The Candover Valley is a unique rural community in mid-Hampshire, centred around a group of five villages and four hamlets situated between Basingstoke and Winchester.
The aim of this site is to provide information to both locals and visitors about the events, amenities, and local services which are available in the Valley. It is in the early stages of development, and dependent on its users to provide information to go on it, and feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Activities of the Candover Valley Gardening Club have been severely curtailed during the past year by the impact of the coronavirus restrictions. “However, we are happy to report that we are able to resume some outdoor activities during the summer months and, hopefully, indoor meetings in the autumn. The club’s programme for the current year is available here Further information about the club’s events and other activities will be available here in due course.
With the prospect of a relaxation in the Covid-19 restrictions in early April, the Rector, the Rev. David Chattell, and the Associate Rector, the Rev. Stephen Mourant, have drawn up a programme for church services in the Valley for Easter and the following weeks in April.
“The assumption is that we will be back to normal worship rotas from Easter, but this might be subject to change locally,” said the Rev Mourant.
See the April rota here. Church services April 2021
Plans to site a giant solar farm on land north west of Preston Candover, close to the end of Church Lane, are revealed in an application from Preston Farms to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for advice on screening the site. The proposed site for the 28 megawatt solar panels comprises three fields within gently sloping open countryside, close to several footpaths. The area is said to “possess a distinctive quality with a quiet rural character that is sensitive to change,” and it is believed that “the cumulative effects on landscape character that could result from the development are potentially significant.”
See more details here.
18 March
Preston Candover residents may be confused having just received notice from Scottish & Southern Electricity of a second series of power cuts in the village.
A week ago they were given notice of an all-day power stoppage on Wednesday, 24 March for important transmission work in the village. Today they received a second notice with information about two more stoppages on Saturday, 24 March, each of 30 minutes duration. The second notice includes no reference to the previous one and residents should, therefore, assume that in the absence of further clarification both stoppages will go ahead and, especially in relation to the 24 March stoppage, prepare fridges and freezers and other power-dependent equipment for a lengthy period without electricity. See further details here.
The risk of imminent flooding in the Candover Valley and Old Alresford has been averted, at least temporarily, as the forecast heavy rainfall during the past week failed to materialise. Last week residents were warned of the possibility of renewed flooding as groundwater rises following more heavy rainfall. Up to 40mm was expected. In the event only 20mm fell at Bishop’s Sutton and only 4mm at Preston Candover. But, the Chilton pond is still very full and the Candover stream is flowing strongly.
See more information here.
With weeks of different levels of lockdown during the past year of the coronavirus pandemic many people and families have been looking for ways of getting out of the house and seeking some form of recreation. Families living in the Candover Valley are fortunate in having a wide network of footpaths and bridleways where it is possible to take short, or longer walks, through beautiful countryside, even in winter and in relative safety, largely away from the rural roads which are narrow, without pavements, and also, mostly with a 60mph speed limit!
Read more here.
There are three parish councils serving the residents of the Candover Valley. At the northern end of the valley it is Preston Candover and Nutley Parish Council which covers Axford as well as Nutley and Preston Candover. At the southern end of the valley Northington Parish Council serves the residents of Northington, Swarraton and Totford, and in the middle it is the Candovers Council looking after people in Brown and Chilton Candover.
Information about the respective councils and their activities can be found on their own websites:
More information about the role and duties of parish councils in general can be found here.
Activities, events and places in the Candover Valley and surrounding area.
There are many organisations active in the Candover Valley and the surrounding area, and a wide range of places to visit, and activities to enjoy, in addition to many public footpaths giving you access to the countryside and its teeming wildlife. See more information here.
The Candover Valley Community Store has been operating throughout the Covid-19 lockdown periods and has enjoyed 20 months of successful trading since opening in June 2019. It provides valley residents with much needed food and household services, and has been a ‘life-saver’ for many people during the past difficult year of the coronavirus pandemic. Grateful thanks are due to the staff and volunteers who have kept the store open during this terrible time. Further information and more details of the services it provides are available here.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has now received further funding from the national lottery to continue its study programme into the wild life of Hampshire’s chalk streams. Among others, the programme involves the study of habitats and wildlife in the Candover stream. Read more about it here, and the latest update report here from Maggie Shelton, the community catchments officer.
The Purefoy Arms, the 18th century pub and restaurant in Preston Candover, is continuing its success under the direction of award-winning chef Gordon Stott, the licensee. It has recently been awarded two rosettes by the AA in recognition of the outstanding quality and variety of its food. It is one of only three pubs in this part of Hampshire to have gained this award. More information is available here.
Oak Hill Lane, the BOAT (byway open to all traffic) which runs from the Preston end of Bradley Lane (Red Lane) alongside fields to Southwood Farm Lane, is just one of several public footpaths and tracks running through the Candover Valley. It was resurfaced by Hampshire County Council in early 2015. More information about footpaths around Preston Candover can be found here.
Many years ago a former clerk to the Preston Candover and Nutley Parish Council compiled a series of seven circular walks using footpaths in the parish and with links on local roads. Details of the walks can be found here.
Potholes can be a serious road hazard and the state of some roads around the Valley is bad. We need everyone to report the problems. The process is easy, and you can also keep a check on progress on the problems which have already been reported .Please report on potholes here
Organising an event in the area? Starting a new club or society? If you are, we’d like to hear from you. Please contact our editors about a free listing for your event or group on this site.
