BISON boss Mark Bernard has bolstered his attacking options with a new Canadian signing. Forward/defenceman Steve Gallace has joined the Bison for the remainder of the season. Gallace, who has been playing in Newcastle for the Vipers this season, is in
Winchester City boss Neil Hards feels the departure of Mark Blake to Eastleigh has come at the worst possible time for his defending Wessex champions. Had he known sooner that the experienced, 37-year-old ex-Saints defender had ambitions to move on, he
Third-placed Eastleigh will hand Wayne Shaw back the goalkeeping gloves for tomorrow's Ryman Premier visit of Hendon. The big man's return is no reflection on recent signing Lee Webber, who made a solid start to his club career in a 4-1 league win at
JOHN Linington likes what he's seen so far of Newport IoW trialist Olimide Dedegbe. The talented Frenchman made an immediate impact for the Islanders in Monday's crucial 1-0 basement win over Banstead Athletic, going on as a substitute and setting up
Bashley have a lot of hard work ahead of them if they are to achieve manager Geoff Butler's target of ten points from their next four games. Originally they had five games to reach their goal as part of Butler's new year points plan, but they got off
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to introduce new car parking charges in central Basingstoke have received a serious setback at a special committee meeting of the borough council. Councillors at a specially-convened scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday night
A HIGH-roller has dented the profits of Stanley Leisure, owners of Southampton's Stanley Casino. The group reported "material losses" because of the winnings of a major player but did not disclose the total amount it had paid out. Industry commentators
Southampton need to consign 2004 to the scrap heap and focus attention fully on the battle for survival in London Division Four South-West. But they could hardly have a more difficult start to their eight-game get-out effort as they fly to league leaders
THE chasing pack have the chance to close the gap at the top with Trojans sitting out this weekend. The leaders' scheduled opponents, Nomads, play their rearranged Powergen Junior Vase tie with London Cornish so nearest rivals Sandown & Shanklin,
DETAILED planning permission has been granted to Bupa Care Services for a 60-bed nursing home on the former Borden Chemical site at North Baddesley. Before they unanimously gave the go-ahead, members of Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning
THE long-running battle over plans to site a mobile phone mast near Byron Avenue in Winchester looks set to continue. Despite the disappointment of losing an appeal against Orange's proposals in the Appeal Court, the campaigners battling the mast say
The first phase of a £1.2m development at Perins School, Alresford, gets under way as pupils Caroline Allen-Rogers and Max Burns turn the first ceremonial sods of earth. Also pictured are architect Max Burns and head teacher Janice Bernard.
BOOKINGS are coming in thick and fast from exhibitors looking for a place at The Gazette Job Scene Roadshow 2005. This year's impressive line-up already includes Blackwater Valley Enterprises, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Magistrates, Jobcentre Plus, Ministry
SCHOOLS across Basingstoke and north Hampshire are being urged to galvanise efforts to raise money for the child victims of the south east Asian tsunami. More than 140,000 people died on Boxing Day when an underwater earthquake near Sumatra launched giant
SOUTHAMPTON University Players (SUP) are celebrating forty years of performing at the Nuffield Theatre with their production of Noel Coward's timeless comedy classic, Blithe Spirit, a riotously funny ghost story set in the 1930s. Chaos of a supernatural
A HAMBLE barman who has not been heard from since leaving for a holiday in Phuket last month, is believed to be travelling home today. Bill Fleming left for his holiday on Christmas Eve and since then staff and regulars of the Victory Inn, in Hamble,
DEVELOPERS have just unveiled the latest vision of how Southampton's healthy living centre could look when it is completed. A 13-storey tower block would house flats for about 550 students at one of the gateways to the city centre. Housed below the giant
IT'S an act of kindness that has given a five-year-old Hampshire girl a new lease of life. Jordan Ifould's disability means that she cannot stand, talk or walk. But thanks to a new £2,500 wheelchair she is now able to enjoy fresh air and the surroundings
JIM Dixon has urged his Basingstoke rugby side to make a positive start to 2005 and build the momentum and confidence that comes from winning matches. After a three-week break, 'Stoke return to London one action when they travel to Kent side Thanet Wanderers
LUDGERSHALL councillor Peter Richardson has defended the large increase Kennet councillors have awarded themselves. The new payments mean district councillors will be paid a flat rate allowance of £4,000 per year in future - a 50 per cent increase at
