AXA Wealth has seen its new business grow by 45 per cent to £1.9billion in the first half of this year.

WORK on the new look for The Malls shopping centre got under way this week.

NEW services being offered by the AA are fuelling a national campaign to attract more than 200 new recruits.

KEEPING it local is at the heart of the business for a new radio station that is set to launch in the Basingstoke area in September.

THE deadline for nominations to enter the INSPIRE10 Business Awards is just a month away.

REPRESENTATIVES from the local business sector are being encouraged to go to a key event that could lead to them having a greater say in the area’s future.

EMPLOYEES from a company that help keep the UK’s mobile phone network ringing, took part in the Three Peals Challenge.

FARMING is the bedrock of a business that opened new offices just outside Basingstoke this week.

A FATHER and son are turning up the heat this summer with the launch of their own barbecue manufacturing company.

NOW that the school summer holidays have started, help is at hand for parents trying to keep tabs on their children.

BIG-HEARTED Basingstoke residents can help perk up research to help millions of cancer sufferers – just by having a cup of coffee.

HAMPSHIRE’S retired folk are being invited to give their views on a variety of schemes as the county council looks to beef up its provision for pensioners.

EIGHT ostrich chicks are the new prime attraction at Marwell Wildlife park after they were born last month.

YOUNGSTERS have been enjoying the maize maze at Manydown on the edge of Basingstoke despite the lack of rain during July.

BISCUIT is a good-natured guinea pig who is looking for a home with a female.

THIS is the man the police would like to speak to after a number of suspicious incidents in Basingstoke.

A SUPERMARKET which has been closed for refurbishment will be officially re-opened tomorrow morning by Lord Sainsbury who will cut the ribbon.

PUPILS at a private school in north Hampshire are celebrating after scoring some impressive exam results.

A TEENAGE mother has appeared before Basingstoke magistrates charged with killing her own baby.

STUDENTS taking part-time courses at Basingstoke College of Technology have been sharing in the A-level success story.

OUTDOOR theatre: The Tempest will be performed at The Vyne tomorrow and Saturday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

ADVANCED notice: A Tiny Tot Table Sale is to take place on Saturday, September 18, from 1.30pm until 4pm, at Christ Church. Tables cost £5 each.

CLIDDESDEN WI: Meets tonight, at 7.30pm at the Millennium Village Hall, where there will be a demonstration of Morris dancing, and the competition is entitled “My Favourite Bell”.

PRIZEWINNING entries at last Saturday’s Horticultural Society Show: Were awarded with cups and certificates.

JUMBLE sales: No sales have been arranged for August but Oakley Gardening Club is holding a sale on Saturday, September 11, in East Oakley Village Hall, starting at 2pm.

PAMBER Heath Fete: As part of the “Marrow Project” that is being featured at the fete this year, why not go along to Pamber Heath Village Hall on Thursday, August 26, from 10am to noon, or Tadley Library on the same day, from 2pm to 4pm, and take part in a great summer holiday activity.

FORTHCOMING events: There are numerous events happening over the summer holidays, mostly on the Green area by Mill Road.

FLAME-grilled faith: The Living Flame Fellowship Group of the Whitewater Benefice, of which Rotherwick is a part, invites everyone to a barbecue next Thursday, August 26, from 7.30pm, at St John’s Church, Hook.

EVERGREENS: Held their August meeting recently, and the talk was from a blind man, with his dog and the trainer of the dog. They explained how the training was done and the benefits of having a guide dog.

TRAVEL tokens: Do you or someone you know get travel tokens? If you do, then they are under threat next year, as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will not be the issuing authority as Hampshire County Council will take over. This was a decision made by the last Government.

WOLVERTON Village Hall: Holds its monthly market on Saturday, at 9.30am.

BRAMLEY Parish Council newsletter: The next newsletter is due out shortly.

RIDGEWAY Centre: A funny thing happened to me when I dropped into the centre last week. I'd only gone there to deliver an invoice to the Star Nursery but ended up on my back in the foyer trying to fix the barbecue.

PARISH council: There will be no parish council meeting this month. The council will next meet on Monday, September 13.

BEAT surgery: The next surgery with the local policing team will be held next Thursday, August 12, from 7pm at Sainsbury’s cafe.