News 11/08/08
Visitors made more welcome to open spaces
Visitors to two of Alton’s most attractive open spaces should be better able to appreciate them, thanks to brand new interpretation panels recently installed at the beauty spots.
It has long been the intention of Alton Town Council to provide information on site for visitors, to accompany visitor trail leaflets already available from council offices and the tourist information points.
However, the council was prompted into action by comments from regional In Bloom judges last summer who commented on the need for the information panels, to enable visitors to the sites to better understand what can be seen and enjoyed.
The panel at Flood Meadows was installed just in time for the In Bloom judges’ visit this July and has been followed by another unit at Kings Pond.
Made of robust stainless steel, with artwork designed by Martin Saban-Smith, the panels, which cost £840 each in total, have been funded by Developers’ Contributions for the improvement of open spaces released by East Hampshire District Council.
Councillor Roger Fitzer who chairs the council’s Recreation Committee said, “We are delighted to have these in place at last, as it is something that we have wanted to do for some time. Hopefully they should help visitors, both new and regular, to understand better what they can find and look for in terms of flora and fauna. We now hope to provide further units at other sites, including St Lawrence Churchyard and Greenfields. We are particularly grateful to Dr June Chatfield for her help in providing the editorial and to Anne Hurst for some first class drawings of plants, animals and birds.”
News 28/07/2008
Bring the Bear Essentials!
It will be a case of, “If you go down to the gardens today, you’d better go in disguise” on Friday afternoon, the 15 August, as Teddy Bears from all over Alton descend on the Public Gardens for their now annual rally.
Organised by Alton Town Council, the weekly children’s show from 2-3pm will have a Teddy Bears theme and children are invited to bring along their favourite Teddy or soft toy and enter it into an X Factor-type competition taking place at 3pm.
However, there will be no Simon Cowell on the panel! Instead it will be the more gracious Town Mayor of Alton, Cllr Atul Patel and the proprietor of the Little Bundles Toy Shop in Market Street, Stephen Wincott who is donating a £15 Gift Voucher to spend on some much sought after toys.
Mr Wincott commented “This will be the third year running that I have supported this event; it always great to see so many Teddies and their proud owners!”
News 30th June 2008
Town gets ready for Bloom Judges’ visit
Alton was preparing itself this week for the annual visit of regional judges to inspect the town’s entry into the South & South East in Bloom Competition this Friday 4th July, with hopes high that it will be able to retain its previous Silver award, if not progress to the Silver Gilt that it last clinched in 2003.
Contractors, council workers and businesses have been working hard in recent days to get the judges’ route looking spic and span in readiness for their critical gaze. In tandem, entry forms for the local Alton in Bloom Competition have been delivered to every household to encourage householders to get into the spirit of the campaign and enter their property for one of the many categories, where trophies are on offer in all sections and are currently on display in the window of Giles Insurance in the High Street.
In addition to the usual hundreds of baskets on shop fronts and lamp posts and the other set piece displays, it is the amount of community involvement that will be stressed to the visitors, including the Alton Society Environment Group volunteers who work tirelessly to improve Flood Meadows, Alton & District Youth Council who organised a Spring Litter Pick and the volunteer gardeners lead by Joan Richardson at Alton’s Watercress Line Platform.
Among other highlights to be shown to the judges will be a brand new interpretation panel at Flood Meadows designed to help visitors make the best of their visit to the site, and the display at Lantern Foods about the work of the Greening of Alton Holybourne Campaign, many of the aims of which also feature on the In Bloom score sheet.
The Town Council hopes that further improvements to the Public Gardens will also suitably impress the judges - Peter Holman who chairs South and South East in Bloom, and Susan Smith, will also visit award-winning Alton Infant School, see a display on the recent Scarecrow Competition and finish their near three-hour visit in the delightful Allen Gallery garden.
The town’s bid is organised by the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce & Industry with support from East Hampshire District Council and other organisations and individuals, with many of the roundabouts and baskets sponsored by local businesses.
News 9th May 2008
FALLING BRANCH HERALDS END FOR BUTTS TREE
A Horse Chestnut tree on The Butts is to be removed urgently, following the collapse of a branch yesterday afternoon, which narrowly missed youngsters enjoying the sunny weather on the popular open space.
The council’s retained arboriculturalist was on site within hours and was so concerned at the rot which the broken limb has revealed in the trunk, he recommended the tree be taken down within the week, in the interests of public safety.
Alton Town Council staff were on site early Friday morning removing the fallen branch.
Cllr Atul Patel, who chairs the council’s Recreation Committee, said “It was very fortunate that the branch did not fall onto the busy main road and also that it didn’t hit anyone on The Butts at the time. Nonetheless, it shows how important it is to monitor our extensive tree stock and to this end, we are bringing forward the inspection of other Butts trees as a matter of urgency, as part of our ongoing tree management policy.”
