Cliddesden

Pantomime Season is upon us and the ever-popular Cliddesden Players have once again been hard at work, preparing ‘Jack and the Beanstalk Save Panto’. Performances take place at the Village Hall on Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, at 8pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. Please note that, at the time of writing, Saturday evening has now sold out.

Doors open half an hour before the start, with the exception of Saturday evening, when they will open at 6.45pm with carols from 7pm. There will be a licensed bar which does accept card payments, but please bring cash if you can, to help keep transaction costs down.

Tickets are £10 per adult and £5 per child (aged 2-16). If you would like to reserve a seat, please contact Jo Capehorn on 07528856157 or thecapehorns@me.com, (advising if you have any mobility requirements) and she will provide further information on how to make payment. It’s certain to be an excellent weekend.

Helen Walker

Old Basing and Lychpit

The Village Café will be open in the Parish Room on Friday, December 2, from 2-4pm. The volunteers at the café have recently launched a “Baking You Smile” initiative and are asking their customers to nominate anyone in Old Basing or Lychpit who goes the extra mile, volunteers locally, or is just deserving of a little treat, for whatever reason. To nominate an individual, a group or a family please email the details and why you think they deserve a slice of cake to thevillagecafeoldbasing@gmail.com .

The Mill Field Conservation Group meet on Sunday, December 4, and would welcome new volunteers as the Mill Field, which is enjoyed by so many people, is entirely dependent on volunteers to maintain the area. No experience is needed just turn up at 10am and tools, tea and coffee will be provided. It’s a busy time of year for a variety of birds so binoculars and cameras could also be put to good use.

Old Basing WI will be meeting on Tuesday, December 6, at 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms St Mary’s to hear a talk by David Styles about his experiences as a Southampton Evacuee during WW2. All are welcome to attend. Later in the month they will be enjoying a festive lunch at Avenue Nurseries. If you would like to join this long running and thriving group, please contact the President Sue Stewart by email at oldbasingpres@hampshirewi.org.uk

There is still time to nominate a local voluntary organisation for the Annual parish Award. The group can be large or small and should benefit the community in some way. The Award is a financial contribution of £100 to help the group continue its work. Nominations should be sent to the Parish Council Clerk by Tuesday, December 6 (email or post) stating why you feel the group should be considered and how the money could be used.

Elspeth Lee

Chineham

Chineham WI are holding their Christmas Party on December 12 at 7.30pm, (a bought forward date) in the Shaftesbury Room, Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham.  There will be a Secret Santa and a raffle too, and mince pies are promised, along side a very festive event.     

Feel free to call in and meet this "fun group" meeting every month.  

On December 3, at the Church Festival, they will be on show so maybe you'd like to find out more about them then. 

In the New Year they will be starting their meetings on January 23, 2023.

For any more information, please contact 07588 533340,  

02380 616712 or e-mail: reception@hampshirewi.org.uk.

November 25 saw the launch of Chineham Library's Coat Exchange. (You don't have to take a coat if you donate one and you don't have to donate a coat to take one.)  They are now asking for coat donations and if you would like to donate a coat, please make sure it's in good condition. You can donate both adult and children's coats that no longer fit or you no longer want. To donate please take your coats to the library.

Whilst visiting the library, you might also care to check out what they have on offer in their festive season book display.

Fiona Biermann

Oakley

T.O.P.S. (The Oakley Pantomime Society) Presents Once upon a Panto on Friday, 9th December at 7.30pm, Saturday, 10th December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at Andover Road Village Hall.

(Evenings only: Bring your own drinks.)

For tickets at £7 (16 & under £5) please call Murray Simmons on 01256 782916 or email Murraysimmons@hotmail.com

Carols at Oakley Manor on Wednesday, December 7 (7pm for 7.30 start).

What a lovely way to start your Christmas festivities – singing carols at the Manor, enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, and raising much-needed funds for Sebastian’s Action Trust.

Remaining tickets for the event (£5 adult, £2 children (but no under 7’s please) will be on sale from Craft Kits N bits. Cash only, correct money please. No more than four tickets per person as numbers are very limited. The shop is next to the estate agents in Rectory Road and you can browse their great selection of gift ideas at the same time.

There will be a raffle (tickets available on the night) so you have the opportunity to win a prize as well – and all for such a wonderful cause. If you have any donations for raffle prizes please give me a call on 781955 so we can arrange collection/delivery – thank you.

Jolly Olly’s on Thursday, December 8 (12noon to 3pm)

Winter Sale in aid of the Charity Samaritans: We will be selling knitted items produced by our Jolly Knitting Team including; blankets, hats, scarves, cushion covers, festive novelties and more.  PLUS, new to the shop, hand-made, re-usable gift bags, in all sizes and made with recycled materials by local lady Verner Kinder.  Cash only please.

CAS Oakley with Sochi - Youth Worker for St Leonard’s Church

If you're between the ages of 18 and 30 and are interested in establishing new friendships, exchanging ideas, going on social outings and hangouts, dining with people your own age, communicating, and developing yourself, have you been trying to find a way to meet other young adults in Oakley?

The launch of a Young Adult group in Oakley is something we're incredibly excited to announce.

The CAS YA aims to unite and foster community & relationships among young adults in Oakley.

