IT'S lucky Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell has a good sense of humour. He certainly needed to see the funny side at the Beveree Stadium on Saturday where Eastleigh had two players sent off, conceded two penalties and scored an own goal in a 5-1 defeat
There were wins in Wessex League Division 1 for third-placed Gosport Borough and fourth-placed AFC Newbury over Moneyfields and BAT respectively. Gosport fell behind to a 12th-minute Nicky Wyatt strike at local rivals Moneyfields but they were soon back
IT'S been a deadly December for former leaders Locks Heath, whose worrying slump in form continued when they slipped to a fourth successive defeat on Saturday. Matt Parr's side suffered another December disaster as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Alresford
A LATE penalty was not enough to save Broughton from a 2-1 home defeat by Durley. After a scoreless first half in which both sides missed chances, Durley grabbed the lead through Leon Wheeler when the Broughton defence failed to clear. Defences continued
IN the two seasons which proceeded this rather sorry campaign, Saints could boast one of the meanest defences in the country. At its heart was a towering cliff-face by the name of Michael Svensson. All around him there stood rocks. Yet in his absence,
A LEGAL firm will be among the first tenants in Southampton's latest city centre development, pictured here. The Daily Echo understands that a law company is in the process of signing up a deal to move into the Mayflower Plaza. However, it is uncertain
BASHLEY boss Geoff Butler takes his goal-shy Foresters into Russell Cotes Cup action at Havant & Waterlooville tonight admitting: "We're hopeless at scoring goals." For the second time in five frustrating days, Bashley had stacks of possession but
LYMINGTON & New Milton snatched a last-minute winner to move above top-six rivals Andover in a real Christmas cracker at Fawcetts Field. The Linnets' 4-3 verdict over the North Hampshire club means that they have now won 12 and drawn one of their
NEARLY a year to the day after a pensioner was killed at a busy road junction in the heart of Winchester new safety measures have been installed to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. Great-grandmother Gladys Waite died on December 28 last year, just hours
THE biggest archaeological excavation in ten years has got under way in Winchester in the hunt for the city's medieval streets. The dig, on the site of Northgate House in Staple Gardens, is being done in preparation for a redevelopment of the site. Already
IT was both the end of an era and the start of an exciting future for Langdown Infant and Junior schools when they joined together for a special assembly. They met as separate schools in Hythe for the final time on the last day of term before the Christmas
Winchester artist, Hugh Greasley, is exhibiting his new work in a rather unconventional place - not in a gallery or museum, but The Albion pub, on the corner of Stockbridge Road and Andover Road. The pub held a special evening on Tuesday for enthusiasts
Winchester police are hunting the vandals who felled the city's Christmas tree this week. Officers are appealing for anyone who might have seen the yobs in the act in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The 30ft tree, which cost around £1,500 and was
Planning committee chairman, Georgina Busher, used her casting vote to resolve a stalemate over a controversial housing scheme. She came down in favour of granting permission for 19 homes at Court Road, Kings Worthy, near Winchester - despite fierce opposition
RELATIVES of a young suicide victim have demanded a full inquiry into the Hampshire psychiatric unit where he killed himself. The family of Matthew McDonald called for a probe into the department of psychiatry at the Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton
EVER had that feeling that it's just not your day? Millionaire businessman Frank Mountain has. Eager to show off his rare £600,000 Ferrari, he tossed the keys to a colleague and asked him to take them for a spin. But Mr Mountain could only watch in horror
A HAMPSHIRE council boss has been fined by his own authority for breaching controversial car parking rules that he introduced himself. Mel Kendal, leader of New Forest District Council, has been hit in the pocket after forgetting to display a parking
ONE thousand guests enjoyed a glittering party to mark Meridian's departure from its Southampton studios. Current Meridian staff and hundreds of past employees of Southern Television and TVS, the previous owners of the station which first graced the south's
FORMER Saints boss Lawrie McMenemy and Miss Southampton Emily Roberts were among the stars who joined shoppers in Southampton's Bedford Place for its annual Christmas lights switch-on. Southampton boy band 4Tune - who reached the final stages of ITV's
A PLANNED one-day strike tomorrow by about one-quarter of Southampton City Council's 40 car parking attendants has been called off. Workers were due to down tools in protest at new hours which were set to be introduced by city transport chiefs. Unions
Leaders Winchester City could even afford a missed penalty by Liam Green as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at VTFC, goal-machine Jamie Laidlaw, Ian Mancey, Mark Smith and Green all finding the net.
