Hampshire County Council

05/08/2026

We're thrilled to announce that one of our sites has been shortlisted for Everyday History Heroes 2026, a national award launched by Findmypast and Heritage Open Days to celebrate the organisations, places and people keeping local history alive.

The Royal Victoria Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley is a remarkable part of Hampshire’s heritage. For nearly two centuries, it has stood as a reminder of the thousands of patients, nurses, doctors and support staff whose dedication and compassion helped shape military healthcare in Britain. 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

Today, as the last surviving part of the former military hospital, the Chapel offers a powerful connection to the past. It tells a story of innovation, resilience and care through some of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history. ⛪️ 🎖️

This nomination is a wonderful chance to recognise the people behind that history - many of whom rarely receive the recognition they deserve - and to share their stories with a wider audience, ensuring their legacy is remembered for generations to come.

Public voting is now open and we'd love your support. Follow the link in comments to vote for us 👇

03/08/2026

🌡️ The UK Health Security Agency has issued an Amber Heat-Health Alert for our area until 9am on Wednesday 5 August 2026.

Please take extra care during this period:

✅ Check on older friends, relatives and neighbours – especially those living alone
✅ Never leave children or pets in parked cars
✅ Keep babies and young children shaded, cool and in well-ventilated spaces

Remember to stay cool by:

☀️ Avoiding direct sun between 11am and 3pm
👕 Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses
🧴 Using SPF 30+ sunscreen (SPF 50 for children) and reapply regularly
💧 Drinking plenty of water and avoid alcohol
🏃 Avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day

Even in hot weather, open water can be dangerous. Make sure to:

🌊 Choose lifeguarded areas where possible
🚫 Never swim after drinking alcohol
🌡️ Enter cold water slowly and stay within your depth
👥 Swim with others whenever possible

Know the signs of heat-related illness:

⚠️ Heat exhaustion: dizziness, weakness, nausea or intense thirst
🚑 Heatstroke (medical emergency): confusion, seizures, very high temperature, or hot skin that stops sweating – call 999 immediately

👇 Further advice and useful information can be found in the comments.

01/08/2026

Great news for families this summer!

From today (1 August), children aged 5-15 can travel FREE on participating local bus services throughout August, making it easier and more affordable to enjoy days out. 🚍

The offer is part of the UK Government's Great British Summer of Savings campaign, helping families make the most of the summer holidays while keeping travel costs down. ☀️

Whether you're heading to the coast, exploring a historic town, visiting family and friends, or discovering local attractions, Hampshire is packed with amazing places to discover by bus.

Free bus travel for children aged 5-15 ✅
Adult fares capped at £3 ✅
Available on participating services including Stagecoach, Go South Coast and First Bus ✅

Find your next adventure and hop on board this August. Read more via the link in the comments below 👇

01/08/2026

All 3 and 4-year-olds who attend an approved Ofsted registered nursery, pre-school or childminder are entitled to receive up to 15 hours a week funded early years education during school term time (or 570 hours spread across the year).

These funded hours support young children to develop, socialise and prepare for school. Depending on family circumstances some children may also be eligible to receive more funded hours.

More info about funded hours here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/childcare/paying-for-childcare/early-years-funding

31/07/2026

We’re in tick season at the moment so it’s important to be aware of where ticks are found and how to remove them safely.

You can help protect yourself and others by:

👣 Sticking to footpaths and avoiding long grass where ticks are more likely to be found.
👖 Wearing long sleeves and trousers. Light coloured clothing can also make ticks easier to spot.
🕷️ Using insect repellent on skin and clothing, especially products containing DEET
🔎 Checking your skin (and your children’s and pets’) for ticks at the end of the day, especially warm areas like behind the knees, armpits, and around the waist.

If you find a tick:

✔️ Remove it as soon as possible using a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers.
✔️ Grasp it close to the skin and pull upwards slowly and firmly.
✔️ Clean the bite area with soap and water.

In the weeks after a bite, watch for symptoms such as a spreading “bullseye” rash or flu-like illness. If you feel unwell, contact your GP or NHS 111.

For more information, watch the ‘Watch out, ticks about!’ video from the UK Health Security Agency:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzR1eja6Wa8

A tick is a tiny spider-like creature that lives on animals such as...

31/07/2026

Meet James, a ranger at Butser Hill near Petersfield, part of Queen Elizabeth Country Park - Hampshire County Council , as he shares what a typical day looks like and what he enjoys most about the role.

Behind our country parks and countryside sites is a talented team of people helping these special places to thrive and making them welcoming for visitors to enjoy.

On World Ranger Day, we're highlighting the contribution of the skilled people who help care for Hampshire's countryside, support nature recovery, and connect people with the outdoors.

