Archive

  • FA trophy: 'Schoolboy' errors cost Whites

    SALISBURY made an exit from their second cup competition in two weeks, losing 4-0, and this was not unexpected against a very strong Conference South Thurrock side. Assistant manger Barry Blankley said afterwards: "We lost because of basic errors, schoolboy

  • Wessex League Div 1: Biddle's about! Gary has last laugh

    A LAST-GASP 92nd-minute strike by Gary Biddle earned VT FC a precious point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Fareham Town at Portsmouth Road. "It was a good game to watch and I thought that a draw was a fair result. Full credit to our lads for keeping

  • Events - Christmas in Bournemouth

    Christmas shopping on Sundays Sunday, November 21 and throughout December Shops open at 10.30am and close at 4.30pm 2CR FM Christmas lights switch on Sunday, November 21 The Square from 4pm. Come and see the magical lights and see the giant Christmas

  • In Port

    Today's Principal Arrivals: Dart 2, ro/ro, container, 0800, 30; Autosky, ro/ro, 1600, 43; NYK Lyra, container, 1700, 207; Hojin, vehicle carrier, 2130, 40; NYK Argus, container, 2300, 204; APL Hong Kong, container, PM, 205 Today's Principal Sailings:

  • King Kong prawns prove a monster hit with diners

    CHEFS at Southampton's Langleys Bistro are wowing diners with their new King Kong king prawns. The Giant Madagascan Black Tiger Prawns dwarf the conventional king prawn and are thought to be unique to Langleys among Southampton restaurants. "We asked

  • Rugby: Totts mourn loss of Roger Bingham

    TOTTONIANS sides held a minute's silence at the weekend in memory of popular clubman Roger Bingham, writes Clive Downton. The 36-year-old died last week after a long battle against cancer. He joined Totts from London-based side Grasshoppers some seven

  • Friendlies

    A CATALOGUE of illness, injury and unavailability cost Eastleigh dear as they were well beaten by a keen Tottonians II 42-5. The young Totts side, boosted by the likes of former first team full-back Wayne Tonkins, were too strong for the weakened Eastleigh

  • Hayes 1 - Bashley 0

    LACK of senior squad players finally took its toll on brave Bashley as they suffered 90th-minute FA Trophy heartbreak away to the might of Conference South outfit Hayes. On paper the New Forest club shouldn't have been able to live with a side from two

  • Hants Senior Cup: Lymington & NM 3 - Hamble ASSC 0

    After humbling Hamble ASSC 8-0 in the league just a fortnight earlier, Lymington & New Milton eased through to the third round of the County Senior Cup with a comfortable 3-0 scoreline over the Planemakers. Sam Carter gave the Linnets the lead on

  • Sports stars honoured

    THE sporting achievements of Winchester pupils have been among scores honoured. Three students have received Michael Austin Harlick awards, given for sporting excellence. They are Stuart Ransley, Kings School, (cricket); Panuga Riou, Westgate School (

  • Hants Senior Cup: Ringwood Town 1 - Gosport Boro 2

    Ringwood Town shook Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 championship chasers Gosport Borough by snatching a shock sixth-minute lead before eventually going down 2-1 at their Long Lane home. Ian Rew, whose mistake led to Ringwood's opening goal, made amends just

  • Hamworthy Utd 2 - Brockenhurst 0

    Hamworthy United manager Alex Pike was a happy man after watching his team triumph 2-0 at home to Brockenhurst. "I'm very pleased with the win. The younger players are starting to settle in now and I'm very happy with what I've got here at Hamworthy,"

  • 41 hours' snooker without a break!

    A MARATHON snooker game in the New Forest is thought to have raised about £500 for charity. Dave Gook and Tony Smith managed to keep playing for 41 hours and notched up a total of 105 frames. They started at 7pm on Friday and had hoped to play until late

  • OFSTED report into RE proves inconclusive

    AN OFSTED inspection into the state of religious education in Hampshire's schools has revealed mixed results. The report into pupils' achievement, teaching quality and year-on-year improvement for the 2003/04 academic year shows improvements in some areas

  • Review: Mowlam wows audience with candid insight

    An Evening With Mo Mowlam, The Nuffield. AS she shuffled on to stage, blaming its uneven camber for her unsteadiness, it is almost hard to believe Mo Mowlam was possibly one of the most important politicians of the 20th century. Unaffected, down-to-earth

  • Scots hear Long view

    TOTALLY Tennis director Nigel Long was one of the main speakers at the annual Scottish National Tennis Coaches' conference held in Edinburgh. Long, who is a performance coach and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coach education tutor, was asked to address

  • Dixon adds experience

    WHEN the Basingstoke first team return to action on Saturday, at home to Thanet Wanderers, there could be two new additions in the home line-up. Jim Dixon has already taken steps to add experience to his young team by signing a Chilean international fly-half

  • Date at The Brook for Saw Doctors

    ONE of Ireland's top bands, the Saw Doctors, are coming to Southampton next month. The band, who are currently in the middle of a coast-to-coast tour of America, are stopping off at The Brook in Portswood on December 15. The Brook is one of the more intimate

  • Bramley

    REMEMBRANCE: A Remembrance Day service will be held in St James' Church on November 14, at 10.30am. The loose collection that day will be for SSAFA, a charity that helps ex-servicemen or their widows in retirement. CHRISTINGLE: A Family Christingle Service

  • Ellisfield/Farleigh

    COUNCILLOR resigns: Ellisfield Parish Council reluctantly accepted Peter Mitchell's resignation at its meeting last Monday. Peter has served for two terms on the council, most recently being elected after the May 2003 fiasco, and previously as chairman

  • KNOCKOUT NIGHT TO REMEMBER

    IT WAS the fight of the year that raised £14,000 for charity - but left Eastleigh football club manager Paul Doswell in hospital. Nearly 300 people cheered on two of Hampshire's top businessmen as they swapped briefcases for boxing gloves in a gruelling

  • Kingsclere

    CORONATION Copse: The plantation of trees on the hillside above the gallops, to celebrate the Queen's coronation, is now showing its autumn colours and is well worth an expedition to see. Walk up the Hannington bridleway from the Dell to the junction

  • Charities to benefit from festive market

    MORE than ten charities will benefit from a Christmas market to be held in Chandler's Ford this month. The Methodist Church, in Winchester Road, is holding the massive sale, with everything from cards and gifts to cakes and refreshments on offer. Admission

  • Oakley

    CRIME: It's official, crime is down in Oakley. In fact, it's down by 57 per cent compared with the same period last year. APPROVAL: Has been granted by the borough council to install three street lamps in the Kennet Way play area, and this area has also

  • Tadley

    POPPY Appeal: Volunteers will be collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Sainsbury's until November 13. Also, on Sunday, November 14, there will be the usual services at Baughurst War Memorial starting at 10.45am, and then at St Paul's Church, The Green, at

  • Festive fury

    Sir.-When was it that Tadley folk learned that Tesco was planning to come to the town, only for the store to get lost somewhere along the road? And then there were none as the existing supermarket disappeared for six months, including Christmas. Now roadworks

  • Take a pew

    ST PETER'S PARISH & CIVIC CHURCH Hinton Rd (by Beales) Christmas Eve: 4pm: THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS (Candlelight) 11pm: THE MIDNIGHT MASS & FIRST COMMUNION OF CHRISTMAS (Candlelight) Christmas Day: 8am: SAID HOLY COMMUNION (Book

  • Just not good enough

    GOALSCORER Anders Svensson confessed that Saturday's game was the sort Saints must start winning. The Swede, who didn't score at all for Saints last season, was on target twice to become the club's top-scorer this season with four goals. But any personal

  • Pompey a kickstarter

    STEVE WIGLEY has set his sights on the massive derby against Portsmouth on Saturday to "kickstart" Saints' season. A disappointing 2-2 draw with West Brom kept Saints in the bottom three and wasn't the start the club were hoping for to their 'crunch month

  • Wigley: That was unprofessional

    STEVE WIGLEY said his side "lacked professionalism" in allowing West Brom a quickfire equaliser. After a good opening spell, Saints took the lead through Anders Svensson and it seemed they would then cruise to that elusive first league win under Wigley

