ARCHIVED LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES

2006  BACK TO LATEST NEWS

2006

29 Dec
Mega Shed Changes: Hart District Council have received amended plans for the Pyestock development which the developers state will address campaigners concerns. Campaigners against the development SPLAT have not yet had an opportunity to study the changes. more
Long Inquiry: The public inquiry into the minitown proposed for the Queen Elizabeth Barracks is likely to take up much of next summer. It starts at Aldershots Princes Hall on May 15th.

22 Dec
New FTCM Speaks Out: New Fleet Town Centre Manager Paul Doughty wants to see a town with a sustainable future that faces challenges boldly and effectively, an inclusive, welcoming, exciting and safe place to visit and work both day and night.   more
Rally Charity: Demand Technology in Fleet has sponsored Team Starkey and Clutch in its bid to drive 3,700 miles from Plymouth to Gambia in aid of charities in Gambia and Senegal. The two drivers are Neven Kirkpatrick and Andy Sanders who are driving an American Ford Escort. To follow the team visit www.startkeyandclutch.co.uk 
Royal Marine: Former Fleet Schoolboy Neil Mehrtens, who went to Fleet Infants, Velmead Juniors and then Calthorpe Park, has qualified to become a Royal Marine.
Missed Out: Star actress Raquel Cassidy has been named best actress in a leading roll in the 2006 Manchester Evening News drama awards. She could not pick up her award as she was busy filming a new TV series and could not be released.

14 Dec
Buses Threat: Countrywide buses are under threat in the Fleet area due to subsidy cuts which are due to the fact that the services are not well used by the public. The 74 service between Elvetham Heath and Fleet will be axed on Jan 2 next year and the 72 Aldershot to Reading hourly service will be diverted through Elvetham Heath Estate. The 71 service between Fleet and Farnham railway station will be reinstated.

11 Dec
FTCG Dissolved: The final meeting of the Fleet Town Centre Group has taken place. A vote to dissolve the group was passed without opposition. It is expected that members of the group will be able to apply to be committee members of the Fleet Business Partnership Group which has recently been formed.

8 Dec
No Inquiry: An inquiry into the Hitchens Lane 300 homes development has been thrown out by the Liberal Democrat Hart coalition following advice that it would have lost a High Court appeal.
Flying High: The Flying Goose pub on the Ancills Farm estate has raised more than £1,000 for the Phyllis Tuckwell hospice. The pub has recently been refurbished.
Best Male: Fleet's world number one quad tennis player has been named joint winner of the Best Male Achievement Award at the 11th annual British Wheelchair Sports Awards in Reading.
Poppy Appeal: The local Poppy collection raised £25,310 which was £1,532 or 6.4% better than last year.
Fighting Fit: The Hart area has been placed equal third with Kensington and Chelsea in a UK survey of exercise levels. The winners were Richmond upon Thanes with Macclesfield gaining second place.

1 Dec
Poets Corner: United press are holding a poetry competition for the best poem about life in Fleet. visit www.unitedpress.co.uk for further information
Extended Hours: Despite local residents opposition the Emporium Pub in Fleet Rd has been granted an extra hours opening time until 2am from Thursday to Saturday.
Still Flooding: Despite drainage ditches and culverts the recent heavy rain has caused flooding near the junction of Redfields Lane and (aptly named) Watery Lane on the Zebon Copse estate. 10 homes suffered flood damage in Du Maurier Close.
Sun Raising: Sunrise Senior Living in Church Rd have raised more than £400 at a coffee morning. Manager Sue Collen said "It was a great event. Everybody got involved and we able to raise money for a great cause."
Teenagers Honour: James Maull, 18, has been chosen by Mary Fagan to act as a representative of the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire at official functions and ceremonies. The former Court Moor School pupil is a member of the 2407 Yateley and Eversley Air Training Corps.
Poetry Winner: Sue Lattey, who lives in Fleet, has won the international "Help the Hospice" poetry competition. Her poem "Fred is Dead" was written in 2000 while she was studying palliative care.
Bottled: Bottle collections are to begin in Fleet for the first time this week. Green recycling crates have been issued to every resident. £168,000 has been spent on two trucks to collect the glass.
New Church Opens: Fleet's £2million "The Church on the Heath" has opened at Elvetham Heath. For further information visit the churches website at www.churchontheheath.org.uk  

24 Nov
No Barn Conversion: Plans to turn barns at Cross Farm, Church Crookham into rural workshops have been turned down by Hart councilors.
Four Star Toilets: The Welcome Break sites at the M3 have won four stars in the Loo of the Year Awards 2006.
Cove  Road Again: Cove Rd which links Fleet with Farnborough is to close from 27 November to remedy work previously undertaken a few months ago because the work did not meet the required specification. more
Better Safe Than Sorry: Free Bike postcode marking by the police will be held at Calthorpe Park school on December 14th 2006 between 6 and 9pm and on the 1st February 2007 at the same times. 
Well Done: A well provided by Fleet Rotary Club at the Hart Centre has raised £10,128 for charity. Since it was put there in 2004 290,000 coins have been put in it.
Long Life: Boys born in Fleet should look forward to live until they are 80 according to recent information from the National Office of Statistics.

18 Nov
Star To Switch On Lights: Fleet actress and star of BBC's "Lead Balloon" Raquel Cassidy is to switch on this years Fleet Rd Christmas lights at 6.00pm on Wednesday 22 Nov to open this years Fleet Festivities. 
Pub Backs Down: Canal-side pub The Fox and Hounds who had applied for permission to stay open with live music until 1am from Mon to Sat have reached a compromise after Hart Council received over 40 complaints from worried residents. The pub agreed to only have music up to 12 midnight on one night a week.
Up In Smoke: Fleet Lions have raised £8,000 from their annual fireworks display. 4,000 people watched the £3,000 display which lasted for 30minutes.

