Building Together
Come and build with us using Lego, construction toys, plus a quiet zone and refreshments, at St Mary’s Church Hall in Fordingbridge from 2-4pm on Saturday 22 February, 26 April, 24 May & 21 June 2024. To book your FREE tickets please visit https://avonvalleycommunitymatters.eventbrite.com. Inclusive and family orientated for all ages and abilities. For more details see our Holiday Activities page.
Friendship Group
Our monthly Friendship Group meets at 10am on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at The Ship Inn on Fordingbridge High Street. This friendly group welcomes those who are lonely, isolated, bereaved or would just like a lovely cup of coffee and a chat. Joining us is a great opportunity to develop new interests, make new friends and become part of a supportive community. Please email avcommunitymatters@gmail.com for more information and to arrange travel - we are so happy to help!
Family Barn Dance & Supper
The Vale of Avon Lodge presents Phil Preen & Four Foot Four at a Family Barn Dance & Supper from 7-10pm on the 26 April at Burgate School. Tickets are £20 and can be requested by emailing vale_of_ avon_social@outlook.com or contacting 07917 589378. All proceeds will be kindly donated to Avon Valley Community Matters and other Masonic Charities. Join us on what promises to be a joyful evening!
Storytelling for Adults
Interested in becoming one of our Storytelling Ambassadors? Join us at 7.30pm on the third Friday of the month at the Salvation Army Hall in Fordingbridge. Contact familybefriender@yahoo.com for more information.
Superstars Playgroup
Join us to make, bake, climb, sing and play during term time for our weekly sessions from 9.30 - 11.30am at St Mary’s Church Hall in Fordingbridge. An inclusive and welcoming group for babies and young children aged 0-5 with their adults. Suggested donation £2.50.
Families Together
Join us this half term from 11.30am-2pm on Thursday 20 February at St Mary's Church Hall (& Church) in Fordingbridge for FREE our Sharing is Caring event. Keep your little ones entertained with activities, by meeting and making new friends as well as crafting a variety of your own gifts and more besides. We will also provide a hot meal for you and your children (please email irenecanton@hotmail.co.uk with any food allergies). Suitable for all ages and abilities. For your FREE tickets, book here: https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com
AVCM Jumble Sale
Come and fill your bags with bargains, from 2-4pm on Saturday 26 October 2024 at the Victoria Rooms in Fordingbridge. 50p entry. Cash only sales. All proceeds to our community outreach projects (www.avcmatters.org).
Miscarriage Support Group
Our monthly Miscarriage Support Group meets at 7pm on the third Tuesday of the month at Avonway Community Centre in Fordingbridge.
This friendly support group warmly welcomes all those who are have been through the trauma of miscarriage. Along with a choice of refreshments, we offer a safe space to share experiences if needed, information and most importantly support from others.
Please contact Pam on 07841 391910 for more information.
Lantern Parade
Join us to light up Fordingbridge at the Christmas Lights Lantern Parade. Meet and collect your lanterns at Fordingbridge Library at 5pm, join us for Storytelling with Vicky Semple then join us in the parade - see you there!
Lantern Workshop
Come to our FREE Lantern Workshop, 2-4pm on Saturday 16 November, and make a beautiful lantern to light the way during this year’s Lantern Procession on 29 November at the Fordingbridge Christmas Lights evening. All are welcome! Bring an empty 2L bottle if you have any. Let’s shine bright and proud together!
Free Film Night - The Chosen
Free showing each month of The Chosen at Fordingbridge Town Hall. Pop into our AVCM Charity Shop for you free ticket, or to The Branch on Fordingbridge High Street. See poster above for online booking details. Dates of showings follow:
Saturday 9 March 7.30pm 1 “I have called you by name” 55mins
Friday 29 March Morning 2 “Shabbat” 39mins after Walk of Witness
Saturday 20 April 7.30pm 3 “Jesus loves the little children 36mins
Saturday18 May 7.30pm 4 “The Rock on which it is built” 49mins
Saturday 8 June 7.30pm 5 “The Wedding Gift” 54mins
Saturday 13 July 7.30pm 6 “Indescribable Compassion” 52mins
Saturday 21 September 7.30pm 7 “Invitations” 37mins
Saturday 12 October 7.30pm 8 “I am He” 61mins
Saturday 16 November 7.30pm A Pre-Christmas Chosen Special, 2 films which together last 60 mins, with a break between them.
Picnics Together - Breamore
Bring a picnic blanket to share a FREE lunch and enjoy games and activities on Breamore School Field. Address: Breamore C of E School Field, Marsh Lane, Breamore, SP6 2EF. Please join our WhatsApp Group using the QR Code in the poster for updates on wet weather plans. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details contact irenecanton@hotmail.co.uk.
