Hampshire Now

I wish….

The towns and villages involved in the Hampshire Market Towns Project.

What would you wish for if you could change or improve things in your area?

Ruins at Bishops Waltham

This is just one of the questions being put to residents in towns and villages across Hampshire as the County Council embarks on a mission with district, town and parish councils to get local people to have a say about the future of their local area.

The Market Town Project aims to help small rural towns find ways of keeping their shops and services, and to make sure they survive into the future as service centres for the villages and hamlets surrounding them.

Volunteers are encouraged to carry out a town ‘health check’ and ask as many different people as possible for their views on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their town, any opportunities for changes as well as anticipating any possible threats to the town’s future prosperity.  The ultimate aim is to get agreement over what sort of place the town should be in 10 –15 years time, plus develop a plan of action. 

There are some 24 Hampshire towns currently involved in the project, here’s what some of them have achieved so far…

We need a butcher

 Residents in Bishop’s Waltham started their health check by sending a brief survey to every local household.  Top of the list came ‘need a butcher’ – and this was just what Andrew Grover needed to hear.  The son of a former town butcher, he had been considering buying a building but was not sure that the demand was there.  Knowing that a large section of the community wanted him there helped him get through the difficult purchase phase. Andrew has now opened up a shop and is doing great business.

We want to create more open space

New Milton’s health check identified an opportunity to create an attractive open space on the outskirts of the town.  The town council was able to acquire the land, and plans were made for the site by local residents and partners. At the beginning of the year 50 local volunteers set about clearing the site and making bird boxes etc.  Today Ballard Water Meadows is home to a wide variety of wildlife and has also brought together the community to create something very special.  

Find out more at the New Milton Town Partnership website.

Ariel shot of Stockbridge high street

We want to encourage people to shop locally

In Whitchurch the local health check showed that 81% of people did not shop locally and that some retailers struggled to make a living.  To help change this a plan called ‘Christmas in Whitchurch 2005’ aimed to encourage local people to stay in town for their shopping and some Christmas festivities.  During the pre-Christmas period events including reindeer and pony trap rides, a lights switch-on with snow, shop window competition, music, and the traditional visit from Santa plus a celebrity chef combined to create a great festive atmosphere.  But above all, not only did local retailers benefit, but it created a greater sense of community spirit. 

Since then, a new community website for Whitchurch has been launched, a welcome pack produced for new residents, plus plans are already in hand for a bigger, better, brighter ‘Christmas in Whitchurch 2006’.

Hampshire Market Towns Project

The towns and villages involved are:

  • Alresford

  • Alton

  • Bishop’s Waltham

  • Botley

  • Emsworth

  • Fleet

  • Fordingbridge

  • Hayling Island

  • Horndean

  • Hythe and Dibden

  • Kingsclere

  • Lee-on-the-Solent

  • Liss

  • Lymington

  • Milford-on-Sea

  • New Milton

  • Odiham

  • Petersfield

  • Ringwood

  • Romsey

  • Stockbridge

  • Whitchurch

  • Whitehill and Bordon

  • Yately

For more information on any of the above contact Anne Harrison on 01962 846558 email economic development or visit the Hampshire Market Town Webpages.