COUNCIL: The parish council meets on Monday, at 8pm in the Village Hall.

Come along and hear what is happening in the village. There is also a short open forum.

AUCTION: The next auction will be on Saturday, September 25. The usual rules will be in place.

HERITAGE open days: Next Friday, September 10, the church will be open from 2pm to 5pm with an exhibition of archives.

On Saturday, September 11, from 10am to 6pm, the exhibition continues with Robina Rand giving a talk and guided tour of the history and architecture of the church.

On Sunday, at 10am, there is the Patronal Festival with Holy Communion (sung). The Rev Canon Peter Cooper will lead the service.

At 2.30pm, there will be a talk and guided tour on the architecture and plans for the church by Michael Cole.

Light refreshments will be available from 2pm both days.

SPONSORED walk/bike ride: On Saturday, September 11, take this chance to visit many of the local churches, and money raised will be split between the church of your choice and the Hampshire Historic Churches Trust.

TRIP to France: There will hopefully be a day trip to France for shopping on Tuesday, November 16.

The cost will not be more than £25 per person. More details are available from 9700647. Names will be needed early to ensure the trip goes ahead.

CRICKET: Silchester CC were beaten by six wickets in their last league game of the season at home to Basingstoke last Saturday.

Scott Dyer scored an impressive 60 for Silchester, out of a total of 128 runs, but despite some tight bowling the visitors got a win that will see them get promoted to a higher division next year.

Richard Rand, of chartered accountants Ernest Francis, who sponsored the game, presented the man of the match award to Derek Dicker of Basingstoke for an excellent performance of three for 31 and 33 not out.

The end-of-season club match will not take place this Sunday, as previously announced, but, hopefully, will go ahead one week later, on September 12.