Archive
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Jordan's aim is Crystal clear
PORTSMOUTH coach Joe Jordan has highlighted Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace as a game fraught with danger which could define the team's ambitions for the rest of the season. A run of four unbeaten games in the Premiership came to an unfortunate end on
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Shane is relishing new Test
HAMPSHIRE captain Shane Warne will take on Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday in his first Boxing Day Test for three years. Test cricket's greatest wicket-taker missed the past two Tests on his home ground through injury and suspension
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Hants new boy is shaken by Oz nightmare
HAMPSHIRE new boy Sean Ervine has confessed he has had to start "all over again" after his first taste of Australian domestic cricket turned into a nightmare. The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract to play for Hampshire under the Kolpak ruling, starting
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Manpower lands £6m county council deal
RECRUITMENT giant Manpower has landed a lucrative £6m contract to handle the supply of all temporary staff to Hampshire County Council. The local authority claims the three-year deal will save taxpayers at least £250,000 in the first year, with more savings
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Testbank wins US praise
THE US Army, which runs logistical operations from the Waterside, has given a certificate of appreciation to a ship repair firm that built a 150-ton slipway cradle. Testbank, based at Southampton's Western Docks, used as many local contractors and suppliers
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Dire Straits legend loses planning battle
A ROCK legend living in the New Forest has lost his battle with planning chiefs to convert part of his new mansion. Mark Knopfler, the multi-millionaire frontman of Dire Straits, wanted to turn the loft into a nursery after the birth of his fourth child
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College gears up for bright future
A LANDMARK lab has opened at a Basingstoke college - and the star guest was a true champion. The 2003 British touring car champion Rob Collard was the VIP guest at the opening of the new autolab at BCOT. The state-of-the-art AT2000 Autolab at the college
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Tales From The Arabian
SINCE opening in November, Forest Forge Theatre Company's latest production, Tales from the Arabian Nights, has proved a big hit with audiences throughout the South. And there's still plenty of time to see this glittering slice of fantasy and dance with
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Pantomime performances
What's on in panto-land this year. IT'S that time of year again when men dress up as ladies and some poor bloke draws the short straw and has to play the back end of a horse! Still it wouldn't be Christmas without the customary cross-dressing and thigh-slapping
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CHRISTMAS MIRACLES
SHE only wanted one thing for Christmas - but never believed she would get it. When Hampshire woman Emma Hassell mysteriously lost her hearing earlier this year doctors could offer no explanation and the 21-year-old was left frightened and frustrated.
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Advice on winter bug
DOCTORS today issued advice about dealing with a winter bug which led to the closure of six wards at Southampton General Hospital and Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital. The Norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, is nasty but short-lived
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White Christmas?
THE likelihood of Hampshire seeing a white Christmas has increased, say the nation's weather experts. With just 24 hours until the big day, forecasters say the chances of seeing a dusting of the white stuff has significantly improved on predictions from
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Airport bosses predict big Christmas getaway
SOUTHAMPTON airport bosses are predicting some 20,000 passengers will have passed through the departure gates by Boxing Day as the great Christmas getaway gets underway. The exodus started at the beginning of this week and by next week the airport estimates
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Wessex Trains tops punctuality table
WESSEX Trains have welcomed news from the Strategic Rail Authority that it is the most punctual train operator in the South West. Figures out this week show that between July and September, Wessex Trains achieved an overall performance figure of 85.2
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Knights rule supreme with their fantastic lights
IT'S official - this eye-catching home is the most festive in the region. Linda Knight, 62, and husband Bob collected their top prize of £300 Haskins vouchers from store manager Darren Goldsworthy yesterday. The pensioners transformed their semi-detached
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Pantomime treat for hospice patients - oh yes it is!
