Communities in Andover are being invited to celebrate at a rural conference this month.

Action Hampshire and CPRE Hampshire are opening up their annual conference this year to people living and working in Hampshire’s rural communities.

The organisers said ‘Rural Hampshire: Recovery and Beyond’ will be a celebration of the support, friendship and entertainment that communities delivered for each other over the pandemic.

There will be speakers from Hursley, Hartley Wintney, Braishfield, Kings Somborne and the New Forest National Park.

Jo Dixon, senior engagement lead at Action Hampshire, said: “At a time when others were slow to get going, our rural communities were there from day one, supporting each other and keeping spirits up. It is great to be able to celebrate all that was going on. Now we need to think how we can build on this ‘can do’ attitude as we move forward and face future challenges.”

Carole Oldham, CPRE Hampshire Trustee, said: “As well as a celebration, this will also be the start of looking forward and thinking how we can harness community spirit and resourcefulness to help shape the future. There will be challenges ahead but our rural communities have shown what can be done when we come together.”

The half-day conference is taking place on Tuesday, October 19, at Littleton Village Hall and proceedings will start at 10 am.

For more information or to book a place contact Kevin Sawers on 01962 857358 or kevin.sawers@actionhampshire.org. 

Bookings can also be made on Eventbrite. Entry to the event is free.