The Basingstoke Central_Winter 13-14

The Basingstoke Central Winter 2013-14 1

THE BASINGSTOKE CENTRALCOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 3: WINTER 2013-14

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ► Lauren Thalia, a young star in the making► Overspend on The Malls facelift► Cancer Centre’s £5 million fundraising challenge and much more.

YOUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER Delivering to the communities of Eastrop, Brookvale, Oakridge, South View, the Town Centre and beyond.

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CONTENTS

4-5 BUSINESS UPDATEAn overspend on The Malls and Basingstoke’s poor recycling rate

6-10 LOCAL NEWSCancer centre’s fundraising hopes, Wonderland shut down and we summarise the past three months of local news.

11 BASINGSTOKE IN FOCUSPhotographs of Basingstoke in 2013. All submitted to us from local readers

12 INTERVIEW We speak to raising star Lauren Thalia about her new single and time on Britain’s Got Talent

13 LOCAL TALENT A competition from a fantastic business and local music band

14 CHARITIES Local charity news and events information.

15 ROUNDUPWe’re out and about in Basingstoke to bring you local events, festivals and performances and we round up the latest sports news

GOING GREEN....Should you wish to receive an electronic copy via email and be taken off our distribution list please email your home address and preferred email to [email protected]

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DISCLAIMERS: The information, content and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Basingstoke Central. The Basingstoke Central is independent of any political parties and does not endorse or recommend any of the organisations, services or information listed in this newsletter.

Whilst The Basingstoke Central aims to provide accurate and up to date information we cannot guarantee at any time that all information is up to date and accurate.

Welcome to Issue 3 of The Basingstoke Central. We wish you all a very happy New Year and hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

The New Year brings with it ever popular resolutions such as ‘I’m going to start exercising’. By 10 January 78% of us have already crumbled. Modern day pressures and hectic lifestyles take their toll. Working, household chores and children leave little or no time for family activities, friends and any other hobbies you may have and our New Year’s resolutions make way for all of the other chaos in our lives. Christmas brought flooding to many homes in Basingstoke and surrounding areas and lots of households were left with no power, even on Christmas Day! A nursing home in Vine Road was without power for four days forcing residents to stay in bed to keep warm. The local energy provider managed to provide a generator over Christmas but didn’t connect it to the home until Boxing Day! During this period many roads were also blocked by trees causing dangerous driving conditions.

In 2014 we can already start to look forward to events such as Basingstoke Festival, the Half Marathon and Basingstoke Live. We are also looking forward to seeing some great community projects taking place including those soon to be completed such as the Brookvale Village Hall. Here at The Basingstoke Central we have seen a fantastic number of contributors and advertisers taking interest in our newsletter. We take this as really positive feedback in what we deliver to you. In this edition, we take a look back at 2013 in photos. Photographs have been submitted by both professional and amateur photographers but they have one thing in common, they’re all readers of The Basingstoke Central! We talk to Lauren Thalia, who you may remember from Britain’s Got Talent, who is releasing her first music single. We also roundup all the business and local news for you. We hope you enjoy this issue. The editors.

YOUR LOCAL VOICE

The Basingstoke Central


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ANSWER Buying your first home can be a daunting prospect so we would advise you approach a solicitor as soon as possible so you are aware of all of the fees involved. When buying a new home, most people’s largest asset, you need to be confident that the solicitor you choose is competent to handle your transaction. You need to assess that your solicitor is thorough, offers value for money and is easily accessible for all parties involved to provide a stress-free transaction for you.

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BUSINESS UPDATE

A settlement has been reached between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Wates, over the final costs of the refurbishment of The Malls.

A total of just under £6.5 million has been agreed for the building work on the facelift of the Basingstoke shopping centre which was completed at the end of 2011. Because the final building costs have exceeded the original budget, a report, which will be made available to the public and councillors, has been produced. It is estimated that the project is £1 to 2 million over the original budget. The refurbishment of the shopping centre has included installation of a clear roof canopy, new lighting, toilets, and creating an archway entrance from Basingstoke railway station.

OVERSPEND ON THE MALLS FACELIFT

BLACK DAM ROUNDABOUT TO BECOME A ‘HAMBURGER’Preliminary work has started on the multi-million pound project to revamp the Black Dam roundabout. The project is in preparation for Basingstoke’s first ‘hamburger’.

