WHENEVER a friend comes to stay for a few days it's only fair to show them the sights. Unfortunately in Totton's case historical landmarks, monuments, victorian forts and follies are far and few between - in fact, one of the town's highlights is Gandhi's
SARDINIAN Antonio Cicu has transformed his former pizzeria into a beautiful and elegant restaurant serving fine, authentic Italian cuisine. In fact, pizza has disappeared entirely from the menu, but delicious pasta, meat and a daily selection of extremely
AT FIRST glance, the Asha Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary - but on closer inspection it proved to be an eatery of considerable merit. Located on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst, the inside is decked out with pleasant
Southampton-based golfers Richard Bland and Matthew Blackey have the chance to make some serious money in this week's highly lucrative Dubai Desert Classic - but both men have some work to do yet to avoid going home empty handed. Bland made a rousing
Paul Terry has insisted that a 'big name' Hampshire captain is not essential. Hampshire first team manager Terry will continue to discuss the county's captaincy options when he flies into Southampton from Perth next Friday. But he is adamant that a well
EASTLEIGH'S love affair with manager Paul Doswell looks set to run and run. Having joined the club on a three-year contract last summer, the ambitious 37-year-old has been asked to sign an extended five-year deal by chairman Roger Sherwood. By the sounds
THE RUN up to The Gazette-backed Basingstoke Race for Life has begun once again - and organisers are hoping for another runaway success. Coming to the borough for the fourth year, the national event in aid of Cancer Research UK is now celebrating its
COUNCIL bosses in Basingstoke are facing a dilemma after their search for a new chief executive - which involved hiring a specialist firm to find suitable candidates at a cost of more than £30,000 - ended in failure. Members of the council's five-strong
FESTIVAL Place received the royal seal of approval this week when it was officially opened by The Duke of Gloucester. The duke, who is the Queen's cousin, unveiled a commemorative plaque in Queen Anne's Square in front of a sizeable throng of local dignitaries
THE MAN in charge of the controversial Chineham incinerator has accused its opponents of scaremongering - and he has said he is "very proud" of the burner. John Collis, director of Hampshire Waste Services, spoke out after The Gazette reported last week
THERE is one name still fondly remembered in and around Southampton, especially by Hamble people, when they look back over the decades and that is, Folland's. It is a name that will be forever linked with Great Britain's aircraft industry and the man
Gosport's Rory Gillard, skippering London Clipper in the amateur Clipper Ventures Round The World yacht race, seems to be holding a strong position just 20 miles behind Hong Kong Clipper bound for Yokohama, Japan. Mainland Japan may be preparing itself
Titchfield's golden boy Andy Beadsworth announced this week that his sights are securely focused on the next cup series. The British America's Cup team helmsman will skipper an entry on the world match racing circuit over the next two years in preparation
Today's Principal Arrivals: Hual Transit, ro-ro, 0600, 40; Autosky, ro-ro, 0730, 46; Arabian Breeze, ro-ro, 0745, 201/2; Afon Briant, tug, am, 21; Bunga Raya Dua, container, 1400, 205; Autofreighter, ro-ro, 1515, 201 link; Hual Trader, ro-ro, 1700, 43
That's it. Millions of dollars, thousands of man hours and many months of sailing later and the 31st America's Cup is being brought to Europe for the first time in its 152-year history. Switzerland's Alinghi, led by the controversial Russell Coutts, wiped
LODDON Vale produced three outstanding performances to reach the triples final of the Golden Charter English Women's Indoor Championships but their hopes of winning the national crown were dashed by Preston Park from Brighton. Two years ago, skip Wendy
Titchfield's golden boy Andy Beadsworth announced this week that his sights are securely focused on the next cup series. The British America's Cup team helmsman will skipper an entry on the world match racing circuit over the next two years in preparation
Newcastle Vipers 3 Basingstoke Bison 2 MIKKO Koivunoro scored the game winning goal 19 seconds from time to give the Newcastle Vipers a 3-2 win over the Basingstoke Bison. As in both their previous two play-off games, it was the Wella-backed side that
Billericay Town 1 Basingstoke Town 0 MANY experts and critics from within the world of football believe that poor officiating decisions equal themselves out over the course of the season. Well, Ernie Howe and his Basingstoke team must wish that a future
AFTER Basingstoke Town's five-match unbeaten run came to an end in controversial circumstances on Tuesday night at Billericay, they will look to bounce back tomorrow when Hayes are the visitors to the Camrose. Town suffered a 1-0 defeat in Essex, being
BASINGSTOKE'S playing strength will be fully tested in a cup and league double-header weekend. Tomorrow the Down Grange side entertain high-riding North Walsham in a rearranged league match before travelling to Portsmouth on Sunday to open their defence
Five games to save themselves from a swift return to London Division 1. That's Havant's plight at the foot of National Division 3 South - and they must start winning soon. But they go from one blazing frying pan into another fire this weekend. Having
A man has been charged with wounding and robbery after a Winchester man was stabbed last week. Neil Jerrim (29), from Southampton, appeared before Basingstoke magistrates on Tuesday in connection with the assault on 58-year-old Brian Butt, near his home
An army recruit was said to be in a critical condition after nearly drowning in a swimming pool at the Sir John Moore Army Training Regiment barracks, near Littleton, Winchester, on Wednesday. Private Milton Mahoney (24) was resuscitated beside the pool
