Two Andover school children have taken it upon themselves to come up with ideas for the future of their town.
12 year-old Jodi Hatherall and 13 year-old Micky Conway from John Hanson Community School want to see more for youngsters to do here and believe an ice rink would be a good start.
They're trying to drum up support and their Facebook group now has over 1,300 members - click here for more details.
Jodi says it's about time there was more on offer for kids: "There isn't much to do in Andover anymore, since they shut down the bowling, we've only got a cinema, so I think it would be nice to have something for families to do.
"And because the town's growing, if there's going to be a lot more teenagers, it would get rid of a lot more crime.
"I think it would be a good first step to have an ice rink, then maybe we could go on to have a proper bowling alley, something a bit like Basingstoke's Leisure Park which is quite good."
Click play above to hear Ben McGrail's full interview with Jodi and Micky.
This is our Talking Point today. What would you like to see in the Andover of the future? Tell us about what you'd like in our town by leaving your comments below.
Click below to hear more..
Comments
Graham Inchley of Grateley says:
08:26 on Thursday 24th February 2011
"A purpose built Skatepark facility would be one of the best investments Andover could ever make. Appeasement would just be the tip of the iceberg, if it is built wisely people would travel great distances to use it and spend in Andover during their stay.
I have a much more detailed Business Case for this Project which I am happy to share if it means we are a step closer to achieving the right thing.
Regards,
Graham"
Amy of Andover says:
19:18 on Wednesday 15th September 2010
"ICE RINK deffo! Or re open the arcade :D"
Jodi Hatherall of Andover says:
21:39 on Friday 13th August 2010
"i am very disappointed that nothing ever came of this and it is such a shame we tried our hardest to get this thing going but sadly nothingever came of it. It would have been very nice to see something happen but never mind. I started this campaign because i have a passion for ice skating and practically live in basingstoke rink. It would have been nice to have a rink closer to home though because the petrol prices arre going up and its becoming difficult to get enough money to skate but we are managing. For now."
D Javue of Here says:
17:27 on Wednesday 11th August 2010
"How about an attractive old market town... with interesting architecture, Fresh fish mongers, butchers, music shop, a cute scenic railway to Southampton, canal, a couple of department stores, oh and an Airfield?
What?...we did have, you're joking?"
ken wedge of st marys ward says:
01:21 on Tuesday 1st June 2010
"luke smith. dont hold you breath. maybe, just maybe, if we ask them ever so nicely, to give up just one week of thier salary and put it towards the development. but its ironic isnt it, when you consider the total waste of public funds that this council have wasted on such projects as having the lower guildhall closed for the last 3 years and spending ex amount of thousands of pounds on something like the rendevous in union st only for it to make way for redevelopment in another 5/6 years time. i could go on, but i think you get my point."
Victor Meldrew of Andover says:
12:39 on Friday 30th April 2010
"Annon of Andover, are YOU Robin Toates? Because you're just as illiterate as him/her! "Get a life no one is interested in your immature and rather stupid attempt at texting .. Maybe you just can not write/type?". Says it all really! "
Annon of Andover says:
12:42 on Tuesday 27th April 2010
"Well done some good ideas, I do think a drive through McDonalds would be nice... Better than the current KFC. Please no more phone shops, pound shops, betting shops or card shops though! Some good things for the youth to do...
Let’s see ... Don’t hold your breath with council though
PS Robin Tote ... Get a life no one is interested in your immature and rather stupid attempt at texting .. Maybe you just can not write/type?
One thing Andover does have is a good college ... Sign up :)
"
Luke Smith of Andover says:
18:27 on Tuesday 20th April 2010
"The Leader of the Council Ian Carr says the council can't afford an ice rink.
It will be nice to have a Bowling Alley and pizza
Hut and also McDoualds Drive Through.
"
Robin Toates of Luggershall says:
09:44 on Thursday 1st April 2010
"i dnt lick the idea of a skait rink it erts whn ya fall nd brokin arms nd lims wots the pont in isin anyway its just mor problims 4 the nhs 2 cop wiv. wot we ned is a big venu lick the 02 areena so we can get big bands 2 play hear lick u2 or colplay "
matt of andover says:
12:40 on Tuesday 30th March 2010
"I think that it is good to see some ideas from young people of Andover. However i think that will just be the same as generations passed, very disappointed. Andovers people do not get listened to, look at our town centre for an example. How many opticians, card shops, charity shops do we need. Plus for a so called market town why do we need so many coffee shops.
Andover does not expand with the times, look how long it took to get a mcdonalds and a cinema. If we follow that trend my great-grand kids might get an ice rink and i don't even have kids yet.
