Amazing People of Basingstoke

06/04/2025

Meet David Graham, Secretary of Basingstoke Chess Club.
David has been a part of the club since it was founded in the early 70's and has been the Secretary now for 11 years. Not only is David a former Basingstoke Chess Champion but he also Volunteers to support the club and teach the junior players. Under David's leadership, the club has seen record membership and continues to thrive with both Juniors and Adult sessions as well as organising major Chess Congresses, one of which is coming soon to the Basingstoke College of Technology on April 26th.

The club itself has seen a number of juniors coming through the club sessions and going on to win major tournaments. Steven Jones, the club’s top player, secured an impressive second place at the 2023 British Chess Championships, competing against 30 International Masters and 5 Grandmasters. Daniel Yu, a standout junior, reached the latter stages of the Delancey National Championships and represented England in his age group, with countless first-place wins at Junior Chess Congresses. Edison Brown became the youngest-ever winner of the Henshaw Shield, an adult competition, showcasing his talent and consistency in junior events and Megan Birch, a rising star, dominated the U1600 section at the Hampshire Chess Congress with a perfect 5-0 score, also winning the highest female player trophy.

The club takes place at the Basingstoke Bridge & Chess Club every Wednesday with a Junior Session at 5:30pm and Adults from 7:30pm.
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08/07/2024

Meet Dom

Dom is a volunteer at the Repair Cafe at Christ Church in Chineham. Dom has been fascinated with computers since the age of 3 and is completely self taught. His knowledge of computers and love of fixing things, makes him a valuable member of the Repair Cafe team. In his spare time, Dom love taking pictures with his DSLR camera and sharing his images online. Dom said that although he finds social interactions difficult at times, he loves talking to people about computers and photography. I could certainly see his joy and enthusiasm shining through while taking an old laptop apart to check the motherboard.

Keep up the good work Dom. You are one of the Amazing People of Basingstoke

*The Repair Cafe operates inside the Church on the 3rd Saturday of every month. They have specialists on various house hold items from electronics to furniture to clothing and more. Don't just throw it out, when it can be fixed and enjoy a yummy homemade cake while you're there. All donations welcome. See link below for me.
www.chinehamrepair.org.uk

23/06/2024

Say hello to: Gill, Helen, Peggy, Alan and Margaret. These are just some of the special volunteers who operate the English Cafe at the Hope Community Church.

I was introduced to Margaret (center) by my fellow photographer Mihaela Ardei who is from Romania and has improved her English hugely thanks to the English Cafe and had this to say about Margaret...

"I am genuinely grateful for her friendship and for the vibrant community she's cultivated over the past 17 years. As a foreigner striving to immerse myself in the local culture and language, traditions and events, received good advice about everything I want to undertake, I have improved my English a lot, especially with British quotes, but most of all, I feel I am surrounded by friends and good people!"

You're all Amazing People of Basingstoke!!

*If you would like to learn or improve your understand of the English language and culture or maybe you feel your experience would make you an ideal volunteer, find out more at www.hopebasingstoke.org

09/06/2024

Meet Tony and Laura

This Father and Daughter Duo volunteer regularly with the Chineham Conservation Group to help restore and retain wildlife ecosystems around the Chineham area. I met up with them on Saturday at Petty's Brook where a team of volunteers were helping to clear stinging nettles from the foot paths, invasive plantlife from the Brook and cut back some of the smaller trees along the Brook edge to prevent the area become a dense woodland with less biodiversity.

Tony has been volunteering with Natural Basingstoke (the parent organisation of Chineham Conservation Group) since it started 10 year ago. Tony previous worked in Perfumery and was always interested in the natural fragrances and properties various plantlife had. When Tony decided to get into natural conservation, he had no real knowledge or experience but has picked up a wealth of knowledge since and loves to pass it on when the chance is given. When asked why he does this, he said it was because it brought him joy to work in nature but also was clear that it absolutely needs to be done to protect the wildlife in this area. Laura has been volunteering with her father for around 5 years and loves the balance it brings to her life. Working in Insurance mid week and then getting to immerse yourself in nature provides an energy boost and a happiness boost as well as bonding with her father and making new friends.

Laura and Tony, you certainly are two Amazing People of Basingstoke and I hope my own daughters will be as close to me when they're older!

*Anna and Naimh who run Chineham Conservation Group where also very welcoming and taught me just how much Natural Basingstoke do with Conservation Groups in other areas such as Oakridge, Kempshot and more as well as numerous family events for local residence to help or just to learn how they can make a difference. I left feeling excited and inspired and I can't wait to get stuck in. If you would like to know more, visit www.naturalbasingstoke.org.uk or message Natural Basingstoke on Facebook where Niamh will be happy to help.

(See comments for more pictures)

02/06/2024

Say hello to Carla!

Carla runs a local charity programme called From the ground up under the umbrella of St Bernard's Church. Carla has worked voluntarily at Silvester Close Allotments in Oakridge for 8 years growing food that is then provided to the Food Hub at St Bernard's Church as well as local people being able to come to the allotment and pick free fruit and veg if they need it. Carla also offers trip for Scout groups of all ages to come and learn about growing food and looking after the land. You can even have a birthday there for your little ones free of charge. Thanks to Carla's own efforts, the allotments were able to fund raise enough money to make the allotments wheelchair accessible. There are even proper toilets on site.

Carla studied Self Sufficiency in Ireland and loves being able to "live off the land" as well as spending everyday immersed in nature. Carla says working in the allotments have done wonders for her mental health and recommends gardening and growing food as a great way to improve your mental and physical health as well as being able to help your community. I hope to see more of our neighbourhoods starting these community food and nature projects to support each other.

The allotment is open everyday and Carla is always there in the week. She's also looking for volunteers that would like to help out even if just for a few hours. You can even just turn up with a book at sit at any of the many tables under the fruit trees. Your secret little hide away.

Thank you Carla for all that you have done and continue to do. The residence in the area greatly appreciate it and appreciate you. You really are one of the Amazing People of Basingstoke

*more pictures in comments*

15/05/2024

15/05/2024

Instagram Page created. Now to build the content. That's where you guys come in...

15/05/2024

Hi to the first followers. My name is Marcus Amillian. I run Amillian Memories Photography and I have decided to embark on a project to highlight how great the people of Basingstoke are. When I moved to this town, I was amazed by the community spirit I saw. Now with Basingstoke growing at an astounding rate, I can see the community spirit starting to fade and I don't want to see Basingstoke become yet another faceless town. Let's celebrate the community champions that make this town great and welcome the new residents into this community and inspire them to become champions too.

If you've seen "Humans of New York" then you'll get an idea of the sort of content you'll see here. I'll be taking photos of individuals and groups who work hard to look after their neighbours, their community and their town. I'm looking for unsung heros that do great things and deserve recognition as well as helping to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Message me if you or anyone you know, would fit the bill. I look forward to meeting the best, kindest and most interesting people that give this town it's nickname...AMAZINGSTOKE!!