We met Jane at her place of work, Absolutely Offices in Chineham where Jane has worked for a number of years.

Jane was born in Basingstoke and lived in Old Basing all her life. Jane recalls her time at infant school in Old Basing being among the first children to attend the new school. Jane can remember carrying a grey classroom tray between the infant and junior school. 

“Old Basing was a lovely place to grow up, everyone knew everyone. There was a butcher, a couple of local shops which had everything you could need and the historic ruins of Basing House.”

Jane enjoys horse riding and takes part with her Heavy Horses as many shows. Jane took part in Old Basing Carnival as a child and later Jane’s horses pulled the carriage with the Carnival Prince and Princess.

Jane’s first job was in catering as a relief catering manager and one of the buildings Jane worked in was the original Thorneycroft building, “I can just remember the kitchen being big and open, old and cold. The kitchen area was the last area to be taken down” We talk about other memories around this time, Jane recalls Basing House and the Tythe Barn, single carriage way roads, with little traffic, The Ivy Club that her Nan attended, The Big Fry (now Olivers) and Levi’s Bakery (now the Street Bakehouse).

Jane enjoys village life in Old Basing, visiting the surrounding areas of Upton Grey and Mapledurwell and also enjoys visiting the Milestones Museum and the activities and events held at The Haymarket and The Anvil.

At the end of our talk Jane shows us around a piece of local history within the portfolio of Absolutely Offices, Daneshill Manor House designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1903 for Walter Robertson Hoard.

January 2025