HAMPSHIRE charities are to receive free tickets to see the spectacular version of Peter Pan currently running at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre. Patients from hospices across the county will be given the chance to see Big Brother's Nadia Almada in action
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Happy to help at Christmas
WHILE most people are opening their presents and tucking into their Christmas lunches to-morrow, Collingbourne Ducis resident Mary Bayfield will be spending her day voluntarily helping others. Mary has undertaken voluntary work at the Countess of Brecknock
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Couple dupe pensioner out of £400
ANDOVER police are appealing for help to identify a man and woman they would like to interview about a distraction burglary. The burglary took place in Ragged Appleshaw on Monday when a pensioner lost more than £400. The 74-year old victim was in her
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Whirlybird santa
CHOPPERED in from the North Pole, Santa Claus put a smile on the face of every Balksbury Infant School pupil at the end of term. The white-whiskered visitor brought presents for the children in a festive sack and asked the youngsters what they wanted
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Reunited with stolen goods
JUST in time for Christmas, an Andover woman has been reunited with the contents of a handbag stolen a year and a half ago. Manuela Critchlow was 'absolutely ecstatic' when she received a phone call from the police station telling her a filofax, driving
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Gordon Haskell
FOUR years ago Gordon Haskell was making a living strumming a guitar down at his local in Dorset. Then he borrowed £200 to record a song that not even the bravest of punters would have bet on being a Christmas hit. Thanks to a bit of plugging from Radio
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Just for fun, a winter wonderland
AN Andover couple have decorated their house for the 13th year running, just for the enjoyment of others. Charlie and Shirley Ford, of Mead Road turned their home into a Christmas wonderland for the pleasure of passersby and to raise money for the British
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Phill's getting on with life
SWEET 16 truly was a landmark birthday for Weyhill teenager Phill Mayer yesterday as he celebrated over a special meal surrounded by family and friends. Throughout the last six months the Andover Advertiser has followed the progress of Harrow Way schoolboy
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Bramley
CHURCH services: Today, at 5pm, there will be a carols and crib service at St James' and Midnight Communion at 11.30pm. Tomorrow, there will be a 9am Communion (1662), and at 10.30am a Parish Communion. On Boxing Day, there will be Matins at 10.30am.
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Chineham
DEVELOPMENT: Most Chineham residents look upon the intensification of housing in the area as generally a bad thing. However, it does bring the modest benefit of some extra money to improve local facilities. Such developments as the replacement of the
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Dummer
DUMMER Village Hall: The committee has come up with some really innovative ideas for 2005 to ensure that the hall will be updated for disabled users. The first is a speed dating evening. This will be held on February 4, so all you Mark Darcys and Bridget
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Hook
CHRISTMAS Eve at last: As the shops close we can settle down to some peace and calm, and focus on the real meaning of Christmas. There will be traditional services in all of Hook's churches, starting today with a crib service for all the family at St
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Kempshott
KEMPSHOTT schools: Held a number of events over the two weeks before the Christmas term finished. The infant school held Christmas plays and parties for the children and the junior school held a production that was well attended by parents and visitors
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Oakley
A VERY merry Christmas to all Oakley readers. PLEASE note: The One Stop in Oakley will not be open on Christmas Day this year, but will be open from 7am until 7pm on Boxing Day and 8am until 8pm on New Year's Day. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve have
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Oakridge/South View
MERRY Christmas everyone: I hope everyone is ready for some serious festive celebrations. If so, be careful, don't drink and drive, cool your tempers, remember it's Christmas, peace and goodwill to all, and treat others how you wish to be treated yourself
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Old Basing
WALKING: I mentioned last week that this Christmas is all about walking. Sunday will see the Boxing Day walk, organised by the parish council, but then on Tuesday, there is another that is called a "Gut Buster". This is not an actual walk but nevertheless
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Pamber Heath
OLD Tyme Music Hall: An evening of great music, jokes and fun was had by everyone on December 11, at Pamber Heath Village Hall. The four performers entertained us for over two hours and had the audience joining in with the songs and jokes. We all went
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Rotherwick
A CHRISTMAS wish... From the 16th century: "There is nothing I can give you which you do not have, but there is much that, while I cannot give it, you can take. "No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. "Take Heaven. "No peace
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Sherfield-on-Loddon
BEER Festival: Beer was flowing at the village hall last Saturday, when Pete Francis held the first Sherfield Beer Festival. With lagers and beers from around the world, such delights as "Robin's Revenge", "St Nick" and "Keel Over" were very popular with
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Thanks for sporting effort to boost rugby club funds
Sir.-On behalf of Basingstoke rugby club, I would like to thank The Gazette for its enormous support for our Stand Up 4 'Stoke campaign. The rugby club calendar, with pictures taken by Gazette staff, has now sold approximately 2,000 copies and continues
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Don't blame county council
Sir.-Scottish and Southern Energy has been working in Basingstoke since September laying cables from Jays Close to the main electricity substation on Ringway East. There is a common misconception that these works are being carried out by Hampshire County
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Hunts 'are no longer useful'
Sir.-I would like to thank Joe Robertson for his letter in last Friday's Gazette, regarding fox hunting ban. For a change, I am in agreement with him on this issue. I expect that he, like me, will decline this kind invitation from Luke Axel-Berg (in the
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Donation is appreciated
Sir.-On behalf of everyone at ICE, I wish to thank Val Bacon, daughters Sarah and Karen and all their family for thinking of ICE during the recent sad loss of Biff Bacon. Instead of flowers at the funeral, donations were requested to ICE and we have received
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Never mind the quality!