Ashes Remembered: Journalist Rob Wighton who lives in Church Crookham has co-written "Match of my Life" which relives 12 classic matches from past Ashes series through the eyes of the players. Priced at £16.99 it is available from all major bookshops and at www.amazon.co.uk Rob's blog address is ashes200607.blogspot.com

Light Up The Hart Centre: Fleet Lions are inviting people to remember loved ones by buying a Christmas tree light to put on the Centre's Christmas tree. For each donation the Lions will send a personal dedication card. For more details write to : Light Up A Life, Hart Lions Club, c/o 27 New Road, Blackwater GU17 9AY.
Star Turn: Former Southampton striker Adam Walker has signed for Fleet Town to help their bid to win promotion this season. Fleet are currently second by one point to Dulwich but with a game in hand.
Sation Improvemants: Fleet Station is to benifit from government funding to give passengers an obstacle free accessible route from station entrances to and between platforms.

14 Nov
Humbug?: Richard Noble of Kenilworth Gds has not slept properly for months because he hears a low frequency hum that never stops. Environmental health offices have cannot hear the noise. Mr. Noble has been advised that if he can find other people who can hear the hum the council would have a statutory duty to do something about it.

10 Nov
Greek Collection: £222 has been raised in Fleet by Greek Animal Rescue a charity that helps care for the sick and injured animals in Greece.
Bin Bugs: Councillor Denis Gotel has not ruled out the possibility of fitting bugs to wheelie bins if residents fail to hit tough government recycling targets.              

1 Nov
Fleet 10K: Phillip Berntsen was first home in a time of 33mins21sec in this years Fleet Peter Driver memorial 10K race. The first woman was Issy Menzies in 38.18. Just under 600 runners took part.
Gurkha Barracks Exhibition: Taylor Woodrow Developments are holding a public exhibition on Friday 10th Nov from 4-8pm  and Saturday 11th Nov from 10am - 4pm  for residents to consider amendments to their plans to develop Queen Elizabeth Barracks. 
Christmas Scam: Trading Standards have issued a warning to people to be aware of a scam were rouge Parcel Delivery Services post cards through peoples letter boxes to claim that they have attempted to deliver a parcel. When the printed number on the card is phoned the caller  can be charged a minimum of £15.

27 Oct
Its Bin 5 Weeks: Steve Coward, a former police chief living in Elvetham Heath, is angry that his blue bin has not been emptied for five weeks.
Marshals Wanted: This years  Fleet Christmas Festivities will be on Wed Nov 22 starting  with the lights being switched on along Fleet Rd at 6pm. The organisers, Fleet Town Centre Group, desperately need marshals to help control the road junctions. If you can help please contact Maria Jones at maria.jones@fleetbusinesspartnership.com 
Lead Balloon: Fleet actress Raquel Cassidy is breaking all records in the BBC comedy Lead Balloon starring Jack Dee. It has the highest ever viewing figures for a comedy on BBC4 and has now been switched to BBC2.
Fleet Lions Competition; Fleet lions are looking for young unsung community heroes between the ages of 15-18 in Hart. It is running an Ambassadors for Youth competition. If you know of a likely candidate call 0845 833 7358 or email YA@fleetlions.org 
Gurkha Flag Day: A Flag day in Fleet and Church Crookham has raised £2.829 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. The Gurkha Band will be performing in the Harlington Centre on Dec 2 at 7.30pm. For tickets call Mr. Shoesmith on 01252 621268.

20 Oct
Big Blue Bins: The council is concerned that not enough residents are switching to the larger blue bins in preparation for the fortnightly collection service being introduced from 30th Oct. To order a bin call 01252 622122.
Costly Case: The cost of legally challenging the Hitchins Lane development has been put well at over £50,000 by Councilor James Radley. He stated the chances of winning are "dreadfully weak"

12 Oct
Denim Collection: Staff from Software Solutions at Ancells Farm have collected more than £400 for National charities by donating £2 each for the privilege of wearing Jeans to work on Genes Day.
Guides Raising The Roof; Fleet Girl Guides are applying for lottery money to rebuild their old headquarters at Basingbourne Rd. If successful the new building will be ready in early 2009.
Silting Support: Local MP James Arbuthnot has been invited to address Fleet Pond Society so that they can thank him for raising the problem of silting in Fleet Pond. Mr. Arbuthnot raised the issue in the House of Commons to help persuade The Ministry of Defence to authorize works to install measures to reduce the escape of eroded soils which cause the pond's silt.
Dirty Pavements: Local Traders in Fleet Rd are protesting at the lack of cleaning taking place down the High St.  They complain of cigarette buts, chewing gum and vomit not being effectively cleared.

5 Oct
Petrol Station Robbery: Two teenagers were forced to hand over money and a mobile phone when they were approached by a youth who asked them to exchange a £20 voucher for cash. The boys aged 14 and 15 were walking along Kings Rd near the Murco petrol station at around 8.30pm on Sep 25.
Hart Gives Up Fight: Controversial plans to build 300 homes along Hitchens Lane look likely to go ahead after Hart Council decided not to fight a High Court Appeal following legal advice they would lose the case.
Real Pub: The Prince Arthur pub has gained an entry in the Campaign for Real Ales Good Bear Guide for 2007. It is the only pub in the town to have been selected for CAMRA entry.
Late Pub: Residents are objecting to a bid by their local pub The Flying Goose to stay open until 12.30 Sunday to Thursday and host live music every night from 8pm to midnight.
Expensive Pub: Customers are angry that they are being fined £100 for not buying a parking ticket to park in the Emporium's car park. They are supposed to claim the money back when they buy their first drink. The system has been introduced  to stop people parking there for free whilst shopping.
Top Team: Fleet Town FC are currently top of the Ryman league having collected 18 points from the 7 games played so far.
Tots Library: The Busy Bees Day Nursery in Ively Rd has opened a library to allow parents to borrow children's books for free as often as they like. Contact by phoning 01252 533430

29 Sep
Late Licence Bid: Local traders and residents are fighting a bid from Jaxx club in upper street to open until 2am on Sundays before a bank Holiday Monday.
Fleet Eggheads: A team of pensioners calling themselves "Russell's Raiders" are to appear on the BBC2 show "Eggheads" on Thursday Oct 12th. They are members of the U3A which meets at the Harlington Centre.