FROM Snowman star to Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and now amateur ballroom dancer - it's hard to imagine what Aled Jones could possibly do next. Strictly Aled is the answer. After the success of his current Songs For Christmas tour and
Stuart Cannie scored the only goal of the game as ten-man Wimborne Town won 1-0 at Hamble ASSC. The Magpies lost Gareth Barnes in the first half for two bookable offences.
HAMPSHIRE County Council leader Ken Thornber has given his backing to campaigners fighting to save Gosport's Royal Haslar Hospital. Ken Thornber's support came after the Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced the hospital would be closed
SANTA'S float: On Wednesday, it will be Bramley's turn to have a visit from the Loddon Valley Lions Club and Santa's float. So watch out in the evening as the brightly lit sleigh travels along The Street to Moat Close. LUNCH club: The Wednesday Lunch
CONCERT: The Christmas concert at Hill Rise Hall was most enjoyable. In the corner, a sparkling Christmas tree provided backing for the Basingstoke Silver Band. The musicians entertained in great style and with admirable skill. When I arrived, I recognised
PARISH council meeting: Last Monday's meeting was fairly eventful. There was a forceful representation by Stroud Close residents. They currently feel that they are receiving inadequate support in relation to their complaints about nearby construction
CAROLS for charity: Church-goers from Immanuel with St Mark's will be singing carols for a children's charity this week. They will be outside Sainsbury's on Monday, at 3pm, and again at 7pm, adding to the festive cheer and, at the same time, collecting
SANTA: Father Christmas will be doing his final rounds during this week. On Monday he will be at Bell Meadow Road, Valmeade Close, Compton Close, Church View, St John's Close, Kerfield Way, Bramshott Drive, Selbourne Close, Raven Road and Rectory Road
ALDWORTH Gardening Club: Meet at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month in the Focus Room at Aldworth Science College, Western Way, Basingstoke. Our first meeting of the new year will be on January 11. This will feature a talk by Marcus Dancer, who
AN 11th-hour bid is being made to save Eastleigh's doomed railway works following the bombshell news that the giant depot is to close. With the axing of the Campbell Road works and the shutdown of the town's Mr Kipling cake factory, Eastleigh is bracing
CHRISTMAS church services: On December 24, at St Mary's, there is a United Service at 11.30am, a Blessing of the Crib at 4pm, and Holy Communion at 11.30pm. Christmas Day, Communion at St Mary's at 8am, Christmas Day at the Chapel, at 9.45am, and an All
CAROLS: Overton Choral Society are holding a traditional concert of carols and Christmas melodies at St Mary's Hall, Overton, on Monday, at 7.30pm. All monies raised will be donated to local charities. OAKLEY Woodlands Group: Will be busy working in Cowdown
CHRISTMAS Activity Day and Magic Show: On Thursday, December 23, at Oakridge Hall for All, from 10.30am to 4pm. The cost is £3, for children aged five to 11 years. Bring a packed lunch - squash and biscuits are provided at break-time. Come and join us
BOXING Day walk: Walking is the theme for Christmas 2004. The first of these calorie-busting exercises is on Boxing Day, when our parish council organises this annual event. The starting point is at the Hatch pub at 11am. It is about a five-miler around
CHRISTMAS services in the parish church: On Christmas Eve there will be a crib service, particularly for young children, at 5.30pm. On Christmas Day there will be Eucharist with carols at 10am. Boxing Day there will be a short service with carols at 10am
OPEN day: On Monday, from 10am to 7pm, there is an open day at Tadley Learning Centre, Unit 1, Brick Kiln Industrial Estate (Stacey's Yard), off Silchester Road. Light refreshments will be available, all are welcome to go along and see what's on offer
Sir.-I have been doing the job of school crossing patrol for Tadley Community Primary School on the A340 for the past 27-and-a-half years - accident free! I retire at the end of this term. How many of you know Tadley and this stretch of the busy main
Sir.- As a young man, I was impressed by a quotation from Oscar Wilde "the unspeakable in full pursuit of the inedible" (A Woman of No Importance - 1893). I don't think I have changed my mind about fox hunting since I first came across this quotation
Sir.-Thank you for the tickets to see the London Pop Orchestra at The Anvil. It was a fantastic night out, and my sister liked going backstage to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, Frosty the Snowman and Ian McMillan. We enjoyed the sing-along. -Alex, aged nine
Sir.-Regarding the Fort Hill School homework scheme. My opinion, which will no doubt differ from so many other people, is that I do not believe in homework. I visit my granddaughter, then, after tea, I have to see my great-grandson, at the age of eight
