’s also lots of help and support available through our Computer Skills for Life website http://www3.hants.gov.uk/computer-skills.htm which has been designed to make it easy to learn how to access the internet and find out many things to do online from keeping up with the news and finding out about Council services to using email and making free internet phone calls.
Once you have mastered those first few steps, you will also find other information and web links that will help you on your new online adventure.
ENDS
Notes for editors
2x photos attached
For the attention of broadcast media - 3 x audio interviews to be sent separately
1) Jane Danser speaking with Hampshire County Council IT Manager Arthur England
2) Jane Danser speaking with Silver Surfer John Gardiner
3) Jane Danser speaking with Silver Surfer Madge Mills
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
Issued by: Suzie Southgate, Media Communications Manager (Policy and Resources) on 01962 847367
King Alfred, the iconic figure who made Winchester his ancient capital of England, will be the subject of a BBC 1 documentary to be shown on Monday 17
Press release from 14th May
What was so ‘great’ about King Alfred? BBC One programme explores Alfred the Great’s legacy
King Alfred, the iconic figure who made Winchester his ancient capital of England, will be the subject of a BBC One documentary to be shown on Monday 17th May at 7.30pm. BBC South’s King Alfred - the Great? is part of the BBC’s A History of the World series and gathers evidence about King Alfred’s reign to establish why he was accorded the epithet ‘the Great’.
Presenter Dr Lucy Worsley, Curator of the Royal Palaces, will discover the man behind the name, and bring the Anglo-Saxon world to life by looking at artefacts from the period, exploring Anglo Saxon battle strategy, medical knowledge, lifestyle, diet, cooking, dress, and education.
During the half-hour programme, viewers will embark on a journey of discovery, taking in the famous sites of Winchester, from his famous statue on Broadway, through the streets to Winchester Cathedral, and his final resting place at Hyde. The programme will feature interviews with curatorial experts from Winchester Museums.
Graham Scobie, Historic Information Officer at Winchester City Council, said: “Alfred inherited the throne during troubled times. With the Viking incursions, the Kingdom of Wessex was on the verge of collapse. The centers of learning and the arts had been destroyed. To rebuild his kingdom, he invited scholars and artisans to his court in Winchester. From this arose a renewed Wessex, the origins of the Kingdom of England. From the collections of the Winchester Museum Service we chose the Winchester Reliquary, a container holding the remains of a saint, to highlight this renewal and we are thrilled to see that it is featured in this BBC series.”
The programme also coincides with the Hyde900 festival, marking the 900th anniversary of the founding of Hyde Abbey – King Alfred’s resting place. A series of year-long celebrations have been arranged throughout 2010 as part of Hyde900, visit www.hyde900.co.uk to find out more.
Today’s visitors to Winchester can still follow in the footsteps of the “The Great King” thanks to Winchester Tourism’s self-guided trail –The Winchester Walk: a Tour of King Alfred’s City. The life and times of King Alfred are also bought to life with regular guided tours provided by Winchester’s official Blue Badge Guides.
The city’s development under Alfred the Great as capital of Wessex and of the Anglo-Norman kingdom can also be traced by looking at Winchester City Museum’s display of extensive archaeological and local history collections.
-----ENDS-----
For more information about Winchester Museums visit www.winchester.gov.uk/museums or contact Sher Kent, Museums Services Manager on 01962 848 557, email: skent@winchester.gov.uk
For more information about Hyde900 see www.Hyde900.org.uk
For media enquiries please contact Rachel Gander, Tourism Marketing and Development Officer on 01962 848 556, email: rgander@winchester.gov.uk
What was so ‘great’ about King Alfred? BBC One programme explores Alfred the Great’s legacy
King Alfred, the iconic figure who made Winchester his ancient capital of England, will be the subject of a BBC One documentary to be shown on Monday 17th May at 7.30pm. BBC South’s King Alfred - the Great? is part of the BBC’s A History of the World series and gathers evidence about King Alfred’s reign to establish why he was accorded the epithet ‘the Great’.