SPIRIT and effort are not problems in the Saints camp, according to Harry Redknapp. After last week's drubbing at Tottenham, Redknapp didn't hold back in his assessment of his team's performance. But he is keen to stress it is the quality of the squad
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2004 - a shocker
IT'S been a shocking year for Saints on and off the field. And nothing illustrates the on-field struggles more than the graphic above showing Premiership teams' results since Boxing Day 2003. In the 12 months between then and now, Saints have only picked
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England progress for 'Stoke player
A TALENTED teenage rugby star from Basingstoke RFC has advanced his claims for an England under-18 team place. Simon Humberstone helped London and the South East to overall victory in the inaugural England under-18 divisional festival at Castlecroft,
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NATIONAL TREASURE (PG)
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, should take John Turteltaub's family adventure as a huge compliment. The film's screenwriters, Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley, have begged,
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WITHOUT A PADDLE (12A)
WHEN their old childhood friend Billy (Anthony Starr) dies, doctor Dan (Seth Green), insurance executive Jerry (Matthew Lillard) and pathological liar Tom (Dax Shepard) return to their hometown for the funeral. Little has changed in the intervening years
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CINEMA LISTINGS
Films showing in the Hampshire region until 30th December. ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA(12): The hugely-successful stage musical fails to hit quite as many high notes in this big-screen version. BAD SANTA (15): Every year a couple of
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Show support for an old English tradition
IF YOU'RE looking for something different to do on Boxing Day, why not support one of England's oldest traditions - the Crookham Mummers play? The play, which lasts about 20 minutes, will be performed in Crookham village - outside the George and Lobster
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Cottage's view is a Christmas tree-t
CHRISTMAS trees stretch as far as the eye can see at Rosewood Cottage - and they are there all year round. Rosewood Cottage is surrounded by farmland at its rural location in Popham, near Basingstoke, and one of its views is of a Christmas tree farm.
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Bison captain aims to win fitness battle
BASINGSTOKE Bison captain Shawn Maltby is facing a race against time to be fit in time for his side's home clash against Elite League leaders Cardiff Devils on Boxing Day. The Canadian forward is still suffering with a hand injury he picked up in the
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Credit where it's due!
PAUL Doswell reckons the Eastleigh management team have not had the credit they deserve for leading the side to third place. Unlike Monday's visitors, Salisbury City (12 noon kick-off), the Sparshatts Stadium club have quickly made themselves at home
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Bashley need their home life to be a bit over the top
BASHLEY are in desperate need of some festive home comfort in Monday's 'Boxing Day' derby against Newport IoW (3pm). Although the Foresters have performed superbly on the road this season, winning seven out of 11 on their league travels, the Recreation
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National Treasure (PG)
WHEN I stepped into the cinema to watch National Treasure, I had visions of a 21st century version of Raiders of the Lost Ark in my head - and, I'm sorry, but Nicolas Cage as Indiana Jones just doesn't work. You may be asking "why the Indiana Jones image
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House of Flying Daggers (15)
IT'S 859AD and China's fading Tang Dynasty is locked in conflict with rebel groups, primarily the mysterious House Of Flying Daggers. Tang captains Leo and Jin are charged with capturing the house's new leader, and suspect that a young dancer at the Peony
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In Port
Today's Principal Arrivals: Autofreighter, roro, 0030, 203; Season Trader, refrigerated, 0130, 104; P&O Nedlloyd Genoa, container, 0230, 204; Dart 2, roro, 0530, 30; Le Castellet, roro, 1000, 105. Today's Principal Sailings: Koh Jin, vehicle, 0500
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Recycling award winner
ONYX in Hampshire has scooped a Composting Association award for its involvement in a green waste recycling partnership. The waste company has been producing an award-winning, peat-free soil conditioner from grass cuttings and garden waste for the last
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£1m Transit contract
HAMPSHIRE business services group office2office is updating and expanding its vehicle fleet in a three-year £1m deal with Ford. The company, which has a full listing on the London Stock Exchange, will take delivery of 56 new Ford vans each year for the
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Credit where it's due!