RILED Bashley boss Barry Blankley reckons those who are doubting Paul Sales's value for money should spare a thought for the player himself. Sales, a £5,000 signing from Salisbury City in February last year, has had setback after setback with injury this
Pizza Express in Winchester hosted an Italian evening in aid of the charity, Hope and Homes for Children, and raised £800. The event also led to the formation of a new Winchester support group for the Salisbury-based charity. Mayor of Winchester, John
Is there a soldier in your family tree, or do you simply have an interest in military life? On Saturday, March 15th, Hampshire County Council's Record Office in Winchester is hosting a one-day course offering an introduction to the wealth of records which
Winchester civic chiefs have raised concerns about the weight of equipment carried by traffic wardens. They had been worried that it could be causing back problems. Alison Gavin, director of personnel, told the cabinet: "We are investigating this to see
A revamped Winchester Scout hut officially opens tomorrow (Saturday) - nearly a year after vandalism forced it to close. They used to repeatedly target the building, in Somers Close, Stanmore, knocking tiles off the roof and tearing down fencing, according
The arts took centre stage for a week at Perin's School, Alresford. The principle behind the Annual Arts Festival organised by assistant head, Colin Forrest-Charde, is to involve as many students as possible and give them the opportunity to perform in
Andrew McCully OBE, who masterminded the new-look literacy and numeracy strategies, was at Weeke Primary School, Winchester, to learn from the children. He is visiting several schools to see how the current system is working. Mr McCully is head of pupil
TWO Winchester men feature in a television series on a top secret underground resistance army set up by Winston Churchill early in the Second World War. Roy Budden and Don Beaven were members of the "Auxiliary Units" set up to harass the Germans if they
Winchester Photographic Society's monthly print and slide competition attracted a near-record entry for judging by Ian Bigg, from Highcliffe and Infinity Camera Club. He praised the quality of both prints and slides, many of which he said he enjoyed for
Trustees of a village hall have announced that it will close, leaving the parish council without its own meeting room and the community without its usual polling station. In a newsletter to residents in West Tisted, near Ropley, hall trustee, the Revd
A group of 51 pupils and teachers of Aquaphobes swimming lessons for nervous adults marked the club's 10th year. Not everyone had yet mastered the art of actually swimming, but all had the confidence to have a great time in the various water facilities
A couple from King's Somborne are on the trip of a lifetime to raise money for charity. Bethan (37) and Charlie Bennett-Lloyd (42) started out in September to cycle from the southern tip of South America to the Equator. They hope to raise £20,000 for
Esther Rantzen, joins BBC South Today presenter, Sally Taylor, at the De Vere Grand Harbour, Southampton, for the third BBC South Community Champions Awards, tonight (Friday). The awards acknowledge the contribution made by "unsung heroes", exceptional
Sue Bignell, tenant chairman of Winchester Housing Association, has been appointed an inspector by the Housing Corporation. It means that she will be travelling around the country as part of a team, visiting other housing associations to carry out the
Winchester-based charity, the Hampshire Children and Families Forum, has been awarded over £25,000 by the Community Fund to help raise awareness and training. The charity is holding a free event on Friday, March 28th, at Winchester Intech for over 200
Health bosses have been given the go-ahead for a new diagnosis and treatment centre in Winchester. Construction is scheduled to begin at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in April, for completion in October, 2004. Planning permission was granted for
Bridget Phelps has taken over as chairman of the Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust. She succeeds Barbara North, who left in November to become chairman of Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust. The new chairman has been a non-executive director of
Winchester businesses and shopkeepers have had their first chance to hear more about the £90m redevelopment in the city centre. On Tuesday, 60 people attended a meeting at The Guildhall to hear about the proposed revamp of the Friarsgate-Broadway area
Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust has defended the reporting of its waiting lists following criticism from a government watchdog. The trust has been named by watchdogs as among NHS trusts that run the risk of making errors in their waiting time
OYSTER fishing has been banned in part of the western Solent following the discovery of toxic algae. A temporary prohibition order has been issued after a routine oyster sample tested positive for a substance that can cause food poisoning. Anyone eating
THEY'RE wild about their new pre-school in Dibden Purlieu. After five years of planning and raising support, Wildground Pre-School opened for business this week. The new group is based at the local infant school in Crete Road, and the under-fives will
MYDDLETON & Major, the independent estate agency which specialises in retail properties in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, is celebrating its centenary this year. The firm which has its retail office in Carlton Crescent, Southampton, is recognised
Practising ballet moves on the day you're due to give birth sounds like hard work. English National Ballet star Simone Clarke tells ANDREW WHITE the whole thing was a breeze... HAVING a baby may be a joyful experience, but it can also be a draining one
