Why Does Your Countryside Matter?

Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan and Mrs Sue Nelmes, new Mayor of Winchester, looking at the 'battleground' map with Christopher Napier, Chairman of CPRE Hampshire

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (Hampshire) celebrated its 40th birthday at this year's AGM on Saturday 6th May, held at the Wessex Centre, Sparsholt, near Winchester.

This was the first of many events to be held by the CPRE Hampshire branch throughout the year and was a resounding success. Following the AGM, Edward Dawson, regional director, CPRE South East provided an update on the South East Plan. This was met with a very enthusiastic response as many people joined in the question and answer session to air their specific worries of its impact in Hampshire.

This was followed by the main speaker, Tom Oliver, CPRE's head of rural policy, whose talk was entitled "Your countryside, your choice". Mr Oliver gave a clear and stark warning as to what Hampshire's countryside could look like if CPRE is unable to carry on its worthwhile campaigning work.

The exhibition of CPRE's campaign work - past, present and its aims for the future - which was on display for all to read, was very enlightening and attendees enjoyed contributing to the interactive map of Hampshire's past and future 'battleground' sites. There was also a very detailed display on water, including information on how to use it sensibly, presented by Andrew Pitt, Hampshire County Council.

The ceremonial cake cutting by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan and the celebratory hog-roast were a great success and despite the rainy afternoon, the attendees who toured the College's Horticultural Centre were full of tips and ideas when they returned.

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CPRE/H/073

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hampshire Branch (CPRE Hampshire) is a registered charity and a branch of the national CPRE charity.

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For membership information on CPRE, please contact:
Pam Mason, administrator, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123   Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney000@aol.com