The works will transform Black Dam roundabout into a fully-signalised junction by creating a dual three-lane carriageway through the centre of the roundabout. The main construction work is scheduled to start in June 2014 and is estimated to last for 36 weeks. The project is located where the M3 spur meets the A339 ring road and the A30. Work will involve realigning the approaches to the roundabout, constructing a retaining wall, installing new traffic signals and dedicated right turning flairs, whilst improving routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

The work is part of a £4.3 million investment from the Government as part of its national Pinch Point Programme - helping to reduce daily congestion, journey times and improve on safety.

The works are seen as key to the regeneration project of Basing View. It is one of only a few redevelopment locations in the South East which benefits from close proximity a town centre and high quality public transport and motorway connections.


EMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE

Despite major businesses like Huawei and MacMillan leaving Basingstoke, employment levels in the borough has risen by 3 per cent over the past year.

Figures show that during 2012/13, 80 per cent of the 110,000 residents in Basingstoke and Deane were in employment, compared with 77 per cent in 2011/12.

NEW STORES OPENED The 138th Dunelm store in the UK was opened at Gaston’s Park, Chineham during November, creating nearly 100 new jobs for people of Basingstoke. Hot on their tails were Lidl, who opened its latest “new generation store” on the same estate. The German retailer has around 600 stores across the UK. Additionally, discount retailer Poundstretcher opened its doors at the Hatch Warren Retail Park this January. The shop unit was previously used by Blockbuster.

DEMOLITION CONTINUESIN BASING VIEW

Built in the 1960s, Scott House has been empty since 2007 and was fast deteriorating with boarded-up parts, broken windows and frequent vandalism.

Demolition of the building has now been completed. Clearing the site has helped to make it more attractive to potential developers. The area could be combined with an adjacent development site to offer a larger empty site. Basing View, which is undergoing a £200 million transformation into a 21st Century business area has already attracted John Lewis and Waitrose. The council will get income from the use of the site for car parking while the site is marketed for potential development.

Want to inform the people of Basingstoke about your business? If you are just starting out or are already a large award winning firm, let us know your latest news: [email protected]

BOTTOM OF THE RUBBISH RECYCLING RATE TABLE

Statistics released in November showed Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) to be the 21st worst council in the UK in terms of percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting.

Such a poor performance is enhanced by taking out the big cities - positioning the authority as the fifth worst for recycling and 23rd worse for waste per household.

Annual figures published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shows that between April 2012 and

March 2013 recycling waste rose to 25 per cent from last year’s figure of 23.95 per cent, a rise of just over 1 per cent.

However, the authority had taken a number of measures to improve recycling and waste management. Whilst maintaining a weekly bin collection, BDBC have introduced kerbside glass recycling and Christmas tree recycling, and more people have signed up for green garden waste than ever before.

The best performing authority in Hampshire continues to be Eastleigh, with a recycling rate of 40 per cent.

Taking a look at neighbouring councils who are performing at the top of the league table, they have introduced the following recycling schemes:• Collecting residents food waste every week

separately from normal waste and turning it into electricity and soil conditioner/compost.

• Removing limits on what we can put in our recycling green bin and allowing residents to recycle yoghurt pots, drink cartons, margarine tubs, small electrical items and batteries.

RECYCLE THE IDEAS


Parklands Hospital in Basingstoke has been told by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to make improvements in care it provides. The CQC spoke to six patients, four relatives and six staff as part of their inspection. Action was deemed necessary in five areas: • respecting and involving people who use the

services • care and welfare of patients of people who use

the services • management of medicines • safety, availability and suitability of equipment • assessing and monitoring the quality of service

provision

The report said while individual care plans and risk assessments detailed the support and care of each patient, they had not been reviewed regularly and did not reflect the most current support needed. Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Parklands, has set out action to make the improvements as well as providing additional training for staff, changes to checklists and altering rotas for the right mix of staff.

PARKLANDS HOSPITAL MUST IMPROVE

Basingstoke Festival is back for a third year with a 2014 programme that aims to be bigger, better and bursting with entertainment for all!

This year we’re looking for even more events to take place between Friday 20 June to Sunday 13 July 2014. The deadline for applications is Friday 14 March 2014.