Presenter Dr Lucy Worsley, Curator of the Royal Palaces, will discover the man behind the name, and bring the Anglo-Saxon world to life by looking at artefacts from the period, exploring Anglo Saxon battle strategy, medical knowledge, lifestyle, diet, cooking, dress, and education.
During the half-hour programme, viewers will embark on a journey of discovery, taking in the famous sites of Winchester, from his famous statue on Broadway, through the streets to Winchester Cathedral, and his final resting place at Hyde. The programme will feature interviews with curatorial experts from Winchester Museums.
Graham Scobie, Historic Information Officer at Winchester City Council, said: “Alfred inherited the throne during troubled times. With the Viking incursions, the Kingdom of Wessex was on the verge of collapse. The centers of learning and the arts had been destroyed. To rebuild his kingdom, he invited scholars and artisans to his court in Winchester. From this arose a renewed Wessex, the origins of the Kingdom of England. From the collections of the Winchester Museum Service we chose the Winchester Reliquary, a container holding the remains of a saint, to highlight this renewal and we are thrilled to see that it is featured in this BBC series.”
The programme also coincides with the Hyde900 festival, marking the 900th anniversary of the founding of Hyde Abbey – King Alfred’s resting place. A series of year-long celebrations have been arranged throughout 2010 as part of Hyde900, visit www.hyde900.co.uk to find out more.
Today’s visitors to Winchester can still follow in the footsteps of the “The Great King” thanks to Winchester Tourism’s self-guided trail –The Winchester Walk: a Tour of King Alfred’s City. The life and times of King Alfred are also bought to life with regular guided tours provided by Winchester’s official Blue Badge Guides.
The city’s development under Alfred the Great as capital of Wessex and of the Anglo-Norman kingdom can also be traced by looking at Winchester City Museum’s display of extensive archaeological and local history collections.
-----ENDS-----
For more information about Winchester Museums visit www.winchester.gov.uk/museums or contact Sher Kent, Museums Services Manager on 01962 848 557, email: skent@winchester.gov.uk
For more information about Hyde900 see www.Hyde900.org.uk
For media enquiries please contact Rachel Gander, Tourism Marketing and Development Officer on 01962 848 556, email: rgander@winchester.gov.uk
Consultation on proposed restructure of Hampshire’s Library Service
Press release from 14 May 2010
Hampshire County Council is re-shaping the way it runs its Library Service and the staffing resource so that it can continue to provide a modern, high quality service for less money, in the face of increasing financial pressures put upon it.
Over the last seven years there has been a massive investment in the Library Service, including the creation of two Discovery Centres, with one more on the way, two new libraries , the refurbishment of 28 libraries, the addition of public internet terminals across the Service to offer free access to all, increase in opening hours along with improved services for housebound residents. But the imperative to meet the needs of a wider range of people and delivering a modern Library Service which needs to be financially sustainable during a time of ever increasing budget pressures, has forced the council to restructure the Service.
The context in which libraries are operating is changing fast particularly how people choose to use their libraries. The County Council is seeking to address this through its ambitions in the Vision and Strategy for the Library Service which has at its heart the need to continue the transformation of recent years which has seen a huge increase of online use, a 50% increase in the use of the council’s two Discovery Centres, Sunday opening and co-location with other community services.
The Library Service currently has a £18 million budget, two thirds of which is spent on staffing costs. If the Library Service was to continue without any changes the predicted overspend will be £1.3 million in this financial year alone.
This is phase one of a three phase restructure project over one year. Phase one will reduce the number of Managers, simplify the hierarchy and reducing headquarters and support services by 25 per cent. The next two phases will be looking at the provision of the County’s mobile library service and head quarters functions to make sure they are both running efficiently, effectively and within budget.
Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Margaret Snaith – Tempia, Said: “In the face of tightening public finances and tougher times ahead with an unprecedented level of savings to be found, the County Council is continually looking for ways it can provide more for less, to find better ways of working and give good value for money.
