• RESIDENTS in Colden Common are being asked to take part in an event to mark the anniversaries of both world wars.

Similar to previous sing-alongs such as the Hampshire Sings event, Pack Up Your Troubles aims to mark the anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Run by The Community Association on Monday, June 2, the event will give people the opportunity to join in with the singing as well as the chance to hear stories from World War I and II.

The event is free and more details will be issued nearer the time.

To add your name to a list for tickets please call the centre office on 01962 715789 or email office@coldencommoncc.co.uk.

  • OTTERBOURNE flower enthusiasts will be treated to a special demonstration when a Salisbury flower business owner comes to the village.

Michael Bowyer MBE, a flower arranger, floral designer, judge, speaker and teacher of floral design who runs The Flower Cellar business in Salisbury, will give a special demonstration at Otterbourne Village Hall on Tuesday (March 25).

Tickets cost £6.50 for members, £8.50 for non-members and the doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start.

For more information contact the club chairman, Frances Field.

  • AN AUTHOR based in Hursley has hosted a special event celebrating International Day of Happiness to raise money for a cancer charity.

Cheryl Rickman, author of the Flourish Handbook, took part in the Flourish Hugathon – 24 hours of hugging - to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of her late father.

Cheryl aimed to hug as many people as possible throughout the day (March 20).

"Hugging is scientifically proven to make us happier by releasing feel-good chemical oxytocin,” she said. “So I will be hugging as many people as possible in 24 hours, both in-person actual proper hugs and virtual hugs via the medium of video." For more information visit her website flourishchallenge.com or donate to her cause by visiting justgiving.com/flourishhugathon.

Donations can also be made via text by texting HUGS93 and the amount you wish to donate) to 70070.

  • A NEW exercise class is coming to Colden Common.

Exercise Plus classes start on Saturday (April 12) and will be held every Saturday between 11am-12pm at the community centre on St Vigor Way.

The class is run by the Winchester Live at Home scheme which aims to provide support to older people, living in their own homes in the Winchester area, to help maintain independence, improve well-being and reduce isolation.

Participants are welcome to go along for a free trial. Volunteers are also required to help supervise the classes, support members in their movements and provide assistance to the instructor.

For more information please contact the office on 01962 890995, email office@wlahs.org or visit our website: wlahs.org.

  • RESIDENTS in Hursley are being urged to take part in the set up of a new community association.

The new group aims to bring together more local people of all ages, interests and background in an effort to improve village life.

The group hopes to represent the interests of the community with a non-political bias.

A survey is currently being conducted to assess the feasibility of the group and an open meeting will be held at the parish hall on Friday (April 4) at 8pm to give people a chance to find out more about the association.

Refreshments will be provided.

Anyone interested is urged to complete the questionnaire by visiting hark.polldaddy.com/s/hvca by Friday (April 2).

For more information contact Richard Baker on 01962 775469 or by email at rjbaker256@gmail.com.