Sir.-The Memories article about pantomimes (Friday Gazette, December 10) was a reminder of another Christmas tradition, but one which is drifting into history - the giving of Christmas boxes. Do postmen, wheelie-bin men or supermarket grocery deliverymen
HARRY REDKNAPP has delivered a damning indictment on the situation he has inherited. The new Saints manager confessed he was "desperately short" in certain areas despite the club having assembled one of the largest squads in the Premiership. But Redknapp
HARRY REDKNAPP reflected on his team's 5-1 drubbing at White Hart Lane and remarked: "Our defending was abysmal." The new Saints boss didn't mince his words after seeing his side thrashed in a display dominated by basic individual errors. Mistakes came
HARRY Redknapp admitted he won't have much money to spend in January - but is still planning to "pull a few rabbits out of the hat." Having said the current squad is not really good enough to survive, Redknapp is targeting new players to bring in next
PETER CROUCH was frank in assessing the 5-1 drubbing at the club where he began his career. "Maybe it's the wake-up call we needed," he said. "Sometimes we have been 'oh well, we'll win next week'. But this is next week now. This might be the kick we
For Harry Redknapp, the question is simple. JUST what can he do to turn things around? Another game and more potential points have slipped by - leaving Saints with just two points out of a possible 27 on the road this season. But it's not just another
IN the two seasons which proceeded this rather sorry campaign, Saints could boast one of the meanest defences in the country. At its heart was a towering cliff-face by the name of Michael Svensson. All around him there stood rocks. Yet in his absence,
GORDON Strachan turned down the chance to become Portsmouth manager so as not to sour memories of his time at local rivals Southampton. The Scot, who left his job as manager of Saints in February, felt his recent St Mary's connections made it an untimely
ARSENE Wenger breathed a huge sigh of relief after Sol Campbell's first goal in 16 months kept Arsenal firmly in the title race. Defender Cambell's first goal since the beginning of last season, a thumping 30-yard drive timed at 76mph, restored Arsenal
BASHLEY boss Geoff Butler takes his goal-shy Foresters into Russell Cotes Cup action at Havant & Waterlooville tonight admitting: "We're hopeless at scoring goals." For the second time in five frustrating days, Bashley had stacks of possession but
LYMINGTON & New Milton snatched a last-minute winner to move above top-six rivals Andover in a real Christmas cracker at Fawcetts Field. The Linnets' 4-3 verdict over the North Hampshire club means that they have now won 12 and drawn one of their
THERE'S no change at the top of the Division 3 tree this Christmas as the leading three clubs all collected maximum points. After two consecutive 2-2 draws, leaders Farnborough North End returned to winning ways courtesy of a Paul Griffiths hat-trick
ANYONE turning into Mitchell Avenue from Dilly Lane in Hartley Wintney will be met with quite a sight - a garden taken over by three giant snowmen. The colourful masterpiece is the work of 14-year-old Mark Male, who nominated himself for the competition
Today's Principal Arrivals: Dart 2, roro, 0700, 30; APL Coral, container, 1230, 205; Pride of Burgundy, passenger, 1400, 7; Acacia Ace, roro, 1430, 201; Season Trader, refrigerated, 1700, 104; Philipp, container, pm, 204 Today's Principal Sailings: Morning
IT'S lucky Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell has a good sense of humour. He certainly needed to see the funny side at the Beveree Stadium on Saturday where Eastleigh had two players sent off, conceded two penalties and scored an own goal in a 5-1 defeat
What a difference a couple of weeks make! Winchester have leapt up from deep-despairing eighth to promotion-pushing equal third on the back of their 25-10 victory over a watered-down Andover outfit in London Division 3 South-West. Such is the tightness
IT WILL be an uncomfortable Christmas at Gosport & Fareham after they returned a seventh consecutive defeat that leaves them in a perilous position at the wrong end of London Division Two South. But their neighbours Portsmouth, who inflicted their
AN extremely late try from hooker Joe Newsome stole the glory for patched-up Trojans in their wind-down-to- Christmas fixture against neighbours Eastleigh at Stoneham Lane, taking the clash 13-5. Newsome took advantage of an Eastleigh fumble to race half
AFC Totton looked to be heading for a second calamitous home defeat inside three days as they trailed to a Callum Robertson goal at half-time of their clash with bottom club Downton. But Danny Barker volleyed in Totton's equaliser on 50 minutes before
