This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk News, events, people, views and reviews from Alton, Hampshire Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:41:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Conservation Partnership for Countryside and Gardens http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/22/conservation-partnership-for-countryside-and-gardens/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/22/conservation-partnership-for-countryside-and-gardens/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:50:56 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2215

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The Campaign to Protect Rural England (Hampshire) and the Hampshire Gardens Trust (HGT), two local charities, have signed a new, strategic partnership to work together on conservation issues that affect the County’s countryside, landscape, gardens and historic environment. The new arrangement will bring the charities closer together, formalising a joint, collaborative approach on matters such as development proposals and conservation projects. Together the charities have about 2,500 members, who will be encouraged to help each other wherever possible on projects of mutual interest.  “Working together will help . . . These are of such benefit to all.” The agreement was signed by Mrs Gilly Drummond OBE DL, President of the Hampshire Gardens Trust and Sir Brian Brown, President of CPRE Hampshire (pictured). Anthony McEwen, director of CPRE Hampshire said: “We shall be able to act promptly and efficiently together where planning proposals may impact on significant areas of the countryside, designed historic landscapes and gardens, or green spaces of value to local communities. The result will be more informed conservation, benefiting all the residents of Hampshire.” Gilly Drummond of Hampshire Gardens Trust agreed, saying: “Working together will help to look after the County’s green spaces.  These are of such benefit [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/22/conservation-partnership-for-countryside-and-gardens/feed/ 0 Doing something for the Diamond Jubilee? http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/doing-something-for-the-diamond-jubilee/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/doing-something-for-the-diamond-jubilee/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:53:34 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2198

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Whilst plans for publically-organised events to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Alton are still being considered, organisers of other activities are being encouraged to let Alton Town Council know all about them. The town’s Diamond Jubilee Event Working Party, made up of Town Councillors and representatives from other groups is currently putting the finishing touches to a program that is likely to include a revival of the Carnival, last held in the mid 1990s, live music in the Market Square and a Beacon Lighting on Greenfields Amenity land, to complement a National Chain of Beacons. However it is also keen to promote any other activities that are being planned, so that a comprehensive program can be produced for the benefit of all. ‘…deliver a leaflet to every household in Alton town’ Councillor Kevin Stevens, who chairs the Working Party, explained “We are aware that many other groups and societies are planning to celebrate this important occasion in all sorts of ways. We want to help by making sure that everyone knows what is going on, so the town can have another Jubilee to remember. The plan is to deliver a leaflet to every household in the town in either April [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/doing-something-for-the-diamond-jubilee/feed/ 0 Brewing Success – Alton’s Winter Beer Festival! http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/winter-beer-festival-warms-the-cockles/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/winter-beer-festival-warms-the-cockles/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:37:37 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2145

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 The 2012 Alton Winter Beer Festival was a huge success on Saturday night at Alton College after raising even more money for local charities. The exact figure was not available at the time of writing this article. With an additional session on Friday night, organisers Peter and Ysanne Legg were hoping to nudge even closer to a grand total to date of £100,000 for all of the beer festivals in the last 10 years. But, with the summer festival still to come in June, This is Alton hopes they make this milestone! ‘Alton College is a fantastic venue…’ Hundreds of tickets were sold for this festival at the new venue of Alton College and the move from the Maltings Centre seems to be a popular one. Many of the visitors we spoke to gave the move a big ‘thumbs-up’. With a large outdoor area and indoor seating available, there was more space for the six hundred or so guests at each session to use. John and Jim told This is Alton at the Saturday lunchtime session ‘This is a fantastic venue, there’s plenty of room, you’re not bumping into people; It’s a really really good venue.’ Reflecting on the event, organiser Peter Legg said [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/21/winter-beer-festival-warms-the-cockles/feed/ 0 Time is free – give it up for Lent http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/20/time-is-free-give-it-up-for-lent/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/20/time-is-free-give-it-up-for-lent/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:24:33 +0000 Farnham and Wey Valley Cats Protection http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2084

