Copyright (2008) on all text, images and graphics is Alan Gordon's intellectual property (we are still adding content to the site categories - so please be patient , and keep checking back) This is the Home Page
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Forest Horse Tack Thefts Going Up, Police Warn
...............
By Al Gordon
..............
Forest Crime Watch
.....................
Country Watch officers are issuing security advice to horse owners following an increase in reports of horse tack thefts in the rural areas of the New Forest and Test Valley.
Police have received seven reports of tack thefts in total in the New Forest and Test Valley areas since the beginning of February 2009.
Police advise the following:
Ensure stables and tack rooms are left secure, consider improving locks, CCTV, security lighting
Mark all your equipment with a postcode; this enables police to return your property if it is recovered and makes the property less desirable to thieves
Be vigilant – report any suspicious people/vehicles to police giving as much detail as possible.
Tack marking equipment is available to borrow free of charge from Country Watch. To arrange to borrow the equipment, or for further security advice contact Country Watch Sergeant Louise Hubble at Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 45 45.
To report anything suspicious contact your local police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
If a crime is in progress dial 999.
-----------------------
Woman,80, Robbed In Ringwood
Police are appealing for information after a woman in her 80s was robbed near Sainsbury’s supermarket in the centre of Ringwood at around 10.45am on Friday, March 6.
The woman was approached by a man who held her against a wall and took her handbag, which contained approximately £30 cash.
The woman was uninjured.
The man is described as:
5ft 6ins tall
Approximately 30 years of age
Dark skin
Wearing a three quarter length black jacket, a grey hat pulled low over his face and ears and blue jeans
Detective Constable Matt Parker of Lyndhurst CID said: “It is very rare to have this kind of offence committed in broad daylight outside a busy supermarket. There may well have been people around at the time of the incident that saw this man in distinctive clothing.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information is asked to contact DC Parker at Lyndhurst CID on
0845 045 45 45,
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
------------------
Police Alert About Suspicious Callers
Police are appealing for information following reports of suspicious callers in the Ringwood and Fordingbridge areas on Monday, March 2
The first incident occurred in Nursery Road, Ringwood at around 2.45pm. A woman in her 50s answered the door to two men who said they needed to read her gas meter and check her statement to see if she qualified for discount.
The men refused to say which company they were from. The woman was suspicious of the men and did not allow them into the property.
Both men were wearing shirt and tie; one was wearing a suit jacket. One man was white with red hair and of slight build. The other man was black and of slight build.
A second report of a suspicious caller was received later the same day at Bruyn Road, Fordingbridge at approximately 9pm.
A woman in her 50s answered the door to a man asking about a reduction in her phone bill. The woman was suspicious when the man did not show ID and did not allow the man into her home.
Police are linking the two incidents.
Anyone with information, or received a similar call, should contact police at Ringwood police station on 0845 045 45 45, or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
-Ends-
Nobody should feel pressure in their own home. Hampshire Constabulary is offering the following Safer Homes advice to avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime:
Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.
Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from.
Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you witness suspicious callers in your area, contact your local police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
---------------------
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Bluebells Will Soon Be Blooming at Whitsbury Cross ...you can almost smell them.
The tree, ready to shade them, simply growed and growed rght out of the picture, like Jack's beanstalk
Picture - Al Gordon
----------------
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Blonde,22, Dies In A338 Head-on Crash Inferno
........
Clio And Lorry Collide At Ibsley Black Spot
By Al Gordon
............
Forest Police Correspondent
Christine Lorraine Hodges, 22, of Upper Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, died trapped in her blazing silver Renault Clio after it was in a head on crash with a lorry on the A338 at Ibsley on Tuesday (Feb 17).
It was the third road fatality in the past 12 months on the A338 between Ringwood and Fordingbridge.
Christine was driving towards Salisbury at 7.40am to her job as a car company administrator when she met an articulated lorry head on at the black spot three miles south of Fordingbridge.
Police questioned the lorry driver, who was driving towards Ringwood, and took a statement.
They are urgently appealing for witnesses in a huge operation named OPERATION PRESAGE.
