News

Congratulations to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke, which has won a prestigious  international conservation award with the help of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Chalk Stream Champions!

The distillery has received the 2024 Wetlands Project Award from the Wildlife Habitat Council, beating strong competition from projects around the world

This success was partly due to support from an amazing group of volunteers, who monitor the distillery’s stretch of the Upper Test as part of the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme.

Overton Sheepfair was originally conceived to celebrate the millennium in 2000 as Overton had been the site for Sheepfairs from medieval times until early in the twentieth century.

The original reincarnation of the Sheepfair in 2000 carried a medieval theme which was embraced by the village. Every four years since, the village has joined together and transformed itself to capture each Sheepfair’s theme. In honour of its roots, every Sheepfair is officially opened with the arrival of sheep being herded along Winchester Street – they mostly all behave!

With four stages, a fairground, street entertainment, bands, community entertainers, joint church services, market stalls and exhibitions, it really is a jam-packed weekend of entertainment for all the family.

For further details check out the Sheepfair Facebook page

Additional to the marvellous Sheepfair, there are two great community nights in the village over that weekend…..

Friday, 19th July – OVERTON’S FANCY DRESS WHEELBARROW PUB RACE, starting at 7.30 pm from Pound Road. Saturday, 20th July – OVERTON ROCKS 2024, live bands from 7.00 pm until 11.30 pm at Overton Recreation Centre. Admission £6.00 per person or £15.00 per family (two adults and children). To purchase tickets email Colin.phillimore@btinternet.com

Whitchurch Conservation Group announces Whitchurch Open Air Theatre, a season of family-friendly outdoor theatre in the delightful setting of Whitchurch Millennium Meadow.

Calling all parents, grown-ups, and grandparents of primary-school age children!

Join us for family-friendly outdoor theatre in the delightful setting of Whitchurch Millennium Meadow.

Whitchurch Conservation Group is very excited to offer Whitchurch Open Air Theatre, a season of FREE interactive, family-friendly theatre, with different shows taking place over three Saturdays in June and July 2024, to coincide with the Basingstoke Festival.

WHITCHURCH OPEN AIR THEATRE 2024 PROGRAMME

Saturday 22nd June 11am and 3pm Boxville (Age 4+, 55 mins) Saturday 29th June 11am and 3pm The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen (Age 6+, 60 mins) Saturday 6th July 11am and 3pm Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron (Age 3+, 60 mins) Please Note, due to poor weather forecast, these two performances will be held at Testbourne Community School Theatre Hall.

There will be two performances each day, at 11am and 3pm, with bench seating.

Performances are strictly ticketed events, advance booking only.  Tickets are now available to book…..

Saturday 22nd June 11am and 3pm Boxville (Age 4-11, 55 mins) – Book Tickets 

Saturday 29th June 11am and 3pm The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen (Age 6-11, 60 mins) – Book Tickets

Saturday 6th July 11am and 3pm Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron (Age 3-11, 60 mins) – Book Tickets

Please do email whitchurchconservationgroup@gmail.com for further information.

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.

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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