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Cats Protection’s Farnham and Wey Valley Branch is asking local cat lovers to consider giving up their time for Lent. Each year, branch volunteers work tirelessly to find new homes for hundreds of cats and kittens in the area. However, with demand for their services growing on a daily basis, the charity says they really need extra help. “Instead of giving up the usual things for Lent, such as chocolate, we’d really appreciate it if people could give up some of their free time to help local cats,” said branch volunteer, Louisa Bird. “Working with Cats Protection is a fun and rewarding experience, particularly if you have a skill that would benefit the charity or would like to develop new skills by taking on a fresh challenge. Our volunteers gain a great deal of satisfaction helping cats get a second chance in life.” Cats Protection’s Farnham and Wey Valley Branch is part of the charity’s nationwide network of 257 volunteer-run branches and 30 adoption centres that together help over 230,000 cats each year. More than 8,000 volunteers across the UK fill a variety of roles including administration, transporting cats and fundraising, giving them the opportunity to help cats, meet like-minded [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/20/time-is-free-give-it-up-for-lent/feed/ 0 Large Business Bonuses – Good or Bad? http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/large-business-bonuses-good-or-bad/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/large-business-bonuses-good-or-bad/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:15:34 +0000 Martin Saban-Smith http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2131

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Talk of bonuses in big business has recently been in the media headlines again with RBS big cheese Stephen Hester and his whopping shares bonus of £963,000 and his subsequent back-peddaling. So, what is it about big bonuses in business that really gets our goat? In my mind it is a good job that Mr Hester declined the bonus as he is, in a sense a civil servant. The Royal Bank of Scotland is 83% owned by the taxpayer, and civil servants are paid from our taxes. £799,290 was not really RBS’s money to award him in shares or otherwise as it was public money . . . and I do not recall being asked what I thought of this bonus as I suppose I am a shareholder of sorts! Now, I am not against awarding business people big bonuses at all. Indeed, in conversation with a friend the other day, they expressed disgust at Mr Hester’s bonus award and I agreed wholeheartedly. But then, we started discussing large bonuses awarded to bosses of businesses that are entirely private and not owned by the tax payer. My friend said that they too were disgusting and no-one deserves to be paid that much money and that no-one was worth [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/large-business-bonuses-good-or-bad/feed/ 0 A Flipping Great Pancake Race! http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/a-flipping-great-pancake-race/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/a-flipping-great-pancake-race/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:42:53 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2119

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Alton Town Centre came alive on Valentine’s Day as the annual Pancake Race took to the streets for the thirteenth year! MC for the event, Deputy Town Clerk Greg Burt ‘milked’ his time on the megaphone cajoling entrants to the race so the organisers didn’t end up with ‘egg’ on their faces through lack of support! In the end, the race had more entrants than ever before with over 25 children and adults lined up at the bottom of Cross and Pillory Lane, each hoping to win what was generally regarded as a ‘flipping good race’! In the under 10′s race, there was a fine turnout of fancy dress including a knight, tiger, butterfly, monkey, bumble bee, a pirate and a donkey! The excitment was building at the starting line as pans and pancakes began flapping into the air. Some of them even landed back into the pans they came from! Others landed with the unmistakable splat of batter on cobble-stones. But not to be put off, the pride of Alton’s flippers lined up as the races were started by Town Mayor, Councillor Robert Saunders. Event sponsor ‘The Little Grey Cells’ provided the pancakes for the race and the town council provided pans for those [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/17/a-flipping-great-pancake-race/feed/ 0 Starting Your Own Business? http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/starting-your-own-business-2/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/starting-your-own-business-2/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:27:34 +0000 Charwell House, Alton's Business Centre http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2060

