Minstead Parish Council

13/04/2026

Minstead Plant and Seedling sale

If you have any spare plants or seeds to share, you may be interested in coming along to our plant sale on the village green, on Sunday 26th April 10.00 to 12.00.

The purpose is to get together to promote locally grown produce and celebrate the Spring!

Anyone from the village can sell their excess seedlings/plants or donate them to the sale.

All donations will be handed on to a local charity.


David, Jane, Sue & Trish

13/04/2026

An update sent out regarding New bin deliveries in our Area:

Bin deliveries for phase 3
 you do not need to be at home for the deliveries; bins and caddies will be left outside
properties
 bins and caddies may be delivered by different vehicles — they may not arrive at the same
time
 bins and caddies will be delivered by our delivery contractor, using their vehicles and crews
 check inside your bins — your caddies may be delivered inside your wheelie bin, and your
indoor caddy may be nested inside your outdoor caddy.

Check bin deliveries
Bin deliveries for phase 3 properties have now started with deliveries continuing through to the
end of April 2026. We're not able to give an exact delivery date for your address in advance, as schedules may change. However, we will soon publish a regularly updated list of the areas we've
completed so far, so you can check our website when we've been in your area.

What to do when bins and food waste recycling caddies arrive
 bring your bins and caddies inside your property boundary when they arrive — store them
safely until your new collections are due to start
 do not put the wheelie bins or brown outdoor caddy out for collection until your start date as
they will not be collected — you can continue to use sacks until the new collections start
 look inside your food waste caddy for your 'Get Set' information leaflet, starter roll of caddy
liners, and a chance to win a golden ticket
 remember to add your property name or number to the front of your wheelie bins and the top
of your brown outdoor caddy, in the space provided — this will help identify your bins to you, and to our crew when they're returning it after it's been emptied.

Lost, damaged or stolen bins
Due to bins being in storage before delivery, the bin lids may look slightly different to their usual
shape when they are delivered to you. These bins do not need to be replaced - they will return to their usual shape after a few weeks. Put them out in natural daylight for quick result.

Report a problem with your bin delivery
If your bins have arrived but are damaged, or we have delivered the wrong containers, fill in the Report a problem with your bin delivery form. This form is for bin deliveries as part of the new
waste service. If you haven't had a collection, you can Report a missed collection instead.

If your property will use communal bins
Some properties, including most flats in the district, will use communal bins for new waste
collections. If this applies to you, your property will use communal bins instead of wheelie bins
and the brown outdoor food waste caddy. We will provide a brown communal wheelie bin for
food waste recycling. This bin will be installed in your shared bin store area before new waste collections start. It will be clearly labelled 'food waste only'.
Do not use the bin before your start date; it will not be emptied. For some properties, new communal bins for recycling, rubbish and glass may be installed before the new waste collections start.
NFDC will write with more info before new service starts.

If your property will use sacks instead of wheelie bins
If your property has been assessed as unsuitable for wheelie bins and will use sacks instead, we will deliver your 2 food waste caddies before your first collection starts. Once your new waste
collections start, we'll deliver NFDC clear recycling sacks to your property every 12 months.

NFDC will write to you with more information before your new service starts.

Support and advice
If you, or someone in your household, may need support to understand this information and thenew waste service, or manage the new service when it begins, please get in touch.
This may be due to age, disability, or other personal circumstances.
NFDC will do its best to consider individual needs.

03/03/2026

17/02/2026

An event for Minstead residents about the importance of the New Forest freshwater landscape and the impact of offline sewage systems.

27/01/2026

Interested in Shared Ownership in. The New Forest?

Good afternoon,

New Forest District Council are holding a series of shared ownership information events across the district, providing information about how the scheme works and our new build homes coming soon.

Shared ownership offers a more affordable way to purchase a home through buying a share in a property and paying rent on the remaining share. To be eligible for shared ownership, applicants must:
Be over 18
Be unable to purchase a suitable home on the open market
Have a household income of less than £80,000 per year
Do not own a property
Some properties are subject to a local connection requirement

Information can be found on our website: New Forest District Council shared ownership - New Forest District Council

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Shared Ownership Team
New Forest District Council
Phone: 02380 285850
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.newforest.gov.uk/

20/01/2026

It’s ‘Yellow Wednesday’ for Minstead residents tomorrow- Wednesday 21st January.
Please put out your glass recycling for collection tomorrow morning.

