From February 2027 The Arts Society Test Valley will be holding its lectures at a new venue.
Penton Grafton Parish Council, which administers the Weyhill Fairground Hall, wrote to inform us that there had been a number of complaints from their tenants that their customers could not park when large groups were using the Village Hall and these complaints were now becoming a regular occurrence.
In addition to this, concerns had also been raised from a recent Fire inspection that there is not enough space in the car park to accommodate a fire engine, or safely evacuate the Village Hall, if the need arose, due to the high number of cars in the car park.
The council has, therefore, made the decision they would be unable to continue offering us the use of the hall from January 2027.
After considering a number of replacement venues it has been decided that the one which catered for all our needs is Andover Community Church. It can accommodate us on the first Tuesday of the month, has ample parking, seating, catering facilities, rest rooms, accessibility and is warm.
Some of you may already be familiar with it as it is used by the NHS for blood donations.