KNIFE crime in Basingstoke fell by more than a third in six months, new figures reveal. Violent offences involving a bladed implement - which includes glass - dropped from 49 in the last six months of last year, to 30 in the first six months of this
A HAIRDRESSING salon is offering people a "short cut" to supporting cancer research. Marco Polo Hair in Queen's Road, Brookvale, Basingstoke, is holding a fundraising day for Cancer Research UK on Monday, with all the proceeds from cuts and colours going
YOUNGSTERS at a north Hampshire pre-school were busy making a scarecrow for a village festival this weekend. Children at Kingsclere's Busy Bees Pre-School got stuck into building a scarecrow of a Busy Bees pupil, complete with paper mache head, to enter
I THINK these mixed genre nights are a great idea, but attendance does vary quite dramatically. Maybe some types of music go better with others? This night kicked off with the talented, theatrical rockers (pop-punk to you) from Alton called Sweet FA.
WATCH comic double act Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner take on the ultimate challenge of presenting all seven Harry Potter books in seventy-five minutes at Central Studio on Friday, October 3 at 7.30pm. Their show Potted Potter will come to life
MY MUM knows what she likes. And, struggle as I did, I couldn't come up with anything with the 'wow' factor for her 6oth birthday that she wouldn't have previously experienced, such as a show or a nice meal out or a trip away. Little did I know that
AFTER receiving a call about an exotic iguana stuck up a tree, the RSPCA raised the alarm. A crew from Basingstoke fire station arrived on the scene, ready to carry out a rescue operation to retrieve the reptile, which appeared to be marooned up a 60ft
REPAIRING ruptured ankle ligaments or nasty fractures is a tough enough job for any surgeon. But when your patients are England rugby aces or top players in Premiership football teams, the pressure is certainly cranked up a notch. However, for one Basingstoke
MOBILE library: On Friday, the mobile library will call at Heath End Village Hall, from 10am to 10.20am; Heath Court, from 10.25am to 10.40am; Portway (near 59), from 10.45am to 11.05am; and The Hurst school (Miss Polly's), from 11.10am to 11.35am. CHURCHYARD
CHRISTMAS fayre: Please make a diary note for Thursday, November 13, when the Bramley WI will hold a Christmas fayre from 8pm onwards in Bramley Village Hall. Contact 01256 882607. HARVEST: Will be celebrated on Sunday, with Holy Communion at 9am and
U3A (University of the Third Age): A special U3A event was held at Hill Rise Hall on September 17. As treasurer, my main responsibility was collect-ing £8 affiliation fee and £1 for the monthly meeting. Usually at monthly meetings there is a speaker
SIGNPOST: The Ridgeway Centre is looking to place two new signposts that we have. If there is any business or private land owner who would allow the centre to erect them on their buildings or land, please contact the centre on 01256 470665 or e-mail
WESSEX Cancer Trust autumn fayre: Will be taking place at Chineham Village Hall this Saturday, from 11am to 3.30pm. There will be something for all the family - sales stalls, tombola, raffle, bouncy castle, face painting, Christmas gifts and cards, lunchtime
HARVEST service: The Harvest Festival Service on Sunday was well attended. There are apparently some 200 words that can be made out of the letters "Harvest". Only 10 words using letters held up by a mixed-aged group from the congregation were actually
VOLUNTEERS wanted: Thanks to recent good weather, the grass will still need cutting for a few more weeks. While we enjoy the promised Indian summer, perhaps you would like to volunteer your services to mow either lower common or the gravel pits of the
QUIZ night is back: The original Hatch Warren quiz night returns to St Mark's school next month. It will be held on Saturday, November 15, from 7.30pm, in the school hall, in Danebury Road. Teams of up to six people can enter. Entrance is £5 per person
OLD Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group: An information AGM is being held on Wednesday, October 1, at 8pm, at Old Down Hall, at the top of Kempshott Lane. Enjoy a glass of wine or juice and nibbles while you find out what the group has already achieved
SCARECROW festival: From today to Sunday. On the Saturday night, the Kingsclere Singers will give a performance entitled "A Harvest of English Music" in the church, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, in aid of St Mary's Church Keystone Project. INDOOR
HELLO again! Tracey has passed the Community News column baton back to me so I'll try and keep up her good work. JUMBLE sale: On Saturday, October 27, from 2pm, there will be a jumble sale in East Oakley Village Hall, in Hill Road. Friends of Oakley
NEWS for The Vyne Community School: It is extending its opening hours and is now open seven days a week. From Monday to Saturday, the site is open from 9am to 10pm, for community use. At weekends, from 9am to 3pm. These times are flexible for one-off
BARTONS Mill: Changes afoot at this popular restaurant when Sven Godeson's lease expires on September 29. The brewery will continue to run the existing operation with the current staff until January 1, when everything will be closed for four weeks to
COFFEE morning: This Friday, why not join in the biggest coffee morning ever? Pop along to Melrose Hall, between 9.30am and noon, and sample home-made cakes and make new friends as well as helping the Wessex Cancer Ward at Basingstoke hospital. The
ONE of Basingstoke's oldest buildings was given some protection against damp weather thanks to a team of hardy insurance workers. Colleagues from disability insurer Unum, based at Basing View, rolled up their sleeves to give the Sir James Deane Almshouses
THE Rooksdown column is now back after a short break! Don't forget, if you have any news items that you think could be included in this column, please give me a call on the number above (between 7pm and 9pm preferably). Another useful source of information
NAME that room...with the pending relaunch of the Coach and Horses autumn Hampshire Fare menu, mine hosts Chris and Kelly are holding a competition to find a new name for the restaurant! Suggestions can be derived from the pub's name, from Rotherwick
NWR: Enjoyed an afternoon ramble last weekend when they met up with former village friends Gail and John Bannister, who now live in the New Forest. Gill said: "We had a splendid afternoon with gorgeous weather. We met in Beaulieu, had lunch and then
REMEMBRANCE: Do you place a Remembrance Cross on a war memorial or a grave for a loved one, family member or friend? This year, you can order one with a regimental badge in the centre. Phone Freda on 0118 9700705 for details and order soon. SILCHESTER
TODAY: As many of you will know it is the Macmillan Coffee Morning - there are a few around the town. The library coffee morning, bring-and-buy and nearly-new sale is from 10am to 11.30am, then down the road to Mike Collier, who is holding one at his
WINNING is a habit the Basingstoke Bison want to continue after chalking up their first victory of the season in Cardiff on Sunday night. Netminder Kevin Reiter (pictured right) inspired his team to a 4-3 success in Wales, one night after the Herd suffered
LAST week I told you about the Patronal Festival and Michaelmas fair being held on Saturday, at St Michael's, Basingstoke, which is being opened by the Bishop of Basingstoke at 10am. I also referred to a concert being given in the evening by the Innovations
WHITCHURCH boss Brian Drury is keen to see his side bounce back after losing 3-1 to visiting Farnborough North End on Tuesday night. In a goal-less first 45 minutes in Wessex League division one, home striker Ian Davies hit the crossbar and Paul George
EVERYONE in Basingstoke and Deane can get involved in, and reap benefits from, the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. That was the message that shone out from a "Going for Gold" conference designed to explore how the borough can reap maximum benefits
A HIGH-PROFILE borough politician has taken a swipe at Basingstoke MP Maria Miller after he was formally excluded from the Conservative Party. This week, the party's national board decided Basingstoke Conservative Association followed the correct procedures
