ALTON FRIDAY MARKET

Alton’s Friday Market has been trading as an independent home produce market for almost two years and is doing well.  Until the summer of 2007 it had been a member of the nationwide Country Markets organisation which evolved from the the Womens’ Institutes produce markets founded after the First World War.

The market has been a permanent fixture in Alton every Friday since the 1960s and for many years has been based in the Community Centre.  The stalls are run by volunteers, most of  whom are producers, selling everything from homemade cakes and savouries, preserves and chutneys, to plants and crafts.  The market prides itself on the quality of its products, there are no artificial additives in the food it produces, fruit and vegetables are  picked from their own gardens and cakes and savouries are freshly made.

Like a lot of small traders, the Friday Market has had to expand and diversify to survive.  Their cakes and preserves are a familiar sight at the monthly Farmers’ Markets in Alton.  They regularly take orders for celebration cakes and have recently begun delivering a selection of home baked products to the staff of small businesses in the High Street.

New producers are always welcome. Anyone who thinks they would be interested should have a look at the website  www.altonfridaymarket.co.uk. This will tell you all you need to know, or pop into the Community Centre any Friday morning between 9am and 11am and have a chat, you will be sure of a warm welcome. If you have an enquiry about any products or would like to place an order telephone Liz Trotter on 01256 862603 or Dawn Padwick 01252 329396.

News 17th July 2009

Mamie Mollan Trust grants £115,000 to the

Sustainability Centre

A state of the art, timber framed classroom will soon become a valuable addition to the pioneering work of the Sustainability Centre at East Meon. The exciting development has been made possible by a handsome grant of £115,000 from the Mamie Mollan Trust.

The Sustainability Centre exists to educate children, young people and adults in sustainable living and environmental issues. The Centre’s manager Mary Lewis commented, “This generous donation will make a real difference to our work, helping us to inspire more people to become involved with their local and global environment.”

The classroom, which will be built with timber from the Centre’s own woodland, will be a low-impact environmentally friendly building. It will provide an inspiring base where visitors will learn subjects ranging from environmental issues and woodland skills, to bushcraft and countryside management.

Bryan Farley of the Mamie Mollan Trust commented, “Mamie was a local writer and artist who was passionate about the benefits that nature holds for health and well-being. The Centre is an oasis of tranquillity, with an ecological ethos that chimes perfectly with Mamie’s own vision.”

It is hoped that the new classroom will be welcoming its first visitors in summer 2010.

Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, Hampshire, GU32 1HR

News 9th July 2009

GILBERT WHITES HOUSE & THE OATES MUSEUM

THE ONE SHOW  - TRANSMISSION DATE NOW CONFIRMED AS WEDNESDAY 15^TH JULY

A NEW LIFE IN THE COUNTRY FILMING ON TUESDAY 7^TH JULY

BBC 1’s popular magazine programme The One Show paid an unexpected visit to film at Gilbert White’s House and the Oates Museum in Selborne recently.  Botanist and Science Presenter Marty Jopson was filmed using the beautiful and world-famous backdrop of The Wakes and its 20 acres of restored Georgian gardens.  The item, to be broadcast later in June, is about Phenology - the study of the timing of natural events. These events include flushing or budburst, flowering, fruiting and autumn leaf-fall. Although all are relevant to climate change, budburst is most often associated with evidence of the effects of climate change – in fact, budburst of oak is one of the UK Governments indicators of climate change.

Everyone at the Museum enjoyed the filming and Marty found himself unable to leave without purchasing his own beautifully illustrated copy of ‘The Natural History of Selborne’!

BBC 2’s programme A New Life in The Country also visited the museum on Tuesday 7^th July.  A young couple wanting to move into the local area were filmed around Alton’s cultural highlights and we were pleased to be included.  Details to follow when we have the transmission date.

News 7th July 2009

MCFE Poultry Courses - spaces available!

Here is a fantastic opportunity for those of you who want to start on the Good Life Road or those who want reassurance that they are doing the right thing...

MCFE, in association with two local suppliers, have teamed up to present two more Introduction to Keeping Poultry Courses. Learn about the birds, see the housing & view the birds all in one venue. 

The same course is repeated over two days: Friday 31st July or Saturday 1st August 2009

Venue: Chawton Village Hall, Winchester Road , Chawton, Hampshire GU34 1SB

Times: 10am-4pm. Refreshments & lunch provided

Cost: £60/person, discounts for under 18's

Learn all you need to know about keeping poultry including chickens, ducks and turkeys. Breeds, feeding, housing, diseases, breeding and incubation all covered as well as opportunities for some hands on experience.

In addition, a selection of quality poultry housing will be provided by Farm & Country Supplies, Selbourne Road , Alton as well as a variety of hybrid and pure breed poultry from Spring Cottage Farm

By prior arrangement you can leave the course armed with a chicken starter kit which will include everything you need to keep your own chickens in your back garden.

There are still a few places available - contact us for a Booking Form either by phone or email.