WHEN Kate Ellis decided to be a teacher, she never dreamed that might mean taking a class in a dirt-floor shack in the depths of a Kenyan slum. Yet that was exactly what she and friend Laura Hill found themselves doing when they volunteered to devote
What makes a wealthy Hampshire widow turn part of her picture box cottage into a second-hand clothing emporium? Kate Thompson finds out more... MAKING your way to Marian Chappell's chocolate box, thatched cottage is an adventure in itself. Once you turn
SALISBURY'S Richard Andrews is one of only five golfers nationwide to win their category of the Marks & Spencer VIEW FROM Golfer of the Month. He has qualified for this month's grand final at Vilamoura when he'll be looking to become VIEW FROM Golfer
HAMPTWORTH are having a re-run of their successful Ladies Masters Golf programme starting on Friday. Katie Dawkins, who runs the LMG course at Hamptworth, said: "Golf keeps you fit, it's a great way to socialise and it's great fun. With a series of six
FLEMING Park will be glowing in the dark through November and into December. Nine of the holes will be lit up by glow sticks to enable players to experience the novelty of floodlit golf. And with glowballs at the ready, there's less chance of losing your
JIMMY TAYLOR scored twice and laid on a third for David Town as Havant & Waterlooville ended Eastleigh's Hampshire Senior Cup dreams with an emphatic 3-1 victory at West Leigh Park last night. Martin Beck got Eastleigh's consolation reply from an
LAST season's beaten finalists Fareham Town have switched their Hampshire Senior Cup tie to Aldershot Town tonight (7.45) on police advice. Concerned by a history of problems involving travelling Shots fans, Fareham chairman Bob Ralls consulted the local
FOR some time, key NHS figures locally have complained to me bitterly about the Government's obsession with "targets". They describe the overlapping demands of the inspecting agencies and relentless rounds of assessment, which offer little obvious benefit
BOROUGH councillor Phil Heath has called for more openness in the Civic Offices after battling to get information about the town's community wardens. Cllr Heath had a number of queries about the wardens after councillors were given a six-month progress
NEW accusations of behind-the-scenes deal-making have been levelled at two Independent councillors after they gained influential positions on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council committees. The Liberal Democrat/Labour joint administration was kept in
THE new leader of Basingstoke council says he is going to tread carefully as he heads the joint Liberal Democrat/Labour administration for the next year. Liberal Democrat leader Brian Gurden was elected to the hot seat by a single vote at last Thursday's
STAFF at Basingstoke hospital are being quizzed on what they think of their working lives. In the second national NHS staff survey, 800 employees at the hospital are being asked about work-life balance, job satisfaction, violence, and health and safety
BASINGSTOKE hospital has unlocked a £100,000 cash pot after hitting accident and emergency waiting time targets. The cash has been awarded after 95 per cent of accident and emergency patients were seen, treated and discharged or admitted within the national
A NEW computer suite in Basingstoke is set to help brain-injured patients with their recovery and recuperation. The specially-designed room at Headway Place was officially opened last Saturday, and will be used by patients at the rehabilitation centre
SCHOOLS in Basingstoke are to take part in a new Government scheme launched to teach children and parents about the benefits of a healthy lunch. The Healthy Lunchbox scheme, which aims to make packed lunches more interesting, varied, cost-effective and
AN INDEPENDENT study has found Basingstoke hospital to be the most improved in the UK. It was given the title by hospital benchmarking company CHKS, which looked at 17 key areas, including the time patients spend in the hospital and day surgery statistics
LEAFLETS and newsletters about Basingstoke hospital's bid for foundation status have been distributed to households and doctors' surgeries throughout north Hampshire during the last month. Hospital bosses, who began a 10-week consultation period with
HIGH-flying Tara Dempsey gained first place in the southern region for her advanced case study paper in exams set by the Association of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. She also managed to work off any revision-induced tension by striking out with
OPENED in a cacophony of beats and booming bass drums, Fareham's Four Four music store is aiming to be nothing less than a centre of excellence. Drummers from top bands Feeder and Death in Vegas helped take the wraps off the shop, in what may have been
THEY may be the bane of motorists, but someone has to lay down those dreaded traffic cones. Now an inventor from Hampshire has come up with a way of making that time-consuming, muscle-aching and potentially dangerous task somewhat easier and safer. Brian
MEET Hampshire's own ironmen! Lecky Metal Ornaments, a California-based manufacturer of wrought iron components, has set up a new UK office at Nursling Industrial Estate. Commercial property consultants Vail Williams assisted Lecky in finding its new