PAUL Doswell reckons the Eastleigh management team have not had the credit they deserve for leading the side to third place. Unlike Monday's visitors, Salisbury City (12 noon kick-off), the Sparshatts Stadium club have quickly made themselves at home
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Bashley need their home life to be a bit over the top
BASHLEY are in desperate need of some festive home comfort in Monday's 'Boxing Day' derby against Newport IoW (3pm). Although the Foresters have performed superbly on the road this season, winning seven out of 11 on their league travels, the Recreation
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Horse Racing: Dry conditions will suit Desailly
DESAILLY will be bidding to give trainer Jonathan Geake some much needed cheer when he tackles the Welsh National at Chepstow on Tuesday - weather permitting. Geake, who recently took over the Kimpton Down yard from father-in-law Toby Balding, has revealed
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Darts: County pair off to the Circus!
OVER-INDULGENCE comes after Christmas for fans of the oche when a feast of darts hits the television screens for a fortnight. Sky Sports kick off the action on Boxing Day as the Professional Darts Corporation toe the line on the outskirts of east London
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Table Tennis: McBeath's England debut is victorious
IT WAS a long wait, but for the first time in 40 years a Southampton table tennis player was selected to play for England. David McBeath, from the city's Waterside club, turned out for the national under-13 side against Wales at Cardiff's Welsh Institute
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Tae Kwon Do: Medal haul for Southampton youngsters
SOUTHAMPTON Tae Kwon Do Academy held a successful tournament at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Sholing when Southampton youngsters won 21 gold, 22 silver and 35 bronze medals. Other tae kwon do schools participating were Reading, Basingstoke, Aldershot
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Helping to recruit new staff
BUSINESSES across the South East are reaping the benefits of a new service from Jobcentre Plus to help them recruit and retain staff. A specially-trained manager will now provide a link with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure they make
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The best present of all for Daniel
EIGHT-year-old Daniel Hartley from Romsey will be spending Christmas in isolation in a London hospital - after receiving the best present possible. Daniel, pictured above, is still in Great Ormond Street Hospital after a life-saving bone marrow transplant
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Gift of Christmas
HE is Southampton's very own Father Christmas. Charity boss Chris Davis has handed out nearly 10,000 gifts to some of the poorest children. It means 1,500 youngsters living in poverty almost unimaginable in affluent Hampshire will be waking up tomorrow
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Festive cards draw in the praise
DIDN'T they do well! Scores of children put pen to paper to take part in our Design a Christmas Card Competition. From robins and reindeer to Santas and snowmen, youngsters have been doing their best to win a host of top goodies in time for the festive
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Raid nets MP3 players
ANDOVER detectives are hunting a team of masked robbers who carried out a daring raid on a warehouse stealing about £150,000 worth of MP3 players and other electronic goods. The raiders struck between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Thursday 16 December, at a West
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Festive market fun
THE message was simple - thank you to the people of Andover from all the traders of Andover Charter Market. Their gift was a family fun day on Saturday with free rides and Miss Christmas giving away mulled wine and mince pies. "What with the chaos that
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Youngsters go a-carolling
FESTIVE spirit was thick in the air as Rookwood pupils had a good old singsong around the Christmas tree. Before wrapping up another school term, the pupils got together to sing some well-loved Christmas carols. Parents and teachers went along to enjoy
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Auditor praises council
TEST Valley Borough Council is a 'good council and will improve' according to a report by the district auditor. The report says that the council delivers some high quality services in key areas and residents are 'satisfied' with its work. And while Test
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Community centre one step nearer reality
A MASSIVE building should dominate the centre of Tidworth and become the heart of the community in just a few years from now. Interested parties were shown a virtual reality vision of the new community centre building that is being planned to replace
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Gig guide
What's coming to the South in the New Year. The Killers will headline the hottest tour of the year when the ShockWaves NME Awards Tour 2005 kicks off next month including a stint at the Guildhall in Southampton in February. The Futureheads, Bloc Party
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High Street tills ring out for Christmas
