What a lovely day.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed with such lovely vehicles it is so much appreciated.
Thanks again to the Odiham RAF Cadets who stewarded the road closure and took so much abuse from some passing traffic. You did a great job again.

Thank you Paul and Ian for traffic management and to Roger Davies who positioned all the vehicles, great job Roger and much appreciated.

To Kai for providing such relaxing music, thank you.

I think we'll do this again.

Thanks also to our resident photographer Cathy Griffiths.

All images are ©Cathy Griffiths please do not use without permission.

“Whether we who have heard the tragic news of the untimely death of Jack Bland have a Christian faith, a faith in this life but not in anything further, or are among those who are unsure about any of this; we nevertheless share in common the real and overwhelming sense of loss at the death of a loved one. Many people in Odiham will have their own experiences of Jack’s life and death, with different memories and different feelings of love, grief and respect, and yes perhaps even anger that the life of one so young has been tragically taken, in such devastating circumstances. The sudden and tragic death of Jack has stunned and shocked our local community. Of course there are none more devastated than Jack’s closest family, Lorraine, Tim and Josh. The abrupt departure of Jack has created a deep void in the lives of these his closest relatives. Those who mourn need our support and consolation, and I am proud to say that the people of Odiham have shown their support of Jack’s family in such a positive way. Our community has really pulled together to provide the care, comfort and practical support a family needs in circumstances such as these. Whilst my heart breaks for Jack’s family at this shocking event, it also fills with pride at what a wonderful community Odiham is, and I feel blessed to be serving in this place as Vicar.

Whilst I do not wish to presume that everyone will be able to contribute, after all we are in difficult financial times; I think it would be good if we as a community could perhaps show our support of the family by having a collection in memory of Jack. Of course we don’t want to cause the family any embarrassment, and I think discretion in this matter is vital.

If you would like to make a donation, however big or small, could I suggest that you pop it in an envelope either with or without a card and post it through the Vicarage Letter-Box?

Thank you for being such a caring community, and thank you in anticipation of your continued kind support of Lorraine, Tim and Josh; I know they appreciate everything that everyone is doing for them.

With Every Blessing,

Gary MW Keith

The Reverend Gary M. W. Keith RN (Rtd.)

Singer songwriter Kelly Peffers, who lives at RAF Odiham, is down to the last ten acts in the forces version of the hit TV series The X Factor.

The 24-year-old is at boot camp this week, where her singing and performance skills are being polished ready for the show-stopping showdown being held at RAF Cranwell.

But this isn't the pregnant mum's first brush with high profile talent competitions. This year she also got through to the second round of The X Factor.

Read more...

Published courtesy of Fleet People.

(Details can be printed by downloading the file at the bottom of this post)

Sadly the hospital has now closed but the Trustees are delighted to advise that much progress is being made for its future use.

Calleva, the Basingstoke based GP consortium, which includes the GPs of Odiham, Hook and Hartley Wintney, are taking over responsibility for providing local healthcare services from NHS Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

Calleva are working on a structure for community care and have indicated that Odiham Cottage Hospital will have a significant role in the delivery of these services. Local teams, led by a GP, will include a Community Matron and Social Services representative and will be in place by September 2011. They will provide care at home and in hospital.

Whilst OCH’s role is currently under discussion, it could include:
- a base for community staff who deliver care in the home
- day hospital facilities when home environment not suitable eg IV antibiotics
- specialist clinics for long term conditions, eg COPD, cardiac conditions, diabetes

The Trustees continue to examine other options for the use of the building and delivery of local services to ensure that the community’s interests and investment are protected.

Ginny East,
Secretary to the Trustees.
27.7.11

Community groups in Odiham are set to benefit from The Southern Co-operative Community Support Card scheme which is now being launched at The Co-operative Odiham.

The scheme works by The Southern Co-operative donating money to a fund every time customers have their special green community cards swiped when they shop.

The bid application period for the scheme is currently underway and is due to end on 12 August. Application forms are available in store for local organisations that wish to be considered as the beneficiaries.

The target to be raised over the coming year for the chosen group(s) in Odiham is £10,000, and a maximum of two organisations will be selected by a panel of local people - with the percentage split decided at the time.

The daily duties of a rural beat officer can be interesting.........................

This is the 7' African Rock Python that PC Bolan had to pick up recently on Dunleys Hill, it was dead but she didn't know that at the time, brave girl!