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

Chineham

Chineham WI got back together after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, with their final meeting of 2022 offering mince pies, hot mulled wine (non-alcoholic for drivers), a very ​seasonal recital and a Secret Santa.

The first meeting of 2023 didn't disappoint with a sometimes hilarious and always interesting talk by Steve Vaux entitled "Palm Oil, Sugar and Cocoa"; not at all what we envisaged. There was no telling off for using too much sugar or chocolate! Jenny Eden won the 'Ironic Cake' competition with her very sweet confection.

The group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on 27th February, at Christ Church, Reading Road, with a talk entitled: "Running Fawlty Towers and Cooking for the Rich and Famous".

You'll be very welcome to pop in and meet the regulars. For more information, call 07588 533340, 02380 616712 or e-mail reception@hampshirewi.co.uk.

And don't forget, if you wish to learn about ethical investment routes, then next Thursday 9th February is when Greener Basingstoke will be sponsoring a presentation on this subject.

There will be an opportunity to see how you can manage your money and help to ensure that your pension and savings are not helping to support companies who are behaving badly in environmental terms. Rowan Harding and a colleague from The Path will be at Christ Church Chineham from 7pm to 8pm, and after a brief presentation, they will be available to talk with attendees directly. There is no need to book in advance. It is also hoped that the presentation will be hybrid. People wishing to join online are invited to get in touch via: info@greenerbasingstoke.org.

Fiona Biermann

Cliddesden

How quickly the weeks pass by - tonight is the second meeting of the Film Club this year! Florence Foster Jenkins is the title, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. The movie tells the true story of an American Socialite who dreams of becoming an opera star and was ranked at 87 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

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. If needed, further details are available on the Village Hall website; your point of contact should be Ted Dowson.

Helen Walker

Kempshott

For those afficionados of the Kempshott Village Hall Sunday Market, regretfully they will need to wait until March, as there will not be one in February. However, the hall does provide plenty of support for those who are resolved that 2023 is the year they become more physically active. Monday has yoga with Gemma at 7.30pm, Tuesday has Pilates at 12.45pm, or 8.15pm, Move it or lose it at 2.30pm and WW at 5pm; Wednesday offers Super Seniors at 2pm and Pilates at 3.15pm and 6.30pm, Thursday Pilates at 9.30am and 6.30pm and Friday has Martial Arts at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. On Saturday, there’s a choice of dance from 9am. For those of a more artistic bent, Kathy’s Art Studio at the rear of the Hall has a wide range of activities from Monday to Friday.

Diana Manville

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood

Phone Mast in Woodbury Road: I am delighted that the planning application for a phone mast on the pavement in Woodbury Road, by Wood Close, has been refused by the borough's officers. I have received a reply from the chief executive regarding my suggestion of a policy in the local plan to make it clear that the use of pavements for such equipment will be resisted. At present he is disinclined to pursue this line, so I feel further discussion is needed.

Hatch Warren Community Association is to benefit from a grant of £14,980 from Hampshire County Council's Local Solutions Fund. The money is being given to help the association to fund support for unpaid carers of young adults with learning disabilities across various districts. The objectives are to increase confidence, skills and access to information, as well as improved mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is good to see the Association bidding for funds like these and then making a strong enough case to get them.

St Mark's School Council: On 10th February the school council will be hosting an activity day to raise money for two aspects of the school's activities: The Mud House Children’s Foundation and Costumes for the 57 children representing the school at Dance Live, a national dance competition. The activity day will consist of sporting activities including javelin, running, hula hooping, curling, tri-golf, skipping, tennis keepy-uppies, long jump and hurdles.

Car Meets: The police have reported that there has been a reduction in unauthorised car meets since early December. However, they anticipate that they may return in the near future. The police are urging residents to report any gatherings that they witness, and in particular to upload any visual evidence that they might obtain, especially if the evidence contains registration plate details. To that end, they have published a new reporting guide that includes a QR code to make it easier to report incidents and they have assigned the name Op Chromium to their efforts to control the meets.

Beggarwood Bookworms are reading The Paper Palace this month and meeting on 8th February to review the book. New members are always welcome.

Stephen Reid

Oakley

Oakley Gardening Club: Our next meeting is Monday 6th February 6th at St Leonard’s Hall Oakley 7.30pm start. Our speaker is Nick Gilbert talking about Dahlias.  New members welcome. The programme for the next half year is in February’s Link Magazine

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

Meet your councillors and parish clerks; use our computers and internet links; test your skill, Scrabble, cards, Dominos etc.

Spaces are limited, first come, first served. To book call John on 01256 781704.

Oakley Ramblers: We have a six-mile walk in the Cheriton area on Friday 3rd February. There is an option of lunch at Flowerpots (need to let leader know beforehand if eating). If you want to join us, and try a walk, meet at Oakley schools lay-by at 9am for 9.15 depart. For further details, including who to contact, go to our website oakleyramblers.org and scroll down under Latest News. Timings can change so please check website near the walk date.

Tiffany Wise

Old Basing and Lychpit

The Village Café opens this Friday from 2-4pm in the Parish Room of St Mary’s Church with lots of tempting things to eat and drink. The volunteers are continuing the ‘baking you smile’ initiative so please tell them if you know of someone in the community who deserves a little treat. Perhaps someone who volunteers locally, someone who goes above and beyond to help others or just someone who deserves it, be it an individual or a local family.

On Saturday at 10am the Churchyard Conservation Group are meeting to carry out ongoing tasks including woodland management and removing a number of dead or dying young elms that have succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease. New volunteers are always very welcome just turn up on the day if you would like to be involved.

OBAGS (Old Basing Allotment and Garden Society) will be opening up the Trading Huts from 11am-noon on Sunday. There will be lots of bargains available to get the gardening year off to a good start plus a chance to renew yearly memberships.

Finally, the monthly meeting of Old Basing WI is on Tuesday 7th February at 7.30pm in St Mary's Parish Rooms. The talk by Nigel Knott will be about how the charity, Canine Partners and their amazing dogs, transform the lives of people who have physical disabilities.  All are welcome to attend the meetings of this long running and thriving group. Just pop along to one of the meetings or contact Sue Stewart at oldbasingpres@hampshirewi.org.uk for more information.

Elspeth Lee

Sherfield

Barn Dance: Sherfield Village Hall was packed on Saturday evening with 98 ticketed guests. Ian says: “Derek Tarrant and the ever amazing Diatonics provided the music and caller whilst the guests danced the night away.  Food in the interval was provided and prepared by Ivan Gosden, his son Matthew and daughter-in-law, Hattie whilst Natalie, Kym and Claire served. Alison, Georgie and Hazel ran the bar and Bruce manned the ticket desk.  Hazel, Greg and Alison were there to set up.   A real team effort on behalf of the Hall Management Committee. The guests were very generous in their support of the raffle. It was probably one if the best Barn Dances yet with all monies raised going towards an essential maintenance programme to keep our wonderful and historic hall in the best possible condition. The organising committee would like to say a huge thank you to all the guests and volunteers for their generous support.”

Loddon Lilies are proud to present The Piano Man at the White Hart this Saturday, February 4 from 8pm till 11pm. Spend a Saturday evening dancing and singing along to Greg Agar, The Piano Man and raise money for this year’s Loddon Lilies’ cause: Basingstoke and District Young Carers.

Chris Horton