Alton Chamber Events
 
 

 

 

Forthcoming Alton Events

For more information visit www.altonevents.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction:

Alton Chamber of Commerce events normally take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, at various venues in and around Alton. All of Alton's businesspeople are welcome to our events to network and socialise, sharing your common interests, concerns and successes, as well as the chance to benefit from guest speakers, activities and dinners. Unless stated otherwise, the dress code is smart casual - whatever you feel comfortable wearing as a business person.

Both Members and Non-Members are welcome to attend our events. If you would like to book, please notify us in advance using:
E-mail:
Tel/Fax: 01420 544881
Post: 4 High Street, Alton, Hants. GU34 1BU
Alton Chamber Events Calendar
Day
Venue
Details
July 2008
24th
TBA
June 2008
28th Evening
Alton Assembly Rooms Regency Evening
May 2008
22nd Evening
Alton College
Crown Hotel

Students talk about their work
Alton Society - planting trees in Alton

April 2008
24th Lunch
Laleham Healthcare
Alton House Hotel		 Tour of factory
March 2008
27th Evening
 Alton Grange Hotel Wine Tasting
29th Evening
Swan Hotel Development of Whitehill Bordon
January 2008
24th Evening
 Alton Grange Hotel Presidents Dinner
13th Evening
 Ye Olde Leathern Bottle Christmas bash
22nd Evening
 Alton Grange Hotel AGM & treloar Trust Talk
October 2007
30th Lunchtime
 Treloar College Holybourne Tour of Treloar college (Cancelled)
27th Lunchtime
 Alton House Hotel Business Improvement Districts
August 2007
30th Lunchtime
Watercress Line (starting at either end) Ride on a train, eat food, meet other business people and tour Ropley Engine Sheds
July 2007
26th
 English Lavender

Barbecue
June 2007
23rd
 ATC Lasham See workshops, meet staff, ride in a helicopter and Hurricane fly-past.
May 2007
24th Evening
Jane Austen's house museum Talk followed by meal.

April 2007
26th
 Ortho Europe Ortho Europe, Mill Lane, Alton
March 2007
22nd
 Alton Grange Hotel Tasting the Wines of our Twinned Towns
22nd
 Alton House Hotel Talk by the Sponsored Students
January 2007
25th
 Alton Grange Hotel Presidents Dinner
14th
 Alton Community Centre Christmas Party
23rd
 Swan Hotel AGM
October 2006
25th
 A Magistrate Speaks
28th
 Tour of Alton College
August 2006

24th

 Cider Pressing and Barbecue
July 2006
27th

Hampshire Fare Talk
June 2006
22nd
 Gliding at Lasham
May 2006
25th
 Tour of Alton Maltings Centre & Architects Presentation
April 2006
27th
 Chawton House Tour
March 2006
23rd
 Wine Tasting
23rd
 Annual Debate
January 2006
23rd
 President's Dinner

June 2008

Title
 Regency Evening
Venue
 Alton Assembly Rooms
Times

7:30 pm
Speakers
  
Details
 Part of the Jane Austen Regency Week, this event features a single-course meal with 11 dishes, plus entertainment from the Regency Dancers and St. Lawrence Choir. You are encouraged to dress in Regency period dress, or to wear smart clothing.
Cost
 Tickets £20 - must be purchased in advance
Booking
 Tickets available from Alton Community Centre 01420 85057
E-mail: JATickets@altonchamber.co.uk
Links
 top - Event Index

May 2008

Title
 Talks by Alton College Students & Alton Society
Venue
 Alton College / Crown Hotel
Times

7pm for 7.15pm start / meal at 8.15pm
Speakers
 Students James Derwent & Nye Redman-White
Norman Ishman of Alton Society
Details
 Alton Chamber sponsors an Alton College student each year to help them with their studies, so we are hearing from James in his first year, and Nye in his second, telling us about their studies. Norman Ishman will then talk about his proposals for improving Alton by planting trees and shrubs to hide and soften some of the more unsightly areas one passes every day in town. We may also have a chance to see round Alton College's brand new Steven Berkoff Performing Arts Centre where this meeting is being held.
Cost
 Cost: Alton College part is free / meal £18
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

