Table Top Sale - Old Basing - November 2011

This was the third year that Catriona has organised a table top sale in Old Basing and once again it was a great success.  We had about 140 buyers all of whom looked very happy with their bargains.  The raffle was popular and we raised over £400 for the work of the NCT.  Thanks to all the volunteers, without whom we couldn't have run the sale.

Quiz Night - October 2011

What a great night we had!  We have been enjoying the kind hospitality of the Chineham arms for a few quizzes now - the food is lovely and we all enjoy the atmosphere so much.  The Autumn quiz was a lovely evening with new faces and those who are quite the quiz whizz too.  We had more prizes than ever, new rounds and the now famous Booby Prize.  Thanks to Avon, The Chineham Arms, Small Print and SweetBriar Felt for your fab donations to the raffle.

October 2011 Nearly New Sale

We would like to thank all the 76 volunteers, 120 sellers and more than 600 buyers who made the October sale a record breaking success!  Because of this record attendance, we will be reviewing the layout and number of pay tables for the March sale to reduce queuing and waiting times.

The success of the NNS means that the NCT can help even more parents, providing funding for services such as our B.A.B.I.E.S. breastfeeding drop-in.

Pamper Evening 2011

Following the amazing success of our 2010 Pamper Evening we thought we would have another wonderful evening to showcase amazing local artists, suppliers of lovely things and talented therapists.  We had a great selection of stalls too, selling handmade cake stands, watercolour art, hand cut silver and copper jewellery, embroidery, chutneys and sauces, felt, fudge, christenng clothes, kitchen ware, trinkets, soaps and cakes.

The atmosphere was lovely - we had sparkling fizz to start with, were accompanied through the evening by a beautiful cello and piano ensemble and finished with a flourishing fanale by DS Hooper Bee Varga!

Pudding Club Night - May 2011

On Tuesday 17th May we held our Pudding Night event.  Everyone was invited to bring a pudding of their choice and join us for a glass of Pimms, do some shopping and enjoy and evening of tasting.

We had a buffet of 27 amazing creations, all competing to win. Each guest was given a voting card, a plate and spoon and had to choose four puddings to taste, then vote for just one. 

 It was practically impossible to choose just 4 to taste, let alone pick a best one but we all took the task in hand valiantly and the overall winner was Bethan's Pyramid Cheesecake.

All the recipes from the evening were made into a beautiful recipe book, with a cover painted by Emma Vallis at My Tiny Gallery, by Emily Candy at Make the Day Special, who donated the proceeds from the sales of the books to our B.A.B.I.E.S breastfeedign drop in.

B.A.B.I.E.S

On 13th May 2011 we launched B.A.B.I.E.S (Babies And Breastfeeding: Information, Encouragement, Support), our new BrestfeedingDrop-In which provides free breastfeeding support and help to all new mothers in the Basingstoke area.  Held alongside our friendly and popular Coffee and Chat group for Bumps and Babies, support is provided by qualified NCT breastfeeding counsellors 

B.A.B.I.E.S. meets every Friday morning (except Good Friday and Christmas Week) between 10.00am and 11.30am at  Brookvale Village Hall, RG21 7SD.  There is ample free parking available. There's no need to make an appointment. Just turn up!  If you have other children coming with you, they are welcome and they'll enjoy Coffee & Chat activities too.Photograph © Basingstoke Gazette

Quiz Night - March 2011

In March we held the Event Organising Team's 2nd Quiz Night at the Chineham Arms.  Fantastic Banter, wonderful food and brilliant company all made for a really fun evening.

The Chineham Arms did a wonderful job again with their special Fish & Chip supper, followed by amazing desserts and chocolate creations. The teams were made up of friends old and new, partners and coffee morning buddies, mums and sisters - the atmosphere was brilliant and, as the pictures show a good time was had by all.

The winning team were the Dumbos and the winners of the booby prize were the Old Basing Ladies.