We’re all ready for the opening of Henshaw Park tomorrow (Saturday 18th Feb) – the camera is charged, the video cam has been wiped clean of previously filmed footage, and our pens are at the ready!

We are meeting at 2pm to capture the big event and interview local residents.

See you there!

This week Val has been busy posting about a sucess story where Parnwell is leading the way when it comes to listening to residents and taking quick action to solve problems.

Shamsa is preparing to cover the grand opening of Henshaw Park (18th Feb) with interviews, photos and film. Prep includes planning interview questions and story-boarding for photos/film - drawing on the training that was delivered earlier in the project.

Don't forget to follow Positively Parnwell on Twitter (@PosParnwell) - http://twitter.com/posparnwell 

It's not often that the people in charge actually listen - but Parnwell is proving the exception to this rule thanks to the Parnwell Local Delivery Group and the funding from Fairshare (Lottery funding) that allowed it to be set up.

This week June Campbell who is the Positively Parnwell Development Co-ordinator (pictured) sent round an email to say that thanks to resident feedback about a local issue, work is now being done to make improvements.

A couple of months ago, local residents raised concerns that the wooden bridges in Parnwell were very slippery these bridges. Working closely with Enterprise, the Local Delivery Group agreed that these surfaces needed replacing. And now the very first wooden bridge is receiving its 'makeover' with great new non slip decking. 

June explained that the bridge that is currently being refurbished is the small one that is very well used next to the Parnwell doctors and leading into the Park.  The contractors say that the non slip decking is of a very high quality and the second bridge (behind Whittington leading to Finchfield) is scheduled to be done next week. 

As June says, this is a wonderful example of residents having a real say in what is needed in their own community and most importantly, being able to see a quick outcome.

Val, Parnwell Community Reporter

This week Georgia Heard has been editing the footage taken when she attended last week's event at Parnwell Community Centre and interviewed the new Parnwell Community Investment Assistants. The footage will be used to create a short You Tube video about the event and the support available for local people.

Laura Whale is adding the finishing touches to her blog post for the New Year.

Community Reporters will be attending the exciting grand opening of Henshaw Park in Parnwell on 18th Februiary 2012. It will be a great opportunity to capture this momentus local event!

Have you had a chance to watch the Coffee and Cake video produced by Parnwell Community Reporters yet?

The video outlines one of the services offered at Community House - the coffee and cake morning for people wanting to practice their English. The group became Community Reporters and wanted to promote their mornings in order to get other people to attend and take advantage of the free session.

View the video on You Tube:

I've always considered myself a fairly social person - but as I've got older and with limited mobility the opportunities to meet up with people and particularly meet new people have become fewer.

When I joined the Community Reporters programme I was keen to learn more about connecting with people through the power of the internet - I was also a little anxious about it, not being the most computer literate person!

I was very lucky to receive one to one support and training on how to use blogs, Facebook and Twitter. I found blogs quite straight forward, Facebook a little harder, and Twitter a bit of a mystery to be honest. I do understand what it can be used for an how it works, but I decided it's not for me. So now I focus on blogging and Facebooking and have built up a whole network of friends that I connect with each day.

I love seeing what my friends are up to and sharing photos and thoughts! It's also nice to tap into Community networks online - did you know Positively Parnwell has a Facebook page? It's a great way to keep up to date with what's going on locally.

I've really enjoyed becoming a Community Reporter and sharing my thoughts on my community and my life online. Facebook has been a revelation and I don't feel so isolated that I can't get out and about - I can still keep in touch with everyone I want to and make new friends.

Val Fidler, age 72, Parnwell Community Reporter.

Check out the article by Val Fidler about how she feels about Christmas here 

How do you feel about Christmas - is it too much of a faff or the best time of the year? Why not write your own article or comment on the ones posted here.

If there is something you think is important to the community why don’t you join us and tell the world about it!

Join us by dropping a line to Claire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 01733 207337

Jingle bells, jingle bells la-la-la-la- … ever since I can remember I have loved the Christmas season. Everything seems to speed up by the end of November, when men, women, girls and boys start talking and planning for Christmas.

The shop windows are all dressed up in bright, shiny colours and capture the attention of the passerby’s. Everything is covered with lights and the town centre is so pretty during these weeks.
I love the crowded streets and shops with the Christmas sales. I have such fun choosing the perfect Christmas gift and one of my favourite parts is wrapping the presents – it’s an art form. And the most difficult part after this is where to hide the presents? Sometimes it can be very difficult, but the surprise on their faces is worth everything.

Lots of delicious food, a decorated Christmas tree, wine, gifts and happiness: this is what Christmas is for me. I wish it could be Christmas every day!

Val Fidler - Community Reporter

The Coffee and Cake mornings 'Kawa L Ciasto' are held at the Parnwell Community House every Thursday between 10am and 11:30am. It is for people with English as a second language to practice their language skills together. Children are welcome too.

Why not check out their video about what they do here

This week we have a write-up from Andy Mills with an update on what is happening with the Parnwell Medical Centre. More news is expected in the New Year.

Our reporters are hard at work looking at a range of issues of local interest – particularly Christmas in Parnwell!

If there is something you think is important to the community why don’t you join us and tell the world about it!

Join us by dropping a line to Claire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01733 207337

In my last update I advised that the Parnwell Medical Centre was to remain open until the end of June 2012.  

Information will be sent to everyone in the new year explaining the options available to Parnwell patients and the future delivery of their healthcare needs.

Andy Mills

Parnwell Community Reporter

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This week we have a write-up from Andy Mills about the improvements made to accessibility through postive action. Scroll down to read about how Bon Marchè listened to Andy and improved their shop.

Our reporters are hard at work looking at a range of issues of local interest – Phoebe Fuller is working a report on a flash mob that she was involved in and Shamsa Nagji is working on her article about Michael Charles from BTCV who she interviewed.

If there is something you think is important to the community why don’t you join us and tell the world about it!

Join us by dropping a line to Claire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01733 207337