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Another free in store ATM is to be installed early next year. Burnaby Stores, on the Winchester Road - Micheldever Road junction, hopes to have the machine installed by mid-January. Burnaby Store's owners were upset by HSBC's decision to leave the town and decided to take action; the shop is a convenience store with an off licence, is open from 7am to 9pm daily and so this service is welcome for those living on the south of the Town. The icy conditions caused significant problems for the Town centre's businesses. By making it difficult for people to get out of their homes and, in some cases, into the shops some businesses estimate that takings were down by up to 60% at a key time of year. Bill Judge says "W4W will be writing in the strongest terms to the County and Borough Council, on behalf of Town Centre businesses, complaining about the scandalous failure of the authorities to make local roads and pavements safe". There was plenty of warning of this situation arising as one woman slipped on the Town Hall forecourt as long ago as Friday 18th when police and an ambulance had to be called. Weather forecasts predicted the snow and freezing conditions. Simple precautions like to provision of salted grit to householders and shopkeepers were not taken. The Salvation Army band played carols and Christmas songs on The Square to herald in Somerfield staff supplied the band and collectors with tea and mince pies to help counteract the miserable conditions. Thanks to all who have supplied information for theWhitchurchWeb during 2009 and to the 29,000 visitors to the site during the year. May you have a whatever you hope for over the festive period and into 2010. It seems unlikely that the ice on Whitchurch's pavements will be cleared. The ice created by compacted snow has claimed several victims. According to a recorded An example of a dangerous area is the sunken pathway to the west of Winchester Road where there is around an inch of ice. Saturday saw the now traditional Fire The Town centre was busy as usual for the last Saturday before Christmas and The Square was brightened up by the brilliant sunshine and the carols and Christmas songs from the Fire Brigade.
John Dennett's Whitchurch Business Centre survey form was draw out to win £50 to spend in Whitchurch's shops. There are still lots of Christmas activities to come, particularly in the pubs, there's a full list in the Events Diary. Jackie Day wins Vacant Town Council Seat Jackie Day was elected yesterday in a very close vote. In another low turn out Jackie won by 5 votes to fill the post vacated by Sharon Prince earlier this year. The results are:
Silk Mill Links with Tsunami Victims Five years ago a tsunami wrecked the lives of millions in Sri Lanka. A remarkable charity, the Power of Hands Foundation, has been established by BAFTA and EMMY award winning costume designer Andrea Galer following a visit to see the damage done to the textile industry. The foundation set up a workshop in Galle Fort which is at the heart of a co-operative of 80 outworkers who use lacemaking skills brought to the area by the Portugese 600 years ago and passed down through the generations to produce some of the most beautiful lace in the world. Many of the workers live in depressing, basic and crowded dwellings through destitution or having lost their loved ones in the tsunami and there is an urgent sense of activity in the industrious community. The foundation gives these women hope for the future with the possibility of becoming self-sufficient and valued members of society. Having been weaving silk for 200 years, Whitchurch Silk Mill, appreciates the importance of nurturing craft skills. The Mill's shop now has Britain’s first showcase for the remarkable silk lace made by the ladies of Sri Lanka with the opportunity to purchase pieces, amongst which there are decorative snowflakes, hearts and bracelets. In January, bridal gowns incorporating the lace and made by Andrea Galer will be displayed in the shop. One of the key facilities offered by HSBC in Whitchurch is the ATM. This free, 24 hour facility allows all to draw cash to spend on small value items, or in those businesses that do not accept credit cards. For this reason it is seen as being vitally important to many of the town’s businesses. HSBC has only agreed to maintain the current one "whilst we look to secure an alternative site, which would be subject to local planning permission and our security guidelines". Working 4 Whitchurch works to support the town centre businesses and has been active in getting support from many sources in the campaign to persuade HSBC to remain in Whitchurch. As part of this effort Bill Judge contacted the Co-op, which now owns Somerfield’s, describing our difficulties surrounding the ATM. He has just received very encouraging news from them, saying “I can confirm that we will be placing an ATM in the area in early 2010, unfortunately I am unable to confirm the exact date that this will happen. However, we do expect it to be in place before the end of February.” The exact location of the ATM has not yet been decided but should be known before Christmas. W4W will continue to correspond with the Co-op in the hope that they will be persuaded to install a “hole in the wall” facility. Films will be back in Whitchurch in the New Year with a full screen that all will be able to see! Regular showings of films from Moviola on the first Thursday in each month in the Parish Hall will start with a gala première on 4th February featuring Julie & Julia This is a 12A rated comedy with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, from Miss Pettigrew and Doubt; the by line is “A recipe to change your life”. Two parallel stories about two women, Meryl Streep as a celebrity cook and Amy Adams as a bored housewife. They never meet but their destinies interact through a cookery book. Judge for yourself by looking at the trailer on-line on youtube. Tickets are £5 and will be available from John Dennett, the doors open at 7pm (the film starts at 7.30) and there'll be a free glass a bubbly on arrival (for the Feb showing) and a bar. So why travel all the way to Basingstoke or Andover when you can walk to the Parish Hall and enjoy a convivial evening with a drink and friends - there's no pop corn!! The Save Whitchurch Bank campaign team is hailing Thursday's meeting as a great success as part of its aim to keep a bank in the town, following HSBC's announcement that