Portland United's Lewis Whyton became one of the SWL's youngest goalscorers when the 15-year-old schoolboy netted on his debut to help his side to a 3-1 win against Brockenhurst at Grigg Lane. Things started well for the Badgers when Dave Midgeley gave
CIVIC chiefs in Winchester have agreed to roll out the city's park-and-ride service to Romsey Road as an experiment. The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester Prison and University College Winchester have been pushing city bosses for the facility
A WINCHESTER mental health charity has gone into liquidation owing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Trustees of the Winchester Alliance for Mental Health met behind closed doors to officially close the charity. The organisation, which ran the Bird in
THE GRIEVING family of a Ringwood motorcyclist who died after a crash at a notorious accident black spot have paid tribute to the father-of-three's zest for life. Stephen Good, 41, of Eastfield Lane, was in a collision with two cars on the B3081 a mile
BROCKENHURST Village Hall is one step closer to becoming a community arts centre after villagers managed to raise about £200,000 during the past year. Brockenhurst Village Trust launched the appeal over a year ago and needs to raise £800,000 to complete
ANTISOCIAL behaviour in Hordle was the talk of the village once again at a parish meeting. About 25 members of the public gathered to discuss what could be done to remedy the trouble caused by teenage gangs wreaking havoc in the area. The escalating problem
If you are driving this Christmas, the only safe drink to have is a soft one, says Hampshire County Council. It has launched its festive anti-drink-drive campaign with Hampshire Ambulance Service and Gale's Brewery, and is reinforcing the message that
Detectives in Winchesterhave released e-fits of the two men involved in a distraction burglary. As reported last week, the incident occurred at around 4pm on Tuesday, December 7th, at the home of an elderly lady in Spicer's Court, St Paul's Hill. Two
Hampshire's huntsmen are refusing to be intimidated by the ban on their sport in the New Year and are continuing with traditional Boxing Day meets. The Hampshire Hunt will take place on December 27th, starting at The Fur and Feathers pub, at Herriard,
Residents of a Winchester council estate say their lives have been blighted since a new intake of students moved in. People living at one end of the cul de sac, Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, including several young families, say they are suffering sleepless
SCHOOL'S out for Christmas but that doesn't mean your child's learning has to stop, according to Southampton's primary schools advisers. Together the six-strong group, known as the primary team, offer advice and guidance to teachers across Southampton's
The result of more than a week of frantic negotiations aimed at saving the Bird in the Hand activity centre in Parchment Street mean the centre, which supports mentally-ill users, may have been thrown a lifeline. Hampshire County Council social services
A Hampshire coach firm is to close with the loss of 15 jobs including 12 drivers. The decision by Taylors Coaches, of Sutton Scotney, near Winchester, to cease trading marks the end of a transport era spanning nearly a century in Hampshire. On Christmas
Jack and the Beanstalk, The Anvil, Basingstoke FROM Erinsborough to Basingstoke, life has certainly moved on for Neighbours star Anne Charleston - better known as Harold's better half, Madge. Anne, who has lived in Ireland for the past ten years, is used
The Firebird, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth THE Firebird is a magical fairy tale with a twist - a beautiful princess, a brave prince and, just for comedy value, a singing and dancing toothless wolf. Just six actors and actresses graced the stage at New
FROM village halls to The Nuffield theatre, from low budget to blockbuster productions, amateur theatre in Hampshire is alive and well. This is a fact borne out by the Daily Echo Curtain Call Award judges who will have seen more than 80 shows from last
The Nominations are... DRAMA Best Actor in a Drama: Albie Minns as Andy in Moonlight - Maskers Theatre Company, "eloquent delivery" Clive Butcher as Mr Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank - RAODS, "profoundly thoughtful" Wayne Ings as Sir David Metcalfe
CHRISTMAS won't be the same without her - she was so special. That was the loving tribute paid by a heartbroken Hampshire man to his wife who has died after a long battle against cancer. Mother-of-three Jane Allan passed away at home with husband Colin
GOOD ADVICE on safe winter driving may help reduce accidents on the county's roads. Police are urging drivers to be prepared for the seasonal bad weather by ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained and by taking extra care. Inspector Peter Hughes
A twin strike by Michael Pointer plus another from Sam Hart steered Cowes Sports to a 3-1 win against Alton Town, who responded through Steve Poulton.