  • Christmas cookies

    Make your own Christmas cookies for Santa this year. You need: 250g of plain flour 125g of butter 125g of brown sugar 1 small egg - beaten 2 teaspoons of mixed spice For the icing: 125g of icing sugar 1-2 tablespoons of hot water Food colouring Mix up

  • SAINTS 2 - WEST BROM 2

    IT was a day when the burden of victory was to ultimately triumph over hope. After the memorable draw at Highbury and the gradual return from injury of several key players, there had been a buzz around Saints in the build-up to the visit of West Brom

  • Aston Villa 3 - Pompey 0

    THEY may not be Rupert Lowe's favourite club, but Aston Villa did Saints a favour by thumping pitiful Pompey. At least that is one way to look at the 3-0 mauling of Harry Redknapp's side at Villa Park. Pompey's third away defeat of the season was a reminder

  • Hants Senior Cup: Ringwood Town 1 - Gosport Boro 2

    Ringwood Town shook Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 championship chasers Gosport Borough by snatching a shock sixth-minute lead before eventually going down 2-1 at their Long Lane home. Ian Rew, whose mistake led to Ringwood's opening goal, made amends just

  • Hants Senior Cup: De'ath spoils Sports' day

    RAMPANT Romsey Town sprung the upset of the day in the Hampshire Senior Cup by beating Division 1 side Cowes Sports 4-3 in a thriller at the By-Pass Ground. Trevor Holmes' Division 2 promotion-hunters sprinted into a 3-0 interval lead and then led the

  • Wessex League Div 2 & 3: Funnell keeps Poole on course

    IT'S full steam ahead for Division 2 promotion-chasers POOLE TOWN after a double blast by Gary Funnell guided the Dolphins to a 2-0 victory at US PORTSMOUTH. Poole's goal-scoring central midfielder opened his account just before half-time with a superbly

  • Third council joins debate over homes

    A THIRD parish council has waded into the row over plans to build 600 homes on a 64-acre site at Bursledon. Villagers have already given the scheme a frosty reception at a meeting called by Bursledon Parish Council, saying that plans for the huge site

  • Mistletoe & gluhwein

    GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET November 19-December 22 Every day from 10am until late. New for this year is a visiting traditional German Christmas Market. Up to 30 traditional wooden Christmas huts will be transported from Germany and set up in the Square outside

  • Firms risk action under new law

    MORE than three-quarters of small to medium-sized businesses in Hampshire risk court action for failing to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. And commercial property experts Chesterton

  • Sue collects award for helping to fight cancer

    SUE White from British Gas in Southampton has won a national award for helping to raise awareness of cancer and to build a better future for sufferers in the south. The award was presented by TV presenter Gaby Roslin to recognise the contribution of Centrica's

  • Hants Senior Cup: Ringwood Town 1 - Gosport Boro 2

    Ringwood Town shook Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 championship chasers Gosport Borough by snatching a shock sixth-minute lead before eventually going down 2-1 at their Long Lane home. Ian Rew, whose mistake led to Ringwood's opening goal, made amends just

  • Hamworthy Utd 2 - Brockenhurst 0

    Hamworthy United manager Alex Pike was a happy man after watching his team triumph 2-0 at home to Brockenhurst. "I'm very pleased with the win. The younger players are starting to settle in now and I'm very happy with what I've got here at Hamworthy,"

  • Hospital splashes out on patients' designer gowns

    PATIENTS at a Winchester hospital can relax in the comfort of brand new gowns. The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, along with the Andover War Memorial Hospital, is phasing out their old, rather revealing, hospital gowns in favour of new modest ones.

  • Hants Senior Cup: Christchurch 1 - Lymington Town 0

    A 75th-minute strike by Steve Bernard finally gave Christchurch a battling 1-0 verdict against Lymington Town, while goals by Justin Bennett (2), Glen Damon, Bobby Swayne and Vince Rusher gave Andover a 5-3 passage over BAT, who replied through Matt Czastka

  • Bournemouth Poppies 1 - AFC Totton 1

    Bournemouth Poppies also needed an injury-time equaliser as they drew 1-1 at home to AFC Totton. The visitors had taken the lead in stunning style after 55 minutes with a cracking volley by Mark Osman from the edge of the penalty area, only for left-back

  • Gym'll fix it for teens seeking fitness on the cheap

    TEENAGERS on the Waterside will soon be able to hit the gym after school. A special fitness scheme for 14-18-year-olds called "Teen Training" has been launched by Applemore Health and Leisure Centre in Dibden. Centre bosses dreamed up the idea after young

  • Did a suicide driver cause train carnage?

    INVESTIGATORS are focusing today on evidence suggesting a suicide driver caused the Berkshire train crash that killed seven people. It has emerged that a police officer desperately tried to avert the tragedy and believes a motorist on the track may have

  • Second stoppage at BAT is called off

    A PLANNED second day of strike action by production workers at the British American Tobacco factory in Southampton this week has been called off. Both management and Amicus union representatives are to have peace talks over the pay dispute. A condition

  • Airport and school forge a friendship

    YOUNGSTERS at a city school are celebrating being awarded specialist status and setting up a training link with neighbouring Southampton Airport. For years Bitterne Park School, in Copsewood Road, Bitterne, was blighted by low-flying aircraft over its

  • Sarah body of art work is so Human

    AN exciting young artist whose showcases at an Eastleigh gallery put her on the road to stardom, is starring in a Southampton art show. Sarah Misselbrook is one of the ten artists whose work is featured in the latest exhibition at the a space contemporary

  • Hants Senior Cup: Alton Town 5 - Locks Heath 3 (aet)

    There was nearly an upset at Alton Town where Sydenhams Wessex Division 2 leaders Locks Heath took a 15th-minute lead through a Mike Summers penalty, following a handball in the area. Alton equalised in the second half courtesy of top-scorer Steve Poolton

  • Feelings run high over flats' height

    RESIDENTS on an estate are set to challenge council planning officers after an investigation at a controversial flats development revealed the buildings to be higher than originally specified. Determined residents from Lawn Drive and Field Close in Locks

  • Oldest craft hovers into new home

    THE world's oldest hovercraft has gone into semi-retirement in Lee-on-the-Solent. SRN6 has completed her last long journey from Belgium and is now making her home at the Hovercraft Museum at HMS Daedalus in Marine Parade West. The last gas-turbined hovercraft

  • Brookvale

    CASINO Royale: Ticket sales for this event are well under way and are "Bond" to sell out! Shake a leg, stir yourselves and make sure you are part of the fun. The event is on Friday, November 26, and begins at 8pm. Tickets, costing £8 each, can be obtained

  • Cliddesden

    VILLAGE hall events: It's the November coffee morning in the Millennium Village Hall on Monday, from 10.30am, and on Thursday, it's the whist drive starting at 7.15pm. SUPPER and quiz: The St Leonard's Church autumn supper and quiz was a great success

  • Hook

    EMBROIDERERS' Guild: If you thought that "diamonds were a girl's best friend" then you were mistaken. Instead, as Betty Hutton said in her song "A sewing machine, a sewing machine; a girl's best friend", you can find out just why at the next meeting of

  • Old Basing

    LEGION: The jumble sale held last week was a roaring success. Next Thursday, the buglers from the band will be in Castle Square, in the town centre, to sound the Last Post at the county ceremony for the Remembrance Day Service. Then on November 14, they

  • School goes back in time

    PUPILS at an Eastleigh school took a step back in time as part of a historical week. Youngsters at Eastleigh's Norwood School discovered how things were done the old-fashioned way while turning back the pages of the history books. The week has included

  • Rotherwick

    WILLOW on wood... Has now finished for the season at the Rotherwick ITW Cricket Club at the sports field. Congratulations to all our team members, as the league side won eight out of 12 games and finished third in the north-east division two of the Hampshire

  • Silchester

    PHOENIX Club: Met last Wednesday when the speaker was Richard Muddiman, who was thanked for filling in at the last minute for Chris Marsh-Jenks, who is ill. Plans were made for the December buffet afternoon, when Silchester School choir will come to entertain

  • Concern about CSA job cuts

    Sir.-As a civil servant based in the Child Support Agency in Basingstoke, I am extremely concerned at the effect the Government's job cuts will have. These will not only affect the 80 people in my office, who now face the prospect of losing their jobs

  • 23 ... and counting!

    THE extent of Saints' injury crisis in 2004/05 was further illustrated against West Brom when Antti Niemi pulled out with a knee ligament injury. Amazingly, that now means that Saints have no players who are Premiership ever-presents after just 12 games

  • Medals galore for diving hope

    COMMONWEALTH and Olympic Games hopeful Tom Owens has just enjoyed medal success at home and abroad. A splendid October started with a trip to Cairo for the Egypt international meet where the 18-year-old won a bronze medal in the one-metre springboard

  • Town humbled in FA Trophy defeat

    Windsor and Eton 4, Basingstoke Town 0 BASINGSTOKE Town continued their recent woeful form in national cup competitions as they crashed out of the FA Trophy 4-0 at Windsor and Eton. As in the FA Cup last month, Town found lower-league opposition too hot

  • Bison crash after a six-minute warning

    Nottingham Panthers 4, Basingstoke Bison 1 NOTTINGHAM Panthers took first blood in their weekend double header with the Basingstoke Bison as three goals in the first six minutes won the contest at the National Ice Centre. The visitors were again without

  • FA trophy: Eastleigh and Dossy left with bloodied nose

    THERE were a few raw emotions on show as Eastleigh dipped out of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 defeat against the ten men of St Albans City on a grey Saturday at the Sparshatts Stadium. Defeat came less than three weeks after their FA Cup replay exit against

  • FA trophy: Butler's battlers up for a fight

    LACK of senior squad players finally took its toll on brave Bashley as they suffered 90th-minute FA Trophy heartbreak away to the might of Conference South outfit Hayes. On paper the New Forest club shouldn't have been able to live with a side from two

  • Ryman League: Newport miss the point

    THE margin of defeat may have been slender, but Newport IoW boss John Linington was honest enough to admit: "We got murdered" after a 2-1 reverse at Leatherhead. Bizarrely the bottom-of-the-table Islanders might even have a grabbed a late point, but even

  • Hants Senior Cup: Alton Town 5 - Locks Heath 3 (aet)

    There was nearly an upset at Alton Town where Sydenhams Wessex Division 2 leaders Locks Heath took a 15th-minute lead through a Mike Summers penalty, following a handball in the area. Alton equalised in the second half courtesy of top-scorer Steve Poolton

  • Hants Intermediate Cup: Common make case for defence

    COLDEN Common retained their grip on the Hampshire Intermediate Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Stockbridge Reserves. "Stockbridge are at the top of the Hampshire League and are very good side but we missed lots of chances today, although a larger

  • VT FC 2 - Fareham Town 2

    A LAST-GASP 92nd-minute strike by Gary Biddle earned VT FC a precious point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Fareham Town at Portsmouth Road. "It was a good game to watch and I thought that a draw was a fair result. Full credit to our lads for keeping

  • Cup extra

    THE Hampshire Intermediate Cup took centre stage for Southampton Football League and Hampshire League teams over the weekend. Wellow (Owen Buttle, Sam Bennett and Paul Traies) lost out 3-4 to Mottisfont in a thriller, Mike Burgess (2) and Alan Bundy (

  • Mascarenhas boosts World Cup hopes in Sixes victory

    HAMPSHIRE duo Dimitri Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett helped England retain the Hong Kong Sixes title yesterday. All-rounder Mascarenhas was the hero of England's qualification from Pool One at the Kowloon Cricket Club, and he struck 12 runs from just

  • Events - Christmas in Bournemouth

    Christmas shopping on Sundays Sunday, November 21 and throughout December Shops open at 10.30am and close at 4.30pm 2CR FM Christmas lights switch on Sunday, November 21 The Square from 4pm. Come and see the magical lights and see the giant Christmas

