Tag: Alton

Memories to be placed on trees of remembrance this Christmas

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Residents are being asked to decorate a Christmas tree with memories this year with the iconic firs being placed in more than 60 locations across the south of England.

Southern Co-op is sending special greetings cards to families they have looked after who have lost a loved one this year. The cards include a pop-out star to let their memories shine bright this Christmas.

They are then being invited to place their stars on the memory trees being put up in Southern Co-op branches of The Co-operative Funeralcare throughout December.

These are based in Alton, Andover, Ash Vale, Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bishops Waltham, Bognor Regis, Bracknell, Brighton, Camberley, Chichester, Cosham, East Cowes, Emsworth, Fareham, Farnborough, Felpham, Fleet, Freshwater, Frome, Gillingham, Gosport, Havant, Hayling Island, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Hove, Liss, Newport, Peacehaven, Portsmouth, Ryde, Sandown, Shaftesbury, Shanklin, Shoreham by Sea, Sturminster Newton, Uckfield, Warminster, Waterlooville, Wendover, Whitchurch, and Worthing.

Trees will also be located at The Oaks Crematorium in Havant and East Devon Crematorium in Whimple.

The trees are open to everyone in order to give them the opportunity to write a personal message to someone who is no longer with them this Christmas.

Lesley Hadley, Bereavement Coordinator from Southern Co-op’s free Bereavement Care service, said: “This is a meaningful way to acknowledge the absence of our loved ones, and make a start on creating new rituals and traditions that will include them.

“If you are finding this time of year hard, remember to be kind to yourself. It’s okay to spend time in quiet contemplation if you would prefer that to being ‘jollied along’ by well-meaning friends and family.

“Give yourself the opportunity to do what makes you feel most comfortable, rather than what others think you should be doing.”

Information on free bereavement support is available on www.bereavementcare.uk.

£1,000 donated to special Alton cause

Posted on by ashleymarsh

New equipment is set to be bought by a special Alton lunch club after a donation of £1,000 from the town’s newest funeral home.

To celebrate its new place in Alton’s High Street, colleagues at The Co-operative Funeralcare held an open afternoon on Wednesday [10 July].

To mark the special occasion, the branch, which is part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative, made a donation to The Vokes Lunch Club which has been running in Alton since the 1960s.

Funeral Co-ordinator Emma Dulieu said: “It was really heartening to hear about the lunch club and how much it means to local people who are going there nearly every day for a two-course lunch in a safe, friendly environment.

“So we are really pleased to be able to help them replace some of their slightly older equipment and help keep such a valuable community asset going.

“Since we opened, we’ve already helped a number of local families in their times of need and hope we are able to continue this support for the foreseeable future.

“Anyone with questions about funerals is welcome to pop in to see us as we are always happy to help dispel some of the myths around funeralcare.”

The Vokes Lunch Club is for people aged 60 and over and is held at the Vokes Centre, in Normandy Street, with around 15 to 20 people visiting every day for meals prepared on the premises.

Tony Midmore, Trustee, said: “We would like to share our grateful thanks for the generous donation which is brilliant. A lot of our equipment on the premises is getting a little bit long in the tooth so this is going towards upgrading the facilities.

“We offer a social environment, a social atmosphere and we make sure the food is substantial for the elderly who can’t manage to do it themselves all the time.

“It gets them outside of their own four walls. A lot of these people don’t have much mobility. It is something that we have been doing for an awfully long time.”

To find out more, visit www.vokeslunchclub.co.uk or call 01420 84235.

The donation from The Co-operative Funeralcare, in Alton, was made as part Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme which addresses four key social themes – promoting ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

For more information on the funeral home and the services available, visit the branch at 71 High Street or click here.

Everyone is invited to visit Alton’s newest funeral home

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Residents are invited to tackle the taboo of death at the official opening of Alton’s newest funeral home.

The event will be an unusual mix of charity, cakes and coffins at The Co-operative Funeralcare branch at 71 High Street.

Whether residents are overwhelmed by the idea of funeral planning or simply want to plan ahead, the event is open to everyone on Wednesday 10 July from 3pm to 6pm.

A special donation will also be made to The Vokes Lunch Club which provides a local place for the over 60s in Alton to meet others and have an enjoyable lunch in a safe place.

Funeral Co-ordinators Emma Dulieu and Jane Turk are looking forward to welcoming people into the branch which is part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative.

Emma said: “We know first hand how baffling funerals can be. There is a lot to think about – floral tributes, coffins, caskets, memorial masonry, pre-paid funeral plans and lots more.

“Our open event will be a time to celebrate our opening and a chance to support some of our valuable local causes. But it will also give people the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment.

“People will be able to find out about all things funeral-related whilst enjoying some drinks and nibbles.”

Guests will also be able to find out how the branch can support the local community through Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme. The ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

For more information, contact The Co-operative Funeralcare in Alton on 01420 85298.

Call for Alton villagers to nominate a local cause

Posted on by ashleymarsh

As a new funeral home in Alton is preparing to open its doors to the public, residents are being asked to nominate a local cause in need.

The appeal is being made by Southern Co-op – an independent, regionally owned co-operative society – who is opening the new funeral home at 71 High Street, Alton.

Residents are being asked to identify a cause which means something to the community and links in with Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes – creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Every year we are able to support a wide variety of charities and good causes though our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme. This could be anything from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping their local communities so we like to start how we mean to go on. Being part of Southern Co-op, this funeral home will benefit from our community engagement programme which includes opportunities for donations, volunteering and fundraising.”

Alton’s Co-operative Funeralcare is set to open on 25 March.

People have until 25 April to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community. This could be for any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

To make a suggestion of a local cause, email community@southerncoops.co.uk and mention Alton Co-operative Funeralcare.

For more information about Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, click here.