SWAPPING business cards and stories was on the menu when more than 200 property specialists turned out for an exclusive networking party at a Southampton restaurant. Billed as "a year's networking in one night", the event, organised by the Solent office
LYMINGTON & New Milton boss Ian Robinson fears Woking's superior fitness could be a deciding factor in this evening's FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at the Kingfield Stadium (7.45). While the Nationwide Conference outfit were back in training
A £1 MILLION investment in buses in Winchester has paid "stunning" dividends with a huge increase in passenger numbers. Stagecoach has seen a 20 per cent rise on one of the main routes since it boosted its service. Now other routes could be in line for
WINCHESTER phone mast campaigners are making final preparations for their High Noon showdown. They are returning to the Court of Appeal in London to attempt to overturn a planning inspector's decision to allow the mast in Byron Avenue, Fulflood. The campaigners
A HAMPSHIRE college has been thrust into the spotlight as a leading performing arts centre thanks to the completion of a multi-million pound theatre complex. Bosses at Totton College have formally received the keys to the new building at Hanger Farm from
TWO visitors from the country that experienced Africa's worst genocide in modern times are paying a visit to the rural village of Brockenhurst. Pastor Anastase Mashyaka and Judith Mukawenda, a nurse, have travelled from Rwanda to stay in the peaceful
A GROUP of schoolchildren became the first people in Basingstoke to watch a live operation through a veterinary surgery's new viewing facility. Pupils from St Mark's Primary School, Danebury Road, Hatch Warren, visited the Companion Care veterinary surgery
Willy Russell's comedy takes us back to the 1970s for an evening of nostalgic music and costume. The story follows the respective hen and stag nights of bride- and groom-to-be Linda and Dave. This is a script that demands pace and perfect timing to show
JUST when they thought it couldn't get much worse. Days before a massive consultation on the future of 12 of the region's urban post offices ends, those fighting to keep vital community services have been rocked by yet another bombshell. Six major Post
HAMPSHIRE homeowners saddled with huge debts after taking out Shared Appreciation Mortgages (SAMs) are being urged to join action groups. One of these is planning to bring a test case that could prevent homeowners having to pay massive sums several times
CONTROVERSIAL plans which could see thousands of extra homes built across Hampshire in the next 20 years have been condemned by the county council's leading politician. Councillor Ken Thornber launched a stinging attack on controversial proposals by Deputy
A SPOOKY Hallowe'en gala held at Southampton Football Club is set to raise more than £40,000 for vital research into diabetes. About 200 people attended the black-tie affair in aid of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the first gala evening
A STAR-studded line-up of TV's most famous faces descended on Eastleigh at the weekend. The charity auction of signed photos - including Graham Norton, Ozzy Osbourne and Ricky Gervais - raised £250 for St John Ambulance. It also featured football memorabilia
THE future of Fareham's biggest post office is under threat, the Daily Echo can reveal. The landmark building in West Street, pictured above, could be shut as part of a massive cash-saving exercise. It's one of 560 branch offices across the country which
PATIENTS are being invited to have their say on the future of NHS services in Fareham and Gosport at a public meeting tomorrow. The event, at Cams Hill School in Shearwater Avenue, Fareham, will explore the business case for future health services in
CARPETED with golden leaves, Eastleigh's Leigh Road Recreation Ground must have seemed a million miles away from the bloody battlefields of Iraq. But British troops moving towards the Triangle of Death were uppermost in the thoughts of war veterans at
HOT on the heels of the recent West End revival, BATS brings one of the best Western musicals to town next month! Book your seat on the Deadwood Stage for a rip-roaring show complete with gunshots, quick-fire humour and lavish dance numbers. Based on
DEVELOPERS landscaped the back garden of a show house with a low-maintenance Mediterranean-style garden. The stunning garden features a patio, gravelled areas interspersed with planting and a wooden walkway. The former show house was bought as new a couple
A RALLYING call has been issued to residents in Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury to help protect the character of their leafy suburb. The move has come in response to growing pressure from land hungry developers in the area. Last week Hilitingbury residents
PUPILS in Hedge End have taken to the streets in the fight against traffic jams and car pollution. Berrywood Primary School has formed a 'walking bus' to encourage pupils and parents to walk to school rather than use a car or bus. The pupils still wait
