A fun day for the family is planned at the Picket Twenty Community Centre on Saturday March 21st.
Andover Radio will be broadcasting live from their community #LoveBus on the day which will help promote ways to make a positive difference to our environment.
“Our Planet” starts at 10am with fun activities for the whole family and a series of projects that will engage and entertain people from all walks of life.
Children’s activities are planned for the day thanks to local company Zaks Parties. There will also be lots of fun ways to learn about protecting and looking after our planet, as well as stands and stalls from local people and organisations.
Co-organiser Mike Purnell says, “This will be a brilliant opportunity to highlight recycling issues in the area and how we can do more to do our bit. Plus, engage the younger generation with the recycling cause with activities on the day.
“Going forward, this is just the beginning of a whole year of planned events to raise awareness of green issues in our area.”
Organisers are hoping to host a litter pick around Picket Twenty, either on the day, or over the weekend. Cathy Mears from Keep Britain Tidy will also be at the event.
Paul Howland from Andover Ramblers says, “We will be there. We look forward to meeting everyone and chatting about our work … leading guided walks around Hampshire, helping to maintain our footpaths and our project to recover Lost Ways before the 2026 deadline set by the Government.”
The event is also supported by Test Valley Borough Council and Southern Water who will be there on the day, along with people from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
The #LoveBus will be providing entertainment for the event, with a team of people from Love Andover who have designed fun activities to ‘get people talking’. “We will be ‘encouraging conversation’ as a way of reducing social isolation around the Test Valley”, says #LoveBus project lead Ella Palmer, “We are looking forward to encouraging people to get out and interact, regardless of age or ability”.
The Andover Radio #LoveBus is part funded by the National Lottery and Test Valley Borough Council and is fitted with a digital learning centre, radio studio and more relaxed ‘chatter’ area.
Andover Radio’s Craig Hicks will be broadcasting live from the event, while members of the content team will be capturing peoples’ stories for later broadcast on the radio station’s weekly ‘The Word’ programme. Craig says, “It’s been great talking to Mike and the team at Picket Twenty about their plans for the day and we’re honoured to be part of this event.
“We’re really looking forward to getting out and hope you’ll come and learn more about what out community #LoveBus is planning over the next year to support and help people in and around Andover.”
Staffed by trained community workers and broadcasters from Love Andover, the diary for the #LoveBus is filling up quickly as community groups, events and charitable organisations are invited to make use of this community asset.
Sarah Gisbourne from Love Andover FamilyLife adds, “This summer we will be out and about everywhere in and around town, I think it will be hard to miss us. We are looking forward to being a core part of the town’s VE Day celebrations on Friday May 8th.
“We love supporting local events and people who want to do good things for our town, so if anyone would like us to help support their community group, event or project, I’d love to hear from them”.
Contact the #LoveBus team by emailing Ella Palmer here.