MUCH of Andover came to a halt at noon on Wednesday when the town joined communities across the country in silence -in remembrance of the tens of thousands of people killed in the Asian tsunami disaster. In the town's busy Chantry Centre shoppers and
RESIDENTS of the Stockbridge rural communities are benefiting from a strong Neighbour-hood Watch Scheme (NHW) which enjoys a very close association with the local police station. A police spokes-man said with every village having a NHW scheme, policing
THE British public had, earlier this week, donated £76 million since the launch of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) joint agency appeal on 28 December - and donations are on course to top £100 million. Brendan Gormley, DEC chief executive, said
CHARLTON baby Mat-thew Parkinson surprised his parents Lisa May and Glen Park-inson when he arrived just hours after the couple came home from a New Year's Eve bash. The Tower Close baby, due on 6 January, arrived so quickly that Lisa never made it to
A REQUEST to look at the possibility of paying for police community support officers (PCSO) has drawn a cool response from a number of parish councillors in Tidworth. The area's divisional commander, Salisbury based Chief Supt Jerry Wickham, wrote to
HIGH voltage rock 'n' rollers Electric Six will be opening up the biggest can of whoop ass seen on this side of the pond since the Sex Pistols sneering punk-rock debut unhinged a nation back in '77. The bawdy Detroit pranksters shot to fame last year
PLANS to build 200 new homes in Whiteley look likely to receive the go- ahead from Fareham Council planning chiefs, despite the concerns of local residents. An application for 215 dwellings, plus access roads, at Dickens Drive in North Whiteley by Persimmon
MINISTRY of Defence police are warning residents about prescription drugs stolen from a house in the Rowner area of Gosport. The stolen medication includes painkillers and anti-depressants which could prove dangerous if consumed in large doses. Among
ERNIE Howe has praised Ricky Allaway for the physical aggression he has brought to Basingstoke Town's defence since his return to the starting line-up. The former Reading player has had to endure frustrating injuries and a lengthy period on the bench
Farnborough Town 1, Basingstoke Town 2 BASINGSTOKE Town deservedly booked their place in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Cup after ousting holders Farnborough. Tuesday night's clash at Cherrywood Road saw a determined Town play with a vigour and passion
ITS demise was started by Henry VIII and, since then, the romantic ruins of Netley Abbey have suffered at the hands of a succession of vandals. At one stage the Cistercian Abbey - which the first monks entered in 1239 - was used as a quarry site for Netley
LAND Rover has revealed details of its revised 2005 Range Rover, claiming that it is more refined, luxurious and powerful than ever. In fact, it's calling the model the 2006 Range Rover - even though it actually goes on sale in spring 2005. Two new petrol
SUCCESSFUL architect Jonathan Rivers (Keaton) is devastated by the death of his beautiful wife, best-selling novelist Anna Rivers (West). Struggling to put the shattered pieces of his life back together again, Jonathan throws himself into his work and
VERA Drake (Staunton) lives in her small 50s London tenement flat with her mechanic husband Stan (Davis) and their grown-up children Sid (Mays) and Ethel (Kelly). She earns a meagre wage cleaning houses for wealthy families while Sid is an apprentice
NATIONAL TREASURE (PG): Nicholas Gage goes on a dare defying mission to capture the priceless Knights Templar. Problem is he's got to steal the Declaration of Independence to find it! ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER'S THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (12A): The hugely successful
THE new year has kicked off, but estate agents in Basingstoke took some time out during the party season to digest what happened to the property market in 2004. The media predicted doom and gloom and a property crash - none of which has happened, although
IT WAS a bad start to the new year for Romsey, who rued the unavailability of several first-team regulars and crashed to a heavy defeat at the hands of an experienced Liss side. With Paul King, Paul Smith and Neil Croudson amongst the absentees Romsey
THERE were no holds barred when M&T Awbridge took on Broughton in Bank Holiday Monday's festive derby at Mannyngham Way, but it was the visitors whose fire burned brighter with a hard-fought victory over their local rivals. Right from the kick-off
BRIAN Le Boutillier has made a hush-hush return to Wessex League football with BAT. Unbeknown to many, the former Andover boss has been first team coach at Southern Gardens for over a month now. "He's been with us for about six weeks, but we wanted to
