Matt Rooks-Taylor

Basingstoke

Digital Reporter at Newsquest

📝Journalist 👨‍💻Digital Reporter for Newsquest in Hampshire 📧[email protected] 🎥 BJTC qualified 🗣Views my own

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Articles

Firefighters tackle school building fire in Basingstoke

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

Firefighters tackle school building fire on Chiltern Way (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor) Fire crews from Basingstoke and Odiham responded to a fire at a school building on Chiltern Way in Basingstoke on Thursday evening, April 17. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 6pm after reports of smoke coming from the premises. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with visible smoke issuing from the building.
Award-winning brewery to close its door at the end of the month

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

Award-winning brewery to close its door at the end of the month (Image: Google Street View) AN award-winning brewery has announced it will close at the end of the month. Hook-based Andwell Brewing Company will serve its last orders on April 30, citing the current economic climate as the main reason.
Councillors slam 'kick in the teeth' plans to close elderly care centre

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

2 1/1 BOROUGH councillors from all parties have come together in a display of unity against plans to close a 'vital' elderly care facility. At a public meeting held by Hampshire UNISON in Basingstoke Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 16, an array of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillors (BDBC) spoke out against plans from Hampshire County Council (HCC) to close Newman Court's elderly dare care facility.
Air ambulance scrambled to medical emergency this morning

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has seen a 31 per cent increase in calls (Image: Supplied) AN air ambulance was scrambled to an emergency near Basingstoke. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was dispatched to a medical emergency at 7am this morning, Thursday, April 17. Eyewitnesses saw the ambulance hovering over Rooksdown.
Festival Place sold to Israeli investment firm for £99m

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

Festival Place sold to Israeli investment firm for £99m (Image: Estama) FESTIVAL Place's longterm leasehold has been sold to an Israeli investment firm for nearly £100m. Basingstoke's flagship shopping centre, Festival Place, is set for a major shakeup as new owners have bought the longterm leasehold for £99.1m.
IN THE DOCK: Andover cases in Basingstoke Magistrates' Court

1 week ago | andoveradvertiser.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

IN THE DOCK: Woman disqualified for drink driving in Andover (Image: NQ) THESE are the latest Magistrates' Court results: A WOMAN has been banned from the roads after she was caught drink driving. Emma Wilson, 45, of Salisbury Road, Shipton Bellinger, appeared on April 8, 2025, and must pay £785 in a fine, costs, and a surcharge. She pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when her alcohol level was above the limit on March 12, at Weyhill, Andover.
IN THE DOCK: Drink driver who caused motorist to crash banned from the roads

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

IN THE DOCK: Man ordered to do unpaid work for drink driving (Image: Newsquest) THESE are the latest cases from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, including a a man who caused criminal damage to a wall and has been fined. Dean Frost, 37, of St Luke’s Close, South Ham, appeared in court on April 8 and must pay a total of £815 after pleading guilty to causing criminal damage. He admitted causing the criminal damage on May 25, 2024 at White Park Avenue.
Hundreds sign petition to save 'vital' elderly care service from closure

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

Newman Court in Basingstoke (Image: Google) A PETITION has been launched in a bid to stop the council from closing down a day service for the elderly. The change.org petition, started by Callum Williamson, branch secretary of Hamphire UNISON, is asking Hampshire County Council (HCC) to retain the Older Adult’s Day Service at Newman Court in Basingstoke.
Residents rally in fight to save homes from major redevelopment threat

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

3 1/1 A CAMPAIGN group has formed to 'lead the fight to save the community from demolition' and stand up for those who may lose their homes in a major regeneration project. As previously reported, some residents of South Ham and Buckskin fear they may be forced to sell their homes to make way for a huge redevelopment project by Sovereign Network Group (SNG) in partnership with The Hill Group, which could take 20 years to complete.
Prolific offender banned from touching cars and entering parts of Hampshire

1 week ago | basingstokegazette.co.uk | Matt Rooks-Taylor

Prolific offender banned from touching cars and entering parts of Hampshire (Image: Newsquest) A PROLIFIC offender who stole a Jack Daniels gift set has been banned from touching cars without the owner's consent and entering large parts of northern Hampshire after his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was extended in court.