From the BBC News (December 2012):
Hart in Hampshire has been named the UK’s most desirable place to live for quality of life for the second year running.
The study by the Halifax bank took into account factors such as jobs, housing, health, life expectancy, crime, weather, traffic and house prices.
Hart district, centred on the town of Fleet, beat previous four-time winner Elmbridge in Surrey into second place….
Hart, in the north-east corner of Hampshire, has been dubbed “a step back in time”, with 84 sq miles of green wooded landscape and the county’s largest freshwater lake, Fleet Pond.
In a related article in Get Hampshire, the role of strong local volunteer groups was brought out:
Hart District Council leader, Ken Crookes, said: “The results will come as no surprise to our residents who have long appreciated our beautiful environment, our strong economy, our high educational standards, our good health facilities and all the other things that make Hart a great place to live and work.
“The council would like to thank everyone, our excellent public sector partners, our very strong voluntary groups, our socially conscious and active businesses, and last, but not least, our residents, for bringing this about.”
Background information on Fleet Pond Society can be found here. If you appreciate Fleet Pond and are interested in supporting our voluntary efforts, please consider joining – it’s just £10 a year!