FEARS that Andover's revamped High Street sounded the death knell for shoppers have been proved wrong in the run-up to Christmas. The Chantry Centre and High Street traders have reported strong sales this week as festive shoppers pick up last-minute presents
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Town take a break
ERNIE Howe is glad that a nine-day break from Nationwide South action will give his walking wounded players time to recuperate ahead of their challenging festive double-header with Maidenhead United. After the recent punishing fortnight schedule of Monday
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Brighton Hill
A PUBLIC meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday, January 27, 2005, at The Dome Youth Centre, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke. The purpose of the meeting is to pass a resolution to dissolve the charity known as BHYNKRED. All are invited to attend. For further
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Ellisfield/Farleigh
HEARTFELT wishes for the merriest Christmas and most prosperous and successful New Year to everyone in our two villages. FESTIVITIES: Are well under way, with the Ellisfield Ladies' carol singing around the impressive new crib outside St Martin's. It
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Hatch Warren
CHRISTMAS at St Mark's Primary: As always, the last week of term before Christmas was an exciting time for the children of St Mark's Primary School. The children performed Our Christmas Card to You to their parents, as well as having parties at school
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Kingsclere
CHURCHES at Christmas: We have a lot of services this weekend. Those at St Mary's start, today, with the United Service at 11.30am, and is followed by the Blessing of the Crib at 4pm and, finally, Midnight Communion at 11.30pm. Christmas Day starts with
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Silchester
CHRISTMAS Eve: Don't forget the crib service in the parish church today, at 5.30pm. This is especially for the younger children, when the crib will be dressed and the kings will be seen in the distant south porch window. CHRISTMAS Day: There is a service
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Tadley
HAPPY Christmas to you all from Amanda, myself and family. I hope that you have a wonderful, safe and enjoyable time and please remember don't drink and drive. Walk, get a taxi, ask a non-drinking friend but don't get behind that wheel. If you are in
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Road is like a rollercoaster
Sir.-With reference to the letters on road repairs between Jays Close and Grove Road, Basingstoke, I would like to know when someone will be back to finish off the job properly. I, and hundreds of office workers, use these roads daily. Driving along Jays
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Concern over bus shelters
Sir.-With regard to bus shelters and litter. It would be interesting to know which "brain of Britain" - or, in this case, Basingstoke - designed the new glass/stainless steel bus shelters erected around Winklebury? Excuse me! Glass? Every bus shelter
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Call to join in annual meet
Sir.-The Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks Hunt will be holding the traditional Boxing Day meet on Monday, at 11am, at the Horse and Groom, in Mortimer. We would like to offer a very warm welcome to the whole community to come to the meet and
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Redknapp has his loan targets already lined up
HARRY REDKNAPP is aiming to hit the ground running as soon as the transfer window opens. The St Mary's boss has laid bare his plans to bring in five players on loan or free transfers if he can. But, with the predicament Saints are in, he appreciates he
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'TIS THE SEASON TO BE COUNTED
NEW assistant manager Jim Smith has wasted no time in telling the Saints players: It's time to stand up and be counted. Smith took his first training session as Harry Redknapp's right-hand man at Saints yesterday and immediately issued his players with
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Off-roader proves to be muddy good
I'VE always been a bit of an inverted snob when it comes to so-called "prestige" marques. I tend to tell myself there must be equally competent, well-equipped vehicles out there, built for the same purpose, but offering much better value for money. This
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HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (15)
IF YIMOU Zhang's awesome martial arts epic Hero left you feeling giddy with excitement, then you may need to sit down. The Chinese director's follow-up - another gravity-defying extravaganza of death-defying swordsmanship and acrobatics - is even more
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Conference call to firms
BUSINESS leaders are being urged to make a New Year resolution as they shut up shop for a well-earned Christmas break. Basingstoke council wants a full house at The ARK conference centre on January 13 for a major event which will take forward its "Partnership
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Bramley
CHURCH services: Today, at 5pm, there will be a carols and crib service at St James' and Midnight Communion at 11.30pm. Tomorrow, there will be a 9am Communion (1662), and at 10.30am a Parish Communion. On Boxing Day, there will be Matins at 10.30am.
