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

Cliddesden

‘Ride and Stride’ is a fundraising event, enabling the Historic Churches Trust to make grants for things like upkeep. Held on the 2nd weekend of September (this year the event falls on the 9th), participants walk or cycle to local churches, venturing as near or as far as they choose.  

Once again, families associated with St Leonard’s will be taking part; cyclists will be provided with a snack to sustain them, before being waved off at 8.45am.

Ride and Stride is a sponsorship event, so a small donation would be greatly appreciated. Funds raised are split between the Historic Churches Trust and the participants’ local/chosen church or chapel.

If you would like to take part, make a donation, or simply find out more, please contact Claire Nunn (clairenunn1234@gmail.com)

Helen Walker

 

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood

Broadmere Road: I have checked on the resurfacing works at the entrance to Broadmere Road and was pleased to see a good, smooth surface is now in place. It looks as if road markings are still to be painted and I shall monitor for that. This is an essential part of the work to bring the roads and street furniture up to standard so that the roads can be adopted.

Brighton Hill Roundabout: A reminder that from 11th September works will be carried out each night between 8pm and 6am and some of the entrances and exits to the roundabout will be closed. This is to allow ducting to be laid across the roads. A matrix warning sign has been put up on the A30 approach.

Schools Go Back: I understand than our local schools are not impacted by the weak concrete issues that have been reported so please expect the new term to start as planned. September is always the worst time with regard to complaints about parking during school run times, as parents get used to the options available to them. For new parents at St Mark's School, Danebury Road, the recommended parking place is in the Community Centre, with a short walk across Woodbury Road, where there is a school crossing patrol. For new parents at Hatch Warren Infants, the Portsmouth Arms offers parking with a short walk down Hatch Warren Lane.

Lager Festival: A reminder that the Community Association's lager festival is on Saturday (9th September). It starts at 7pm and tickets can be booked through the Community Association's website.

Best Wishes Sammy! One of the most cheerful and hard-working faces around our area has left her job delivering with Hermes/Evri after 25 years. Judging from the hundreds of well-wishers who have posted on Facebook, Sammy's efficiency and her bright and breezy visits are going to be missed by many people.

Stephen Reid

 

Kempshott

St Mark’s Church offers Chat ‘n’ Play on a Tuesday morning from 9.15am to 11.15am and The Zone, their youth club for years 6-8, starts this Friday at 7pm until 8.30pm. It’s free to attend but pocket money for the tuck shop comes in handy.

The Kempshott Village Hall Sunday Market is this Sunday from 10.30am till 1pm. There are some new stallholders to be found amongst the regulars, so it’s always worth going along to see what’s there.

The Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group had a successful open morning last week but would always welcome more volunteers. It may be the start of autumn, but there are still lots of plants available at 14 Aster Road and 17 Zinnia Close sold in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.

Diana Manville

 

Oakley

OakleyTheGap returns: For those of you unfamiliar with theGap, it's a fun youth club for years 6-8 children run on a Friday evening once per month at the Malshanger social club. It begins at 6.30pm and finishes at 8pm. The first session of the new year will be September 8th. The link to sign up is https://thegap-september2023.eventbrite.com

Oakley Bowling Club: Finals Day dawned fair, even if initially cloudy, and it was the first time in recent memory that we were able to play all our five principal finals at the same time. The Two Bowl Singles was a repeat of 2022, but this time Sean Lassman overcame Steve Devonish 16-7 to lift the title for the first time and deny Steve a hat-trick of wins. There was a first-time win, also, for Gerald Norris who beat Ted Trantum 21-9 to be crowned Open Singles Champion. The Ladies Singles was also a repeat of 2022 and again last year's loser came out on top. Down 7-17 Sue Dixon again looked destined to be the runner up but, after a titanic struggle and some excellent bowling from both players, Sue pipped Laura Butler 21-20. The third 2022 champion looking to retain his crown was Martin Vickers and in the Men's Singles, on a tricky rink, with which his opponent struggled, he had a comfortable 21-5 win over Nigel Bechelet. The last event to finish was the Mixed Pairs where Dominic and Claire Flannigan were always in control, against Terry and Mary Varndell, emerging triumphant by 28-12. Well done all players on reaching the finals and thank you to all who came along to support. Some, afterwards shot off to Southampton to watch Janie in the County Two Bowl Singles Final. Sadly Janie did not find her best form but it is a fine achievement to finish runner-up in a County competition.

