Guide Dogs Walk Oct 7th

Starting off.

On a lovely sunny & warm Hayling Island morning, several hundred people gathered to take part in a fund raising walk to Raise money for the Havant & District branch of Guide Dogs for the blind.

Begun in 1972, when a young pupil of Bosmere Junior School asked if the school would help to raise money for a guide dog, the walks have been an ongoing event since then and have so far raised almost £63,000. This has enabled funding for 30 dogs and 9 puppies. The puppies are now being trained for their eventual role.

Along the way.

That pupil, now Anne Ebsworth, was at the walk today,as was Judy Glennister who accepted the first cheque from Anne back in 1972!

Today’s walk was about 4 miles and started near the Coastguard Station and went along the front to the turning point a little past the Inn on the Beach. Everyone was given a banana, kindly donated by Fyffes, for energy on the way back!

Hopefully enough money will have been raised today to purchase and train another dog to help those who need guidance and companionship.

Variety Show Oct 6th

For several years now, each Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane has held a charity variety show at the Anvil Theatre in aid of their chosen charities.

This years event, held in front of a very enthusiastic audience, featured a number of acts showcasing the talent of the local area.

The Basingstoke Concert Big Band welcomed the audience before the first official performance which was the Footsteps Dance School. They were followed by the Basingstoke Ladies Choir and we were then entertained by 10 year old Jessica Stephenson on the Harp. Then came the Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society, the Basingstoke Junior Schools choir and Jake McCormick, who gave an impressive juggling performance. Following this was a very funny routine performed by to members of the local Scout’s Gang Show. The first half concluded with, first, the Kingsclere Singers and finally the North Hampshire Academy of Dance.

The second half of the show featured the same acts with the exception of Natasha Mulvey, with some very strong singing, coming on in place of Jessica Stephenson and Jake McCormick.

Altogether a very entertaining show, helping to raise funds for charity.