05/01/2026

Christmas tree recycling drop-off points open across the New Forest district

Christmas tree recycling drop-off points open across the New Forest district

Residents are invited to recycle their real Christmas trees at one of 11 New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) Christmas tree drop-off points across the district.

Last Christmas, residents recycled 4,900 real Christmas trees through the drop-off points during January 2025.

Trees collected at the drop-off points will be recycled by being chipped into mulch. The mulch will be used locally to help retain moisture around plant roots and to reduce w**d growth.

Drop-off points are open from Wednesday 31 December to Wednesday 14 January at the following locations:

Blackfield, Gang Warily Community Centre car park, SO45 1GA
Brockenhurst, Brookley Road car park, SO42 7RA
Burley, Burley coach park next to the car park, BH24 4DJ
Fordingbridge, A338 slip road car park, SP6 1AW
Hythe, New Road car park, SO45 6BP
Lymington, Bath Road car park, SO41 3SE
Lyndhurst, Village Centre car park, SO43 7BF
Milford on Sea, Hurst Road East overflow car park by Sturt Pond, SO41 0PY
New Milton, Crossmead Avenue car park, BH25 6NF
Ringwood, The Furlong long stay car park. Please follow signs to the designated area, BH24 1AT
Totton, Rumbridge Street car park, SO40 9EA
Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said:

“Recycling your real Christmas tree is a simple way to reduce waste after the festive season and make sure it is put to good use locally. Last year we saw a great response from residents, and I would encourage everyone with a real tree to use one of our drop-off points and help us recycle as many trees as possible.”

Residents are asked to only drop off real Christmas trees and to remove all decorations before recycling, including lights, tinsel and wreaths. Trees should be placed as far back as possible within the fenced bay at each site.

For garden waste customers, Christmas trees can also be chopped up and put in the brown-lidded garden waste bin, but the bin lid must fully close.

Contact Information

Communications Team

[email protected]

01/12/2025

Information from NFDC

Christmas waste date changes

There are changes to waste collection dates over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays for all households:

Recycling and rubbish

Thursday 25 December – changed to Saturday 27 December
Friday 26 December – changed to Monday 29 December
Monday 29 December – changed to Tuesday 30 December
Tuesday 30 December – changed to Wednesday 31 December
Wednesday 31 December – changed to Friday 2 January
Thursday 1 January – changed to Saturday 3 January
Friday 2 January – changed to Monday 5 January
Monday 5 January – changed to Tuesday 6 January
Tuesday 6 January – changed to Wednesday 7 January
Wednesday 7 January – changed to Thursday 8 January
Thursday 8 January – changed to Friday 9 January
Friday 9 January – changed to Saturday 10 January
If you have extra cardboard, we can collect a small bundle of dry flattened cardboard on your collection day. This should be left next to your recycling bin (or sacks if not yet on the new waste service). Please do not leave flattened cardboard outside for collection if the weather is wet as it may not be good enough quality for recycling.

Collections will resume as usual from Monday 12 January.

Glass

Thursday 25 December – changed to Saturday 27 December
Friday 26 December – changed to Saturday 3 January
Thursday 1 January – changed to Saturday 10 January
All other glass collection days will remain the same.

Garden waste

If you are a subscriber to the garden waste collection service: there will be no collections between Monday 22 December and Friday 2 January. Collections will resume from Monday 5 January. Nearer the time, you will also be able to see the updated collection dates on our website.

Read more about Christmas recycling and rubbish changes on our website.

Renew your postal vote

Following recent changes to the Elections Act, a postal vote will now last for 3 years, then you must reapply.

If your postal vote was in place before 31 October 2023, you’ll need to reapply before it expires on 31 January 2026.

We’re currently getting in touch with those affected by sending them a form to complete and let them know what they need to do.

Alternatively, it’s quick, easy and secure to reapply online. You just need to fill in your details, include your National Insurance number and upload your signature.

If you no longer wish to vote by post, send us an email at [email protected] with your name and address to let us know.

Join a panel to improve customer experience

We’re inviting residents to join our customer experience panel.

