Your latest news and updates from across Test Valley

We are partnering with Hampshire-based business IncuHive, to support rural businesses in reducing their carbon emissions.

With individual businesses at different stages of their ‘net zero journey’, the Test Valley Rural Net Zero Business Service will provide tailored advice to help each play their part in tackling the climate emergency.

A new beauty salon in Andover has been awarded a £1,200 Independent Retailer Grant from TVBC.

Amber Stewart set up her beauty salon, ‘Gloss Beauty’, from home. Steady growth of her client base enabled her to launch the salon in the Andover town centre location of Waterloo Court. Passing footfall has expanded her customer base further.

Local product designer Thomas Beesley, of ‘Bees.Keys’, has been awarded a £750 business incentive grant to help develop his high-end customised keyboard design business.

Thomas’s keyboards have proved to be a hit, with the first batch he designed selling out on the morning they were launched. 

Having transferred some of his skills in 3D design from a past career in architecture, Thomas is currently working on projects including an Art Deco style keyboard and a Hundred Acres Winnie-the-Pooh themed keyboard.

Andover Music Club is planning to bring classical music to a new audience thanks to a £750 Councillor Community Grant.

The club, founded 77 years ago by popular local singer Miss Gladys New, presents seven accessible concerts each season at The Lights in Andover. They bring a wide range of musical performances by high quality, professional artists to the theatre.

A great new café, ‘Charlie’s Cafe Romsey’, has opened in the lounge area at Ganger Farm Sports Park, to provide refreshments to the local community and the large number of participants and spectators using the sports pitches.

Charlie’s Café Romsey will be offering a range of ‘Grab & Go’ food with hot/cold options available, from breakfast baps, paninis, sandwiches, burgers and dirty fries, along with a range of drinks, including barista coffee and fresh milkshakes. The current opening hours are Monday to Friday 3pm to 9pm and weekends 8am to 4pm.

A number of large boxes containing hand sanitiser that were dumped on a farm near Romsey have led to a man being fined and ordered to pay over £1,000.

We received a report from a farm owner on 21 April 2023, reporting a fly-tip on their land in Awbridge.

CCTV footage shared with officers showed a man removing boxes from his vehicle and throwing them onto the farmland. 14 large boxes containing hand sanitiser were found.

A man who failed to help with a fly-tipping investigation near North Baddesley has been ordered to pay more than £4,000.

Carter Smith, from Waterlooville, was invited to attend an interview under caution after a large fly-tip on land at Castle Lane was found on 11 November 2022. This included insulation boards, wooden pallets, plastic sheeting, carpet, metal strips, and other household items.