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Romsey & District Society

Conserving our Heritage

Protecting our Future

Dear {$firstname},

Welcome to the August 2025 Newsletter.  No events this holiday month but some news to think about.

A special message from our  Membership Secretary...

We are slowly going about the rather complex business of updating our

Membership Data and formatting it to be able to move to a simpler web-based

system of joining the society, paying subs and getting newsletters.



There are many blank spaces that need to be filled to complete this formatting.

I have identified approximately 100 members for whom we only have a house address and no phone number or email address.  There are also a large number who we have a phone number for but no email. Over the next month or so I will be trying to contact these members to update their information.

Please, if you think you may be one of the people for whom we do not have up to date contact information or may be missing either an up to date email or phone number, please will you contact me this month via [email protected]



Of course, if you know of a member who may not be receiving emails from us, please will you kindly help them get in touch with up to date information.



Roz Fresson

Membership Secretary

A number of our members have been taking part in the Earthwatch Water Blitz.  This is a citizen science activity whereby one can receive a water testing kit to sample a local stream, river or lake and report the water quality online.  This is then logged over time and space to build up a picture of our developing water quality.

You can find out more about the project and register to take part in the September "blitz" using the link below.

Register to take part
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Romsey Railway Station Masters House

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The old Stationmaster’s House at Romsey Railway Station has been derelict for many years and blights one of the main gateways into the town. Plans have been drawn up to indicate how the property could be restored and improved to be used to house the station café and other community purposes which we have featured in the Society's magazine. Some funding has been secured already towards the project but not sufficient yet to complete it. The Hampshire Community Rail Partnership is launching a Renovation Project Fundraiser when they will be seeking support and financial contributions to try and raise the additional money required to bring back some life to the Stationmaster's House at Romsey Station.

Development responses...

Our Natural Environment Committee has recently responded to the Draft Local Plan and the development off Highwood Lane. Click the link below if you would like to read them. You may also like to make your own comments on the Test Valley Borough Council Draft Local Plan, which is out for consultation at the moment. You can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/TVlocalplan2042 

There is a public exhibition of the plans in Crosfield Hall Annex on Thursday 7th August from 15:30 to 18:30, if you would like to go along.

Draft Local Plan Consultation
Draft Local Plan NEC Response
Highwood Lane letter
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I-Spy

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Thanks to the efforts of Professor Roger Leech, this tiny "listed building" has been resorted to its upright glory after being felled by a lorry.  

I wonder how many of you can find it by the side of one of our Romsey roads.

Coming soon...

TALK: The Otter's Tale

Thursday 25th September, 19:45

We have been lucky to secure Simon Cooper to talk to us about ‘The Otters’ Tale - Otters in Hampshire’ on Thursday 25th September at 7.45pm in the Abbey Church Rooms. Simon has written The Otters’ Tale about the family of otters living in the Wallop Brook by his water mill at Nether Wallop as well as Life of a Chalk Stream.



As this is likely to be a popular talk and places are limited, please book your seat by contacting Kate Allen at [email protected] with the name(s) of attendees.

TALK: Saving Romsey's Swifts

Wednesday 19th November

Tim Norris will be talking about measures being taken to attract swifts back to Romsey.

Find out more here

To get involved in what we do or if you have ideas for activities you think we should be organising or that you would like to take part in, please contact our secretary using the email address below.  

You are receiving this email because you provided your email address to the Society.

[email protected]

Romsey & District Society 

c/o Bells Solicitors, 5 Market Place, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8FX

Email: [email protected]

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