APRIL 2017 ISSUE 27
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MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE RESULT Winchester’s MP calls for unity over Brexit By KEVIN GOVER News Editor kevin.gover@winchestertoday.co.uk
PERHAPS one of the most defining images of the last week is the one where Donald Tusk is pictured just after being handed that letter by Britain’s ambassador to the EU. The EU Council President watches as Sir Tim Barrow officially gets Article 50 rolling - then promptly walks off stage right: “That’s it then... you just don’t love us any more,” I imagined Mr Tusk thinking. This kind of scenario has not happened before, and I looked at the picture imagining Mr Tusk with a huge sense of emptiness. I wasn’t wrong: “There is no reason to pretend this is a happy day,” he later told reporters. “We already miss you.” Brexit affects us all, and there will be many questions now over the next two years on how Hampshire will fare on tourism, trade and industry. Winchester’s MP Steve Brine was on the front bench in the Commons on Wednesday as he heard what Theresa May had to say. Afterwards, he gave this comment on the day’s proceedings to Winchester Today: “As the Prime
Minister invokes Article 50 and formally commences the process for Britain exiting the European Union, it is our fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country. I was especially pleased to hear Mrs May say she is focused on the 48% every bit as much as the 52% because that’s how we will heal the wounds of a bitter referendum campaign that still rankles for some. “We all want to see a Britain that is stronger than it is today, that is fairer so that everyone has the chance to succeed. I want a nation that is safe and secure for my children and grandchildren and I want to live in a truly Global Britain that gets out and builds relationships with old friends and new allies around the world. Britain is leaving the old political structures of the EU, we are not leaving Europe. “I refuse to simply see people defined by the vote they cast last June and prefer to focus on our determination to make a success of the result. Now that the decision has been made to leave the
clearly written his speech before listening to what the Prime Minister had to say. It did not go down well in the House with his own MPs, let alone others.” As for the PM, she made it pretty clear in her speech to the Commons what was ahead:”Today the government acts on the democratic will of the British people. And it acts, too, on the clear and convincing position of this House. “A few minutes ago in Brussels, the United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the EU handed a letter to the President of the European Council on my behalf, confirming the government’s decision to invoke Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. The Article 50 process is now underway. And in accordance with the wishes of the British people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. “This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union. We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. We are going to take control of the things that matter most to us. And we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain – a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. That is our ambition and our opportunity. That is what this government is determined to do.”
Business in Hampshire EU, it is time to come together and every political party - locally as well as nationally - should remember that and stop trying to pull our society apart. “As for Jeremy Corbyn today, he had
ON YOUR MARKS!
Olympic medallist Iwan Thomas along with some of the children from St Bede Primary as the city council launched a new initiative at Abbotts Walk in Winchester, to encourage children outside. With the Mayor of Winchester and the children he officially unveiled the new wooden totem of Wonky the Woodpecker.
MARK Baulch is Business Development Director for the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. He told Winchester Today that he will be pushing the Government hard for the best deal: “Hampshire has a very diverse
Opera! Dulwich Opera broadens its horizons towards Winchester
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Run The Runway at Southampton! (Don’t worry, no planes involved...) page 5
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New Owner On Right Track? IN a stretch of 10 days leading up to the publication of this edition, one unexpected story affected the Stagecoach Group which operates South West Trains. The company says it’s disappointed that it has been unsuccessful in its bid for the new South Western rail franchise, which is due to commence in summer 2017. The Department for Transport has announced instead that First MTR South Western Trains Limited will run the SouthWestern franchise from Aug 2017. The Department says the new company “will provide better journeys” and will generate jobs and new skills. Stagecoach Group Chief Executive
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Bonkers! Cheriton Players help to get the village hall fundraiser going
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April 2017
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Woah! On a scale of surprises, South West Trains losing the franchise to operate in our area was an 11. We honestly didn’t see that one coming. The network has been part of our lives for the best part of 21 years - a huge amount of time. Speaking on a personal basis, I actually never really had much gripe with SWT. I can’t honestly remember the last time there was any industrial action without having to look it up. The journey to London is swift, and if you miss a train, you know there will be another one along in 15 minutes or so. The 444 coaches are still a long way ahead of some other operators for the number of people they can carry and in comfort and safety. Yes, they’re getting a bit tatty, but nothing so serious. The loos normally worked. Staff always appear happy and willing to oblige, particularly at Winchester station.
