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News and updates from Test Valley Borough Council👇

Council approves £6.5M to deliver next major masterplan project for Andover

Test Valley Borough Council has allocated £6.5M to completely redevelop the area around Western Avenue and extend the riverside corridor as part of the authority’s ambitious Andover masterplan.

At a full council meeting on Thursday 23 February, members approved the money to transform the area, which will see the creation of a picturesque park as well as a stunning riverside walk south of Bridge Street to further showcase the town’s charming River Anton water source.

To enable this to happen, TVBC has been working closely with Hampshire County Council as the highways authority to redesign the road layout in the area and free up space for pedestrians.

The focus on highlighting the town’s existing assets stems from extensive public feedback through the Andover Vision and masterplan consultations, which encouraged the council to open up the river in particular for people to enjoy as it is largely hidden in the town.

As a first step, the authority created the new riverside park at Town Mills in 2021 to enable residents and visitors to relax and picnic by the water’s edge. The space has also been used as a location for events, encouraging residents to move around the town.

The authority has said that it is keen to accelerate the project and get plans in place to enable work to begin as soon as possible.

Man sentenced after fly-tipping dismantled bed in Nursling “so someone else could use it”

A man has been ordered to pay over £850 after he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping in Nursling. Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) officers received a report of a fly-tip on 24 August 2022 on Station Road in Nursling, which consisted of the wood and headboard of a dismantled bed. The incident was caught on CCTV, and a DVLA search led officers to Deepak Sharma, of Corbiere Close, Southampton, who was invited to attend an interview under caution. Sharma admitted to depositing the waste and claimed he had left it there so someone else could re-use it.

Cost of Living grants!

Through our Cost of Living Grant Scheme, we awarded £1,083 to Somborne Community Cinema to provide a warm community space and free refreshments to those attending their cinema matinees.

If you're in the area and in need of a warm space, visit King Somborne Village hall on the dates below:

🎥March 6 and 27

🎥April 3 and 17

Doors open at 1:45pm and films start at 2:15pm

No need to book, just turn up. Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.

Our Cost of Living Grant Scheme is available to community organisations assisting the public. Find out more and apply here:

Flexible working space brings two new organisations to the Chantry Centre

Andover’s flexible working space, which is operated by IncuHive Group Limited, has welcomed two new occupiers.

The Ugly Duckling project and The Andover Studio have now moved onto the fifth floor of Chantry House, which is owned by Test Valley Borough Council and is located in the Chantry Centre.

Who are they?

The Ugly Duckling project is operated by local charity Andover Mind and will be open three days a week, having temporarily relocated from its previous location in West Portway. The project welcomes volunteers to help upcycle furniture and create new items from donated wood and materials. The project offers work experience and training opportunities, as well as the chance to volunteer. The Ugly Duckling project already has a pop-up shop inside the Chantry Centre where customers can purchase the goods created by its volunteers such as bird boxes, planters and feeders.

The Andover Studio is a brand new space available for photographers and videographers to hire for a variety of creative projects. The studio itself is a spacious blank canvas with fantastic natural light and the company offer a good range of lighting and studio equipment in the price of hire. Due to the nature of the space, the studio also makes a great fit for workshops, classes and many other types of events.

The Andover Studio

Voter Authority Certificates

From 4 May 2023, registered electors will need to show a form of photo identification (ID) before they can vote in person at a polling station. This is known as voter ID.

Electors will need to show one of the accepted photographic ID.

A Voter Authority Certificate is available for registered electors without photo ID available. The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document you can use to vote in person in some UK elections and referendums. You cannot use it as proof of identification for any other reason.

Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if:

• you do not have accepted photo ID
• you no longer look like the photo on your ID
• the name on your photo ID is significantly different to your name on the electoral register

You can apply online via the Government website, by post or in person and you should apply in good time ahead of polls taking place. Please be aware the person applying will need to provide a photo of themselves as part of the application process.

Voter ID only affects people voting in person at polling stations. Postal voters have their identification verified by their signature and date of birth.

For more information about Voter ID visit: www.testvalley.gov.uk/voterID or watch the short video below👇 

Tourism Information Exchange for businesses

The Test Valley Tourism Information Exchange 2023 is a new event that provides a great opportunity for business to business networking and information sharing.

It's taking place on Wednesday 1st March at Crosfield Hall, Romsey.

Local attractions will be present with displays showcasing places to visit in the Test Valley area and outskirts. This enables businesses to advise customers on what to do during their stay in Test Valley.

Seminars on the day:

• 11am Introduction to the Visit Test Valley Website
• 12pm How to get the best out of social media

If you area local business who would like to find out more and attend this event, visit https://TestValleyInfoExchange2023.eventbrite.com

Health Walks

Not much beats the feeling of fresh air in your lungs and a smile on your face!

Walking is a great way to keep active and healthy and is fast becoming a social event that can help you to meet people. 

Join our Health Walks and step this way for a healthier future.

Visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/healthwalks or email healthwalks@testvalley.gov.uk for more information.

Moscow Drug Club – Seated Arena Event

Thursday, 9 March at 8pm T: £16 SM: £13 This seated arena event is not to be missed! Tickets and more info about this eclectic five-piece band available here: Moscow Drug Club. | The Lights Andover or Call Box Office on 01264 368368 to book today!

Romeo & Juliet – Ballet Theatre UK

Friday, 17 March at 7:30pm T: £20 P:£21 SM: £17 C: £17 CH: £13 Join Ballet Theatre UK with their passionate and innovative recreation of the world’s greatest love story, Romeo and Juliet - Ballet Theatre UK | The Lights Andover or Call Box Office on 01264 368368 to book today!

Calendar Girls

Tuesday, 14 March, to Saturday, 18 March at 7:30pm - T: 15 - 10% discount for bookings of more than 10 people Based on the true story of eleven WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest-selling play in British theatre history. Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out!

Chantry Centre Indoor Market back this weekend!

The Chantry Centre indoor market is set to return on Saturday 4 March with a fabulous range of products available from local traders. Products on offer will include beautiful hand-painted bottles, 3D printed and laser cut gifts as well as a big selection of toys. Visitors can browse an array of fragrant scented candles and chic handbags as well as handmade cards. With Mother’s Day approaching next month, this is a great time to shop for a unique and thoughtful gift. The indoor market is located in the central mall areas of the Chantry Centre and is open between 9:30am to 4pm.

Second Sundays to return for first time in 2023

Exciting news – Second Sundays will return on Sunday, 12 March! Bring your friends and family to enjoy a fun-filled Sunday, soaking up the atmosphere and exploring various stalls. Get ready for music playing throughout the high street, free craft workshops and mouth-watering street food. This a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and discover unique handmade crafts you won’t find anywhere else. Save the date, don’t miss out!

Farmers' Market back in Romsey

Sunday 5th March between 10am and 1pm in Alma Road Car Park. Enjoy the great taste of Hampshire, savour the delights of truly local food reared, grown, baked, caught and brewed in Hampshire. Home reared meats including buffalo and game, eggs, cheese, milk, ice cream, wine, beer, apple juice, bread, cakes, bakes, pickles, chutney's, preserves, fruits and vegetables, wool & coppice goods. Seasonally produced from within Hampshire.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it...📰

You can read all of our latest news updates by visiting www.testvalley.gov.uk/news.

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