BASINGSTOKE’S flagship shopping centre Festival Place has reported a strong trading performance in December in the crucial pre-Christmas trading period.

HE’S Lord Sugar’s trusted adviser – and now Nick Hewer is set to make a high-profile appearance in Basingstoke when he officially opens the BE INSPIRED business event.

THE chief executive of Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has received an honorary degree in recognition of his services to the corporate travel industry.

ONE of Basingstoke’s biggest employers URS Scott Wilson has changed its name to URS.

A ONE-day investment of time attending an exciting regional business event on Basing View could pay dividends, says the managing director of Destination Basingstoke.

A FAMILY-run Oakley business has scooped a top business accolade for being a great all-rounder.

THE FORMER leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council delivered an upbeat message when he spoke to members of the M3 Job Club.

THE technical director of one of the world’s leading prosthetics manufacturers has received the royal seal of approval from the Duke of Edinburgh.

GREAT Guns Marketing managing director Liz Jackson was a great draw at a Women In Business Group meeting held at The Restaurant At BCoT.

A GLOBAL distributor of technology products is moving to MEPC Chineham Park.

TWO tiny kittens have already used up some of their nine lives after they were rescued from a skip and almost certain death.

HEADTEACHERS in Basingstoke have called for a council U-turn on plans to cut the funding it gives to community schools.

PEERING through the glass of a parked car, police constables Chris Whittington and Rowan McComb were looking for valuable items on show inside.

EMOTIONS ran high at a Bramley Parish Council meeting on Monday as representatives from SOLVE were told they would not be getting any financial support for their fighting fund.

THEY were supposed to enhance her looks, but a Basingstoke mum has paid up to have breast implants removed after national publicity about potential health threats.

NORMAL visiting hours have resumed at Basingstoke hospital following an outbreak of norovirus.

A PLAN to build a pitch for a traveller’s caravan in Winchfield has been met with strong opposition.

A CRICKET pavilion that has been used by players for almost 50 years was set on fire.

OPENING hours at libraries across Basingstoke and Deane are set to be reduced as part of countywide plans to save almost £500,000.

A MAN has today walked free from court after being found not guilty of murdering Georgina Edmonds - the widow of a Basingstoke coffee merchant.

HEATH End WI: Will meet at Heath End Village Hall on Tuesday, at 7.30pm.

NATIONAL Women’s Register: The theme evening for 2012 is Greece, and hostess will be Anne. The venue is at 9 Longbridge Road.

TABLE Top Sale: Will be held this coming Sunday, between 11am and 1pm at Hill Rise Hall, in Bach Close.

CHINEHAM Conservation Group: Will be coppicing in Great Sorrell's Copse on Sunday. Volunteers will meet at Mulberry Way, just before 10am.

TONIGHT: The Basingstoke Astronomical Society will be hosting a public observing Stargazing live event at Cliddesden Primary School from 7pm. Everyone welcome. ALSO tonight: Cliddesden WI will be meeting at the village hall from 7.30pm, for a social and quiz evening. FORTHCOMING dates for the diaries: “Travels With Granddad – A Puppet Show with a Difference” on Saturday, February 11, at 2.30pm. Tickets £5, available from Angie on 475848 or Annie on 474656, and “The Opera Dudes”, an evening of first-class singing and corny jokes on Saturday, February 25, at 8pm. Tickets £7.50, from Sian on 333151 or Alison on 359264. Finally, on Saturday, February 18, there will be a Mardi Gras Lunch at the village hall from 12.30pm. Tickets £9 adults, £4 under-16s, from Bob Kew (326817) Monica Tilley (351204) Pat Rampton (461034) Ben Maunder (327859). All proceeds to church funds.

PARISH Council: Meets at Ellisfield Memorial Hall on Monday, at 7.30pm.

ANAEROBIC Digester: The planning application for an Anaerobic Digester at the Carousel Dairy, Farleigh Wallop, was passed by the county council’s regulatory committee last week.

JUMBLE Sale: On Saturday, in East Oakley Village Hall, starting at 2pm, in aid of Third Kempshott Guides.

JUMBLE Sale: The first of the year, to raise funds to help pay towards a kitchen update in the village hall, takes place on February 4, commencing at 2pm.

“SOME hae meat...and canna’ eat”: But that will not be a problem Saturday night, when the clans of the parish meet to celebrate Burns’ Night in the village hall!

NWR: Gill says: “The first meeting of the year was a post new year social evening which started with mulled wine and nibbles.

CHURCHES Together: Celebrate with a combined service in St Paul’s, Tadley, on Sunday, at 4pm.

CAN you help?: Do you have any spare time to deliver South Ham Community News? The aim is to deliver the magazine to all residents in South Ham and Berg Estate.

MEETING: On Monday, January 30, starting at 4pm, the University of the 3rd Age is holding an open meeting at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road. For further information, see u3a.org.

FLOWER Club: Meets at Heath End Village Hall on Thursday, January 19, at 2pm.