Anyone with information should ring
0845 045 45 45
Massive traffic jams built up and police diverted the queues through the back lanes.
The road was blocked for over five hours from 7.40am to 12.55pm.
Christine and her parents and friends were SAAB car enthusiasts.
Her parents, Christopher and Trudi Hodges, and younger brother Phillip released a statement on behalf of their family through Hampshire Police saying:
“We are devastated by the untimely loss of our daughter in this tragic incident.
“Christine was a bright, outward-going young woman, who was looking forward to holidaying and setting up home with her boyfriend Jeff.
“Christine touched many people’s lives and was active in the Brownie community. All who knew her will miss her.”
People living alongside the A338 between Fordingbridge and Ringwood have been campaigning for years to make driving safer.
==========
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Augustus , the Ram, Trying To Throw A Melting Snowball In The Riverside Gardens, Fordingbridge. So the hot hands that fondled a hundred Fordingbridge nipples and navels in the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s are still warm.
Virgins keep safe distance from red button on his interactive statue.....i.e. Godshill...
Picture by Bridge Street disciple Al Gordon, 11.55 am Monday Feb 2, 2009, despite ice cold hands....
----------------------------
Heartbroken Road Victims Family Say Elderly
Drivers Need Extra Testing
By Al Gordon
Forest Crime Watch
Following the sentencing of 74-year-old car driver Ann Larke to two years’ imprisonment on Feb 5 the family of victims Terry Stubbs and Channon Kevern want all over 70s drivers to have another driving test.
In a statement through police they said:
"Nobody should ever have to bury a child and grandchild. It’s the worst possible thing to go through.
“The pain and loss we are all going through is unimaginable.
“We are glad to say that justice has been served with sending Larke to prison. We must set an example to the elderly that age does not make them immune to a custodial sentence, allowing them to get away with killing other road users.
We believe that every driver over the age of 70 should have to sit a hazard perception test and medical, to prove their competence to drive on our roads.
"We feel very strongly that this person is incapable of being allowed back onto our roads ever again and should be banned for life."
The senior investigating officer, Sergeant Julian Williams, said:
"Today's sentence will hopefully allow the family of Terry Stubbs and Channon Kevern to at least start to rebuild their shattered lives.
"As one of the first convictions in the county for the new offence of causing death by driving without due care and attention, this sends a clear message to the public about the responsibility they take on when they get behind the wheel of a car.
“A short period of inattention has led to the deaths of two innocent people. That is something the families of Terry and Channon, as well as Ann Larke herself, will have to live with for the rest of their lives."
Mr Stubbs, 29, and his stepdaughter Channon, 12, both of Fawley, died on August 23, when a Toyota Corolla driven by Larke collided with their Suzuki motorcycle on the A326 at Dibden Purlieu. Larke had made a U-turn in the road.
----------------------------
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Snowy Bridge Street 10pm February 4
Picture Al Gordon
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Twelve Day Old Dog Mess On Pavement
By Al Gordon
The town is suffering from a 12-day old disgusting deposit of dog mess outside Lloyds Bank and my Doll Museum in Bridge Street, Fordingbridge.
It was deposited on Sunday Feb lst. And has been stepped on all week by dozens of car passengers alighting for Lloyds Bank, children and unseeing mums with prams and of course the blind.
Both the Town Council and Hampshire County Council said it wasn't their problem - it's New Forest Council.
New Forest District Council ignored appeals from Al Gordon on Tuesday Feb 3 to clear it up.
No one from the District Council has even been to look at this soiled main artery walkway in the town - and we're paying £215 a year on average from our council tax to the council's top brass bloody pension fund so they can get a gold plated pension from their mid-50s of between £50,000 to £100,000 a year - not, I must stress the poor roadmen and manual workers and lower paid clerks who will get only about a £4000-£6000 a year pension for actually clearing up the crap and doing all the clerical leg work for the big guns.
What a bloody disgrace. If you or I dropped even a sweet paper the litter stasi would hit us with an £80 on-spot fine!
In desperation today (Thursday 12 Feb) I swept the dried up mess into the gutter, and even the drain puked.
