AN ANDOVER group promoting conservation has finally opened its off-grid cabin that will be used as a community space after years of fundraising. 

Andover Trees United began building The Cabin in Harmony Woods in 2021 and now the building finally opened on Saturday, December 9.

The space will be used as a sustainable classroom, field-study base, and community/volunteer room.

Wendy Davis, from Andover Trees United, said: "The Cabin here in Harmony Woods was designed as part of the vision for the space which was for every young person in our community, supported by their adults, to plant a wood and then within that wood we would build a field study center, woodland classroom and a space that would look after people who were here looking after the wood.

"It will allow the children from all the schools that have planted the wood to actually come and use it as a study base. We hope that it will allow us to run courses and activities to generate some revenue and allow us to continue to offer opportunities for people to come and learn about what we do. 

In May this year Andover Trees United hosted an auction to help raise funds to finish the project. The auction of promises, held at The Wolversdene Club’s Hayward Suite, raised a much-needed £3,700.

READ MORE: Andover Trees United raises £3k at auction of promises

Andover Advertiser: The opening of The Cabin

Plans for the cabin date back to the beginning of the Harmony Woods project, with the scheme approved by Test Valley Borough Council in 2019.

To allow for the project to get off the ground, the charity conducted a variety of fundraising events, including art auctions and charity walks.

The off-grid woodland classroom will be a facility for everyone from schools to the area’s businesses.

SEE ALSO: Test Valley Borough Council grant helps Anton Rotary Club

North West Hampshire Kit Malthouse MP visited The Cabin during the grand opening.

Mr Malthouse said: "It was great to visit the grand opening of The Cabin, a fantastic sustainable woodland classroom and volunteer hub in Harmony Woods.

"Andover will really benefit from this asset, located in the middle of beautiful natural habitat. I urge everyone to have a look and get involved if you can."