STRIKE up the Band! Eastrop Park’s popular summer band concerts take place on Sunday afternoons throughout June, July and the first Sunday in August.

The first three bands up are Pangbourne, Hungerford Town and our very own Basingstoke Silver Band on June 7, 14, and 21 respectively.

BRACKENWOOD Festival 5K: June 7 also sees this year’s Brackenwood Festival 5K, starting in Festival Place at 9.30am.

This year’s family-friendly route loops around the Top of The Town, Eastrop Park and Basing View, as well as the shopping centre, and is open to anyone aged over 13. Online entries close on May 31, and you can sign up via a link on the destination Basingstoke website.

BASINGSTOKE Civil Service Retirement Fellowship, which meets monthly at Brookvale Village Hall, has a River Thames Cruise scheduled for Wednesday, July 22.

Membership is open to all retired civil servants and their partners and those wishing to join the group’s trips can call 01256 328791.