An introduction
Much of what goes on in and around Alresford year after year is dependent upon the time and enthusiasm of volunteers whether that is at the Mid Hants Railway or the town centre Christmas trees, the Guy Fawkes Day celebrations, the eel house and museum open days, the Thursday lunch club, the Duck race, the 10k run or at the Watercress Festival and Agricultural show, to mention just a few of the things that enhance mid-Hampshire life.
When the pandemic struck in early 2020 the local community responded magnificently to help those who needed help in such unprecedented circumstances, but it became clear at that time there was little existing interaction and lines of communication between the various local groups, risking several “canoes” heading broadly in the same direction in somewhat of a disorganized fashion, rather than as a reasonably well-organized fleet!
Having identified the problem, representatives of organisations such as the Alresford Pigs Association, Alresford Rotary, New Alresford Town Council, New Alresford Town Trust, New Leaf Alresford, Alresford Chamber of Commerce and Churches Together in Alresford have for the past couple of years been meeting once a month or so, initially by Zoom and now in person, to get to know each other better, to raise awareness of forthcoming events (and to hopefully avoid potential clashes of date) and to provide mutual support and assistance. Quite deliberately the “Co-ordinating Alresford” group is an informal one, sharing the aim of maintaining and improving lines of communication generally and ensuring some structure is in place should “unforeseen circumstances” arise again.
Would you like to learn more?
Members of the Alresford Chamber of Commerce can learn more about Co-ordinating Alresford at the Chamber’s AGM on 5th September. If you’re not a member of the Chamber but would like further information please email the secretary at alresfordchamber@gmail.com.
If you are involved in the running of any local volunteer-led organization please come to The Cricketers on 19th September at 6.30 p.m. to have a chat, learn more and share your challenges and ideas with us so we can together maximise the benefit that volunteers can provide for OUR community.