*This Christmas we are asking you ‘What Do You Believe In?’ to get you thinking about issues and causes you care about and then challenging you to act on this by asking ‘what are you going to do about it?’

With almost 200,000 charities in the UK working across a wide range of geographical areas and subject matters, there is bound to be a cause – or several - for you.

If everyone in the UK gave £1 more a week to charity, we could raise an extra £3.1bn a year for good causes. This would increase annual UK charity donations by almost third and would make a huge difference to the services charities could provide and the support they could offer individuals and communities across the country.

Volunteering is another way you can support causes you care about. Millions of people already volunteer their time, bringing positive benefits to themselves and the people they help.

What are you going to do about it?

Please visit the National Council For Voluntary Organisations Website to see what you could do to help UK charities in 2010.

*(Taken from the National Council For Voluntary Organisations Website)

The Odiham Community website has been nominated in two categories of the 7th Hants Web awards, Charity and Voluntary Organisations and Tourism and Leisure - wish us luck.

Step out this autumn with a sponsored charity walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Wednesday 14th of October.

The charity has teamed up with the Hart Neighbourhood Centre, a ‘Walking the way to Health’ accredited provider for Hart Health walks who co-ordinate 5 free weekly walks across Hart.

To get you started and warmed up for the main event the regular Hart Health walks are having a warm up week.

Everyone is invited to get involved and take part in the week of warm up walks from Monday 21st September until Friday 25th.

So if you live in Hook, Church Crookham, Fleet, Odiham or Hartley Wintney there is a walk for you. Details of each of the warm up walks are as follows:

•Monday, The Hart Neighbourhood Centre, Hook. Walk leaves 11am.

•Tuesday, Wickham Court Sheltered accommodation, Church Crookham. Walk leaves 11am.

•Wednesday, Fleet Cricket Club, Fleet. Walk leaves 11am.

•Thursday, The Parish Rooms, next to Odiham Library, Odiham. Walk leaves 1.45pm.

•Friday. Rosefield Court Sheltered accommodation, Hartley Wintney. Walk leaves 11am.

To join the Warm up week, Monday 21st – Friday 25th September, please arrive 15 minutes early

The main sponsored walk will leave The Views Meadow, in Fleet at 10.45am on Wednesday 14th October. Councillor Colin Ive, Vice Chairman of Hart District Council will be setting walkers off on their 50 minute walk which will end at Fleet Cricket Club with refreshments. There will also be a short walk for playgroups around The Views Meadows at 10am.

So if you enjoy walking, are looking for something to do with your young ones, or feel like some fresh air and friendly company to combat your autumn blues this is a great way to get involved and support the charity.

This walk is a sponsored event raising money for the local Rushmoor and Hart Community Echocardiograph Appeal. The new portable Echo machine will be used by Dr de Verteuil a GP at the Rushmoor and Hart Community Cardiac Centre, and “on the move” to patients in nursing homes and even their own homes.
A new portable echo machine will use the latest technology to provide vital information about the heart. Support and help in raising money for the appeal is urgently needed.

The local appeal is being co-ordinated by Heather Hunt, BHF Fundraising and Volunteer Manager for the Farnborough area.

Heather said; “The British Heart Foundation and Dr. John de Verteuil are working in partnership to raise £60,000 within a year. We have £24,000 so far. We are relying on the local community to support the appeal and help save lives in the Rushmoor and Hart area. Please take part in the walk and raise some vital sponsorship for this local appeal”

If you would like to sign up to take part or find out more information about Hart Health walks please contact Emma Barnard at Hart Neighbourhood Centre on Tel: 01256 760800. Hart District Council will be promoting the sponsored walk in their leisure outlets and website. To find out how you can support the local appeal please contact Heather Hunt on 01372 388 430.

Most people when they reach a "big birthday" and are
due to become grandparents for the first time, celebrate with a party-not us.

We have just learnt that we have been selected to join the Band of Brothers Bike Ride to Paris in May.

