News
WEDNESDAY CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS
The Wednesday Conservation Volunteers, founded in 2001, do the sort of work that most people would prefer to ignore. They lop trees, repair country footpaths and reinforce eroding riverbanks throughout Hampshire. David Goodman, who died recently, was a founding member of the organisation and in his memory the volunteers have decided to dedicate one day’s work every year to one of his favourite projects – The Eel House at Alresford.
Eight volunteers turned out in appalling wet and muddy conditions on Friday 26 February to honour their former colleague. Len Orton, one of the Town Trustees who have a 99-year lease on The Eel House, commented, ‘The ground at the entrance to building needed re-grading and stabilising to provide safe and easy access for visitors and the over-hanging vegetation alongside the public footpath had to be cut back. The volunteers achieved all of this by mid afternoon. I am sure David Goodman will be smiling at the improvement they brought about.’
The WCV are mostly retired gentlemen who are not afraid to tackle hard physical labour and they do it with skill and smiles on their faces. The Town Trust wishes to thank the Wednesday Conservation Volunteers for their generous gift of labour, the £150 donation to the Eel House Restoration Fund and their recent sterling efforts.
Town Trust thanks volunteer Minibus Drivers
The New Alresford Town Trustees reiterated their annual thanks to the volunteer community minibus drivers and their partners at an afternoon buffet at Makins Court on 5 December. The event was a great success with more than forty attendees who included some of the regulars who travel in the minibus.
Food and drinks were organised by Trustee, Pam Stevens, who used the occasion to announce grant receipts of £2,000 towards the operating costs of the vehicle. Donations had recently been received from Alresford Ladies Group, Alresford Surgery, Old Alresford and Ropley Parish Councils, Lord Sainsbury’s Trust, St Johns Parish Church and resident Eddie Marsh. Included in the total is a grant of £1,000 from Winchester City Council and it is hoped that New Alresford Town Council would also contribute early in 2010.
Town Trust Treasurer, Peter Middleton, confirmed that the Trust was currently holding just over £30,000 in the bank earmarked to replace the current vehicle in 2015/16. He commented, ‘Although this position sounds healthy, the Trust needs to raise £6,000 per annum for the next five or six years in order to meet an estimated new vehicle purchase price of £80,000’.
The number of journeys and miles covered by the community minibus both continue to rise as its usage expands. The Town Trustees are in discussions with the Alresford Greening Group, the Town Partnership and local schools to explore if usage of the vehicle can be extended even further.
Town Looks Forward to a Brighter Spring
Nearly 1,500 traditional daffodil bulbs have been planted in the grass along The Avenue, Alresford’s western gateway into the town. The area has been radically enhanced due to the latest maintenance initiative by the New Alresford Town Trust, which manages the Avenue, and which has carried out a major overhaul of the area on the Perins side of the road.
Following the clearance and levelling, a team of volunteers led by Arlebury Park resident Jane Flowerdew, who organised the team of helpers made up of local residents, Town Trustees and Year 7 and 8 children from Perins School, wielded shovels and tackled the planting. A donation from The Rotary Club of Alresford paid for the bulbs themselves.
The land along the Avenue from Pound Hill to Drove Lane was given to the town in 1869 by the Bishop of Winchester to the Bailiff and Burgesses of the town (now the Town Trust), solely for ‘the recreation of the inhabitants of the town’. This project is part of a recently reintroduced maintenance programme by the Town Trust to preserve and maintain this area for local residents.
The Eel House at New Alresford
Three years ago there was a distinct possibility then that the Eel House would crumble into the River Alre. All that was holding it up were strands of ivy. Now the exterior the building, that stands
five hundred meters to the west of the northern end of The Dean, has been newly restored.
New Alresford Town Trust and the Alresford Art Society have combined forces and pooled their expertise to help publicise the restoration and to raise funds for further renovation work. At the invitation of the Town Trustees, Art Society members have submitted paintings of the Eel House. These will soon be on display at the Artworthy Gallery in The Old Fire Station, 54, Broad Street.
This historic river building is next open to the public throughout Heritage Weekend, 12 and 13 September, when these exhibits will be on display at The Eel House itself. Every visitor during these two days will be given a slip and asked to vote for what they think is the best picture. The Town Trustees will award a prize of £25 to the winning artist.
The 200 year old Eel House has already been open to the public six times in 2009. Eight hundred and ninety six visitors have been logged as they entered and £825 has been collected in donations towards the cost of further renovation.
The restoration objective is, as far as possible, to replicate the internal fixtures that used to be in place in the nineteenth century when eel catching was a profitable business. Plans to install sluice gates in all three of the water channels that run through the building are well advanced, statutory permissions are in hand and the necessary finance has been banked. All that then remains is to complete the restoration of the rest of the interior of the building with funds for this still being raised. Donations received on Heritage Weekend will be used for this purpose.
