ADRA (Alton and District Residents’ Associations) used its AGM in part to celebrate the launch this year of two new residents’ associations in the town – with a third about to enter the fray.

Members gathered at The Swan Hotel recently, firstly to endorse the election of Robin Lees as their chairman for the next 12 months and secondly to recognise ADRA’s achievements over the past 12 months.

Outgoing chairman John Grace presented a review of his term in office which highlighted the valuable contribution ADRA had made to the town during a very active year.

He said: “Notably, ADRA has spearheaded and part-funded the formation of two new residents’ associations with a third to come on stream shortly.

In addition we have contributed to a planning appeal, engaged with the clinical commissioning group and met formally and informally many councillors and officers within and outside our formal gatherings.”

“I believe that ADRA has achieved some outstanding results in the past year and I’m sure that it will continue to raise its profile in the town,” he concluded.

One of Mr Lees’ first duties as chairman was to attend the inaugural meeting of the Barley Fields Residents Association, the latest of Alton’s residents’ groups to benefit from ADRA’s initiative to help establish new associations.

He said: “I welcome the formation of the Barley Fields Residents’ Association and am very pleased that ADRA has been able to help in its formation by utilising the grant funding we received courtesy of district councillors Andrew Joy and Graham Hill.

“The new association already has a strong agenda to improve the environment on the Barley Fields estate.” He continued: “ADRA is continually expanding its involvement in a wide range of issues in the town.

“In order to help Alton to flourish we will continue to promote the opinions and interests of Alton’s residents’ associations which now include our newest members at Barley Fields.”

Ben Wills, newly-elected chairman of Barley Fields Residents’ Association (BFRA), said: “We had an excellent first meeting, endorsed by ADRA who have given us outstanding support. We were joined by guest representatives from the Holybourne Village Association, Anstey Residents’ Group and Alton Eastbrooke and Wooteys Residents’ Association as well as our local police community support officer.”

After the appointment of the association’s officers, the new group got straight down to business and discussed issues exercising Barley Fields residents: long-running estate management problems, neighbourhood events, parking and the development of open space.

Mr Wills said: “We look forward to serving our residents and facilitating some exciting community-building initiatives.”

Mr Lees told the Herald: “ADRA is an affiliation of existing residents’ groups and associations that is committed to encouraging the formation of further associations in areas that are not presently covered. We feel that new groups can benefit from the experience already gained by the more established organisations.

“ADRA acts as a lobbying platform for the benefit of all Alton’s residents as we seek to influence planning and development and to monitor the implementation of the town’s Neighbourhood Plan.”

ADRA can be contacted at www.adra.community or by email at [email protected]unity