Have you packed your sandwiches? Good. Because you'll probably need them. Ken Dodd is famous for giving value for money where his live shows are concerned - and not because he can still tell some cracking jokes. His performances are legendary for their
IT SOUNDS an odd thing to say, but sometimes comedy can be too trivial for its own good. According to stand-up star John Moloney - appearing in a double-bill with Lee Mack at Southampton's Nuffield Theatre on March 9 - a lot of modern comics are obsessed
TALENTED local youngsters get their teeth stuck into some challenging plays at Southampton's Nuffield Theatre this week, with an eclectic double-bill of youth productions. The Nuffield's two youth theatres, Stage Door (for nine to 13-year-olds) and Access
CAROL Hopwood has lost a son - not to a serious illness, a dangerous cult or a team of drug-pushers - but to a another family living less than a mile away. Fifteen-year-old Luke has taken it upon himself to move in with the family of a friend- and Carol
THE TRIAL of a Hampshire father accused of murdering his ten-week-old daughter has collapsed at Winchester Crown Court. Businessman Mark Latta, pictured, 40, from Bishop's Waltham, had faced three charges in relation to the death of baby Charlotte in
THE second annual awards ceremony recognising the achievements of police in Southampton was held last night at the Civic Centre. The honours were presided over by Southampton's top policeman, Chief Supt Graham Wyeth, with guest of honour Meridian Tonight
COME on kids - get your crayons and paintbrushes out! There are just two weeks to show the most special woman in the world how much you appreciate her. In the run up to Mother's Day the Daily Echo is inviting younger readers to Draw Your Mum and send
Which band in the 1990s have more platinum, gold and silver albums than any other act in the UK? Chances are The Levellers would not be one of your first guesses, but the folk rockers hold that accolade. The Brighton five-piece are much maligned by their
Richard Thompson is a British guitar hero who could rival the likes of Mark Knopfler or Eric Clapton. A sensitive writer and an innovative guitarist, his music is a mix of English folk, rock, country and even reggae. "I've always had a problem, growing
The Buffseeds are an imaginative new indie guitar band who released their debut album The Picture Show earlier this week. This album of beautifully crafted songs, meaningful lyrics and melodic tunes has a lifetime of experience crammed into it. Subjects
Mexico 86 are a new band, borne from the ashes of Southampton band The Elishe. They already have 20 songs in the can and have launched their own website www.mexico86.com Bilu and Steve, the former bassist and drummer of The Elishe, are happy to now be
THE TRIAL of a Hampshire father accused of murdering his ten-week-old daughter has collapsed at Winchester Crown Court. Businessman Mark Latta, 40, from Bishop's Waltham, had faced three charges in relation to the death of baby Charlotte in December 2001
WHAT'S the point? It is a question on the lips of many Fareham residents after post bosses were accused of ignoring public protest over Post Office closures. The accusation came after Fareham MP Mark Hoban discovered that not one of the sub-post offices
ABOUT 220 jobs are set to be created when B&Q's giant new superstore on the Isle of Wight opens in July. Up to 80 full-time and 140 part-time positions will be created at the store at Medina Way in Newport when building work on the store is completed
THE ISLAND'S first community street wardens are taking to the streets in Ryde this week. Harry Dea and Gill Mulcahy will be on hand to offer friendly advice to visitors and locals alike on a wide range of issues in the town. The wardens have been appointed
THE FRESHWATER Bay villa where Julia Margaret Cameron photographed Tennyson, Darwin, Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell, among others, has been listed Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The listing means that Dimbola Lodge - a large
FOUR dogs which were rehomed by the Island's RSPCA are set to steal the limelight this weekend when they take part in the famous Crufts dog show at Birmingham's NEC. The four pooches will make up an agility display team being presented at Crufts by the
THE LEADER of the Isle of Wight Council Shirley Smart, the Island's MP Andrew Turner and other key Island figures, will be among those in the front line at a conference today, where young people can have their say. "Wight 2B Heard" is designed for young
HITLER couldn't do it . . . but work has now started to blitz part of Eastleigh's network of old air raid shelters beneath the town's Leigh Road recreation ground. Just over 15 years ago, the shelters hit the headlines when seven teenagers lifted a manhole
ROUND-the-clock help will soon be at hand for people in Eastligh being driven barmy by noise. Eastleigh council is joining forces with neighbouring Southampton City Council to provide an out-of-hours noise service for its residents - seven days a week
Jason Dodd was given the Saints captaincy by Dave Jones. But he will not be doing his old boss any favours if he leads Saints out for the first time in three months on Sunday Dodd has played as a substitute in recent weeks after missing the Christmas
FA Cup winner Dave Beasant believes his former boss Dave Jones has a special reason to help dump Saints out of the FA Cup. The veteran keeper, who turns 44 later this month and is still playing with Brighton, will be an interested viewer when two of his
P&O pledged to achieve a significantly improved result this year after profits fell sharply in 2002. The group saw underlying profits slump to £9.2m from £160m a year after a downturn at its shipping joint venture P&O Nedlloyd. The weakness, coupled
