CHRISTMAS might be over but the festive period is not finished, according to Hinton Ampner. People can still visit the ‘An Enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner’ until Sunday, January 5. The National Trust said: “With thousands of sparkling lights and presents stacked high – don’t miss out on this Christmas delight!” The event is free and runs from 10am to 4pm, but normal admission charges apply. The Trust says booking is essential throughout the Christmas period and tickets will be released in two-week batches.
READ MORE: Hinton Ampner’s project to rewild and diversify its estate
Alresford Pond (Image: David Taylor)ALRESFORD’s hunt was targeted by saboteurs on Boxing Day. Surrey Hunt Sabs thanked fellow saboteurs in a Facebook post. The hunt gathered at Station Road before the start of the trail hunt. Once a regular meet, the December 26 hunt was the first such event in several decades.
ALRESFORD Town Council has announced that two new items of play equipment will be installed at Sun Hill Recreation Ground. The Triple Traverse Tower will replace the old fort, and along with the Net Tower, the council hopes these will be exciting additions to the playground. It has paid a “huge thank you” to the Alresford PIGS who have generously funded the Net Tower as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. Some of the playground will be fenced off while the work takes place. The council apologises for any inconvenience.
THE NEXT open days for Alresford Museum on Broad Street, the Eel House and medieval bridge will be Easter 2025, on days to be confirmed. The three attractions are all run by Alresford Town Trust. During 2025 it is planned that the Eel House will be open on six days which will be published as soon as they are finalised. The trust points out that any eels caught by traps at the Eel House are returned to the river and not sold for commercial gain.
A NEW dance studio is coming to Alresford. Rebecca Luckahm, owner of Rebecca’s Dance Academy, wrote on Facebook: “I am pleased to announce the opening of our brand new dance studio in Alresford! We will be holding an open day that will be open to the public and we’d love you all to come!” The dance studio will open on Sunday, January 5 from 12pm to 3pm. There will also be two free dance classes: 12.30pm to 3pm for under-eights and 1pm to 1.30pm for all over eights.
READ MORE: Hampshire Hunt parades through Alresford in Boxing Day Meet
THE STORY of the Month for Alresford library is ‘We’re Going on an Elf Chase’ by Martha Mumford. The blurb for the terrific read said: “Four bunnies set off on a jolly Christmas lift-the-flap adventure to find ten little elves hidden under the flaps. You’ll have to run, run, run if you’re going to catch them all! And there are lots of obstacles along the way, from clippy-cloppy reindeer to roaring polar bears and flippy-flappy penguins.” To find a copy, go to https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/137446141/118572433,1
SEND local news to newsdesk@ hampshirechronicle.co.uk. The Alresford patch stretches north to south from the Candovers to Kilmeston and west to east from Tichborne to West Meon. The office number is 01962 861860 (choose option 1). It can also be contacted by post at 5 Upper Brook Street, Winchester, SO23 8AL.