A Tour de France Show at The Lights

The Lights in Andover have a new and exciting cycling related show in October: Ned Boulting's Marginal Mystery Tour: 1923 And All That (Warm Up Show)

Wednesday 16th October 2024, 7.30pm


It’s all about the Tour de France...

In his latest celebration of the greatest race on earth, Ned delves into the hidden mysteries of a mysterious roll of film from the 1923 Tour de France that fell into his possession during the Covid pandemic, and inspired his bestselling book "1923!"

Part detective story, part murder mystery, part costume drama, part French farce, Ned weaves his own typically ridiculous story into the astonishing discoveries he makes about the hidden world of the 1923 Tour de France, its characters and tragedies, and ties it all together with the wild upheavals of Europe in-between the wars.

And along the way, in an evening's odyssey, he draws a connection between the heroes of yesteryear and the champions of today, from Cavendish to Pogačar and beyond! It’s a touching, hilarious, fascinating journey that bounces between the centuries, but always has Le Tour at its very heart.

DETAILS and TICKETS:
https://thelights.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173650792

Ride and Stride 2024

 Ride + Stride is back on Sunday 14th September when you can join in the enjoyment of visiting the historic church buildings of the area.
It makes a wonderful day out, especially if cycling.
For example there are currently over 30 churches participating in the Whitchurch area.

People all over Hampshire visit as many churches as they wish on foot, bicycle, scooter, horseback, canoe, bus or classic car, exploring and enjoying the countryside.

As there are over 400 due to be open you can have fun choosing which will be part of your itinerary. Many will have refreshments, some will have loos open, and all should offer your group a warm welcome.

Funds are raised through sponsorship that helps fund repairs to historic churches.

Full details are here:

https://hihct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/ 

Use of Community Infrastructure Levy

Whitchurch Town Council has put out a request for suggestions as to how it should spend CIL. Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge which can be levied on new development. It can be used to help deliver the local infrastructure that is needed to support the development. It is collected by the local planning authority, which in this area is Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The Town Council has stated that it currently holds £13,240.49 of CIL contributions.

It has also stated that:

"The categories of expenditure are Physical (highways & transportation, pedestrian and cycle networks, energy supplies, utilities, flood alleviation measures), Social (education, health, social care, community halls, sports halls) and Green (public open spaces, play areas, parks)."

A suggestion...
Cycle Whitchurch has asked that a small amount of the funding is used to improve cycle parking within the town that would both enhance the street scene, provide an amenity for local and visiting cycle users, and support business and travel needs.
Its provision also supports the aims of the local Neighbourhood Plan, Hampshire's Local Transport Plan and helps mitigate the Climate Emergency.

'Plantlock' cycle parking
It can be placed under
shop windows or in paved areas

Plantlock
The suggestion made is for 'Plantlock' style parking which consists of containers that are dual use – for both containing attractive street enhancing planting as well as providing a place to lock cycles without the need to use shop windows or similar.

It has also been suggested that they could be used for promoting 'edible community planting' such as herbs and similar plants. There are volunteers who could help with this.

Such features are used in many other locations enhancing the local environments.
At low cost it would be a very good use of the some of the CIL monies.
It is hoped Whitchurch Town Council agrees. 

About the Community Infrastructure Levy:
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/policy-and-legislation/CIL/about-CIL

Déja vue at Mill Springs Cycle Path

Once again the poor construction of the Cycle/Footpath at the Barry Jackman Sports pitch site at Mill Springs in Whitchurch has raised its ugly head.

The site, which still remains virtually unused under the ownership and management of Whitchurch Town Council, has been dubbed by some as the biggest white elephant in the town. Others are less kind claiming it to be the most expensive dog walking/dog poo field in the area.
Despite many thousands being spent by the Council on maintenance it remains a drain on the local taxpayer's pocket, and one that even public auditors have questioned.
However in recent weeks we hear the situation is improving and users are being found.

But it is primarily the cycle path that concerns us.

Déja vue – Cycle Path Cracks
The surface of the cycle path that runs through the area is breaking up again just two years after the same defect had been already been 'repaired' by resurfacing.

The cracks are likely to be caused by poor construction/repairs allowing untreated plants to break through the surface of the asphalt during the spring/summer months. There should be a barrier to prevent this happening.