Market Day Road Closure
New Alresford Town Trust (NATT) has successfully applied for a road closure notice to take effect on the Broad Street service road on Market Thursdays. It will apply to the service road stretching from the top, opposite the Horse & Groom public house, down to the entrance to George Yard and will apply from 0800 to 1400 hours. The closure notices will go up for the first time on 3 September when cones will prevent vehicles accessing the service road. Robin Atkins, NATT Chairman, commented, 'We have done this mainly for safety reasons, but it does also create more space and this will give us an opportunity to attract more stallholders to the Thursday Markets'.
Mayor opens Mini-bus Garage
On 1 July, on one of the hottest days of the year, the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Dominic Hiscock, cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the newly extended garage that houses the New Alresford Town Trust community minibus.
The Trust, a registered
charity, is one of
the oldest bodies in
Alresford, having been
constituted in 1890
by Act of Parliament.
One of the most important
of its activities is
to run the town's community
minibus service, a
task it has been undertaking
for the past forty
years. The minibus
exists to take the
elderly, the infirm
and the disabled shopping,
to club events, to
lunches and on day
trips out to the countryside.
It has become a vital
lifeline to many of
the less fortunate
members of the community. 'If
it wasn't for the minibus
and its wheelchair
access, we wouldn't
be able to go anywhere,'
commented one of the
frequent users of the
service.
The bus picks up its passengers from their homes in the town and the surrounding villages of Bighton, Cheriton, Gundleton, Old Alresford and Ropley and takes them shopping in Alton, Basingstoke, Petersfield and Winchester as well as bringing people into Alresford to visit the library and to have coffee. It is used to take the elderly and infirm to the seaside, to the New Forest and to other places of interest in Hampshire.
Age Concern, the Alzheimer's' Society, the Giles Group (who care for those who use wheelchairs), Makins Court and Chiltern Court (who organise the provision of sheltered housing) and Ellingham Court (who provide housing for those who are retired) all make use of the bus. It covers approximately 11,000 miles per year completing nearly 600 journeys and carrying 3,000 passengers.
The minibus drivers are all volunteers who give of their time freely. At present there are thirty of them and they all live locally. They have all had a medical check and receive special training every four years through the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme that is run by the University of Winchester. The Trust has very recently received a grant of £500 from Winchester City Council to cover this training through to 2010. 'Your drivers are all so kind; one of them even carried my shopping into my house and helped me put it away,' commented one regular passenger.
The latest brand new yellow bus, a Ford Transit 430 Wanderer, was purchased in October 2008 for £55,000. This was funded mainly from Town Trust reserves and funds from the sale of the old vehicle. However, without the generosity of other bodies the current new and improved service would not exist. Grants towards the cost were received from Old Alresford Parish Council and Winchester City Council. Groups such as the Alresford Surgery, Isle of Wight and Hampshire Provincial Tom Langton Fund, Mid Hants Railway, New Alresford PIGS, and the St Lawrence Chapter of Freemasons all made donations to the minibus fund and gifts were received from individuals and companies.
The minibus has been garaged off Meryon Road since 1982 when Winchester City Council agreed that the Town Trust could pay for the construction of a secure garage on their land. The garage building has recently had to be extended because the current minibus is bigger than its predecessors. This has involved not only making the garage longer but also digging out the floor to provide more height. We have also taken the opportunity to improve safety and security by installing electricity and both inside and outside lighting. The total cost of this work was £11,000. Grants from Hampshire County Council, New Alresford Town Council, Winchester City Council and from Ropley and Cheriton Parish Councils allowed this to happen.
The New Alresford Town Trustees would like to thank all of these organisations for their financial support. View all the pictures.
Appointment of New Clerk to New Alresford Town Trust
The Trustees of NATT are pleased to announce the appointment Brian Rothwell who took up his position as from March 1st. He succeeds Frances Cowan who recently resigned this position after moving away from the town. The Trustees thanked Ms Cowan for her services over the last two years. Brian, who has lived in Alresford for the last five years, has recently retired from the insurance industry. Robin Atkins, co-chair of NATT, commented 'We will find his insurance expertise extremely useful'.
To contact Brian about any Town Trust matters please email him at clerk@towntrust.org.uk or alternatively write to: Clerk, New Alresford Town Trust, The Old Fire Station, Broad Street, New Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AN.
Alresford shows off its grant funded community projects
The New Alresford Town Trust (NATT) invited Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council this week (Thursday 26 March 2009) to see how £21,500 of City Council grant monies had been spent in the town.
Cllr Beckett spent 2 hours with the trustees reviewing all its activities including the Thursday market, The Avenue tree project, the new Minibus and garage, and the restored historic Eel House.
Trustee Pam Stevens said, "The City Council grant of £12,500 was essential in enabling the purchase of our new minibus to go ahead." The modern minibus which is capable of carrying 13 passengers plus a Wheelchair, cost £55,000 in total. The bus carries on average 8 passengers per journey and makes over 300 trips per year using 30 volunteer drivers, Cllr Beckett also reviewed the work in progress of the garage extension for which the City Council had given another £4,000 grant. It is expected that the new home for the minibus will be completed in mid April.