Created to showcase the wealth of talent and community spirit in the borough, Basingstoke Festival is the first arts and cultural festival of its kind in Basingstoke and Deane.The festival was established in 2012 and saw almost 90 events covering a range of art forms including drama, music, dance, comedy, film and creative arts take place in over 20 venues around the borough.

Enter at www.basingstokefestival.co.uk/page/register

BASINGSTOKE FESTIVAL 2014 - CALL FOR EVENTS

As part of our childhood many of us enjoy outside space at a local park. Unfortunately, disabled children are not catered for in the same way and are not able to enjoy the same simple things which able bodied children do. We have so many parks in the area but none cater for disabled children.

Basingstoke resident, Donna Haynes’ knows more than most the frustration this can cause as her two-year-old daughter Chloe Deeks was left in a wheelchair after suffering inflammation of the brain. Donna has set up a petition via Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s website and set up a Facebook page called Team Chloe to tackle this issue.

To sign the petition, visit petitions.basingstoke.gov.uk/petitions. ti/team.chloe

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said they will not be able to fully consider the petition until it closes in February.

SUPPORTING DISABLED PLAY PARKS

Stagecoach is set to introduce new bus services in Basingstoke. The network is being completely overhauled and many routes replaced. Following extensive research and consultation with customers, Stagecoach is planning to start running the new services from 16 February. It is hoped that the improvements will provide faster routes through the town, better frequency of buses and improved train connections.

The majority of routes will run every eight to 15 minutes during the daytime. Rural routes to Alton, Baughurst, Bramley and beyond will not be affected.

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SUMMARY

The Highways Agency has announced that further sections of the M3 motorway between junctions 6 and 5 will be resurfaced with noise reducing material. This work will be carried out mainly between late August and late September 2014.

SILENCE THE MOTORWAY

Catch up on some of the other headlines from the past three months of Basingstoke news....

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Fu l ly i n s u r e d

For the fourth year in a row, the council tax set by Basingstoke and Deane is to be frozen – and there are plans for a freeze from April 2015 too.

COUNCIL TAX FROZEN

The Roger Morris Centre (formerly Eastrop Community Centre) was reopened in October 2013 after a £280,000 refit and extension.

COMMUNITY CENTRE REVAMP

Basingstoke in Bloom is back for 2014. Volunteers are needed and meet just one evening each month in Basingstoke, and organise the annual competitions across the borough for schools, photographers and gardeners. www.basingstokeinbloom.com

BASINGSTOKE BLOOMS

Small local businesses Black Tie and Neil Moss Photography have been shortlisted as finalists in ‘You and Your Wedding Magazine Retail Bride Awards 2014’ and ‘2014 Wedding Industry Awards’ respectively.

WEDDING AWARDS


CANCER TOUCHES EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN SOME WAY...

FEATURE

A much needed cancer centre is to be built in Basingstoke. The Ark Cancer Centre Charity is raising £5 million towards the project, which will cost a total of £13 million and is anticipated to open in 2016. Chemotherapy treatment is already available in Basingstoke and Winchester but patients have to travel to Southampton or Guildford for radiotherapy. The centre will reduce the travelling time that patients currently have to endure.

The new cancer centre will enhance the care received by patients and their families throughout their treatment. Core cancer treatments together with complementary therapies and support services will be provided in one unique local cancer centre.

The charity wants everyone who visits the cancer centre to feel welcome and relaxed. Patients will not only receive treatment but they will also find peaceful areas to wait with their families before and after treatment.

Many fundraising events have already taken place but you can sign up for many more events which are scheduled to take place in 2014. One event is a sky dive on Saturday 10 May 2014 at Swindon Airfield. Alternatively you may prefer to take part in the cycle from London to Paris, 7 -11 May 2014. For more information or to make a donation, please contact the charity office on 01256 360419 or visit www.arkcancercharity.co.uk

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tailor will point you in the right direction and be 100% honest with you regarding what colours, styles and options are right for you. Be aware that fashion is a fickle thing and that if you think going skinny, skinny, skinny is a good idea then you might be in for a shock when the wide lapels and pleated trousers make a comeback in the next year or two - just keep your eye on Gary Barlow and you’ll notice the wide lapels already!

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By Cllr Laura James Leader of the Labour Group

Happy New Year.

Over the next few months your Labour Councillors will be offering our alternative to the failing Tory Council ahead of elections on 22 May in Basingstoke. We believe it’s time for a change!