23 Sep
Traders Parking Fury: Fleet Rd traders are fed up of seeing their customers being hit with parking tickets on a daily basis. They have written a protest letter asking for parking restrictions to be suspended until the current confusing signage is replaced by a system which people can understand.
Dog Problems: Solicitor Nicolette Pike is incensed by the lack of services provided by Hart Council since Hart's Dog Warden Lynn Byfield has been out of post. She says if you ring the police or the RSPCA they say it is the councils responsibility and the council will tell you it is a police matter. Lynn used to deal with dog fouling and dangerous and stray dogs etc. She has been out of post for 14 months.
Jump For Charity: Brain injury survivor Iain Pryer from Fleet has  helped raise £2,000 for Headway the brain injury association after a daredevil tandem skydive.
Hospital Update: A £250,000 six-month project has updated Fleet community hospital. A new ward with 18 beds has been created. Work is still going on to improve the therapy area and assessment unit.

20 Sep
Man-hole Covers To Be Changed: The SE Water board have advised Hampshire County Council that due to operational difficulties in lifting the manhole covers down Fleet Rd pavements they are going to replace the matching paved covers with conventional steel ones.

15 Sep
FTCG May Be Replaced: A meeting at the Harlington Centre has sown the seeds for a new Fleet Based Partnership between local community groups and retailers which will replace the existing Fleet Town Centre Group which has never been popular with Fleet Rd  retailers. It is possible that the Group could apply for the vacant post of Fleet Town Centre Manager freeing the £16,000 in wages to spend on projects.
Best Frontage: W C Baker and Sons have won the Best Frontage award at this years Fleet and Church Crookham in Bloom awards. Full Results.
Puzzling Fifth Birthday: Elvetham Heath Primary School pupils celebrated the schools fifth birthday by solving three dimensional puzzles. The school began with less than 50 pupils and now has 430 pupils in 15 classes.
High Five: Fleet CC under 11's star Ollie East took five wickets in five balls to win the North Hampshire Youth Cricket League match against Eversley. Eversley were 80 - 5 chasing 127 to win when Ollie struck taking the last five wickets

7 Sep
Make Your Mind Up: Six children have been allowed to attend Elvetham Heath Primary School after the county council, which had won a court case after a judge ruled that it was right to refuse the children, changed its mind and let them in.
Bins Uncollected: More than 3000 bins have not been emptied throughout the Hart area because six of the district councils dustcarts broke down in one day.
Flasher Round Fleet Pond: Police are investigating a flasher who has been exposing himself to dog walkers round Fleet Pond. The first report was six weeks ago and there have been a number of reports since. Phone 0845 0454545 if you can help the police.
Happy Birthday Your Royal Highness: A 9 year old schoolgirl from Church Crookham has made a birthday card for the Queen's 80th birthday. To her surprise she received a thank you reply from the Queen's Lady-in-Waiting.
Rowing Champ: Fleet's Vicki Hansford and her three team-mates have won gold and broke the world record by six seconds at the world Rowing Championships.

30 Aug
May Is The Best: Pyestock bowler Leo May has won the Champion of Champions Bowls competition at Worthing. He beat England International pre-tournament favorite Simon Skelton 2-0 in the semi-final and Graham White in an exciting three end tie-breaker in the final.
No Parish Council: Councillors have voted by 20 to 4 to throw out the idea of a Parish council in favour of a full parish review. A recent petition covering the wards of Church Crookham East and West and Fleet Courtmoor and collected by the Community Campaign Hart was signed by more than 2000 people. Councillor Sharyn Wheale stated that the whole of Fleet and Church Crookham should be consulted.
Hair Cut Sir?: A car driven by an 85 year old gentleman from Kings Rd crashed into the shop window of the Linkway barbers in Linkway Parade. The car missed a little girl by less than a metre. No one was seriously hurt.

24 Aug
Views Mugging: Three thugs robbed and punched a teenager walking through the Views Park last Friday at about 1am. The victim was able to give police descriptions of two of the attackers who were both white aged 16-17. One was 5ft 10" tall, average build with a shaven head. He had a round face with a bulbous nose. The other was 5ft 11" tall, slim build with spiky blond or slightly ginger hair. If you can help call 0845045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Silting Held Up: Silting in Fleet Pond has been arrested by the Defence Estates Agency who have installed dams, drains and filters. The army maneuvers in Long Valley have been thought to have contributed to the build up of silt in the pond which had resulted in reducing the depth of the water to less than a metre in places.
Golden Bin: Mrs Ann Gotting of Fleet has won first prize of £100 in the Hart District Councils "golden compost bin" competition. The competition was open to everyone who bought a cut price compost bin between 7th and 14 May.
Youths Charged: Four teenagers have been charged following a robbery at the Murco petrol station in Kings Rd on August 16. 

18 Aug
Costly Parish Council: Residents calling for a Parish Council to be formed in the Church Crookham and Courtmoor areas have been warned by County Councillor Peter Hutcheson that they would be hit hard in the pocket. The petition calling for a parish council will be considered at a full meting of Hart District Council this Thursday from 7pm at the Civic Offices in Fleet.
Take Hart: Hart has been rated second only to Elmbridge in Surrey as the best area to live in terms of "quality of life".
Top Film: A short film called "Stick Guns" made by Dave Tucker of Fleet and shot entirely in woods close to Elvetham Heath  was one of only two selected to represent the UK in the Los Angeles Film Festival.

