SORRY there was no news last week, but the household was struck down with flu.

HAPPY 18th birthday: To my son Simon. He can now buy me a drink at the pub.

TSUNAMI: Several fund-raising activities are being held in aid of the tsunami disaster.

On January 22, there is a jumble sale at the Den. Please take jumble along on the morning of the sale.

For more details, contact Bruce or Caroline on 0118 9819965.

On February 5, the Baughurst Scouts and Guides are holding a sale at their den in Ash Lane, Baughurst, from 2pm to 4pm.

Donations are wanted, but not clothes. Any DVDs, games, bric-a-brac, cakes and unwanted presents can be taken along on the morning of the sale.

MEETING: The future of Tadley is set to be influenced by its townspeople.

Residents and representatives of organisations in the town are invited to attend a public meeting entitled "Tadley Tomorrow - Your Vision for the Future".

The meeting is on January 20, in the Ambrose Allen Centre, and commencing at 7.30pm.

Discussion will include setting up a partnership representing the main interests of townspeople, to carry out a health-check (a snapshot in time), set a vision for the town, prepare an action plan and implement it.

Why not come along and be part of this important initiative from the outset?

LIBRARY roof: "A stitch in time saves nine" so they say.

Well, you could say that about the library roof as more of it came away nearly a year after the first bit blew away.

I wonder how much longer we will have to wait for our library to be repaired properly.

I feel sorry for the staff who carry on regardless.