Monthly Archives: March 2024

31st May 2024 – 9th June 2024 Bookings are now open for this years North Wessex Downs Walking Festival

Explore the beautiful chalk landscape and big skies of the North Wessex Downs, a National Landscape in the company of knowledgeable guides bringing some of their favourite places alive.

29 walks are on offer seeking out wildlife, history & culture, opportunities to picnic with the family, or simply soak up the views from the top of the Downs and this year there are even more farm walks where you can hear from the farmers or land managers about their work.

Most walks are free & must be booked in advance.

Download the full programme leaflet here.

Visit Website

GREEN-fingered gardeners will be able to get expert advice and buy an array of plants and flowers as Andover’s Gardening Fair.

Between 11am and 3pm, people can visit Andover High Street where a bunch of local traders will be selling an array of flowers, plants and garden accessories. The hand-picked exhibitors will be offering plants and gardening sundries, unique accessories and gifts. The stallholders will be happy to chat about their plants and products, offer their top tips and share their expertise.

Visitors can head to the Test Valley Borough Council stand, where some of the council’s countryside officers will be sharing ideas on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly.

Three local community based ‘environmentally focused’ organisations will be attending. Andover Trees United will be providing practical gardening tips and giving out wildflower seedlings. Rooting for Andover will be swapping seeds, selling plants and providing information on community gardening and The Three Bees Project, which creates a space for physical, mental and environmental regeneration, will be coming along with their adorable therapy goats for visitors to meet.

There will be a fabulous line up of musicians, with a Jazz vibe from The Ingenious Gentlemen featuring Miriam Jonathan, some show tunes and other delights from the lovely Tiger Lily Jonathon and the lovely Marie Ponting will be back to enthral us with her dulcet tones too! To keep everyone refreshed, the Andover Tap horse box will be serving a range of drinks and food will be available in the cafes, restaurants and pubs in the town centre.

The Children’s Corner will offer storytelling, seed planting and other craft activities and budding young gardeners will also have the chance to play some outdoor games and take part in face painting for free, making this a fun day out for all the family.

Leader of the council, Cllr Phil North said: “The Gardening Fair has become a really popular event over the past couple of years. It’s lovely to see the High Street fill with greenery and I hope lots of people come along to buy something new, pick up some information, listen to great music and have a great day out.”

Follow the link for further information

Fancy getting fitter whilst enjoying relaxed company in the North Hampshire Countryside?

On Monday evenings between April and September (except bank holidays) the Whitchurch Rambling Club meets at 7pm at the Bell Street car park in Whitchurch and sets off for a walk either in the environs of Whitchurch, or further afield with a drive to the starting point.

New members are always welcome.

Well behaved dogs are also welcome.

Membership is just £2 for the season.

For more information and details of the 2024 programme of events go to http://whitchurchramblers.org.uk