High rents continue to force local businesses under in the Town Centre, and yet the Council has not once used its powers to vary Business Rates to help small businesses. Labour would use those powers to help small businesses stay viable securing jobs.

The council have also failed badly when the Malls revamp was budgeted to cost just £4.5m it has actually cost £6.5m. It was the Lab/Lib Dem administration who back in 2005 put £4.5m into the budget to improve the Malls, but it has taken the Tories 7 years to deliver a project of their making and design that they have mismanaged so badly that now after much legal angst with the developer, the taxpayer is picking up a £2m extra bill, nearly half as much again!

We need a fresh start in Basingstoke, you deserve a better Council.

Help us make change happen, join us and be a part of making our town better. Call us on 07968 941 009, email us at [email protected], facebook @basingstokecouncillors.

Promoted by Paul Harvey on behalf of the Basingstoke Labour Party all at the Labour Club, Sandys Road, Basingstoke RG22 6AS. Printed by The Basingstoke Central.

The volunteers of Brookvale Community Association have been working on this project since December 2011.

The main funding has come from Section 106 - money developers have to pay to improve community facilities in the area. There was also a grant from Hampshire County Council to replace the existing windows with double-glazing and to upgrade the kitchen. We decided on extensions at each end of the Hall, along the back - and up! There will be extra rooms that can be hired by small groups and committees, as well as the big main hall.

The whole extension will be to the highest standards of insulation and will include other ideas to reduce our carbon footprint. The first improvement was the installation of the solar panels - they make a real difference to our costs in a time of soaring energy prices! Suntubes will reduce the lighting costs, and South East Water gave a grant towards a rainwater harvesting system.

Work should be completed by March depending on the weather. Then we can start our Community Garden! If anyone wants to help, please just get in touch. NB - many will recognise the proposed clock tower - getting that back into the community is the next project! Brookvale Community Association

To provide support on the Community Garden please visit www.brookvale.org.uk or email: [email protected]

BROOKVALE VILLAGE HALL TAKING SHAPE

SPOTLIGHT


WONDERLAND NIGHTCLUB SHUT DOWN

SPOTLIGHT

The future of the Basingstoke nightclub ‘Wonderland’ is still in doubt after a string of events saw the building locked up and doors changed. A man was arrested in connection with a theft of money from the nightclub on 2 January, and released until 14 February on bail pending further investigation.

This latest news follows a number of questions and rumours circulating its Facebook page stating it was due to open on 10 January with an event called Dirtee Pop despite closing its doors on the weekend of the 3 January.

Since then sightings of people taking stock and equipment from the nightclub have continued to be posted. The nightclub’s sign was also removed from the entrance fuelling further comments in which Facebook users have repeatedly asked the club whether it was closed permanently. Comments have not received a reply.

The locks on the doors have now been changed and with Festival Place (owners of the building) still haven’t heard from the owners about it’s future.

It is only a year ago that two men were involved in another robbery at the nightclub. The two men were jailed in December 2013 for 12 years for their part where the manager was tied up at gunpoint and £10,000 stolen. The stolen money has never been found.

A draft economic master plan for Basingstoke 2033 has been drawn up, setting out an ambitious vision for the next 20 years to ensure a thriving future for all those who live and work in the borough. The plan outlines a number of potential major projects that would benefit the economic growth of the town and would need funding:

• Area wide infrastructure improvements associated with the Manydown housing development. This could be a new secondary school, a new country park and safeguarding the future potential to provide for a western by-pass for Basingstoke, potentially linking M3 Junction 7 to the A339.

• A £5.5 million new railway station at Chineham in Basingstoke, would be dependent on new funding.

• Attracting a business class hotel to Basing View by considering the feasibility of using council funding.

• Superfast broadband development needed for commercial areas, especially for Chineham Park and Basing View.

• Potential regeneration sites within the Top of the Town area that are likely to need some public sector funding.

• Transport system for the town centre needs strategic assessment and remodelling, especially to integrate traffic flow, cycling and pedestrian routes, rail and bus transport.

• The regeneration of the Leisure Park.

Visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/masterplan

20 YEAR PLAN FOR BASINGSTOKE’S SUCCESS

Basingstoke shoppers can now enjoy cut-price coffees and teas at Age Concern Hampshire’s Community Café.

