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Present-day Alton is one of the most pleasant of Hampshire’s
small towns and has aptly been described as a “charming Georgian
market town”. The past has left a fair legacy of ancient buildings
behind it and these, together with more recent additions, make Alton
a place worthy of exploration. The main thoroughfare formed by Butts
Road - High Street - Normandy Street is an agreeable mixture of
old and new with graceful Georgian houses jostling with modern shops
and businesses. The general bustle of this highway, especially at
its central part near the old inn, the Swan Hotel, is typical of
the agricultural zest that is the mainspring of the town, for it
is the centre of a wide country area. The many side streets are
equally attractive with old houses and mellowed walls to give charm
and a sense of timeless age.
On the North side of Church Street, are the Geale’s Almshouses
given by Thomas Geale in 1653 to house eight poor people who were
born in Alton.
The hotels and restaurants however have not stayed in the past and
offer a wide range of accommodation, bar snacks and reasonably priced
lunches and dinners.
The Swan Hotel has a high standard of en-suite accommodation with
an excellent restaurant. Banqueting and wedding receptions are catered
for with seating for up to 110.
The Alton House Hotel is set in more than 2 acres of gardens with
an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts and rooftop terrace.
It has en-suite facilities, and the restaurant and bars are very
welcoming. A Banqueting Hall seats up to 120. It is the “home”
of many local organisations including Rotary, Inner Wheel Ladies
Circle, Alton Lions and Rotaract.
The Grange Hotel is privately owned with 34 bedrooms set in 2.5
acres of beautiful gardens with a civil wedding licence, catering
for up to 120 sit-down on weddings, functions and conferences. It
has two restaurants – Truffles Restaurant serving fine-dine,
World Fusion cuisine and wines, or Muffins Brasserie offering a
lighter bite in bright contemporary surroundings.
Elsewhere in Alton there are other hotels and restaurants each making
a different, yet distinctive, contribution to the many hospitable
facilities of this small yet interesting town.
Alton has a thriving industrial estate in Mill Lane, and the recently
developed Omega Park in Wilsom Road. These include engineering as
well as computer and high technology firms that have established
themselves successfully and add to the diversity of employment opportunities
in the Alton area. In the Maltings, Windmill Hill, is a variety
of small specialist firms, whilst Alton’s traditional industry
of brewing continues with Coors, who also package and distribute
a variety of ales and lagers.
A pleasant “mix” of residential properties have been
developed over recent years with new estates providing for “first
time buyers”, through to executive style houses. The former
Workhouse, built in 1793 and renamed “Adams House” forms
part of a most attractive sheltered housing scheme for the elderly.
This is one of several such schemes within the town.
Your Worship
The Parish Church of St. Lawrence
The Parish Church of St. Lawrence stands away from the busy main
highway. It is overall a 15th century church, and is a good example
of the Perpendicular style. The Norman tower, which is the nucleus
of the present church, dates from about 1070. Due to the alterations
and building that took place, mainly in the 13th and 15th centuries,
the church doubled in size, so that it now has two naves, separated
by a noble arcade of seven arches. The tower possesses eight bells.
Other features of interest include the Saxon font; a double piscina
and aumbry for the Reservation of the Sacrament, dating from the
1200s; the 15th century screen between the sanctuaries; a candelabrum
under the tower of 1780 (one of the few candelabra in Hampshire
to be dated); the two croziers carved into the stonework of the
Lady Chapel at either end; a fifteenth century fresco; the Elizabethan
almsbox; the Jacobean pulpit; and the alter rail of approximately
1680 made from the balusters of the staircase in Bishop Ken’s
house at Winchester.
The list of incumbents goes back to 1161, the Church registers to
1615, and the Churchwardens’ accounts to 1625.
The Parish Church of All Saints
The other parish church in Alton stands on the main road, in an
area that was called New Town when the church was built in Butts
Road in 1873-4. It is a handsome structure and its graceful spire
is a prominent landmark of the town, especially when approached
from the West. The Reredos in the Lady Chapel is the work of Sir
Ninian Comper, the same artist who made the statue of St. Joan of
Arc in Winchester Cathedral. Sir Ninian was the last of the great
Gothic Revivalists. The statue of the Virgin and Child is the work
of the Sisters of St. Mary the Virgin, Wantage, who for many years
had a house in Turk Street, caring for handicapped girls, and were
closely linked with All Saints’ Church.
There are some very fine Renaissance-style Altar ornaments. The
wrought iron screen was made by a local craftsman, and the lectern
was also made by a local craftsman from a Victorian gas light that
formerly helped to light the church.
The organ is a particularly good “Hill” model and was
modernised and rebuilt for the centenary year. The spire was first
put together by local carpenters in meadows opposite the church,
before being erected on the tower.
This church is known in the Church of England as the church of the
Carpenter Priest, Fr. Charlie Bond, who served the parish of All
Saints all his life, first as a carpenter and Lay Reader, and later
as an Assistant Priest before in 1921 becoming its much loved Vicar.
His memorial plaque in the Lady Chapel reveals the secret to his
priestly excellence, “He preached Jesus”.
St. Mary’s Church
The town of Alton has one of the more modern Catholic churches in
the county of Hampshire. Opened in 1966, it has a seating capacity
of 500. It was built through the donations of local Catholics, friends
throughout the British Isles and, especially, through the inspiration
of the late Canon John F. Lane.
The church, which replaced a temporary building on the same site,
is six-sided. Its roof rises in steps to a central lantern, each
step separated by a ring of slender horizontal windows.
Internally, natural wood plays an important part and for the polished
wooden roof alone some 21,000 feet of timber was used. The Sanctuary,
which is in the centre of the church, is raised one step and rises
another three steps to the main alter. It is made of Sicilian marble
and Portland stone. The Ambo, a reading desk of Portland stone,
is the Sanctuary’s only other permanent furnishing.
The large crucifix in the Day Chapel at the rear of the church was
made by an Italian craftsman in Assisi and was given to the parish
in 1928 by Sir Hubert Miller of Froyle. A statue of the Virgin Mary
holding the Child Jesus, which is located in an apse behind the
Sanctuary on the right hand side, is of particular interest. The
figure is three feet in height and was carved in 1827 from a single
piece of alabaster.
The twenty-two coloured lancet windows behind the main alter were
the gifts of parishioners. The designs are acknowledged to be among
the finest examples of this style of stained glass in the country,
and are the work of Father Charles Norris, a Benedictine Monk at
Buckfast Abbey, in Devon.
Although modern in appearance, the design is in fact based on the
design of an ancient church in Verona.
Education
Alton Convent School
Alton Convent School works for “academic excellence”
and to develop the whole person. Extra curricular activities challenge
and enthuse pupils and visits both in England and abroad have been
rewarding and exciting.
Classes remain small and academic standards remain high. The Sixth
Form is open to all girls with 5 GCSEs at Grade C. We offer a full
range of AS and A2 subjects. From Nursery to Sixth Form all pupils
are encouraged to take part in sporting, drama, musical and artistic
activities. Please come and visit our lively, expanding school.
Eggar’s School
This school, situated in London Road, Holybourne, is one of the
oldest schools in Hampshire. Founded by John Eggar in 1641 the first
Headmaster was appointed in 1642 and Mrs. S. Martin is the current
Head.
In 1968 the school itself moved from the original site, still to
be seen in Anstey Road and now turned into housing, to the modern
buildings and spacious grounds it occupies at Holybourne. Originally
the local Grammar School, it became an 11-16 Comprehensive School
in 1979, offering a full range of subjects to boys and girls from
Alton and surrounding villages.
Eggar’s School is a place where centuries of tradition, modern
facilities and a beautiful, unspoilt setting combine to create an
ideal environment capable of meeting the educational needs of all
pupils in the 21st century.
Amery Hill School
The school, situated in the centre of town, close to St. Lawrence’s
Church, celebrated its 60th birthday in 1999. It has changed considerably
since its inception and now caters for over 980 pupils aged 11-16.
Examination results are consistently excellent with around 70% of
students gaining higher grades and 90% of leavers staying in education,
post 16. Both these figures are well above local and national averages.
Musicians are particularly welcome at a school noted for the quality
of musical education and performances. Over one third of pupils
learn a musical instrument and the school now has Specialist Status
in Music.