Cargo and passenger handling specialist Southampton Cargo Handling is to launch a wholly-owned subsidiary organisation dedicated to handling cruise and passenger vessels. The new division, to be known as Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS), will handle
REMEMBER your first Chinese meal? I do. It was about 25 years ago when my parents brought home this strange-smelling food in cartons and tried to teach me the basics of chopsticks. Unfortunately the sticky orange sweet and sour sauce went flying that
The first thing that struck me when I stepped inside the Indian Palace was, unfortunately, not the bright, refreshingly modern dcor but the smoke. Several diners were puffing away on cigarettes, so I asked hopefully if there was a non-smoking area. The
Films showing in the Hampshire region until 13 March. 8 MILE (15): Eminem stars as a poor aspiring rapper who turns to music to try to gain some respect. ADAPTATION (15): A somewhat surreal movie about a screenwriter who finds himself suffering from writer's
IF THE main requirements of a good meal out are excellent food, good service, pleasant surroundings and value for money, then the Landford Poacher meets the lot. Recently refurbished and sporting a fresh fish selection in addition to a varied la carte
LAURO'S Brasserie only opened six weeks ago, but because the restaurant's owner is one of Hampshire's best loved chefs, it already has a solid customer base and is fully booked at weekends. Filipino-born Lauro (Larry) Aman has lived in Britain for 28
ONE of Southampton's longest-established restaurants providing a realistic taste of Greek cuisine and well known in the city's Greek Cypriot community is still family-owned, run by Demetria Andreou with help from her daughter Androulla. You can be assured
THE Winchester suburb of Weeke is not the place one would expect to find one of the shock troops in the invasion of the new-style Indian restaurants. Balaka is one of those increasingly common places which have reinvented the traditional Indian eateries
Sometimes you just know when you walk into a restaurant that everything will be fine. And so it was with the Lord Bute at Highcliffe, recently taken over my mine hosts Simon and Gary who moved there from Milford-on-Sea. For a change, Elena and I were
FREEDOM Caf is a straight-friendly gay bar that promotes the up-and-coming gay scene in Southampton as well as equal rights across the spectrum. Fridays are being introduced as "swing your handbag" nights with Freedom's new resident DJ Mike playing chart
THE Chamberlayne Arms is a pub with many faces. By day there is certainly a family feel to it, with an impressive beer garden which has been ideal for sun worshippers on those few glorious sunny afternoons this summer. Inside, a relatively new refit gives
THERE'S a new kid on the block in Fareham town centre and this one oozes Mediterranean flair, with the cuisine to match. Gone is the quaint Chaucer's tea rooms serving traditional English fare. Strapping Italians now serve up the goodies and at L'Ancora
WHEN you dine at the Forest Inn you can't help but feel you're tucked away in the middle of the countryside. We'd been driving around the area looking for a cosy pub where we could enjoy an evening meal that didn't involve a flash restaurant where you
It is always reassuring when booking a table at a restaurant to hear the staff talking in French. Les Copains D'Abord, which translates as chums first of all, is on the A30 between Stockbridge and Sutton Scotney and was formerly the public house, The
Friday night and Oxford Street in Southampton is buzzing. More specifically, THE place with the buzz these days is the ultra-trendy Oxfords Bar Restaurant. It's the place to be seen-whether to relax with friends at the end of a hectic week or for a special
I THINK it was the deep fried plaice with prawn cous cous which proved the clincher. Women's editor Kate Thompson went as quiet as a mouse (normally unheard of unless she's gagged) and, if there hadn't been a backdrop of lively chatter in the pub, I suspect
YOU'VE seen the show, now eat the meal. Having greatly enjoyed The King and I at The Mayflower, it seemed appropriate to visit its restaurant namesake. The show was colourful, exotic and unusual - how would a meal at The King and I compare? I decided
THE BIG surprise about the Hotel du Vin is that it isn't massively posh. And, what's more, it's not wallet-bashingly expensive either. The restaurant is relaxed and intimate, a place where nobody rushes you along or is snobby about the wine list. The
THERE are only 190 people in the tranquil horse-racing village of Whitsbury. Half of those are reputedly tee-totalling Methodists, so, on the surface, you wouldn't choose to run a pub here. Yet Laura and Patrick Lewis bought the pretty red-brick building
THE Boom, in Southampton's thriving Oxford Street, is the perfect restaurant for picky eaters or anyone who needs a calculator who work out the bill. As someone who is always being accused of wasting food, I had to check out The Boom's novel mix-and-match
TEN out of ten for the originality of the name - but what about quality of the food at Ha Ha!? Based at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Ha Ha! is a delightful place to eat, with lovely dcor and a very comfy feel thanks to the squashy sofas. It's a chic
IN THE restaurant trade, the word 'cosy' can too often be a euphemism for cramped. But staff at Pavarotti's can justly reclaim the word to sum up what is a truly welcoming and laid-back experience - even when the small restaurant's popularity means it
THE restaurant scene in Southampton's Bedford Place has always been fluid to say the least. It seems that as soon as the doors open on one exotic eatery, they close for good on another. Panda Chinese Restaurant is the latest new kid on the block - but
If you live in Hampshire and you like curry, you should have heard of The Noorani. If you haven't, I'll lay a shiny shilling with you that you've been told about 'the one in Fair Oak'. The restaurant has appeared in The Good Food Guide and prides itself
