THE ALTON Society had to resort to ‘Plan B’ on Saturday, November 16 when a packed Annual General Meeting heard not, as planned, from guest speaker David Gray of HAB Housing, but instead from Mark Penfold of Macallan Penfold Chartered Architects.

While Mr Gray was due to speak on the Future of Low Carbon Housing, when he was unable to attend Mr Penfold stepped in with a presentation on ideas for improving the town centre’s public spaces.

He suggested that these could fit well with the society’s suggested improvements for the development of the former Coors brewery site.

The main theme of the talk was the need to seize the opportunity to make the civic spaces more pedestrian-friendly, and to exploit the significance of the River Wey, “one of the town’s most important assets” which is, for the most part, totally hidden from view.

According to society spokesman, Bob Booker: “This received enthusiastic support from the audience, who also expressed grave disappointment with CALA Homes’ current application for the site.” Held at the Alton House Hotel, the meeting heard of the work carried out by the society during the year to enhance the town’s built and natural environment.

The society’s Individual Award for Outstanding Services to the Town was presented to Martin Gibbs who, with the support of many volunteers, has led the Friends Flood Meadows working party for seven years. Their work in the meadows was described as “excellent”.

Outgoing chairman Nicky Branch was recognised for his “superb chairmanship” over the last three years. In making a presentation to him, new chairman David Simpkins commented that Nicky will be “a hard act to follow“.