Every Wednesday morning Church Cottage at St Michael’s Church welcomes busy shoppers from nearby Festival Place with a tempting selection of low cost lights meals . A cup of tea or coffee is priced from just 60p. As well as tasty treats, visitors can also benefit from information and advice on health and wellbeing services for over-50s, which include one to one computing tuition and a range of social opportunities.

Community Services Manager, Mark Weston says “Our community café offers a warm and friendly environment where people of all ages can get together. One of our oldest regulars is in his nineties and comes in every week for a chat. We have a great team of volunteers at the café and nobody ever sits on their own for long.” For more information about Basingstoke Community Café call 01256 423874.

IS THIS THE CHEAPEST CUPPA IN BASINGSTOKE?


BASINGSTOKE IN FOCUS

PHOTOGRAPHY

A small review of Basingstoke in 2013. Photographs supplied by professional and amateur photographers, all readers of The Basingstoke Central.

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11 12

SUNSET IN CHINEHAM MAN ABOUT TOWN

ST.MICHAEL’S CHURCH

AUTUMN CROCUSES

CANON, BASING HOUSE

OAKLEY HALL

RIVER LODDON

MILLESTONE MUSEUM

POPPY FIELD (A339) MANDYDOWN ESTATE

EASTROP PARK

BASINGSTOKE BLOOMS

4 6

3 10

1 2

9 12Roy Venkatesh

Tara Bowes Photography

Matthew Payne

5 8 www.neilmossphoto.com

7 11 www.tarranpatterson.co.uk

Have you got some great photos of Basingstoke?Please send them to us at [email protected]


INTERVIEW

A YOUNG STAR IN THE MAKING. We catch up with Lauren Thalia and discover why she’s one of the most talked about youngsters on the music scene.

Lauren Thalia is best known as the confident 12 year old who surprised the nation with her big guitar when she sang solo in front of the judges of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT). Her impressive acoustic renditions of Keri Hilson’s ‘Turn My Swag On’ and Labrinth’s ‘Earthquake’ prompted Simon Cowell to describe her as ‘fearless and very, very cool’.

You came to most people’s attention during BGT in 2012 - why did you apply? I have always loved singing and performing but due to my age it was hard to find gigs and opportunities. Being a fan of the show, I had seen it launch young peoples careers and open up doors and opportunities that wouldn’t ordinarily be achievable to someone of such a young age. I thought it would be a great experience that I could enjoy and learn a lot from, and it would also help me to start performing at bigger and more exciting venues and events after the show.

How was your experience performing on Leona Lewis’ tour? It was honestly incredible; definitely my highlight of 2013. I am so grateful to Leona for the opportunity; it was an honour to be opening for her. I played in multiple arenas, such as the NIA in Birmingham, in front of very large crowds and I remember walking on stage and hearing the applause. It was insane, the crowd were fantastic.

What can we expect from Lauren in 2014? I am really excited! I have so much planned and so much that I want to achieve this year, so it’s going to be a brilliant. I have lots of festivals planned for summer and I am hoping to be supporting a number of other musicians on their tours. I will also be continuing to develop my sound and write more music. That’s something that I’m really looking forward to.

When did you first start performing? I started performing locally from a very young age, at Festival Place, local pubs and parties with my local singing group. Aged nine, I entered ‘Festival Factor’ as a solo act and won the Under 18s category on my tenth birthday. Since then, I got involved in more events outside of Basingstoke but due to my age struggled to find gigs. That is when I thought of entering BGT.

How important have your family been in encouraging you? They’ve been amazing! Ever since I told them I wanted to be a singer, they have done everything they can to help me learn and develop so that I will one day achieve my goal. They are the ones I go to with new song ideas and they will encourage me to keep going, keep practicing, keep writing. They’re the ones who drive me to gigs all over the country. They’re the ones that have to put up with my music playing, 24/7, on full volume! They do so much for me and I hope they know how truly grateful I am to have them.

Who are your musical inspirations? Someone that I have always looked up to, since I was very young, is Hayley Williams (the lead singer of ‘Paramore’). Words cannot describe how incredible she is. I am also a big fan of Florence Welch from ‘Florence And The Machine’ and really look up to Leah McFall. Her voice is insane!

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing? That’s something I struggle to think about as I couldn’t imagine my life without singing. I would probably spend my time learning to play an instrument - to still be involved in something musical as it is what I am passionate about.

