"FARNHAM - be part of it", is the catchphrase for the final and most crucial stage in choosing the list of Healthcheck projects that most people in the community would like to see actioned in the town and its surrounding area over the coming months and years. The Healthcheck is a nationwide scheme aiming to give small market towns like Farnham the chance to be put under the microscope. Its aim is also to ensure their viability in the years to come, through short and long term projects in the community. Under four separate themes of community, leisure, traffic and transport and the environment and economy, lengthy consultations have already taken place. Hazlini Harun, co-ordinator for the local scheme, said as a result a number of issues have been identified have now been identified, the major ones focusing on transport and accessibility; social and community; environment and economy. In addition, said Miss Harun, the local community has also given its views by completing the Healthcheck questionnaires, which identify the town's strengths and weaknesses. The results, she said, have enabled the Healthcheck team to come up with a large number of projects which now need to be put in an order of priority by the community. People can have their say on a Healthcheck wish list for Farnham through a number of road shows being held throughout the town until the end of the month. The object of the exercise is to prioritise projects and help with funding applications for those considered to be of the highest importance for the town's wellbeing. "This is so that the people of Farnham can come and see the list of projects and say which they most favour. Views from all age groups and backgrounds are welcome," said Miss Harun. "We need people to tell us what they want." And she appealed to everyone who lives, works or uses the facilities in Farnham, "to come to the road show and have their say". The first road show of the series took place at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design over the lunch period on Monday. Miss Harun was delighted with the response. "It was located there to gauge young people's opinions. Within two hours we had 43 responses." Among projects highlighted for the community are more affordable housing, a refurbished sports centre, facilities for both young and elderly people, a Tourist Information Centre, upgraded toilets, better information on the town and the continuation of Farnham in Bloom after the present organiser step down. Under the leisure banner, top priorities are a cinema, better sports facilities, the promotion of leisure and community activities and more accommodation for visitors, including campsites. Improved bus routes co-ordinated with train services, speed reduction and less heavy traffic through the town, as well as more cycle routes and better short-term car parking, are all included under the heading of traffic and transport. And to promote the environment and the economy are suggestions to recycle more, protect the character and setting of Farnham and improve its cleanliness. Further road shows will ttake place as follows - Monday, Feb 7: Tesco Express, Ridgway Road, 2 - 4 pm; Wednesday, Feb 9: The Maltings, 5 - 8 pm; Thursday, Feb 10: The Bungalow, Hale, 10 am - noon, 3 - 4 pm, 4 - 5-30 pm, 7 - 7- 30 pm; Friday, Feb 11: Badshot Lea Garden: 10-30 am to 4 pm; Tuesday, Feb 15: Farnham Library, 10 am - noon; Sports Centre, 4 - 5- 30 pm; Wednesday Feb 16: Rowledge Halifax Garden, 11 am - 1 pm; Wednesday, Feb 23: The Maltings, 5 - 8 pm; Sunday, Feb 27: Farmers' Market, 10 am - noon. The project is fully supported by Farnham Town Council, Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council, but most importantly has grown out of the views of the people of Farnham. For more details phone 01252 712667. The Healthcheck questionnaire results are currently available online at http:// http://www.farnham.gov.uk/Healthcheck.pdf">www.farnham.gov.uk/Healthcheck.pdf.
