We warmly invite our members to join us for a celebratory cupcake* in the branch on 17 February to mark Alton's 50th birthday. We also hope you'll join us for a nostalgic trip down memory lane...
A potted history
Alton branch opened on 17 February 1975 at number 49 on the High Street, becoming our most southern branch and retaining that title until the opening of Winchester in 2013.
In 1987, the branch moved, although not very far—leaving behind number 49 High Street and settling next door at number 47.
Here's what the branch looked like a couple of decades ago...
Community ties
The branch have always been involved in the community, supporting events like Alton Walking Festival, Alton Christmas Light Switch-On, and Jane Austen Regency Week, to name a few.
During our dig through our archives, we even found local event programmes that listed the once-famous Newbury Building Society hot air balloon as part of the entertainment! (Does anyone remember the slogan: 'Where castles in the air take shape?')
Employees through the decades have got stuck into fundraising activities, supporting charities like Help for Heroes, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Michael's Hospice, Alton Foodbank, and most recently, Dementia Friendly Alton. Team Alton have also gotten out and about volunteering over the years; litter picking with Alton Climate Action Network, completing a 32-mile bike ride for Help for Heroes, helping out at Alton Foodbank, and much more.
Many things have changed since 1975, but the teams' dedication to the local community is not one of them.
Our people
No one knows the branch better than the people who work there, so we sat down for a chat with some current and former team members to learn about their Alton stories. Here's what they had to say:
Julie Harness, Alton Branch Manager: "I am so proud to work for the Society and the community and charity impact we've had in the town. I have worked with so many great people during my time at Alton to deliver the very best service for our customers, including through the pandemic when we continued to be there for our community and our customers despite the challenges."
Sammy Forrester, former Alton Branch Manager: "I had a great team behind me when I was Branch Manager. Although it was just on a temporary basis, I could not have wished for a better team who were so supportive of each other and provided some belly laughing moments, too many to choose a specific one! Although the team have mostly changed to move onto different journeys, I miss every one of them! Happy 50th Birthday Alton!"
Becky Reynolds, former Alton Branch Manager: "Alton was a amazing place to work. I loved the sense of community and all the wonderful customers. I had the opportunity to attend local schools, fetes, and fairs as well as volunteering for the local foodbank. It was great to be involved."
But really, it's all about you, our customers
Our branch wouldn't exist without our wonderful members, many of whom have been with us since those early days at number 49. Thank you, as always, for your continued loyalty and support. We hope some of you will be able to pop in to celebrate with us on 17 February.
We've made so many great memories in Alton...
*Whilst stocks last.
