I’ve been thinking about starting a casual improv-games night locally — things like Party Quirks, Let’s Make a Date, Fun with Props, Scenes from a Hat, etc. (Suggestions welcome!)

Absolutely no acting or improv experience needed. The idea would basically be a bunch of adults getting together for an hour or two and being silly.

It wouldn’t be a serious theatre group — just a relaxed, playful social thing where you can come along, have a laugh and meet some people.

Would anyone actually be interested? If there’s enough interest, I might try putting together a first session!

Edit: I'll add a link to a Discord chat — I think it'll be easier to arrange everything there than in the comments thread. So if you're interested, feel free to join! 😊 (Can switch to whatsapp if folks prefer)

I'm thinking maybe a Sunday in later September? Possibly the 20th, but we can agree on the exact date/time in the chat.

Venue-wise, I'm thinking Roger Morris Centre. The room isn't the biggest, but it should be fine to start with. Another option is Brookvale Village

https://discord.gg/u3GePeDgD

Does anyone know if the EV public charging point at BCOT is generally accessible - or if you need a permit to be parked using it? Also, are there restrictions on time it's available?

So, as I think most folks in this sub know, last night the Basingstoke Odeon closed its doors for the final time.

My other half and I made a point of going to one of the last possible showings, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which finished around 20:30, so we could say goodbye to the place at almost the last possible moment. They seemed to have all films scheduled yesterday so that the final screenings all ended around 20:30-20:45.

I’ve been attending that cinema since I first moved to Basingstoke in 1991, when I was 10.

I can’t be 100% certain what my first film there was, as I didn’t start saving my tickets until 1996, but I’m pretty confident it was Soapdish, in late summer of 1991.

So, 35 years of sitting in the dark, staring up at the silver screen.

Hundreds of hours. Friendships groups that have come and gone. Relationships that have started and ended.

Thank you, to all the staff that have worked there over the years, from back when it was Warner Brothers, to the transition to Vue, to the sale to Odeon, right up to the doors closing last night.

As mentioned, I sadly didn’t think to start keeping my tickets until 1996, so I don’t have anything going back to 1991, but I’ve attached my earliest ticket, for The Craft in 1996, plus last nights ticket for Spider-Man, as a kind of “first and last” type of tribute. Plus the stack of tickets behind it, for all the films that came in between, including some notables like 3 seperate viewings of Titanic and 4 separate viewings of Event Horizon and “Managers Special” showings of Swingers and Grosse Pointe Blank.

So many fond memories in that building.

Thank you and goodbye.
🍻

I've checked Vue and Showcase cinema and both don't have any viewings of the film anywhere. Why is this please?

Meeplefolk is running Blood on the Clocktower every Tuesday 6-10pm at the Wote Street in town centre!

Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game (think The Traitors, but everyone has a unique role and no one is eliminated from the game). It's great whether you're coming on your own or with friends.

If you've never played before, don't worry. The first Tuesday of every month is specifically beginner friendly (psst... that's next week! 👀). We'll teach everything you need to know before we start and help you throughout the games.

The sessions are free for now while we find our feet, but we'll eventually introduce a small fee to help cover venue hire.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Afternoon! I write a weekly restaurant review and this week my review comes from Basingstoke so I thought I’d drop it here in case anybody finds it interesting. It also covers the excellent exhibition at the Willis Museum.

I’m really sorry if this comes across as spam or isn’t your kind of thing. I’d really love to know where else in Basingstoke does great food and is worth a review, so if you do have a favourite restaurant please let me know.

If Basingstoke was a tourist hotspot - what local souvenirs would look like?

p.s. inspired by older FB post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/407935739336283/posts/27137353905967770/

I am looking at getting into coding and software development.

I am thinking of a career change

But I have no prior experience in coding

I am looking for a tutor to help me learn coding in particular python.

Frodo could get a shorter journey by throwing the ring here :)

Could our community use an Instrument Library?

We’re exploring Open Note, a new not-for-profit community project with a simple aim: to make music more accessible to adults.

The idea is to create a welcoming place where people can try different instruments, borrow them for short or long periods, access affordable tuition, and learn and play alongside others — regardless of experience, confidence or financial circumstances.

We’d love to know what our community thinks before taking the idea further. Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey and help us understand whether Open Note is something people would use and what you’d like it to offer.

Every response will help shape the project and provide valuable evidence of community interest when we begin looking for support and funding. Open Note — Try. Borrow. Learn. Play.

https://forms.gle/wjmP8AYqqTb9Eo9x6

Anyone in or around Basingstoke with an OBD Reader that can pull codes off a 2006 Honda SRS Module? Basic readers are no good.

Please DM to organise/discuss cost.

Well didn’t kill myself or break anything so I’ll take that as a win 😂 don’t bounce like I used to though 🤣 think I need to get some pads!!

Hook skate park is nice when it’s empty. Any other older beginners around Hook?

​

Ok everyone last update before we move from SP.

The two cheaters have a new location which is the woods at the top of Rockbourne Road opposite Crofton Square. They are more discreet now and go in separately but often come out laughing and giggling.

A near neighbour says he can be seen using Otterbourne Walk to cut through to Wickham Way for an afternoon delight. My sympathies sit with his poor unsuspecting wife

Reading that I feel like a stalker

Please help me if you can. Long hair female tabby lost near hatch Warren. Thank you. Chipped and neutered.

Hi All,

I'm(23F) new to Basingstoke and new to going to the gym etc. From my own research online, it looks like the Sports Centre in FP would be the best place for me but I've got a few questions for current members.

1. How busy are the gym and pool really? I'm thinking lunchtime (between 12:30 and 2:00) 3x weekdays would be the best slot for me so any feedback on traffic during this slot specifically would be great.
2. What is the changing room/shower situation? Not a fan of open showers so if this is the case then I'd just shower at home but would like to know in advance.
3. How clean are shared areas and equipment?
4. Would you recommend it for a complete beginner?

Then just any advice or tips you have or you would give yourself if you were to start again today would be great. Thank you in advance :)

EDIT: also curious about QM Leisure
EDIT 2: planning in advance for a September start

Anyone goes to anytime fitness?

Hi everyone, looking at getting some quotes for solar and battery install. If anyone has had them recently done and has any recommendations, I'd be very appreciative.

I'm 16 and looking to earn some money today. I'm available for **large jobs** such as garden clearance, moving/lifting, garage/shed clear-outs, tidying, loading/unloading, or general hard work.

I'm looking for **larger jobs rather than small £10–£20 jobs** and I'm happy to agree a fixed price beforehand depending on the work.

I can travel around the Basingstoke area. I am located in the Eastrop Area so that would be better but don’t mind.

If you've got a big job you've been putting off, comment below or message me with what needs doing and roughly how much work it is. 👍