By Spencer Kerley 

Oakley & Deane WI are holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday 16th September, 1.45pm at East Oakley Village hall (the Green Hut), Hill Road, Oakley, RG23 7JJ. Entrance fee 50p for adults. Books, toys, clothes, linens, bric-a-brac and tombola. Cash only.

Donations of goods are accepted at the Hall from 10am, sorry furniture cannot be taken. Enquiries to the Secretary 01256 780802

St Leonard’s Church: Have you got an interesting hobby you would like to share with others, or are you looking for an outlet for your creative skills? There will be a Hobby Fayre in the Centre from 2-4pm on Saturday 9th September. If you are interested in taking part please contact the church office or Claire Bowers.

Friends of St Lawrence (FoSL): Good news, our FoSL recipe book is now in print and on sale - £10 each. Tried and tested family favourites. Contributions by many of you. Available in St Lawrence Church, Wootton - church open daily.

Wall safe for cash or card reader available. Local honey and jams also on sale at the back of the church.  

All proceeds towards St Lawrence for Our Time improvement project

Recipe books also on sale after Sunday services at St Leonards, Oakley.

If you would like a number of recipe books (they would make lovely Christmas gifts), or have any queries, please email: friends@oww.church

Watership Down Health: Watership Down Health has a new, main telephone number 0333 034 1033 as part of its service improvements. Please use this telephone number going forward (although the old numbers will still work for some time). When the doctors’ call you, this is the telephone number that will appear. Please add this telephone number to your Safe Call List. Thank you.

Calling all budding detectives and would- be sleuths! The Oakley Pantomime Society presents Murder in the Village Hall. This is your chance to watch the action unfold on stage, while you use your powers of deduction to work out “whodunnit” as well as “whodidn’t.” Plus, you get supper!

September 9th, 8pm at Andover Road Village Hall. £8 to include supper (bring your own drinks)

Tickets are available from Murray Simmons Murraysimmons@hotmail.com or call 782916.

Tiffany Wise

 

Old Basing and Lychpit

This weekend, on Sunday 10th September from 9am-3pm, there will be a Charity Fun Dog Show in Old Basing Village Hall. There will be 14 classes to choose from such as waggiest tail, best junior handler, best trick and lots more. It costs just £5 to enter a dog (cash only) and registration can be either on the day between 9.30am and 10am or online email: sheenagrassi@hotmail.com. This address can also be used if you would like to book a table for your business, again at the bargain price of £5. Emily Scott and Jamie Cole from the Hampshire Vet have kindly agreed to be judges at the event. It promises to be a fun packed day with a raffle, refreshments, a photographer available and dog supplies and services attending. Representatives from Battersea Dogs’ Home will be there hoping to find loving homes for some of their animals. Parking is restricted to disabled badge holders and stall holders so please walk your dog to the event.

Elspeth Lee

 

Sherfield

Sherfield Show:  The 55th Annual Sherfield and District Flower, Produce and Draft Show was last Sunday in the village hall.  TV and Radio Gardening expert, Pippa Greenwood, was the special guest and said how impressed she was with the range, quality and amount of entries, an increase on last year when she was also guest of honour.   

Last Night of the Proms is on Saturday and from 7.30pm there’s entertainment in the village hall.   Soloist Lauren Newman returns to the hall and then there’s the Albert Hall televised from 9pm. Bring your own interval hamper but no BYO, please support the Fundraising Bar and raffle. Smart casual, black tie or Promenader – red, white and blue. Adults £12, children (12yrs and under) £6. Tickets from The Shop or events@sherfieldvillagehall.co.uk. Reserve your table: 01256 880075.

Village Market:  The September market is on Sunday September 17 from 11 till 2pm – local produce, crafts and gifts available as well as the Village café available for refreshments.

Sherfield Beer Festival is only 16 days away on Saturday September 23. Doors open at 12 noon with a vast selection of 40 real ale beers plus a range of ciders and additionally Gin and Prosecco and a cash bar. Freshly cooked food will be available throughout the day.  Entrance by ticket in advance £5 available from local Sherfield Shop. Advance tickets via website Ticketmaster £5.75 or Entrance at the gate on the day £6. A commemorative cup is included with the entrance fee. Live bands providing music entertainment throughout the day until latest 10pm. A free taxi service will operate from the event to Bramley station and Sherfield Park. Hall and garden fully accessible for wheelchairs (Ramp). Polite notice: Please leave your dogs at home.

Chris Horton