Picture - Al Gordon
--------------
Foreign Blackmailer Defrauds New Forest Woman Of £70,000 In
Internet Scam
........
She Breaks Down After Six Years Of
Nightmare E-Mails And
Threatening Phone Calls
.........
By Al Gordon
ForestCrimeWatch
.............
Hampshire Police have issued a warning of rampant internet fraudsters after a middle aged woman in the New Forest reported being defrauded of over £70,000 in an internet scam by a man claiming to be from Nigeria.
He had somehow given her a sob story which she had fallen for and enticed her to email him back with her bank details.
She is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and has asked police not to give out any information about her as she has suffered enough.
She finally went to the police on Sunday, February 15. and broke down.
Over the past six years she has paid him more than £70,000 by electronic transfer as a result of his threatening emails and telephone calls .
Residents are being warned not to pay money or give out personal details to anyone unless they are sure they are genuine.
If you are at all concerned contact your local police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
Recently a Portsmouth man described how a Nigerian, posing as an attractive young woman looking for love, even sending him "her" sultry picture, conned him out of £127,000 by pretending to want him to be "her" lover...
Our picture shows two Forest police officers at Fordingbridge police station who want to help you
if you fear you are being conned
=================================
Urnful Of Ashes Found At Ringwood
By Forest CrimeWatch Reporter
Police are appealing for help to trace the owner of an urn which was discovered by a walker at Blashford Lakes, Ringwood earlier today, Friday, February 13.
The walker brought the urn, which is believed to contain ashes, into Ringwood police station this afternoon.
The urn is metal and has the name
Roderick Nigel Jones
and bears the date the date September 2, 2007.
Police have no information about how the urn came to have been left at Blashford Lakes and are appealing for relatives or friends to come forward to claim it.
Anyone with information should contact Station Enquiry Officer Ian Hunt at Ringwood police station on
0845 045 45 45
-----------------------------------------
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Roadside Memorial on the verge of the A338 near Fordingbridge to a girl passenger who died tragically in a car accident a few years ago.
-----------
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
The same memorial on the A38 to the young girl who died at the spot when the car in whch she was a passenger crashed.
The grieving family are constantly and lovingly tending the memorial.
-------------
Five Youths Sought By Police After
Land Rover Driver Threatened
By CrimeWatch Reporter
Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident on the A31 just past Stoney Cross crossroads on Tuesday, January 27 at approximately 4pm.
A man in his 20s from the Lyndhurst area was driving a Land Rover Defender Eastbound along the A31 when a grey/silver coloured MG Rover drove close behind in an erratic manner. The driver was also flashing the headlights.
The MG overtook the Land Rover and braked forcing the driver to stop. Five black youths got out of the MG and threatened the driver of the Land Rover, punching the windscreen and wing mirrors.
The driver of the Land Rover managed to drive away.
The incident forced traffic on the A31 Eastbound to stop for a short time.
Since the incident occurred police have carried out a number of enquiries but have so far not been able to identify the occupants of the MG. Officers are now appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, particularly the driver of a curtain-sided lorry which stopped behind the Landrover, to contact them.
Anyone with information should contact PC Ella McClounnan at Hythe police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111.
---------------------------
Police Alert About Suspicious Callers in Fordingbridge and Ringwood
By Al Gordon
Forest CrimeWatch
Police are appealing for information following reports of suspicious callers in the Ringwood and Fordingbridge areas on Monday, March 2
The first incident occurred in Nursery Road, Ringwood at around 2.45pm. A woman in her 50s answered the door to two men who said they needed to read her gas meter and check her statement to see if she qualified for discount.
The men refused to say which company they were from. The woman was suspicious of the men and did not allow them into the property.
Both men were wearing shirt and tie; one was wearing a suit jacket. One man was white with red hair and of slight build. The other man was black and of slight build.
A second report of a suspicious caller was received later the same day at Bruyn Road, Fordingbridge at approximately 9pm.
A woman in her 50s answered the door to a man asking about a reduction in her phone bill. The woman was suspicious when the man did not show ID and did not allow the man into her home.
Police are linking the two incidents.