IT'S not often you come across traditional Nepalese cuisine. It consists of a combination of ginger, garlic, onions, cumin seeds and green chillies topped with mustard seeds and is a great alternative to a curry but with more subtle flavours. The Gurkha
YOU don't really need an excuse to eat out nowadays, but seeing as it was my mum's birthday, we thought we'd try somewhere a bit further afield and have a change from the normal haunts. On recommendation we had booked a table at the Bat and Ball near
The Platform Tavern has to be one of my favorite pubs in the whole of Southampton. It's cool, relaxed and always full of smiling faces. Importantly, the Platform has a nice selection of real ales and it has deservedly been in The Good Beer Guide and The
Herring roe twists, slick with rich garlicky butter, resting on a bed of mixed leaves. Seared tuna steak, meaty, complemented by a tangy tomato and herb sauce and succulent roasted vegetables. Salmon fillet, served with a rich-red plum and port wine chutney
With the World Cup on everybody's lips, the last thing I needed to be reminded of was Mexico. Mexico City was the scene of Diego Maradona's "hand of God" goal which knocked England out of the World Cup. A tenuous link, I know, but in the current scheme
I'VE often thought that Chinese food is a touch over-rated. Over the years, we've all got caught up in the hype. At first, Chinese was something different - something new for the taste-buds. But think back to the Chinese meals you have devoured - Oriental
WITH a name like The White Star Tavern you might assume this is a pub inhabited by locals who all have their own tankard behind the bar and are suspicious of "townies". Nothing, though, could be further from the truth. In fact, Oxford Street's latest
IF IT ain't broke don't fix it - a golden rule most hold true. Not so at Southampton's Poppadom Express, where the rule book has gone straight out of the window in a bid to breathe new life into the nation's favourite meal. In their menu blurb, the restaurant's
WHEN it comes to food, my partner is incredibly fussy. He will only eat chips smothered in ketchup, sausages that have been left to go cold and as far as vegetables are concerned, peas and carrots are his limit. So whenever we eat out it tends to be Italian
IT is hard to get too enthusiastic about Spanish food when you are walking through Southampton on a cold, wet and miserable mid-week night. A rain-lashed Town Quay is hardly a boulevard along a beach resort in the Mediterranean. But a selection of Tapas
REMEMBER your first Chinese meal? I do. It was about 25 years ago when my parents brought home this strange-smelling food in cartons and tried to teach me the basics of chopsticks. Unfortunately the sticky orange sweet and sour sauce went flying that
THIS vibrant new bar has been a real hit since it opened in August and every Saturday night it is packed to capacity. The design downstairs is trendy and sophisticated with deep red and light purple dcor. It is quite spacious with plenty of room at the
Shaun Udal has revealed that he would be honoured to captain Hampshire this summer. Pakistan pace ace Shoaib Akhtar is the big name that will compensate for the loss of Shane Warne if he passes a medical later this month. But the man with the 100 mph
Shoaib Akhtar has revealed that Pakistan legend Imran Khan helped persuade him to play county cricket. Former Pakistan skipper Imran played county cricket for Sussex and Worcestershire and now Shoaib is hoping to make his county bow with Hampshire after
RILED Bashley boss Barry Blankley reckons those who are doubting Paul Sales's value for money should spare a thought for the player himself. Sales, a £5,000 signing from Salisbury City in February last year, has had setback after setback with injury this
Following last week's report on the problem of domestic violence in the Basingstoke area, Gazette crime reporter Charis Mastris has been speaking to a north Hampshire mum who went through a traumatic ordeal but is now rebuilding her life. CLOSING time
AN ENGLISH Setter with blue flecks in her fur, a yodelling Basenji and sibling Italian Greyhounds hoping to follow in their family's footsteps are some of the north Hampshire dogs looking to impress judges at this year's Crufts. The show, which began
AN OLD Basing doctor has told residents the village will have no surgery at all if his ambitious plans for a new health centre are unsuccessful. Villagers are divided on Dr Tony Weaver's application to build the state-of-the-art health centre and chemist
BOROUGH council leader Brian Gurden has complained that the Basingstoke authority is being blamed for the 15 per cent increase in next year's council tax. Cllr Gurden told the latest Cabinet meeting: "I want to emphasise that the borough council has a
Lymington's Iain Percy and teammate Steve Mitchell opened the Star class Bacardi Cup in Miami in sterling form with a bullet in the first race. Sailing off the idyllic Florida coast, they held back seven-times Bacardi Cup champion Mark Reynolds, who was
In the wake of the announcement last month of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme - a platform through which Hampshire youngsters can develop their sailing skills - places to compete in key high profile events have this week been made available to young
TERRY Feasey showed he is an increasing force to be reckoned with in the national middle-distance ranks at the weekend. For the second year running, the Basingstoke and Mid-Hants star took the 800 metres bronze medal at the AAA indoor championships in
IT's CRUNCH time for the Basingstoke Bison tomorrow as they bid to keep their season alive with a crucial play-off win over the visiting Newcastle Vipers. The Wella Bison are at the last-chance saloon, having lost their opening three play-off fixtures
EASTLEIGH'S love affair with manager Paul Doswell looks set to run and run. Having joined the club on a three-year contract last summer, the ambitious 37-year-old has been asked to sign an extended five-year deal by chairman Roger Sherwood. By the sounds
If Winchester's Bar End park and ride extension scheme were not to go ahead, congestion charges would be "strongly considered", says county transport chief, Keith Estlin. His announcement was made at a Winchester movement and access plan meeting on Tuesday
The public should be told how to prepare for war, says Hampshire County Council's emergency planner, Ian Hoult. He has hit out at the Government's reluctance to release information about dealing with chemical, biological or nuclear attacks, saying: "The
A Bishop's Waltham businessman murdered his 10-week-old daughter after losing his temper with her, it was claimed in court. Charlotte Latta suffered massive brain damage after her father banged her head and shook her violently, Winchester Crown Court
Asbestos exposed in Winchester Guildhall's kitchen around two weeks ago has still not been removed. The toxic material was discovered when a carpenter started widening a doorway in order to fit a new oven. One kitchen worker, who did not wish to be named
Owners of gas-guzzling vehicles could face fines and bicycles could be dotted about Winchester for the use of the public as "Miracles" start happening in the city. The Miracles project Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable
A scheme to build artists' workshops is likely to come before Winchester planners for a fourth time because they can't find valid reasons for refusal. After a two-hour debate at the city council's planning meeting, the committee voted seven to six to
Organisers of a Winchester Prison custody-to-work scheme say they have a raft of willing employees - and now they just need companies to take them on. Janette Powell, community resettlement manager at the prison in Romsey Road, is convinced that ex-offenders
Hampshire Police appear to be performing well, according to government figures. The Home Office report looks at how forces cope in five broad areas - reducing crime, investigating crime, promoting public safety, use of resources and public satisfaction
Everything is in place for the annual Circuit of Hambledon time trial on Sunday. The only problem facing the organising Hampshire RC this year is a fall in entries. Last year's winner, Malcolm Cox of Hedge End, is still recovering from a fractured shoulder
Hopes of an early reconciliation for a divided Hampshire parish church appear to have suffered a setback. Some 46 Anglican parishioners at Ropley voted unanimously on Sunday to continue with their alternative services in the village hall. Two weeks ago
Winchester civic chiefs are backtracking on their controversial plans for new housing for vulnerable people in Stanmore and Highcliffe. Two of the four schemes are now at risk because a looming deadline means the city council runs the chance of losing
A Winchester community worker has spoken of his frustration after funding bosses pulled the plug on him, his project and three housing estates. Jamie Scott, from Stanmore, has urged local authorities: "Get in the real world." "They are playing with the
Pupils at Kings' School, Winchester, learned to work the catwalk in their own fashion show. The event was organised by Magma, a Year 10 Young Enterprise group. The hard work of the12-girls paid off to produce a successful evening. Magma were raising money
A touch of Harry Potter magic swooped down on the children at a half-term activity club at King Alfred's College, Winchester. Porter, Phil Oldham, has been studying falconry for 20 years and he founded a team which gives demonstrations all over the country
Parentline Plus, which offers advice on parenting and child care, is looking for volunteers. The organisation's call centre is in Eastleigh, close to bus and train stations. It says volunteers need to be confident on the telephone and to be able to lend
Winchester transport planners have expressed doubts over Hampshire County Council's proposals to alter Romsey Road, one of the key routes into the city. At a movement and access panel meeting on Tuesday with county transport chief, Keith Estlin, city
Plans to build houses and flats next to the home of Winchester City Council's director of development services, Steve Bee, have been rejected. Planners looked at the outline plans to put six houses and two blocks of flats on land between Sparkford Road
Building of the Magpie Cancer Centre at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital should start within the next two months. The centre will be on the ground floor of a new diagnostic treatment centre (DTC) between Nightingale block and the supplies
A charity quiz at Arlebury Park, Alresford, raised £528 for the Alzheimer's Society. The Winchester branch of the society incurs annual running costs of £20,000 and receives no national funding. Chairman, Alan Fowler, thanked Jackie and Bob Sanger for
Winchester's Blue Badge tourist guides have taken the First Aid challenge with 24 of them completing a course provided by the Red Cross. "We found the training very useful, covering everything from a bee sting to a heart attack," said chairman, Pamela
There's good news for users of River Park Leisure Centre, Winchester. The city council has decided not to put sports facility charges up. They usually rise by at least the rate of inflation but, after negotiations with DC Leisure, the company operating
Sue Holberry lines up three chocolate bars. "Imagine they are bones," she said. "That would be the healthy bone," she said, pointing to the fudge-filled one. The honeycomb bar would be a bone showing early signs of osteoporosis and the one full of bubbles
Fears that hundreds of Winchester people could languish on housing waiting lists because of a government change of policy look to have been groundless. The city council predicted that its social housing programme was destroyed when the Government reformed
