Every week and in every edition of the Gazette, we include community news from around Basingstoke and surrounding villages.

Chineham 

So let me start by wishing all readers of this column, the very best of New Year wishes, both now and in the months ahead. 

Hopefully all readers had a warm and reasonably well-fed Christmas. Please do remember that there are at least two Warm Welcome spaces in Chineham. Christ Church Chineham offers free, hot drinks, Wi-Fi and activities every weekday morning between 10am and 12noon. Furthermore, every other Tuesday they have their Tuesday lunch, where one can have a jacket potato with a choice of fillings, salad and a pudding, between 12.15pm and 2pm. Booking is not essential but is helpful for the church team to have some idea of numbers, so if you are minded to go, please sign up on the website. There is also a chance to indicate any dietary requirements. The next Tuesday lunch is on 17th January.

Chineham Library also offers their “Warm and Welcome“ space and include activities, learning opportunities, public computers and Wi-Fi 

The library’s opening times are Tuesday and Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Wednesday and Saturday, 9.30am to 1.30pm. On a Tuesday they have their “Talking Tuesday” when one can enjoy board games, puzzles and cards together with friendly conversation.

Lastly, let me remind you that this column is dedicated to news about events in Chineham, both recent and forthcoming. If you have something which might be of interest to Chineham residents, why not drop me a line at fi_biermann@hotmail.com.

Fiona Biermann

Cliddesden 

Happy New Year to you all.

This evening (5th January), the Social and Entertainment Club (AKA ‘Film Club’) will be showing As Good As It Gets at the Millennium Village Hall. This 1997 rom-com blockbuster took $300m at the box office from a $50m budget and scooped Best Actor and Best Actress Academy Awards for Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. The bar opens at 7.30pm and the film begins rolling at 8pm. More drinks and also ice creams are available during the intermission. The cost to attend the showing is just £2. Further details available on the Village Hall website.

Helen Walker

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood 

Happy New Year: I hope that you had an enjoyable festive break and I wish you and your families a Happy New Year.

Losing those pounds: For those who have resolved to lose some of the pounds put on over Christmas, the Community Association is advertising that Clubbercise Hatch Warren and Beggarwood with CP Fitness and Zumba have returned. No booking is required - just turn up and pay at the door. Full details are on the Community Association Facebook page.

New nursery school on Island site: I had a useful conversation with Kids Inc about their plans for a new nursery school on the Island site. They plan to build on the piece of land previously earmarked for a dental surgery, which appears to have foundered. Kids Inc is a family run business that specialises in nursery provision and is about to open its 14th location. They say that their feasibility study indicates a shortage of over 800 places in Basingstoke, and the existing nursery in the Broadmere Road complex has an active waiting list. Kids Inc will cater for 93 places.

St Mark's School has posted a 'thank you' to everyone who supported the Mud House Children’s Foundation through donations at their Christmas Performances and by purchasing bracelets made by the children. In total they raised an amazing £1,400 which will go directly to the charity. The Mud House Children's Foundation works to enhance access to education and the quality of life for children and communities in the most rural regions of Northern Tanzania.

Booking a Year R school place: If you are applying for a year R place in September 2023, applications must be received by Hampshire County Council in a few days time, by 15th January 2023. It is worth booking a tour of the local schools so that you can decide which will be best for your child.

Stephen Reid

Kempshott

Kempshott Pantomime Group is putting on Sleeping Beauty at Oakley Village Hall Andover Road RG23 7HA on Wednesday 11th, Friday 13th and Saturday, 14th January at 7.30pm. The Saturday matinee is sold out. Tickets, while still available, can be obtained from Margaret on 07834068580. 

The Kempshott Village Hall Sunday Market takes a break in January but will be back in February.

Diana Manville

Oakley 

Oakley Hall Wedding Open Day on Sunday, 8th January: Are you looking to tie the knot or know someone who is? Then join us this January at our Wedding Open Day! Take a tour of our beautiful function rooms, including the stunning Garden Pavilion and outdoor Woodland Pavilion, view our bedrooms and meet our wonderful Wedding & Events team!

To find out more or to register your attendance, contact our friendly Events team on 01256 783350 or email us on enquiries@oakleyhall-park.com.

