Latest News from CPRE Hampshire
April 2013
Hampshire Views - Issue 6
(Spring/Summer 2013)
Recently published is our twice yearly newsletter, which is posted to our members. It contains messages from our new leaders and a farewell message from our retiring director Anthony McEwen. THere is the usual coverage of local groups and many feature articles. Go to the newsletter page for details or...
Download the full mewsletter: Hampshire Views No. 6 (Spring/Summer 2013) - PDF (16 pages; 18.9Mb)
March 2013
New Leadership, CPRE Hampshire
Following the retirement of Anthony McEwen, CPRE Hampshire is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Rescorle as CPRE Hampshire Director. On his appoinment he said:
"As a son of a Cornish farmer and an enthusiastic user of our countryside for walking, cycling, fishing and general sightseeing, I fully support everything CPRE has done and is doing to ensure our beautiful countryside is preserved and enhanced. The countryside is invaluable."
In addition Chris James has taken over the role of chairman, so that Christopher Napier can concentrate on his role on planning and policy.
Walks and Talks 2013
The full Walks and Talks programme for 2013 has been announced. It includes several outdoor visits covering both wonderful estates and also rural businesses. For further information...
Go to the events page or download the 2-page flyer (PDF).
February 2013
Nominations for 2013 Awards Now Open
The 2013 CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards sponsored by Steve's Leaves has just been launched. As usual there are three categories: Youth, Rurual Enterprise and Community / Voluntary. This year we are pleased to have The Southern Co-operative (TSC) sponsoring the 'Community and Voluntary category' for the first time in 2013 whilst SmithsGore, land agents and rural surveyors, is continuing its sponsorship of the Rural Enterprise category.
For full details go to the Awards page
November 2012
Vacancy: Director, CPRE Hampshire
Our current Director, Anthony McEwen wishes to be relieved of his part-time (3 days per week), Winchester based role, during the early part of 2013. Applications for this post have now closed, but you can see details of the role in our office news.
October 2012
Autumn Newsletter
Just published is our Autumn Newsletter. It includes the latest on planning, and various feature articles. Download it here Hampshire Views No. 5 - PDF (12 pages; 2.8Mb)
Countryside Awards
The annual CPRE Hampshire Countryside Award winners have been announced:
- Rural Enterprise Category: Wildflower Turf Ltd.
- Voluntary and Community Category: Buriton Chalk Pit
- Young People's Category: 'Field to Fork' by Hampshire Country Learning
- Special Award: Andover Trees United
Details can be found on the awards page and the press release.
May 2012
Annual Reviews ... And More
Our AGM was held on 17th May. Now available on this website are:
- Chairman's Annual Review 2011-12: " A Year of Considerable Success".
- Finanical report and Accounts (PDF)
- Southern Chalk Streams, Britain's Rain Forests - a talk by Tom Davis: synopsis :: presentation slides (PDF)
Hampshire Views No 4 included the following updates from county office:
- Director's Review: planning (the NPPF), partnerships, finances.
- Greetings from Bridgetts Farm Offices: new look website, Facebook page, walks and talks.
- Membership: Welcome new members; securing our future.
In addition there were articles on our various activities. You can download the whole magazine (3.5Mb PDF) or view individual articles.
New Partners
During the last couple of months we have been pleased to announce partnerships with several organisations. These include:
- Smiths Gore - sponsors of our Rural Enterprise Award
- Gilbert White's House & Garden and The Oates Collection
- Chawton House Library - sharing events
- Vitacress Conservation Trust - a study into tracking phosphorous pollution
Check the recent press releases and Our Partners page for further details.
April 2012
Launch of Electric Bike Scheme
The South East's first Electric Bicycle Network launched in the South Downs on Tuesday 3 April, giving visitors the opportunity to hire and ride ebikes around the rural lanes and trails of England's newest national park.
Press release :: E-bike Trial Report
March 2012
Details of 2012 Awards Scheme
CPRE Hampshire has announced details of its 2012 Countryside Awards Scheme, sponsored by Steve's Leaves. There are three entry categories including an expanded youth category.
Press release :: Awards scheme details
Launch of 'Eyes and Ears' Scheme
CPRE Hampshire have joined forces with The Hampshire Gardens Trust (HGT) and the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust (HBPT) in a new initiative to protect the historic environment of Hampshire. The scheme allows members of the public make the charities aware of potential developments that might threaten the countryside, historic parks, gardens, community green spaces and significant buildings.
Press release :: Eyes and Ears submission form
February 2012
Response to Test Valley Draft Core Strategy
CPRE's Test Valley Group has recently responded to the Borough Council's Core Strategy Consultation. Particular concerns include the mix of housing types, the vitality of town centres, the viability of rural services and the critical state of water supply and discharge. See covering letter and detailed response (9 pages) (both PDF).