What hidden talents do you have? I’m good at walking in ridiculously high platforms. I love shoes and, as I’m very short, the majority of my shoes have a large wedge on them. My favorites have a 10cm platform. I love them so much!

Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics? Yes, I love it so much and have books and books full of old lyrics and song ideas! I am constantly writing and developing my skills. I’m still trying to find my sound! I had some writing sessions with Newton Faulkner (photo top right) which was incredible. I then was lucky enough to support him.

Find out more about Lauren: www.laurenthalia.com

Lauren has released an EP which is now out on ITunes called ‘Wonderland’. It’s under the name ‘Lauren’. She can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks about it so let her know via Facebook (LaurenThalia) or Twitter (@OffLaurenThalia).


CLEVER DADDY

LOCAL TALENT

Clever daddy UK began in Basingstoke in the Summer of 2012 when ‘Mrs’ Clever daddy had spotted some celebrities in the press sporting character bags and wanted one for herself and her daughter for their forthcoming holiday. However, when she went to order them they were out of stock with a long waiting list! Her husband David said he would paint them their own bags himself. He had previously done paintings for his children’s bedrooms but never had an opportunity to develop his talent.

So he ordered some bags online and created a beach bag for his wife with her character and name and a smaller version for his daughter. Mrs Clever daddy then posted the photo to her personal Facebook page and they immediately had people requesting their own character bags and people telling them he should sell them.

By day Clever daddy works full time as a delivery driver for a local wine merchant and by night when the kids are in bed, he paints bags of all different sizes and with different characters. They have shipped bags all over the world and celebrities Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood and BGT impressionist Francine Lewis also have their own CD bags!

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FLASHFIRESFlashFires are Alex Gonzato, Fraser Roskilly, Jon Cullis, Liam Kinslow and Toby Bartlett.

Friends from school in Basingstoke, FlashFires have a unique bond that shines through in their song writing and their live shows. Unrestricted by genre, the band are all music fans with eclectic tastes and are not frightened to take risks and test out different styles and sounds in their compositions.

The band signed up with South Coast independent label Angry Badger Records in May 2013 after catching their attention with the ManShark single in 2012. Plans were quickly put in place to record their debut album and FlashFires set off for J Street Recording Studios in California at the start of September 2013. The band released their first single at the end of 2013 and have a series of shows booked around the South of England. The album is due to follow at the start of 2014 along with a more extensive UK tour.

www. flashfiresofficial.com


Parability was the brain child of local disabled resident Chris Hall who has himself volunteered in the community for both Brookvale Community Association and Shaw Trust.

Having had a disability all his life setting up an organisation like Parability was always Chris’s dream and thanks to the support of Paul Midgley of Drum Runners he was able to realise this dream.

Parability was officially launched in Russell Howard Park on Saturday 5 May 2012 as part of the Daniel Bowler Memorial Trust Fund’s 10th Anniversary. Initially Parability was mainly internet based and its main twitter account now has around 1200 followers.

One thing that remains unchanged is our aims which in summary are:• To encourage everyone to do their best to remain

as fit, active, healthy and independent as possible.• To break down barriers which prevent a society

which is a united human race where everyone is accepted and where everyone takes part in society and helps each other.

Parability is built on the principal aim to include everyone and therefore our ultimate goal is to provide activities for all, we believe in an all inclusive society where everyone has their part to play.

If you would be interested in joining Parability and would like to find out more either visit our website www.parability.org or e-mail our founder Chris Hall at [email protected] or telephone Chris on 07982 925709.

Parability currently relies entirely on its supporters and donations and therefore any help is always gratefully received.

CHARITIES

PARABILITYTHE PINK PLACE

The Pink Place is a charity that aims to assist the well-being of those who are recently diagnosed or within two years of end of treatment for cancer in the North Hampshire area. We offer:• hair services (cuts, blow dry, trims) • complementary therapies (massage, reflexology) • beauty treatments (manicure, pedicure, facials) • counselling • wig services (best prices, free fitting and styling,

wig library, flexible times) All our services are provide free of charge (except wigs sales – Basingstoke & Winchester Hospitals cancer patients can now get £100 towards purchases). We are based at Taylor’s Hair Salon, Wote Street in Basingstoke town centre and are open every Monday 10am-12:30pm for women’s cancers. We are in the process of gaining new premises (opening early 2014) where we plan to open more often and provide our services to men, women and children with any cancer. We are fundraising to help us achieve these plans. If you would like to volunteer we would really welcome new helpers and therapists.