  • Events - Christmas in Bournemouth

    Christmas shopping on Sundays Sunday, November 21 and throughout December Shops open at 10.30am and close at 4.30pm 2CR FM Christmas lights switch on Sunday, November 21 The Square from 4pm. Come and see the magical lights and see the giant Christmas

  • Policy addresses 24-hour drinking

    NEW rules that allow 24-hour opening of pubs and clubs will not necessarily lead to round-the-clock boozing in Basingstoke, councillors will be assured. A new policy to deal with the number of pubs and bars in the town that might want to take advantage

  • Eastleigh 1 - St Albans City 2

    THERE were a few raw emotions on show as Eastleigh dipped out of the FA Trophy against the ten men of St Albans City on a grey Saturday at the Sparshatts Stadium. Defeat came less than three weeks after their FA Cup replay exit against Tiverton Town and

  • Triumphant Trojans rise to the occasion

    TROJANS coach Pete Surtees admitted before the match he would be satisfied if his side came within ten points of their higher league opponents in the Powergen Junior Vase, KCS Old Boys. It was a benchmark fixture for his charges to see if they were prepared

  • Romsey survive scare

    IT WAS a one-point win two weeks ago and it was exactly the same on Saturday - Romsey defeated Old Emanuel in their replayed Lon-don 4 South-West clash, so it's as you were at the foot of the table. With a side a little under strength against an Emanuel

  • Hants Senior Cup: Christchurch 1 - Lymington Town 0

    A 75th-minute strike by Steve Bernard finally gave Christchurch a battling 1-0 verdict against Lymington Town, while goals by Justin Bennett (2), Glen Damon, Bobby Swayne and Vince Rusher gave Andover a 5-3 passage over BAT, who replied through Matt Czastka

  • Bournemouth Poppies 1 - AFC Totton 1

    Bournemouth Poppies also needed an injury-time equaliser as they drew 1-1 at home to AFC Totton. The visitors had taken the lead in stunning style after 55 minutes with a cracking volley by Mark Osman from the edge of the penalty area, only for left-back

  • Rugby: Totts mourn loss of Roger Bingham

    TOTTONIANS sides held a minute's silence at the weekend in memory of popular clubman Roger Bingham, writes Clive Downton. The 36-year-old died last week after a long battle against cancer. He joined Totts from London-based side Grasshoppers some seven

  • Tripwire danger for motorcyclists

    MOTORBIKE riders in Winchester are being warned to be extra vigilant after a strip of wire was found strung between two posts in a city car park. The trap, which could have caused serious injury, had been tied at neck height between two posts on the top

  • Talking about drugs

    A WINCHESTER church is throwing open its doors for a lunchtime talk on drugs. Steve Rolles, from the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, is heading for the United Church in Jewry Street to talk about his work campaigning for a more just drugs policy. He

  • Bournemouth Poppies 1 - AFC Totton 1

    Bournemouth Poppies also needed an injury-time equaliser as they drew 1-1 at home to AFC Totton. The visitors had taken the lead in stunning style after 55 minutes with a cracking volley by Mark Osman from the edge of the penalty area, only for left-back

  • Rugby: Totts mourn loss of Roger Bingham

    TOTTONIANS sides held a minute's silence at the weekend in memory of popular clubman Roger Bingham, writes Clive Downton. The 36-year-old died last week after a long battle against cancer. He joined Totts from London-based side Grasshoppers some seven

  • SAFE AND WELL

    A NEW Forest dad spoke of his relief today after two missing schoolgirls were found safe and well. Chris Cooper described the joyful scenes that took place last night following the discovery of his daughter Sheila and her cousin, Anna-Marie Cooper. Police

  • We love our new school but still need more space

    A LYMINGTON school desperately needs a £200,000 extension despite moving to a brand new building just under a year ago. Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School had to move into their £1.5m new home even though bosses knew it was not big enough

  • Hospitals cash crisis talks

    As health bosses struggle to make £15m of savings, MPs grill NHS trust chief executive to demand answers about the financial crisis... TWO HAMPSHIRE MPs are today demanding answers from Southampton health bosses as to why they have sunk so far into the

  • Review: Comedian struggles for laughs . . .