11 August
New Parking Charges Planned: Plans to introduce parking charges to Harlington Way have been critisised by Conservative Richard Appleton. He said that the change must not proceed without taking steps to protect nearby roads from increased parking. Plans to introduce parking charges along Elvetham Heath Rd have been scrapped.
Enough Pubs: Police have stated that Fleet has reached saturation point as far as drinking licenses are concerned. The claim was made during an appeal into plans to turn the Help the Aged shop in Fleet Rd into another pub.

3 August
End Of Tourist Office: The Tourist Information Centre (TIC) situated in the Harlington Centre has been identified as a service that the Council is not required to provide and one that does not match any corporate priorities. Therefore, since Hart District Council does not have a particular strong tourism industry and the income generated has not met the operating costs of the service for some years, the decision has been taken to close the Tourist Information Centre in Fleet on Friday 22nd September.
Parking Appeal Accepted: Paul Burch challenged a parking ticket given to his wife Valerie because the Application Code was incorrect and the words "Loading Only" must be painted on the road. He also pointed out that such a restricted parking place requires a yellow kerb line and a yellow "No Parking" prohibition notice, neither of which were in place. Hart District Council has waived the penalty as "a gesture of goodwill". 
School May Be Overlooked: The governors at Heatherside Infants School are horrified that a new development of retirement cottages would overlook the children's playground.

28 July
New TCM To Be Appointed: The Hart Council has overwhelmingly passed a motion to urgently find a replacement for Sue Collen who recently resigned as Fleet Town Centre Manager.
Sea Turtle Project: Sam Allen is leaving home for a voluntary placement in Colola, Mexico to help with a Sea Turtle Project. She is trying to raise the £1,500 needed to pay for the trip. Sam is studying "A" levels at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough.
Fleet In Gloom: Fleet is getting set for a summer without any flowers. It was decided that because of the water bans in force it would be too expensive to provide planters with special water containing compost which would deliver water gradually over a period of time. Cllr Gotel, Fleet's Cabinet member decided to order artificial flowers but upon further inspection decided they were not satisfactory. He has now decided to "kick the idea into touch" and stay with an uncluttered Fleet Rd for the summer.
Chemical Alert: An ambulance and fire engines were called to Hart Leisure centre after a chemical had leaked over the duty manager. He was taken to casualty but later returned home.
Full Marks: Fleet Infant School was judged "outstanding" in all seven categories after Ofsted inspectors visited the school for two days last month.

25 July
Councillor May Have Breached Confidentiality: Hart Conservatives say they intend to report Cllr Denis Gotel, the cabinet member for Fleet, for allegedly breaching council confidentiality in relation to the Fleet Town Centre Manager thus making her position untenable. Go to www.hartconservatives.com for more

20 July
Dream Come True: Fleet based 16 year old goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has signed professional forms for Premiership club Fulham.

13 July
Town Centre Manager Resigns: Sue Collen the Fleet TCM has resigned after meetings with Hart District Council. She issued the following statement  "It was with a heavy heart that my letter of resignation which detailed my reasons for leaving was delivered to Hart District Council last week, and resulted in a meeting on Monday 10th  with Viv Evans and Matthew Evans of the Hart District Council." Sue had been so successful as town manager that her two days a week contract had been recently increased to three days a week. She introduced Farmers Markets to Fleet on a regular basis and also staged  very successful Fleet Christmas Festivities in November, She was also responsible for improving the quality of Fleet's Christmas lights. She worked hard for the town her motto being "Putting Fleet First". She will be sorely missed. The reason for her resignation remains a mystery.

Pond Appeal: Fleet Pond Society are appealing for old photos of the pond on their 30th anniversary. If you can help contact Colin Grey on 01252 616183 or email colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk 

Ad Boards Can Stay: A compromise has been reached between traders and Hampshire County Council regarding the use of Ad Boards, displays and tables and chairs outside shops along Fleet Rd pavements. A set of rules has been agreed and  accepted by both sides. (A sensible common sense approach - webmaster)

3 July
Memorial day: Family and friends of Mike Richie a popular local footballer who died in a road accident on April 9th,  are holding a Memorial day on July 22. The day will start at 11am at Hartley Wintney. At midday the Mike Richie Trophy match will kick off. Later at 3pm Hartley Wintney will play Fleet Spurs in what is to become an annual fixture. There will be a final get together at the Sports Bar in Fleet. To make a donation to the Sports Aid on in memory of Mike go to www.sportsaid.org.uk/donate/index.htm 
Best In Fleet: Mai Lait has been selected as the best baby in the Fleet carnival's babyshow held at the Harlington Centre. Jan and Alfie Woodman were selected as best Mum and Baby. more + pictures
Taxi Threat: Four men who used a Fleet taxi to go from Fleet Rd to Basingbourne Road tried to make of without paying.  The driver managed to grab one of them and a scuffle broke out. One of the men later threatened to stab the driver with a knife.

26 June
Oriental Car Park: 

Victoria Rd car park landscape has been given an oriental touch with the planting of several Gingko biloba trees to replace Poplars which had been recently felled.

Gingko Tree

Ad Boards Have To Go: Hampshire County Council has warned all town centre traders to get rid of advertising boards by 17 July or they will have them removed. (Is this happening throughout Hampshire and the rest of the country or just Fleet. Also are the council to get rid of the flower beds, seat benches, post boxes, litter bins etc that also appear on our pavements. Webmaster)

20 June
Long Life: Hart has been placed third in a study to determine the ten areas with the highest expectancy of life in years. It was beaten by East Dorset which was first followed by Kensington and Chelsea. The current employment rate in Hart is 82.6%. The study was published by the Charted Society of Physiotherapy. 
CABs Merged: Fleet and Yateley Citizens Advice Bureaux have merged to become Citizens Advice - Hart District Limited following a cash crisis.
Pop Video Success: Fleet's Leigh Nicholson has become a success in the video "I wish I was a Punk Rocker" which has shot to number 2 in the charts.

