Parish Hall Refurbishment Moves On

Rapid progress is being made on the major renovation programme being carried out in the Parish Hall. Following the replacement of the windows and fire doors, the kitchen has been extended and the shell of the new disabled toilet built. The pictures show the removal of the old shell and new stud work (left) and the new interior walls (right), the new radiator locations can also be seen.

On the fund raising front, the collection of used computer printer cartridges and toner containers is going well - many thanks to those who have donated so far - more are still needed and can be handed in at The Handbag Shop. Another fund raising scheme is the propagation of perennial plants to be sold in addition to the bedding plants in the Hall's late Spring sale next year. If you have any plants that you think others might like in their garden and are willing to donate a cutting or two (in return for a different plant) please email the Hall.

High Temperatures for September

Thursday's reading of 27.8°C at Whitchurch's weather station was only just below the year's highest. There's possibility of its being even warmer on Friday.

Saturday is expected to be only marginally cooler - but not at Longmeadow, where Whitchurch United will be playing host to what is hoped to be a record crowd for the FA Cup Tie against Winchester City. Gate prices are £6 for adults and £3 for children and concessions - go on a nd support the Town's Team as it plays at the highest level in its history.

Whitchurch Squash Club Starts the Season with a Bang

Whitchurch Longmeadow Squash team scored a resounding victory in their first match of the new season on Wednesday evening. The Team took on Alton running out 5-0 winners, a perfect start to their Hampshire League campaign.

If you are interested in joining your local squash club, having a free tester game or just watching this exciting sport, contact Club Secretary Rob Gibson (07968 865 198) or visit the website.

Things are Looking Up in the Town Centre

External decoration is underway at 2 Winchester Street. The final part of the renovation of the property which includes Kingsley Financial Management is being conducted by Buildrite.

The building now sets the standard for the rest of the Town centre and provides a fitting location for one of the Town's key businesses.

Roof Comes off the Harvest and More Comes Down

Work has started on demolishing the Harvest Home. Following B&DBC's decision not to intervene in the issue of the old pub's demolition and not to raise any objections to the method of demolition, the roof tiles are being removed

The actions were despite a public meeting, a petition, a website and many verbal and written complaints to B&DBC and on the internet.

The only hint of good news is that the workmen removing the tiles were careful to preserve as many as possible so part of the Harvest will live on somewhere.

Later in the day, the real demolition work began as can be seen from the picture on the right (many thanks to the Harvest's neighbour for allowing access to take the picture). What can also be seen is the very poor state of repair the building was in following some 10 years of neglect by the owners.

The contractor still has a few days to move the unsightly fencing back from its current location.

Roof Comes off the Harvest

Work has started on demolishing the Harvest Home. Following B&DBC's decision not to intervene in the issue of the old pub's demolition and not to raise any objections to the method of demolition, the roof tiles are being removed

The actions were despite a public meeting, a petition, a website and many verbal and written complaints to B&DBC and on the internet.

The only hint of good news is that the workmen removing the tiles were careful to preserve as many as possible so part of the Harvest will live on somewhere.

The contractor still has a few days to move the fencing back from its current location.

... and the Meadow is Being Mowed

Grass cutting in Whitchurch seems to be the in thing - the Millennium Meadow is also receiving an Autumn trim. The last cut of the year is being made to the Millennium Meadow.

It also seems to be the season for AGMs, the Meadow's is in the Town Hall on Thursday October 6^th, starting at 8pm. For anyone wanting to see a bit of history there will be a slide show.

Spruce Up at the Silk Mill

Maintenance goes on at Whitchurch Silk Mill following the visit by the MG Car Club. The grass will be in great condition for the Friends of Whitchurch Silk Mill AGM which will be held in the tea Room at 7.30pm on 17 October.

Come along and see what's been happening and is planned at Whitchurch's unique tourist venue. More importantly - find out how you can get involved.

Charity Ride Nearly Over

Chris Miller's long distance ride to raise money for the Whitchurch Youth Trust is on schedule to end on Saturday. Chris set off on his 1,700 mile bike ride to the top of Ben Nevis and back on 17^th September, he reached the summit on 23^rd and is due back at the White hart on Saturday 1^st October.

His aim is to raise funds to purchase a dedicated building for the youth of the Town. Members of the Youth Project are scouring the streets looking for more sponsors.

You can donate by visiting his website where you can also see his daily blog - he's already back in England! Chris has been supported by North Hants Bikes and businesses outside the Town.

Work Begins on Railway Bridges

The signs are out and the contractors are ready to start the real work. Road closed and diversion signs are in place ready for the removal of the Priory Lane Bridge in around 3 weeks time. Preparatory work has begun alongside the bridge.

Both the Watership Down and Hardy's Nurseries remain open for business as usual during the demolition work.

Mixed Fortunes for Whitchurch United

Whitchurch United's teams recorded one win and one loss on Saturday. The senior team was narrowly pushed out of the FA Vase whilst the Under 12's recorded another victory.

A depleted senior team faced Fareham Town from the Wessex Premier League and acquitted itself well despite the 1 - 2 score line. In a finely balanced match, Fareham went ahead after 10 minutes after a goalmouth scramble that ended in a deflection which left Dan Magee with no chance. It took United a further 20 minutes to strike back. Brett Denham was on the end of a good cross after some excellent right wing action and didn't miss the chance. There followed some intense pressure from Fareham with Magee making a great save on the goal line just before half time.

A similar second half saw chances at both ends with Fareham making one of them count around 15 minutes from the end. United didn't give up and pressed hard but were unable to put the ball in the net in the remaining time and sadly bow out of the Vase.

Meanwhile the Newbury Building Society sponsored Under 12's won again against Braishfield 6 - 3, with four goals coming from Lloyd Thompson and a spectacular goal from Guy Best. It was a great performance from the whole team.

Next fixtures are both at home on 1 October when, at 10.30am, the Under 12's take on Worthy's 12 and the senior team take on the toughest competition for many a long year, Gloucester City, at 3pm in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Whitchurch Silk Mill Welcomes MG Car Club

Members of the MG Car Club visited the Silk Mill as part of their 2011 V8 Tour. Drivers from all over England and Scotland together with at least one from Germany made the Town's tourist attraction one of the places they visited on the their annual tour, which this year covered selected places of interest in Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire.

All enjoyed their visit and were very complementary about Hampshire and Whitchurch Silk Mill in particular.

Refuse Collection Changes

In 3 weeks Whitchurch's refuse collection arrangements will change slightly. From 7 October new rules will come into force as a new contract with Veolia starts. The aims are to reduce costs and increase recycling. There will be no change to the collection times.

The main changes are:

There is no limit to the amount of green waste that will be collected, if you need extra green bins please call 01256 844844.

For more information visit the Recycling page and for what can be recycled and where you can download this site's list. For advice on garden waste just use the contact page.

Another Whitchurch Pub for Sale

The third pub in around a year is up for sale by its owning pub company. No details are yet available on the agent's website but the site is being offered freehold with an asking price of £325,000, so there is no guarantee that it will be retained as a pub. As ever, shrinking trade means that it's viability as a pub has been in doubt for some time. It would appear to be an opportunity for those who claimed they would have bought the Harvest Home had they been given the chance.

On the brighter development side, Haynes Hanson & Clark, which describes itself as "a thriving, independent wine merchant, based both in Central London and Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire" has put in a planning application to change the use of the old post office in Church Street to retail outlet and storage; the business offers wine on the internet. Since the demise of the Overton Wine shop the area has been without an independent quality wine store, so this looks like a great idea and would be a fantastic addition to Whitchurch's Town centre. Nick Clark of Haynes Hanson & Clark, who has 40 years experience in the wine trade, says that he is very much looking forward to opening a business in the town, subject to achieving planning permission. Nick plans to make the building "look loved again".

Going to college or starting a training course?

Whitchurch Welfare Trust is offering help.

If you live in Whitchurch and are going to college, or starting a training course this autumn and need financial help, the Whitchurch Welfare Trust may be able to help towards the cost of your course. The trustees can give grants to help with the purchase of books, tools, software or other course costs.

If you think you qualify, or know of someone that does, please either

• contact the trustees by email
• drop a letter through the Town Hall letterbox giving brief details
• visit the Citizens' Advice Bureau in the Town Hall on Tuesday mornings.

You'll then be contacted by someone from the Trust. The Trust also works with the CAB to try to help Whitchurch residents who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties.

Even Tougher FA Cup Competition Ahead

Whitchurch United's opposition on 1^st October in the FA Cup 2^nd Qualifying Round is Gloucester City AFC. Gloucester is currently in the top half of the Blue Square North league which is 4 steps higher than the Wessex Division 1 in the FA league system.

On the positive side, Whitchurch have already fought their way through 3 cup ties whereas Gloucester is one of the 44 clubs which are just entering the competition and visiting smaller grounds quite often puts off teams from higher leagues.

In the meantime, on 24^th September, the Jam Boys are entertaining Fareham Town in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase. Fareham are currently 5 places below Bemerton Harlequins (remember them?) in the Wessex Premier League.

So, yet again, if it's Saturday and it's 3pm, Longmeadow is the place to be!!

More to Celebrate

Put to one side to allow the celebration of Whitchurch United's latest FA Cup victory is the celebration of theWhitchurchWeb's 6^th birthday. Since 2005 this website has been publishing information for residents and visitors alike.

To blow its own trumpet, uniquely among the town's organisations' sites, it has a Google PageRank of 3 (Google says "PageRank reflects our view of the importance of web pages by considering more than 500 million variables and 2 billion terms"). It receives no public funding but does get many thanks from those individual, businesses and charities it tries to support. It tries to show the brighter side of the town but occasionally feels it necessary to complain or point out what some see as problems and will continue to do so into the future.

Many thanks to those who have sent contributions and kind words.

