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I have posted the charter below for peoples review and input.

The (Draft) Andover Charter

The aim of this Charter is to create the first Rights Respecting and Responsible Community in the world.

While the Human Rights Act is its bedrock, we, the citizens of Andover, expect the Charter to be a living document for signatories to adapt and develop rights and responsibilities in ways that are relevant to them – based on the following fundamental principles:

• Everyone has rights – and a responsibility to respect the rights of others.
• Human rights are reciprocal claims to the protection of persons’ important interests.
• Human rights are inherent, universal and cannot be transferred or taken away.

We invite YOU to help us create a network of tolerance by standing up for the rights for ALL

Ian Axton of Andover Sound was host for the evening which had over 200 guests and was held at The Lights in Andover.

Our guest for the evening was Ray Mears, the well known bushcraft and woodlore expert. Ray talked about the difficulties that exist in today’s business world and how new businesses started in a tough economic climate will be well placed to survive when the recovery starts. As well as talking about business in general, and his own business, Ray recalled some of his experiences working in the more remote areas of the world where life can be hard but satisfying

Ray described an encounter where modern methods and native customs had led him to consider sustainability in a new light. Local people had been used to living off the fruits of the land and simply discarding the natural packaging, which, being organic, would rot and recycle naturally (he was referring to peels and skins of fruits etc); when modern packaging of tins and plastics arrived the locals simply discarded these in a similar way, but they do not rot with such speed, thus leading to a very untidy and potentially dangerous environment. He went on to reflect that in our society we produce just as much, and probably more, waste but pay to have it taken away and out of sight. Ray explained that his own business is very much concerned with creating sustainability but included an element of community and fun.

The awards themselves were as follows:

The Test Valley Borough Council New Business Of The Year Awards

• Winner – WKD Events
• Commended – First Impressions, PJ Landscaping

The HSA Business Excellence Though People Award

• Winner – Stanbridge Earls School
• Commended – Romsey Dental Care, Wellow Fitness Centre

The Star Technology Services e-Business Award

• Winner – Nature’s Harvest
• Commended – Giftbagz.co.uk, www.bid-no-bid.com

The University of Southamption Science Park Innovation and Technology Award

• Winner – PhotonStar LED Ltd
• Commended – Ace Liftaway Ltd, Trilogy Communications

Hamphire County Council Small Business of the Year Award

• Winner – Blumarine Ltd
• Commended – iCandy Design, Thinking Space Systems Ltd

If you are interested in the 2009/10 awards, or if you wouuld like to talk about what is involved in establishing your own awards campaign, please get in touch via our website www.tvbawards.org.uk

Andover’s businesses have been criticised by the local NHS Trust for not supporting a vital service.

The town’s popular hospital bus is struggling for funding and needs sponsorship to keep going.

It’s been running for a year and takes people from the War Memorial Hospital to the Royal Hampshire County in Winchester for free.

It costs £60,000 a year to run and local companies have been asked to help out but a spokesperson from the local NHS Trust says they’ve been disappointed by the response.

My public response to this criticism is as follows:

“I believe the local NHS Trust is wrong to criticise local businesses. Business owners are finding running their own businesses tough enough during this economic downturn and have to analyse all spend, this includes marketing and sponsorship.

Whilst it is openly agreed that community involvement is important to local businesses, there simply isn’t the spare “cash” to donate anymore, and business owners are having to re-invest into their own businesses to preserve local jobs – which I’m sure many will agree is very important with both local and national unemployment figures rising.

Sponsorship and support comes in many different forms, and doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a “cash” donation, plenty of businesses will, where they can, give support “in-kind” via giving their time and /or resources free of charge where they can.”

A full listing of replies can be seen at Andover Sounds 106.4 FM Talking Point Website