The Arle Valley Benefice : The Arle Valley Voice Magazine

The Arle Valley Voice

Please click here to read the December 2025 edition.

November 2025 edition
October 2025 edition

This colourful monthly magazine (11 issues with July/August combined) circulates in New Alresford, Old Alresford, Bighton and Ovington parishes in the Arle Valley Benefice. It has a circulation of about 400 copies a month.

Copies are distributed throughout the community including estate agents, schools, the surgery and the library. The magazine has a large loyal following of regular readers who buy an annual subscription (£15). We also do our best to ensure that all newcomers to Alresford are given a free copy. We are always trying to increase our readership.

The Arle Valley Voice is sold at £1.60 a month in all the Benefice churches and from the Six West Newsagents in Alresford.

Please contact Caroline Hawkins on 01962 732964 for more subscription information.

Would you like to contribute to our magazine?

We always welcome contributions from our readers. There is an opportunity to share a wide variety of reports, stories and items of interest. We would love to hear from you!

Articles on the following are keenly sought after:
Local area walks
Travel/adventure stories
Spiritual life and growth
Recycling tips & advice/reducing plastic waste
Photos, alone or with a story
An event you would like publicised

Your contributions can be from as little as 50 words to a full page article of 750 words. Photos are lovely accents to articles and also mean there is less for you to write!

If you would like to contribute, please feel free to contact the editorial team at magazine@arlevalleychurches.org.uk for inclusion in The Arle Valley Voice.

Advertising in the Arle Valley Voice
The advertising year runs from January to December, with the majority of advertisers taking space for the year, although shorter periods may be taken to support your advertising campaign. Both colour and black & white advertising space is offered with sizes ranging from 1/8th to a full page. Details of sizes and prices are attached.

Many advertisers have a fixed house style for the year, although there is the opportunity to modify the artwork at the end of each year if required. Finished artwork in pdf format is preferred.

For further advertising information, please contact arlevalleyadverts@gmail.com.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

New to Church?

27181 poster

Here is some information about our benefice and its constituent churches, designed for those who are new to our community.

What is The Arle Valley Benefice? We are four Church of England churches, serving the town of New Alresford and the villages of Old Alresford, Ovington and Bighton.

What is your vision and mission?

Our Vision
Rooted in God
Inspiring Community
Engaging Through Love

Our Mission
We seek to be a welcoming, thriving and growing Christian family, working to discern God’s vision for us whilst witnessing to, and living out, Christ’s message in our community with a relevance that resonates in the 21st Century.

Individual Churches
Where are benefice churches located?
St. John the Baptist is the main Anglican church for New Alresford
St. Mary the Virgin Church is in the village of Old Alresford
St. Peter's is in the village of Ovington
All Saints is a church in the village of Bighton

How do I find out more about each church?

The webpage of each church has sections on:

About us: the identity and values of each church
Services: detailing service times and worship styles

Do any of the churches have mid-week events or study groups?
We offer many groups for fellowship and spiritual growth, including social events, bell ringing, prayer groups, and more. See our Benefice Groups & Activities.

Is there a welcome or newcomers’ program?
Each church has its own system of making newcomers welcome.

Do I need to be a member to attend services regularly?
Not at all. All are welcome to attend any service.

General Enquiries

Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Please email the Parish Administrator, Penny Forbes on 01962 733545 or email the office.

How can I keep updated on events and services across the benefice?
Visit the What's On page on this website or subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.