Small 'star' patterned cracking is starting to re-appear that is likely to become worse once the winter frosts come. Freezing water expands such cracks and the surface can break up. This weathering action is one of the major creators of dangerous potholes.
  
If not dealt with they can result in an uneven and dangerous surface for cycling and walking, and in particular for those with sight or mobility impairments.

By not dealing with such damage the Council may be opening itself up to claims for injury or damage adding further burdens on the taxpayer. 

This really needs resolving.

Local Cycle mechanic to 'climb' Everest

A local cycling mechanic is to take on a challenge to cycle the height of Everest in a quest to raise funds to support the opening of the Whitchurch Community Swimming Pool.

UPDATE:
Mike successfully completed this challenge, raising much needed funds for re-opening the local swimming pool. Well done.

Mike the SpokeMechanic says:

Please support this fantastic event in aid of the pool.

At midnight on Saturday 15th June, I will be setting out on a challenge to raise money for our community swimming pool here in Whitchurch.

 

I will be cycling the height of Everest while not leaving the county - at Faccombe Hill.

• One hill
• One road
• 8849m of climbing
• 120 repetitions
• Over 20 hours on my bike
• Riding a distance of 300km

Please help me raise funds to get our swimming pool back open and available to the community.

Full details of the challenge can be found at https://www.spokemechanic.com/everesting including a link to the donation page.

 

Thank you all in advance.

The Swimming Pool

A keen and committed group of local volunteers are aiming to bring the swimming pool at Testbourne School, which has been closed since 2019, back into use as a true Community Pool. 

There is a massive amount to be done and the team have been hard at work ranging from dealing with a lease to arranging insurances, covering legal requirements, sourcing essential services, and of course raising the much needed monies to carry out all the necessary work.

Mike's challenge above is a part of the massive fund-raising effort which also includes pub quizzes, sponsored walks, raffles, music events, auctions and many other activities. 

If you can help with fund-raising please see the website: https://wcsp.org.uk/

Town Council rejects call for cycle parking

Whitchurch Town Council has rejected a request from a local resident for increasing the cycle parking provision in the town's centre. 

Whitchurch is very popular with visiting cyclists, many of whom bring trade to the town being attracted by the cafés and shops. The town is also often a stop for organised cycle rides and events, and there are local people who use their cycles to visit the local businesses.

However, the lack of suitable cycle parking has led to some cycles being left against shop fronts and in some cases cycles have been left laying on the pavements or even taken into shops blocking doorways.

Council had previously removed cycle stands
Two years ago, in what many felt was a regressive move, the Town Councillors removed most of the cycle parking that had only recently been installed and was starting to be well-used.
Some had claimed that the cycle stands hindered certain businesses from parking vehicles on the pavements for loading/unloading! Meanwhile others considered the Council's decision a knee-jerk reaction to a small orchestrated campaign that went against improving the town centre for all.

The Council reacted by relocating the cycle stands to areas outside the town centre including to the sports ground on the edge of town at Mill Springs where they now sadly reside empty as the sports area remains unused.

Understanding
This latest rejection shows that the Council still has far to go in understanding the wider issues. Towns and villages that recognise the value of provision for cycling (and walking), including parking, invariably see an increase in trade and economic vitality, as well as improving the environment, encouraging Active Travel and supporting Climate Emergency aims. This is also recognised by the Borough and County Councils. Since the cycle parking was removed by the Town Council at least three businesses have closed their doors.

It is a shame the benefits are not seen by Whitchurch Councillors.

*Note: as an aside to the decision not to provide more cycle parking the Councillors requested Whitchurch in Bloom to remove their beautifully decorated cycles from some existing racks. This makes little difference as they did not prevent cyclists using those racks as they simply locked to the colourful bikes. Instead it just removed some lovely bright colour from the town provided by a keen award-winning volunteer group who understand that a pleasant environment attracts more people to use the town facilities.

This cycle parking that helped add trade and vitality was removed by the Town Council. Apparently it was obstructing the pavement – for motorists!

The result of failing to address the need for adequate cycle parking in the town centre means more cycles are still leant against shopfronts or left obstructing footways.
As the weather improves this will inevitably get worse.

Failure to provide adequate cycle parking can lead to obstructions.

Fill That Hole – Pothole reporting site relaunched

Last week, to mark National Pothole Day a refreshed version of the reporting tool Fill That Hole was launched (https://www.fillthathole.org.uk/) by CyclingUK.
The site is now simpler than ever and helps councils keep roads safer.

