A workshop was arranged by Andover Town Council to look at the needs of various groups within the town however it received a low turnout and now other ways are being addressed.
Chris Lynn from Andover Town Council reported:
Last Saturday (27th April 2013), Andover Town Council held a Workshop in the Guildhall to look at the needs of a variety of groups in the town.
The Town Council needed a broad spectrum of interest so we decided to target specific groups. It was agreed to target 3 groups in the town and they were specifically invited:
- Young mums
- Young people
- Older people.
A total of 60 people were invited with personal invitations to come along and give us their views. Each of the young people and young mums were spoken to at a Test Valley Borough Council survey and showed great interest in being involved and contribute. They were each phoned with details of the event and all agreed to come along and bring a friend. On top of that several young mums groups were contacted and invited, along with older persons.
On the Friday we had fewer replies than expected and decide to ask the Breeze to advertise the workshop as this could bring in a few extra people. They put it out on Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday morning and this produced two extra people.
We were delighted with the ideas that came forward such as:
- Use of the High Street
- Signage
- Markets
- Trees and shrubs
- Seating
- Parking
As this was a workshop for invited guests and not an open event we were a little disappointed in the numbers but realise that to contact and engage with these groups we need to visit them.
We are still looking for ideas and anybody who would like to send them by email, phone, letter etc. we would be very grateful.
Chris Lynn
Chairman of Amenities and Town Development Committee
If you have any queries ref this meeting you can email Chris Lynn at christopher.lynn@talktalk.net
That’s a shame I think, when you are directly ask face to face or over the telephone people say yes, so as not to feel pressurized, I did not know about the local radio station Breeze .. When advertised openly people make up there own minds and those that are really interested will make every effort to do so..could you not get any air time on South Today or Meridan.News.
I would be interest in contributing from an older person point of view I was a social worker for older people’s service in Andover for 18 years and previously worked in local hcc residential care and nursed ..
also I was a volunteer for AGE CONCERN and set up and ran a drop in center at The Bridge Building, It was called Take a Break, from 10 till three. I than lived in Spain for 9 years and just getting back on my feet.