HOW director Baz Lurhmann must be reclining in his armchair and sighing with relief - or tittering quietly into his untarnished reputation. His rival project to Oliver Stone's Alexander, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, was binned in the face
Today's Principal Arrivals: P&O Nedlloyd Marseille, container, 0230, 204; Hual Africa, roro, 0330, 40; CFF Seine, roro, 0530, 30; Saga Rose, passenger, 0615, 38/9; Oriana, passenger, 0630, 106; Caribbean Highway, vehicle, 0730, 34/35; Autofreighter
Campaign launched to keep NomadicA PETITION has been started to save the last White Star Line vessel still afloat. The ageing SS Nomadic and its sister tender Traffic were built in 1911 for use as tenders for Olympic and Titanic. The rust-eaten Nomadic
DEVELOPERS are lining up to bid for a major site in Southampton city centre, which could soon be home to a nine-storey block of flats. The 1.1-acre site in East Park Terrace, pictured right, is currently home to Southampton Primary Care Trust offices
Perennial promotion candidates Gosport & Fareham are facing a totally new ball game this season - fighting relegation! Second bottom of London Two South, only a win at mid-table Lewes will suffice, but they know it will not be easy. The Sussex side
INSTALLATION of flashing lights, to prevent heavy lorries from crashing into Romsey's Greatbridge Road railway bridge, could move a step closer next week. Hampshire County Council has been looking at the possibility of installing the equipment, which
Kathy and Earle Wren were staying at the Sheraton Grand Laguna Hotel in the Laguna Beach Resort at Phuket in Thailand when the Boxing Day tragedy that shook the world struck. "We were amongst the lucky ones. An incline around the beach and the lagoon
THE centre of Romsey came to a totally dignified halt at midday on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Asian earthquake disaster. Led in the town by the Mayor of Romsey, Dorothy Baverstock, the Deputy Mayor of Test Valley, Peter Boulton, and clergy
PEOPLE with Romsey area connections found their names on the Queen's New Year's Honours list. Amongst them was Janet Chierchia, Hampshire chairman of the Romsey-based Carers Together and the county's Mencap group. Janet received an MBE for her voluntary
ROMSEY-based TV gardener Charlie Dimmock's mother and stepfather are feared dead in the Asian tsunami disaster. Fears are growing for Sue Kennedy and her husband Rob, who live at West Wellow's Canada Road. Sue, 59, and 60-year-old Rob were in the Thai
ONE of the most controversial and successful head teachers in Hampshire has announced he is to retire this year. Ray Bradbury, the head of Kings' School in Winchester since 1984, has told parents he will step down in August. In a letter to parents, Mr
WORK has finally started on a £38m hospital that will revolutionise healthcare in the New Forest. Contractors have demolished a former factory building and laid the foundations for the new hospital, which will serve about 180,000 people. The start-of-the-art
AN extra helping of bliss is available to New Forest married couples who want to further strengthen their union. St Saviour's Church in Brockenhurst is offering a ten-week marriage course beginning on Friday, January 14 with a candlelit dinner as part
SCHOOLS across Basingstoke and north Hampshire are being urged to galvanise efforts to raise money for the child victims of the south east Asian tsunami. More than 140,000 people died on Boxing Day when an underwater earthquake near Sumatra launched giant
JONATHAN Wilkes is to star in the rock opera Tommy at The Mayflower next month. Tommy tells the story of a deaf, dumb and blind kid who endures a life of abuse and ridicule. Then he happens to play a pinball machine and suddenly breaks free to become
A DARKLY comic tale spiked with seat-gripping suspense and Irish humour comes to the Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke at the end of the month. Directed by Robin Herford and starring the Haymarket Theatre Company, The Beauty Queen of Leenane explores family
A HAMPSHIRE woman was today named as the latest British victim of the tsunami disaster. Confirmation of the death of Pauline Pyke comes as the government revealed that the number of British people to have died in the tragedy may rise to as many as 440
THE kind people of Hampshire just cannot stop giving to the victims of the tsunami disaster in Asia. Last night it emerged that people across the south have already contributed nearly £8m to the relief effort. Thousands of pounds more has been pledged
STAFF at Hampshire based soft toy maker Russ Berrie get to grips with the latest recruits to the appeal to help victims of the south Asian tsunami disaster. The firm has given 5,000 Cubly bears to the Daily Echo-backed Southampton Council of Faiths tsunami
A TEENAGER who has been coping with severe hair loss since the age of 14 has paid out all her savings on e-Bay - for a wig that never arrived. Roxanne Hallett, who is training to be a hairdresser, is distraught and feels she has been the victim of a cruel