“Libraries are not immune from these financial pressures and while innovation and partnership working can help us reduce costs, these alone are not enough to offset the pressures. Also, in previous years, we have had to revert to using the book fund to cover gaps which is not acceptable nor sustainable. A lot of work has gone on to reduce costs as much as we can through vacancy management and not replacing colleagues who have left or retired. But it has become inevitable that we need to reduce staffing costs.
“The introduction of new technology and adapting the way in which staff work to maximise efficiency through flexible working will mean that there will be no library closures or a reduction in opening hours.
“Staff that are going to be affected have already been notified and have been informed of what their next steps are.
“The Library Service has played an essential role in helping the County Council to meet some of its key priorities around supporting older people, inclusion and helping people reach their potential. Our aim is to continue to build on the solid foundations of a modern, excellent Library Service to make it responsive and sustainable and broaden its role and relevance in delivering what local communities want.”
ENDS
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
Issued by Julie Gosling
Media Communications Officer (Culture, Communities, Recreation & Rural Affairs)
Tel: 01962 846006
Email: julie.gosling@hants.gov.uk
Hampshire County Council is re-shaping the way it runs its Library Service and the staffing resource so that it can continue to provide a modern, high quality service for less money, in the face of increasing financial pressures put upon it.
Over the last seven years there has been a massive investment in the Library Service, including the creation of two Discovery Centres, with one more on the way, two new libraries , the refurbishment of 28 libraries, the addition of public internet terminals across the Service to offer free access to all, increase in opening hours along with improved services for housebound residents. But the imperative to meet the needs of a wider range of people and delivering a modern Library Service which needs to be financially sustainable during a time of ever increasing budget pressures, has forced the council to restructure the Service.
The context in which libraries are operating is changing fast particularly how people choose to use their libraries. The County Council is seeking to address this through its ambitions in the Vision and Strategy for the Library Service which has at its heart the need to continue the transformation of recent years which has seen a huge increase of online use, a 50% increase in the use of the council’s two Discovery Centres, Sunday opening and co-location with other community services.
The Library Service currently has a £18 million budget, two thirds of which is spent on staffing costs. If the Library Service was to continue without any changes the predicted overspend will be £1.3 million in this financial year alone.
This is phase one of a three phase restructure project over one year. Phase one will reduce the number of Managers, simplify the hierarchy and reducing headquarters and support services by 25 per cent. The next two phases will be looking at the provision of the County’s mobile library service and head quarters functions to make sure they are both running efficiently, effectively and within budget.
Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Margaret Snaith – Tempia, Said: “In the face of tightening public finances and tougher times ahead with an unprecedented level of savings to be found, the County Council is continually looking for ways it can provide more for less, to find better ways of working and give good value for money.
“Libraries are not immune from these financial pressures and while innovation and partnership working can help us reduce costs, these alone are not enough to offset the pressures. Also, in previous years, we have had to revert to using the book fund to cover gaps which is not acceptable nor sustainable. A lot of work has gone on to reduce costs as much as we can through vacancy management and not replacing colleagues who have left or retired. But it has become inevitable that we need to reduce staffing costs.
“The introduction of new technology and adapting the way in which staff work to maximise efficiency through flexible working will mean that there will be no library closures or a reduction in opening hours.
“Staff that are going to be affected have already been notified and have been informed of what their next steps are.
“The Library Service has played an essential role in helping the County Council to meet some of its key priorities around supporting older people, inclusion and helping people reach their potential. Our aim is to continue to build on the solid foundations of a modern, excellent Library Service to make it responsive and sustainable and broaden its role and relevance in delivering what local communities want.”
ENDS
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
Issued by Julie Gosling
Media Communications Officer (Culture, Communities, Recreation & Rural Affairs)
Tel: 01962 846006
Email: julie.gosling@hants.gov.uk
Winchester crime and disorder incidents reduced during 2009-10
Press Release from 13 May 2010:
Annual crime figures for 2009-10 show that crime has fallen in Winchester by 4.6%.
