Extras that did not make it into the printed magazine.
- Basingstoke Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
- Basingstoke And District Railway Society November 2019
- Basingstoke Lions Club – September 2019
- Basingstoke And Deane Borough Council Anouncement
- Probus Hears First-hand Evidence
- Read Easy Basingstoke
- St. Michael’s Hospice November Nights Campaign
Basingstoke Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
At the meeting held on Wednesday 2 October 46 members and 3 visitors were welcomed by the chairman, David Cowling. The secretary, Tony Brazier, gave details of the forthcoming trips and reminded those going on the Mystery Trip and the Christmas Lunch to return their menu choices as soon as possible. The Welfare Officer, Christine Broadbent, then gave her update on members who had not been well and also gave the sad news that Bert Clarkson had died aged 96. Bert had in the past been chairman for over 20 years and still regularly attended meetings, especially the AGM when he took over the chair while the new committee were elected.
The speaker this month was Mel Rees who gave the second part of his talk on “My Family and other Meerkats”. He kept us all highly amused with tales mainly connected with his mother in her later years when visits to the doctor, hospital and dentist provided a wealth of almost comedic events and situations. In between this he enlightened us with some of the quirks of the English language along with observations on the behaviour and attitude of those who deal with the public in their everyday occupations. These thoughts and more are also contained in his books written in the pen name Anthony Mann and published by his own company the Trouser Press with the latest, In Bed with A Mann – Part 2, available now.
The group’s next outing is a on Thursday 21 November to Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon where there is the Farm Shop, Garden Centre and Restaurants. They will be geared up for Christmas so this will be a good opportunity to get some presents.
The next meeting is on 6 November when the speaker will be a representative from Hampshire Constabulary on “Home and Safety”. Also at this meeting we will be holding a Christmas themed Bring and Buy Sale. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Brookvale Village Hall from 10am to 12noon and all retired Civil Servants, their relatives and friends are welcome. Further details about the group and information about our trips can be obtained by contacting csrfbasingstoke@gmail.com.
David Cowling
Basingstoke And District Railway Society November 2019
Our first meeting in November, at 7.45pm on Wednesday 6 November is the Society’s Annual Photographic Competition. Those present will view the recent photographic efforts of Society members and all will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite pictures in four categories. The winning pictures from previous years can be seen on the Society website and a varied and entertaining evening is assured.
At the following meeting at 7.45pm on Wednesday 20 November we travel abroad again with Ian Foot who will present Fifty Years of Continental Steam. Ian began his travels abroad in 1968 and has since photographed steam engines in action in 21 countries in Europe and elsewhere. His presentation will take a look at those countries in alphabetical order, beginning in Austria.
Our meetings are held at The Wote Street Club in New Road in Basingstoke town centre. We welcome new members to the Society and are always pleased to see non-members at our meetings at a cost of just £3. For more information about the Society, membership and our programme of meetings in 2019 and 2020 take a look at our website at www.bdrs70d.com or telephone 01256 331002.
Basingstoke Lions Club – September 2019
Our last business meeting was enhanced by the presence of six members of the Loddon Valley (Tadley) Lions Club who came along to renew old friendships and for a refresher course on how (not) to run a business meeting. They were made very welcome and contributed fully to the spirit of the meeting.
The Bahamas: During the course of the meeting the Club approved a donation of £500 to the Lions Clubs International appeal to help alleviate suffering in the Bahamas, and the set-up of a special donations facility on our website to enable any members of the public who would like to donate to do so. This has been done and is working well.
Macmillan Nurses Coffee morning: As usual the Club gave its wholehearted (and stomached) support to this annual event. Check out our Facebook page! We raised £300+. The residual cakes were then offered at sundry workplaces.
Arrangements for manning our stall in the Malls for World Sight Day on Thursday10th October were finalised. Please bring along your redundant specs for recycling to areas where they are in short supply.
The Basingstoke Breast Cancer Self Help Group was also supported when a number of our members and families went along to the Kempshott Village Hall for a very lively evening of Motown music performed by the brilliant Lou Taylor. Over 70 people attended and the dance floor was crowded nonstop.
Quiz Night at the Cliddesden Millenium Hall on 9th November: Clearly the thought of grappling with another set of 110 excruciating questions has yet to fire your imaginations. Still, a half pint is better than no beer. And, if you would like to join us for this really fun evening there are still tables available. Email philipjhwilson@btinternet.com A team of 3 or 4 and a short pithy team name is all you need. Visit the upcoming events pages of our website www.basingstokelions.org.uk to see the full format of the evening.
A week later, on 16th November, the Heritage Light Orchestra will play a concert of music associated with places on the route of the Orient Express for us at QMC. These concerts are specially designed for us and feature local musicians and singers. They truly are well worth supporting. And it is an ideal way of spending an evening with friends over a few drinks while being wonderfully entertained.
Community Magazines, such as the one you are perhaps reading now, perform an excellent service for the community by making sure that everyone is informed about developments, services and events which may affect them. I would urge you all to support your local magazine in any way you can.