16 June
Charity Horse Ride Cancelled: Fleet Lions have had to cancel a money spinning sponsored horse ride at Tweseldown two days before the event because a decision taken by English Nature not to give their permission for the event to go on. The event has been held for the past 20 years and was expected to raise £4,000 for charity. English Nature stated that it was unable to give consent because Tweseldown failed to demonstrated it would not damage a nearby site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area.  (Surely after 20 years it would have been damaged already- webmaster)
Parish Council: Two thousand residents in the Church Crookham and Fleet Courtmoor wards of Hart Council have signed a petition, collected by members of the Community Campaign Hart group, to be represented by a parish council. The council will now consult with every resident in the ward.  Hart Conservative leader Stephen Gorys warned that this process could cost an estimated £77,000 pounds.
Kenyon Eye Charity: The Rotary Club of Fleet have collected £1024.55 to be given to the Kwale District Eye Centre on the Kenyon coast of Mombassa.

10 June
Executive Jailed: Laurence Ford of Old Cove Rd, Fleet has been jailed for 6 years for his role in a major money laundering scandal.
Dumped In Fleet; Paul Archer, Hampshire County Council's  head of waste management has said that to solve major problems at Farnboro's Eelmoor Road tip, a long term solution would be to find an alternative site in the north of the county, ideally in Fleet.
New Rotary President: John Burton has become the new president of Fleet Rotary Club. John who joined the club in 1999 is a steward at Fleet Methodist Church, a volunteer driver and treasurer of the Crookham Village Association and Crookham Village Twinning Group. 
Shop Of The Year: Fujifilm Image Service in Fleet Rd has won a Gold in the annual Fujifilm Awards and then went on to win the Store of the Year award. Manager Phil Dodd who took over the store a year ago said "we are constantly trying to add value to the service we offer and feel a great sense of pride in winning this award.
Calthorpe's Ballet Star: Pupil Henry Paerkins has been accepted by the Bolshoi ballet. He will leave in Sep to train for 4 years with the world famous school.
Crèche Closing: The Abacus play centre inside Hart Shopping Centre will close down on June 30th.

3 June
Photo Fit Picture:

27 May
Pyestock Development Exhibition: Prudential and Astral Developments are holding a public exhibition to enable local residents to see plans and talk to developers about the warehouses they are planning to build at the Hartland Park Pyestock development. Bus tours will take visitors round the site. Access is from Bramshot Rd off the Nokia roundabout. Visiting times are: Fri 2nd June 2pm - 8pm, Sat 3rd June 10am - 4pm and Mon 5th June 2pm - 8pm more
Fleet Rd Parking Confusion: New parking restrictions in Fleet Rd are causing mayhem for local shoppers who have been fined £2,500 in just two days. They are being confused by signs which state that parking is restricted to 30mins Mon - Fri from 3pm - 6pm and Sat and Sun from 9am - 6pm. Goods vehicles loading only is Mon - Fri from 9am - 3pm. Previous to the road improvements parking was available all day at more or less the same bays.  (you have been warned - webmaster)

21 May
Water Leak: Water has been oozing out of a leak and pouring along Bourley Rd in Church Crookham. It was reported to SE Water on 11 may by Lee Cobb who first though the flooding was being caused by heavy rain. It has still not been repaired and its ironic that at a time of draught and hosepipe bans so much water could be wasted.
Good News: The News has been named Regional Newspaper of the Year at a ceremony in London. The competition recognises excellence in newspaper production.
Closing Down: Abacus crèche in the Hart Shopping Centre is to close down next month after four years.
Horse Trials: Tweseldown Racecourse is to stage international horse trials next week, for the first time in 50 years. more

17 May
All Over: The controversial Fleet Rd improvements have been officially declared "over". The £3.6 million improvement scheme has upgraded 700metres of road and pavement and also extended and upgraded Victoria Rd car park.
Recycled Warehouses: Fleet MP James Arbuthnot has suggested that the Pyestock development scheme to build massive warehouses could be replaced by building a new recycling centre to alleviate the queuing and congestion at the existing Farnborough recycling centre. more about the Pyestock Horror development 

10 May
Carnival Princess Crowned: This years Carnival Princess is Francessca Ward  age 12 from Calthorpe Park School. Deputy Princesses are Megan De-Sausa and Jorja Brown both aged 9 pictures  
Money For New HQ: Fleet Girl Guides have raised £40,000 towards the £200,000 target cost of a new Headquarters to replace their existing 30 year old HQ. They also require volunteers to be leaders or assist with the Guides. For further details ring 01252 628973
Biggest Catch Ever: Fleet angler Graeme Pullen and his friend Peter Scott together have caught the biggest porbeagle shark ever found. It weighed 550lb and was caught of the coast of Bude in Cornwall.

5 May
Local Election Results: Community Campaign Hart won both Church Crookham East and West. Independent Dennis Gotel won Fleet Central. Fleet North and West both went to the Conservatives. The hotly contested Pondtail seat which has the threat of the Pyestock "horror" warehouse development hanging over it, was retained by Conservative Sharyn Wheale after a huge turnout of 54.1%.  The conservatives have lost overhaul controll of Hart Council. click for full results
Oh No Not Again: Once again the council are planning to cause disruption of traffic along Elvetham Heath Rd. They are planning to introduce on-street parking on parts of the road. This will not only cut drivers speed but alleviate parking problems at the Church Rd surgery and hospital and also at the Railway Station. It will cost £1 for 2 hours, £2 for up to 4 hours and £3 for more than 4 hours.
Warning To Parents: A seven year old girl was grabbed by a man in the communal changing rooms at the Hart Leisure Centre. She managed to pull herself free. The police have asked for vigilance from the public. Anyone with further information should call 0845 0454545 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
School Award: All Saints School is one of the first schools to gain the prestigious new Information Communication Technology Mark which is awarded by Becta the governments lead agency in education. Headteacher Janet Roberts said she was delighted and represents our approach to ICT.
Hague Visits Fleet: Former Conservative leader William Hague visited Elvetham Heath and Glen Rd close to the centre of Fleet where residents have bee plagued by late night drinkers.
Mid-Table: Fleet Town FC have finished 13th in the 2005/06 Ryman League Division 1 Table