The number of crimes reported to Winchester Police during 2009-10 was 6,639, compared with 6,961 the previous year. The crime figures also show a continuing year-on-year decrease, as there were 7,090 reported crimes during 2007-08.
There has also been a reduction in the number of reported anti-social behaviour incidents, which have fallen by 17.1% to a total of 2,065. This compares with 2,493 reported incidents during 2008-09.
The Winchester District commander, Chief Inspector Rachel Farrell, said: “This is good news. Our success has been due largely to the continued investment in neighbourhood policing and the partnership approach we have adopted to tackle the priorities. Our challenge is to do even better in future years. In Winchester, we work with partners to reduce crime and this involves listening to local concerns, working with other police colleagues, businesses, Parish Councils, and other public bodies to tackle local concerns and crime in general.”
Cllr John Cooper, the outgoing City Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Safety, said: “I have enjoyed overseeing a strong partnership that has been dedicated to dealing effectively with local concerns. The past year has seen real progress on many fronts. A 13.2% reduction in criminal damage and 17.1% fall in anti-social behaviour can be attributed to the resources that the Community Safety Partnership has put in place. The launch of the alcohol brief intervention programme in Winchester Custody Suites has also helped to reduce alcohol related violence by 3.1%.”
He added: “The new administration in the Council has a rock solid foundation to make further progress in tackling the issues that blight people’s lives and I will work alongside my successor to make sure this happens”.
If you would like more details about your local neighbourhood team, how you can meet them, and how you can influence local priorities, please call 101. Alternatively, you can visit the Hampshire constabulary website at www.hampshire.police.uk or call into your local police station.
The Winchester Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is currently undertaking its annual review of Crime and Disorder, which is due to be published in the late summer 2010. More information can be found at www.wdsp.co.uk/communitysafety
If you have any questions regarding the Winchester CSP, please contact Sandra Tuddenham, the Community Safety Manager, on 01962 840 222.
Annual crime figures for 2009-10 show that crime has fallen in Winchester by 4.6%.
The number of crimes reported to Winchester Police during 2009-10 was 6,639, compared with 6,961 the previous year. The crime figures also show a continuing year-on-year decrease, as there were 7,090 reported crimes during 2007-08.
There has also been a reduction in the number of reported anti-social behaviour incidents, which have fallen by 17.1% to a total of 2,065. This compares with 2,493 reported incidents during 2008-09.
The Winchester District commander, Chief Inspector Rachel Farrell, said: “This is good news. Our success has been due largely to the continued investment in neighbourhood policing and the partnership approach we have adopted to tackle the priorities. Our challenge is to do even better in future years. In Winchester, we work with partners to reduce crime and this involves listening to local concerns, working with other police colleagues, businesses, Parish Councils, and other public bodies to tackle local concerns and crime in general.”
Cllr John Cooper, the outgoing City Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Safety, said: “I have enjoyed overseeing a strong partnership that has been dedicated to dealing effectively with local concerns. The past year has seen real progress on many fronts. A 13.2% reduction in criminal damage and 17.1% fall in anti-social behaviour can be attributed to the resources that the Community Safety Partnership has put in place. The launch of the alcohol brief intervention programme in Winchester Custody Suites has also helped to reduce alcohol related violence by 3.1%.”
He added: “The new administration in the Council has a rock solid foundation to make further progress in tackling the issues that blight people’s lives and I will work alongside my successor to make sure this happens”.
If you would like more details about your local neighbourhood team, how you can meet them, and how you can influence local priorities, please call 101. Alternatively, you can visit the Hampshire constabulary website at www.hampshire.police.uk or call into your local police station.