April 2008

Title
 Tour of Laleham Healthcare
Venue
 Laleham Healthcare (Mill Lane)
Times

11.30am for 11.45am start / 1.30pm meal
Speakers
 Dan Hallet (Operations Manager)
Details
 Laleham Healthcare is one of Alton's larger companies, employing over 200 people. They make all sorts of pharmaceutical and beauty products for branded goods. This is your chance to see the production line and to hear about the company.
Cost
 Tour is free / meal is £20
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

March 2008

Title
 Wine tasting
Venue
 Alton grange Hotel
Times

7:30 for 7:45 Dinner
Speakers
 Pat Lerew, David Gay, Mike Baker, David Levene
Details
 This popular annual event is focussing on wines from the Mediterranean region, with Chamber members taking turns to extol the virtues of the various wines. The Grange are laying-on a four-course meal to accompany your wine. Please make sure that you make special arrangements for getting home to avoid drink-driving.
Cost
 £30 per person, visitors welcome.
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

February 2008
Title
 How will the development of Bordon benefit our area?
Venue
 Swan Hotel, Alton
Times
 7pm for 7.15pm / 8.15pm meal
Speakers
 Jerry Thorne (Whitehill Bordon Town Manager)
Ian Dowdle (Chairman of Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership)
Details
 Many people have heard about the Army leaving Bordon and the proposed housing development, but what opportunities and benefits will this have for our area? We have asked two key players to talk about the proposals, so that we can understand what is on the drawing board and discuss how Alton can make the most of the changes.
Cost
 Talk is free / £20 for meal
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

January 2008

Title
 President's Dinner
Venue
 Alton Grange Hotel
Times
 7pm for 7.15pm Awards; 8pm for meal
Speakers
 Steve Dalley, President and District Councillor Ken Moon.
Details
 Our President will be giving out awards and making a speech - we also have a guest speaker, District Councillor Ken Moon.
Cost
 £28 (including wine) to members, partners and other people in the business
£35 (including wine) to non-members
(Cheques payable to "Alton Chamber of Commerce")
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

December 2007

Title
 Christmas Bash
Venue
 Ye Olde Leathern Bottle, Amery Street
Times
 7.30pm for 8pm meal
Speakers
 None
Details
 Let your hair down and enjoy our purely social event over a good meal. Bookings have to be made by Wednesday 5th December.
Cost
 £16.50 for 2 courses; £21 for 3 courses (Cheques payable to "Alton Chamber of Commerce")
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

November 27th 2007
Title
 Annual General Meeting & Treloar Trust talk
Venue
 Alton Grange Hotel
Times
 7.15pm for AGM; 8pm Talk; 8.15pm meal
Speakers
 Jon Colville (Treloar Trust)
Details
 Our AGM will be asking members to vote for proposed new President Steve Dalley and other committee members. After the AGM, Jon Colville will talk a little about Treloar Trust, introducing what they do and what they need from us. We will then eat.
Cost
 £18 for meal (Cheques payable to "Alton Chamber of Commerce")
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

October 30th 2007 (Note change of date)
Title
 Tour of Treloar College
Venue
 Treloar College, Holybourne
Times
 12noon - 2.30pm
Speakers
 Jon Colville, Yvonne Rowe
Details

Enjoy lunch at our local centre of excellence, providing top-quality facilities for young disabled people. We will see the college facilities and hear about what they do.

Event Cancelled
Cost
 £15 (Cheques payable to 'Alton Chamber of Commerce')
Booking
 by email to the Secretary, or by post: 4 High Street Alton Hants. GU34 1BU
Links
 top - Event Index

September 27th 2007
Title
 Business Improvement Districts
Venue
 Alton House Hotel
Times
 12noon - 2.30pm
Speakers
 Martin O'Rourke (Segensworth Business Forum) Kate Crawford (Winchester City Council) Mike Gibbs (East Hampshire District Council) Chris McCallum (ATP)
Details
 One way of generating funds to improve areas such as the Business Parks and the Town Centre is to set up a Business Improvement District (BID). The Mill Lane area already has the 'Alton 2020 Business Initiative' funded jointly by EHDC and SEEDA. This has produced a feasibility study for Mill Lane and if it is to be realised, then a BID could be used to raise capital to pay for it. The same applies to projects in the town centre.

