Holdenhurst Village has applied for Parish Committee Status. Below is Tobias's letter of support:1
Dear Strouden Councillors,
I write to add my support for Holdenhurst Village to gain Parish Committee status. The village has a number of characteristics which distinguishes it from other areas in the Unitary Authority. This close knit community has a natural geographic footprint and amenities consistent with any village in England which already has Parish status. It is also set apart from much of the conurbation of Bournemouth and is only accessible by a single road.
Whilst the population is small, it has an extremely active community which embraces the responsibility of nurturing a village as beautiful as Holdenhurst, which is situated in the Greenbelt and Conservation area. A number of community events are held throughout the year in the church, on the village green and in the village hall. Events such as the May Day Festival bring together not just those from the village but across the Borough.
The cohesion and spirit that exists in the village is no accident for this village pre-dates Bournemouth by centuries. It is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and has had an established community and church that dates back to the thirteenth century. It was only in 1931 that the civil parish of Holdenhurst was subsumed into what was then called Bournemouth County Borough.
Having heard the views of residents at a number of public meetings where this proposal was discussed, the almost unanimous opinion of the residents is clear and supportive. The number of signatures supporting the petition is proof of a desire for this community to gain Parish Committee status, whilst remaining very firmly part of the Unitary Authority of Bournemouth.
I very much hope you and your colleagues in the Town Hall will look kindly on this request by the people of Holdenhurst for democratic change.