The Winchester Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is currently undertaking its annual review of Crime and Disorder, which is due to be published in the late summer 2010. More information can be found at www.wdsp.co.uk/communitysafety
If you have any questions regarding the Winchester CSP, please contact Sandra Tuddenham, the Community Safety Manager, on 01962 840 222.
Police crack down on motorists committing traffic offences in Botley
Press Release from 13 May 2010:
Police in Botley are cracking down on motorists committing traffic offences following concerns raised by the parents and teachers of children at Botley Primary School.
There have been a number of incidents recently where motorists have been caught by the police speeding or driving through red lights outside of the school which is situated in the High Street.
A woman was found guilty in her absence at Lyndhurst Magistrates Court on Monday May 10 after she was caught driving through a red light by police at the location.
She received an £175 fine, was ordered to pay £265 court costs and received three points on her driving licence.
A further nine motorists are also being summonsed to attend court for driving offences in Botley High Street.
PC Kathy Cronnelly, a local Safer Neighbourhood Team officer, said: “Motorists are continually putting the lives of children at risk while they walk to and from school.
“Motorists are warned that we will continue to deal with offenders robustly and will be conducting future speed enforcement operations in this area.”
-Ends-
989/13052010
Hazel Wills
023 8060 4730
Hazel Wills
Corporate Communications Officer
Western Operational Command Unit (6 OCU)
Hampshire Constabulary
Internal Tel: 671-199
External Tel: 023 8060 4730
hazel.wills@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Police in Botley are cracking down on motorists committing traffic offences following concerns raised by the parents and teachers of children at Botley Primary School.
There have been a number of incidents recently where motorists have been caught by the police speeding or driving through red lights outside of the school which is situated in the High Street.
A woman was found guilty in her absence at Lyndhurst Magistrates Court on Monday May 10 after she was caught driving through a red light by police at the location.
She received an £175 fine, was ordered to pay £265 court costs and received three points on her driving licence.
A further nine motorists are also being summonsed to attend court for driving offences in Botley High Street.
PC Kathy Cronnelly, a local Safer Neighbourhood Team officer, said: “Motorists are continually putting the lives of children at risk while they walk to and from school.
“Motorists are warned that we will continue to deal with offenders robustly and will be conducting future speed enforcement operations in this area.”
-Ends-
989/13052010
Hazel Wills
023 8060 4730
Hazel Wills
Corporate Communications Officer
Western Operational Command Unit (6 OCU)
Hampshire Constabulary
Internal Tel: 671-199
External Tel: 023 8060 4730
hazel.wills@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Big Event! Stepping out to be ‘streets ahead’ for Walk to School Week 17 – 21 May!
Hampshire County Council Media release(12/05/2010)
Many children in Hampshire will be ‘streets ahead’ for National Walk to School Week (17 – 21 May), thanks to training provided by Hampshire County Council.
Over 360 schools and nearly 80,000 young people across Hampshire are set to take part in Walk to School Week and those that have benefitted from the County Council’s ‘Streets Ahead’ training will be well aware of the need to keep themselves safe on their walk to school and equipped with the skills to do so.
Designed specifically for six and seven year olds, Streets Ahead is a school based training scheme which teaches children essential road safety skills and the fundamental principles of the Green Cross Code. Part of the training involves taking children on to a designated route outside of the school where they practice how to cross the road safely and what to look and listen out for before they cross the road.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “National Walk to School Week is a great opportunity for those who would normally be driven to school to get a taste for walking instead. Our Streets Ahead scheme actively equips children with the knowledge to be able to get around on foot safely together with the understanding about why they need to take particular care when they are out walking and crossing the road.
“In 2008, 40% of all pedestrian casualties in Hampshire were between the ages of five and 19. We would like more schools to make it possible for children to undertake this practical training and help to reduce the number of accidents involving children thereby avoiding injury or death.”
Headteacher Mrs Claire Lowe, at Blackfield Primary and Fawley Infant Federated Schools believes that “all children and young people deserve a broad and balanced education that prepares them for life. Hampshire County Council’s Streets Ahead programme provides the basic skills that children need to help keep them safe and events such as Walk to School Week are a great way to showcase those skills.”
