We are delighted to announce that the Pigs have been chosen by the Alresford Co-op as the recipient of this years ‘Co-op Community Support Card’. This means that when shoppers show, and have their community card swiped instore, a small proportion of their spend will be paid back to the Pigs (at the end of the year) for re-investment into the local community.

Pictured below with the cards at the Alresford Show are Pigs, Phil Voce & David Learmonth alongside John Wolfe, store manager at Lee-on-Solent and former manager of the Alresford store.

Needless to say, we are looking for as many local people as possible to take and use a card, and in doing so bring to life our slogan of ‘Local People Helping Local People’.

September is always an important month for the Alresford Pigs, with funds raised via support at the hugely popular Alresford Show.

This year’s Show proved to be another bumper year, with record crowds enjoying some late summer sunshine along with a vast array of livestock, local exhibitor stands and things for all the family to enjoy. As usual, we were on hand to help the Show Committee organise and man the car parks and entry gates as well as this taking on additional duties as Safety Stewards this year. To complete all these tasks, we drew on superb support from a wide range of friends and family, as well as local clubs and committees, including the Alresford Rugby Club, Old Alresford Cricket Club, Tichborne Cricket Club, Ropley Parish Hall Committee and helpers from 345 Playgroup, Sun Hill Juniors and Cheriton schools.

Earning more funds on the day, we also set up a ‘publicity stand’, raising additional monies with what proved to be a very popular raffle. Pictured below is our delighted winner, Elizabeth Ford from Fareham collecting her ‘premium chocolates and champagne’ prize hamper. Thank you to everyone who visited us on the day and who bought a ticket or two – see you next year!

The Alresford Minibus took on a new role this Summer, as a bridal limousine for one of the Alresford Pigs, Andy Fawcett, a popular new recruit to the Pigs this year who married Jane White at St John’s on Friday 13 August.

To protect the blushing bride from the summer downpours the town Minibus was called into action, with volunteer driver Bill Witchard transporting Jane, her father and her bridesmaids from The Bell to St. John’s.

Renowned for his excellent sense of humour, Andy commented that “the town minibus, with the addition of wedding ribbons, had never looked so great”…..we’ll drink to that (and of course, to the happy couple!!)

Given time off for good behaviour, several of  us have also been spotted during the summer months driving the town minibus through rural Hampshire – seeking out local pubs and beauty spots for elderly Alresford residents. Recent journeys have taken in East Meon, Stockbridge and Winchester Hill and a good time has been had by all.

Pictured below, along with happy passenger, Pat Taylor is our ‘Chair Pig’ Andrew Thorne: