WTC Newsletter - September 2025

Social Saturdays, LGR Results, E-Scooters and more!

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Whiteley Town Council
September 02, 2025

Fun Day Fridays Were a Hit - Let’s Keep the Fun Going!

So many families joined us on our Fun Day Fridays in August to enjoy free children’s activities. We had a farm visit with a petting zoo, a circus skills session, and some enchanted bubbles, and we enjoyed it so much we’ve decided to keep the fun going!

We’re planning to host a Social Saturday at Barn Farm once a month, with more free fun activities and crafts. We’ve got such a lovely group of young families in our town, and providing a space for you all to meet, enjoy yourselves, and develop a sense of community is what we’re all about!

Social Saturdays will be completely free of charge, aimed at primary school-aged children and their families, and run between 10am-12pm on the following days.

  • September 27th – Harvest & nature-themed crafts

  • October 25th – Halloween crafts and fun

  • November – TBD

  • December 14th – A Barn Farm Christmas (Sunday) Special

Got ideas? Email the event organiser - Community Development Officer, Katie Mattingly, using the contact info below.

Exclusive: Results of the LGR Survey!

Consultations are taking place regarding the Government's proposals to replace the current two-tier council system (county and city/borough councils) with larger unitary authorities serving at least 500,000 people. One of the proposals coming forward would move Whiteley into a unitary authority based around Portsmouth and including Gosport, Havant and Fareham. Another proposal places Whiteley with Central Hampshire.

The Town Council asked whether residents of the Winchester area of Whiteley would prefer to be part of a Portsmouth-based unitary authority or one based in central Hampshire.

101 responses were received with email and home address as verification.

14 for Portsmouth
87 for Central Hants

If you have any questions about the Local Governance Review, please contact Nicki Oliver by phone or email.

Should the use of e-scooters & e-bikes on Meadowside Recreation Ground be banned?

The council is looking at a proposal to ban the riding of e-scooters and e-bikes on Meadowside Recreation Ground due to numerous complaints about pedestrian safety. Do you support this proposal?

It is currently illegal to use e-scooters on the road or in public spaces. There is further information here https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/

Email us with your thoughts, using the address below.

Skatejam and Around the World Trail

Thank you to Sarah and Katie, who ran a joint event on Meadowside Recreation Ground on a breezy and sunny August Saturday.

The Skatejam is a great way for us and Sarah, our Community Safety Officer in particular, to engage with our young people. We can get to know them at their favourite venue and find out any needs and concerns. This helps reduce anti-social behaviour whilst providing a fun, active event where everyone can show off their skills and learn new tricks.  Lots of prizes were on offer and we appreciate the expertise of the organisers, Rubicron in crafting and running the event.

Families enjoyed another of Katie's beautifully designed trails.  The Around the World Whiteley trail asked the participants to find hidden postcards and collect the secret images to win a prize.

Thank you, Sarah and Katie, for another fabulous community afternoon on Meadowside Recreation Ground.

Additional Bins Coming to North Whiteley

The installation of additional general waste bins is in hand to help manage the problems of dog waste as new open spaces are being made available.

If you have an idea for where a new bin should be installed, let us know, using the email below.

Barn Farm Community Centre is Moving!

Vistry recently got in touch with us to update us on the status of our Community Centre. Work has started and is progressing well, and in the meantime, our temporary centre needs to be relocated.

While we haven’t been given a specific date yet, the move is expected to happen mid-September. We have been reassured by the developers that extra care and effort will be put in, ensuring the garden is moved as safely as possible.

The new location will be on Rosco’s Roundabout, in the southwest area highlighted in blue on the map below.

The final building will be in the northeast section, where Whiteley Way and Beaulieu Road meet.

The left arrow shows approximate car access, and the right arrow shows a pedestrian gate

Whats happening with the ______?

Telecom (5G) Tower

The signal in the shopping centre is poor. Checking your bank balance or calling a friend? Forget it unless you find one of those rare bars.

Whiteley Town Council has been pushing for a signal tower for years; it's currently with lawyers, and you will be updated with news as soon as there is any.

Allotments

The first allotment site, Allotment 1, has been completed for some time and is waiting for the developer consortium to complete the legal work to hand over to the Town Council.

Work has yet to start on the Allotment site 2, but an update on this is expected shortly.

Work has started on site 3.

Our Events

Whiteley Fireworks

Sunday 2nd November, 4.15pm at the Meadowside

A great night every year, Whiteley fireworks raises money for the Rotary Club of Whiteley, a wonderful group who do a lot of good for our town.