CPRE Campaigns for Balanced NPPF
CPRE continues to press MPs to ensure the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides better protection for the countryside. CPRE Hampshire has written to all local Hampshire MPs urging them to lobby for greater protection of the countryside within the redrafting on the NPPF. Read our letter to Hampshire MPs. Please write to your own MP.
Rural Broadband Event
Hampshire County Council is to host a Rural Community Broadband Fund Information Event in Ashburton Hall, at its main offices in Winchester on the afternoon of Friday 17 February from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. Representatives from DEFRA and BDUK (Broadband UK) will answer questions about eligibility to access this £20 million fund. CPRE Hampshire welcome this initiative which stands to enhance the quality of life in rural communities and enhance the competitiveness of local businesses.
To register, please go to http://www3.hants.gov.uk/rcbf-event (external link).
November 2011
Transport Toolkit Update
CPRE Hampshire has been busy piloting aspects of the evolving Transport Toolkit. A three month trial of electric bikes was carried out during the summer in Medstead and Four Marks, some of the highest settlements in Hampshire. The aim was to see if ebikes could be used as an alternative method of transport in rural communities, and if so, how. A report of the findings of the trial has been produced.
2-page summary :: More details at Toolkit pages and Bike Trial
October 2011
Silence of the Plans
New research published on 1st October by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) suggests that several districts in Hampshire do not yet have in place approved core strategies. They will therefore be vulnerable to a planning free-for-all under the new national planning regime the government intends to introduce in April 2012. The following press releases outline the threats in specific districts:
See Havant :: Test Valley :: Winchester
September 2011
Countryside award winners announced
The winners of this year's CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards were announced at a ceremony on Friday 30th September. Sponsored by Steve's Leaves, the awards recognise significant achievements across the county which support its goal of "a beautiful, diverse and living countryside that everyone can value and enjoy." Three schools, a conservation charity, and a cheese-making company were the winners.
See Press release :: Awards page
August 2011
Countryside faces biggest threat in 60 years
The Campaign to Protect Rural Englands Hampshire chairman has reacted with despair yet determination this week following the Government's publication on 25th July of a draft National Planning Policy Framework that would throw out sixty years of environmental protection. The consultation is open until October 17th and the charity is asking people to write to MPs and sign an online petition to persuade the Government of the folly of the proposed changes.
See Press release :: Planning pages
June 2011
Still time to nominate for awards
There have been some innovative entries for this year's Countryside Awards scheme, sponsored by Steve's Leaves. One is Bicycle Recycling from Winchester who repair and restore old bicycles for others to use. However, we would like to see more entries in the School's category. The awards are in three categories: rural enterprise, voluntary / community, schools. Nominations are open until 15th July 2011.
Go to the awards page for further details
April 2011
Our Spring/Summer newsletter has recently been posted to members. Featured articles include a report from the Director, the launch of a sustainable transport toolkit, how CPRE is working with parishes on 'localism' and Hampshire's waste. Several articles talk about threats to the countryside and how you can participate in helping us protect it. There are also updates on the activities of our local and county-wide groups.
Download Hampshire Views No. 3 (Spring/Summer 2011) - PDF (2.4Mb)
February 2011
Speaker service
We are expanding our speaker service to community groups and local organisations. Some of our many subjects include: Our 2026 vision - the future of the countryside, the South Downs National Park, the work of CPRE. We can also tailor our talks to fit with the local area and our work relevant to this.
We would be happy to talk to any local group depending on volunteer availability. A contribution towards our travelling costs would be appreciated. If you belong to a group who would like CPRE to visit, please do get in touch with Becky French at branch office.
February 2011
Steve's Leave's Sponsors 2011 Countryside Awards
Launched in 2007, the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Award is one of the best established Awards schemes in the county and over 20 projects have been recognised by an award to date. For 2011 CPRE Hampshire is proud to have the Awards sponsored by Steve's Leaves, pioneering farmers who grow tasty, nutritious baby leaves with nature friendly farming, building special habitats to encourage wildlife. The programme is being run in conjunction with Hampshire Fare & Hampshire Ambassadors.
Go to the awards page for full details and how to submit a scheme for one of this year's awards.
January 2011
"Stop Fareham New Town"
This is the 2011 name of the campaign to stop the development of North Fareham Strategic Development Area. CPRE Hampshire issued a press release in late December, saying how it was shocked by the decision of Fareham council to withdraw the online consultation and disregard comments received to date. A new consultation has been launched on 4th January.
See Press Release :: North Fareham SDA page
For earlier news please go to our news archive.
This page last updated 22nd April 2013.
There are many ways of volunteering your time and expertise - either in the field, at events or for back-office work
Find out how you can volunteer
CPRE Hampshire works throughout Hampshire across all Districts and including the two National Parks. We are a charity dedicated to the needs of the Hampshire community and striving for a beautiful, diverse and living countryside that everyone can value and enjoy.
Our vision is that by 2026 the quality of much of our countryside will have improved
Read the CPRE 2026 Vision booklet (PDF)