Almost all councils accept reports through the new site, and for the small minority that don’t, the tool will link you directly to the council’s website.
Hampshire County Council are one that does accept reports.

Potholes are a plague
Potholes plague roads across our country and for all road users can become a hazard that far too often has resulted in loss of life or serious injury. Since Fill That Hole was originally launched in 2007 by the Cyclists' Touring Club (now the charity Cycling UK) nearly 200,000 potholes have been reported in the UK.

255 seriously injured or killed

Potholes are dangerous for everyone, but as Cycling UK has recently highlighted, they pose a particular risk to people cycling.
It is known that 255 people have been seriously injured or killed due to road defects in the last seven years, but the real number of injuries is likely far higher given these figures only include reports which reach the police.

Road maintenance budgets are being cut
It’s therefore little wonder Fill That Hole has proved so popular over the years, especially as councils have seen their roads maintenance budgets increasingly squeezed, worsening the nation’s pothole crisis. The latest round of proposed cuts by Hampshire County Council will make this worse in this area.

The Relaunch
However, technology has moved on since 2007, which is why Cycling UK has relaunched Fill That Hole, with support from Cycle SOS, to ensure it’s easy to use, gets reports to the right places, and can help campaign for increased investment in local roads maintenance.

About Fill That Hole:
https://www.fillthathole.org.uk/about/about

Report a road defect
https://www.fillthathole.org.uk

Barrier work continues

The excellent work by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, in removing barriers on cycle routes throughout the UK continues.
Barriers can seriously hinder and stop use of cycle routes by a great many people.

Regretably Whitchurch has some which have been brought to the attention of the Town Council.
These barriers have led to several instances of the less mobile not being able to access the Council's Mill Springs open space. 

Sustrans this month issued the following statement:

"Removing barriers will lead to an increase of illegal use and antisocial behaviour."

This is one of the most common concerns we get when removing restrictive barriers on the National Cycle Network. But did you know removing barriers can actually do the opposite?

In our experience barriers often stop people with wheelchairs, adapted cycles, prams and trailers from using the path, but don't actually prevent those with motorbikes from illegally accessing the path. People with motorbikes can often wheel them under, around or lift them over barriers, or if they're really determined simply find an access point further up the path.

 

Removing barriers enables more people to use routes, making them busier, which can in turn make illegal use and antisocial behaviour less likely. In a trial in London, barrier removal led to a 20% increase in use and a reduction in anti-social behaviour.

This creates a positive feedback loop: people are more likely to use safe paths, so as a route gains a reputation for being safe, the number of people using the route goes up, making illegal use and antisocial behaviour less likely. It's a win-win.

Removing barriers is a key priority for us as we work to make the National Cycle Network more accessible.

 

Ride and Stride 2023

Ride + Stride is back on Saturday 9th September when you can join in the enjoyment of visiting the historic church buildings of the area. For example there are currently 29 churches participating in the Whitchurch area.

During Ride + Stride people all over Hampshire walk (or cycle, or scoot or ride) between churches, exploring and enjoying the countryside. 

As there are over 400 due to be open you can have fun choosing which will be part of your cycling itinerary. Many will have refreshments, some will have loos open, and all should offer your group a warm welcome.

Funds are raised through sponsorship that helps fund repairs to historic churches.

Full details are here:

https://hihct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/ 

A Draft Cycling Charter

Whitchurch Cycling Charter – Draft
Draft Charter for cycling has been put together by Whitchurch Cycling Bicycle Users Group.

It is hoped that given the increasing population and the expected growth of housing numbers, schooling, employment and business needs, that the importance of recognising all means of transport will be given the attention it deserves.

It is hoped that local councils, organisations, businesses and residents can adopt the aims of the charter as part of improving the town of Whitchurch.
If anyone has any comments or suggestions on this Draft it would be extremely welcome, whatever your main means of road use.
Please use the Contact Form or email whitchurchcycling@gmail.com
Very many thanks.

__________________________

A Vision for Cycling in Whitchurch and its surrounds — Connecting People to Places.

"We, residents, businesses, organisations, schools and colleges of Whitchurch and its surroundings, want a safe cycle network in and around our rural town, connecting surrounding villages and helping to create a sustainable, healthy and vibrant place for our living, working, leisure, health and education."

