Parish Centre announces fundraising events
By Connor Steel
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS to regenerate Alverstoke Parish Centre have stepped up this week as organisers confirmed a series of events, aiming to spread the message of their ambitious project to local residents and beyond alongside moving closer to their £2 million target for work to go ahead.
The first event is listed as a Sea Shanty evening to be held next Saturday (February 5), although it is currently sold out for tickets. But organisers have confirmed a reserve list and are hoping that Covid-19 rules are released for hosting events, meaning that more supporters can join quirky singalongs.
On March 10 (Thursday) the group will host a Fashion Show which will offer attendees a chance to purchase clothing to prepare for the spring and summer months; bubbly and nibbles will also feature as part of this social and fun afternoon for everybody. Tickets for this event are still available to buy.
In the run-up to Easter, organisers are planning to hold a Scratch Messiah and encouraging singers to participate in this Handel’s Messiah performance with expert training from music master Paul Pilott. The musical display is currently scheduled for April 9 at St Mary’s Church, listeners are also welcome.
And the Alverstoke Garden Walkabout event is further planned for the weekend of July 2 to 3 after a successful hosting last summer, two new volunteers joining the team of co-ordinators in hosting this popular event. Anybody wanting to open their gardens for visitors should email via their website link.
Running alongside these four events is a monthly coffee morning for everybody; with the next three dates being February 22, March 23, and April 26. More information on exact timings and location are available on the new regeneration website at www.alverstokeparishcentre.org.uk or via social media channels. This is also the place to find events for the latter stages of 2022 when they are announced.
The new website is currently under development and is a key tool in this Parish Centre fundraising drive; therefore, the group would appreciate any suggestions or comments to help the team improve and refine this important publicity tool to achieve their target; just over £300,000 raised so far in the most recent update from December.
There is also the chance to purchase a bottle of St Mary’s own special ale, which is called “ALE MARY”. Costing £17.50 per bottle the strong imperial stout (9.0% ABV) has a best before date of 2030 and can be ordered straight away by emailing the Regeneration address of parishcentreregeneration2020@gmail.com.
PICTURED BY ALVERSTOKE PARISH CENTRE: Existing building that is due to be regenerated when funding targets are reached