AN elderly woman driver crashed through the front window of a busy optician's - in her Ford Focus. The driver and her male passenger suffered slight injuries and were taken to hospital after the car went out of control. Jeoffrey Willetts, partner of Willetts
A FAMILY has lost more than £20,000 worth of furniture and antiques after a raid on their Warsash home. Now detectives are appealing for witnesses after burglars broke into the house in Brook Lane while the occupants were out. The stolen haul included
SOLENT Speakers have helped Zimbabwean-born Beauty Zindi win third place in a regional speaking competition - by asking her to deliver a speech on the laxative effect of beans. The unusual talk was designed to move Beauty, a Southampton student, from
A FAREHAM school has launched a major fundraising drive to make up a £20,000 shortfall for a new state-of-the-art dance studio. Cams Hill School has just landed a £180,000 lottery windfall for the new project but building costs have continued to rise
PARENTS and Toddlers: Met for the last time this year, on Wednesday. A Christmas party was held for all those who attended, this helped the young ones to grasp the idea of the festive season. The next session will be on Wednesday, January 12, at the usual
EASTLEIGH'S popular Father Christmas was ditched this year - in favour of an electronic Santa display that sings to children. It's only the second time that the town's flagship Swan shopping centre has not had a Santa's grotto since it opened 15 years
CHANDLER'S FORD bookworms are in for an early Christmas treat. Their local library is reopening its doors today after a major makeover. There will be a more welcoming, bright and modern environment to spend time browsing, borrowing or studying. The building
THIS bumper cheque is winging its way to Cancer Research UK thanks to the fundraising efforts of Eastleigh College. Staff and students staged various events during the year, including a quiz evening, a sponsored swim, a wine-tasting evening and a dress
CAROL concert: Next Tuesday, at 7.30pm, the very popular village carol concert will take place at Pamber Heath Village Hall. Come along and enjoy an evening of old favourites and local entertainment with our great friends Tadley Concert Brass. Everyone
MUSIC around the parish, and it's free! It's the annual carols in the barn at Bartlett's Farm, next to the Leather Bottle, on Wednesday, at 7pm, with mulled wine, minced pies and enthusiastic singing for all, led by our own resident maestro Frank Fowler
CELEBRATION! The village hall is holding a village Christmas celebration on Monday, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. For a cheerful start to the Christmas season, there will be musical offerings, poems and reading on a Christmas theme, as well as carols and Christmas
HARRY REDKNAPP has delivered a damning indictment on the situation he has inherited. The new Saints manager confessed he was "desperately short" in certain areas despite the club having assembled one of the largest squads in the Premiership. But Redknapp
Sir.-I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read of the latest antics of our local MP, Andrew Hunter. Elected (if I may remind him) as a Conservative, he has left that party and joined the hard line, anti-Good Friday Agreement, DUP, led by Ian Paisley
Sir.-This year, as Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, the Hampshire Hunt will be holding its traditional Boxing Day meet on Monday, December 27, at The Fur and Feathers, Herriard, at 11am (on the A339 between Basingstoke and Alton). I would like to extend
Sir.-After Mr Joe Robertson's letter regarding the elderly versus the burglar, I was tempted to write again, questioning his attitude to his fellow citizens. I held back to see if anybody else found it offensive, as I had already had a go for his lack
Sir.-On December 7, I tried to post a letter in the box in Festival Place, but found this was full, so I then tried the twin boxes at the Top of The Town and, once again, both were full - time 3pm. The following day, I tried to use the box outside Winklebury
Sir.-Attention all four-wheel off-road drivers, the council has, for your pleasure, created an "off-road" track while laying pipes along the road on Harrow Way. I'm sure many drivers of ordinary cars will have noticed that from the Golden Lion pub to
SOUTHAMPTON port owner ABP has donated £500 to the Southampton branch of the Missions to Seafarers and £500 to Piam Brown Ward - the children's cancer ward - at Southampton General Hospital. For the second year running, ABP sent traditional season's greetings
SAINTS boss Harry Redknapp had admitted the squad he has inherited is not good enough for the Premier League. Saints were torn to shreds by Spurs at the weekend in one of their worst displays of a turgid season. Individual errors and a lack of confidence
THREE pre-Christmas cheers for Harry Redknapp - for not being afraid to tell it how it is. Redknapp has been in charge at St Mary's for less than a fortnight yet has already identified major problems at the club. Problems that have left Saints rooted
SAINTS have only twice won away in the league since the start of the 2002/03 season against a side who began the match with more points than them. The last time was at Liverpool in December of last year, and before that the 1-0 win on the final day of
HARRY Redknapp's past came back to haunt him on Saturday as Jermain Defoe hammered out a message to Sven-Goran Eriksson with a devastating hat-trick. It was Redknapp who first spotted and nurtured the talents of Defoe at West Ham. He was pivotal in his
Newport County 0, Basingstoke Town 1 ERNIE Howe's walking-wounded troops defied their predicament to beat Newport and complete their first double of the season. David Ray's superb 25-yard strike, and a battling effort from a makeshift side, earned the