Oakley Woodland Wellbeing Walk on Tuesday, 10th January, from 10 am from Village Pond RG23 7HP. All are welcome for this moderate paced one-hour meander through local pathways kindly led by Margo in my absence.

Break out any January winter blues with some fresh air, good company and restoring countryside. Being winter, do wear sturdy shoes / boots and wrap-up in warm layers. At the end we can the enjoy a hot drink and mince pies along with a warm welcome at the Tuesday Coffee Morning at the Methodist Chapel 

Margo Poynter 07427 941073 

Oakley Warm Hub: Join us and give your heating bill a rest on Thursdays at 10am start 12th January.

The parish council invites you to spend a few pleasant hours with us at the Newfound Pavilion. There you will enjoy warm drinks and a meal with other members of our community.

We will provide transport from your home and back.

The warm hub gives people the opportunity to meet your councillors and parish clerks; use our computers and internet links; and Test your skill, Scrabble, cards, Dominos etc.

Spaces are limited, first come, first served.

To book call John on 01256 781704.

Message from local resident Matthew Mulholland: I will be collecting your old Christmas trees to take to the collection point very soon, the latest day for collections will be 7th January. Same as last year, a small donation to be collected with trees for Oakley schools. If you are interested, please message me with details. Thanks Matt - contact via Facebook or on 07413 251617 there is also a voicemail here.

Please don't put batteries in your household recycling bin: Batteries can be recycled but need to be separate from other recyclable items as they can cause fires at the recycling facilities. Find your local drop off point here: recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/batteries

Oakley Calendar no on sale: Thanks to everyone who sent in photos, they have been finalised to create our most beautiful calendar yet.

To get your copy please order by emailing callingoakleycalendar@gmail.com with the number you would like. They are priced at £10 each, with all profits being divided between the two village schools this year. Once orders have been received, we will then send you bank details and instructions how to pay. As usual, we will deliver the calendars around Oakley once payment has been received.

Tiffany Wise

Old Basing and Lychpit 

The first Old Basing WI meeting of the year took place on Tuesday 3rd January with a discussion about the Resolutions they would like to be put forward to the WI National Organisation plus a ‘Your Favourite Limerick’ competition. This friendly group meet on the first Tuesday of every month in the Parish Room of St Mary’s Church. New members are always welcome; just turn up if you are interested in joining or would like to find out more.

The Village Café, which will be opening on the first Friday of every month, takes place this week from 2-4pm in St Mary’s Parish Room.

Also open this week, on Sunday 8th January from 11am-noon, will be the Trading Hut in Riley Lane. Gardeners will have a chance to stock up on a range of garden sundries plus renew their OBAGS membership fees for 2023.

If one your new year resolutions is to have a good sort out and maybe discard broken things then please take note that the Repair Café will be visiting Old Basing and Lychpit in February. Small electrical appliances, toys, furniture, clothing, household goods, gardening tools, bicycles etc are all things that the team of volunteers will try to mend and save from adding to landfill.

Finally, a reminder that the order to close part of the Street to all traffic starts on Monday 9th January. Although the order will be in place for three months from this date, the work and disruption is only expected to last for five days.

Elspeth Lee

Sherfield

HAPPY New Year to all and thanks for your support in 2022. 

During January there are two things to enjoy at the Village Hall. On Saturday, January 28 there’s the Annual Barn Dance with Diatonics Ceilidh Band. Tickets are £16 to include Fish/Chicken and Chips supper. Tickets at The Shop, Sherfield or email: iansellars249@gmail.com  

And on Sunday, January 29 the Village Hall is pleased to welcome back Garlic Theatre’s Iklooshar Manara with her new production ‘The Nosy Little Troll’. Tickets are £6, under 2s free. For tickets see social media and or visit Sherfield Shop.

Development of land off Reading Road: Mactaggart and Mickel is working up plans to develop a site on Reading Road to the south of the village (left as you come into the village via the slip road).

It hopes to build around 150 homes and a 75-bed care home, a community facility.  

The information says “The plans will provide much-needed housing and a range of improvements including better connectivity.” 

People will have a chance to say something and get involved at the second public exhibition on January 16 in the Village Hall from 3pm to 7pm. Find out more and have your say at reading-road.co.uk

If you have any news, please let me know via cshorton0@gmail.com by phone: 01256 882426 or by dropping a note through my door at 11 Poplar Close.  

Chris Horton