• THE HAMPSHIRE Parent Carer Network (HPCN) is to host an introductory meeting.

On Monday, March 24, from 9.30am-11am at Shawford Parish Hall, parents and carers of a child or young person aged under 25 are welcome to the drop-in session giving people the chance to have a say on family services.

Free breakfast bacon rolls will be on offer as will hot cross buns and there will also be a free Easter egg for the first 30 guests.

The HPCN is an independent parent carer forum which aims to help parents and professionals work together to shape services offered in Hampshire.

For more details please call 01962 832580 or email participation@hpcn.org.uk.

  • OLDER residents in Twyford have been given helping hand after two village agents were appointed by a Hampshire charity.

Age Concern Hampshire has selected volunteers Martin Barlow and Colin Francis to act as a contact point for local services available across the county.

The village agents can help older people find transport for shopping, organised trips, medical appointments, local activities and events. They can also help find providers for free home fire safety checks, gardening, maintenance, reputable trades people, care options and how to use a computer.

Martin and Colin can also find out advice relating to money matters regarding entitlement to claim benefits, grants and loans.

For more information call 07964 354955 or 713033 or email twyfordva@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk.

If no one is available to answer call the Age Concern Hampshire freephone number 0800 328 7154 and leave a message.

  • MEMBERS of the Shawford and Compton Horticultural Society were treated to a guest speaker last month.

Mike Read, a freelance photographer and writer, gave a talk on The Wildlife of a working forest: The New Forest.

Mr Read’s presentation looked at the seasons, assessing the different flora and fauna of the area as well as the management of the iconic New Forest ponies.

Val Pace was awarded for her entry “Narcissus grown in a pot” for the competition for the month.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 18, when Tomas Stone, a professional gardener and gardening consultant who worked in the gardens at Mottisfont for ten years, will present a talk about the Roses of Mottisfont Abbey Gardens.

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm, doors open at 7.15pm, at Compton School and will also include the society’s AGM and spring show.

  • COLDEN Common’s community market will be open to all on Monday (March 3) with more on offer than usual.

The weekly market, which prides itself as being hosted by the community for the community, which offers locally sourced foods including homemade bread, cheese from Lyburn in the New Forest and free-range eggs from Claytons in Romsey.

The first Monday of each month, between 11am-1pm, a larger, more diverse market opens its doors selling plants, books, clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery, second-hand-products and new unwanted gifts.

To book a stall please contact members of staff at the community centre on 01962 715789 or office@coldencommoncc.co.uk.