News 22 April 2008
Council seeks residents’ views on new play site
Residents will be able to give local councillors their views on proposals to move an Alton play area at a site meeting this Saturday (26th April) between 11am and noon.
Concerns about anti-social behaviour at the existing location in Northanger Close prompted Town Councillors to review the site and consider possible alternative locations, including Flood Meadows, which was ruled out.
However, they decided that by moving the equipment just a few yards, to a new location in the same road (to the south of the BMX track and to the west of the kick-about area) should be sufficient to reduce undesirable behaviour and lessen any nuisance to nearby residents.
Town Councillors will be available to meet residents to discuss the proposed new location for the facility, so that their views can hopefully be taken on board into the design stage.
Councillor Pam Bradford, who chairs the Open Spaces Working Party, explained, “Given that the facility is designed for the younger children in the immediate area, we thought that it made sense to keep it near to where they live. This would seem to be a much better site, in that it is not immediately next to houses, but still benefits from the natural surveillance which is very important to have.”
It may not prove economic to move all the existing equipment, much of which is over ten years old, so the opportunity is likely to be taken to provide some new, possibly more thrilling kit to appeal to children. The council is still buoyed by the success of the revamp last autumn of the site in Anstey Park, where the new equipment has proved a huge draw for youngsters.
The review of the Greenfields site is the latest in a rolling programme to look at all the play areas in the town, making them safer and more exciting at the same time.
News 17 April 2008
EHDC Public Consultation on Strategy
EHDC are developing a strategy for the next 20 years, and everybody has an opportunity to comment on their consultation documents.
EHDC have developed questionnaires associated with the documents to make it easy for individuals to respond. If you are interested in commenting then the relevant documents and questionnaires can be found at:
http://www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/localplanweb.nsf/webpages/Core+Strategy
Copies can also be seen at the council offices and information centres around the district.
The HVA will stay involved with the process but at this stage EHDC is looking for individual responses by 6th May
Karen Bennett
Chairman, HVA
News 16 April 2008
ELECTORS’ GET TOGETHER
Electors in Alton will be amongst the first to hear the results of a long awaited study into open space provision in East Hants.
All Parish and Town Councils have to organise a dedicated meeting each year, whereby electors of the area can ask questions and raise matters of concern with their elected representatives. Alton traditionally invites a speaker on a topical matter to try to stimulate a good turnout; previous subjects have included street-care, anti-social behaviour, highway maintenance and council tax.
This year, Mike O’Mahony from East Hampshire District Council, will outline some of the findings of the open spaces survey, with particular reference to Alton.
With Town Mayor Cllr Mrs Robyn Fitzer in the chair, electors will have the chance to discuss these issues, quiz the town council on its activities and finances over the last year, and also raise any other matters pertaining to the town.
Council Leader Cllr David Willoughby said, “we know that Altonians greatly value all the town’s many open spaces, and with the town council just starting out on preparing an overall strategy for its open spaces, the results of this survey couldn’t have arrived at a more timely moment”.
Alton’s Annual Meeting of Electors starts at 6pm in the Town Hall on Wednesday 7 May 2008.
News 16 April 2008
Sponsor sought for In Bloom make-over
Sponsors are being sought for an improvement project designed to improve Alton’s chances in this year’s South & South East in Bloom Competition.
A brain-storming of the town’s In Bloom group a few weeks ago identified the need to improve areas of permanent landscaping in public areas and it was decided to seek sponsors to help deliver the much-needed make-overs.
In Bloom organisers have this week launched an appeal to find a local company or organisation to support the first make-over, in Lady Place Car Park, having received the support of East Hampshire District Council who own the car park.
Deputy Town Clerk and In Bloom Coordinator, Greg Burt, said, “There are two raised brick planters in Lady Place Car Park that, although not unattractive, could do with a bit more attention and lend themselves to sponsorship. We have worked out some prices to initially restock them and then maintain them on a yearly basis, with monthly visits, so we hope that any sponsor will benefit from being associated with a well-maintained and attractive area; the beds can either be sponsored separately or together.”
If any local business or organisation is interested in finding out more, please contact Greg Burt at Alton Town Council on 01420 83986 or greg@alton.gov.uk
News 8 February 2008
Stepping out in Alton this Spring
A new leaflet designed to encourage walking in Alton and the surrounding area is being launched this week.
Many previous and existing publications have suggested circular walks in the area that take in the most attractive vistas or places of interest. This latest guide details footpaths and alleyways in and around the town that are marked on what is known as the Definitive Map held by Hampshire County Council, listing all routes over which the public has certain legal rights (Rights Of Way).
The map is the brainchild of Alton Town Council’s Parish Paths Working Party which identified the need for a good pocket-sized map showing all such routes, to help residents and visitors get about the town and explore the immediate countryside more easily and hopefully leave their cars at home.