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Yet something has obviously gone wrong. Perhaps you agree that you always felt deep down that South West Trains did everything grudgingly. The 450 trains are uncomfortable, both inside the carriage and on the track. They’re okay for a 5-minute journey, but not a commute. Did anyone at SWT listen? No. Wi-Fi is a joke. Try telling all of the above good things to anyone who wants to find a seat on the 0748 from Winchester to London Waterloo. And don’t even get us started on the return journeys from Waterloo any time from 1635 onwards. How can standing EVER be safe? And at those prices! SWT always assumed that no-one needs to arrive in London before 0630 in the morning. What did it do for anyone living in Dorset who would like to enjoy a night out in the West End but who didn’t want to leave at the interval? Did it ever realistically plan longer
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economy, with businesses involved in a large variety of sectors. This has allowed the county to be very resilient over the years and through various difficult times. “For example, the tourism and agriculture industries were hard hit by foot-and-mouth disease many years ago and the construction industry has been through a difficult time more recently. Despite these challenges, Hampshire as a county has continued to thrive and show excellent economic growth. “This diversity means that Brexit will have a different impact on Hampshire, as some businesses will profit from it whilst others may encounter some difficulties. At this early stage, it is difficult to say where the opportunities will be able to be exploited and where the challenges may be more prevalent. “Importers are already feeling the effect of the changes in exchange rate since the referendum last year, whilst are number of exporters have made the most of this. The role of the Chamber will be to keep businesses advised of changes as they occur and to continue to lobby Government to ensure that our companies receive the best deal possible.
Tuition Fees MEANWHILE on Wednesday, the University of Winchester announced its intention to fix tuition fees for undergraduate students from the Channel Islands at the same level as those for UK students – regardless of the outcome of future Brexit negotiations. Students living in the Channel Islands currently pay the same university tuition fees as domestic or ‘home’ students and students from the European Union. However, as the UK triggers Article 50 and begins negotiations on its exit from the EU, it is unclear what the impact of Brexit will be on UK policy on university tuition fees for overseas students, including those from the Channel Islands and the EU. Tuition fees for EU students starting courses at UK universities after Brexit will depend on what is agreed as part of the exit negotiations. Vice-Chancellor Professor Joy Carter says the University’s stance is clear: “Studying for a degree is an important investment in the future and at Winchester we want to ensure that students who live in the Channel Islands are not adversely affected by Brexit in terms of the cost of their studies. We have therefore made the decision to set tuition fees for Channel Island students at the same level as UK student fees, assuming it is possible following Brexit negotiations. “For many years we have welcomed many students from the Channel Islands. We hope that this will provide reassurance to students considering university about the future cost of their studies and look forward to continuing to welcome students from the Channel Islands to study here. “As one of the closest universities to the Channel Islands and with excellent transport links, we have developed a number of relationship links with schools and colleges and already offer support to students living on the Islands in a number of ways.”
trains at weekends when Saints or Bournemouth were playing? How many people were justifiably annoyed when stations were deliberately missed out on late runners, just so that punctuality times could be met? We’re not stupid. To the new owners we say: “Good Luck.” But remember - this is not Hong Kong. This is a system with one-hundred year-old stations, many of which have short platforms. It’s 2017, not 1917. You cannot squash 20 lines through Clapham Junction. No-one believes your ‘shorter journey times’ claim on that kind of track. Noone is grabbing the opportunity to provide a great service for us who live in rural areas. You have made a great deal of promises and you are dealing with sardines - sorry, passengers - with a limited amount of patience.