28 April
Another MP Backs Campaign: Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling was visibly shocked when he heard the implications of building the huge Pyestock "Horror" warehouse development. He said it would ruin the area,  was madness and will ruin peoples quality of life. more
Former President Dies: Former Fleet Chamber of Commerse president Chris West has died peacefully at his home.
Sam's Film Wins Award: Former Church Crookham schoolboy Sam Rogers reached third place in the finals of the CobraVision Awards - the worlds shortest film competition with his entry called "Stuffed" 

21 April
Bye - Bye: Sean Holden Council member for Fleet West is stepping down and moving to Kent. Richard Hunt is also stepping down as member for Fleet West. Both were Conservatives.
New York Turned Down: Fleet actress Raquel Cassidy has turned down a weekend in New York to represent her new film "Festival" because she promised to take part in nine-year old Aliesha Oedra's  play "Love or Death Watersyle" in London.

14 April: 
Racecourse Fire: An historic building at Tweseldown Racecourse has burned to the ground. The fire started in the canteen. The possibility of arson is being investigated.
Plan Thrown Out: Hart District Council have rejected a plan to knock down a property at 29 Basingbourne Close and build a four bedroomed chalet style home.
Cars Vandalised: About 15 cars have been vandalised whilst parked in Glen Rd, Connaught Rd, Stanton Drive, Ferndale Rd and Albert St. Contact 08450 454545 if you can help police.
Tributes to Fleet Footballer: Michael Ritchie, 28, who died after losing control of his car and colliding with trees in Ewshot has been paid many tributes by family and friends. Michael was a striker for Fleet Spurs. He grew up in Fleet and went to Calthorpe Park School and Farnborough Sixth Form College.
Use Or Lose Bus: A long awaited bus route, No 79, between Yateley and Fleet has been officially opened but comes with a warning by Edward Dawson, chairman of the Yateley town centre management group, who said "Its not subsidised by the council. Its a private venture and therefore may stand or fall depending on its use."

10 April:
Enough Is Enough: Fed up residents of Elvetham Heath estate are campaigning for action to stop teenager antisocial behavour which they say they have suffered from for years. They have sent emails to leading Hart District Councillors. They say escalating problems caused by drug taking, drinking, car racing, loud music, swearing, abuse, theft, damage and fires have gone far enough.
Hosepipe Ban: SE Water have imposed a hosepipe ban for domestic uses in the Hart area. It is the first ban for 11 years.

5 April
Wider Bridges: Soldiers from the Royal Engineeers have offered to help widen two bridges at Fleet Pond. They have offered to re-build the Brookly and Carnival bridges, construct a fishing jetty and fence off marshland.
Teenager Attacked: An 18 year old has been attacked outside El Castello restaurant in Fleet Rd. One of the attackers was white, of slim build aged 18-22 wearing a dark blue top, dark jeans and white trainers. The other was of dark European appearance, similar in age and build with black spikey hair and wearing a black jacket and trousers. If you can help police with their inquiries phone 0845 0454545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
5 Second Wonder:  Sam Rogers new five second film called "Stuffed" is in the final 20 films of the worlds shortest film competition CobraVision to be held in London on 24th April. Sam is from Church Crookham.
Load of Rubbish: Cllr Denis Gotel has formed FLEET - Fleet Late Evening Establishments Together - in a bid to set up a fighting fund to pay for regular street cleaning

30 Mar
Parents Victory: Parents with children living on the Elvetham Heath estate have forced Hampshire CC to allow their children to enroll at Elvetham Heath Primary school have been initially told that the school was full and they must go to Tavistock Infants school.
MP Opens Wetland: Velmead Junior school children have spent the last two years clearing an acre of scrubland in the school grounds to reveal an area of unique wet heath land. The site was opened by James Arbuthnot who praised the school's achievement.
A Grand For Fleet Pond:

Local MP James Arbuthnot has handed over £1,000 to Fleet Pond Society on behalf of Cayo Foundation. The cash will help replace the societies elderly tractor.

Princely Night Out: Prince William visited Fleet on Tuesday. He enjoyed a meal at We Restaurant before going for a drink at the Propaganda Music Canteen in Fleet Rd.

24 Mar
Local Residents meet Their MP:

High Street Closed: Fleet Rd is to be closed from 3 - 24 April to enable the current road improvements to be completed. Final completion is expected by the end of April.
Four Years On: Police are still conducting the investigation of Milly Dowler who was found dead in Yately Heath Woods four years ago. It is one of the largest operations in the history of Surrey police.
Half Marathon: Toby Lambert of Alton Runners has won the this years Fleet half marathon in a time of 1hr 18min 47 seconds. Grandad Ted O'Toole won the men's over 70's category. Ted from Fleet who has competed in all 25 marathons  took  2hrs 32seconds  to complete the course. First woman home was Debbie Coslet in 1hr 18min 47sec.

20 Mar
Still Richest: Channel 5 news today compared Fleet with Liverpool in regard to the difference in affluence stating Elvetham Heath is the richest place to live in England.
Andrew's Health Check: Andrew Macallan and his team of volunteers will soon be delivering some 600 questioners to find out what is pleasant/unpleasant about living in Fleet and Church Crookham. The aim of the study is to enhance the area by identifying what is most important to the people living/working/visiting the area. If you want to help the Fleet and Church Crookham Town Health Check Group phone Andrew on 01252 668076
Top School: St Nicholas School is one of only five schools in the country to achieve a 100% GCSE pass rate. It is also top of the county league table.

17 March
Hitchens Lane Appeal: Hart District Council has appealed to the High Court against Deputy Primeminister John Prescott's ruling that 300 homes could be built on land at Hitchens lane.
First Film: Former Fleet schoolboys Rob Weston and Byron Valsey are planning to make a horror film "Gnaw" in April.
Percussionist Picked: 13 year old Fleet teenager Ralph Wyld has been picked from hundreds of contestants to join the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain for the third year running.
 
10 March
Tony Replies To James: As promised Tony Blair has replied to James Arbuthnot's question to him at Question Time regarding the development proposed for Hitchens Lane . He said that the Hitchens Lane decision was subject to legal challenge so he was unable to comment further. He added that the government thought it important to fund new infrastructure to support new homes needed for the next generation. and that funding would need to come from a variety of sources including developers.
 

7 Mar
All Change At Oasis: David Parry has decided to retire from his flower shop in Fleet Rd and has handed the business over to his manageress for the last ten years, Gill Chilton. He said only Wrights next door and Bakers over the road are still here from the time I opened in the shop in 1982 the rest has all changed.
Eclipsed: Mark Lanes and his son Tim are going to drive 5,000 from Fleet to Turkey to see a total eclipse of the sun. The journey through Belgium, Germany, Australian Alps, Croatia and Bulgaria will take three weeks. 
Fleet Cricket Courses: Simon Massy will soon be running cricket courses at Fleet CC for youngsters aged from 6 to 13. To book call Simon on 01252 661416.

3 Mar
Bridal Window Smashed: Yvette Morrison faces a bill of £2,000 to replace a large window  at her shop - Smartlady- in Albert St. The window had been smashed by vandals on Sat morning when a local resident heard glass being broken.
Stone Set In Church: Sir Euan Anstruther-Gough Calthorpe will lay a commemorative stone at the site of the new Elvetham Heath church. An inscription on the stone reads "The Church on the Heath - Serving Christ in the Community". It is hoped that the church will be ready to open this Autumn
Fleet Hospital Improvements: Builders have started work on improvements to Fleet Hospital. Builders will initially concentrate on the improving Calthorpe Unit and then work on the therapy area and day assessment unit. The work will take 4 months to complete.
Breathing Easier: Fleet Breathe Easy Group has bought pulse oximeters to be used by Fleet hospital and main GP practices in the area. The group who support anyone with chronic breathing conditions meets on the last Friday of every month at Velmead Centre on the Zebon Copse. New members are welcome and should call 01252 845142 for more information.

28 Feb
Inquiry Delayed: The public inquiry into the  homes development on the QEB site in Church Crookham has been delayed until Spring 2007 at the request of Taylor Woodrow and the MOD.
Mark's Bronze Medal: Calthorpe Park pupil Mark Cappleman has won a bronze medal for England competing in the Eight Nations badminton tournament in Denmark. Mark is coached by Benny Khaw.

Feb 25
UNICEF Award: Tavistock Infants School has become one of the first schools to gain a UNICEF award by learning about the United Nations Convention and the rights of the child.
Hospice Cash Gift: Fleet and District Choral Soc have donated £1,700 raised from its successful Christmas Concert to the Phyillis Tuckwell Hospice.
Anthony Meets His Heroes: Fleet Spurs u10's goalkeeper Anthony Jones's dreams came true when he led out Reading's team for their home match with Southampton. He had a fantastic evening topped off when promotion contenders Reading won 2-0.

Feb 18
Beach or Christmas Tree: Every year The Fleet Rotary Club install and decorate a Christmas Tree in Gurkha Square as part of the celebrations. The Council have dug up trees in flower beds either side of were this tree is put. The Rotary Club have asked the council if they could put a Christmas tree in place of one of the two beach trees. This would save the cost of a new tree every year and save three parking spaces during Christmas. The council has refused.
Army Fund: A collection for the Hampshire committee of the Army Benevolent Fund at Morrisons in Elvetham Heath has raised £590.
Top Marks: Stockton House independant school has gained top marks in all categories in an Ofsted report. The staff celebrated with Champers.

Feb 12
Fleet Pond Cash: Farnborough Airfield operator TAG have set up a fund worth more than £40,000 to pay for Fleet Pond Nature Reserve improvements. Every time a plane takes of a contribution is made.
Outstanding Pub: The Emporium has won Greene King's division sales award for outstanding growth over the past year. Pub managers Richard Hailwood and Jenny Rice accepted the award at a ceremony at the Alton Towers hotel.
Crack Den Raid: A house in Meadow Walk was raided following a tip that the house was being used for drug dealing. A 38 year old woman and a youth aged 18 have been charged with supplying drugs. The house has been boarded up.
End Is In Sight: Fleet Rd contractors have stated that the High Street roadwork's will be complete by the first week in May.

Feb 8
Pyestock Planning Meeting Deferred: Due to over 100 people filling up Council Chambers and many many more angry residents packing the Civic Centre foyer the Pyestock Warehouse Development meeting has had to be deferred until a larger venue can be found. There is also going to be an exhibition of the development set up by the council. MORE
Prime-Minister's Question: Local MP James Arbuthnot raised the issue of additional housing in Hitchins Lane by asking the PM, during PM's Question Time, if he was aware of John Prescott's decision to allow 300 new houses to be built in an area already suffering from very low water levels and severe service problems due to increased local housing. Tony Blair said he was not aware of the problem in Fleet but would look into it and write to Mr. Arbuthnot.
Another Horse Attack: Sid Evans has been attacked by a horse near to playing fields in Church Crookham. It ran at him from about 40 feet and then head-butted him. He landed on his head which prompted the horse to stamp on his back before running away. There have been three attacks recently. Local MP James Arbuthnot is making inquiries by writing to Hart District Council.
Calthorpe Park 1976 Reunion: A committee has been formed to organise a giant summer reunion of old pupils which attended the School 30 years ago. About 100 former pupils have already been traced. The plans are on view at www.calthorpe-reunion76.co.uk or call Kristina on 01252 615906.

