I start this article with an apology to those of you who read other parish magazine's that I also write for, as this piece may look more than a little similar to other column's that I write. There is a simple reason for this. Time. As you may know, I look after five other villages and  write monthly articles for four of them. Each article is usually as different as I can make it, but as you know this is a busy old month for most of us, and it's no different for the us in the neighbourhood team. Back to normal next month, promise.

During the course of my working week I receive various communications from residents in the area, some people phone me, some pop into the nick in Farnham to have a word, some wait for my monthly surgeries, and others prefer to email me. It never ceases to amaze me just who reads these magazines, recently I've had emails from as far and wide as the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and closer to home from Spain and France, each correspondent saying they keep in touch with their old village via the Elstead News why contact me? Some still have property in the UK and ask me to carry out such tasks as security surveys on their properties, others just want advice on various issues such as them returning to the UK with a new partner and how long the partner can use an international drivers licence for, I really never know what is waiting for me in my inbox. One email I received recently from a local resident asking for my help was from a driver who contacted me in desperation due to his journey to work every morning being ruined by another motorist who was driving in an anti social manner, in this case the other motorist was tailgating, and driving at excessive speed, the email asked me if I could help in anyway. After I was informed of the make and index of the offending drivers vehicle a few days later I set my alarm extra early and was in place to nab our friend, and suffice to say justice was done.

As most of you will know there was an incident along the Milford Road recently involving a two vehicle collision which resulted in two children receiving thankfully only minor injuries who were waiting for the school bus. Since this incident there has been a groundswell in the village for a Community Speed Watch, the police will support the initiative in any way we can. However I must point out that the incident in Milford Road was not caused by excessive speed.

A word of warning, thefts from garden sheds and remote garages are on the increase so please check the security of yours. I recommend you fit an audible alarm, strong British standard locks, put nets up at any window, finally partially paint the handles on equipment such as mowers, strimmers etc with a bright colour as this makes it more difficult for the thief to sell on.

The next police surgery is at the wardens off in Springhaven on Thursday the 14^th of January between 11.30 & 12.30

That's enough from me for this year, and just leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

PS Keep safe and remain security conscious at all times.

The Council is keen to set up a Recycling Exchange, giving residents the opportunity to bring along unwanted, but serviceable items, in the hope that someone else will want them. They in turn may find something that they need. We are asking for volunteers and ideas, so if you think you can help, please contact Councillor Sally Place on 01252 702763 or email: