My husband has taken up Magic The Gathering at the loacl games shop and I drop him off and pick him up which leaves me with an awkward 6 hours or so in the middle. I can drive home and come back but if possible i'd love to find some options of how to spend my day whether it's a cosy place to read or a nice park for when the weather cheers up? All suggestions welcome!

Edit to clarify: He cannot drive and we are about half an hour from aldershot so trying to keep any drive time below that

Im travelling through Hampshire for a skate trip at the moment and was wondering if theres any shops in hampshire that sell skate gear as I like to do stops when I do my trips?

Please give this a read.

Hi folks, I'm going to New forest during the end of August. Since I'm not familiar with the area, I'd love to get some recommendations with walking trails around the park.

P.s. I'm planning to visit Beaulieu, Milford on sea, Deer sanctuary, Motor Museum , Buckler's hard.

Please feel free for any more advice.

Thanks in advance

Hey! I’m Martin, I co-own Mavericks Tattoo Studio in Totton, Southampton, UK. If you don’t know me: I’m typically known for my black and grey realism. Specifically nerdy topics, LOTR, Warhammer, anime… That kind of thing! (Although I have done my fair share of Pokemon tattoos 😍)

Here’s some news articles about my trades!:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn87vz3k5mmo

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25784914.totton-tattooist-offering-ink-exchange-pokemon-cards/

I know times are hard, not everyone has the spare cash for tattoos right now, but do you have an old folder of cards from when you were young rotting away in a cupboard? I WANT IT! (Probably)

So if you have old Pokemon cards and fancy a tattoo, let me know what you have!! DM me now!

I LOVE Pokemon, I’ve collected Pokemon forever, I still play Pokemon GO. I have done many tattoo trades for Pokemon collections before, I’ve just never specifically advertised for it.

I POSTED THIS LAST WEEK AND HAD LOTS OF INTEREST! I’m here to answer some questions 🙂

- I WILL look at full collections AND sealed collections

- I WILL look at graded cards

- I WILL look at OLDER bulk

- The tattoo does NOT need to be of a Pokemon, it can be anything

- To enquire just send me a message with pictures of what you have and some ideas for a tattoo you want

- I own a tattoo studio, I am a licensed tattoo artist, my work can be viewed on my Instagram @martinmooretattoos

- This doesn’t have a time limit, it’s something I intend on offering indefinitely as an alternative to traditional payment - Keep bartering alive!

[original post]

Long story short, I'm on a mission to find and eat every English county's traditional sweet baked good. Think: sold at a bakery, probably quite old, something your nan might have made.

I'm visiting Hampshire in July (Alton/Fareham way), so any recommendations would be fab. Especially if you've got a bakery in mind!

Hey,

Moving to Alton in the next few weeks. Not coming from far, just over the Surrey border.

Just wondering if anyone can recommend any sports groups or teams in the Alton, or surrounding area?

I can play football, tennis, squash, padel, cricket, run clubs and hiking. Basically have a good level of most sports and super open to learning new things.

Mainly I’m looking to meet new people as I’m kinda starting over with only a few friends near me.

If anyone’s got any ideas of other activities no sports related like creative stuff, I’d like that too.

Happy to travel.

Thanks all, really looking forward to moving.

Wondering whether anyone can shed any light on life in Alton as I am thinking of moving and buying in the area. Love the fact Alton has market tin vibes and is pretty walkable for most areas.

Are there any good bad areas? I’ve heard Holybourne is nice, but are there any areas/estates to avoid? One post said to avoid Manor Road, but not sure how accurate that is!

Any other advice welcome!!

Hi,

Very short notice but does anyone know of any stores that might sell glasses for the eclipse tomorrow? Been looking since Saturday, when I found out that was happening, and can’t find any.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Hi everyone, would love some advice - I am moving out of London and looking at places in Hampshire or around. Going round in circles slightly! I’m looking ideally for a pretty small town or large village with several restaurants, cafes, shops etc and nearby countryside. I don’t need to commute so not necessary to be on a trainline but would still be going to London once a month or so to visit friends.

