Town Mills to expand?

It has been reported that the historic and impressive Town Mills public house in Andover may be expanding.

Exciting proposals
Wadworth's of Devizes currently run the pub in the main western part of the Mill building while the eastern part which previously housed Age Concern and the small Riverside Café remains vacant. The proposals are for the whole building to become the public house.
In addition the land at the back currently used by the pub as a garden, under licence from Test Valley Borough Council, would be sold to Wadworths.

There is much potential
It is still early stages and it is not yet known what the detailed plans would entail but with the new theatre being constructed just yards away and the major development of the new riverside park adjacent this could result in an exciting venue for the town. It could add much needed vitality and provide expanded leisure, employment and economic benefits.

History
Town Mills is a Grade II Listed Building, dating from the mid-18th century. The plural name Town Mills is comes from there being two mills on the site, one for grinding malt and the other for wheat. The mill stream off the River Anton runs under the building and a restored waterwheel can be viewed from the bar area.
No doubt if the building were fully refurbished the wheel would become a much more prominent feature.

Let us hope the plans progress.

Town Mills
(click image to enlarge)

Bell Inn to re-open soon

THE BELL INN, Whitchurch

UPDATE: GREAT NEWS – Application Approved

Some wonderful work has been taking place at the historic BELL INN Whitchurch to bring it back into life as a local public amenity which will help support both the town and the surrounding area's social, leisure and economic needs. 

The Bell, a Listed Building, closed a year ago having been under the wonderful ownwnership of popular publicans Jan and the late Paul Mcgarvey and is currently being renovated.

An Application has now been submitted for its Premises Licence, ref 26/01464/PREMV

The Campaign for Real Ale is sharing its own support here and asks its members, residents and our local Councillors to do the same.

Rural towns and their surrounding areas have lost far too many of its public houses and other services and much support as possible should be given to those who wish to develop businesses.  

The letter sent to the Licensing Committee is reproduced below. Copying and using its content is acceptable for anyone who wishes to express support.

This should be sent to licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk

Click to enlarge

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Andover Tap Beer Club – News

Andover Tap Beer Club – 250 beers, loads of fun and £500 for charity.

The idea came out of a sad occasion, the passing of a local history expert, brass band enthusiast and beer and cider legend Pete Yarlett, a regular visitor to the Andover Tap and a friend of many within the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Pete Yarlett RIP

At his wake, held at the Eagle in Abbotts Ann, some of his memorabilia was made available amongst which were many beers collected over the years which if left might have gone in a skip.

Amongst them were a selection of Fullers Vintage Ales, dating back to 1998 and an idea was born – a tasting in his memory starting with those beers.

Thus the Beer Club was launched.
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Vintage Ales enjoyed

Over the last year the sharing, tasting, banter, camaraderie has continued, with a Vintage Ale opened at the start of each meet and a toast made to Pete. Now those Ales have all been enjoyed and the Andover Tap Beer Club continues with brews brought along by 'members'.

Simplicity Rules
Anyone can attend; the rules are simple.
Just bring along a beer, any will do, bottle, can, even home-brew; put a small donation in the charity pot, and buy a beer in the pub from the wonderful staff who allow and help this 'Club' to take place. It might be a beer from travels, a brew picked up from a local shop, or even something found in the back of the shed – our oldest to date has been 44 years old – and it tasted fine – anything goes.

250 beers and £500 raised
To date, 250 different brews have been shared, with almost every style imaginable sampled with breweries across the world represented, while the donation pot has recently passed the £500 figure which goes to the pub's annual charity, currently Andover Young Carers.

It seems to be a win win all round.