Village Voice August/September 2014 | Page 20

JACKIE’S COUNTY COLUMN there to cut the cake - apparently the ladies decided on the name in the pub! As the weather warms up, we turn to our gardens and inevitably make a trip to the Recycling centre with our garden waste! Hampshire Waste Recycling Centres are under the spotlight at the moment as the County Council aims to cut the running costs. Several proposals are offered in the consultation which can be viewed via the link on my website www.jackieporter.co.uk or there are leaflets available at libraries. I can drop one off on request too. The deadline for responses is the 22nd August. One exciting proposal in the consultation is to allow small businesses to use the recycling sites. I have been advocating this for some time as often these businesses are in the same area, but cannot currently use the sites. Currently open for seven days a week, another proposal is to cut the opening hours. To Honour a Promise - the project to erect a memorial in Winchester to commemorate the First World War local transit camps, particularly at Morn Hill, is nearing completion. We held our first meeting back in February 2012, and individuals and organisations have generously raised tens of thousands of pounds. By the time you read this, the sculpture by Simon Smith will be installed in the courtyard of the Great Hall. A huge thanks to everyone who has given time or donated to the project. The project has been both fascinating and humbling, informing many of this lesser known history. What a pleasure it is to join in with summer afternoon tea parties with residents’ groups! The Giles Group celebrated 20 years in June with a cake. Three of its founders were 18 I am in continuous dialogue with Mary Edwards , CEO at the Hospitals Trust, as the future of the hospital is being decided. As a mum who needed some help at the birth, I remain concerned about the future of maternity services - have you got a story to tell as a health professional or as a Mum? Councillor Jackie Porter e-mail: [email protected] www.jackieporter.co.uk twitter: @Jackielibdem Phone: 01962 791054 Text: 07973 696 085 or write to me at: The Down House, Itchen Abbas, Winchester, Hants SO21 1AX