Click here to book your places: https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com
See you there!
Picnics Together - Woodgreen
Bring a picnic blanket to share a FREE lunch and enjoy games and activities on Woodgreen Common. Address: Woodgreen Common or Cricket Club if wet, Brook Lane, Woodgreen, SP6 2BB. Please join our WhatsApp Group using the QR Code in the poster for updates on wet weather plans. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details contact irenecanton@hotmail.co.uk.
Click here to book your places: https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com
See you there!
Picnics Together - Fordingbridge
Bring a picnic blanket to share a FREE lunch and enjoy games and activities. Address: St Mary's Church Glebe Field, Fordingbridge, SP6 1BB. Parking at St Mary's Church Hall or use parking behind the Church. Please join our WhatsApp Group using the QR Code in the poster for unpdates on wet weather plans. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details contact irenecanton@hotmail.co.uk.
Click here to book your places: https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com
See you there!
Wild Things
This is where the wild things are… from 9 to 1-am on alternate Tuesdays at Breamore Primary School! Bring your 2 to 5 year olds and join us for outdoor activities, stories and songs around the fire plus a hot drink and biscuits. Please book at https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com
Easter Together
Share the Easter Story, an Egg Hunt, Craft Activties and Dinner with us at St Mary’s Church and Church Hall in Fordingbridge. Reserve your place at https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com.
Families Together
Join us for All You Need is Love-themed crafts and activities, plus a hot meal. An inclusive, family orientated group for all ages and abilities. Please contact Claire at familybefriender@yahoo.com with any questions. For booking click here: https://AvonValleyCommunityMatters.eventbrite.com . All welcome!
Christmas Together
Share the Nativity Story, Christmas Craft Activities and Christmas Dinner with us from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Wednesday 20 December at St Mary’s Church and Church Hall in Fordingbridge.
Christmas Lights Lantern Parade
Join us to ‘Light up Fordingbridge’ with Storytelling and a spectacular Lantern Parade from 4.45pm on Friday 1 December. In combination with our Family Lantern Making Workshop from 2 - 4pm on Saturday 25 November. Details in posters attached. For more information contact familybefriender@yahoo.com.
Family Lantern Making Workshop
Another free and fun activity for the community from Avon Valley Community Matters. Make a lantern and then join us for the parade to ‘light up Fordingbridge’ on Friday 1 December in our Lantern Parade. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
AVCM Jumble Sale
Come and grab some preloved Christmas and winter bargains from 2-4pm at The Victoria Rooms in Fordingbridge. Funds raised support our community outreach projects.
Picnics Together
Share a FREE warm lunch with us including craft activities for all the family. Suitable for all ages and abilities. See Holiday Activities or contact familybefriender@yahoo.com for more details and to book your FREE tickets.
Little Acorns Playgroup
Join us to make, bake, climb, sing and play during term time for our weekly sessions from 9.30 - 11.30am at Hale Village Hall. An inclusive and welcoming group for babies and young children aged 0-5 with their adults. Suggested donation £2.50.
Relief Manager Wanted
Our Charity Shop on Fordingbridge High Street has already become so successful that we are looking for a Relief Manager to join our friendly and supportive team to help cover some afternoons and holiday shifts. If you have experience in retail, great customer service skills and a passion for all things pre-loved, please download our Retail Manager Job Description and email avcommunitymatters@gmail.com to receive an application form. Applications by Friday 30 June 2023.
May Messy Church
Due to lack of numbers - we expect due to the lovely weather we’ve been having - we have decided to cancel this May’s Messy Church. Keep your eyes peeled for our summer holiday plans!
Easter Messy Church
Our FREE popular Messy Church sessions provide activities for children and their carers to enjoy during holiday time. Easter Messy Church at St Mary’s Church & Hall in Fordingbridge will include an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter-themed crafts and activities as well as a story, songs and a hot meal to share with friends. Email irenecanton@hotmail.co.uk to secure your place!
Charity Shop Opening
We have decided to open a Charity Shop on Fordingbridge High Street to help generate income to fund outreach projects within the community. More than just a shop selling recycled goods, our vision is to create a safe, warm and welcoming space for the cold and lonely and help nurture young people with Special Educational Needs, and others in need of support, by offering them valuable retail experience. With an increasing focus on the environment, and the need to care for others being so great, we feel that the time is right. Please come and meet the team and support our new venture!
Become A Volunteer
If you can spare financial donations or your valuable time to support our community projects, please email avcommunitymatters@gmail.com or call 01425 653258. We’d love to hear from you!