THREE Greenpeace volunteers who chained themselves to pumps at a Totton petrol station were yesterday fined £75 each with £69 costs by magistrates amid reports that oil giant Esso is considering a claim to cover its loss of business. A fourth environmental
IF YOU haven't yet had the good fortune to see one of Fareham Musical Society's most talented leading ladies in action, don't miss the forthcoming production of the classic musical Oklahoma - it could be your last chance for quite a while. Katie Bushell
YOU can catch up with some of the newest plays on the am-dram scene as world and British premieres are staged at this year's Totton Festival of Drama. The festival is the first stage of the National All England One Act Play Theatre Festival, with groups
THE people of Bitterne are standing behind their local councillor Perry McMillan after he was banned from standing for his party at the next election. Cllr McMillan was deselected by the Labour Party after refusing to vote with the city's ruling group
EDUCATION bosses have launched an investigation after a Southampton schoolboy was rushed to hospital suffering from severe concussion after an incident at a city school. Colin Jeffery, 16, was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital suffering
SOUTHAMPTON'S voluntary services are celebrating this week after work began on their new £1m headquarters in the city. City mayor Councillor Brian Parnell joined members of the voluntary sector at a special ground-breaking ceremony at the site of the
Just a week ago the 13 hamsters were facing death after being heartlessly abandoned. Now they are looking for a saint of their own to care for them, having recovered from their ordeal and going from strength to strength with the names of the Southampton
Mick Jagger may have wooed and won Jerry Hall - but Bryan Ferry surely had the last laugh. Unlike the Stone in chief, the lead singer of Roxy Music has managed to create as big a name for himself in his solo career as with his group. Two bites at the
LEE-on-the-Solent is not the right place for an asylum seekers' centre. That's the stark message Gosport council leader Shaun Cully will take to Home Office minister Beverley Hughes on March 20. After nearly four weeks of waiting he had his request for
AN ISLE of Wight firefighter has been hailed a heroine after she rescued a frail pensioner from her collapsing house after it was rocked by a massive gas explosion. Jackie Mouat, 41, dashed into her neighbour's home after the explosion blew out the upstairs
MAJOR roadworks on two of the Isle of Wight's busiest roads could have a "detrimental impact" on the Island's economy in the run-up to the holiday season, according to the Island's Chamber of Commerce. Island drivers could face months of motoring misery
THE MAN who once made a million women's hearts flutter was on hand at Newport's Riverside Centre on Pancake Day to help launch a disabled access project. Tony Adams, who plays Adam Chance in the recently revived soap Crossroads helped to launch the "Raison
THE MARKETING director of the Isle of Wight's famous BrittonNorman Islander aircraft was in Brussels this week. William Hynett had top level meetings with EU officials to promote the firm to continental countries. He was invited by Conservative Euro MP
WHEN two Derbyshire housewives came to the Isle of Wight for their annual retreat last May, they could not possibly have realised what lay ahead of them. Christine Hill and Judith Grice both from Coningsby, fell in love with the Island on their first
CULT indie director Todd Haynes (Velvet Goldmine) re-creates the Technicolor splendour of Fifties melodramas, notably the intense colours and style of Douglas Sirk, with this award-laden character study. Frank Whitaker (Dennis Quaid) and his wife Cathy
AT FIRST glance, the Asha Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary - but on closer inspection it proved to be an eatery of considerable merit. Located on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst, the inside is decked out with pleasant
DORIS Day and Rock Hudson would not be impressed. It's hard to believe that Maid in Manhattan and true classics of the genre like Pillow Talk and Move Over Darling - both, of course, featuring Day at her charming, apple pie-flavoured best - could fall
THIS vibrant new bar has been a real hit since it opened in August and every Saturday night it is packed to capacity. The design downstairs is trendy and sophisticated with deep red and light purple dcor. It is quite spacious with plenty of room at the
NEIL Jordan (The Crying Game) writes and directs this loose remake of Jean-Pierre Melville's classic crime thriller Bob Le Flambeur. He casts Nick Nolte as veteran master thief and gambling addict Bob Montagnet, who has been left penniless on the French
ONE thing a visit to Funki Sushi definitely promised to be was interesting. Sushi was a new experience for me and I have to admit I did actually phone ahead to make sure you could order the cooked version. Call me a chicken, but the idea of eating raw
The arduous task of satisfying my after-work appetite the hour before a football match fell to The Cricketers Arms. Set away just on the outskirts of Eastleigh, the Cricketers offers a warm welcome more commonly associated with country pubs than those
THERE are three things that you can be sure of in life - death, taxes and a decent meal at ASK in Winchester. I have not had a bad experience there yet and they always try to fit you in, no matter how busy. It's the sort of place you can take your friends
Mama Mia! What a feast. If only the Italians drove like they served food, the world would be a much safer place! Situated on Southampton's waterfront at Town Quay, La Margherita is Italian in every way. A lively restaurant with waiting staff only too
