Every week and in every edition of the Gazette, we include community news from around Basingstoke and surrounding villages.
Hatch Warren and Beggarwood
Brighton Hill Roundabout: There will be some daytime closures on Western Way in order to undertake final activities for traffic signal connections and line marking. Today (Thursday 2nd) and tomorrow (Friday 3rd November), the contractor will need to implement a full road closure of Western Way from 9am with the road reopening each day at 4pm. The work is being carried out during the day because it is likely to be noisy. Full access to properties and businesses will be maintained throughout the closure.
A30 Closures: Just a reminder that the overnight road closures between the Holly Blue and the Hounsome Fields roundabout are scheduled to run from yesterday (1st November) to tomorrow (Friday 3rd November). With good weather conditions the work will be finished on time or maybe a little early. The objective is to lay better road markings, including studs, at the entrance to the Golf Course development. The improvements were called for by an independent road safety auditor.
Fireworks Spectacular: The Hatch Warren fireworks display takes place on Saturday 4th November, one of the best shows in the area. It can be loud, so please make sure that pets are offered safe locations where they wont be frightened. For people who park in the Lidl car park, it is worth remembering that the gates are locked at 10.30pm. Fingers crossed for a dry evening!
St Mark's School Christmas Fair is being held on 25th November between 12noon and 3pm. This is always a vibrant event, as is the Christmas Market at the Hatch Warren Community Centre the following day (26th November). This promises the presence of many local traders (30 or more), refreshments and, of course, Father Christmas. It runs from 12 noon until 4pm.
Stephen Reid
Kempshott
The successful Quiz Night at the Village Hall last weekend raised a goodly sum for the Breast Cancer Self-help Group. The Carers’ Support Group run by Andover Mind meets at the Rugby Club on Friday, the first Friday of the month, from 11am till 1pm.
You probably saw the advert in the Kempshott Kourier for Kempshott Robins, the group at the Village Hall which meets every other Wednesday afternoon, using music to help those with memory difficulties. It’s one of the activities of Kempshott Daytime Club which has coffee mornings on Wednesday and Friday at 10.30am. If you know of anyone who would enjoy sociable company as we move towards winter, encourage them towards the Community Room of the Village Hall.
Diana Manville
Oakley
A Fireworks Display will take place on Sunday, 5th November at Newfound Sports Ground. Gates open at 5pm, with fireworks starting at 6pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £3 for children. Tickets can be bought from Eventbrite, no tickets will be available on the night. No parking and people are advised to bring a torch.
Oakley Outdoor Christmas Market will take place Saturday 25th November 1.30-3.30pm in St. John’s Field, off St John’s Road. Book your free pitch now at office@oww.church.
Christmas without a TOPS Panto? Unthinkable! So, come along to The Oakley Pantomime Society’s extravaganza, SuperPan. This is pantomime, cabaret style! Contact murraysimmons@hotmail.com (tel 782916) for more information.
Tiffany Wise
Old Basing and Lychpit
The Ivy Club is organising a coach outing to the Salisbury Christmas Market on Tuesday 5th December. The coach leaves Old Basing at 9am with various pick-up points then leaves Salisbury at 3.30pm. There will be plenty of time to explore the city, visit the market and enjoy a leisurely lunch. The cost is £16 per person and there are still some seats available. Please contact Sue Wilson on 01256 328196 if you are interested in joining the visit.
Old Basing WI will meet on Tuesday 7th November at 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms of St Mary’s Church. The guest speaker this month is Jill Bentall whose talk is entitled "How to Grow Old Disgracefully!" All are welcome.
Home Instead will be holding a free Scam Workshop in Old Basing to raise awareness of common fraud and scams. The session will be held in the Pavilion Tea Room on Thursday 9th November from 11.30am to 12.30pm. The workshop aims to give participants a better understanding of current scams and frauds and how to avoid them and contact details of organisations that can help in case you should inadvertently become a victim of fraud. Refreshments will be provided.
The Trading Hut at the allotments in Riley Lane will be open for just two more Sundays this year on 5th November and 3rd December from 11am until noon on both dates.
Elspeth Lee
Sherfield
Sherfield Allotments held a Pumpkin Day on October 21. Dan says: “The weather was not kind to us but visitors enjoyed watching Charlie doing a brilliant demonstration of pumpkin carving and tasting the Pumpkin and Squash Soup, not to mention the delicious home baked cakes. We raised £175 to go towards the maintenance of the allotments and a big thank you to all involved.”
Poppies will be on sale outside The Coffee Shop for the next two Saturdays, November 4 and 11. As well as the new style poppies (paper) there are pin badges, pencil sharpeners and rubbers, wrist bands and much more.
Loddon Lillies on Saturday: The Loddon Lilies held their Halloween Party at Sherfield on Loddon Village Hall and what a success it was! Jan says: “Guests outdid themselves in showing amazing novelty, innovation and originality with their Halloween outfits and costumes.
“This annual event is where The Loddon Lilies finalise their fundraising year and announce their new charity to support over the next 12 months. A cheque for £5,500 was handed over to Basingstoke and District Young Carers, this amount did include a generous donation from Sherfield on Loddon Fete Committee. Our new focus for 23/24 will be Tadley Elderly Day Care Centre (Charity no: 1192821).”
Next up for the Lilies will be our annual Santa’s Grotto at The White Hart, Sherfield on Loddon on Sunday, December 10.
Chris Horton
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