Whitchurch and its surrounding should be a place where:

• Children and students can cycle to school or college safely.
• People of all ages and ability can feel confident to cycle to places of work, shops, businesses, amenities and for leisure uses.
• Cycling will be the safe, natural choice for a large proportion of everyday journeys.
• Road dangers are removed. 
• Cycling is given equal consideration in all highway planning considerations.
• Visitors and residents using cycles are welcomed and feel safe.

We believe that prioritising cycling would:

• Address the challenges of pavement parking, constricted residential streets, noise and air pollution, inactive lifestyles and the impact of a rising population.
• Help to create a calmer, friendly, carbon-neutral town where people will want to spend more time shopping and socialising, bringing benefit to shops and businesses.
• Enable visitors and residents to more fully enjoy our rich cultural and community heritage.
• Support business by boosting physical and mental health, well-being and productivity of the workforce, bringing local economic benefits and reducing the burden on local health and care services.
• Help achieve Climate Change goals and improve the environment by reducing carbon emissions, air pollution and noise.
• Help to support Neighbourhood Planning by creating better places to live and making it easy for people to move around.

We want cycle amenities to:

• Be an integral part of all highway design.
• Be convenient to users and locations. 
• Provide safe and secure cycle parking throughout the town.
• Include provision for tricycles and non-standard cycle designs including adapted cycles for the mobility impaired and for cargo and family uses.
  
• Comply with current cycle planning legislation including DfT's LTN 1/20.
  
• Comply with all Equality legislation.

We want cycle routes to:

• Link housing, workplaces, shopping and business areas, schools and community amenities across the town and surrounding area.
• 
  Link our local villages and countryside with the centre of Whitchurch.
• Utilise the easiest and most direct routes.
• Be designed to cater without hindrance for non-standard cycles including disability adapted cycles, cycle wheelchairs, hand cycles, tricycles, tandems and cargo cycles.
• Be planned and designed to safely accommodate other users including families with buggies, wheelchair users, disabled people and those who may be visually or hearing impaired.
• Include dedicated cycle infrastructure that ensures safety for unaccompanied 12-year-olds and is designed in line with best practice from around the world.
• Complement public transport to ensure excellent connections within and outside the area.
• Include comprehensive direction signage to localities and facilities in the town and surrounding area.

We want to work with and support our public and private bodies in delivering this better future for the people, businesses, organisations, services and schools of Whitchurch and its surroundings.

Whitchurch Social Cyclists – a Message

A Message:

My name is Grant and I live in Hurstbourne Priors.

Are you a local road cyclist and want to join a riding group that isn’t too serious?

Whitchurch Social Cyclists

Me and some other locals run a very informal cycling group out of Whitchurch called the Whitchurch Social Cyclists (or WSC).
There are no rules, no club fees and no discrimination. Anyone can join with just one proviso (I’ll come to that).

It’s just a social group with the aim of getting people on their bike so they get some fresh air, exercise and have a chat as they go.
We plan routes that are away from main roads as much as is practical and usually try to offer a destination worth going to; like a nice café or a country pub.

Group Rides
The group rides are advertised using a WhatsApp group and we try to ride on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. You’ll need to be self-sufficient i.e., know how to repair your own punctures and have suitable cycling gear (helmet, gloves, spare inner tube, water bottle etc).

Thursday rides are about 20 miles and we tend to set off at 7pm. Sunday rides are about 45 miles and tend to set off at 8:30am. 

Further details will be provided once you make contact.

The proviso 

Whilst we try and accommodate everyone, it can be frustrating if the ability range is too great. We have tried to accommodate really slow riders before, who do not have a road bike, and it just doesn’t work. 

As a result, we kindly ask that you can maintain the following minimum speeds on flat smooth ground: Thursday rides 10mph and the Sunday rides 14 mph. These are nice steady paces (no ‘Tour de France’ contenders here!) and they should be possible for anyone that rides a road bike occasionally and maintains a basic level of fitness.

Join us?
If you’d like to join us one Thursday evening, or Sunday morning, to give it a go, please contact me by text message, WhatsApp message or call me using 07818 057588.

 
You will be very welcome and it would be great to see you.

Cycle to Work Day 2023

 Thursday 3rd August is Cycle to Work Day 2023, the UK's biggest celebration of cycle commuting.If you haven't got your bike out yet, then this could be the ideal time.