A BID raises money by adding a 1% or 2% increase on everyone's Business Rates within a defined area and is set aside by EHDC to fund projects agreed and voted on by the businesses included in the district. This meeting will help you to understand what a BID is and the benefits it offers. We will be hearing about the Segensworth BID that provides funds for a business park near Fareham.

The idea is to firstly set up a BID centred on Mill Lane in Alton, then follow on with a separate BID for Alton Town Centre. It is up to businesses in these area to vote for and support these initiatives, so this meeting is your chance to find out what it could mean for your business. Working with Alton Town Partnership and East Hampshire District Council, follow-on meetings, consultations and questionnaires will be done out to poll opinion on what projects are most wanted. This will then be used to produce the final proposal that will be put forward for voting in 2008.
Cost
 £15 - cheques payable to 'Alton Chamber of Commerce'
Booking
 by email or post to the Secretary. Please book by Monday 24th Sept.
Links
 top - Event Index

August 30th 2007
Title
 Joint Alton-Alresford Chamber event on Watercress Line
Venue
 Watercress Line (starting at either end)
Times
 Alton train leaves at 11.55am; 1pm train from Alresford for lunch (return); return times vary (see below)
Speakers
 TBA
Details
 This event is your chance to learn more about our local railway attraction, to meet local business people, enjoy a lunch on the train and have an excuse for a pleasant day out from the office. From the wider perspective, it's a chance to show that we are interested in our local railway attraction and to equally show our interest in each other's towns at the ends of the line. We have invited the Mayor of Alton and the Chairman of the New Alresford Town Council to attend to mark this important occasion. This is also a very public transport related event, intended to put the spotlight on the retention and development of transport in Hampshire.

The day will start with those in Alton catching the 11.55am train from Alton (or 12.09pm from Four Marks) to arrive at Alresford at 12.29pm. Here we can meet local business people from Alresford before boarding the 1pm train for a return trip to have lunch. Here you will be able to talk to business people from Alresford and a representative of the railway. On the return leg of the lunch train, there are several travel options open to you...

The first option allows you to benefit from a free guided tour of Ropley engine sheds and station. We'll disembark the lunch train at 2.21pm for the tour, allowing you to see the engines being restored, the new wheel-drop shed, the signal box and museum rooms in the station building. Those returning to Alton can catch the 3.56pm train back to Alton (arriving 4.24pm) or if returning to Alresford, catch the 4.21pm train (arrives 4.29pm).

If you're keen to get back to your desk, you could do part of the tour at Ropley but get the earlier 3.16pm train to Alton (arriving at 3.41pm) or if going to Alresford, catch the 3.16pm train, arriving at 3.24pm. If you're in even more of a hurry, there's no quicker way to get back to Alton by train, but you could catch the 2.31pm bus to arrive in Alton at 2.50pm. For those in a hurry to get back to work in Alresford, you can stay on the lunch train and be in Alresford by 2.29pm.
Cost
 Cost: £19 all in, including travel, 2-course meal & tea/coffee (£18 for people over 60) - cold drinks are extra, available on the train.
Booking
 by email to the Secretary. Advance booking is obligatory, so please make sure we receive payment by Monday 20th August (cheques made out to "Alton Chamber of Commerce"). The menu is Salmon in Hollandaise sauce followed by Fruity Meringue. If you are a vegetarian or if you have any other special dietary requirements, please tell us when you send us your payment. Please also say if you want to take part in the Ropley tour. Payments are non-refundable.
Links
 top - Event Index

July 26th 2007
Title
 Visit to English Hampshire Lavender
Venue
 English Hampshire Lavender, Selbourne
Times
 TBA
Speakers
 TBA
Details
 TBA
Cost
 TBA
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

