Every week and in every edition of the Gazette, we include community news from around Basingstoke and surrounding villages.

Cliddesden

This week carries the (unintentional) theme of ‘membership’.

Firstly, a reminder to all those who are members of the 100 Club: Your membership is due for renewal at the end of March. If you wish to join, the fee is just £12 per ticket, per year, with the chance to win a monthly first prize in the order of £35-£40. Proceeds go towards the maintenance of the Millennium Hall which, as you will know from all the events I write about in my columns, is truly central to our village. Please contact Rose Beevers for more information: 01256 475944 or 100club@cliddesdenhall.org.uk.

Secondly: Our WI is seeking new members. This group is long-established in Cliddesden, having celebrated their 100th birthday back in the autumn, but a warm welcome is extended to anyone who wishes to come along and help the WI on their way to the next 100. So far, 2023 meetings have involved a Quiz, bacon baps and a visiting speaker, so there’s plenty for all to enjoy. Please contact Pat Rampton for more information: 01256 461034.

Helen Walker

 

Old Basing and Lychpit

The Loft Music Night at Lychpit Community Hall once again has lots of fantastic music to enjoy on Friday, February 24. People who have heard Polly Gone Wrong will be excited to hear them again and inspiring singer songwriter Claudia Stark will also be performing.

Another treat will be a performance by Downtown Roundabout an Americana band with Briggs as their frontman and songwriter who will also be performing a solo set. Doors open at 8 and entry is £5. Take your own drinks and nibbles.

The Allotment Shop at the Trading Hut in Riley Lane opens on Sunday, February 26 from 11am until noon.

As part of the Poppy Appeal fundraising there will be a Skittles Tournament at Old Basing Royal British Legion. Teams should consist of between four and six players; the cost being just £2 per person. The qualifying rounds will be on Thursday, March 9 and 16 with the final being on Friday, March 24 starting at 7.30pm.

Elspeth Lee

 

Chineham

Early in February, Chineham WI held its annual meal. A group of 15 visited the Olive House in Church Street, Basingstoke, and enjoyed a treat. The delicious tastes on offer, the beautiful lamps and pictures around and the friendly, efficient service made it a great evening.

The next meeting of the Chineham WI is on Monday, February 27 (7.30pm at Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham).  This month they have a talk by Susan Howe entitled 'Running Fawlty Towers...' which looks as though it will be interesting and funny.

Visitors are welcome to call in to see what the WI is all about.  For more information call 02380 616712, e-mail reception@hampshirewi.org.uk or call 07588 533340.

Second Chineham Guides have spaces available for girls between 10 and 14 years old. They meet every Thursday between 7 and 8.30 at Four Lanes Community Junior School. No previous girl guiding experience is needed. More information can be obtained at: girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/.

Fiona Biermann

 

Oakley

Events in and around Oakley this week:

WWFUN: We are all recently bereaved widows and widowers who support one another on a WhatsApp group and meet up for occasional outings and fun, (hence WWfun).  This month saw a group of us bowling, sharing a Sunday lunch and a cheese and wine card evening. We have concerts and picnics booked at West Green Gardens and The Vine, theatre trips and more. To join us please contact Deanna in the first instance on 07747 088294.

Oakley Scouts Jumble Sale: Jumble Sale Saturday March 18 at East Oakley Village Hall, The Green Hut, Hill Road Oakley RG23 7JJ.  Sale starts at 1.45pm. Donations welcome at the Hall from 10.30am. There will be bric-a-brac, books clothes toys etc.  Cash only, entrance 50p.

Friends of Oakley Infant School are holding an Easter Fayre on Saturday, March 25. We are looking for any small or big businesses who may be willing to kindly donate us a raffle prize or offer the event some sponsorship. We are a registered charity and can provide headed letter with our charity number if required.

All proceeds from the raffle go back into the school providing extra resources, experiences and enrichment activities.

Oakley Art Class: Tuesdays, 2pm - 4pm at East Oakley Village Hall (Green Hut), Hill Road, Oakley, RG23 7JJ

Spring Term Part 1: February 21 - March 28 (six weeks) £59.10

Contact Bethany for more details. www.milamarts.org

A friendly group of mixed abilities; from complete beginners to experienced painters, learning in a relaxed atmosphere where you can work at your own pace, socialise over tea and biscuits and enjoy the benefits of creativity while learning new skills. You are welcome to bring your own projects or follow the demonstrations. There is set tuition/demonstrations on a selected subject and media each term/week, with one to one tuition available for those exploring their own projects. The next focus subject will be portraits. Beginners are welcomed and supported in starting their creative journey in the media/subject of their choice.

Tiffany Wise

 

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood

OLD DOWN AND BEGGARWOOD WILDLIFE GROUP appears to be facing a loss of activists, following a row with the local council. Apparently the council has undertaken some work on Old Down without consultation with the group. I hope that bridges can be built again because the two organisations need to be working in tandem and these open spaces are so important to all of us. I am sure it would help if the council were to designate Old Down as a local nature reserve, which has huge support in the area.

BIKEABILITY WEEK: this is Bikeability week for year 6 students at St Mark's school. The objective is to help pupils gain confidence on their bikes and learn more ways to stay safe on the roads.

BUDGET MEETING: Hampshire County Council is setting its budget on Thurdsday (February 23). The council tax is likely to increase by 4.99 per cent. The capital budget includes funds to build the new two-form-entry primary school at Hounsome Fields.

THE PARISH OF BASINGSTOKE DOWN held a pancake day on February 13 and reports having had great fun. The weather was favourable and they bowled with lemons, flipped pancakes, ran races and completed a Treasure Hunt. And of course, they ate the pancakes.

CAFE IN THE PARK celebrated its fifth birthday on February 10. It has come a long way since a slightly-smaller-than-expected community building was handed over and Hatch Warren Community Association agreed to take it on. It is now an invaluable asset and very popular with users of the field as well as its regular hire groups.

CONTACT ME: please feel free to contact me on sreid17786@aol.com if you have items of news to report.

Stephen Reid

 

Kempshott

If you’ve ever had an ambition to paint a tiger, as I’m sure you have, ladies have the perfect opportunity. Kempshott WI are assured that “Everyone can paint a tiger” on Monday, February 27 at 2.30pm in the Village Hall. Materials are supplied. If your ambition is slightly less esoteric, then the monthly quiz, also at the Village Hall, on Wednesday, March 1 at 7.30pm is for you. For a modest sum, and an evening of fun and companionship, you’re in with a chance to win your team a bottle of wine.
Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group have done an amazing job at turning barren areas into the best site in Hampshire for the Small Blue Butterfly and diverse wildflower meadows. They meet on site on a Thursday morning for light tasks. If you would like to help the group continue, there are a couple of committee roles that need to be filled.

Diana Manville