REVIEW OF THE YEAR - January to March

This is part one of two, and will be looking over the first six months of the year, from January to June. Next week’s issue will round out the year.

JANUARY

The year started, as it often does, with January.

It was a strong beginning as right out of the gate Basingstoke’s own strongest woman, Farah Fonseca, detailed her recent competitive run, which at the time included being both Britain and England’s strongest woman.

However, it was not quite to be as she narrowly lost out at the World’s Strongest Woman to add to her trophy collection.

She said at the time: “I am really happy with how I did, it was a really tough event. Going into the second day I had to compete in two of my weaker events and that’s where I lost out. There were definitely mixed emotions, but I am proud to have even got to this stage.”

There was another good news story in January, as a good Samaritan was praised after ‘saving the life of a man’ after a fire in Popley on January 6.

The incident happened at a number of flats in Cayman Close, and while all the residents managed to escape, a cat in the flat where the fire first started died.

Madeline Croft, who lives in the house next to the flats told The Gazette about the woman who had saved her husband’s life by noticing the fire and making residents aware. She said: “My husband is bedridden and I heard this knock at the door saying that the flats next door were on fire.

“My concern was getting my husband out, and the community were fantastic, there were people who I don’t even know helping to get him out.

“I have never seen something go up so quickly, we could hear the explosions coming from upstairs it was terrifying.

“If it wasn’t for that lady and the amazing work of the fire service we could be dead.”

January also saw the Force come to Basingstoke, with the arrival of the May The Toys Be With You exhibition.

It was a celebration of all things Star Wars, as collector Matt Foxx brought together his stash of posters, toys and collectables at the The Willis Museum.

Matt said: “These are rare, and even unique, objects that people wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else.”

The start of the year also saw the beginning of The Gazette’s backing of the LoveBasingstoke campaign, which celebrates the best of the borough, and the first celebration was of Bramley resident and serial fundraiser Dave Holby-Wolinski, more commonly known as Dave the Rower.

The world record-holder was given a British Citizen Award in January for all his fundraising work that he had taken part in.

Dave said: “I feel very humbled by this award and truly blessed to have been nominated. “I have really enjoyed bringing both the business community and my own home community together to take part in fundraising activities.”

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY started on a sad note as we reported on the death of up-and-coming footballer Harry Rice at the beginning of the month.

The 17-year-old had been walking with two of his friends in Hayes when they were hit by a black Audi.

Despite the efforts of the paramedics, Harry, as well as 16-year-olds George Wilkinson and Josh McGuinness, were pronounced dead at the scene. Harry had joined Basingstoke Academy in November 2017.

His sports tutor at the academy Ben Wright said: “He had a lot of ability and kept his head down while he was here and made a few really close friends. He was nice, polite and a funny lad.

“It’s a real shame what happened, and it was absolutely devastating when we heard the news.”

Later in the year in March, driver Jaynesh Chudasama was sentenced to 13 years in jail after admitting to causing the deaths of the three teenagers.

Also in February, a Basingstoke police officer was rewarded for his hard work.

Special Constable Bruce Armstrong was honoured at the Chief Constable’s Awards, which recognise acts of bravery and self-sacrifice made by members of Hampshire Constabulary.

SC Armstrong, who performs his policing role while working as a nurse consultant, was not only praised for his hard work for the police force, but for giving up his spare time to assist officers.

His award citation read: “He has been hailed as one of the most impressive special constables working to protect the communities of Hampshire.

“Not only has his work seen him take two armed robbers off our streets, his unwavering loyalty, enthusiasm and professionalism has proven a real asset to the force.”

In mid-February, an investigation started into the death of Jason Williams, whose body was found in Russell Howard Park, South Ham on Tuesday, 20 February.

Police began to investigate the area, and two men from Basingstoke were both arrested in connection with the murder. This began a five-month-long investigation into establishing the cause.

Another large event that took place in February was the opening of Basingstoke’s new fire station in West Ham Close.

The old fire station was demolished in 2016 at the new, £6million facility was opened in February.

The bespoke station has increased vehicle capacity and improved access, enabling it to respond to incidents as quickly as possible. It also has enhanced training facilities.

Guests at the opening included the mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane at the time Councillors Paul and Jane Frankum, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Councillor Clive Sanders, who were invited to witness Nigel Atkins, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, unveil a commemorative plaque.

At the ceremony, Mr Atkins said: “Basingstoke’s station is one of Hampshire’s most important strategic facilities, providing back-up all across Hampshire as well as keeping residents in Basingstoke safe.”

MARCH

MARCH saw another edition of the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards, celebrating the success of the area’s people in sports.

There were 18 awards from across the sporting spectrum that were dished out, and 19 sports scholarships were granted to local young people in an array of sports.

The Sports Trust scholarships went to Rosie Clarke and Jitka Hall in jiu jitsu; Tony Shering and Kienan Dolan in karate; Cat and Cameron Coveney in pentathlon; Jordan Ford, Harry Richardson and Gemma Bigg in athletics; Liam Hignett in tennis; and Daisy Coleman in powerboating.

Also awarded were: Samantha Girle, Grace Merrin, Charlyne Lebosse and William Sadler all in swimming; Terry Brigdale in karate; Tracey Hare and Matt Wright in triathlon; and George Metzger in cricket.

The ‘Beast from the East’ swept through the country in March, bringing chilly winds and snow to cause travel chaos and other problems.

One such incident was the ‘wanton destruction’ of some of an infant school.

During the height of the snowy weather, three vandals were caught on CCTV trudging through the snow to the Brighton Hill school. They then proceeded to cause up to £500 worth of damage to the school’s equipment, including play equipment, the sand pit, and several outside tables, even the plant pots with the early years seeds growing in them had been broken.

Headteacher Susie Pietrzak said: “The damage that they have caused is pretty shocking.

“Staff and students should be safe and happy at the school, and at the time, they were unable to play outside, which they love and is a vital part of their learning and development. This wanton destruction has left us all really cross.”

In the second wave of the ‘Beast from the East’, a more heart-warming story came to light.

St Michael’s Hospice was helped by a kind-hearted man who helped a a doctor fight through the snow to get to the hospice.

Tom Benford, a farmer, gave a lift in his 4x4 to next door neighbour to Dr Alex Lee, a speciality doctor on the hospice’s in-patient unit.

Dr Lee said: “Tom took time out of his day at 7am on Sunday morning, to drive me in in his old Land Rover. Then when he knew I couldn’t get the bus back at night, he came all the way from Odiham, waited in reception until I was ready to leave, picked me up and drove me home again.”

When Mr Benford was asked why he did it, he said simply that medical staff ’s time is too valuable to be wasted