Monthly Archives: September 2025

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Threat to Demolish the Jerusalem Arch

The Jerusalem Arch that sits astride the sunken pathway between King’s Walk and Chatter Lane is a striking heritage structure associated with the famous Portal family, former owners of the paper making mills at Bere Mill and Laverstoke Mill (first producers of the paper for the Bank of England bank notes).

The Portals lived at Bere Hill House and owned the surrounding land. They created the new path and bridge c.1907 to  replace a former path that Mr Portal considered ran too close to the house and the path was sunk so that residents could not see, or be seen from their garden.

The numbering attached to the retaining walls of the embankment was installed to ensure that the height of the path was never raised and the striking heritage bridge (Jerusalem Arch) was constructed to enable the family to cross from one side of their garden (land) to the other.

The Arch is now under threat of demolition; Borough Councillor Chloe Ashfield and Whitchurch Town Council only being made aware on Monday 6th January, just four days before demolition was due to commence. Councillor Ashfield has now stepped in to delay this work….. please see her lengthy post on Facebook here and Whitchurch Town Councillors will consider their response at a Council meeting on the 13th January.

A local resident has started a petition which concerned residents can sign by following this link.

The Jerusalem Arch is important to Whitchurch, it is part of the town’s unique story and serves to act as  an important visual reminder of the social class structure prevalent at the turn of the 20th century together with the significant role that the Portal family played in the social and economic history of Whitchurch.

The Jerusalem Arch and it’s connection to the famous Portal family is an important part of Whitchurch’s heritage that contributes to our unique story.

Join the Salvation Army for traditional Christmas Carols in the Town Square on Christmas Eve from 10.30am.

Please support their traditional Christmas fundraising by giving what you can.

Every year throughout the month of December, the Kings Arms and their loyal customers raise money for a chosen charity. This year the chosen charity was Parkinson’s UK- ‘Walk With Me’ – A Project of Music, Friendship and Love co-founded by local resident Mick Browne who got the fundraising off to a great start with an awesome evening of stripped back acoustic classics.  The fundraising continued through December with landlord & landlady Steve & Lucy organising raffles, quizzes and Steve even braved the chalk stream waters on Boxing Day with a sponsored dip! As Steve said, “Parkinson’s is a truly awful disease and any money raised to help find a prevention can only be a good thing. We’re feeling pretty pleased with ourselves that we managed to raise £685 for such a great cause; thankyou to everyone who donated, sponsored or bought a raffle ticket“ The ‘Walk With Me’ team were overwhelmed by the response from locals, “A huge thank you from everyone on the Walk With Me team to Steve, Lucy and everyone at The Kings Arms Whitchurch A fantastic effort. Thank you to all those who contributed and all the businesses who donated prizes for the raffles. This news has given Dave and his family, and indeed all of us, a huge boost. We would also like to mention Whitchurch’s very own independent record shop Spencer’s Record Barn who have been selling the single; copies are still available!!!”” Parkinson’s UK “A huge thanks to you and the brilliant local businesses and your customers for pulling together to support our work.”  You can read more about this amazing project here.

** Save the Date ** By popular demand, the Whitchurch Open Air Theatre Festival returns to the town on the last weekend in July. More details to follow, but the confirmed programme will be…. Friday 24th July – Astro Norma and the Cosmic Piano performed by  the Fladam Theatre: Age 3-10 years, duration: 55 mins. Saturday 25th July – Books! performed by Tit For Tat Circus: Ages 6-11 years, duration: 35 mins plus creative workshop with author Carrie Sellon, author of the ‘Pizza Pete’ book series.  Sunday 26th July -The Wizard and The Mechanic (Adventure Arts Theatre: Ages 5-11 years, duration: 60 mins Venue: Fulling Mill watermeadow Tickets £3.oo per person will go on sale at Easter.

Does your postcode begin with RG? Good news – you’re eligible for Whitchurch Silk Mill’s Free Entry promotion! The Winter Promotion entitles RG28 residents to free Mill admission between Tuesday 13th January – Sunday 1st February 2026. We’re also extending this offer to other postcodes in the area for specific weeks: • SP and RG – Tuesday 13th to Sunday 18th January 2026• SO and PO – Tuesday 20th to Sunday 25th January 2026• GU, BH, SN – Tuesday 27th January to Sunday 1 February 2026 Ensure your postcode contains the relevant prefix to redeem this offer. Discounted admission is valid per person with ID – no ID required for those under 16yrs. Entry does not need to be pre-booked and will only be for these dates inclusive. Promotion does not apply to group packages. Please bring a document that verifies your address. We look forward to welcoming you to the heart of silk weaving here at Whitchurch Silk Mill, where we work hard to preserve vital heritage skills and machinery for future generations.