Councillor Caroline Rackham

21/09/2026

Thank you to the Totton Ukeleles for a very enjoyable afternoon on Saturday. They performed a mixed set list of tunes old and new for us all - a lovely relaxed way to enjoy music!

10/09/2026

We're told the water leak has been isolated and our water supply is safe. The road isn't looking so good....

10/09/2026

Please stay away from Eling if you can find another route - it's going to be closed for some days as the road has buckled so please avoid.

10/09/2026

Horrified that people have acted like this.
No one should be treating people like this if they're RNLI young sports people or asylum seekers. What a disgrace.

SUPPORTING THE RNLI

This week there has been an appalling reaction, especially online to the RNLI Volunteers role in the arrival of 140 Migrants on the coast of Portsmouth this weekend. Whatever your view on the small boats issue, it is utterly unacceptable to accuse the RNLI of being traitors and try and identify their names and homes, this is dangerous and stupid behaviour.

This isn't a new narrative, as high profile Politicians and Campaigners have encouraged sentiment against RNLI and even discouraging fundraising for this charity that has, and continues to, save lives and put their own at risk to keep you and I safe at sea. The justification is that they are rescuing people struggling or found at sea. That is their job, and I want them putting people's safety first, and leave everything else to the decision makers. Politicians of all levels have a responsibility to not fuel sentiment and hatred against organisations, especially volunteers. Highlight issues, be frustrated but we have a responsibility, especially in such situations

Along with other volunteer sea rescue groups such as Solent Lifeboat (also hugely valued ), I have nothing but admiration and respect of these heroes who volunteer to go out in challenging, scary conditions to help save lives of people in difficulty in water. Look where we live, with Calshot and Lepe beaches, there has certainly been a need for these fantastic volunteers. Just last week many of our wonderful community were fundraising at the Waterside Raft Race and the RNLI regularly fundraise locally as they like any other charity, rely on such support, despite their obvious public safety importance. They even filmed Saving Lives at sea in the Grove, in Hythe, a privilege.

You can be angry at issues around immigration, and I appreciate there are differing views, but the actions of a small minority are putting volunteers lives at risk, that is utterly indefensible, and will arguably make recruitment harder and then we will won't have the people available for what is proven to be needed on our coastline.

So, please respect and support of RNLI heroes they are doing a service, giving up their free time to do so and putting their own lives at risk. Everyone deserves to be made safe when in difficultly.

10/09/2026

Please don't go down to Eling Toll Bridge at the moment because there is a watermain burst under the road. The bottom end of Eling Lane, Lexby Road and Dows Park Crescent is essentially closed.

13/08/2026

I am utterly incredulous that people are still using and causing fires from DISPOSABLE BARBECUES in the New Forest. Two more fires over the last few days. Please Please stop having fires of any sort - from campfires to cigarette ash. We have acres of what is essentially tinder to protect and that involves a whole load of wildlife and a whole load of people risking their lives to put out the fires. I don't care if you can still buy them - don't use them!!!!!

04/07/2026

As part of our Town of Culture bid we've been asked to create a postcard from Totton and Eling in support of what we think is needed culturally by our town. After lots of discussions before the bid, we wrote a message from a resident of 1000 years ago to a resident now for our postcard. Please send our postcard across Totton and Eling and beyond!

You can see our postcard and more on the map link below where there are postcards from other towns entering the Town of Culture competition.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Su-761mY3NPLpd4d948m5ppY7R-bslw&usp=sharing

A postcard through time:
We share little but the stars and a bridge but that bridge links our two times.

My time - when it took a day to visit our two parishes. We met at the tide mill in the week and church on Sundays. We worked, ate and laughed together.

Today I wander as a stranger in a community grown by thirty times, yet still you find ways to come together. Your town combined to be Totton and Eling, linking villages in your journey.

But as you’ve sped along the way, you've lost a culture all your own.
So I send this postcard through time, a reminder of what's past so your town can find a culture in its future. Perhaps a new town with a country memory, your cultures bridged by community.

Forest and Industry, Friendship and Community, New and Old side by side

What would you say back to a resident here 1000 years ago?

03/07/2026

A word from the Royal Lifesaving Society - please pass on to wild swimmers and young people in your life:

Speak up. Be a mate.
Before a mate jumps in, messes around with inflatables, or does something risky in open water… speak up.
Here’s the reality:

You can’t see what’s under the water. Rocks, drops, currents - it’s not worth guessing.
Cold water hits HARD. Even strong swimmers can panic and lose control.
Inflatables are not safe in open water. One gust of wind and you’re gone - fast.
Pressure isn't friendship. Real mates don’t push you into danger.

02/07/2026

As part of our Town of Culture bid we've been asked to create a postcard from Totton and Eling in support of what we think is needed culturally by our town. After lots of discussions before the bid, we wrote a message from a resident of 1000 years ago to a resident now for our postcard. Please send our postcard across Totton and Eling and beyond!

You can see the words our resident wrote on the map link below where there's a map of postcards from other towns entering the Town of Culture competition.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Su-761mY3NPLpd4d948m5ppY7R-bslw&usp=sharing

What would you say back to a resident here 1000 years ago?

07/05/2026

Today you get to vote for the people who makes decisions about:
Social Care
How rubbish is processed
Education
Public Transport
Roads
and more...
I really, really don't want to split the Waterside and the New Forest but I'm keen to talk about the things above too. Those services have been struggling for a while and we badly need a change to start making things better.
If you're from North Totton or from Netley Marsh and you want change too, then vote for me - Caroline Rackham.