"It's not Boringstoke!" Basingstoke by TygerLyn

Basingstoke is my nearest town. Once a nice little market town, it is now a vast sprawl of housing, every bit of greensward is acquired for housing or a supermarket.

Twinning. Basingstoke has had a great relationship with Alencon for decades and also with Euskirchen. We celebrated 25 years of twinning with Euskirchen in 2011. We also have a partnership wtih Braine L'Alleud. There is a great sporting connection between all three towns and also some great musical ones. We would like to extend or make more of these visits but the Borough coffers are limited.

Thomas Burberry made his first cothng in basingstoke. Sadly, instead of being preserved as a musem, his once great emporium is being made into flats.

Elizabeth Hurley is a Basingstoke girl as is Tinita Tikaram Her brother Ramon was a fabulous Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and has recently acted in EastEnders and is now again on tour.

Whatever complaints people have about Basingstoke they do excel in the arts. Many fabulous choirs, theatre groups, school orchestras, a great Arts centre and a small Museum which also has great art exhibitions.