ONE YEAR ago, life as we knew it in Basingstoke was turned upside down by an invisible enemy which has now claimed the lives of 1,653 residents and 126,000 people nationwide.

In this week's special paper, we pay tribute to the virus’ victims. 

You can read eight pages of news and analysis in this week’s edition of The Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • A ‘popular and caring’ Basingstoke-based charity fundraiser took his own life after struggling to cope with work pressures, an inquest has heard. 
  • A nurse who grabbed a patient by the neck after he was swung at has been told to carry out unpaid work.
  • A GP has accused a councillor of mudslinging as tempers flared at a council meeting.
  • A nursing assistant punched in the face by a violent thug has blasted a judge for not sending her assailant to jail.
  • Teenage members of a criminal gang thought to be behind a range of drug, weapon and robbery offences in Basingstoke will no longer be able to meet, The Gazette can reveal.
  • Councillors have signed off on a programme to divvy out £7million to projects across the borough, after warnings that if it was unspent the funds would be returned to property developers.
  • A similar project to the 2017 trail of benches around Basingstoke, painted by artists, is set to launch - but this time the sculptures will be in the form of pigs. 
  • The borough council was “kept out of the loop” on the standard of building quality at Crown Heights, a councillor has said.
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Pictures: 'Signs of Spring' from our Camera Club
  • The latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Four pages of sports news. And much more!

To arrange a home delivery of the Gazette or Advertiser call 0800 7314 900 or 0845 7078 150 or email deliveries@newsquest.co.uk. If we do not cover your area, we will advise you with details of other available agents.

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