The panel will help to improve the service our residents receive. You’ll test new tools like online forms, our phone system, and a customer portal.

By sharing your feedback, you’ll help to make it easier to find and request the information you need, when you need it.

Your support can be either in-person or online, for just 1 or 2 hours of your time. Expenses will be reimbursed, full support provided, and no tech skills are required.

Register your interest and we’ll be in touch within 4 weeks.

How to recycle your real Christmas tree

From 31 December to 14 January, you can take your Christmas tree to one of the following drop-off sites and we will recycle it:

Blackfield – Gang Warily Community Centre car park, SO45 1GA
Brockenhurst – Brookley Road car park, SO42 7RA
Burley – Burley coach park (next to car park), BH24 4DJ
Fordingbridge – A338 slip road car park, SP6 1AW
Hythe – New Road car park, SO45 6BP
Lymington – Bath Road car park, SO41 3SE
Lyndhurst – Village Centre car park, SO43 7BF
Milford-on-Sea – Hurst Road East overflow car park (by Sturt Pond), SO41 0PY
New Milton – Crossmead Avenue car park, BH25 6NF
Ringwood – The Furlong long stay car park (follow signs to the designated area), BH24 1AT
Totton – Rumbridge Street car park, SO40 9EA
We will recycle your tree by chipping it to create mulch. The mulch will be used locally to help keep moisture around plant roots, and to prevent w**ds from growing.

Please only drop off real Christmas trees and remove any decorations first. Other wood and rubbish should not be left at the sites. Trees must be left in the signposted area only.

If you’re a garden waste customer, Christmas trees can be chopped up and put in your brown-lidded garden waste bin, but your bin lid must fully close.

25/11/2025

Minsread residents
Glass collection tomorrow Wed 26th November

14/11/2025

Advice for the public from New Forest Heart Police

When Shopping:
Make sure your handbag is closed so a pickpocket would find it difficult to get into without you knowing.
Never leave a bag unattended in a trolley, even if for a couple of seconds.
Try to keep wallets in an inside pocket and out of sight from a potential pickpocket.
Keep your PIN number confidential.
When entering your PIN number at a terminal ensure no one can see you enter it.
Try to pay for items on a debit card rather than carrying large amounts of cash. If this is not possible keep cash to a minimum.
Before you leave your car, ensure all windows and doors are closed and locked.
Avoid leaving your purchases and presents in your vehicle. If you must make sure they are not on display, store in the boot, and make sure the car is locked.
Park your car in a well-lit car park, preferably one that’s attended or that displays the Park Mark logo.
Think about the item you are buying someone, are there any security products you could purchase to help them keep it safe? i.e. If buying a bike think about also giving an accredited D lock.
At Home:
Don’t leave Christmas presents in view of a window.
If you are buying or receiving valuable gifts such as bikes, mobiles or electrical items register them for free at www.immobilise.com in doing so you will assist the police in returning your property should it be lost or stolen.
Dispose of present packaging carefully as empty boxes left outside can advertise that you have goods inside.
Refrain from keeping large amounts of cash at home.
A secure home will reduce the chance of a burglary. Make sure windows and doors are locked every time you leave the house.
Avoid leaving tools and ladders lying around that could assist someone get into your home.
When you go out at night make it appear that someone is home. Draw the curtains, and leave a light on. You could always put a lamp or radio on a timer switch.
Never allow people into your home unless you are expecting them or have made arrangements with the company beforehand.
Never buy goods and services at the door or give away personal information.
If you are going away:
Check you have locked all doors, windows and skylights. If you have an alarm, ensure it is activated.
Inform trusted neighbours and ask if they will keep an eye on your property for you and collect your post.
Use timer switches on lamps and radios so it looks as though you are home. Signs of occupation help deter intruders.
Remember to cancel any deliveries such as milk and newspapers.
Don't mention you are away from your home on social media, post photos once you get back home.
In the build up to Christmas we will be carrying out extra patrols in the area, and remember please report any suspicious activity immediately.

Thank you

ImmobiMark is our complete home security and property marking kit to help you protect and mark the valuable contents of your home to easily register them on your account.

30/09/2025

Minstead Residents.
Tomorrow am - Wed 1st October is Yellow Wednesday.
Please put out your household glass for recycling.