Visit https://linktr.ee/cas_oakley to sign up to the YA group.

The Barley Mow are recruiting for a kitchen manager and kitchen staff. If interested, please send CV to info@barleymowoakley.co.uk or call us on 01256242906

The Wootton St Lawrence Christmas Tree Festival and Big Sing 2022 is on Saturday, December 17, 3-5pm. If you would like to decorate a small Christmas tree in St Lawrence Church ready for the Big Sing & Christmas Eve service, please contact Anna at Buds Floristry (info@budsfloristry.co.uk) by Friday, November 30. Trees cost £15 each and will be available to decorate in the church between 3pm and 5pm. The best-decorated tree will receive a beautiful bouquet from Buds Floristry. The winner will be announced at the Big Sing.

Sunday, December 18 from 4pm: The Festival continues: Explore the brilliant display of community Christmas trees. Vote for your favourite as you enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and a fun and festive atmosphere. Children – enjoy some crafts and follow a discovery trail around the church. General entry: £3 per person, children free. (Covers entry, voting slip, mulled wine, mince pies, carol singing and general delight!) All proceeds to the St Lawrence Church for Our Time improvement project.

The Big Sing starts at 5pm: Stick around for a fun-filled Christmas celebration event with musical performances, poetry, readings, Christmas singalong and much more!   
We are looking for people to contribute a sketch, musical performance, poem, etc, the more, the merrier!  If you play a musical instrument, please join the group accompanying the singalong If you would like to contribute, please contact Teresa (teresabatesrgn@aol.com) or Ben (ben@oww.church) by Friday 3rd December

Thank you for your interest and support for our beautiful church.

We look forward to many more events in 2023.  We are planning for the 'Twelve Hours' Jane Austen play produced by Phil Howe of Hidden Brittain tours to be staged in the Spring. We appreciate any ideas you can give us for musical evenings, socials, fundraising activities going forward.

Tiffany Wise

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood

Christmas Fayre: The Community Association held its annual Christmas Fayre last Sunday and it was very well attended. The traders filled the two main halls and the terraces outside. The cake stall was doing a roaring trade (their Rocky Road was delicious!). The organisers have posted a huge thank you to the volunteers, stall holders and visitors who made the event so fabulous again this year. These events help to generate a surplus to help fund vital services such as The Warren and Link2.

Burglaries and car thefts: On a less festive note, the police have put out warnings of a spate of burglaries and car thefts in the Hatch Warren and Beggarwood area over the past couple of weeks. It seems that a common method of entry is by breaking rear patio doors or windows. Police are advising residents to ensure that doors are locked and burglar alarms are set. Having lights that come on automatically is a good idea. Making sure that valuable items are not visible through windows is a sensible precaution. As Christmas approaches and people are buying gifts, this must be a particularly heart-breaking time to be robbed.

The patient participation group for the Camrose, Gillies, Hackwood and Beggarwood surgeries is inviting views on how the premises could be improved. The operators want to develop plans that best meet the needs of everyone in the local community and would therefore welcome feedback. The survey should take around 5 minutes and can be found at https://forms.office.com/r/TSUhxhDFEa. Paper copies can be collected from reception.

St Mark's School is holding its Christmas Fayre on Saturday (3rd December). Details are available on its website.

Christmas Lights: I have noticed festive decorations going up early in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood this year. This is the first wholly 'normal' Christmas in years and I think people are determined to make the most of it!

Stephen Reid

Kempshott

The last Kempshott Village Hall quiz of the year takes place on December 7 at 7.30 for £2 per person. Bring your own picnic tea and the winning team gets a bottle of wine.

The Parish of Basingstoke Down has a Nativity service at 10.30am on Sunday, December 11, at St Mark’s, having organised a session of jazz/swing/blues and festive favourites from 5-7pm at The Holly Blue on Thursday, December 8.

Diana Manville

Sherfield

Natalie Larner, organiser of the local Poppy Appeal said: “On behalf of members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents, I’d like to offer a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who donated so generously, and to the ongoing support of our local businesses and poppy volunteers.   With added poppy stalls in the village and at Sherfield School’s Fireworks, and the Remembrance Sunday collection, we’ve raised a great £3,028.70 (at time of writing).   Thank you to all who could Gift Aid their donation. A Government Gift Aid contribution of 25p per £1 will be added.  

Christmas Celebrations will soon be here! John Kirkpatrick will be at the Village Hall for Carolling and Crumpets on Saturday December 10 7.15pm for 8pm. Cash/contactless bar and real ale. Tickets £12 (Under 12s £7.50) available from The Shop, contact: derek_tarrant@hotmail.com or 01256 882504/07484 314533 or natalie@larner.net – 01256 880075.

Christmas Market at the Hall on Sunday December 11 from 11am till 2pm. Gifts for Christmas, craft stalls, refreshments and Christmas raffle. 

Sherfield Village Christmas Concert with the Basingstoke Concert Band is on Wednesday December 14 from 7.45pm to 9.30 pm. This is a lovely, informal, fun concert of Christmas musical favourites, community carols, season refreshments and a Christmas raffle. Tickets £5, 12-16, £3 and Under 12s free, from The Shop, events@sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk or 01256 880075.  

Chris Horton