Watch our socials to be the first to know when tickets go on sale!

Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday 6th December, 5pm at the Meadowside Recreation Ground, free

Watch as Father Christmas rides the sleigh into Whiteley, where he will switch on the lights!

Barn Farm Community Centre

Find our Temporary Community Centre just off Rosco’s Roundabout on Whiteley Way. SO30 2YX.

What will Barn Farm be like when it’s finished?

That’s a great question, and the team are so excited to show off the plans for the new centre. You can find out all about Barn Farm and the current and future buildings at the link below.

temporary barn farm - two steel portable cabins put together

The Temporary Community Centre

Events

Food Truck Friday

This month we’ll be joined by the amazing Baja Mexicali, who did a fantastic job filling in for Three Cuts during an event of ours in August, and were a huge hit. Joining them are Arty-stan Pizza, a regular favourite of ours, who make tremendous fresh pizzas! Lastly, of course, Louleigh’s Sweet Treats will also be in attendance for all your cakes and milkshakes!

Friday 26th Sept, 5pm - 8pm.

Clubs

We’ve got tons of clubs that run fortnightly or monthly. You’re welcome to join in, or even start your own. Just send us an email with your idea and we’ll do all we can to make it a reality!

Community Garden Project
A community garden poster, complete with illustratd raised beds with a city backdrop

Unwind in our community garden-meet friends, swap tips, and enjoy the sunshine. Check social media for meetups as these vary with the weather!

Home Education Social Group
Event poster complete with a little girl wearing a homemade aeroplane costume

Home Ed group is currently on summer break, but will be resuming at the end of August. Kids can enjoy crafts, games and gardening, while you chat with like-minded parents.

Weds 3rd & 17th September, 12.30pm - 2pm, free

Role Playing
Role playing poster, the O is a D20 dice

Easy, disability inclusive sessions for the beginners, the old hands, the nervous, and those who ‘played Dungeons & Dragons in the 80s but have since forgotten everything’ alike!

Thurs 11th & 25th September, 6.30pm, £2.50 per person. Cash or card accepted. Booking in advance is required by visiting one of the links below.

Arts & Crafts Club
A colourful arts and crafts poster with a purple art deco background, and illustrations themed around sewing and embroidery

Join Craft Club for a fun Thursday of crafting, free tea & coffee, and new friends!

Thurs 4th & 18th September, 11am - 1pm, free

Board Game Club
Board game club poster, with meeples, cards and tokens

Choose a game from our sizable library, bring your own, or join us on Facebook or Discord for more.

All experience levels are welcome! There’s always a beginner’s table where you’ll be taught a simple game by one of our volunteers.

Thurs 4th & 18th September, 7pm, £1 per person. Cash or card accepted.

New Father’s Support
Dad-a-base poster with a man and his son holding hands

For fathers of children aged 0-3. Find a supportive network of local dads to share your experiences with. Learn and grow together as you tackle this new challenge called Fatherhood.

Tues 9th September, 7.30pm - 8.30pm, free

Whiteley Sustainability Action Group

The Sustainability team are doing some amazing work, and they need all the help they can get!

Join a group full of friendly, passionate individuals dedicated to improving conditions around Whiteley and encouraging sustainable living.

Wed 3rd & 17th September, 7pm - 9pm

Sustainability poster, with a smiling woman watering a large flower

Affordable, Gentle Exercise & Activities

Looking for a gentle, affordable way to get into exercise? Here’s our list of accessible and easy classes for all skill levels, in and around Whiteley 🏃‍♀️

Park Yoga

Park Yoga - many attendees in the field with their yoga mats, stretching

A gentle group suitable for all skill levels, including total beginners.

Saturdays at 9.30am - 10.30am on the Meadowside. Free

Parkrun

Parkrun - a group running along the path on the meadowside

A fun and friendly group where you can walk, jog or run, or even just spectate.

Saturdays at 9am on the Meadowside. Free - but registering is required beforehand.

Whiteley Health Walks

Whiteley wellbeing walks - attendees sat on a bench outside the leisure centre, smiling

A great way to walk at your own pace, make friends and have a chat.

Wednesdays at 2pm, meet outside the Meadowside Leisure Centre. Free

Beginner Pilates

Two women laying on mats with a small weighted ball between their knees, which they are floating above them

This Level 1 Beginner Pilates class is held by Meon Wellbeing. Very suited for those with reduced mobility. Book via the email below.