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So you want to start your own business….Are you ready? Really, really ready for take off? The most important thing in business is to know who you are competing with: what they offer, their standards and their prices. How will you will be different? Take British Airways – they are top of their market in quality and price. EasyJet is also a household name and very successful, but the quality is different and the prices reflect that. Find the market sector which suits you and match the prices, materials and packages. It would be no good to have BA prices, but offer an EasyJet service. Or vice versa. Both are two of the best and we go to each of them knowing exactly what we are going to receive. It is all about expectations and that way you will keep your clients. They come to you with an expectation and it needs to be met. A mismatch causes problems: honesty in everything you do is the winning formula. Once you have found your Unique Selling Point (USP): find a short sentence that explains what you do and what makes you different from the others. BA’s USP is quality and style. [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/starting-your-own-business-2/feed/ 0 Councillor Patrick Burridge Resigns as EHDC Leader http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/councillor-patrick-burridge-resigns-as-ehdc-leader/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/councillor-patrick-burridge-resigns-as-ehdc-leader/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:30:39 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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Conservative Party members and East Hampshire District Council are shocked today at the news that their leader, Patrick Burridge has resigned with immediate effect. Having been an elected member of EHDC for almost seventeen years, Leader of the Conservative Group, EHDC Cabinet Member and Leader of the Council for the past year and a half, Councillor Burridge has today resigned from the post due to ill health. Having been deeply involved in community issues since 1996, Cllr Burridge has also been active on the Development Policy Panel, Community Forum (Alton & Surrounding Villages), District Councils’ Network, Hampshire Senate, Local Government Association, LGA Rural Commission and South East England Councils (SEEC). “The Council continues to focus on delivering the Corporate Strategy” EHDC Chief Executive Sandy Hopkins, in a message to colleagues this morning said ‘I am sorry to say that Cllr Patrick Burridge has resigned from his position as Leader of East Hampshire District Council. He has decided to step down due to ill health, although he will continue to work as a ward councillor for Downland Ward in Alton.’ and contiuned ‘Cllr Ken Moon, as Deputy Leader, takes over as Acting Leader with immediate effect until a permanent leader can be [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/14/councillor-patrick-burridge-resigns-as-ehdc-leader/feed/ 0 Alton Ramblers AGM http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/alton-ramblers-agm/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/alton-ramblers-agm/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:12:57 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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The Alton Ramblers paid host to the Hampshire Ramblers on Saturday, 11th February for their Annual General Meeting held at the recently enlarged Beech Village Hall. The visitors were welcomed by many of the Alton Ramblers offering a hot drink prior to joining in the morning walk, ably lead by Roy Kirby. The route chosen was walk number four from the Alton Ramblers own ”Walks from Alton” book , which gave the visitors a variety of Alton scenes both of the countryside and through the town. On return the visitors were met with a choice of hotly brewed soups with home-baked bread and a sumptuous spread of delicious savoury delicacies. The AGM then took place, led by Owen Plunkett, the chairman of the Hampshire Ramblers. This was followed by a joint discussion led by Robert Peel – Ramblers Trustee & Secretary, Kent Area. A number of contentious issues were debated with the hope that some of the concerns should be raised in higher places. Much work is being done to enlarge the membership of the Ramblers in encouraging more to join the local rambling groups for health, fitness, leisure and meeting new people. Tea and home-made cakes were then served [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/alton-ramblers-agm/feed/ 0 New Features on This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-features-on-this-is-alton/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-features-on-this-is-alton/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:05:39 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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We are always striving to improve our magazine website and in the last couple of weeks, we have added some fantastic new features to This is Alton. Readers Letters Communication from our readers is vitally important to