NEWS
January 2026 Update including XMAS Shop Window Awards
Welcome to 2026
The Hartley Wintney Heritage Society would like to wish its members and all the village community a very prosperous and successful New Year.
2025 High Street Christmas Shop Window Award
Just before the end of last year the Society announced the results of our XMAS shop window awards. We were very impressed with the innovation and involvement that was shown and as a result decided to choose 2 overall winners – for small and large shop frontage displays.
2 additional shops were highly commended by the judges for their innovative and colourful displays - Cashmere Goose and the newly opened Valentino's coffe shop and photos of their displays are below.
We are privileged in Hartley Wintney to have so many diverse independent shops and encourage everyone to support them to ensure that they continue to operate and thrive.
The Society believes that the character and environment of Hartley Wintney represented by the styles of housing, the conservation areas, listed and historic buildings, common land areas, such as the Cricket Green, and the many green spaces and distinctive views all contribute to these values. It is important that they are protected, retained and improved so that future residents of the village enjoy the same privileges as the current population and it is an aim of the Heritage Society to assist in achieving this.
We arrange two member meetings each year with guest speakers talking about a variety of topics related to the village and members also benefit from regular email updates on planning and other pertinent issues. We have a comprehensive website giving additional information including access for members to our historical photos and Society Journals which can be viewed from this website.We also have a number of historical books on Hartley Wintney and Elvetham and these are available for purchase from our website.
Our AGM and Spring Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 13th May 2026. Information on our guest speakers will be available in due course.
If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information, please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.
- John Sage
December 2025 Update
Front Garden Awards 2025
The winners of the 2025 Front Garden Awards were announced at our recent Autumn meeting and photos of all the final selected gardens are now available for viewing from the new article on the Autumn 2025 meeting.
High Street Christmas Shop Window Award
We are all aware of the challenging times that businesses have at the moment but know that the High Street shops will continue to do all they can to look their best at Christmas.
The Heritage Society wishes to recognise this effort and will be making an award to the best shop or business reflecting the spirit and tradition of this time of year.
We are privileged in Hartley Wintney to have a number of diverse independent shops and encourage everyone to support them to ensure that they continue to operate and thrive.
Posters advertising this activity are on display on the village notice boards.
The Society has published a number of books on the history and evolution of Hartley Wintney and it is also now possible to also purchase the book written by the Hartley Wintney History Group covering a History of Hartley Wintney Village circa 1910 – 1920.
Further information on all books can be found on this website and from where all books can be ordered.
Dates for your diary next year are
AGM and Spring meeting – 13th May
60th anniversary celebration – 25th July
Finally, we would like to wish all residents of Hartley Wintney and especially our members and their families a very enjoyable Christmas and prosperous New Year and 2026.
If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information, please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.
- John Sage
November 2025 Update
Autumn Meeting – A very well attended meeting took place on the 15th October and we are grateful to all presenters and society members for making it an informative and successful event.
Planning is now underway for our Spring 2026 meeting which will be held on May 13th 2026.
Front Garden Awards 2025
The winners of the 2025 Front Garden Awards were also formally announced at the Autumn meeting and our grateful thanks go to Barbara Smee and her team of judges who have spent much time over the last few months walking around the village looking for beautiful eye-catching gardens.
Further new and photos can be found on our website in the news article on the Autumn 2025 meeting.
High Street Christmas Shop Window Award
We are all aware of the challenging times that businesses have at the moment but know that the High Street shops will continue to do all they can to look their best at Christmas. The Heritage Society wish to recognise this effort and will be making an award to the best shop or business reflecting the spirit and tradition of this time of year. We are privileged in Hartley Wintney to have a number of diverse independent shops and encourage everyone to support them to ensure that they continue to operate and thrive.
Society Books
The Society has published a number of books on the history and evolution of Hartley Wintney and it is also now possible to purchase an additional book written by the Hartley Wintney History Group covering
“A History of Hartley Wintney Village circa 1910 – 1920”
With over 50 illustrations this book addresses areas such as
- How did the village face up to the first World War?
- The important role of women in the village during 1910-1920
- Descriptions of Trade and Commerce in the High Street
- This book costs £5
Further information on all books can be found on our website as shown below and from where all books can be ordered.
If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information, please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.
- John Sage
Heritage Society Autumn Meeting
Just a reminder that our Autumn meeting will be taking place on Wednesday October 15th in the Victoria Hall at 7.30pm (Doors open from 7pm).
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
- Introductions and welcome
- Update on Victoria Hall renovations and funding – Edward Woods Chairman of Trustees
- 2025 Front Garden Award summary and presentations
- Bell ringing – The extraordinary history and wonderful legacy today - Presentation by Martin Barnes
Martin is the organist at St John’s in the village and is also the tower captain for Rotherwick and Heckfield bell ringers and chairman of the Basingstoke guild of bell ringers.
- Planning and Other updates
- 2026 Annual General and Spring Meeting
- 2026 60th Celebration
- John Sage
October 2025 Update
Autumn Meeting – Wednesday, 15 October – Victoria Hall at 7.30 pm with doors open from 7pm.
In a change to our previously communicated program our guest speaker will now be Martin Barnes who will be giving a talk on
Bell ringing - The extraordinary history and wonderful legacy today
Martin is the organist at St John’s in the village and is also the tower captain for Rotherwick and Heckfield bell ringers and chairman of the Basingstoke guild of bell ringers.
We will also be presenting awards at this meeting to the winners of our 2025 Front Garden Awards and our thanks go to everyone who has helped over the last few months with this event.
The meeting also provides an opportunity to join the Society on the night and to hear updates on current Heritage Society and other village activities. By becoming a member will allow you to view all of our annual Journals from 1983 and have access to our historical village pictures.
If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information, please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.
- John Sage