Mondays at Fareham Community Hospital, 6pm - 6.45pm. £4

Seated Exercise Classes

an elderly group sat in a circle on chairs, holding onto a band

Gentle, chair-based exercise class. Perfect for people with reduced mobility.

Fridays at Whiteley Community Centre, Gull Coppice 10am - 10.45am. £4 

About the Council

Want to get in touch with a Councillor? Find names, roles within the council, and contact details here.

Council Meetings

The public is always welcome to attend council meetings. These take place in the Council Offices, on the second floor of the Meadowside Leisure Centre.

Committees include Planning, Finance, Highways and Transport, Recreation & General Purpose, and Strategic Development and Policy.

Agendas will become available here as they are published. Minutes for previous meetings can be found on the WTC website, under the ‘How the TC Works’ menu. Select Full Council or the committee you are interested in to view.

Meeting Type

Dates

Full Council

Mondays at 7.15pm

8th September, 6th October, 3rd November, 1st December (if needed).

Committees

Wednesdays at 7pm

17th September, 15th October, 12th November, 10th December (if needed)

Our Staff

All the council’s staff work part-time but will respond as quickly as possible during their working hours.

Town Clerk

Nicki Oliver

Nicki manages the day-to-day running of the council and its facilities.

Community Safety Officer

Sarah McCulloch

CSO Sarah is out keeping our community safe and building relationships with schools, our young people and the wider community.

Community Development Officer

Katie Mattingly

Katie is working with residents in the new development to deliver new initiatives, events and activities to support the growing community.

Communications Officer

Leah Scott

Leah manages the council’s social media presence and designs communications to improve residents’ access to local information.

Planning Coordinator

Hilary Oliver

Hilary has joined us from Winchester City Council to oversee the work of the developers as they prepare the play areas, sports pitches and open spaces for handover to the Town Council.

Local Services & Help

Meon Valley Food Bank
logo

If you are in need of short-term help with food and basic household supplies, a confidential referral can be made by our Community Safety Officer.

Home Start Hampshire
logo

Home-Start helps families who are experiencing difficulties in their lives by providing support.

My Home Made Better

Free, independent advice to make your home more energy efficient. Save money, feel comfortable in your home, increase your property’s value and do your bit for the planet.

Green Travel Boost
poster for the travel boost. there's a helmet, suitcase, scooter, and someone wearing a waterproof in the rain

Each household can claim up to £100 to help them travel more sustainably and reduce their car use.

Plus, we can now help you pay! Please contact Katie, who will support you with your application.

Citizens Advice
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Offering free, independent advice, CA can help you with employment, housing, benefits, debt, human rights and more.

Hospital Transport
poster for transpot service, with cars and a road circling the text

Friends of Fareham Community Hospital provides travel from your home so that you can attend your appointment.

Meon Health Wellbeing Drop-ins
poster for drop in sessions, with people chatting

Offering non-medical advice to Meon patients, around topics like mental wellbeing and stress.

Mondays, 10 am - 1 pm at Whiteley Surgery, PO15 7LB

Y Services
logo

Clubs and events for our youth, including specialised sessions for SEN, LGBT+, and Home Educated children and teens.

Exciting ways to help your community!

Cornerstone Primary School is now accepting new governors to its vibrant team of volunteers. This is an opportunity to help a thriving school to grow and develop further.

🔗 More info

Become a Whiteley Womble
A child wearing a high vis and holding a bag and litter picker

Litter pickers, hi-vis and bag holders are available if you would like to keep your neighbourhood tidy. Contact our Town Clerk, Nicki

Volunteer with Whiteley Youth Club
whiteley community centre on gull coppice

Whiteley Youth Club takes place on Fridays at 6.45 pm. For school years 6-10, the club offers arts and crafts, group games, and discussions with trained youth workers.

Donate to Meon Valley Foodbank

If you can’t commit to regular events, but want to do your part to help the community, consider donating to Meon Valley Foodbank.

Please contact our Comms Officer to find out where to drop off donations.

Join The Rotary Club of Whiteley as a Member
a class at whiteley primary school holding books they have been gifted by the rotary

Make a difference through volunteering, to achieve change on a local level, and raise money to help those struggling globally.

To speak to someone about membership, check out the link or call the number below.

Get stuck in with the 1st Sarisbury Green Scout Group
a scout rock climbing on an indoor wall holding a teddy bear

If you love the outdoors and can spare a little time, you'll be welcomed. Adventurer, master of social media or expert marshmallow toaster, whatever you can do will be appreciated with our flexible approach to volunteering. You'll be helping create a positive impact on our local youth.