Every week and in every edition of the Gazette, we include community news from around Basingstoke and surrounding villages.
Cliddesden
I must say that I always find the titles of the Cliddesden Player productions most intriguing, and this year is no different: A Little Wooden Boy (Who is Not Pinocchio!) will be performed on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th December at 8pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. (Having said this, please be advised that the Saturday evening has now sold out). It is advertised as being suitable for everyone who would like lots of laughs, a good night out and a “magical start to the festive season”.
The premises are licensed and a card machine available for you to make your refreshment purchases using a card. However, it is requested that, in order to help keep transaction costs down, you bring cash. This would be much appreciated.
Tickets are £10 per adult and children aged two-15 are £5. Please contact Jo Capehorn to place your order and find out how to pay; please also notify her of any mobility difficulties or access requirements (events@cliddesdenhall.org.uk or 07528856157).
Helen Walker
Hatch Warren and Beggarwood
Winchester Road Consultation: On 27th November the county council will open a public and stakeholder engagement exercise on proposals for a cycling and walking corridor along the A30 Winchester Road. This follows on from the consultation on the first phase of the proposals, which covered the section of the route from Brighton Hill Roundabout to Winchester Road Roundabout. This next engagement will cover the sections from Winchester Road Roundabout towards the town centre and from Brighton Hill Roundabout towards Hatch Warren. The objective is to identify where people have problems walking and cycling along the corridor, and will feed into the design engagement next year. Views will be captured online, and there will also be two in-person workshops on the 30 November and 6 December. Further information on time & venue are available on the scheme webpage at A30 and South West Corridor Basingstoke - Active Travel | Transport and roads | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)
Christmas Market: The Community Association has published on its website a list of the traders who will be attending the market on 26th November. Over 30 organisations have signed up plus, for the first time, a Pony Carriages Hire business. Father Christmas will be there as well, of course. This is always an event worth attending.
New Hospital Consultation: I attended a meeting in the Hatch Warren Community Centre at which the audience was told that the consultation on the new hospital location will start by the end of the year. I pointed out that it could coincide with the Christmas period and was assured that the consultation would be lengthened to take that into account.
Warehouses at Junction 7: Newlands held a public exhibition this week about their revised plans for warehouses on the Oakdown Farm site near Junction 7. This is the third proposal that they are putting forward for the land, the first two having being turned down. The new application will be for six buildings, two of which will be 'semi-detached' units, giving eight warehouses in all. The planning application is expected in the next couple of weeks.
After School Club: This is the last week of the After School Club at the Hatch Warren Community Centre, which had become uneconomic to continue. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard for our children - the sight of the 'walking bus' after school will be missed!
Stephen Reid
Kempshott
Kempshott WI meets in the Village Hall on Monday 27th at 2.30pm for an interactive afternoon. Lady visitors are welcome to experience the unique blend of education and friendship which characterises the WI. Members enjoyed a skittles game and a fish and chip lunch at the Conservative Club recently, with a Christmas lunch at BCoT in the offing, not to mention the festive meeting in December, there’s a lot to join in with. Kempshott Robins, the music and memories group, meets on Wednesday 29th in the Community Room of the Hall at 1.30pm. This will be the last meeting of 2023 as there are none in December but the group will be back in the New Year.
Diana Manville
Oakley
From now on the CAS Youth Cafe will be held at a new location, The Methodist Church by the pond. Please can you let your children know if they usually attend. Previously held at the amazing Jolly Ollys Cafe, it is today starting at this new location, which promises to bring even more fun and unforgettable moments for our young people.
A spokesperson added: We want to thank Jolly Ollys Cafe for their incredible support in hosting until now.”
Here are the details you need to know:
New Location: Methodist Chapel by the village Pond. Time: Same as before, 3:30-5pm
Prepare for even more exciting activities, games, and opportunities to connect with fellow students! Whether your passion lies in board games, chats over hot chocolate, or simply enjoying the company of friends, this after school hangout spot is the perfect place for you!
Carols at Oakley Manor 6th December (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 funds for the Basil Fisher Foundation. We will be selling tickets at Jolly Ollys on Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd November, from 1pm to 2.30pm (grab a coffee or a treat from the café while you wait!) Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children aged 5 and over (no under 5’s please). Cash only, correct money please.
Oakley Outdoor Christmas Market. 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
Annie’s Orphans Oakley: Christmas raffle tickets now on sale - win yourself a food hamper! Tickets 50p a strip. winning tickets drawn on Saturday 23rd December. We have plenty of Christmassy items in the shop - new gift selections, secret Santa presents, fancy dress, partyware. Look forward to seeing you!
Update from Oakley Bowling Club from Spencer Kerley: Nineteen members from Oakley have just returned from a very enjoyable five-day break playing at the Dorset Golf and Bowls resort as part of Bowls Hampshire's 10th mini tour to the Dorset. So popular is this tour that of the 61 people attending most were return visitors and as usual, the accommodation, food and hospitality was first class. It was a successful week for the Oakley rink of Mary and Terry Varndell and Barbara and Bob Goodyear which, for the second successive year won the tournament with their only defeat coming to another Oakley rink skipped by Hugh Aherne. The Presentation evening saw prizes being awarded to the tournament winners and to those who had participated in the putting and wedge bowling competitions which raised £140 for Kay, the organiser's, chosen charity, the Alzheimer's Society. The evening concluded with Past President Maxeen Fletcher making a presentation to Kay for organising the event.
Tiffany Wise
Old Basing and Lychpit
The next public meeting of the Friends of Lychpit Hall will be on Sunday 26th November from 10.30am until 12.30pm in Lychpit Community Hall. All are welcome to attend and if you have any questions or items to discuss please contact lychpitcra.secretary@gmail
Tickets for the Sunday performance of The Tail of Dick Whittington in Old Basing Village Hall are now sold out. But, at the time of writing, tickets are still available for the Saturday performances on 25th November at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Don’t delay if you would like to be there. Contact igfkershaw@btinternet.com or phone 01256 355500 for tickets.
The final event of the year at Basing House is the Annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November. It takes place in the Great Barn from 11am to 4pm on both days. The barn will be decorated to ensure a truly festive shopping experience with dozens of stalls selling a range of produce. There will also be a WI stall offering crafts, cakes, bakes, jams and preserves and a wonderful raffle.
On Saturday the English civil War Society will be in attendance no doubt making bangs and crashes and on Sunday the Mill Cottage Farm Experience will take along Nativity animals.
Refreshments will be available on both days.
Please, park at Bartons Mill to avoid congestion in The Street.
For further details search Basing House and follow the ‘What’s On’ dropdown menu.
Also on Saturday 25th November, the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion are also holding a Christmas Fayre from 2pm in the Jack Morris Hall. There will be a variety of stalls selling jewellery, Christmas presents, books, jigsaws, tombola, bric-a-brac and a there will also be a special visit from Father Christmas. Refreshments will be available and, at the time of writing, tables are available at just £15. Please contact Sue on 01256 427172 after 6pm. All proceeds from this event will go to the Royal British Legion Benevolent Fund.
Elspeth Lee
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here