PLANS to create a new health centre and church in Basingstoke have been delayed by several months because of legal and design problems. Last year, The Gazette revealed Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council planned to fund a £3.2million project that would
A TRIO of surgeons from Basingstoke have been commended at a prestigious awards ceremony. Consultant orthopaedic surgeons John Britton, Geoff Stranks and Kevin Conn were recognised at the Independent Healthcare Awards, in London, for speeding up the
THE BASINGSTOKE Bison have the burning desire to take some points from two of the pre-season title favourites for the English Premier League crown this weekend. On Saturday night, rivals Guildford Flames are in town for a game which has a 6.30pm face-off
THE stars came out and fireworks lit up the sky as the Christmas lights were switched on in Basingstoke. Ray Lewis, former lead singer of The Drifters, performing with his latest band, Still Drifting, and world champion show dancers Craig
A MUSICAL treat featuring a wealth of young Hampshire musicians is coming to Basingstoke next month. The Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane has revamped its annual Festival of Music into a Music Extravaganza which boasts perfor-mances by the Hampshire
THE Royal Air Force will be bringing its unique big band sound to The Anvil on Sunday as part of this year’s 13-venue RAF In Concert national concert tour. The evening will feature musicians from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force performing a mixture
Sir.–So, it’s coming up to Christmas once again, and shops everywhere are displaying advertisements for temporary staff. Having just been made redundant, and being of the mindset that I should help myself rather than take the easy option and sign
Sir.–I want to express my concern about the massive rise in the incidents of criminal dog fighting in Basingstoke and how concerned we are that the authorities take the strongest action to tackle this problem. I also know that responsible dog
Sir.–In last week’s Gazette, Councillor Sean Keating was reported as being shocked to find that 3,800 people had been removed from the housing list when it changed to its new system, but I think that I can shed some light on the matter. My daughter
Sir.–The number of people facing fuel poverty is on the increase, and vulnerable households are particularly affected. That is why I am writing to back Macmillan Cancer Support’s campaign to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients. Feeling
Sir.–I am writing a book on National Service experiences abroad, from 1946 to 1963, and would like to hear from National Service veterans of all ranks, from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy, who have unusual, or humorous military anecdotes to share
ADVENT fair: Will be held on Saturday, from 11am to 2pm, in Bramley Village Hall. The Bramley School Association and village hall trustees have joined together to make this an event for all. There will be a Santa’s grotto, a special childfriendly
THE Buckskin pub: Has “No Way Out” playing live on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm in the Function Room. Entry is free. JUMBLE sale: There’s a mega-jumble sale at the Ridgeway Centre on Saturday, starting at 2pm, where there will be lots of bargains
CHINEHAM Village Hall: Is hosting another craft fair on Saturday. Doors will open at 11am and will remain open until 3.30pm. If you’d like to do some Christmas shopping and support charity, then that’s your place to go! CHINEHAM Conservation
BAUGHURST Parish Council: Meets tonight in Heath End Village Hall at 7.30pm. All residents are welcome to attend. BADGERS Wood pub: Jimmy Rocket will be performing a mixture of music and comedy from about 8pm on Saturday. HEATH End Gardening
DANEBURY Road: Hatch Warren has a lollipop man on Danebury Road close to St Mark’s Primary School but it seems that a small number of motorists are refusing to obey his requests to stop to let children cross. St Mark’s School is asking everyone
FESTIVE shopping: At the Royal British Legion Hall, in Crown Lane, on Saturday, when the Women’s Section invite you to their Christmas Fair from 2pm onwards. TREE planting: On the common this weekend to improve our local environment. Details
THE Bell Fund: Not since Tony Pielow used to present his interesting evenings on subjects such Glyndebourne or The Stars at Night have we seen such a packed village hall in Dummer as we did last Friday when Lady Young gave a fascinating talk
CHRISTMAS festivities: Start in Ellisfield on Saturday with the annual Christmas Fair. As always, a good opportunity to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and some Christmas shopping, all for a good cause, raising money for both St Martin’s Church
RENEWED calls have been made for speed measures to be urgently introduced after a schoolgirl pedestrian was hurt following a collision with a car in a Basingstoke suburb. The accident happened at 8.29am on Monday when a 14-year-old Year 10
JUMBLE sale: This Saturday, in East Oakley Village Hall, starting at 2pm. The sale will be held by BATS. OAKLEY Infant School’s Traditional Christmas Shopping Evening: Takes place tomorrow, from 6pm to 8pm, where there will be lots to see and
CALLEVA WI: This Saturday, Pamber Heath Memorial Hall is holding a Christmas Bazaar, doors opening at 2pm. Come along for gifts, cakes, tombola, raffle and refreshments. “STALAG HAPPY”: On Saturday, December 5, at 7.30pm – a new play
SALTIRE Swing: Warm up a dark Friday evening by shaking out your dancing shoes and joining the Hook and District branch of the North East Hampshire Conservative Association at Tylney Park Golf Club, in Rotherwick, tomorrow night for a special
TONIGHT, tomorrow and Saturday: The Loddon Players will be presenting Private Lives, by Noel Coward in the village hall. Doors open at 7pm, performances at 7.30pm. Tickets available from Sally on 01256 880224. HISTORY: Those interested in the
MYSTERY surrounds why the head teacher of a failing Basingstoke school under threat of closure is absent. On Monday, parents of Chineham Park Primary School, in Shakespeare Road, Popley were informed in a letter that Gwen Clifford will be “
VILLAGE Christmas tree: Switch-on at 5pm, on Sunday, December 6, outside the Calleva Arms. A couple of carols will be sung, and there will be a bucket collection for the Air Ambulance. Father Christmas hopes to be in attendance on his return
LIGHTS switch-on: I am pleased to announce that this year’s celebrity Jamie Rickers, who is Buttons in Cinderella at The Anvil, will turn on the lights in Tadley, both at the tree and, new for this year, some street lights near to Sainsbury’s.
FRANK Gray is still planning to ring the changes in the wake of Basingstoke Town’s disappointing FA Trophy defeat – but has not yet decided whether to drop under-fire goalkeeper Ross Kitteridge. The Town ’keeper punched a cross into his own net to hand