the site. It gives you a chance to voice your opinion on any of the articles or other issues that you wish to raise. To send us a letter (email), just go to our contact page (here) and let us know what you are thinking. Writing a Press Release We are receiving more and more press releases now…some are great and others require a little tweaking here and there. To help you with your own press release, we have put together a handy and informative guide on the best practice for writing your own press releases which will require the minimum amount of editing time! Submitting a Press Release Partnering the ‘Writing a Press Release’ page, we have now added a simple check-list and form to enable you to send us your press release directly, complete with image attachments and publication date. This new feature will hopefully make the process of sending us your article an easier process. Check-out the form here. Classified Ads Readers [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-features-on-this-is-alton/feed/ 0 New Energy Alton Centre Can Save You Money (Video) http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-energy-alton-centre-can-save-you-money-video/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-energy-alton-centre-can-save-you-money-video/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:19 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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In January, a new volunteer based organisation set-up in Alton won a Government grant worth £80,000 to help fund a range of energy efficiency work within the Alton community and build on the experience and knowledge of the Alton Local Energy Campaign. Dubbed ‘Energy Alton’, a new advice centre on the High Street was opened on Saturday 11th February by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds. This new centre will be open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings until 31st March when the grant money has to be spent by. The centre will be staffed by volunteers who are available to offer free and impartial advice on saving energy in your homes and offices and thereby saving money in the future. They can also guide you through the many free services available through the centre. A crowd of Energy Alton volunteers gathered outside the centre together with Alton Town Mayor Cllr Robert Saunders, District and County Councillor Andrew Joy. There were also visitors to the centre who arrived before the official opening by Damian Hinds MP, such was their interest in the free money-saving information to be found inside. Alton’s Town Cryer, Stan Whitcher heralded the opening of the centre with his bell and distinctive cry before Mr. [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/new-energy-alton-centre-can-save-you-money-video/feed/ 1 Top Marks for Tables http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/top-marks-for-tables/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/top-marks-for-tables/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:59:19 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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Many of us a really feeling the pinch in the current economic climate, and trying our best to make the little money we have go further and further and cover the ever increasing costs. But help is at hand! The Alton Assembly Rooms are introducing a monthly TABLE TOP SALE that is aimed at anybody who is looking to make a little extra money. If you do crafts and cards, sell pre-loved goods or just want to ‘up-cycle’ items from around your house that your you no longer need, this will be the sale for you. Sales are initially going to be staged once month between April and October and if successful will be continued on a regular basis. All tables, no matter what you are selling, are priced at just £10.00 each, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis and the booking diary is NOW OPEN, so it would be advisable to book your table early to avoid disappointment. Alton Assembly Rooms manager Jason Passingham said ‘times are hard for all of us right now and not wishing to quote a certain supermarket, but every penny really does help! That is why we have decided [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/top-marks-for-tables/feed/ 0 Lonely on Valentine’s Day? You’re not alone. http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/lonely-on-valentines-day-youre-not-alone/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/lonely-on-valentines-day-youre-not-alone/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:52:53 +0000 Carole Samuda http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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Whilst we know Valentine’s Day is just another day, for many it is a difficult time which heightens feelings of loneliness. Leading Cognitive Hypnotherapist and Coach Carole Samuda suggests 4 tips on how to conquer loneliness. Don’t wait, take control  Are you waiting for someone to come along or for something to happen that will change everything? If you tend to think like this, perhaps it’s time to regain control of your happiness. Taking the first steps to change your life can be difficult but incredibly empowering. Ask: ‘what can I do to make myself happy?’ Fill the gaps  Loneliness often stems from other areas of your life that are lacking, not just relationships. Look for gaps in your life and make a list of how you can fill them. This encourages you to take action instead of sitting at home waiting. Look for new opportunities to meet people, enrol on a course or take up a hobby. Is confidence holding you back? If so, what support can you get? Many of my clients find that getting the right support to address negative beliefs or low self-esteem has a major impact on their lives. Focus on what you do want [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/lonely-on-valentines-day-youre-not-alone/feed/ 0 Waitrose Finally Commencing Build http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/waitrose-finally-commencing-build/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/waitrose-finally-commencing-build/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:57:30 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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Building work that will deliver a new Waitrose food store and regenerate the area around Alton’s railway station is to begin on 20 February. The supermarket is expected to open its doors in Autumn 2012 giving shoppers in Alton and the surrounding area a much needed alternative to the current supermarket offering. The new shop will comprise 31,000 sq ft with a net sales area of 18,000 sq ft and will be similar in size to the existing Waitrose store in Petersfield. East Hampshire District Council resolved to grant consent for the Waitrose scheme in December 2010 and its development will see a number of measures that will not only help with the highways and regeneration of the station area, but also include an overspill car park for commuters using the train station. Hugo Hawkins: ‘‘This is great news for the town‘ Built on the site of what was the Mirion Technologies production facility, the new store will provide up to 120 jobs. Recruitment is anticipated to begin in June. Waitrose to Alton’s Hugo Hawkings from Discovery Properties said ‘This is great news for the town. Alton has for some time needed an alternative to what is currently available and this [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/13/waitrose-finally-commencing-build/feed/ 0 Find your perfect partner this Valentine’s Day with Cats Protection http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/find-your-perfect-partner-this-valentines-day-with-cats-protection/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/find-your-perfect-partner-this-valentines-day-with-cats-protection/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:21:40 +0000 Farnham and Wey Valley Cats Protection http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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As Valentine’s Day approaches, the local branch of the UK’s largest national cat charity is appealing to people to spare a thought for the many homeless felines who need to meet that special someone. Cats Protection’s Farnham and Wey Valley Branch currently has dozens of felines in its care who are all desperate to find a home. Branch volunteers are now calling on potential owners to celebrate the most loving day of the year by finding a new pet. Volunteer Louisa Bird said: “Just like humans, cats are individuals with different quirks and personalities and we have cats which would suit all sorts of people. “You can never predict which cat a prospective owner will bond with – sometimes people go for cats with similar personalities to their own, other times is definitely a case of ‘opposites attract’. Either way, there is no denying that cats make fantastic pets. They are loyal, friendly, funny and loving – so what better time of year to pick a new best friend than around Valentine’s Day?” One cat current looking for his ‘purrfect partner’ is Alonzo. This dear little cat was brought into Cats Protection care after being handed in by a cat-loving [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/find-your-perfect-partner-this-valentines-day-with-cats-protection/feed/ 0 Snowdrop Sunday http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/snowdrop-sunday/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/snowdrop-sunday/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:54:14 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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The gardens at Chawton House Library in Chawton, near Alton, will be open for all to enjoy on Sunday 19th February, from 10.00am – 4.00pm, when there should be carpets of snowdrops in the Wilderness and elsewhere. For the same price as the usual garden entrance fee, members of the public of all ages can enjoy discovering more about the varied and fascinating history of the gardens and wander at will. Adults £3, Children £1.50. Homemade soup and other refreshments available in the Old Kitchen. Information can be found on the website www.chawtonhouse.org or telephone 01420 541010.