"
Mark Thorne of Andover says:
19:02 on Monday 29th March 2010
"Well done To Jodi & Micky great to see some young thoughts are going about the town , im sure if more young people like yourselfs get more involved in this maybe , JUST MAYBE , something good may come from this , about 4 years ago Glen Dawkins , Colin Pimm , & Myself started a Darts Academy up here in andover to help get the young kids off the streets ranging from the age of 11yrs to 21yrs & so far to date we have over 139 members , so just imagine if your idea kicks off because this town really does need so kind of life put back into it , Breakers , strikes what ever people remember it as was a brilliant place . from not just young kids but also a lot of Adults , inc Nan's & Grandad's people doing FAMILY THINGS TOGETHER , COME ON THE LOCAL COUNCIL GIVE THESE KIDS SOMETHING THEY WANT FOR A CHANGE , "
Bud of andover says:
23:20 on Thursday 25th March 2010
"Hey bucks I know what you mean we are in a generation of pubs and clubs, you only have to look at the town to see that, well maybe only on club but this town has too many pubs. I don't want my children to grow up like this, bored until they can get into pubs and then it all goes wrong. Come on we need to help these two kids get this off the ground. Lets make our children's and our grand children's life a happier more stable way to live. And make Andover a more desirable place to be in"
Bucks of Andover says:
12:03 on Thursday 25th March 2010
"Good luck to you & nice one on taking the initiative. Unfortunately in Andover we have heard it all before. I am 30 & grew up round here & there was nothing to do at all in the teenage years. No wonder our generation hit the pub scene as soon as we could!
Keep fighting though, would be nice to see our taxes spent on something worth its weight in gold instead of silly statues or poems on walk ways!
"
Lisa of Andover says:
09:11 on Thursday 25th March 2010
"Well done Micky and Jodi, you have done so well I am so proud of you both. Andover could really do with more places for young people to go. This would reduce the amount of young people hanging about outside Asda and give them somewhere to go with their friends. I hope that the council takes notice of this and makes it happen. Well done again, keep it up both of you."
Sheron Wightman of Andover says:
21:49 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
""Congratulations" to both Jodi and Micky, you have worked very hard to get this far. Its lovely to see someone so young standing up for what they believe in and I hope someone with the power to change things for the better will sit up and take notice. Its time Andover had somethng for the youth here to do the cinema was a start but not nearly enough. Keep up the good work Jodi and Micky!! you are a credit to your families and a good representation for the youth in Andover. May you get many more signatures for your cause and make it all the way onto the Ice!."
karen of andover says:
20:54 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"I totally agree with Jodi and Micky. I have been saying to my family for ages that what Andover needs is something like the complex Basingstoke has. If we could have a bowling alley, ice skating and even a swimming pool half as nice as Basingstoke's we would be well on the way to providing activities not just for the young, but for families - as currently there is nothing for either!! What about using Walworth Industrial Estate - it is like a ghost town up there. Surely some use could be made of some of the space there?"
Soraya J of Goodworth Clatford says:
17:16 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"What a fantastic idea, great campaign guys. My sister and I took lessons in Basingstoke when we were younger but it was a bit of a trek. I'd definitely go for a few skates if we had a local rink! Good luck with the campaign "
Fay of Andover says:
14:30 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"Well done Jodi and Micky, Good to see that people want this town to develop to a better town I also agree there is hardly anything for young people to do! I think it would be great to have a leisure complex like Basingsoke has we really need a bowling alley. As the old one was no good! Also we need some better shops like a Primark as I feel that would be popular and department stores like BHS and Debenhams. Also food places like Subway and Burger king so you have a bit more choice where to eat. Trouble is in Andover they are building all these new houses and theres not enough things for people to do, No wonder shops are closing down and people go to shop at other places. People need to be listened to of what they want in there town!!"
nicky tamser of charlton says:
13:55 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"i'm 100% behind everything doreen has said,i hope we try and get more projects in andover to entertain the youth of today"
Doreen Ashley of Bristol says:
13:34 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"I lived and worked, as a youth worker, in Andover for over 17 years.I have two sons and two grandaughters still living there. It is true that whilst the town has grown there has been little provision developed, for the community, especially young people. With the youth services concentrating more on education and young people with problems, the dissapearance of the traditional youth club, it is little wonder that young people are bored and get into mischief or worse. Well done to these two young people for standing up and trying to do something. Shame on the powers that be if you dont listen to them."
JILLY of ANDOVER says:
12:50 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"First of all I'd like to congratulate Jodie and Micky from The John Hanson School,Your parents,family and your teachers must be so proud of you!
I think in Andover we should have a decent butchers shop like they have in Stockbridge,I also feel Andover could do with a mothercare as we do not have one here,I think Southampton is the nearest..:-)
"
Steve and Annie of Andover says:
10:18 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"Really well done, really proud to hear that two local children feel so passionate enough to make such an effort to benifit us all here in Andover.You Two Keep Going "
Clare Wightman of Andover says:
09:55 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"Well done to Jodi and Micky. It's really great to see children getting passionate about something and taking steps to try and make a change. Really proud of you both!!"
Robin Toates of Luggershall says:
08:05 on Wednesday 24th March 2010
"i dnt fink dis is a gud idea cuz its slipry. he he dat is a jock ! reely i fink it wuld b a gud idea but peeps wil still go 2 basingstock cuz thers nuffin in andover cept the cinema"
iCandy Design works with ambitious businesses of all sizes delivering design, web and marketing projects in both the B2B and B2C arenas.
If you'd like to transform the way your company's brand, website, or marketing campaigns look and perform, please either drop us a line info@icandydesign.com or call iCandy Design on 01264 356 256.
iCandy Design Ltd Russell House, 40 East Street, Andover, SP10 1ES Phone: +44 (0) 1264 356 256