But it doesn't have to be for a ride to work. It could be any kind of cycle ride, and on any type of cycle whether it’s cycling to the shops, to pick the kids up from school or meeting up with friends for a group ride.

Hampshire is a lovely place for cycling – from a potter to the shops, a ride out for a coffee, or a leisurely cycle in the gorgeous countryside.

As well as being great fun, low cost, efficient, cycling helps you keep fit and can make our environment a much more pleasant place.

 
All that is needed is to get that bike out and turn those pedals.

See:
https://www.lovetoride.net/cyclescheme

Incident in Bell Street, Whitchurch – a Message

Take care on our roads – there was an incident in Bell Street on Monday 19th June, around 6.00pm

From Cycle Whitchurch to all who use our roads:

Early evening on Monday 19th June there was a serious incident in Whitchurch at the junction of Evingar Road with Bell Street, where a person who was cycling had to be taken by ambulance to hospital with injuries. Evingar Road was closed for some time by the police.

This is the fourth known incident at this cross roads, three involving cycling.

And then this happened...

A passing person loudly announced: 

"Its only a cyclist – f*** 'em; they cause me enough bl**** trouble when I'm driving".

To this 'person' there is a message:

"A cyclist, like anyone else, may be someone's father, a mother, a son, a brother, a sister, a husband, a wife, a friend, a colleague..."

"Let us hope no one you care for suffers injuries or worse in any incident.  Such selfish, dangerous and uncaring attitudes have no place in any part of today's society."

We wish the best in recovery to all those who may have been involved in any way in this most recent incident.

Bike Week 2023 in Whitchurch

Today, Monday June 5th, sees the start of the annual Bike Week, marking a century of Bike Week celebrating everyday cycling.
This year it has a theme of Active Travel for everyone.

Active Travel
Cycle Whitchurch is asking residents and local organisations to embrace Active Travel as a means to help reduce harmful emissions and help us meet net zero targets.
It is also calling on our Councils and Government to act in a more meaningful way to support Active Travel by encouraging initiatives that address the Climate Emergency – safer roads, slower speeds, designated routes, and joined up thinking!

Take a spin
Whitchurch is a popular destination for visiting cyclists, being a lovely rural town on the River Test, and also makes a wonderful centre for both utility and leisure cycling. 
Bike Week is the perfect opportunity to take a few spins on two wheels, perhaps to work, to the shops or with the children to school – and not only will it be enjoyable it will help the environment, reduce travel costs and be healthy too.
Maybe our local Councillors could cycle to their meetings?

Visit our Whitchurch page here:
WHITCHURCH

National Bike Week:
BIKE WEEK 2023

 

Larger Lorries for Whitchurch

Our roads are to become even more hazardous as longer 'super-lorries' are set to become more common.

As from 31st May longer lorries with trailers up to 61 feet (18.55m) will be permitted, an increase of 6ft 9in (2.05m). It is claimed they "increase efficiency".

Road safety groups fear that these will cost lives with greater dangers for pedestrians, cyclists and road infrastructure.

Whitchurch damage and danger to increase
Whitchurch already suffers from HGVs that mount pavements, knock over bollards, hit parked cars, break up surfaces and kerbs and have difficulty dealing with the tight corners. 

This will only get far worse. The longer lorries will have increased blind spots, greater tail swings and potentially heavier weights all adding to greater risks for other road users, especially in urban areas and country lanes. 

Leading Charity CycleUK has said: 

"Given that lorries are already seven times more likely than cars to be involved in cyclist or pedestrian fatality, a longer lorry rollout represents a serious step backwards for safety."

 

WHAT CAN WE ALL DO?

We can call on our MP and Councillors to take action
One only needs to look at the Whitchurch town centre to see the amount of damage heavy vehicles cause, with the concerns recognised within the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan as requiring action.

We call on all our MP, Councillors and representatives to respond on how this unwelcome growth in large vehicles is to be dealt with in Whitchurch and on our country roads. 

Heavy Lorries and excessive traffic is already a scourge on Whitchurch and has destroyed so much.

Do we want that to become worse?

Kit Malthouse MP
kit.malthouse.mp@parliament.uk

Tom Thacker (HCC County Councillor for Whitchurch)
tom.thacker@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council
Main HCC website

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
Main BDBC website

Whitchurch Town Council (and for Neighbourhood Plan matters)
Contact details