Having seen the extensive tree crowning work on the Avenue organised by Trustee Roy Gentry, Cllr Beckett then visited the Eel House, the only one in Hampshire, on the River Arle. Committee Chair, David Woods related the full story from its collapse in late 2006, to the external re build in 2008, and the future provision of sluices/eel traps in 2009. The City Council provided a £5,000 grant towards this £35,000 project.
At the end of his visit Cllr Beckett said "I commended the Trustees for spending City Council grant monies wisely and look forward to a continuing this successful working relationship to provide further community benefits in Alresford Town.
Robin Atkins Co Chair of the Town Trust was very pleased with the visit and commented "it is very refreshing to see the Winchester City Council Leader taking such a detailed interest in New Alresford Town Trust's affairs and projects."
Historic Eel House open to the public
The highlight of the Arle River Trail is the newly restored Eel House which will be open for eight days in 2009. Following its near collapse the foundations and walls have been rebuilt and new railings installed which allow a better view of the of the building.
Built in the 1820s by the Harris family of Arlebury Park, and now the responsibility of New Alresford Town Trust, the Eel House straddling the Alre was purpose-built to harvest the rich downstream run of mature eels that takes place on dark moonless nights between July and November each year Their journey begins in Old Alresford Pond and its tributaries, travelling down the Alre to the Itchen, thence into the Channel and so 3,000 miles on across the Atlantic to breed in the Sargasso Sea south of Bermuda.
To see a piece of history in action the eel house will be open from 11.00 - 3.00 on:
Easter Bank Holiday - 12th & 13th April
May Day Holiday - 4th May
Watercress Festival Sunday 17th May
Sunday 19th July
August Bank Holiday - 31st August
Heritage Weekend - Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September.
Fundraising is ongoing to complete the restoration of the inside and visitors will be able to see what needs to be done together with a small exhibition on eels and the eel house. Entry is free but donations would be appreciated.
Volunteers are needed to help with the open days. Please contact David Woods 01962 732487 or Robin Atkins 01962 733778 if you can help.
The Minibus - Winter 2008
The Town Trustees has now taken delivery of a Ford Transit 460/140 Minibus which has been specifically built to carry 2 wheelchair passengers plus 13 other passengers.
It has extras such as Air Conditioning, electric step and tail lift together with 4/5 folding seats down one side. The drivers believe it is a major step forward, and it will make a real difference to the smoothness and comfort of all the passengers.
This bus is for the benefit of the groups and organizations within the Alresford area, and if your group would like to make use of the bus, the Trust is happy to hire it out with a qualified driver.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Town Trust for this worthy cause, or to make use of the bus can contact Pam on 01962 734861.
The Broad Street Market - Winter 2008
The Trustees made a decision in Spring 2008 to take back the running of the Thursday market from Southern Market Traders (SMT), whilst leaving them to concentrate on running the Alresford Monthly Sunday market. The Trustees have expanded the number of stalls to 16, and have instituted the following price structure.
- Single Bay stall £15.00 per week
- Large Double Bay stall £25.00 per week
The Trustees have introduced a variety of food and other stalls on Thursday to operate in conjunction with the stalls already attending the Thursday market. They have also booked Continental markets for at least three dates in 2009.Sunday 29th March - Italian Market,
Saturday 25th April - French Market (With Alresford Twinning Association),
Sunday 25th October - French Market
Len Orton will be the Trustee responsible for the market with Pam Stevens as his Deputy. All enquiries please contact Pam Stevens on 01962 734861.
The Minibus
The Town Trustees following their meeting on 2nd June has ordered a Ford Transit 460/140 Minibus which has been specifically built to carry 2 wheelchair passengers plus 13 other passengers.
It has extras such as Air Conditioning, electric step and tail lift together with 4/5 folding seats down one side. Graham Cranmer (the co-ordinator) and a couple of drivers have tested many vehicles and have chosen this one. They all bellieve it is a major step forward, and it will make a real difference to the smoothness and comfort of all the passengers.
Graham says, "It is a pity I'm having to retire at 75 years young, and won't be able to drive this new vehicle". Pam Stevens says "Thank you to WCC for £12,500 grant as well as £600. from 5 local organisations. It is a great pity that HCC, NATC and other local organisations do not prioritise their grants more fairly and support this vital service". Consequently the Trust has had to raid their reserves to produce the necessary cash to buy the Minibus, which has now been ordered for delivery in early October.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Town Trust for this worthy cause, can contact Pam on 01962 734861.
The Broad Street Market
Following discussions with Paul Lewis of SMT, the Trustees have decided to take back the running of the Thursday market from 10th April 2008, whilst leaving Paul to concentrate on running the Alresford Monthly Sunday market. The Trustees intend to expand the number of stalls to 16, and have instituted the following price structure.
- Single Bay stall £15.00 per week
- Large Double Bay stall £25.00 per week
The Trustees propose to introduce a variety of food stalls on Thursday to operate in conjunction with the stalls already attending the Thursday market.
Len Orton will be the Trustee responsible for the market with Pam Stevens as his Deputy.
All enquiries please ring Pam Stevens on 01962 734861 or e-mail
New Alresford Town Trust is a Registered Charity No.239052
© New Alresford Town Trust 2008-9