TWO HAMPSHIRE schools have made it on to a prestigious new year's honours list compiled by education watchdog Ofsted. Sun Hill Infant School in Sun Lane, Alresford, and The Burgate School and Sixth Form Centre in Fordingbridge are two of 2,291 schools
FEWER people were caught drink-driving in Hampshire over Christmas compared with previous years. But, say campaigners, too many motorists are still risking getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol. According to figures released
PEOPLE queuing at a bus stop were showered with glass after a double-decker crashed into a shelter. Bus bosses have launched an investigation into why the First 17A service from Woolston to Weston crashed in Southampton city centre. Remarkably no one
QUICK thinking fundraiser Victoria Mac- Kenzie swung into action far faster than many governments around the world in getting relief to those stricken by the Asian tsunami disaster. The 11-year-old from Upton, near Hurstbourne Tarrant, had thought of
COMMUNITY leaders say they will not be cowed by vandals who destroyed festive lights in Tid-worth just before Christmas. This year the town put on its brightest and best ever display but the joy was short-lived as lights which adorned the steel bridge
A NATIONWIDE trend of entertaining at home is threatening the future of pubs and the Andover area is particularly badly afflicted, said a local landlord. Brad Rossiter, the landlord of The White Hart at Penton Mewsey, said there was more to the problem
EXCESSS pounds gained over the Christmas period can be worked off on 15 January while raising pounds for charity at a Weyhill barn dance fundraiser. Testway Housing maintenance surveyor Keith Picton, aided by local musicians from the Wyvern Dance Band
NATIONAL Express has seen such an increase in the popularity of coach travel in Andover it's looking for a local business to become a ticket agent. Throughout the UK National Express has a wide range of different types of retail businesses already acting
TOUGH new licensing laws could shut any late-night Andover fast-food takeaway that attracts alcohol-fuelled violence. The Government licensing laws, to be introduced soon, will require all takeaways staying open after 11pm to apply for a licence. Residents
PEROXIDE popsters Blondie have announced a gig at the Bournemouth International Centre in November as part of a massive UK tour in support of their new album The Curse of Blondie. Led by the iconic-looking Debbie Harry, Blondie are one of the most relevant
CUTIE the bear has been helping to raise money for charity, thanks to a new flower shop in Botley. To mark the opening of Floral Art by Anita in Botley High Street, owners Danny and Anita Roles, from Park Gate, held a charity raffle to raise money for
Antti Niemi's agent has insisted the Saints goalkeeper is not leaving St Mary's - because he is so impressed with Harry Redknapp. The Finnish number one was reported to be keen to leave for Arsenal during the transfer window because of Saints' lack of
Noe Pamarot is the latest Tottenham player to be linked with a transfer window move to Saints. Saints boss Harry Redknapp has already signed son Jamie on a six-month contract and Calum Davenport on loan this week, and now has asked about the availability
BMW has announced a range of new petrol engines for its 5 Series. Going on sale in the spring, the new 523i, 525i and 530i variants are all powered by versions of the firm's all-new magnesium-aluminium six-cylinder engine. Already powering the 6 Series
BASINGSTOKE Town face a massive test of their promotion credentials when high-flying Grays visit the Camrose tomorrow for a top-of-the-table clash. The visitors will be keen to make amends for the defeat Ernie Howe's side inflicted in September. Town
THE unique Modern Guitar Trio will appear at Basingstoke's Central Studio tomorrow at 8pm. The trio's concerts are special in the sense that the players, Vincent Lindsey-Clark, Roland Gallery and the outstanding Australian guitarist Roland Chadwick, exclusively
Alexander The Great famously remarked: "There is nothing impossible to him who will try." The relentless conqueror's inspiring words have been taken to heart by writer-director Oliver Stone in this bombastic biopic of the dashing warrior king of Macedonia
FLOTATION on the international stock markets is on the agenda for the Winterthur Group, after a year of strong performances. The end-of-year announcement from its parent company, Credit Suisse, confirmed that the Winterthur Group is poised to streamline
A NEW development fund has been launched to help small and medium-sized businesses in Hampshire. The fund has been set up by Business Link Wessex and Lloyds TSB for companies in the region who may not qualify for a small firms loan guarantee from the
CURRY lovers across Hampshire can enjoy a feast of spicy delights at Oxford Street's Poppadom Express. The modern eatery is one of three branches open across the south that offers tasty and unusual variations of authentic Indian dishes. When entering