    Edinburgh and Beyond, Theate Royal, Winchester THERE is no feeling in live theatre quite like watching a stand-up comedian die on his feet. It's what the word excruciating was invented for. But of all the people you might have expected to encounter such

  • WOMAN TAKEN ON AN 8-MILE TERROR RIDE

    A WOMAN was abducted from a Hampshire road, bundled into a car and taken on a terrifying 25-minute journey blindfolded before being dumped. The 23-year-old kicked and screamed as a man got out of a car, grabbed her by her hair and forced her into the

  • FAMILY MOURN HERO DAD KILLED IN IRAQ

    A FAMILY is today in mourning after a 49-year-old civilian worker was killed in a suicide bomb blast in Iraq. John Barker, 49, was killed in a massive blast as he alerted colleagues to a car bomber at a check point near Baghdad airport. The former Royal

  • Gospel hall damaged after car is set alight

    A SOUTHAMPTON gospel hall was damaged by fire after arsonists torched a car parked outside. Part of the Methodist Gospel Hall in Millbrook Road East was boarded up this morning after the blaze started at 11.30pm yesterday. Police believe a Ford Escort

  • It's a knockout!

    IT WAS the fight of the year that raised £14,000 for charity - but left Eastleigh football club manager Paul Doswell in hospital. Nearly 300 people cheered on two of Hampshire's top businessmen as they swapped briefcases for boxing gloves in a gruelling

  • Wayne's trust needs extra helpers

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to help man a charity shop set up by the family of Hampshire motorbike crash victim Wayne Howard. The Wayne Howard Trust is raising money to provide advice and support for acquired brain damage patients and their relatives. Although

  • Hants Senior Cup: Lymington & NM 3 - Hamble ASSC 0

    After humbling Hamble ASSC 8-0 in the league just a fortnight earlier, Lymington & New Milton eased through to the third round of the County Senior Cup with a comfortable 3-0 scoreline over the Planemakers. Sam Carter gave the Linnets the lead on

  • War of words heads for the High Court

    POLITICAL rivalry in the Meon Valley will spill over into the High Court amid claims that a dirty tricks campaign was used to sway voters before this year's local elections. Solicitors have issued a libel writ on behalf of Independent Shedfield councillor

  • Fireworks boost for special school

    THERE were fireworks and fundraising galore in Whiteley with a spectacular display which helped boost the coffers of a primary school special needs department. Visitors to the shopping outlet enjoyed merry-go-rounds, hot chestnut stalls and a Punch and

  • Brighton Hill

    VIABLES Community Association: A public meeting is being held on Friday, November 26, at 7pm, in the Four Lanes room, at the Viables centre. People who would like to be committee members should contact June Balcombe or Sandy Pearcey on 01256 845477 or

  • Chineham

    BINGO: On Tuesday, there is senior citizen's bingo in the lounge bar at the village hall, from 2pm. The cost is £1.50, and a light lunch is provided. ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour: Pc Ray Niblock has thrown down the gauntlet on anti-social behaviour. While some

  • Hatch Warren

    CHRISTMAS fair: Takes place next Saturday, November 13, at the community centre, from 2pm to 4pm. It's a great chance to get some early Christmas present shopping done, with plenty of gift ideas from local crafts-people. Entrance is only 50p and refreshments

  • Lorry ban idea is floated again

    A FRESH bid to ban lorries from using roads around Eastleigh town centre is being championed by town councillors. The move comes after the Daily Echo reported how two of Eastleigh's major approach roads have failed Whitehall standards for air quality.

  • Pamber Heath

    PAMBER Heath Gardening Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Tuesday, November 16, at Pamber Heath Village Hall, starting at 8pm. The speaker for the evening will be Jill Langram, who will be giving a talk on the National Trust Gardener Training

  • Popley

    BE CAREFUL: Now that the wind has blown most of the leaves off the trees, with the rain they are becoming wet and slippery underfoot. So, when you are sweeping them away from your front or back door, spare a thought for your elderly neighbour and sweep

  • Sherfield-on-Loddon

    CONGRATULATIONS: To Tony Sumner, who has recently been presented with the Hampshire Football Association's Services to Football Award. Tony received his award from HFA chairman John Ward at the Hilton Hotel, Basingstoke. He joined the village club in

