ENTERTAINMENT Unveiling of Pam's Bench and 51 st anniversary of Alresford Minibus
The weather held off for the Sunday afternoon event at Avenue,Alresford as a sizeable crowd including Pam's family spaced out whilst attended the unveiling ceremony of Pam's bench by MP,Steve Brine. It was a special Alresford event being the first one where a former Trustee of New Alresford Town Trust had been so commemorated. Robin Atkins (long serving Trustee and Chair)remembered Pam as a hard working and devoted member of the Team. She had served as a Trustee for 12
Town Trust 'Open Day'
years following the death of her husband in 2007 and had been actively involved in building up the minibus operation to run 600 trips covering 10,000 miles per annum. Pam had been in charge of buying 2 new minibuses during her trusteeship,organising 30 +drivers, arranging passengers journeys and keeping the buses road worthy and properly insured. The minibus operation had been taken over by the Trust in 1970 and had purchased 8 buses over the 51 years. Pam also was responsible for building up markets in Broad Street.This involved recruiting stalls for the small but successful Thursday market and extending specialist markets to French,Italian and Brocante market organised by Jackie Edwards twice yearly.She also acted as clerk to the Trust as well as Chairing the Hardship/Covid Funds for residents needing financial assistance. Pam's efforts were instrumental in making The Trust such an important organisation in the fabric of Alresford. The Trustees had unanimously agreed to celebrate Pam's role in the Trust by placing a new bench on the Avenue with a plaque to this remarkable Community Lady and Trustee. Both Rotary and The Pigs (local charities) had worked closely with Pam agreed to help finance the bench as did Peter Bridges/Paul Daubeney who admired Pam's work for the Community.
and Museum on Sunday 11 July. The 3 sites welcomed around 400 visitors who donated just over £200 in total to the Trusts activities. Visitors were both interested and very satisfied with their visits to the sites where they were able to sample Alresford treasurers first hand. Many questions were asked to the volunteers who were able to answer and expand on the special Alresford history. A great experience especially for the younger visitors! Although numbers were lower than the previous openings this was due to National sporting events and dullish weather but hopefully these will not be factors for the next openings on Monday August 30th (Bank Holiday) The next open day will be Monday 30 August
The New Alresford Town Trust opened its 3 sites, the Eel House, Norman Bridge
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Robin Atkins - Chair New Alresford Town Trust
MP Steve Brine ,who knew Pam well both as a Trustee and a friend related how involved Pam had been in working with the whole Alresford Community and before his unveiling said "Pam was,in so many ways,Mrs Alresford and she put so much into the Town to help so many people.She was never bothered who got the credit ,she just wanted to get things done and she certainly did this time and time again. Alresford will certainly miss Pam Stevens and so will I" Mark Stevens (Pam's elder son )on behalf of the Family summed up Pam's devotion when visiting her in Hospital she was working on her laptop doing Trust work. He thought the Avenue was a fitting place, which his mother loved, for the bench. After the Ceremony the public were able to visit the 2 minibuses both in pristine condition,6 classic cars organised by John Hankin (whose late father purchased the first Town's minibus)and Peter Bridges .The 6 classic vehicles were a great attraction. The Town council,Rotary and Pigs showed off their good work in the Community and New Leaf volunteers gave out literature to promote the fight against Climate change. Everyone enjoyed this memorable occasion organised by Trustee,Penny Mcclelland and her volunteers.
The Yellow Minibus is back! The New Alresford Town Trust minibus is resuming most of the trips which operated pre-pandemic. For everyone’s safety we remain vigilant about hygiene on the bus and very much hope that all bus users will wear face coverings whilst on the bus. If you, or anyone you know, have difficulty getting out to do your own shopping one of our trips might suit you. Please email us on minibus@towntrust.org.uk , or leave a message on 07510 474231 and we will get back to you. Please also get in touch if you think you might be able to become one of our volunteer drivers – the commitment can be as little as half a day a month.
