Community

New Alresford Town Council

New Playground at Stratton Bates

The Council are delighted to share that the eagerly awaited new playground at Stratton Bates, will begin on 6th June 2022. If all goes according to plan, the playground will be completed for the Summer Holidays.

The playground has been designed and will be installed by Eibe, who won our playground tender process, basing their design on our extensive public consultation. The new playground will be larger in size and less flat and will incorporate a wide range of natural themed equipment and surfacing. New equipment has been chosen to be accessible to different ages and abilities from toddlers upwards, to include users with physical and other disabilities. The playground will include climbers, tube and double slides, tunnel, climbing wall, monkey bars, sunken trampoline, play dens, mini train, swings, shelter, fallen logs and activity boards. We hope you love it. Public consultation for the New Playground

Several years ago the Council identified the need to redevelop Stratton Bates playground - the largest playground in New Alresford - where much of the existing equipment has gone beyond its expected lifespan. The Council began a large-scale public consultation involving interactive workshops with children at Sun Hill Infants and Junior School, Perins, residents of adjoining Makin’s Court and residents on neighbouring roads. The results showed the type of equipment and spaces children and residents wanted to see in a new playground. From this, three design scenarios were prepared by Feria Design and presented at a public exhibition in September 2020 attended by over 200 people. The scenarios were “Wild Adventure Play”, “Big Equipment Play” and “Colourful Fun Play”. These three scenarios were voted upon.

Votes from the public exhibition, showed a clear preference for Wild Adventure Play with some element of Big Equipment Play, with equipment to be made from timber and natural stone.

The results of the consultation also showed that our anticipated budget wasn’t sufficient to achieve what residents wanted. Since then, it has taken time to get the funds in place. We are hugely grateful to Alresford Pigs, Alresford Rotary and Alresford Youth Association who have also contributed funding for this project.

Our thanks to the children from Sun Hill Infants and Juniors, students from Perins and all other residents who took the time to attend our consultation sessions or send in feedback. We hope you agree the playground is worth the wait.

Floral displays

Spring is on its way and all ordered hanging baskets are expected to be delivered and installed in the town centre by the second week of May. Would you or your business like to sponsor an up-the-pole display? The council organises displays on a selection of the town centre lighting columns and the railings on West Street. The cost is £80. If you take part, your name or business will be advertised in The Forum and on our website. Please contact committeeclerk@newalresfordtc.gov.uk or call 01962 732079.

Town Council Assembly Meeting - 7th March

Many thanks to all residents who attended the Town Assembly, where the Council gave a resume of the work undertaken during 2021. Special thanks to those who spoke on behalf of groups that were awarded grants and to Genevieve Jacobs from Troy Planning and Design who gave an informative presentation about the New Alresford Neighbourhood Plan. This is a project at the infancy stage. Genevieve explained that it is an important document where the community can express their aspirations for the town and help bring about positive planning for the future.

Walking & Exploring New Alresford

In addition to the Alresford Millennium & Arle Valley Trail, the council has published a more comprehensive Walking & Exploring guide booklet. It lists a range of eight different walk routes over a variety of distances, with detailed route notes. If you feel even more adventurous, there is a list of ten long distance walks over 25 miles that pass through or near Alresford. Guides can be picked up at the Tourist Information telephone box in West Street, Watercress Line, Oxley’s Bookshop and the Council offices. The Avenue, New Alresford, SO24 9EP - 01962 732079 www.newalresford-tc.gov.uk