A Watchkeeper drone will be keeping the Apache helicopter company at Vigo Park for the free event at the end of June.

The surveillance drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is equipped with sophisticated cameras and radar to give troops on the ground vital intelligence and reconnaissance.

It beams a constant stream of video footage and radar pictures back to a ground station where the intelligence is scrutinised by analysts, enhancing commanders’ battlefield awareness.

In 2014, the MoD revealed that “an undisclosed” number of Watchkeepers were fully operational in Afghanistan. The aircraft were stationed at Camp Bastion to provide force protection for British troops.

The drone is one of a growing armoury of military vehicles, weapons and displays for the event on Sunday 25th June. An Apache helicopter will be the showpiece for the event and is due to cause a stir as it lands in the park at 4pm on Saturday 24th June.

Andover Radio is hosting the event which will also include a funfair, falconry displays, a fully licensed bar, boxing ring and live music from Alex Krupa and The Mighty Hump.

www.andoverarmedforcesday.com

For the past six years, Tony has been Deputy Head of Kent College Pembury, an HMC 3-18 day and boarding school for girls in Tunbridge Wells. He has previously been a Director of Studies, Head of Year and Interim Head.

Both of his parents were in the army and he boarded at Gosfield School, a small day and boarding school with a very similar ethos to Rookwood School.

Tony was the unanimous choice of the Trustee Board. He has a passion for excellence in education, significant strategic leadership experience and shares Rookwood’s ethos of developing each child as an individual to enable them to achieve their potential.

Tony read Chemistry at Bath University and has a Master’s Degree in Learning and Teaching from Oxford, for which he was awarded a distinction for his research into independent learning. Additionally, he attended Sandhurst where he trained to become an Education Officer.

His interests are wide-ranging: he enjoys chess, hillwalking and the theatre. He is an experienced parachutist, having completed over 2000 jumps, including competing nationally and he is a qualified instructor. He has now ‘hung up his parachute’ due to family commitments.

Tony is married to Gill, a marketing consultant who specialises in the charity and public health sectors.

Mr Kirk-Burgess commented “I am delighted to be Rookwood School’s next Headmaster. Rookwood is an excellent school, which values each individual student and fosters a love of learning. I was particularly impressed with the confidence and resilience of the students I met when I visited the school. I very much look forward to getting to know the staff, students and parents and to leading the school into the future.”

Former resident Fred Abraham will be amongst the crowd at this year’s Armed Forces Day at Vigo Park.

Distinctively robed in his official ‘scarlets’, the WW2 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers veteran who served for 22 years will be sharing stories with visitors young and not-so-young at the family event on June 25th.

Chelsea Pensioners are patients at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army.

Fred travels from the hospital in south west London to return to Andover where he spent many years living on River Way.

‘Love Andover Armed Forces Day’ is hosted by the town’s new radio station ‘Andover Radio’ and features a host of activities, family attractions and exhibitions including Gazelle and Apache Helicopters.

In association with Love Andover, Sunday 25th June sees the return of Andover Armed Forces Day. This is a chance for the town to join people across the UK to say “Thank You” to members of the Armed Forces community – including current personnel, reserves, veterans, cadets and families – for their contribution to the nation..

As part of the day 5,000 copies of a 16 page A5 glossy brochure are being produced 

To download a copy of the details for the programme, click here.

To book call David on 0777 999 5454. Offer ends Monday 5th June 2017.

As an extra bonus, quote “Andover UK” when you order and we will share out 6 posts on Facebook (3,600) and Twitter (5,000) that you are supporting Andover Armed Forces Day free of charge.

In a press release, he said:

After 18 years in the role, I have made the decision to stand down as Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, it is mid term in the Council calendar and I feel it is the right time. Standing down now will give the new leader and Cabinet two years to prepare for the changes and get themselves well settled in ready for the election challenge in 2019, which will be under the new warding arrangements.

They say that you know when it’s the right time to give up, I had that feeling very early in 2016. Having discussed my decision with my Cabinet early in 2016 and agreed a plan of action, I advised the Chief Executive and Corporate Directors of the plan and my intention to stand down in May 2017.

I have served the communities of Test Valley to the best of my ability for 18 years, and I believe that now is the best time to pass the baton to a successor who is able to make a long term commitment to our residents and businesses.

It’s been brilliant working with everybody, councillors and staff, all of whom are dedicated and work hard to deliver excellent services to all residents. The Council is an efficient, effective, low cost and very well run council and I am very proud of what the Council has delivered to the residents during my term as Leader. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

There were several reasons for my decision in 2016;

• It was never my intention to stand again as a councillor in 2019.

