Mark Paine

Basingstoke

Journalist at Basingstoke Gazette

Blue-sky thoughts. All opinions are my own

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Articles

William Wallace writes: How should we play five party politics?

1 month ago | libdemvoice.org | William Wallace |Peter Martin |Jenny Barnes |Mark Paine

May’s local elections confirmed what opinion polls had been indicating for several months: that England now has five political parties attracting between 10% and 30% of voters. Nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales make six serious parties: an even more crowded field. Of course it’s possible that over the next four years UK politics might return to its traditional two-party model. But that doesn’t look likely.
How will the BBC deal with the bad publicity

Aug 14, 2024 | forums.digitalspy.com | Mark Paine

How will the BBC address the rather large herd of elephants in the room? Will they ask Tess Daley to do a Blue Peter style apology? Will there no longer be those God awful scripted ‘funny’ scenes between pros and celebrities? Will they have a link to the BBC Action Line after every show? Or will they simply pretend nothing has happened? 0
All Ireland Final 2024 on BBC2

Jul 21, 2024 | forums.digitalspy.com | Mark Paine

Social media is full of people who stumbled on BBC 2’s coverage of the All Ireland Final and have (understandably) fallen in love with Hurling. Given how successful this experiment seems to have been, I think the BBC should look at broadcasting GAA games nationally, not just in Northern Ireland. I didn't know this was going to be on BBC2.
Salisbury school cook Jennifer Brown named School Chef of the Year

Jul 13, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

6 1/1 This year’s LACA School Chef of the Year competition has been won by the South West’s regional finalist Jennifer Brown. In her fourth year of entering, Jennifer impressed the judges with her inclusion of fish, ambitious flavours and her creativity in creating an exciting dish on the small budget allowed per portion. Not only has she won the title and an invitation to come back as a guest judge next year, but she’s also won £1000.
Charity launches new documentary to help raise funds for African museum

Jul 13, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

A Fordingbridge-based charity has released its new documentary film to raise funds for an African museum. Trade Aid, launched its documentary film in the town’s Regal Cinema. The film has been created to help raise funds for the Mikindani Museum that Trade Aid operates in the town of Mikindani in Tanzania, East Africa.
'Passionate' Pilates teacher opens studio at the Old Malthouse on Brown Street

Jul 12, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

7 1/1 A new pilates studio has opened in Salisbury at the Old Malthouse in Brown Street. After retiring from a successful career in public services, Alison Alexander chose Salisbury as her retirement location and has decided to follow her passion and set up her own pilates studio. Her passion stems from 25 years sing pilates to help her run, with Alison passionate about how pilates can change how we do anything and everything.
Salisbury FC fixture list revealed ahead of start of new season

Jul 11, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

Salisbury FC are getting its preparations underway ahead of the squads upcoming season in the (Image: Salisbury FC/Andy Munns) Salisbury Football Club has released its fixture list ahead of the new season starting. Local football fans will be delighted with the return of the football calendar, with Salisbury Football Club due to play in the Vanarama National League, with the fixtures list starting in just under a month on Saturday, August 10.
Section A36 in Wiltshire to be closed for seven months for 'improvement works'

Jul 10, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

Bad news for anyone who has plans to use the A36 in Wiltshire over the next few months. National Highways is advising drivers that the A36 at Limpley Stoke will be closed for essential safety improvement works. From Monday, August 12 until Spring 2025, the A36 Warminster Road will be fully closed between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Coombe. Work is required to stabilise the southbound embankment following cracking in the footpath alongside the carriageway.
See photos as Salisbury residents celebrate England semi final euro win

Jul 10, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

Football fans in Salisbury had a night to remember as fans celebrated England's semi-final win against the Netherlands. England lined up with a similar team for the game against the dutch on Wednesday, July 10, with Kieran Trippier retaining his position at left-back ahead of the fit-again Luke Shaw, and Marc Guehi returning in central defence alongside John Stones following his suspension for the quarter-final game against Switzerland.
Salisbury pub suddenly closes with no plans to reopen and staff let go

Jul 10, 2024 | salisburyjournal.co.uk | Mark Paine

6 1/1 A pub in Salisbury has closed 'for good' according to reports, with the pub closing its doors to the public at the beginning of the month. Hampton Inn Table Table is based at Off Pearce Way, London Road, suddenly closed on Thursday, July 4 with no notice or prior warning, with all of the windows and doors and no one visible working indoors. The pub appears as 'permanently closed' on Google search, with staff reportedly let go and the premises now vacant.