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!

Our family set up a water-stop, complete with our reproduction Railway Hotel Inn pub sign, for runners to take a break at as they made their way towards the Prince Regent pub.

Girls 'R' Lads put on quite the show!

Special thanks have to go out to the Men at Work team for their fussing over Tosha after he bumped into the table during all the excitement of watching their antics (It was a weekend of bumping, as Tolii had a bump after falling from his bike and ended up sleeping the entire evening and missing all the hilarity).

Tosha plays with the world's largest lego bricks!

A special treat came later for Tosha, too: he spent an evening at the White Hart with mummy and daddy in the throng of the crowd celebrating the winners of the race; and tucking into a tasty dinner perched next to a counter – for the place was packed full!

A complete write-up of the day’s events is on the Whitchurch Town Website. More photos are in our gallery; the Basingstoke Gazette’s photos and article, ‘Whatever takes your fancy‘, are online – a ‘thank you‘ letter to the editor is there too.

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.

It is owned by the Whitchurch Association, a local charity. I’m one of the people who is helping to manage it. Check it out for all the latest news and events in our town.