FORMER Saints boss Gordon Strachan is the man wanted by the Tartan Army to inject the passion back into Scottish international football. Strachan resigned his post at St Mary's on February 13 this year and has been linked with a stream of top Premiership
FORMER Saints boss Stuart Gray leads Wolves into action against Sunderland tonight following the exit of another ex-Dell manager, Dave Jones. Gray, sacked by Saints over three years ago, has been appointed as caretaker manager at Molineux. He is one of
THIS is not an E-Class. Repeat after me - this is not an E-Class, this is not an E-Class. The Mercedes CLS may have the same number of doors as an E-Class, but it's important to remember that's where the comparison ends. You see, the CLS is the product
HAMPSHIRE couple Angie and John have become mums and dads for a second time around - and its all thanks to the Daily Echo. When they first got together as a couple they knew they wanted children to make their new relationship complete. Both had children
Naomi House children's hospice in Hampshire specialises in respite, terminal and bereavement support for youngsters with life-limiting illnesses and their families. To provide much needed care and support to families, Naomi House must raise £2.5 million
MATT Blackey would be excused for plunging into the depths of despair after losing his hard-earned European Tour card. But the 32-year-old Hayling Islander, who has made his home in Southampton, is staying stoically positive for Final Tour School at San
RICHARD Bland won't have to wait too long before re-launching his European Tour career. After winning back his card with a 13th place finish in the Challenge Tour order of merit, the Stoneham tournament professional will head off for China at the end
ONE of the county's golfing gems made a welcome return to the Hampshire PGA tournament circuit when Bishopswood hosted their first pro-am since 1996. The tournament even had to be rearranged this year after a thunderstorm had washed out the original date
LYMINGTON & New Milton boss Ian Robinson fears Woking's superior fitness could be a deciding factor in this evening's FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at the Kingfield Stadium (7.45). While the Nationwide Conference outfit were back in training
THE recent publication of MPs' expenses has given the media much to write about. The electorate will come to its own judgement as to whether or not we all earn our corn. But one fact is undeniable - today's electors write with far greater frequency to
AN ENJOYABLE year of hard work is how Councillor Gerry Traynor has characterised the last 13 months that he has spent as Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane. The South Ham Labour councillor's term of office was due to end last Thursday at the formal mayor-making
EMERGENCY treatment of patients at Basingstoke hospital has speeded up so much that, by December, 98 per cent will be seen, discharged or given a bed within four hours. A meeting of hospital staff at The ARK medical facility heard how progress towards
HEART care services at Basingstoke hospital are set for a boost after a trail-blazing deal between trust bosses and the Ministry of Defence. Bosses at the hospital this week said yes to the three-year appointment of a third heart specialist, who is currently
PEOPLE in Hampshire who called 999 because of a life-threatening situation were less likely to see an ambulance turn up within eight minutes than in other areas of the country, according to yearly figures. Under Government guidelines, three-quarters of
BOSSES at Basingstoke hospital are facing their biggest-ever financial challenge as they bid to save a total of £11million before next April. The daunting figure, made up of a £7.2million saving the hospital must make itself to break even and £3.8million
BASINGSTOKE hospital's Sterile Services Unit has undergone a £3million refurbishment. Work to modernise the facility, which deals with the decontamination of surgical equipment so that it can be reused, lasted two years, and hospital bosses say the unit
AS WE all try to maintain healthy active lifestyles, sports medicine is becoming an increasingly important care technique. Sports medicine is the medical care of illness, utilising exercise programmes and also the medical care of problems, injuries and
THE first two phases of a £2.5million project to modernise Basingstoke hospital's maternity and gynaecology units are set to be completed during the coming weeks. The work, which hospital bosses say will improve the building's environment significantly
BRIGHT yellow ambulances equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment are to take to the county's roads. The vehicles, hailed by Hampshire Ambulance Service as the "new generation" of vehicles, are the start of a multi-million-pound replacement scheme
BASINGSTOKE hospital has written to eye patients warning them that their sight could be at risk following surgery. Those at risk, say the hospital, are cataract patients who received a lens implant between 2000 and 2001. About 100 letters were sent out