This is the first in a new series shining a spotlight on the people delivering services across Hampshire County Council. Watch this space for more.



Countryside - Hampshire County Council

31/07/2026

More miles of Hampshire's roads are set to benefit from strengthening and repair works this summer, following a £15 million investment by Hampshire County Council in highway maintenance.

The funding will enable 139 surface treatment schemes to be delivered across the county, covering more than 129 miles of highway.

Since April, more than 100 schemes have already been completed, including those shown here in Basingstoke, Odiham, Nursling, Farnborough, Andover and Totton, helping to extend the life of Hampshire's road network and reduce the need for more extensive repairs in the future.

30/07/2026

⚠️ Reminder for drivers in the Wi******er area - National Highways' weekend closure for M3 junction 9 scheme starts tomorrow evening ⚠️

A reminder that National Highways has announced a series of closures to support the delivery of the M3 junction 9 improvement scheme.

The M3 motorway will remain open, but the M3 junction 9 roundabout will be closed over three weekends, with the first starting from tomorrow evening, Friday 31 July, and further closures across the summer to carry out essential tie-in works as part of the larger project. These works will connect the new bridges to the existing roads on the roundabout, so National Highways can switch traffic on to the new roundabout later this year.

In addition, the M3 junction 9 northbound entry slip road will be closed from 9pm, Friday 31 July and will stay closed until winter 2027.

Drivers are being advised to plan ahead and follow the official signed diversion routes rather than sat navs.

With the roundabout system closed, traffic will be unable to access or leave the M3/A34 at Junction 9 and, as a result, anyone wishing to join or exit these roads will need to follow the signed diversion routes and use alternative routes into and out of Wi******er. There will also be no access across the M3 at Junction 9 to or from the A272 and the A31 for traffic travelling to or from the Alresford area.

As traffic adjusts to these closures and diversions, congestion is expected on all key routes in and around Wi******er, particularly on the one-way system and at other M3 junctions. Anyone planning to travel should take this into account and allow extra time for their journey.

The key information is as follows:

• From 9pm on Friday 31 July, the M3 junction 9 roundabout, slip roads and several surrounding roads will all be closed until 6am on Monday 3 August. The same applies for the weekends of 21–24 August and 11–14 September.

• During each closure, the A34, A33 and A272 Spitfire Link will be closed. If you're travelling in this area, please check which roads are affected and plan your route before you set off. Signed diversions will be in place for every affected road.

• In addition, the M3 junction 9 northbound entry slip road will be closed from 9pm on Friday 31 July and will stay closed until winter 2027.

You can find up-to-date information, diversion maps and Google Maps route links on the National Highways project website linked in the comments below.

National Highways: South-East

29/07/2026

🌼🦋 Helping rare butterflies thrive in nature at Butser Hill 🦋🌼

We've secured £160,000 in funding for a major nature recovery project at Butser Hill National Nature Reserve, part of Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield.

Over the next three years, we'll be restoring 48 hectares of species-rich chalk grassland and woodland edge, helping pollinators and other wildlife to thrive. The work will create ideal conditions for rare butterflies, including the striking Chalk Hill Blue and the elusive Duke of Burgundy, while supporting colourful displays of wildflowers such as orchids and cowslips.

By boosting biodiversity, creating better habitats, and improving access, this project will help wildlife and people enjoy this spectacular landscape for generations to come. 💚🌱

A huge thank you to National Grid, Big Chalk and South Downs National Park for supporting this exciting project and helping nature at Butser Hill take flight. 🙌🌿

To find out more, click on the link in comments 👇

28/07/2026

🌡️ The UK Health Security Agency has issued an Amber Heat-Health Alert for our area from 9am on Wednesday 29 July to 9am on Thursday 30 July 2026.

Please take extra care during this period:

✅ Check on older friends, relatives and neighbours – especially those living alone
✅ Never leave children or pets in parked cars
✅ Keep babies and young children shaded, cool and in well-ventilated spaces

Remember to stay cool by:

☀️ Avoiding direct sun between 11am and 3pm
👕 Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses
🧴 Using SPF 30+ sunscreen (SPF 50 for children) and reapply regularly
💧 Drinking plenty of water and avoid alcohol
🏃 Avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day

Even in hot weather, open water can be dangerous. Make sure to:

🌊 Choose lifeguarded areas where possible
🚫 Never swim after drinking alcohol
🌡️ Enter cold water slowly and stay within your depth
👥 Swim with others whenever possible

Know the signs of heat-related illness:

⚠️ Heat exhaustion: dizziness, weakness, nausea or intense thirst
🚑 Heatstroke (medical emergency): confusion, seizures, very high temperature, or hot skin that stops sweating – call 999 immediately

👇 Further advice and useful information can be found in the comments.