AMBITIOUS plans to merge the waste collection regimes of seven Hampshire councils – including Basingstoke and Deane – have collapsed. Borough councillors were due to decide whether to join the scheme at their full council meeting tonight. The possible
Julian Fellowes in conversation with John Miller Winchester Festival The Guildhall ACTOR, writer and director Julian Fellowes proved what a talented raconteur he also is as he entertained an audience in Winchester on Tuesday. The quintessentially
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform Basingstoke’s tired-looking shopping centre in The Malls will be unveiled tomorrow. Shoppers in Basingstoke will get the first glimpse of what The Malls will look like following its planned £5.7million
ROBERT Tobin was “delighted” to claim his first UK outdoor title – and now he can begin preparing for next month’s World Championships. The Old Basing athlete raced away to a comfortable victory in the final of the 400m at the UK Championships, which
FOR the past two years, he has been forced to watch on helplessly as his young daughter battles against a rare and deadly disease. Determined not to see his eight-year-old slowly slip away into a vegetative coma, William Massart has made one
FLOODING: Several residents of Chineham are not surprisingly concerned to learn that the Environment Agency is suggesting that their houses might be in danger of flooding. So far, this has not proved to be a significant problem, despite Chineham
MOBILE library: Tomorrow, the mobile library will call at Heath End Village Hall from 10am to 10.20am, Heath Court 10.25am to 10.40am, Portway (near 59) 10.45am to 11.05am and Hurst School (Miss Polly’s) 11.10am to 11.35am. On Wednesday, July 22, the
PARISH council: The council will meet on Monday, at 7.30pm, in the Bramley Room at the village hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is a ten-minute interval during which members of the public may raise matters with council-lors. JAZZ and Cream
MEN still wanted by the Ridgeway Ravers over-55 Ladies Club: The club invites any gentleman who is at a loss for something to do on a Wednesday morning. New lady members also welcome. The club holds bingo, quizzes, table-top sales, raffles and have
AT THE time of writing, I have what could be described as “a bit of a head”. We were merry participants in the Cliddesden wine walk at the weekend. The hosts all did a wonderful job – great food everywhere, wine flowing freely and a record 93 happy
SOGGY Saturday: Despite the inclement weather, nearly 30 intrepid souls braved the elements and came to the Ellisfield Volunteer Group DIY barbecue and picnic. Thanks to Steve Ayscough for lending us his splendid barbecue and to Ted and Phil
LEAVERS ball: The Brighton Hill Community College Leavers’ Ball was judged a great success. Held at Oakley Hall as usual, the ex-students arrived in a variety of vehicles. Stretched limos and horse-drawn carriages were to the fore. I even saw a Routemaster
LIBRARY: The children’s summer reading scheme starts on Monday and finishes on Saturday, September 12. The theme this year is “Quest Seekers”. Should be fun. YOUTH club: Will open weekly at the Village Club every Thursday evening from July 16. It
SUMMER fayre: Don’t forget the big local event of the summer takes place this weekend – Rooksdown Community Association’s annual Rooksdown Summer Fayre on Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm on Mill Road Green. There will be a teddy tombola, bouncy
OAKLEY Pedalers are in action again this evening for another of the regular Thursday rides. Meet at the pond at 6pm for an informal trip around the area of about one hour. Please wear your helmet. For more information, please contact Ken Robson at oakley-pedalers
VANDALISM in the village: A plea for vigilance from John Davie, the chairman of the village hall committee, who can be contacted on 01256 464168. So many volunteers have willingly given their time to refurbish our excellent hall building that it is tragic
BE AWARE: The schools break up in less than a week and there will be a whole host of children playing in and around Popley, so drivers please be aware and slow down. GET With: If you have a child or children between eight and 17 then the Get With programme
A POPULAR singer and actress will be waving her wand as the Fairy Godmother in The Anvil’s Christmas panto Cinderella. Liverpudlian entertainer Sonia (left) will be helping Cinderella get to the ball this winter, joining Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers
OPEN garden: Terry and Brian Raisborough have had two successful open gardens this year through the National Garden Scheme (NGS). They are delighted to report that they have sent a cheque for £336 to DeBRA, a charity for sufferers of Epidermolysis Bullosa
ST MARY’S Church and the Methodist Church: Cream teas at both churches during July and August; at the Methodist Church, from 3pm to 6pm; and at St Mary’s, from 2pm to 5pm. Visit the dig too. Next Saturday is open day from 10am. DIG supper: On Saturday
SATURDAY, July 25: Strawberry Cream Teas on the Rectory lawn behind St Paul’s Church on The Green, starting at 3pm. Money raised will go towards the church’s missionaries and the charities that the church supports. QUIZ: On Wednesday, July 29, at
BASINGSTOKE’S notoriously poor Internet service is set for a major boost next year – thanks to a billion-pound investment in super-fast broadband. BT has announced the town centre telephone exchange, in Victoria Street, which currently has 28,000 users
JUSTIN Rose believes that his game is in good shape going into The Open – and he says that lifting the Claret Jug would be a “childhood dream come true." The north Hampshire golfer will begin his latest Open challenge at Turnberry, in Ayrshire, Scotland
