Walks and Talks Programme

During the last few years we have had a 'Walks and Talks' programme. This provides a mixture of social events, indoor meetings and visits to places of interest. Our 2013 'Walks and Talks' programme has recently been launched with a varied range of interesting events - see the 2013 calendar below.

The Country Land and Business Association run a countrywide annual programme of events and talks, which are related to rural business and the countryside. CPRE members are very welcome to join activities - see the CLA events list (external link).

Recent visit reports:

Thur 9th May: An exclusive visit to Rotherfield Park, Gardens, reception (sponsored by Alastair Nugent Vintner) and a talk: 'Churchill's sculptor' by Lady Aurelia Young - read report.
Thur 9th May: The Future of Water Resources in Hampshire. A visit to Testwood Lakes - read visit report.

Forthcoming Walks & Talks

Information about 2013 events are shown below. You can read more details in our Walks and Talks Flyer (PDF).

Tues 28th May 11am: Annual General Meeting, Holiday Inn Winchester (note change of venue from preliminary announcement).
Tues 11th June 10am: A look at a rural business - visit to a wildflower farm near Basingstoke.
Wed 26th June 2pm: Sustainable farming for wildlife - Trinley Farm Estate Visit, near Smannell just outside Andover.
Thurs 4th July 2pm: A visit to Avington Park, including an organ recital.
Thurs 11th Oct: The Amazon - An Environmental Crisis for us all; lecture by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance. This is rescheduled from 15th March. There is also a change of venue - see flyer.
Oct/Nov: Fungal Foray, New Forest. Exact date to be announced later.

For further information and to make a booking, please contact Jo George on 01962 779185. As an alterantive to booking via phone, there is also a booking form (PDF) that you can complete and send in with your payment.

Walks And Talks Helpers

Do you know an interesting or unusual Hampshire walks? Do you know a walk that is not usually open to the public? Or Would you like to guide a walk?

We are looking for volunteers to help us with our annual walks and talks calendar. Often the best walks are known by the local people, who have unparalleled historical and local knowledge of their area. Please let us know of any walks that you feel CPRE members would be interested in. We would love to have local advice and help with our walks for our 2013 calendar.

For more information, please telephone Jo George on 01962 779185.

Recent Events

Tues 21st May: Avebury Manor. Coach trip leaving Andover at 8.30am.
Thur 9th May: An exclusive visit to Rotherfield Park, Gardens, reception (sponsored by Alastair Nugent Vintner) and a talk: 'Churchill's sculptor' by Lady Aurelia Young - read report.
Thur 9th May: The Future of Water Resources in Hampshire. A visit to Testwood Lakes - read visit report.
Thurs 11th Apr 1pm: Trip to Minley Manor (near Yately) - flyer (PDF) and press release
Wed 27th Mar: Bombay Sapphire - at Laverstoke Mill. A visit to the new Bombay Gin UK operations headquarters.

2012 Events

More information about most of the events listed below can be seen in the 2-page 2012 Walks & Talks programme overview (PDF).

Fri 9th November: Quiz Night at East Meon Village Hall 7pm.
Thu 18th October: Quiz Night at Littleton Village Hall 7pm.
Wed 25th July: History & Conservation: Visit to Danebury Hill.
Sun 15th July: Open Garden Kimpton House - for CPRE members and guests.
Thu 12th July: Understanding Rural Business - a visit to the Vitacress nature-friendly farm at Pewsey near the Wiltshire/ Hants border - read visit report.
Thu 21st June: Neighbourhood Plans - getting started; free workshop, Easton Village Hall - see leaflet for details.
Thu 14th June: River Restoration & Conservation - Guided visit on the River Itchen by Martin de Retuerto from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Thu 17th May: CPRE Hampshire AGM - read the Chairman's Annual Review.
Wed 25th Apr: Managing Rural Business - Combined trip to Hill Farm Juice & Hill Place in Swanmore, from 11am to 3.30pm.
Sun 1st Apr: A walk to celebrate the first anniversary of the South Downs National Park. 8 mile walk Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Hampshire Ramblers).
Wed 21st Mar: Living with Environmental Change - A talk by the Earl of Selborne at Itchen Abbas Village Hall- see Press release :: invitation (PDF) :: talk outline
Thurs 8th Mar: Localism - what's in it for you; new opportunities (special event) - see details
Thurs 8th Feb: Localism - what's in it for your community? (special event) - see details

2011 Events

Fri 4th Nov: Quiz Night at East Meon Village Hall with top London Quizmaster Richard Hilliard
Wed 2nd Nov: North Hampshire Autumn Supper with talk by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance
Tues 11th Oct: Visit to Bowman's Brewery (plus optional supper).
Tues 27th Sept: Managing Tarmac operations within the sensitive countryside environment.
Sun 10th July: A special performance of The Magic Flute by Oyster Opera at Bedales School - see description and flyer
Sun 19th June: Open Garden at Ashley Manor - a garden with stunning views, wildlife pond, wildflower meadow and Victorian glasshouse
Wed 15 June: Coach trip to Brownsea Island - a Wooded National Trust Estate with stunning scenery
Thurs 19th May: 'Summer Sunday' - performance of a choral cantata by Joseph Horowitz - see poster (PDF)
Thurs 12th May: CPRE Hampshire AGM at Itchen Abbas Village Hall from 11am. After the AGM there will be talks by Timothy Bowles on CPRE's new branding and Mike Rushworth of Vitacress Salads on 'The Challenges for Rural Businesses'.
Tues 10th May: Combined visit to Alton's Material Recycling Facility and Little Busy Warren Copse Composting site

2010 Events

Full details of our 2010 events can be seen in our 2010 Walks and Talks leaflet.

Wed 10th November - seminar for parish councils and amenity groups - read report.
Wed 3rd November - a fungal foray in the New Forest - see press release
Fri 3rd September - horse-drawn barge cruise on the Kennet & Avon canal
Wed 18th August - People and Places in Portsmouth
Sat 17th July - a guided walk around the 7,000 acre Southwick Estate near Fareham
Thurs 10th June - A guided visit to the Vitacress watercress beds and revitalised water meadow at St. Mary Bourne
Wed 12th May - coach trip to Kew Gardens
Thurs 15th April - a guided tour around Portsmouth with the emphasis on personalities - see above
Wed 31st March - a celebratory party on the eve of the opening of the South Downs National Park
Sat 8th May - a walk on the Isle of Wight starting with the Portsmouth to Fishbourne passenger ferry

Earlier Events

Our events archive gives you a good flavour of events of the last few years, including reports of some of the visits.

This page last updated 22nd May 2013.