Double United Win

Whitchurch United under 12's win. In addition to the senior team's fantastic result, the under 12's Team, which is sponsored by the Newbury Building Society, beat Tidworth 3-2 in a hard fought game.

It was the team's first game of the season and the goals came from Lloyd Thompson(2) and Thomas Laryea.

United Win

Whitchurch United are through to the 2^nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history. Thunder, lightning, a torrential downpour and strong opposition couldn't stop the Jam Boys winning 2 - 0 in yet another exciting cup tie which was watched by what looked like its largest crowd this season.

Heavy rain before the game made the ground very slippery and caused both teams problems but half an hour in to a close first half a long run by Ashley Childs put the ball past the Brockenhurst keeper. Despite end to end play that saw chances at each end, 'Church went into the half time break 1 - 0 to the good. The second half continued to see a fairly balanced match, with a Wellington bomber in the skies, until a good joined up piece of play saw Grant Powell's cross put in the back of the net by Alex Dockree.

Despite a thunderstorm that severely tested Longmeadow Sports and Social Club's gutters as well as the players and supporters, United hung on well and saw the game through to the end without conceding a goal and going very close to scoring another 2 goals.

The draw for the next round is on Monday evening, so, home or away, Whitchurch need your support.

Borough Plan For New Housing

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has published a report covering proposals for new housing for the next 16 years. What could be seen as a modest proposal for 350 houses is being hailed as a potential disaster in some quarters.

Three sites for large quantities of houses remain under consideration, 2 adjoining sites between Bloswood Lane, Park View and the A34 and a third site behind The Knowlings. At just over 20 houses per year until 2027, this proposal will hardly keep pace with the current indigenous growth in the population. Furthermore there are at least 85 currently on the list for affordable housing; this backlog being partially as a result of no new housing effectively being built in the last year. If the voices that are being raised against this modest proposal are heard there is a danger of decisions being imposed on Whitchurch.

Abusive internet postings about the competence of council officers could also to damage the Town's real views being fairly heard.

The details of the report are to be discussed at the Planning & infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 20th September.

Pressure Mounts on United

Whitchurch United's opposition in the FA Cup have had a good run recently. Brockenhurst won in their FA Cup replay against Premier League opposition and then thrashed bottom of the league Tadley Talavera 7-0 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, The Jam Boys were roundly beaten by premier league Winchester City in the league cup last Tuesday and drew 0-0 with top of the table rivals, Stockbridge, on Saturday. So they're going to have to dig deep to secure a win on the 17^th, Brockenhurst's FA Cup strategy this year appears to have been to draw away and the win at home in the replay.

So there's even more reason to go along to Longmeadow on Saturday to see them through!!

Even More on Food on Offer

The Veg Patch is now offering a range of curry sauces to delight your pallet. Madhuban fresh made sauces are now stocked in the London Street store.

Each pot contains enough to make a curry for 4 people, just add your favourite meat or vegetable and simmer until it's to your taste. The sauces come from the award winning Madhuban Tandoori Restaurant in in Liss.

The hours of opening of the The Veg Patch have changed slightly with a lunchtime closure and an earlier closing on Saturday - to allow you time to watch Whitchurch United play at home!

Parish Hall Closes for Refurbishment

The £150,000 improvements programme starts this week. The first task is the replacement of the old windows with double glazed units which will retain the 100 year old character of the building.

Thanks to the support of the Methodist Church, three activities normally held in the Hall, Townswomen's Guild, Silver Threads and the Saturday Market, are temporarily being held in the Methodist Church Hall until December.

School Reunion

Were you born around 1951 and attend Whitchurch Secondary Modern or Lordsfield School, Overton? There's a reunion for the classes of 1965, 66 and 67 being held at Testbourne on 24th September, just go along to the old gym at about 7.30pm.

There'll be a bar, 60's music and refreshments; partners are welcome. Please contact Lesley Lee (nee Boxall) on 07899 807044 or Henry Gratana on 07721 721544. If you know anyone who might be interested please let them know.

There's no charge for the event but there may be a collection for charity on the night.

United were More Than Ready

In another exciting FA Cup match, the Jam Boys again beat opposition from a higher league. The score line of 2 - 1 was a fair reflection of a largely even match which came alight in the last 10 minutes.

Following a goalless first half and a close escape when the ball was kicked off the 'Church goal line 15 minutes into the second half, extra time looked likely but a very well struck ball from just outside the box evaded the Brading Town keeper to put the Jam Boys ahead with only 5 minutes to go.

Throwing the entire Brading team into the Whitchurch half proved costly as a quick counter attack saw a half way line kick from Brett Denham finish in an open Brading goal.

Relaxing too early allowed a last minute Brading goal but Whitchurch still won 2 - 1 and move on to the First Qualifying Round in 2 weeks again at home against Lymington Town or Brockenhurst, who drew their tie.

Next up for the club is Winchester in the Wessex League Cup on Tuesday night at 7.45pm - guess what, Winchester are in the Wessex League Premier Division!