Medstead - Welcome Guide
Parish and Parish Council
We are members of the Wight and Hampshire South European Constituency, East Hampshire Parliamentary Constituency, Medstead and Selborne County Division and the newly created Four Marks and Medstead Ward of East Hampshire District Council. The electoral roll currently contains 1565 names. We have a Parish Council of 9 which meets in the Village Hall every 2 months and holds its Annual Parish Meeting in April/May. All their meetings are open to the public.
Schools
The parish has its own school providing high quality primary education, Tel: (01420) 562824. Also on the same site is a registered Medstead Pre-School & Nursery for children from age 2 years 9 mths, Tel: (01420) 561028 or 562092. The Roman Catholic Convent runs St Lucy's Nursery School for children from age 2 years 9 months to 5 years, Tel: (01420) 563562.
Doctors
Practices within easy reach are:
Boundaries Surgery, Winchester Road, Four Marks. Tel: (01420) 562153.
Mansfield Park Surgery, Lymington Bottom Road, Medstead. Tel: (01420) 562922.
Dean Surgery, Winchester Road, Ropley. Tel: (01962) 772340.
Services
The village has two shops: the Handy Stores and Medstead Hardware. There is a Post Office situated within Medstead Hardware. The Castle of Comfort, situated behind the church, offers food and drink. For those without transport, there is a regular, if infrequent, bus service to Alton and Basingstoke. Papers and milk are delivered locally. Household waste (green bin), recyclables (black bin) and garden waste are collected alternately weekly. Garden waste for composting is collected in green soft containers purchased from the District Council at the current cost of £12 per annum. Collection is on the same day as the 'black bins'. We have a capacious Village Hall situated adjacent to the Village Green which is available for a variety of functions. Tel: (01420) 562123.
Village Organisations
Medstead has a number of social and activity groups, e.g. Women's Institute, Guides, Brownies, Scouts, etc and sports clubs such as bowls, tennis, table tennis, cricket, football and others, contacts for all of which are detailed in the Medstead Times, a monthly publication available at a modest price.
Village Activities
The parish holds a fund-raising event annually in July. It takes the form of a traditional Village Fete and takes place on the Village Green, with the Village Hall providing refreshments and displays throughout the afternoon. The Harvest Supper held in the Village Hall in September is open to all parishioners.
Crime
Regrettably, we are not immune from crime and there have been occasional burglaries in the area. Residents are reminded to be vigilant. There are Neighbourhood Watch groups throughout the parish.
Citizens Advice Bureau
There is a CAB office in Alton, Tel: (01420) 84399.
Village Design Statement
For newcomers in particular, the Village Design Statement published in 2003, provides a useful snapshot of the area, including some useful references and a vision for the future.
Churches
Within the parish, there are three churches: the ancient church of St Andrew situated in the centre of the village, the Roman Catholic Chapel of St Lucy, and the United Reform Church situated in Southtown Road. You will receive a warm welcome at whichever congregation is appropriate to you. Service times at St Andrew's are displayed on the notice board inside the porch. Service times at the United Reform Church are displayed on the notice board outside the church.
