My folded Brompton
The new cool is not a new car, it’s a new bike.
I have one. Actually I now have three!
One is just a ‘pub bike’, though. My second one is the ‘real’ workhorse, taking me around town and across the BMX track with the family. I bought from our local dealer, North Hants Bikes.
My coolest bike, though, has to be my new Brompton. It’s a foldable bike that is easy to travel on the train with. Brompton is building a strong international reputation for their strong UK bicycle.
(Aside: my friend John, also a “Bromie” owner, told me n = b + 1, where n is the number of bikes you need, and b is the number of bikes you have – I am starting to prove his theorem)
So keen was I for it, that I set up the Cycle Scheme at work so all our employees could benefit from tax breaks to get a new bike for nearly 50% off, financed at 0% for a year through monthly deductions from the paycheck. Thanks taxman! » Continue reading Brompton Baby, yeah! »
Local resident Andrew Reeves-Hall started his long road to join the ‘Beer Tickers’ or ‘Scoopers’ when he became the first to register a ‘scoop’ at the White Hart of a rare new beer.
Arkells have brewed a special limited edition ale at their Donnington brewery – one of the most traditional breweries in the country and in perhaps the most beautiful of country settings.
DONNINGTON
Texts flew around Whitchurch as Andrew was baptised into the secret Society, where the enthusiasts score as many different beers as they can, an activity often equated with the extremes of trainspotting, and line bashing!
SCOOPERS
Regretably Andrew will have to wait for his tickers anorak as he made the ultimate supreme error of recording his scoop incorrectly, informing everyone it was Doomington Founders Ale.
Doomington? DOOMINGTON?
He also fails on another count too – he doesn’t have a beard!
Andrew says in his defense, “Hey, I was trying to text and drink at the same time, give me a break! Beard!? I did grow a moustache during Movember, though”
Locals 'The Plastix' play at Twangfest 2010
The fourth-annual Twangfest rocked Whitchurch on 5 June 2010. There were 17 bands that performed across the 2 stages throughout the day, and that doesn’t include the ones who also took a turn on the Open Mic stage.
About 800 people descended on Testbourne on the fine day to enjoy the fun, including children – many of whom learned some interesting lyrics between rounds on the giant inflatable slide.
Plenty of photos over in our gallery HERE. An article (with a picture I took) can also be seen in the 10 June 2010 Basingstoke Gazette: Fans enjoy eclectic mix at Twangfest.
EngLego
The pub race around town was a site to behold – this was the third year of its return and each time the creative costumes and antics improve.
Men at Work nearly get run over instead of a donation!
Our favourites this year were the EngLego team dressed up as LEGO figures who had to endure sweltering heat inside their costumes; and the Men at Work for their shere audacity of blocking off traffic to sweep up and demand charity donations from the motorists – Most gave after just a bit of haggling, but one couple, in a Mercedes no less, just accelerated towards them! » Continue reading Whitchurch Pub Race 2010 »
Richard is presented with a painting for his 90th birthday
Our town has been the home to Richard Adams, author of many books including Watership Down, for 28 years. He turned 90 last week and the local Whitchurch Arts (I’m its chairman) threw him a party at the White Hart Inn pub. Our newly re-elected Sir George Young Bt., MP, also attended. The party was organised by our Director of Arts, Graham Burgess. Richard’s wife Elizabeth also attended.
Article in 20 May 2010 edition of the Basingstoke Gazette
You can read about the party in the 20 May 2010 Basingstoke Gazette newspaper and over at the Whitchurch Arts website. The 21 May 2010 Andover Advertiser newspaper also reported on the party.
Earlier in the year, Richard received the first Whitchurch Arts Award for Inspiration.
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