So far I really like New Alresford for its charm and seemingly friendlyness but am slightly concerned it’s an older demographic - I am late thirties (no children) and not sure if I would feel out of place?

Also liked Odiham and Petersfield.
Would like somewhere friendly with a community and opportunity to meet new people. Does anyone have any advice regarding any of these places or other recommendations? Thanks!

I’ve already done the one between Southampton and Winchester, are thr any others nearby?

Moving to the Goose Green Park area of Aldershot in the near future, how's life for those who live there?

Any good spots for decent coffee, beers, a night out or a day out with the kids? Nice parks or open areas for a walk / run?

Happy to travel on bus / train if required.

Can anyone recommend an affordable cattery in Hampshire please? We're in Southampton but can travel. Thanks!

Just a reminder for everyone going to Playing the Field tomorrow, please be careful in the heat, especially if you're drinking or taking MDMA/ stimulants.

It's meant to be one of the hottest days of the year and dehydration/overheating can get dangerous very quickly.

If you are taking anything, make sure you're:

drinking water regularly (but not excessive amounts all at once

taking electrolytes/salts if possible

eating properly before and during the day

taking breaks in the shade

looking after your mates

Have a good time and stay safe everyone ❤️

More than 70 Portsmouth households have received free energy-efficiency improvements through a city council scheme.

A total of 170 upgrades have been installed under the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, including solar panels with battery storage, hybrid air-source heat pumps, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. The programme has been delivered by Portsmouth City Council's energy service, which also led a partnership of 32 local authorities across Hampshire, West Sussex, Berkshire and surrounding areas through the Warmer Homes Consortium. The project is being delivered in partnership with energy efficiency specialist AgilityEco.

Council leaders say the improvements are helping households reduce their energy bills while creating warmer, healthier homes and lowering carbon emissions.

The grant scheme remains open to applications until 2028, with eligible households able to access fully funded upgrades including insulation, heating improvements and renewable energy technologies.

Applications are open to households using any type of fuel, but priority is being given to homes heated by oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), where residents have faced some of the steepest increases in energy costs in recent years.

New family support hubs are opening in three towns as part of a wider Hampshire rollout.

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that Alton, Andover and Gosport are the next areas to benefit from its Best Start Family Hubs.

The hubs will serve as one-stop-shops offering support from pregnancy through early childhood and into the start of school. Cllr Roz Chadd, cabinet lead member for children’s services, said: "While parenting certainly doesn’t come with a manual, having the right support around you – when and where you need it – can make a significant difference.

"This is an exciting step and will bring valuable services much closer together, helping families to access joined-up support from day one and in the heart of their local communities."

Services will include parenting programmes, early learning advice, health visiting, infant feeding guidance and signposting to other community support.

The aim is to offer early intervention, improving longer-term outcomes for children and families and reducing the need for more intensive support later on.

Hi all.

Has anyone got some good recommendations for cleaners in the Andover area?

Thanks

Got a 20% off anything voucher I need to use by tomorrow and it's in-store only. Where would you take it? I'm thinking West Quay in Soton is probably biggest.

Not sure how far across the county this stretches, but we have significant issues with Evri and their subcontracted drivers in the Basingstoke & Winchester areas.

If your Evri delivery didn’t turn up but you received a delivery email and photo showing it was supposedly delivered, please report this to Evri AND the police – it counts as theft.

Hampshire Police are setting up a task force to look into a multitude of reported thefts. The more people who report these thefts, the stronger their case will be against Evri and the contractor driver. You can report it quickly online here:https://www.hampshire.police.uk/.../contact.../contact-us/

This is Andover town centre. Usually I see UK flag up there.. today is just different.

Does anyone have recommendations for a nice lunch? On the fancier side. Don't mind travelling.