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/snowdrop-sunday/feed/ 0 Ukulele Club http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/ukulele-club/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/ukulele-club/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:15:48 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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A new Ukelele Club has started in Alton at the Queen’s Head pub. Meeting fortnightly on a Tuesday night from 7.30pm, organiser Sarah Chakraborty is keen to encourage Ukelele playing and what a great instrument it is to play. She said  ‘It [the club] started really because I feel it’s great to meet other people to share an interest and to relax after working all day.’ Originating in the 19th Century, as a Hawaiian interpretation of the cavaquinho or braguinha and the rajao (a small guitar type instrument taken to Hawaii by the Portugese, it gained popularity in the USA in the 20th Century and has since spread internationally. (Source, Wikipedia) The ukulele is a great instrument to learn as its very easy to pick up doesn’t cost a fortune and can be played as a group in all style of music. Sarah continues, ‘We play anything from the great George Formby to the Beatles, Guns and Roses right up to current songs (Ollie mars , Train, Adele to name a few). We have a face book page named “the happy uke page” and we encourage people should they want to join us to drop me a posting so I can email them the chord sheets [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/ukulele-club/feed/ 0 Make a Date with Kate! http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/make-a-date-with-kate/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/make-a-date-with-kate/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:50:11 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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Alton Operatic and Dramatic Society (AODS) will this year be staging the top-notch witty classic ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ and the superb local all-singing all-dancing group’s performances cannot be missed. With numbers like ‘Wunderbar’ and ‘From This Moment On’ to wrap their voices around, AODS have plenty of opportunities to show off their talent. Set in Baltimore, 1948 we meet actor-manager Fred Graham, played with striking presence by Graeme Cooper, who, after a string of flops, desperately needs his new musical adaptation of The Taming Of The Shrew to be a hit. But while Fred’s opinion of his own talents is high, he knows only one thing can guarantee success: a big star. Unfortunately, the only star Fred knows is Lilli Vanessi (Chrissie White), legendary diva, Hollywood icon . . . and his ex-wife. As rehearsals progress, Lilli playing Kate opposite Fred’s Petruchio, each begins to remember, with a passion bordering on the homicidal, just why they got divorced in the first place . . . Meanwhile, Fred has fallen under the spell of nightclub singer Lois Lane, played by Kerri Veck, and has cast her, and her dancing partner, Bill, in the show. But chronic gambler Bill owes a fortune to some heavyweight mobsters, and to [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/10/make-a-date-with-kate/feed/ 0 Tinnitus Week 9th to 15th Feb 2012 http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/09/tinnitus-week-9th-to-15th-feb-2012/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/09/tinnitus-week-9th-to-15th-feb-2012/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:01:15 +0000 Carole Samuda http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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It’s National Tinnitus week (9th Feb to 15th Feb). Tinnitus is a common problem suffered by no less than 4.7 million people in the UK. Tinnitus is most often associated with a ringing in the ears, but can take many different forms, which can easily be confused with external noise. Tinnitus and Emotional health Although it is strongly linked to exposure to loud noises such as amplified music or extreme industrial noise this is not the case for everyone. Many people cannot pinpoint a reason or cause for this extremely distressing problem but many will agree that the noise is exacerbated by stress or anxiety; some believe that stress is the cause. The British Tinnitus Association states ‘It is now well established that Tinnitus is generated in the brain and not in the ear. Moreover, we have learned from animal studies that tinnitus might be linked to increased spontaneous activity of nerve cells in the brain’. Studies also show that about 50% of tinnitus sufferers are psychologically affected by their condition. The emotional impact of tinnitus can range from simple annoyance and frustration, to anger, anxiety, sleep disturbance and impaired concentration, to more severe conditions like panic, depression and chronic [...]

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]]> http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/09/tinnitus-week-9th-to-15th-feb-2012/feed/ 0 Promote Yourself on This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/07/promote-yourself-on-this-is-alton/ http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/2012/02/07/promote-yourself-on-this-is-alton/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:07:03 +0000 This is Alton http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/?p=2033

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At This is Alton, we care deeply about the town and it’s community and want to try to support the groups and organisations around the town as much as possible. Of course, we can do this by publicising their events and their activities on a regular basis, but we can do more than that if we are able to donate funds directly to them. How can we do this? Our readership is growing week-on-week and we have as many readers online as we did when we printed a few issues in 2011, and up until now, there has been no advertising space on the new website. By advertising on the This is Alton, not only are you reaching a highly targeted audience, you can help the community too as 50% of our advertising revenue will be donated back out to groups and organisations around the town and area. The advertising page has full details of our highly competitive costs, a ‘how-to’ video on placing an advert and a special discount code to use when placing an advert through the automated service we have introduced. If you would like a different sized advert somewhere on the site, or in our newsletter, contact [...]

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