June 23rd 2007
Title
 ATC Lasham Open Day
Venue
 ATC Lasham, Lasham Airfield
Times
 10am to 4pm
Details
 ATC Lasham's aircraft maintenance depot was formerly run by Dan Air. They service Boeing aircraft (767, 757, 737, 727 and DC8) and their Southend branch also does Airbus 319, 320 and 321 aircraft. We have been invited to their semi-public open day, offering you a chance to see round their workshops, talk to members of staff, ride in a helicopter and look at the special array of specially brought-in aircraft. This will include a spitfire, P51, Chinook and many others, plus there will be flypast of a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. If that weren't enough, there will be a barbecue for you to feast on. There will be signs up on the day to tell you how to get in - the entrance is likely to be a normally unused gate on the south side of the airfield.
Cost
 Free entry; Food and helicopter flights payable on site
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

May 24th 2007
Title
 Visit to Jane Austen's House
Venue
 Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton
Times
 6.30pm for talk and tour; 8.15pm for meal at Greyfriar
Speakers
 6.30pm for talk and tour; 8.15pm for meal at Greyfriar
Details
 Jane Austen is known world-wide, but in Alton we have been slow to capitalise on this. Jane Austen's Memorial Trust, who run the museum, are looking for ways to engage the business community to gain "Corporate Friends" who can help fund the trust. As well as talking about Jane and showing you her house, we will be talking about how we can help each other. For further information, see www.janeaustenmuseum.org.uk (opens a new window).
Cost
 Tour: Free; £18 for meal
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

April 26th 2007
Title
 Visit to Ortho Europe
Venue
 Ortho Europe, Mill Lane, Alton. Meal venue TBA
Times
 6.30pm for 6.45pm start of tour; 8.15pm meal at White Hart
Speakers
 Angelo Guttoriello, General Manager
Details
 Ortho Europe, formerly known as Vessa, are a well-established and respected manufacturer of artificial limbs. They make a wide range of prosthetics and 'orthotic aids', covering repairs to wooden legs issued to people during World War Two to the manufacture of sophisticated hydraulic joints. Orthotic devices help rather than replace a limb, encompassing special support shoes and external supports for joints etc. The factory employs about 50 people who are skilled in leatherwork, carpentry, CNC machining and metalwork, to name just a few. You will have the chance to see the workshops and the products as we are guided though by the General Manager. We will then decamp to the White Hart in Holybourne to eat.
Cost
 £18 excluding drinks (tour is free)
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

March 22nd 2007
Title
 Tasting the Wines of our Twinned Towns
Venue
 Alton Grange Hotel
Times
 7.30pm for 7.45pm meal
Speakers
 Representative from General Wine Company
Details
 This popular event has an extra twist this year - we are going to taste wines from areas around out twinned towns of Montecchio Maggiore in Italy and Pertuis in France. We will be sampling many wines and eating a fine meal, so come along to enjoy yourself. Given the amount of alcohol you'll be consuming, please make sure you have a safe means to get home.
Cost
 £29 including wines
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

February 22nd 2007
Title
 Annual Debate
Venue
 Alton House Hotel
Times
 7:15pm for talk, 8:15pm for the meal.
Speakers
 Aneurin "Nye" Redman-White and Michelle Barlow
Details
 Alton Chamber provides sponsorship for one student each year who excels in their field of study. This is the second year we have done this, so students Nye and Michelle are going to tell us about themselves and their ambitions for further study. We will then eat.
Cost
 £18 excluding drinks
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

January 25th 2007
Title
 President's Dinner
Venue
 Alton Grange Hotel
Times
 7.15pm for 7.45pm meal
Speakers
 Councillor John Smith, President David Gay
Details
 John Smith will talk to us and present the President's awards for Innovation, Growth and Enterprise.
Cost
 £26 including wine
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

December 14th 2006
Title
 Christmas Party
Venue
 Alton Community Centre
Times
 7.30pm for 8pm meal
Speakers
 None - social occasion
Details
 Let your hair down and join in the party games afterwards
Cost
 £18
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

November 23rd 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Annual general Meeting
Venue
 Swan Hotel
Times
 7pm for 7.15pm AGM - meal at 8pm
Speakers
 The Committee
Details
 We will be asking members to approve a new Constitution and to hopefully support the committee's nominations. This will include John Fox stepping-down as Treasurer and Caroline Finch-Stanford (of Waterstones) standing as a new committee member. Mike Baker has offered to take over as Treasurer and in his place, we are nominating David Gay as President. Stephen Lewis will continue as Secretary and Steve Dalley as Vice-President, along with Pat Lerew and David Levene. We will talk about this year's achievements and what we plan to do in 2007.
Cost
 £18
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

