Thank you for the request for opinions on the future of the HDRA.

I think that your discussion piece is well timed as it seems from recent events that the existence of the HDRA is confusing. I came to a meeting last Autumn at which the proposers of the Diving Centre in Hambrook Hill South made their case, and when a vote was taken there was a majority of people against the development. Since that date the HDRA has been silent on the issue, and the planning permission granted.

Speaking to a number of residents in the road here, we had thought that the HDRA would be taking a position against this development, but it seems nothing was done, no representations were made, and when I contacted the Parish Council they told me that the HDRA was not the place for representations to be made, nor had they heard from the Association.

So to us this suggests that the role of the HDRA needs clarifying – and in this case it potentially harmed the situation because the impression was given that the community had taken a view of opposition, but in fact this led nowhere and probably stopped some people from objecting themselves, contacting the Parish Council and so on.

It therefore seems to us that the HDRA should become a purely social association. I see no reason why it should not ‘campaign’ on certain issues, but if it is going to take that role, it needs to be very clear when it is not going to do so.

Perhaps an explanation why opposition to the Diving Centre was not deemed a local issue of concern that the Association would take up or even comment upon in its newsletters would help.

Geoff and Angie Dixon
Hambrook Hill South

Dec 27 2009

Hello everyone
Spent a lovely hour at the playground today with my 2 year old granddaughter plus the 8 year old, and how fortunate are we to have this facility. We met Bella and her Mum there, who were visiting her grandparents and had a marvellous time.
Lovely facility for the village.
Carol

posted 7/1/10

Play Area Balloon Race Winner

We have had two labels returned from the Play Area Balloon Race and now, after two months from the launch we are have ended the competition. To our surprise and delight we had a label returned from a Jutta Rohrlack in Harrislee , Germany which, for a while looked like being the winner. However, a few weeks later the second label was returned from Aku Kalpa in Nauvo , Finland who we have now declared as the one that has flown the furthest and we have sent them a reward for their efforts.

I can reveal that the balloon found in Germany was purchased by May Woolley who lives in Broad Road, but the one found in Finland was purchased by Beth Brown of Willow View, Broad Road. We will be sending Beth a prize shortly.

Thank you to all those who took part on the day and to Mike Smith for his help with blowing them up and the Launch and also to Dave Ball for providing the Helium.
Andy Collins

The balloon travelled about 1100 miles!