Under the direction of Headteacher Stephen Crabtree, the school
has invested heavily to meet the needs of the new century, with
nearly £3 million spent in 2004 to improve facilities. Amery
Hill strives to maintain and improve its high standards in all aspects
of the Curriculum. Visitors always note the welcoming atmosphere
at the school and find it lives up to its high local reputation.
Bushey Leaze Early Years Centre
Eastbrooke Road, Alton, GU34. Tel: Alton 87675 caters for 2-5’s
from the Alton/Bordon area who have special needs, or require some
degree of support or assessment. Children without special needs
also attend the centre. Enquiries should be addressed to the Headteacher.
Treloar School & College
Treloar School and Treloar College are centres of excellence, providing
a unique blend of education, therapy and care for over 300 young
people (aged 7 - 20+). Our students are some of the most severely
disabled in Britain today; they come to Treloar’s from all
over the UK and occasionally from overseas. Treloar Trust supports
the School and College, enabling dedicated staff to support disabled
young people in making choices and grasping opportunities on their
individual journeys towards greater independence. We are approaching
our centenary – and planning to take our vision forward for
the next 100 years. For further information about our Centenary
Appeal see our website: www.treloar.org.uk, to discuss how a specific
donation might help or to arrange a visit, or for information about
jobs or voluntary involvement please contact us on 01420 526 526;
e-mail:info@treloar.org.uk.
Alton College was one of the few purpose-built sixth form colleges
in the country, and opened in 1978. Alton College is now a tertiary
college and offers a wide range of sixth form courses as well as
courses for adult education and training.
Professional drama companies and musicians perform regularly in
the College Studio supplementing the College’s own productions,
all of which are open to the public. A prospectus is available from
the Principal.
Parks and Open Spaces
Alton is fortunate in having in the very centre of the town two
acres known as the Public Gardens. Here lawns, sheltering trees,
shrubs and carefully tended flower beds form a delightfully pleasant
oasis away from the main street bustle. A bandstand, built in 1935,
children’s playground, shelter and an excellent bowling green
are also to be found in the gardens. The bandstand was rebuilt in
1989/90 following a fire and is now used for concerts of music of
all types in the spring and summer, plus children’s activities
during the summer holidays.
At the western end of the town, forming a triangle by the Winchester
Road and the railway is The Butts. In former times this pleasant
stretch of grass was used for archery practise. Today it is an open
space for informal pursuits and visits of travelling fairs. Edged
with shading chestnuts and bench seats beneath, it brings to this
end of the town something of the atmosphere of the traditional village
green.
The Butts was for 99 years leased to Alton by the Lord of the Manor
of Westbrook but in 1981, he gave The Butts to Alton Town Council.
This generous gesture was very much appreciated and is commemorated
by the erection of a stone plinth, sponsored by The Alton Herald.
Anstey Park lies to the north of Alton and is used regularly for
rugby, football, cricket, tennis and netball. Floodlights have been
provided for the tennis/netball courts. Other events such as the
Fun Run and circuses are held in Anstey Park. The Finnimore Pavilion
provides changing and shower facilities for all sportsmen and women.
A new skatepark facility was recently added to the park’s
attractions
Alton Rugby Club, Alton United Youth Football Club, Physicals Fitness
Club, the Royal British Legion, the Scouts, St. John Ambulance Brigade
and the Army & Air Cadets all have their own premises within
the Park.
The Jubilee Playing Fields are situated at the western end of the
town where there are two sports pavilions with changing and shower
facilities. This area is used extensively for football, hockey,
cricket and stoolball. An extensive layout of skateboard ramps and
other skate equipment attracts users from not only Alton but from
a wide area. The Harry Baker Pavilion, which has a clubroom and
licensed bar is home to Alton Cricket Club in the summer months.
A more informal open space is Flood Meadows, which includes former
watercress beds, amounting to some 15 acres of natural grassland
and semi-wild areas of trees and grass, which includes a riverside
walk and is situated just beyond Cut Pound.
Kings Pond is another pleasant area close to the town centre. The
pond has been allowed to remain in its natural state with simply
the provision of a small car park and wooden seats around the pond.
Wildlife is encouraged and there are many species of birds and water
fowl. A nature trail has been published for this area. Fishing is
not permitted.
