Tourism Committee
This committee meets every three months and includes members nominated by the Chamber of Commerce and the Watercress Line. It is responsible for all issues that have a bearing on Tourism in the Town including the Watercress Festival, Hanging Baskets and tourist publications in accordance with the Tourism Strategy.
At the present time it is actively involved with the organisation of The Watercress Festival and the Hanging Basket display.
In this term the council's tourism strategy has been developed and approved.
It is based on the rationale that Alresford attracts visitors who appreciate the town for the same reasons as we do. In recent years we have seen Alresford in the top five English market towns in Country Life's competition. As befits a top five favourite, our new brick and flint signs at the entrances to the town were completed in time for the visit of Penelope Keith, the regional judge.
The 5th Watercress Festival will be held on Sunday 11th May. Last year, dispite the appalling weather it attracted between eight and ten thousand visitors. Once again this year East and West Streets will also be closed for safety reasons allowing an increasing number of stall holders to be accommodated. We now have Hampshire Fare stalls on the market every third Thursday.
The Council will once again be taking on the responsibilty for the Hanging Baskets. Getting sponsors and actively pre-selling the baskets has allowed us to offer environmentally-friendly baskets, requiring water every other day, at an attractive price of £35 each.
The walks in and around town are one of Alresford's main attractions. The Arle Valley trail has been refurbished; the Millennium Trail and the Soke Improvement Scheme drive leading down to the lake have been resurfaced. Repairs have also been carried to out the riverbank along the Millennium trail and parts have been re-surfaced.
The town toilets in Station Road were showing their age and have been refurbished with new integrated wash units and driers, hot water, baby changing facilities in the ladies and improved access for disabled people.
These few examples illustrate how we seek to develop the relaxing character of the town and the facilities available to both residents and tourists alike.
Minutes of previous Meetings.
Minutes of previous meetings will be posted for all meetings held after the launch of the web site - March 2007.
Committee Members
Cllr. Malcolm Phillips (Chair)
Cllrs. Yeldham, Cattle, Jeffs, Gentry, Middleton, Read, Evans.