This is to raise money for Help the Heroes, a charity
that raises money for our wounded servicemen/women

The ride has been timed to link with the anniversary of the allies liberation of France in 1945. It will begin in Cherbourg and take in the Normandy invasion beaches to Pegasus Bridge then SW to Villers Bocage then to Falais ending in Paris, a challenging 50-70 miles a day! The ride will end along the Champs Elysse laying a wreath at The Arc de Triomphe,
followed by a ceremony on our return to London at the Cenotaph.

We are both passionate about the need to support our servicemen/women and the pain we may feel is nothing compared to the sacrifices they continue to make.

We realise that this is a tough time as the credit crunch is biting hard.

We need to raise £4000 between us and £1000 by March 1st. If you feel you could sponsor us please visit www.justgiving/gillreeve or call me on 01252 850788. We sincerely hope that Odiham being home of the RAF
can dig deep and help us to help them.

Thank you Gill and Geoff Reeve

Next weekend, 25/26 August, is the last chance to enjoy top quality jazz in the spectacular setting of the privately owned Odiham Chalk Pit.

Celebrating 25 years of the Neurofibromatosis Association, this will be the charity’s last jazz weekend in this shape and form and in these beautiful surroundings.

On Saturday listen to the country's reigning jazz stars plus two phenomenal female vocalists, two living legends and a rising star. World class Trio Dave Newton (Piano) Simon Woolf (Bass) and Allan Ganley (Drums) featuring emerging young saxist Richard Shepherd, with special guest instrumentalists Alan Barnes (Sax), Mark Nightingale (Tromobone),Steve Waterman (Trumpet) and guest star vocalists Miss Lee Gibson, Miss Jacqui Dankworth and Mr Frank Holder (vocals and percussion). What a line up!

This wonderful evening, with some fabulous raffle prizes, surprises and a mini auction, will conclude with a spectacular firework display and a special finale. Ticket Price £20.00 (under 5s free). Terrific value for money!

Sunday 26th August will see the last Lunchtime Jazz ’n’ Barbecue. The Phil brown Swingtet, formerly The Basin Street Six, who have been with us since the NfA charity shop opening in 1998 are back by popular demand, together with The Peter Clancy Band. The two course barbecue provided by RAF Odiham will be as wonderful as ever AND it’s included in the ticket price! £17.50 (under 11s free). What a bargain! There will be another raffle on Sunday and a surprise item to be auctioned!

On both days, chairs and tables are available, bookable in advance or guests many bring their own or rugs if they prefer. (Sorry but the gazebos are all booked!) Guests may bring their own picnic on Saturday or take the easy option and pre-order. A very reasonably priced bar (don’t miss the real ale!) and tea & coffee will also be available.

Odiham Town Manager, Peter Fountain, said “The Odiham Town Manager Group has been delighted to be part of the 'Team' and particularly this year the 25th anniversary and the last in the series. The OTMG bit is but a small part of a much bigger operation and it is a pleasure to work with the same dedicated volunteers who, year on year, have produced a quality event. It is sad that this is the last but I’m sure that the team will be back with something of equal quality”.

The NfA local team is looking forward to putting on this special event, also celebrating ten years of fundraising in the area, and hopes that none of its supporters will miss out on this last chance to enjoy the best.

A few tickets are still available for both days from Katharine Jane and Richard Ward Opticians, Odiham; The Village Gallery; Hook, Pet Kingdom, Hartley Wintney; The Village Shop, South Warnborough or by phoning Margaret Green on 01256 704448.

For more information, please contact

Tricia Stephens
01256 704701
NfATricia@aol.com

25/26 August 2007

This popular bank holiday weekend event will again be held in the spectacular setting of the Odiham Chalk Pit, thanks to the kind generosity of Ted and Eileen Pither and family. This year will be extra special, on account of the 25th anniversary of the NfA, and definitely one not to be missed!

To celebrate we will reach for the Stars! This year on Saturday, 25th August we will have a whole constellation – thanks to the generosity of The UK’s leading Jazz musicians – all internationally acclaimed performers who we are pleased to welcome back to Odiham for a reunion Birthday Bash. “There’s such a great atmosphere at the Chalk Pit, and the audience is so appreciative of the Jazz that it’s just a really fun gig” was the consensus among them. To make up a band from the country’s finest – each an acclaimed virtuoso frontliner – is something that most events can only dream of. For this our 25th Anniversary – the dream comes true. Come and share it with us.