  • Unhappy over axed service

    Sir.-I was shocked on Monday morning, when I went to get my regular bus - the number 13 at 8.02am from Homesteads Road on the A30 - to discover a poster. The poster was published by Stagecoach announcing "more buses, better buses". How is this correct

  • Eat at the Beach

    Christmas and New Year at West Beach Christmas menu (£17.95) Starters: Leek and potato soup Smoked haddock cake, parsley butter sauce Chicken and wild mushroom pat, spiced apple and red onion chutney Mains: Seared fillet of salmon, black olives, crushed

  • Delight at mast plan refusal

    Sir.-A petition from residents in Stratfield Road has helped stop the erection of a 15-metre telecommunications pole with antennae on a substation nearby. The Basingstoke planning committee refused the application last week. Quote - from committee report

  • Heart goes when post office closes

    Sir.-Oh how we would love to have our post office back, on the Roman Road. Alas, it was pulled down ages ago. New houses have taken over now. When a post office closes, the heart goes out of a community. It used to be a meeting place for friends. We would

  • Even priests get parking tickets

    Sir.-There seem to be some extremely petty regulations and reinforcement over the parking regulations in Basingstoke town centre. Several members of the congregation - and even the assistant priest - of the Sunday morning service at All Saints Church,

  • Welcome measures

    Sir.-I read with astonishment the letter in last week's Gazette referring to "more traffic using the already congested Buckskin Lane", due to the proposed development in Old Kempshott Lane and traffic-calming measures, should the development go ahead.

  • Airing views on more new homes

    Sir.-The navety of Cllr Jones in asking the sub regional group for more houses to be allocated to Basingstoke is breathtaking. Surely his alarm bells should have sounded when he realised that he was ploughing a lone furrow. And if Cllr Gurden thinks the

  • Block the diallers

    Sir.-Many readers will be aware that when using the internet there is a risk of incurring expensive phone call charges by inadvertently downloading a piece of software known as a "dialler" onto a computer. Most diallers are perfectly legitimate. But others

  • Remember your pet

    Sir.-Remember, remember the Fifth of November, when animals are in for a fright. Fireworks that fill the night skies with explosions of colour and noise terrify our feathered and furry friends. Animals are often spooked by the loud bangs, so keep your

  • THE HEAT IS ON...

    SAINTS head coach Steve Wigley previewed next weekend's St Mary's showdown with Pompey and confessed: "The fans are entitled to expect." Wigley's men were just three minutes away from what would have been a dismal home loss to fellow Premiership strugglers

  • Take a pew

    ST PETER'S PARISH & CIVIC CHURCH Hinton Rd (by Beales) Christmas Eve: 4pm: THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS (Candlelight) 11pm: THE MIDNIGHT MASS & FIRST COMMUNION OF CHRISTMAS (Candlelight) Christmas Day: 8am: SAID HOLY COMMUNION (Book

  • Take a pew

    ST PETER'S PARISH & CIVIC CHURCH Hinton Rd (by Beales) Christmas Eve: 4pm: THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS (Candlelight) 11pm: THE MIDNIGHT MASS & FIRST COMMUNION OF CHRISTMAS (Candlelight) Christmas Day: 8am: SAID HOLY COMMUNION (Book

  • THE HEAT IS ON...

    SAINTS head coach Steve Wigley previewed next weekend's St Mary's showdown with Pompey and confessed: "The fans are entitled to expect." Wigley's men were just three minutes away from what would have been a dismal home loss to fellow Premiership strugglers

  • We're lacking leaders

    RIGHT now Saints need a leader. They are in trouble. Not big trouble yet, but they are in trouble. Last Monday in these pages I highlighted the fact that to make the most of the point at Highbury, Saints HAD to beat West Brom. Everybody expected Saints

  • Keep on believing - reasons to be cheerful ...

    THERE are thousands of worried Saints fans at the moment, and Saturday's poor result against fellow strugglers West Brom won't have improved their grim mood. But in the spirit of looking on the bright side, the Daily Echo has found some reasons amid the