Miss Bell’s Fountain was donated to the town in the late 19th
Century by local philanthropist Miss Eliza Bell and is located at
the entrance to the town near The Butts. Restoration works were
completed during HM The Queen’s Jubilee Year and designated
as Alton Town Council’s Golden Jubilee project. The fountain
was one of a pair - the other now located in the Public Gardens.
The Alton Community Centre
has been in operation for over 25 years and is the largest Community
Centre in East Hampshire. It is a registered charity run by voluntary
Trustees who employ trained staff for the many services it operates.
The Centre, which is open to all, offers an active Day Care Centre
for older persons, an excellent Playgroup, a Shopmobility scheme
and provides accommodation for, amongst others, East Hampshire Volunteer
Bureau, Hampshire County Council Youth Project “Nexus”
and the Alton University of the Third Age. Here you can also hire
3 halls and 8 rooms of varying sizes to suit any occasion large
or small. An exciting Adult Education Programme offers over 60 day
and evening classes and over 100 local clubs or societies have their
‘home’ in the building.
Those attending meetings, classes, functions or just visiting can
all access the in-house catering available from the busy coffee
shop and enjoy the tranquillity of the courtyard garden.
Other Attractions
Coors Manor Park Brewery
Every pint of beer brewed starts with natural ingredients - malted
barley, hops, yeast and liquor (which is brewing water). Guided
tours of the brewery are provided and visitors are taken through
the process step by step - finishing with a sample. For organised
groups and day or evening visits telephone 01420 541177.
The Mid Hants Railway,
known as “The Watercress Line”, is a former British
Railway cross-country line now operated by volunteers dedicated
to preserving part of our rail transport heritage. The ten mile-long
line runs to the delightful Hampshire town of Alresford. At Ropley
passengers may alight to look at the locomotives “on shed”
and also those undergoing restoration. The line operates throughout
the year (except in November) and details of operating days and
train times may be obtained either from Alton Station or by ringing
Alresford (01962) 733810. Talking timetable on 01962 734866.
The Watercress Line provides an enjoyable journey back into a more
leisurely age of bygone transport, as well as running a series of
Special Events such as Morris Day, Teddy Bears Day, Friends of Thomas
the Tank Engine, the Country Show and the Santa Specials when thousands
of children and their families flock to the railway to meet Father
Christmas.
Catering is available on all trains as well as the Countryman for
Sunday lunch and afternoon cream tea and the Watercress Belle -
the luxury wine and dine train.
Alton Day Service the service for people with a learning difficulty
in East Hampshire is based in a brand new purpose built facility,
Park View, adjacent to the Public Gardens. The aim of the service
is to provide people with the support and opportunities that will
enable them to lead valued lives within the community. This is achieved
by providing people with experiences in the community in social,
educational, leisure and work situations.
Home-Start is a national voluntary organisation that offers informal,
friendly support for parents with at least one child under five.
It is completely independent and confidential, and offers free support,
friendship and practical help to parents who are going through difficult
times including: loneliness and isolation; relationship difficulties;
ill health, disability or special needs; first time parents; post-natal
illness; any other circumstances that may cause stress. Home-Start
WeyWater covers the areas of Alton, Bordon, Liphook and surrounding
villages. Families are visited by trained volunteers from the local
community, who have all had experience of parenting, and know how
hard it can be. If you could spare a few hours each week to volunteer,
please contact us. The only experience you need is parenting. The
more volunteers we have, the more families we can support. For more
information, please telephone 01420 473555.
Events
Alton’s reputation as a town where there is always something
happening is spreading fast. The Alton Agricultural Show takes place
each Mid-July in the grounds of the Lord Mayor Treloar School at
Froyle, an event that attracts animals and farmers from far and
wide. The Alton Round Table organise an Annual Firework Display
at the Coors Sports Ground on the Saturday nearest the 5th November.
There are many other events all year round, including a Bus Rally,
Victorian Cricket Match, Craft, Farmers’ and Continental Markets
and even a Pancake Race! Christmas is a very special time in Alton,
with some of the best lights around, switched on on the last Friday
in November, and a huge Yuletide Festival on the first Sunday in
December, all complimented by wonderful shop window displays. Please
visit or ring the Tourist Information Centre for more information.
Most events are listed on a dedicated Alton Events Website www.altonevents.co.uk
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