JOHN Upshall and Philip Clarke will be returning soon from their trip to Eastern Europe.

The two of them have driven a truck full of donated goods to Belarus. The journey there took four days with delays on the channel crossing and at customs on arrival. We look forward to more information on their return.

The Rotary Club of Basingstoke is starting its fundraising events this month, with its annual eight-mile sponsored walk. All are welcome on April 10, to walk for their own charity and enjoy a BBQ at the end.

The club is holding a garden fair at Milestones museum on Sunday, April 24.

The annual golf day at Sandford Springs Golf Club, Kingsclere, will be on Friday, May 20.

For further information on these events, call Peter Cliff on 01256 780736.

The Rotary Club of Basingstoke Loddon held a very successful Charity Casino Night at Old Basing Village Hall last weekend. There were special prizes to be won throughout the evening and more than £1,500 was raised for charity.

This coming Saturday, the same club is in Festival Place offering free blood pressure checks to shoppers as part of Stroke Awareness Day.

First published: Wednesday, April 6, 2005