Miss Sarah Holland, Headteacher at North Farnborough Infants School added that “Walk to School Week is something that we have taken part in and endorsed for the last few years. By working with the Road Safety Team at Hampshire County Council, we have been able to provide the Streets Ahead programme to the Year 2 pupils at the school furthering their road safety awareness. We are very happy to be working in partnership with the Council for this year’s walk to school week and hope that it will be a great success.”
ENDS
MEDIA INVITATION
Reporters and photographers are invited to attend either of the following two schools between 8.30am and 9.15am - please notify Diana Leahy of your intention to attend - where, to mark the start of National Walk to School Week, a group of children will be undertaking part of their 'Streets Ahead' training.
Publicity opportunities to be held at either Blackfield Primary School, Hampton Lane, Blackfield,Southampton, SO45 1XA OR North Farnborough Infant School
Rectory Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 8AJ
Notes for editors
Schools seeking further information about the Streets Ahead programme can call the Road Safety Team at Hampshire County Council on 01962 846100 or visit the website www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
For media enquiries please contact:
Diana Leahy, Media Communications Officer (Environment)
Tel: 01962 847666
Email: diana.leahy@hants.gov.uk
Many children in Hampshire will be ‘streets ahead’ for National Walk to School Week (17 – 21 May), thanks to training provided by Hampshire County Council.
Over 360 schools and nearly 80,000 young people across Hampshire are set to take part in Walk to School Week and those that have benefitted from the County Council’s ‘Streets Ahead’ training will be well aware of the need to keep themselves safe on their walk to school and equipped with the skills to do so.
Designed specifically for six and seven year olds, Streets Ahead is a school based training scheme which teaches children essential road safety skills and the fundamental principles of the Green Cross Code. Part of the training involves taking children on to a designated route outside of the school where they practice how to cross the road safely and what to look and listen out for before they cross the road.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “National Walk to School Week is a great opportunity for those who would normally be driven to school to get a taste for walking instead. Our Streets Ahead scheme actively equips children with the knowledge to be able to get around on foot safely together with the understanding about why they need to take particular care when they are out walking and crossing the road.
“In 2008, 40% of all pedestrian casualties in Hampshire were between the ages of five and 19. We would like more schools to make it possible for children to undertake this practical training and help to reduce the number of accidents involving children thereby avoiding injury or death.”
Headteacher Mrs Claire Lowe, at Blackfield Primary and Fawley Infant Federated Schools believes that “all children and young people deserve a broad and balanced education that prepares them for life. Hampshire County Council’s Streets Ahead programme provides the basic skills that children need to help keep them safe and events such as Walk to School Week are a great way to showcase those skills.”
Miss Sarah Holland, Headteacher at North Farnborough Infants School added that “Walk to School Week is something that we have taken part in and endorsed for the last few years. By working with the Road Safety Team at Hampshire County Council, we have been able to provide the Streets Ahead programme to the Year 2 pupils at the school furthering their road safety awareness. We are very happy to be working in partnership with the Council for this year’s walk to school week and hope that it will be a great success.”
ENDS
MEDIA INVITATION
Reporters and photographers are invited to attend either of the following two schools between 8.30am and 9.15am - please notify Diana Leahy of your intention to attend - where, to mark the start of National Walk to School Week, a group of children will be undertaking part of their 'Streets Ahead' training.
Publicity opportunities to be held at either Blackfield Primary School, Hampton Lane, Blackfield,Southampton, SO45 1XA OR North Farnborough Infant School
Rectory Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 8AJ
Notes for editors
Schools seeking further information about the Streets Ahead programme can call the Road Safety Team at Hampshire County Council on 01962 846100 or visit the website www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
For media enquiries please contact:
Diana Leahy, Media Communications Officer (Environment)
Tel: 01962 847666
Email: diana.leahy@hants.gov.uk
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