The latest renovation of a unique Hampshire building has been officially marked.
It was a damp, dull day for the unveiling ceremony for the completion of the second restoration of the Alresford Eel House's donor plaque.
MP Steve Brine performed the ceremony on October 23 with Robin Atkins (chairmen of New Alresford Town Trust), Louise Woods (deputising for Eel House chairman, David, who had been hospitalised), Simon Cain (managing director of Bio Cain Engineering, the contractor), Claudia Arney (donor and owner of the freehold land occupied by the Eel House) and Kathryn Boler (partnership manager of Hampshire Wildlife Trust ).
Other donors have been invited to separate events on October 27 and 29.
Mr Atkins made a short introduction reciting the words on the plaque thanking the 17 donors for their financial help and thanking David Woods who had chaired and led the project over the last 14 years.
The Eel House built in 1820s has been given a new lease of life with over £65,000 been collected from 110 donors since the beginning of the project, with the second restoration costing some £25,000. Now the project is completed it has received much praise from the community, who were very impressed by the Bio Cain work.
Mr Atkins made special mention of the late David Goodman, who instigated the whole restoration project some 15 years ago, Anthony Gay of Franklyns Fish Farm who allowed the contractors to use his land as their base during the project to facilitate repairs to the brickwork of the culvert arches and the replacement of the wooden bridge and walkway on the upstream side of the building and Paddy Walshe who manages the Eel House for the Town Trust.
In reply Mr Brine congratulated the donors and considered that such local projects brought communities together as well as keeping key historical buildings functioning. Over the years the Eel House has attracted more than 9,000 visitors bringing immense financial benefit to the local economy.
Mr Brine also remembered Pam Stevens, a recent town trustee, who died in late August and would be looking down favourably on the event.
Pictured; Steve and others at the small event.