Anyone with information, or received a similar call, should contact police at Ringwood police station on 0845 045 45 45, or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
-Ends-
Nobody should feel pressure in their own home. Hampshire Constabulary is offering the following Safer Homes advice to avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime:
Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.
Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from.
Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you witness suspicious callers in your area, contact your local police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
---------------------
New Forest Driver, 93, Charged After Death Of Motorcyclist, 65
By Al Gordon
NewForest Crimewatch
Hampshire Police announced today that they have charged a 93-year-old motorist following a fatal road traffic collision in the New Forest.
Alfred Barrington Ross, 93, of Sandy Down, Lymington, was charged today (February 19) with causing death by careless driving.
On October 8, 2008, the car Mr Ross was driving was in collision with a motorcycle on the A337 at Setley.
The rider, Jeffrey Bennett, 65, from Lymington, died at the scene.
Mr Ross is due to appear at New Forest Magistrates Court, Lyndhurst, Friday, March 6.
---------------------------
Police Dragnet For Two Fishy Fellows At The Fish Inn
By Al Gordon
Crime Watch
Police are trying to hook two fishy fellows on a poaching expedition for valuables from The Fish Inn at Ringwood.
They are following their trail after a burglary at the pub on Tuesday, January 13.
At approximately 1.10pm a man was seen to enter a private area of the pub at the Two Bridges.
He left a short time later and was seen to get into a vehicle driven by another man.
The vehicle was a very dark blue or black Saab 93, registration number
T 8 4 1 A P P
After the men had left it was discovered that a large quantity of cash had been stolen from the premises.
The first man who entered the pub is described as:
White
Black straggly hair and a beard
Medium build
5ft 10ins to 6ft tall
Mid 30s
The second man who was waiting in the car is described as:
White
Late teens
Short light coloured wavy hair
Approximately 5ft 9ins tall
Scars on his face
PC Simon Walters of the Priority Crime Unit at Lyndhurst said: “It is believed that these men have been involved in a number of similar burglaries in the Hampshire and Dorset areas in the past week. I would appeal to licensees to be vigilant and review their security arrangements.
“Anyone who may have witnessed this burglary, believes they may have seen the men before or after, or may have witnessed a similar incident is asked to contact us.”
Anyone with information should contact PC Walters in the Priority Crime Unit at Lyndhurst police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
================
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
New State-Of-The-Fart Loos
Fordingbridge Pays £116,000 To Spend A Penny ...
By Al Gordon, who , legs crossed, campaigned for this for six years!
Fordingbridge car park is getting a new posh-ed up loo. Quite a few, actually, and all in a neat little red brick row and they will be open for Easter.
The makeover's costing £116,000, not the £50,000 we printed earlier,
That's quite a few p's or even pees, in fact.
The wretched stinkaloo which has been the bane of the town for years is being tarted up by a team of workmen with humour who have put up a notice saying
"Sorry for the Inconvenience, folks!"
The original shell, less smell, is being preserved, for some reason.
(more details later on NEWS)
=================
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Seven Life Or Death Days
Daily Diary Of My Heart Attack And Lifesaving Operation
By Al Gordon, aged 74 and, thank God, going on 75...
See Heartbreak and log on to our new website that everyone's talking about (Sound on ...Volume up!)
Forest Police are appealing for information after a gamekeeper was beaten up in daylight by three men, believed to have been poaching, in East End near Lymington.
The incident happened in Sowley Lane just after 3.30pm on Saturday, January 24.
The gamekeeper approached the occupants of a silver coloured hatchback car, possibly a Ford Fiesta or Focus. He believed the three men had been poaching pheasant.
One of the men assaulted the gamekeeper, punching and kicking him until he fell to the ground and continued to kick him in the head.
The gamekeeper was taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment to a head injury and eye wound.
A Southampton man aged 19 was later arrested by police and bailed until April.
Anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or believes they may have seen the vehicle or occupants before or after the incident, should contact Sergeant Jamie Wiseman at Hythe police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
-------------
1st Published December 19 2008
Police Swoop On Punchup In Central Fordingbridge
Man, 23, Arrested
By Our Crime Staff
Police attended a public order incident which
followed a shoplifting offence in Salisbury Street,
Fordingbridge around 9.15pm on Friday, Dec 12.
A group of people were dispersed by officers and a man was arrested.
A 23-year-old Fordingbridge man was charged with shoplifting and is due to appear at New Forest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 30.
------------------------------
Al Gordon’s exclusive pictures of the wedding of the Year at Ringwood some 2 yrs ago
Now we do big screen hd and also every day video as well as our superb stills,
can we make a Pictorial record of YOUR happy day…and also capture the patter of little feet in the future???
Danger Motorcylist Ahead -Police Issue Day-Glo Jackets To Save Lives
By Al Gordon
Forest Police News
Police will be handing out high visibility jackets to motorcyclists in an operation to educate all road users about the dangers faced by commuting riders this Thursday and Friday (January 29 and 30).
The Safer Roads Partnership-funded operation has been initiated after analysis showed that motorbike riders travelling to and from work are one of the most vulnerable road users.
In the year from Jan – Dec 2008, a total of 24 motorcyclists were killed on Hampshire and Isle of Wight roads plus one pillion passenger.
Collision records show that 65 per cent of motorcycle-related collisions happened at or around junctions.
“Of these, 35 per cent of car drivers involved stated that they had failed to see or recognise an oncoming motorbike,” said PC Mick Gear, who runs the force’s Bike Safe initiative.
“This operation is an educational initiative to pass the message onto road users that we have responsibility to look after other road users – in particular motorcyclists who are the most vulnerable.
“Our advice is simple. To the car driver – Think bike, when you get to a junction take longer to look - it can be very difficult to judge the speed of oncoming motorcycles.
“Motorcyclists – reduce the potential hazard by planning ahead. Don’t commit to an overtake manoeuvre prior to a junction, anticipate that there may be a vehicle emerging.”
Officers will be running the educational operation at two high casualty routes.
On Thursday (January 29) the op will be on the A326 Totton to Fawley road, and on Friday (January 30) on the A32 Gosport to Fareham road.
As well as providing advice to motorists, fluorescent tabards will be handed out to motorcyclists to help increase their visibility to other road users.
In the last 12 months, the A326 has had two fatal motorcycle incidents, resulting in three deaths.
The A32 has had 2 serious and 17 slight injury collisions involving motorcyclists.
-----------------
Pensioners Lose Savings In Heartless Christmas Robbery
In Ringwood
By Al Gordon, Crime Watch
Police are appealing for information after a burglary at an address in Seymour Road, Ringwood between 2.30 and 3.30pm on Monday, December 15.
The homeowners, an older couple, left their home for a short period. When they returned it was discovered that their home had been entered and a large quantity of cash, saved for Christmas presents, was missing from the property.
A brown leather wallet and an old style pension book were also taken.
It is believed entry was gained to the property via the back door.
Detective Constable Nathan Turner of Lyndhurst CID told me today:
“The couple had been saving this money all year to buy presents for friends and family; to have the money stolen from their home is extremely distressing for them.
“It is important that large quantities of cash are not kept at home. Also take steps to ensure your home is safe and secure at all times.”
Crime prevention advice is available from your local Crime Prevention officer who can be contacted on
0845 045 45 45
Anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area of Seymour Road last Monday, or has any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Turner at Lyndhurst CID on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
Police are appealing for information after a pedestrian was hit by a car in Roundhills car park, Fordingbridge sometime between 8 and 9pm on Sunday, December 21.
A 19-year-old man was walking from Salisbury Street into the car park when he was struck from behind by a vehicle and knocked over.
The driver of the vehicle did not stop and was last seen driving into the main car park.
The man suffered cuts and bruises.
The vehicle is described as a grey coloured hatchback.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information is asked to contact PC Robert Ellis at Ringwood police station on
0845 045 45 45
or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on
0800 555 111
===================
CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Another Al Gordon picture of the Avonway, Fordingbridge, belly dancers.
-------------------
Chip Off The Crinkly Old Block Puts Fat In Fire AmongLocal Historians