The group, supported by a small team of volunteer wardens who monitor the state of the local paths network, meet regularly to try to encourage all those responsible for the Rights of Way network to maintain them in good order and also promote their usage, through literature, map boards and supporting minor improvements such as the replacement of stiles with kissing gates.
The Chairman of Paths Working Party, Cllr Mrs Pam Jones said “There are so many paths crossing the town that we thought it would be a good idea to have them marked on handy-sized map to encourage people to use them. Alton is surrounded by wonderful countryside, but so often we tend to get in our cars to get to it. Hopefully this guide will encourage us to perhaps leave our cars at home and walk to the countryside, which is not too far away from wherever you live in the town.”
Titled Exploring Alton’s Countryside and a with a front cover featuring St Lawrence Church as painted by Pam Jones, the pocket-sized guide has been jointly funded by Hampshire County Council under a small grants scheme to promote Countryside Access, the Alton branch of the Ramblers Association and the Town Council.
Unfortunately, not every path and alley is shown. Many such routes, not on the Definitive ROW Map, known as Permissive Paths are walked with the tacit permission of the owner and HCC advise that to publicise them would be to suggest that walkers have more rights to use them than actually exist in law.
News 30 January 2008
Frying Pans at the ready!
Alton’s busy annual events programme kicks off on Tuesday 19th February, when the town’s annual Pancake Race gets underway. Now in its ninth year, the spectacle of young and not so young, many in silly costumes running through the streets helps bring some jollity to an otherwise bleak time of year.
The proceedings start when the Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Robyn Fitzer, fires a starting pistol to herald the beginning of the race, which begins outside Woolworths at 1pm and goes up Cross and Pillory Lane, circuits the Market Square and finishes outside the Town Hall.
As usual, the competition is being organised by the Alton Town Council and Alton Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by The Little Grey Cells who prepare special durable and very inedible pancakes for the contestants to flip.
Entry forms are available from Alton Town Hall and the Tourist Information Centre and all you need to bring is a frying pan and your £1 entry fee!
Two races are being held: Over 16’s and Under 16’s, with prizes for the winner and runner-up of £20 and £10 for the seniors and £10 and £5 for the juniors respectively. A prize of £10 for the Best Dressed Competitor will hopefully bring some added colour and laughs to the occasion. Once again, special edition medals will also be given to the various winners.
The judges will be looking not just for the fastest entrant, but also the person who does the most complete flips.
The event is traditionally held during half term week to ensure maximum entries; only occasionally does Shrove Tuesday fall within the school holiday.
News 2/1/08
Anstey Park Play Area reopens
New look play area set to be unveiled
One of Alton’s largest play areas has reopened, having being closed for several weeks whilst contactors have given the popular facility a much-needed makeover.
Heavily criticised for being un-exciting, tatty and a haunt for under-age drinkers in the evenings, Alton Town Council decided it was time for change at the Anstey Park site. Gone are the Tower Slide, see-saw and two sets of swings. Taking their place are new swings for tots and older kids, a large climbing unit, exercise stations and various other exciting and challenging kit including a board suspended on chains that can only be described as a cross between a skateboard and surf board! Pride of place is a new roundabout that is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, making it the first of the council’s playgrounds to offer equipment for the disabled. Other existing equipment that was in good condition has been retained.
The opportunity has been taken to separate the playground from a popular footpath that previously ran through the facility, making the site feel safer. New child-friendly gates have also been added, together with new litter bins, paths and safety surfaces. The repainting of the railings surrounding the site will be carried out in the spring.
The works have cost nearly £80,000 and been met by Public Open Space Developer Contributions released by East Hampshire District Council and were carried out by Alton playground specialists, E.J. Services. The design for the new look was chosen by the public following an exhibition held in the park back in February, when several schemes by different companies were on display.
Councillor Atul Patul, Chairman of the council’s Recreation Committee, said “The playground now contains much more equipment than it did before, so hopefully there is something to appeal to youngsters of all ages. It also now looks much more inviting and fun so I hope kids will be making good use of it and getting lots of exercise in the forthcoming Christmas holidays, instead of staying home watching TV!”
The Council has an ongoing programme of playground improvements, having upgraded safety surfaces and installed new equipment at Anstey Park, Holybourne and the Public Gardens in recent years. It is currently seeking residents’ views on the future of the play area at Northanger Close off Greenfields Avenue.
News 21/1/08
Landmark Trees set to fall
Two trees that dominate Alton’s Public Gardens are set to be removed, following a safety audit of the popular town centre site.
Last year Alton Town Council, which is responsible for the gardens, instigated a rolling programme of surveys and inspections of the council’s hundreds of trees across the town’s parks and open spaces. Not only does the work ensure that the council complies with Health & Safety good practice, but it also enables the council to plan budgets more effectively for the necessary works, which often run into thousands of pounds.
