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 it is a healthy way to burn off those Christmas calories.

If you want to work up a sweat and have the urge to chop things down, just pop along to the play area at the rear of the Millstone pub at 10am.

Ann Francis and her band of little elves will be hacking and bashing away at the hedges and bushes in an effort to put some sort of order into the environmental habitation for the little creatures such as mice and hedgehogs.

If you want a little lie in, you can arrive a little later and see what it is all about. It all ends at lunchtime.

Contact Ann on 817637.

SAD loss: Last Thursday saw the sad loss of one of our long-standing and well-respected residents.

Mrs Lippett, who lived in The Street, passed away peacefully at Basingstoke hospital.

She was a dedicated gardener who would often be seen running around the village in her little grey sports car.

Our thoughts are with her husband and children at this sad time.

PERSONALLY: I would like to record my sadness at the retirement of Doctor Joyce Goold.

Many of our villagers have a debt of gratitude for her dedication and expertise in tending the sick in Old Basing and the surrounding villages.

She is a senior partner in the Old Basing and Odiham surgery and will be a sad loss to the community.

The good doctor is moving from the area and will be spending more time with her family and beloved boat.

From us all, we send our thanks and really wish her a well-earned retirement.

PREPARATIONS for Christmas are now done and dusted. This village has taken on a new and festive look with Christmas lights adorning the many houses throughout the village.

From Pam and I, please have a lovely and happy Christmas.