Monthly Archives: November 2021

Great Whitchurch Carol Tour – Cancelled We regret to say that we have taken the decision to cancel this year’s Carol Tour.

The North Wessex Downs – Protected National Landscape   Whitchurch Conservation Group, in collaboration with the North Wessex Downs AONB Partnership, are delighted to announce the installation of a new sign to the north of Whitchurch, alerting walkers and drivers that they are now entering an area which is a nationally protected landscape.

Whitchurch is a ‘gateway town’ to the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; but despite it being a protected landscape, it currently faces a massive threat from land speculator, GENKO, who are trying to develop thousands of houses in this area – contrary to national legislation.

The new sign is an initiative spearheaded by David Gosling of Whitchurch Conservation Group, a constituted community group in Whitchurch. Established in October 2020, the group now has over 800 Whitchurch resident members and seeks to preserve Whitchurch’s green spaces, enhancing Whitchurch’s status as an economically and socially vibrant town with a strong rural and heritage identity.

Whitchurch Conservation Group’s campaign to protect the North Wessex Downs AONB north of Whitchurch has gathered much momentum and has attracted support from notable celebrities including Bill Bryson, who says “The North Wessex Downs is a rare and lovely landscape, but it is also painfully finite. What a tragedy it would be to lose it.”

Pictured alongside David Gosling are Ann Shepley, Communications Officer for the North Wessex Downs AONB Partnership, Councillor Paul Miller, the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council representative to the Council of Partners (CoP) of the NWDAONB, whose aim is to enhance and protect the natural beauty of the AONB, Councillor Lucie Follett Maitland, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillor for the ward of Whitchurch, Overton and Laverstoke, and Jackie Browne, Vice-Chair of Whitchurch Conservation Group.

David Gosling, of Whitchurch Conservation Group, says: “Our intention is to lay down a visual marker and remind people that this is a National Protected Landscape”.

Christmas Fair at the Gill Nethercott Centre Start you Christmas shopping early at the Gill Nethercott Centre Christmas Fair this coming Saturday; A lovely opportunity to purchase that unusual gift hand crafted by local Artisans.

We will have jewellery, woodcraft, wreaths, pictures, hand crafted gifts, Ethel’s Pies, wine gifts and more.

Teas / coffees and mince pies will be available

For further information telephone: 01256 896270

Fulling Mill Footpath – Surface Improvements The owners of Fulling Mill have advised that they will be carrying out some footpath resurfacing work over the next couple of weeks. The footpath will remain open while they complete the work.