Feb 3
Carnival Saved: Thanks to a good response to a plea for more help to run Fleet Carnival the committee have decided to go ahead with this years Grand Procession. The Children's procession and other events such as the Line Dance and U18's gig will also take place. Family Funday will not take place this year. Click here for more
Help From SID: Speed Indication Devices (SID) have been fixed to lampposts along Elvetham Heath Rd. They will monitor, record and flash the speed a motorist reaches whilst travelling along in the hope that they will slow down.
Free Parking: A new car park has been opened in Branksomewood Rd which provides 18 additional 30 minute free parking bays with two extra spaces for disabled drivers and a goods vehicle loading bay.
Ratre Bird: A rare bird of prey was seen at Elvetham Heath nature reserve. Called a Hobby it is small and feeds on large insect and small mammals. There are only an estimated 500 - 900 breeding pairs in the UK.
Waste Not Want Not: From Autumn 2006 The Hart District Council will collect non-recyclable household waste one week - and your recyclable materials the following week. Garden waste will continue to be collected fortnightly. Larger 240 litre blue bins will be available if required by applying to the council.
Hitchens Lane U Turn: Berkeley Homes have been given the go-ahead to construct 120 homes at Hitchens Lane. This number could rise to 300. John Prescott had initially vetoed the development but this was challenged by Berkeley on a point of law. As a consequence John Presscott finally gave the permission for the houses to be built.

Jan 30
Pyestock Warehouses, Noise Threat: Local residents are battling against the threat of land being developed into warehousing at Pyestock within 300 metres of residential housing at the rear of Pondtail near Fleet Pond, . Noise levels of up to 110dba are expected whilst the site is under construction and up to 40dba once the work has been completed. They urge all concerned to attend a Council meeting to be held at the Civic Offices in Fleet at 19.00hrs on 8th February.click here for more or go to www.fleethants.com/pyestock 
Yateley To Fleet Link: Countrywide Travel plans to provide an hourly bus service between Fleet and Yateley with stops at Cricket Hill and Gibraltar Barracks. The service is to be reviewed after 6 months to see if it is paying its way.
Tumble Drier Fire: Children had to be evacuated from the ABC Kindergarten in Clarence Rd after a tumble drier burst into flames. 
Falling Scaffolding: Luckily no one was hurt when three storeys of scaffolding outside Austin House in Upper Street collapsed onto a delivery van. An HSE spokesman said "We are looking at the adequacy of how the scaffolding was secured to the building". 

Jan 28
New Book From Local Author: Malcolm Noble is to release his new novel "Piggy Tucker's Poison" next month (Feb). click here for more information. Malcolm wishes to thank his local readership, especially those who have borrowed his first two titles from local libraries.
One Council Too Many: Hart District and Hampshire County councillor Peter Hutcheson is to step down from his Hart Council role in May having represented Church Crookham for 20 years. Peter said "As the county role becomes more demanding it is time to make way for someone new so that I can give more time to the task of representing you in Hampshire.
Reward: Sandy Lane garage owner Alan Jaymes is offering a reward of £250 to catch the firebug who destroyed a £3,000 MGB and caused £2,500 damage to two other cars. Contact Yateley police station on 0845 045 45 45 if you can help.

Jan 17
More Free Parking: A council cabinet meeting  decision has been made to increase the number of short term free spaces in Fleet Town Centre by 24. In addition evening parking in Church Rd will also be free.
Max's Brave Website Diary: Church Crookham teenager Max Horwood, 13, is to receive a bravery award after capturing worldwide attention with his website diary. Max started the site after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2003. The diary has been visited by many celebrities including Will Carling and Richard Hill. He is receiving the award for "stoicism in dealing with the challengers he faced" and will receive a trophy and a certificate signed by Kylie Minogue plus a family cinema Ticket.
New Arts Centre: The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev. Christopher Hill, has blessed a new creative arts centre at the All Saints School in Fleet. The new facility, which has cost £118,000, has been named after Headteacher Mrs. Roberts who has been at the school for 15 years. 

Jan 10
Fleet FC Lose Local Derby: Fleet Town FC put up a brave fight in front of a crowd of 555 at the Aldershot Rec but lost 3 - 0 to a fitter and quicker team. The Hampshire cup quarter final game was dominated by Aldershot in the first half with goals from MOM Garry Holloway (8mins) Ahmed Deen (21min) and Tim Sills (30 min). The second half was more even with both teams coming close to scoring. Fleet started to tire towards the end of the game but valiantly hung on to a second half 0 - 0 draw. Aldershot now play Basingstoke in the semi - final.

Photo courtesy of David Gibson

6 Jan
Roadworks Go On: Fleet Rd will be one way between Victoria Rd and Birch Ave as the roadwork's resume after the Christmas break. Fleet Rd will be closed between Victoria Rd and Birch Ave for about three weeks in March and April whilst a new road is built. Call David Stokes on 07748427168 for more details.
Load Of Rubbish: Complaints have been made about  the bin collection day during the festive period. The council put an advert in a local paper listing collection times but Church Crookham residents say the information was wrong. There were also complaints that the paper was only read by less than half the local population.
Tragic Fire: 75 year old Pensioner Colin Denby was found dead at his house in Aldershot Rd after firefighters went to the house following reports that smoke could be seen inside. The fire is not been treated as suspicious.
Bricks For Sale: Elvetham Heath's church minister the Rev. David Price,  has launched an appeal to help pay for the building  of the Church on the Heath  overlooking The Key. Anyone who would like to buy a brick at a cost of £5 should call the Rev. Price on 01252 695067 or visit the De Havailland Arms.
Dog Trek: Church Crookham Grandmum, Linda Williams, is preparing for a six day husky dog trek through Norway and Sweden in April to raise money for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Sponsors should call 07919 173562.