This year listen to the country's reigning jazz stars plus two phenomenal female vocalists, two living legends and a rising star. World class Trio Dave Newton (Piano) Andy Cleyndert (Bass) and Allan Ganley (Drums) featuring emerging young saxist Richard Shepherd from Hook, with special guest instrumentalists Alan Barnes (Sax), Mark Nightingale (Tromobone),Steve Waterman (Trumpet) & guest star vocalists Miss Lee Gibson, Miss Jacqui Dankworth and Mr Frank Holder (vocals and percussion). Could you beat this line up?! Frank (who discovered Cleo Laine!) was a tremendous hit last year and we can’t wait to see him again!

There are some fabulous raffle prizes including evenings with music, dinner and wine from some of the best Jazz Clubs including Chelsea’s 606 Club and the prodigious Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. The NfA will also be auctioning some ‘must have’ formula one items and a chance to take part in ‘Kestrel Daytime on Kestrel FM. There will also be a separate raffle running on both days for a flight in a hot air balloon generously donated by Peregrine Travel.

This wonderful evening, full of surprises, will conclude with a spectacular firework display. Ticket Price £20.00 (under 5s free). Terrific value for money!

Sunday 26th August will see the Lunchtime Jazz ’n’ Barbecue with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The Phil brown Swingtet, formerly The Basin Street Six, who have been with us since the NfA charity shop opening in 1998 are back by popular demand, together with extra entertainment in the form of The Peter Clancy Band

The Sunday barbecue provided by RAF Odiham will be even more fantastic this year on account of our anniversary AND it’s included in the ticket price! £17.50 (under 11s free). What a bargain! Many thanks to the RAF for providing the barbecue and power and light for the weekend. There will be another raffle on Sunday and a surprise item to be auctioned!

On both days gazebos, chairs and tables are available, bookable in advance or guests many bring their own tables and chairs or rugs if they prefer. Guests may bring their own picnic on Saturday or take the easy option and pre-order direct from Cresson Creative. A reasonably priced bar (don’t miss the real ale!) and tea & coffee will be available on both days.

The NfA local team are looking forward to putting on this special event and Odiham Town Manager, Peter Fountain, who is a terrific support, said “The Odiham Town Manager Group is delighted to be part of the ' Team ' and particularly this year the 25th anniversary. The OTMG bit is but a small part of a much bigger operation and it is a pleasure to work with the same dedicated volunteers year on year to produce a quality event.” We will also be celebrating 10 years of fundraising in the area and five years of Jazz in the Chalk Pit.

Tickets are only available in advance and will sell out quickly so buy yours now!. For details of a special anniversary package please call Margaret Green on 01256 704448. Tickets can be purchased from Katharine Jane or Richard Ward Opticians in Odiham, The Village Gallery in Hook, Pet Kingdom in Hartley Wintney, the Village Shop in South Warnborough or by phoning Margaret.

These events are not formal concerts but excellent occasions to relax with friends, chat, listen to the music and eat your meal at your leisure – all in a stunning setting. Enjoy! We look forward to seeing you there. All proceeds from the Jazz Weekend will go towards supporting those living with Neurofibromatosis (Nf) in Hampshire and surrounding areas.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS - UPDATE

The local group of the Neurofibromatosis Association is attending the following events in their anniversary year.

Please make a note of the dates and support them if you can – all funds we raise will help those living with Neurofibromatosis in our area.

31 May - Basingstoke Charity Fayre, The Malls, Basingstoke

10 June - Salmon & Strawberries, Winchfield

16 June - Blues & Booze in The Bury, Odiham

25/26 - Aug Odiham Jazz Weekend, Odiham

For more information or to help with our local events, please call 01256 704701 or 01256 702885 or email NfATricia@aol.com.

Animal touch Charity at Roke farm aims to create a peaceful and secure environment, where people can be still and take time to just 'be' with our animals. People visit us for a variety of reasons:

stress, bereavement, life-threatening illness, depression, stroke rehabilitation, autism, blindness, loneliness and many more.

The Animal Touch Centre is a safe and peaceful place
out of the public eye, where individuals, families and groups can know they will be given space and time.

Call 01256 703013 for more details.