ODIHAM Cottage Hospital was assured it has the continued support of local MP James Arbuthnot when he visited the facility during a "hospital day". During his visit, Mr Arbuthnot praised the role the small hospital plays for his constituents. The MP was
Today's Principal Arrivals: Grande Anniversa, vehicle, 0330, 105; CFF Seine, roro, 0530, 30; Le Castellet, roro, 0630, 203; Berlin Express, container, 0700, 206; QE2, passenger, 0730, 38/9; Paciofic Angel,m vehicle, 1230, 201; Resolve, vehicle, 1630,
HEALTH chiefs at Basingstoke hospital have said that services won't suffer despite having to save £7.2million this year. Hospital bosses say they are confident the cash can be found from a series of belt-tightening measures and new funding schemes. Martyn
ONE in 10 staff at Basingstoke hospital, who responded to a recent survey, say they have experienced physical violence at work in the last year. Nurses seem to be bearing the brunt of the problem, with 20 per cent of respondents admitting they have faced
FREE NHS refresher training is being offered to anyone who has previously trained for a career in healthcare to help them get back to practice. The offer is open to nurses and midwives in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region whose registration has lapsed
US DEFENCE chiefs have ordered more than £10m worth of missile countermeasures from Hampshire defence group Chemring. But the total figure could rise to more than £56m if the US takes up options for further orders written into the contract. Known as chaff
SOUTHAMPTON-based round the world yacht racing company Clipper Ventures is celebrating the launch of the first of ten new boats for the next gruelling, 35,000-mile event. The 68-foot boat, sponsored by Liverpool City Council, has been built to withstand
JIMMY TAYLOR scored twice and laid on a third for David Town as Havant & Waterlooville ended Eastleigh's Hampshire Senior Cup dreams with an emphatic 3-1 victory at West Leigh Park last night. Martin Beck got Eastleigh's consolation reply from an
SOLENT STARS tamed Kingston Wildcats at Fleming Park to record their first league win of the season over the weekend. The visitors had little change out of Solent's mean defence while, in contrast, the hosts began to rack up the points at regular intervals
HAMBLE Club's Colin Searles put in a fair performance during his World Boat Angling Championships debut which were staged out from Sesimbra in Portugal during pretty blustery conditions. The five-strong England team travelled out several days earlier
A DUTCH couple have joined the opposition to the possible closure of the Winchester youth hostel. Pieter and Rita Boogaart stayed at the hostel in Water Lane in 1966 during their first visit to Winchester and England, a city and a country they have grown
PLANS to put community wardens on the streets of the New Forest are a step closer to becoming reality after extensive research was completed. The proposed scheme aims to reduce crime, disorder and nuisance behaviour and improve the quality of life for
Nearly 600 coupons have been returned so far backing the Daily Echo/Radio Solent End the Sound of Silence campaign to legislate against computer-generated silent telephone calls. Clare Kennedy reports... HUNDREDS of Daily Echo readers have backed our
Vermilion Dream, Salisbury Playhouse THIS is the national premiere of Chris Lee's outstanding new play. Set in both present-day and Renaissance London, Venice and Germany, it explores the tortured mind of a talented but self-doubting artist who is obsessed
GHOST Night was an apt production for Hallowe'en. A spooky atmosphere was created from the start by the slowly-opened curtain and creepy gramophone music. A group of ladies arrive at a 'haunted house'. Amid the various strange goings-on Dawn Cresswell
HUNDREDS of workers at Southampton BAT factory will go on strike tomorrow after rejecting a last ditch pay offer by two to one. The Millbrook factory will see picket lines on the gates and suppliers are being told not to cross. Bosses at the tobacco giant
A HOUSEHOLDER has described how a motorist collided with four vehicles in the street outside his home before ploughing through his garden wall. Scott McLeod, 38, was watching TV when he heard a series of crashes outside his home in Athelstan Road, Bitterne
RESEARCH being carried out by scientists in Southampton could help develop drugs to tackle breast cancer. Biochemist Graham Packham and colleague Adam Sharp are working on a three-year project, funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC), looking at how
FROM junior football clubs to defence classes for the over 50s, all types of Southampton activity classes could be in line for a massive community windfall. The Outer Shirley Regeneration board has pledged to plough £100,000 into community activities
I WAS curious as to what kind of gig-goers would attend this show, as The Rasmus's pop-goth style of music seems too commercial for hardened rock fans, and slightly intense for chart music devotees. My curiosity was answered by a swarm of black-clothed
OPENING-DAY winner Angus Maclean was otherwise engaged for the second round of the Hampshire Cross-Country League series at Goodwood Race Course near Chichester. Team Southampton's 1500 metres track specialist chose instead to run in the Reebok Challenge