October 25th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 A Magistrate Speaks
Venue
 Alton House Hotel
Times
 TBA
Speakers
 Roy Cleaver
Details
  
Cost
 TBA
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

September 28th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Tour of Alton College
Venue
 Alton College, afterwards at Grange Hotel
Times
 TBA
Speakers
 Steve McCormack
Details
 Meet at Alton College for a guided tour, followed by a meal, more details when confirmed.
Cost
 TBA
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

August 24th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Cider Pressing demonstration and Barbecue (Truly Scrumptious)
Venue
 Mr. Whitehead's Cider Co., Hartley Park Farm
Times
 TBA
Speakers
 Angus Whitehead
Details

The Title says it all!!

Contact Angus Whitehead 01420 588433, Barbecue details from Cindy 01420 80393
Cost
 £18
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

JULY 27th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 'Hampshire Fare' Talk
Venue
 English garden Restaurant, 12 Normandy Street, Alton
Times
 7:15 pm for 7:30 meal
Speakers
 Tim Brock
Details

Range of starters, main course poached chicken and watercress main course.

Contact jean & Phil Coggins 01420 541306
Cost
 £18
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index

JUNE 22nd 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Gliding at Lasham
Venue
 Lasham Gliding Club
Times
 6pm for flying, 7.30pm for meal
Details
 This popular event is being repeated for those that like to enjoy the chance to fly over Alton in a sailplane. You'll be given brief instruction and then be taken up with an instructor, when you'll have the opportunity to try flying the glider for yourself. The cost is worth it for the wonderful experience. The gliding club has it's own cafeteria, offering a range of good meals at reasonable prices. This is a provisional event pending booking and confirmation.
Cost
 £40 Gliding, £6-10 meal (estimated prices)
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index - www.lasham.org.uk

MAY 25th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Tour of Alton maltings Centre & Architects Presentation
Venue
 Alton Maltings Centre
Times
 Tour and Presentations: Arrival from 5:30pm for 6:00pm tour, following on to talk.
Meal: 7.30pm in the Centre's "Cafe Rafters"
Speakers
 Speaker: Stephen Lampard - Format Milton Architects
Andrew Knowles - Alton maltings Centre
Peter Stone - Holybourne Theatre
Details
 Details: This is your chance to see what a prize asset the Alton Maltings Centre is for Alton, both for the community and for businesses. We have invited Chamber members Format Milton and the centre's staff to take on a walking tour - we think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the range of interesting rooms available for hire. We'll then have presentations from these people about the centre, and other projects that Format Milton are involved in.  One such project is the proposed new Holybourne Theatre, and they will be giving us a short presentation of their ambitious ideas.  After all this we'll relax over a meal, sampling the food offered by the centre's in-house catering run by Steve Bradley.
Cost
 £18 (Estimated)
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index - www.altonmaltingscentre.com

APRIL 27th 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Chawton House Tour and Meal
Venue
 Chawton House and nearby pub for meal
Times
 Tour: Arrival from 4.30pm, for 5pm tour of house.
Meal: 7pm arrival for 7.30pm meal (venue TBA)
Speakers
 Susie Grandfield
Details
 We have arranged a special tour of the grounds and house, complete with a glass of wine. For those unaware, Chawton House is where Jane Austen's brother lived, and having been recently restored, now contains a library and study centre for women's literature from 16:00 to 18:30. The library is part of the tour, along with the house and grounds are well worth the visit. The tour should finish at 7pm, and then we'll decamp to the nearby pub "The Greyfriars" to eat.
Cost
 £6.50 Tour, £16 meal (estimate)
Booking
 by email to the Secretary
Links
 top - Event Index - www.chawton.org

MARCH 23rd 2006 (Thursday)
Title
 Wine Tasting & Five-Course Meal
Venue
 Alton Grange Hotel
Times
 Arrival from 7.30pm, for 8pm meal
Details
 Your chance to enjoy a range of wines introduced by our speaker. To accompany your wine you'll be