Sites are being surveyed according to the size and age of the trees and location. The Public Gardens was surveyed first where many of the rare specimens pre-date the opening of the gardens to the public in the 1930’s and which were planted when the land was a private arboretum serving Westbrooke House fronting the High Street. Its popularity throughout the year for strollers, children using the playground and many events in the summer persuaded the council and it’s arboriculturist of the need to look at it first. It is likely to be followed by surveys of Anstey Park, St Lawrence Churchyard and The Butts.
The two specimens destined to be felled, a Cedar and Austrian Pine both next to the Bandstand are in addition to other more minor works identified by the report which will be carried out at the same time. EHDC has been asked for its permission as the gardens are in the Alton Conservation Area.
Of the Cedar, the arboriculturist’s report states that it is in poor condition, with lower than normal needle size and density and slightly lower than normal extension growth. Recently a very large (approx 600mm diameter) branch has broken on the east side mid canopy. Evidence of a (likely) history of other significant branches failing. Large past pruning wounds on stem above and below the large branch that recently failed may have predisposed the failure. The wound above the recent failure has a hole in the exposed wood. The Western stem has a large wound at approx. 6m on east side of stem........ This tree is approaching the end of its safe useful life expectancy.
The council’s Recreation Committee discussed the reports’ findings at their recent meeting and supported going ahead with the work, having recently walked around the gardens with the arboriculturist and the Tree Warden. The chairman of the committee, Cllr Atul Patel, said “Our experience at The Butts has shown us that trees do not last forever and that the best way to keep the town looking green and pleasant is to be proactive in the management of our tree stock, by trying to identify possible dangers in advance of something unfortunate happening and replanting. We will all be very sad to see these trees come down, but the council has little choice; we will however be looking at replacing them next autumn.”
News 28/11/07
New Spine Ramp at Jubilee Playing Fields (Alton)
Alton youngsters who received new BMXs or skateboards for Christmas were able to try them out on an exciting new ramp unveiled in time for the big day.
Contractors completed the installation of a spine ramp to complement existing equipment at the ever-popular site at Jubilee Playing Fields to coincide with the start of the festive holidays.
The unveiling was the culmination of months of campaigning by local youngsters, led by keen local BMXer James Osborne, who had persuaded the Town Council by way of a petition signed by 25 fellow sportsmen of the need for the additional challenging ramp, that was not available at either of the two existing wheeled sports facilities in Alton.
The Town Council agreed to the project after James successfully applied to the Hampshire Youth Opportunities Fund for £3,000 towards the total £5,925 cost, with the residue being met by Public Open Space (POS) Developer Contributions released by East Hampshire District Council for the improvement of open spaces.
Councillor Atul Patul, Chairman of the council’s Recreation Committee, said “The Town Council has spent much time, effort and resources in recent years on improving not only the ramps at Jubilee but also providing a new facility in Anstey Park, so members were initially reluctant to provide yet more new ramps. However they were literally bowled over by James enthusiasm and his initiative in seeking funds for the ramp from elsewhere. When proponents of a scheme make their own efforts to gain funds, it makes councillors more likely to support such projects.”
More new specimens in Butts Tree line-up
This year’s annual tree planting ceremony on The Butts will be see yet more new species added to the high profile site, as the Town Council’s new policy of planting trees other than Horse Chestnuts continues.
Many of the Horse Chestnut trees which line The Butts are nearing the end of their lives meaning that they become more prone to diseases such as Honey Fungus and Phytophthora and up until two years ago, the council has always replaced them with Horse Chestnuts. However, the council was advised that Horse Chestnuts were becoming more prone to diseases/bacteria than before, leading to their demise by Bleeding Canker which, in turn, was being exacerbated by the drier summers. As they are nearly all subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) the council is obliged to replace the ones that it fells and, over the last few years, it has been felling and replacing the mighty conker bearers on average one to two a year.
A London Plane and Tulip Tree were being planted this year on the prominent open space for the first time, following the planting of a Sweet Chestnut last year. The varieties were chosen last autumn after the council asked a panel of tree experts to suggest alternative species that could be considered for this location. As a result of long deliberations by the panel, which included Alton’s Tree Warden Jim Dickinson, the three were recommended to the council as being the most appropriate for the site in terms of look, resilience to drought in summer, the high water table in winter and diseases.
The chairman of the council’s Recreation Committee, Cllr Atul Patel, said “The Town Council takes it’s stewardship of The Butts very seriously and by taking the decision last year, following considered advice, to plant alternative species, we are ensuring that in years to come, the site will continue to be bordered by majestic trees that provide the wonderful backdrop to perhaps the town’s most impressive entrance.”
The specimens cost around £500 each, which includes planting and an underground guying system and the survival rate of these large specimens has been 100%.