LOCATED within applauding distance of the Mayflower Theatre, it's no surprise that Buon Gusto has the feel of a theatre restaurant. The Italian restaurant is decked out in a combination of artefacts from foreign holidays and theatre posters creating the
I HAVE, in the past, had occasion to be critical about restaurant service; establishments where the quality of food has been excellent, but the standard of service has been poor. After my meal at the Titchfield Mill I can honestly say that they have got
NESTLING in one of Hampshire's loveliest towns stands one of the county's least-heralded top-class restaurants. Broad Street Brasserie, formerly Caf Cresson, offers fine food with good service in a building full of character. What more could you ask for
THERE'S no shortage of Indian restaurants in Winchester, but the Palash should not be overlooked. Tucked away off the main drag in Parchment Street, it offers a warm welcome and superb food. Like many other Indian eateries space is at a premium but sensibly
IT'S usually a good sign when you see a queue forming in the door of a restaurant. It must be the place to eat with would-be diners clamouring to get that last table. We had had the foresight to book beforehand as on previous visits to Olivo's we had
YOU can now add the taste of Portuguese cuisine to the wide range of meals available in the popular Bedford Place area. Recently opened, Linda Madeira is a smallish but welcoming restaurant with a varied menu offering a wide range of pasta, pizza and
I REALLY do hope that diners are not put off from visiting Bedford Place because of its reputation in some quarters as a noisy student hang-out. Hidden amongst its sprawl of take-aways and pubs are some of the best restaurants in Southampton. The Wine
A MEAL at the Suan Thai promised to be an interesting experience. Firstly because the last time I ate there was several years ago when it was called the Lana Thai and was under a different management. And secondly because my dining companion had not long
NESTLING in a quiet Winchester backwater, the King Alfred pub is a bit of a city gem. Visitors to this tranquil Hyde hostelry are confronted by a dazzling display of hanging baskets, literally dripping from the walls. Combined with the sea of green of
SO sir, how would you like your ostrich - rare, medium or well done? Not exactly your everyday patter from a smiling waitress, but then it's not that often you discover ostrich on the menu. "We've been trying out a few new dishes here," explained the
YOU can almost never have it all. Good food, very reasonable prices, lovely seating, nice view. Shame about the service. Well to be exact, shame about the time it took to serve us. It never ceases to amaze me how any popular establishment can fail to
IF your working day involves sitting in an office surrounded by constantly ringing telephones, then the Black Dog is the perfect place to escape to for a bit of peace and quiet. The tranquil setting on the edge of the Meon Valley does help but more importantly
I had never visited the Sir Walter Tyrrell pub before, but it reminded me of Sunday lunches in the 1970s. As a family we seldom went out for lunch in those days, keeping to the tradition of gathering round the dinner table with a large roast and a hefty
NOTHING beats a traditional thatched-roof country pub boasting the kind of grub that rounds off a hard day enjoying the sun. And Shanklin's Crab Inn is certainly picture postcard perfect. Indeed, the pleasant "olde worlde" appearance of the pub, which
SITUATED among a plethora of Indian restaurants on the popular London Road, Chutneys Curry House certainly stands out as one of the best. It is by no means the largest but the welcome is always warm and the food simply mouth-watering. The menu offers
FOR a relaxing meal you would be hard pushed to beat the classy Potters Restaurant at Ampfield. Part of the impressive Potters Heron Hotel, the restaurant is set in a beautiful location with a separate bar and garden which is ideal for after-dinner drinks
SITTING in the garden overlooking the football pitch, sipping a chilled glass of wine on a summer's evening, it's hard to imagine you're only ten minutes' drive from the centre of Southampton. Surely the garden at the Clump Inn in leafy Chilworth has
Fed up with the usual selection of restaurants? Want to try a new eating experience in Winchester? You could do worse than La Bodega in The Square. It offers authentic Spanish tapas and is Winchester's newest eaterie. With its light and airy dcor and
If Chinese food is your thing, then look no further than the Cellar Peking in Winchester. As the name suggests the restaurant is down in a cellar, and this adds a little charm to the already vibrant atmosphere that is complemented by first-class service
FORGET all the claptrap about south coast city rivalries, one of the best entertainment centres in Hampshire is in Portsmouth. Gunwharf Quays is a £100m development in the heart of the city and features 65 designer outlets, an 11-screen cinema and 20
WHEN you think of eating out on the Isle of Wight, scones in thatched teashops and home cooked meals in country pubs spring to mind. So it came as something of a surprise to discover Joe Daflo's London-style caf/bar in Ryde, which oozes cosmopolitan chic
The thing that most grabs you about this pub, aside from the decoration which reminds you of the inside of an old sailing vessel, is the atmosphere. The walls are decorated with various objects and posters, ranging from hubcaps above the pool table to
It seems blending is as important throughout the Coach and Horses as it is in the kitchen. The popular Cadnam pub has managed to keep a tavern-like atmosphere and nucleus of happy regulars while catering for the demands of a booming eating-out industry
This should be a theatre review, but massive hold ups on the M27 meant there was no way we would arrive at Chichester in time for curtain up--or even the interval. Thoroughly fed up we turned back to Winchester and made for the Cellar Peking in Jewry
