Hedge End News in The News This Week (to 6 June)

At the beginning of the week the Daily Echo reported that a gang of distraction burglars had struck in Hedge End the previous Friday, 28 May, stealing £5 from a 92-year-old woman.

It’s believed the burglars were deliberately targeting the elderly, and during a five hour spree which took them from Winchester to Hedge End, Totton and Cosham there were four reports of money having been stolen and of a fifth attempt failing.

Police are reminding people to ask callers at their home for ID, and anyone with information about the incidents a week ago last Friday should contact Hampshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Last August Hedgeendpeople reported on the story that the McDonald’s in Hedge End could boast amongst its employees the oldest of the fast-food chain’s workers in the UK, former railway worker 83-year-old Neville Green and who’s worked at the restaurant for over 10 years. But it seems Mr Green’s lost his celebrated status with the news – reported in the Daily Mail on Friday, 4 June – that the oldest McDonald’s employee is now Bill Dudley at the branch in Mold, Clwyd, and at 85 is Mr Green’s senior by two years.

Finally in the Hampshire Chronicle yesterday, Saturday 5 June, came the news that George Hollingbery, the MP for

Meon Valley and which borders on to Eastleigh constituency, is calling for a review of the Strategic Development Plan proposal to build 6,000 new homes at the north east of Hedge End.

Mr Hollingbery has joined with Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, in asking for the re-examination of proposed housing schemes in the area following the government’s announcement that the Decentralisation and Localism Bill will devolve decision-making power on house-building targets from regional to local level.

There have been a number of stories on Hedgeendpeople about the proposed plan, with the issue causing various debates and discussions.

See Hedgeendpeople’s ‘Strategic Development Plan - PUSHing up (6000) houses’, ‘Campaigners Against Strategic Development Plan Petition 10 Downing Street’, ‘Hedge End’s Proposed 6000 House Development – Botley’s Study Highlights ‘Major Flaws’, and for the views of our MP, MP for Eastleigh Chris Huhne, as set out in the run-up to the general election, ‘Liberal Democrat Candidate and Former MP Chris Huhne Sets Out His Views On Hedge End Issues’.