email: [email protected] | call: 07899 970841www.thepinkplace.org.uk

The Pink Place Basingstoke

The Hatch Warren Community Association is a registered charity, run by volunteers from your local community. We rely heavily on your kind support to continue providing services and events for your community. In June 2013 we welcomed a new Chairman to the Association along with 18 fabulous volunteers who have sought to continue the great work the Association has done in our community for the last 25 years. We host a fantastic array of events and classes throughout the year; including weekly Zumba and yoga classes, our highly praised After School Club, theatre trips to London, our famous fireworks extravaganza, our notorious lager festival and much much more! For a full list of what’s on, please visit our User Groups and Events pages on our website at www.hatchwarren.com.

HATCH WARREN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Parability JOINBECOME A MEMBERFor more information, and to download our membership form please visit our website or telephone 01256 811 262.


Visit The Vyne for on 22 - 23 February for a weekend celebrating our beautiful woodland spaces. Learn about traditional skills, such as coppicing, fire-lighting, wood turning and besom broom-making from our talented volunteers and staff. Bring the kids along to play in the activities corner and tick off some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4’. Normal admission applies.

Manydown Easter Lambing: 29 March - 20 April - newborn lambs, hold chicks and bunnies whilst watch the lambs being bottle-fed.

Basingstoke Gangshow 2014An action packed journey of song, dance and laughter. Our enthusiastic cast of local 70 Scouts and Guides are busy as rehearsals get in full swing! The young talented cast have been set the tasks of learning lines and dance moves. Whilst the cast and production team are working on the performance there’s a small army of volunteers working on scenery, costumes and many more!

The show will be on from the 13- 22 February 2014. Tickets are on sale now- buy tickets and support the amazing local talent in your area. Adult tickets are £15 and children’s tickets cost £10. Concessions are available and an £1 booking fee applies to each ticket.

Take a look at the website www.basingstokegangshow.co.uk

ROUNDUP

Spring Craft Fayre: 16th March at Hatch Warren Community Centre. Buy some locally produced crafts in time for Mothers’ Day.

CarFest 2104: Held at Laverstoke Park Farm, from 22-24 August - more tickets will be available in the Spring from www.carfest.org

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Jane Auten House Museum A ring once owned by Jane Austen (see issue 2 of The Basingstoke Central) will go on display at her Hampshire home for the first time on Valentine’s Day.The turquoise and gold specimen was acquired by the Jane Austen House Museum after a mammoth fundraising effort. US singer Kelly Clarkson had bought the ring at auction in 2012, after it had been in the Austen family for 200 years, but it was subject to a temporary export ban.

- Clinic and mobile appointments available- A fully accredited and insured member of the ISRM and SMA and experienced working with amateur, professional and elite athletes. Soft tissue therapy is the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is applicable not just to sports people but to anybody wishing to guard against or recover from a soft tissue injury or general aches and pains.

Jenine NugentLSSM(DIP) MSMA MISRM

Remedial Soft Tissue & Sports Massage Therapist

07738 784 098 | [email protected]

Jenine-Nugent-Remedial-Soft-Tissue-Therapy

JenineNugent

Oakley Bowling Club were voted as the 2013 Bowls England Drakes Pride Club of the Year. Judges praised the club’s successful recruitment of 50 new members, fundraising campaigns and improvements to their facilities. The club will now face the Bowls England President’s team next year.

BOWLED OVER WITH AWARD

SPORT

Young snooker star Mickey Joyce set a new record in Hampshire’s Premier Junior Snooker League, becoming the youngest ever double champion at the age of 10. Mickey won both age groups (under-13 and 18s) in the same season.

SNOOKER JOY FOR YOUNG JOYCE

Basingstoke’s Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy won 17 medals from the recent Kyoji Kai tournament in London. The event is one of many ranking competitions in the country that competitors look to impress, in order to be selected as part of the England National Karate squad, which is drawn from many different karate styles and associations. The academy’s team returned to north Hampshire with five gold medals, three silver and nine bronze.

MEDAL HAUL FOR MARTIAL ARTS

© Simon Quinton

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Documents

The Basingstoke Central_Winter 13-14