Membership: Stop Press!!!! Watch this space!
Remember you too can help to make a difference to the lives of others by joining us via www.basingstokelions.org.uk
Philip Wilson
.Basingstoke And Deane Borough Council Announcement
Local residents can get help and support on changes that may affect them following Brexit.
Supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Citizens Advice Basingstoke and Tadley will be providing a new service to support residents in the borough affected by changes as a result of Brexit.
European citizens living in the UK are required to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021, with an estimated 7,000 people currently living in the borough needing to apply to the scheme.
Other support the charity will provide includes guidance on employment rights and EU employees’ rights to stay, UK citizens living overseas and looking to return and consumer concerns such as travel insurance and access to healthcare.
As well as help and support from Citizens Advice, digital assistance is available for residents who do not have the access, skills or confidence to complete the online form by appointment at Viables Community Centre. To arrange an appointment, please call We Are Digital on 03333 445675.
For more information and to get in touch with Citizens Advice Basingstoke and Tadley, visit www.basingstokeandtadleycab.org.uk or call 01256 329984.
The new service forms part of the council’s preparation work, alongside its partners, to look at the potential impacts and opportunities that Brexit may bring and ensure residents and businesses are prepared.
For more information on the council’s work and guidance on Brexit, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/brexit
Probus Hears First-hand Evidence
With almost thirty years’ experience she had no fear about giving her talk to the all male Probus Club of Basingstoke. The good, the bad and the downright funny is how Jackie Dimmock described life as an officer in Hampshire Police. She used her hobby of quilting to amusingly illustrate some of her varied incidents as customs and practices changed over the years.
After the W in WPC was deleted the uniform did not change immediately so she had a straight skirt, stockings and suspenders. Not the most practical attire when responding to a reported break in and forced to climb over a school wall after her male colleague jokingly told her that the gate was locked.
She had a radio but had to buy handcuffs and a small truncheon that fitted inside her shoulder bag which she would swing with great effect at miscreants. Men’s trousers were later offered but fitted women badly. Today female Police Constables have tailored trousers, advanced radios, CS sprays, handcuffs, cameras and stab vests.
On her first solo outing, following a police driving course, she made the classic error of driving the wrong way up a one way street. Chasing a suspect would have been her excuse had she been reported.
When quizzing the Chief Constable that 99% of female officers reported sexual harassment at work she wondered if she was the missing one percent. He said that to rectify matters she would be welcome to visit his office anytime. How times change.
Following five years in the Child Protection Unit Jackie become a Schools Liaison officer. Children told of domestic problems. Drug addicted mothers, abuse unknown to teachers and fathers who drove while drunk or did not wear a seat belt were commonly reported.
On a drug raid the suspect escaped out of a window. Jackie leaned out trying to spot him. A donkey came up and bit Jackie’s left breast. Everyone wanted to examine the damaged area as it needed to be recorded in the accident book.
In the early days of DNA she became a scene of crimes officer. A girl had been murdered alongside the Basingstoke canal in 1981 with no suspect emerging. In 2002 a wife reported her husband for assault. Using familial DNA profiling he was eventually charged with the murder.
See www.probusbasingstoke.wordpress.com
Read Easy UK is a registered charity, established to help adults learn to read or to improve their reading skills. 5 million adults in England and Wales have reading or writing skills below that expected of an 11-year-old.
Poor reading skills can lead to poverty, homelessness, crime, low self-esteem, mental health issues and isolation. People who can’t read are 5 times more likely to be unemployed and 4 times more likely to experience long-term unemployment: other issues include being unable to help their children and to reach their own potential in life.
How can Read Easy help? By providing free 1-1 tuition from a trained Reading Coach with half hour sessions twice a week, on a confidential basis, people can learn to read fluently in 9 months to 2 years. We have a phonics based programme with additional learning activities in which readers work at their own pace. They are equipped with the reading skills that enable them to progress at work and with life. Read Easy can help dyslexic readers learn to read. Many of our readers who complete the course go on to further learning.
If you know somebody who would benefit from our programme, or if you would are interested in becoming a Reading Coach, please contact us:
By email: Basingstoke@readeasy.org.uk or by phone: 07592 450789
Visit us online: readeasy.org.uk
This November why not support St. Michael’s Hospice November Nights campaign?
The money raised from our November Nights campaign in just five years has already had a huge impact on the Hospice, the patients we care for and their families. Over £11,000 has been raised which has allowed us to care for 2 patients on our in-patient unit for the average 10-day length of stay.
Your November Nights event could contribute to this increasing total and continue to have an impact on our services in the local community.
You could hold a themed evening, cheese and wine evening? Hold a bonfire party or a 70’s night. You could ask your local pub or club to host a quiz or music night in aid of the Hospice. The list is endless and so is the fun.
If you have an idea please let us know, or if you need supporting material to help promote your event, please give Lynne Grimshaw a call on 01256 848845 or email: Lynne.grimshaw@stmichaelshospice.org.uk