• The inevitable consequences of the government’s ill-fated devolution agenda required a long term vision for the future provision of public services in Test Valley, and a commitment to delivering that vision.

• The referendum was, of course, in the offing (now Brexit) and, whichever way the vote went, I felt that there would be challenges which needed to be addressed in the context of a leadership strategy which went well beyond 2019.

• The boundaries of the wards in Test Valley were being redrawn with fewer councillors.

• With all the issues I could see arising, I felt that the members who were going to inherit that future should be making the decisions going forward.

• I’ve been through one reorganization, one bid for unitarisation, ward changes and changes in to the way in which the council operated. I did not really want to go through that all over again.

• I believe that my legacy will speak for itself, and that my family now deserve more of my time than I have been able to give them during these last 18 years when it has been my privilege to serve as Leader of Test Valley Borough Council.

Clarification points

Around November 2016’ I was asked “Was I retiring at the end of the year.”
I replied “No I was not retiring at the end of the year”
Answer: Correct and True.

After the ‘town Centre’ incident, I was asked “was I resigning over the incident?”
I replied. “I won’t resign over this issue, I want to continue with the plans that are in place.”
Answer. Correct and True. The plan is as set out above and was put in place in 2016.

Hampshire County Council announced two weeks ago that they plan to remove £56,000 of funding for the facility which provides support, advice and help for young people in Andover.

Alex Leigh and Charles Swatton arranged the meeting at the MP’s offices in Andover, where he gave further support for the campaign saying, “The service The Junction provides is incredibly valuable to the local area. I have already been in correspondence with the county council but will further write in support to help the cause”.

The young people have additionally secured a meeting with the leader of Hampshire County Council on February 16th at County Hall in Winchester.

Mr Malthouse continued, “This is a council decision and I am pleased that Councillor Roy Perry has agreed a meeting with you. Let me know conclusions and if unsuccessful, I will see if i can help any further by supporting you cause.

“The critical thing about junction is getting people who are homeless or suffering with mental health problems to sit down and talk to someone who will help them turn their lives around”.

In a letter to Mr Malthouse, Cllr Perry said, “Due to insufficient funds, we are unable to fund all the projects we may wish to and organisations and increasingly being encouraged to ensure they consider future sustainability of services given reducing public sector funding”.

Mr Malthouse provided Alex Leigh and Charles Swatton with a list of potential other funding opportunities, but offered his continues support if needed for these applications.

Alex Leigh said, “We understand there is only so much the MP can do, but we got a good result, we got the answers we required and thank Mr Malthouse for his support”.

Riverside Bowl will be a new venture for Valley Leisure and will feature eight bowling lanes, interactive 3D glow-in-the-dark golf and an American style diner.

Renovation work at the site above Wilko in Bridge Street has begun and is breathing new life into the venue that was previously run by a local community group.

“This is an exciting new venture for Valley Leisure. We’re delighted to launch this new community facility and provide a bowling alley for Andover and the surrounding area, we will continue to have the community at the heart of the charities future plans.” said Kevin Paterson, CEO of Valley Leisure.

Riverside Bowl will also be home to a bowling league, as well as hosting birthday parties and corporate events. Look out for special launch activities, which are planned for February half term.

Visit the Valley Leisure’s Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/valleyleisure

Between 4.30pm on Thursday, September 22, and 8am on Friday, September 23, offenders broke down the fencing around the playground on Floral Way, which is still under construction.

Initials and other offensive drawings were carved into the wet rubberised play surface.

Witnesses described those responsible as aged in their teens and wearing hooded tops.

PC Anna Davies said: “This incident involved a high value of damage being caused to a newly installed play area for children on Floral Way.

“We would like to assure residents that this is a rare event which took place in the evening or overnight.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information regarding those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Davies on 101, quoting 44160359670, or call Crimestoppers Anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The intruder or intruders appear to have gained entrance by breaking a window above the Roots shop in George Yard to the first floor of 12 High Street.

While they were unable to gain access to Inkwell Tattoo Studio, Beautiful YOU Beauty Salon and Burley Bridal Shop, Pure Design Hair salon’s door was forced and the business broken into.

An attempt was made to take money from the cash tin however this had been left empty  by the business owner. The adjacent staff room was also trashed with food being taken and some discarded over the floor.

Police then believe the intruders left via the broken window in George Yard.

Did you see anything that may help the Police? If so please contact Andover Police on 101.

Ark Hair Design is owned by Gerald Kingsley who has previously worked in Sri Lanka, India, Maldives – and now the UK.

Opening last week (Thursday 8th September), Test Valley Borough Council has provided help and business support to make this happen.

The salon is open:

• Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 6:00pm
• Saturday – 8:30am to 5:30pm
• Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm.

You can find out more on Ark’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ArkHairDesign