it is to close its last remaining bank. The Mayor, Vince Bradbury, explained how a campaign had been run using all resources that could be mobilised at various levels, including MP, Sir George Young, who expressed disappointment that HSBC had not consulted locally before deciding to close the Branch. The petition containing over 1700 signatures had asked HSBC to talk with the town, but it had declined the invitation to attend and sent apologies, so the seat remained empty. HSBC has reversed its plans to remove the ATM and has promised it would now remain until an alternative location were found. But while HSBC remain committed to closing the Whitchurch Branch, other banks are considering consider the town as a viable location for banking. Newbury Building Society has been approached by at least one high street bank interested in working with them to provide additional banking services. Geoff Knappett, Development Director of the Society told the meeting "This is a good sign that Whitchurch is seen as a viable investment by a major bank". John Carroll from North Hampshire Enterprise then explained the wealth of information that was available to small and large businesses and how support was readily available. The Save Whitchurch Bank group and the Town Council will be working together locally to ensure that as much information as possible is now made available for local residents and businesses. There is a fuller report of the meeting on the campaign’s website. An application has been made to extend the opening hours of the take away on Until 2006, when the opening hours were restricted to 11pm, the Town centre saw a lot of litter, see the picture of the Town Hall forecourt to the right. Immediately after the change the problem was very much reduced. You can have your say on the matter until 15 December by contacting Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council on 844844, emailing licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk or writing to Licensing, B&DBC, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AH and quote 05/01531/PREMN, please include your name and address. Please note that in order to have your input recognised you must be one of the following:
The Christmas in Whitchurch competitions start today. Entry forms are available in the Town and here for download. There is a Spot the Odd One Out competition for the 3 - 7 year olds, Mums and Dad's can help to find what is not normally on sale in the shop - in some cases that's not easy, given the huge range of items on offer. For the 8 -12 year olds find the letter in each shop window and use them to make up a festive phrase. The shop keepers have yet again gone out of there way to make the Town centre attractive and they are competing for a trophy for the best display. Adults can help in the judging and win a prize if their marking sheet is drawn. All the prizes will be awarded by Santa who is making a special visit to the Town Centre at around noon on 19th December. Whitchurch Arts is again running a Family Christmas Window Decoration competition. Decorate a window in your home creatively and enter the competition to win great prizes. Details and entry forms available at the White Hart Hotel and on the website. Whitchurch Silk Mill is proud to be playing host to the world renowned celebrity Father Christmas. He is making a flying visit on Saturday 12th December between 2pm and 4pm when he will be entertained by the Harmony Singers providing him with his customary mood music. To commemorate this occasion, free entry to the Mill will be provided during his visit and refreshments will be available. Parents and grandparents will be able to see the enchanting sculptures by Jan Truman whilst Fr. Christmas indulges the young guests or even buy Christmas presents for family and friends. Organised by the Friends of Whitchurch Silk Mill, all proceeds will go towards helping them with their educational projects. At its AGM on Sunday night the small band that has been the Whitchurch Festival A review of the last 2 years by Chairman Rob Dunlop included details of the initial events, the Festival Queen, the Pubs Race and the Carnival Day. Many lessons have been learned and those events should be even better in 2010. This year’s new activities, the bonfire and fireworks display and the senior citizens’ We’ll Meet Again Supper evening were also believed to be successes and are a way of putting something into the community from the funds raised, in addition to the many cash grants to local groups. The accounts for 2008 & 2009 can be downloaded here, thanks to the great efforts of treasurer, Neville Bright. The Committee is particularly pleased that Annabel Sankey, the current Festival Queen, has agreed to join the Committee to bring the voice of youth to the organisation. There’s still plenty of space for those who want to get involved, either on the committee or just helping out at any of the events or in the background. So if you are willing to help out in any way, you can e-mail them here. |
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Christmas. Despite being prevented from playing at 2 venues earlier in the week because of the bad weather, the band was able to take its traditional part in Whitchurch's pre-Christmas festivities. They played, appropriately, under the plaque commemorating the Salvation Army's stand in 1899 for the freedom to assemble in public. No one was forced to march off to Winchester jail on this 
occasion. 
message on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's main phone number, clearing roads and pavements is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council. Calling its Roads & Transport Services' number, 0845 603 5633, produces another recorded message which states that priority is being given to "the major road network and designated emergency areas". It goes on to say that "minor roads and footways may not be cleared". 
Brigade carols and songs and the presentation of the competition prizes. 
Unfortunately, due to technical problems and a very busy schedule, Santa was unable to make it to the Town and Barry Goddard kindly put down his collecting bucket to hand out the Christmas in Whitchurch shop window competition prizes. Winners of the children's competitions were Laura Leigh, Natalie Hawrylak and George Lloyd. The best shop window display was judged to be that in Joanne Gallimore's 
The Square. Some businesses are worried that the rubbish seen when the hours were longer may reappear. 