THERE will be disruption at Alresford Library on Broad Street early next week.
The county council is moving the children’s library to the ground floor to improve access for families, with the adult non-fiction books going upstairs. The council says customers who struggle to access the upstairs floor of the library will be able to request books from the collection upstairs. During busy times there may be a delay in this service. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this change.
The changes are being made to the children’s library and non-fiction area on Tuesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 22 and reduced activities during this time.
During the works, the nearest libraries are at Alton and The Arc in Winchester.
LAST call for the Alresford Antiques Fair this Saturday, February 17, at the community centre on West Street from 9am to 4.30pm.
Admission is free.
There will be around eight stalls offering a variety of items including furniture, silver, glass, jewellery and militaria. The vendors will also buy.
Other fairs at Alresford Community Centre in 2024 are all on Saturdays: April 20, Saturday May 18, June 15, August 17 and October 26.
A FAMOUS Hampshire novelist will be the subject of the next talk to the Alresford Historical and Literary Society.
On Wednesday February 21 Alys Blakeway will speak on Charlotte M Yonge, who lived in Otterbourne and died in 1901.
The society holds its monthly meetings in the Methodist Church on Jacklyns Lane, SO24 9JJ. It is not necessary to be a member to attend – visitors are welcome at the door for just £3.
A CELEBRATION of the River Alre has been launched in Bishop’s Sutton.
Whispers of Chalk Stream was launched in the village hall last month and looks into the importance of the stream to local people, and its history.
Forthcoming events include a look at stories and song on Wednesday February 21, 7-9pm.
On March 9 there will be a spring light procession from 4-6pm.
The project is part of the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme run by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
A SHORT early-evening concert by the Thomas Weelkes Singers, directed by Christopher Tolley, will be performed in St Nicholas church, Bishop’s Sutton on Saturday March 2. Ticket price £10 to include a welcoming drink.
Proceeds will be shared between Blood Cancer UK and St Nicholas.
Doors open at 5.30pm and the concert will begin at 6pm. Tickets are available on the door and can be reserved via stnbconcerts@gmail.com.
St Nicholas is currently in the process of trying to raise £200,000 for roof repairs and future fundraising events include a plant and cake sale at Westerclose, School Lane, on March 23-24 and a quiz in the village hall on Friday April.12. Further details from stnicholasfundraising@gmail.com
A QUIZ night is being organised by Alresford Rotary in March.
The event will be on Friday, March 22 at Itchen Abbas Village Hall.
Tickets are £15 per person and teams can be up to six strong.
There will be a licenced bar, raffle and a hot supper.
More information is available from David Marshall on quizalresfordrotary@gmail.com.
THE next Open Days for the Museum, Eel House and Medieval Bridge in Alresford will be Easter Monday, April 1.
The Museum and Eel House are owned by the New Alresford Town Trust.
The bridge is in the garden of a privately-owned house.
GROUNDWATER rises slowly through chalk rock and is also slow to subside, meaning that three flood alerts are still in place in the Alresford area.
The Environment Agency issued flood alerts for several villages last month. Nationwide there are now only 36 alerts where flooding is possible and three are near Alresford. Last week the number was 49, and four near Alresford.
People living in Bramdean and Cheriton, Bishop’s Sutton, the Candovers and Old Alresford were still being warned.
The agency said on Monday, February 6, the latest update: “Groundwater levels in Bishop’s Sutton remain high but have been falling very slowly over the last week.”
It warns that properties in Bramdean may experience cellar flooding in the next couple of weeks if heavy rain continues to be recorded.”
For the Candovers and Old Alresford the agency said on Wednesday, February 7: “In Preston Candover and Old Alresford, groundwater levels are high but falling slowly. In Preston Candover, levels have fallen by 6cm in the last week. At Old Alresford, levels have fallen by 9cm.” 
ADVANCE notice that the biggest sporting event is returning in June. The Alresford 10k race, organised by the Rotary, will be held on Sunday June 16.
SEND us local news of community events from the Alresford area.
The patch stretches from the Candovers to Kilmeston and Tichborne to West Meon.
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