Spring is Here and Time for Action

As the weather improves, 3 groups are about to start their outdoor activities.

Whitchurch Rambling Club is to hold its first Wednesday 1st April, starting as ususal at 7pm from Bell Street car Park. Full details of all the club's activities are on-line at its website.

Whitchurch Tennis Club will be holding open evenings on Thursday 16th April and Tuesday 21st April at Testbourne School courts. Anyone interested is invited to come along from 6pm. You'll be able to meet some of the members and find out more about the club and (thinking of the recession) have an informal game of tennis for free. Contact Deb Crook, Membership secretary (893053) or Nigel Russell, Chairman (892897) if you want to know more.

Whitchurch Cricket Club's pre-season nets are every Saturday morning in April between 11.30am and 1pm at Testbourne starting on 4 April. If you want more information contact Jeff Williams on 07833 693144 or vist the club's website.

Spring Newsletter is Here

The Spring edition of Update is now available on line. Copies will be delivered to homes and available in shops, surgeries and the library next week.

Help Needed by the Silk Mill

There's a vacancy for a Visitor Services Assistant to work in the Mill shop on Fridays 10-5pm. Would any one be able to help modernise the Silk Mill's website?

For further details contact the Mill on 01256 892065

Threat to Local Business

The Old Paper Shop has been told to remove the satellite dish that provides its link to the National Lottery. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Conservation Officers have issued instructions to remove the dish.

Borough Councillor Keith Watts says "Not knowing that they belonged to the shop, I referred the comments on this forum to the Enforcement Team who have apparently brought in the Conservation Team". Cllr Watts was referring to a comment on thewhitchurchweb.org forum by one member who asked last September if planning permission was required for the dish. Cllr Watts now says "My current view is that alternative locations for the dishes should be investigated".

The income from the National Lottery sales and the footfall that it creates is vital to the shop's survival in the current economic climate. The owner, known to all as Bunci, will be contacting the Conservation Officers to find out what the next steps are.

Threat to Royal Mail Sorting Office

Royal Mail has now confirmed that it plans to close the Whitchurch sorting office on 5th May in an attempt to reduce its costs, no consultation appears to have taken place.

Staff currently working from the rented Church Street office are to be moved to Basingstoke and operate from there. One key concern is the effect on delivery times, which will result from staff having to travel from Basingstoke after having sorted their mail. Closure of the office will mean the loss of the Enquiry Office and ability to collect undelivered mail; it is believed that there are negotiations in hand to find an alternative location in the Town. The lack of consultation and the notice of the change given by Royal Mail are also causing upset.

A website, which contains details of how to voice your concerns, has been set up at www.savewhitchurchsortingoffice.org.uk.

Improving the Town Centre

Whilst one council is making it difficult for a Town centre business to survive, another is spending money on improving its looks.

The relaying of the granite sets is part of Hampshire County Council's contribution to the Town Centre Improvements Programme. The aim of the programme is address the issue of the centre "looking drab", as the Health Check some years ago highlighted. The improvements are aimed at making the businesses more viable. A pretty square with an empty shop seems a little pointless.

Work on the roundabout brought traffic chaos to the Town centre on Saturday morning as traffic lights created queues on all 5 roads leading to The Square and so made leaving it more difficult than usual.

A potential ray of hope to improve the look of the centre is that planning permission to turn the old Redwoods Estate Agents premises into a cafe with a ladies hairdressers has been submitted to B&DBC. So we wait for years for a cafe and then 2 come along at once!

Bogus Callers

On Thursday the 12th of March 2009 at around 8pm - 2 males tricked their way into the home of an elderly Overton resident and stole a small amount of money. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area at that time, please contact Hampshire Police on 0845 045 45 45.

PC Richard Baldwin reminds us to be mindful of any visitors to our door and if you have elderly relatives, friends, or neighbours could you take time out to advise them of this incident?

• Stop - are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don't be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.

• Check - A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don't accept a number from the caller.

• Chain - fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.

If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers in your area, contact the police on 0845 045 45 45. In an emergency always dial 999.

Parish Hall Now Back in Full Swing - 2

Saturday's first live music

night to be held since the hall reopened was a success.

The Heidi McLaughlin band provided entertainment for a very appreciative audience, both inside the Hall and those in th Blue Rickshaw!

Based on the success of this event, there will be another live music night in 9th May which will feature Second Time around and, hopefully, other local musicians.

Parish Hall Now Back in Full Swing - 1

WADS celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the Parish Hall and brought it back to life. With a "rehearsed reading" of one of its earliest productions plus wine and food, the event was a sell out.

Around 80 saw the smaller of the Town's stages was brought back to life as many of the residents remember it.

Whitchurch is Argentinia's Best Known Hampshire Town

Argentinia's Google will find Whitchurch if it is asked for a Hampshire town. A visit to www.google.com.ar will show this website as the first hit if you search for hampshire town!

Red House Now Back in Full Swing

In case you hadn't noticed, The Red House, based on London Street has recently been refurbished and has a new team at the helm. So far, new owner Sandra Bryant and Gareth McAinsh are off to a good start, with Head Chef Anthony Daude pledged to look to the future and create menus that will catch the imagination of a discerning and mobile public.

A delicious menu using local produce has been created, and includes a fabulous homemade stew and dumplings, daily fresh fish from Cornwall and our signature dish; home cooked salt beef served with potato salad and crusty bread, all complimented with a range of traditional ales and delicious wines.

Full details of the menu, wine list and specials are featured on the new Red House Whitchurch web site. The site also features the innovative “Chef’s Corner”, which can be used to communicate directly with Anthony.

So if you have not visited the Red House for a while, why not pop in for a guaranteed warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. If you would like to book a table, please call on 895558.