Elderfield rebuilding village links (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Elderfield rebuilding village links

12:24pm Tuesday 26th February 2008 in Villages

A HOSTEL for ex-offenders that came under suspicion when a murder investigation started nearby is trying to repair the damage to its name.

Elderfield in Otterbourne, which is run by the Langley House Trust, is half a mile from where Georgina Edmonds was found dead.

The 77-year-old grandmother was murdered in her own home in Kiln Lane on Friday, January 11.

The same weekend, police swooped on the hostel and four ex-offenders living there were arrested.

However, three were released soon after, while police eliminated the fourth from their investigation last week.

It is not the first time that the hostel has come under the spotlight of police and the media.

In 2005, one former prisoner admitted while he was staying at Elderfield murdering mother-of-one Naomi Bryant at her home in Weeke.

It emerged at Otterbourne Parish Council's meeting last Tuesday (February 19) that the hostel was trying to improve its image.

Ex-offenders staying there previously have carried out several jobs for the community, such as trimming grass verges.

In addition to trying to resume those activities, several events are being planned to restore villagers' confidence in Elderfield.

Parish councillors heard that these might include a summer jazz concert, bonfire night party or a Christmas carol event.

The hostel also intends to sell plants and produce grown in its garden from a wheelbarrow at the site's main entrance.

The Top of the Hill Cricket Club also plans to continue using the pitch at the hostel this summer, the meeting heard.

The inquiry into Mrs Edmonds' death is continuing, and anyone with information is urged to call the Operation Columbian incident room on 0845 045 4545.