BASINGSTOKE Civil Service Retirement Fellowship: The recent meeting, at Brookvale Village Hall, heard updates on the group’s meetings so far this summer and featured a talk on Arabian and Indonesian fabrics.

The fellowship has trips to Sissinghurst Castle on Thursday, August 20 and to Chiswick House and the London Museum of Water and Steam on Monday, September 14.

The next regular monthly meeting is on Wednesday, July 1, with Iain Kennedy talking on “Pirates of the Caribbean”. For further details, call Tony Brazier on 01256 418770.

THERE’S an opportunity to see a free Tai Chi demonstration and then try it yourself as part of the Basingstoke Festival from 1.30pm to 3pm at Brookvale Village Hall on Wednesday, June 24. The turns and motions of this ancient art are intended to help the mind return to stillness, clarity and wisdom but can also offer a challenging workout. Telephone 882534.