Kevin Gover
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Martin Griffiths says he’s proud to have operated the network under the South West Trains brand for more than 20 years: “Over the past two decades, we have delivered real improvements for our customers right across the network. “That success has been built on fantastic people, detailed knowledge of the business and strong relationships with our stakeholders and railway partners. But we have never thought our job was finished. “We believe we submitted a strong bid for the new South Western franchise. It offered a transformation in the travel experience for our customers, more investment to help the railway support the communities and economy of the south-west, as well as a substantial and deliverable financial benefit to taxpayers to help fund better public services. “We will be seeking detailed feedback from the Department for Transport on the various elements of our bid.
“I would like to thank all of our employees and partners who have been involved in delivering our vision for the railway in the south-west over the past two decades as well as those who contributed to our strong bid for the new franchise. “I know they share our disappointment in the result. Nevertheless, we will continue to work hard on our part to deliver a professional service and meet our obligations in the final months of our current franchise.” Speaking to Winchester Today within a few minutes of the award of the new franchise, Winchester MP Steve Brine MP said he was delighted with the switch: “Congratulations to First Group for snatching this key franchise away from Stagecoach/South West Trains. I’ve met regularly with both bidders over the course of the last few years and been impressed with the ambition First have shown for the service they can offer the public.
The universally loathed 450 Desiro trains - see editor’s letter, page 2
WHAT’S BEING PROMISED BY THE NEW OPERATOR: nM ore seats into London Waterloo with new trains. nR efurbished trains with charging sockets, new seat covers. nF aster journeys across the network. Extra weekend services. nE arlier and later services. nN ew Portsmouth - Weymouth service. nN ew compensation scheme, including for delays of 15 minutes or more. nA utomatic claims for smart card season tickets and advance purchased tickets bought in advance through their digital channels. n Free and better WiFi. nS mart card, automatically offering the cheapest walk-up single or day return fare. nF lexible Season Tickets, offering a discount for passengers travelling fewer than five days a week. nS eason, single and return tickets on Smart Cards. nN ew Student Connect smart ticket for 16-18 year olds, offering one-third off weekly or longer tickets, and further term-time discounts for under 16s.
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“Their undertaking to increase capacity - in spacious carriages - deliver wi-fi that works, a modern smart and flexible season ticket policy as well as new lower fares for 16-18 year olds are really exciting. I look forward to working with the team and will hold them to every word.” The MP added he had already secured an undertaking from FirstGroup to work afresh on finding a long term solution to the parking problems at Shawford and Micheldever Station. “What we have now is a short-sighted sticking plaster and I’ve already been in touch with the team at First this morning to congratulate them and seek an early meeting to return to discuss both.” Not everyone appears so keen though. Reaction was swift on Twitter: @Kristin1406 wrote: Ah! Now we’ve sold South West trains to China. Power Stations, airports and now trains ALL in 6mths. What will be UK owned after #Article50 The RMT union also expressed
Winchester Fashion Week 24-29 April 2017
condemnation over the decision. General Secretary Mick Cash was scathing: “Once again the Government have refused to consider the public sector option for a major rail franchise and instead it’s a foreign state operator, in this case the Chinese state, which is set to make a killing at the British taxpayers expense. “The nonsense is that with the Government triggering Article 50, they would be free to ignore EU rail directives that slam a block on public ownership. It is frankly ludicrous that the Tories are continuing with the “any state but the British state” policy which has plundered our railways for over two decades. “RMT is deeply concerned at exactly what this announcement will mean for our members, these crucial rail services and the safety of the travelling public. We will be seeking an early meeting with the new owners to secure cast iron guarantees on the jobs and role of the guards, the future of the wider workforce and the safety and quality of passenger services.”
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Al Stewart - Back to the Bedsit Tour
April 2017
A Night at the Opera in Winchester THE Dulwich Opera Company have told Winchester Today that they want to broaden their horizons by venturing outside the capital - and they’re to present an evening of operatic arias, duets and trios in St Paul’s Church in Winchester on Saturday 29 April 2017. Following the success of the company’s recent recital in St Martin-in-theFields, Dulwich Opera Company has programmed an evening of beautiful music, including works by Mozart, Bizet, and Rossini. The evening will feature a trio of young professional singers Loretta Hopkins, Felicity Buckland, and David Fletcher, accompanied by highly acclaimed pianist, Kelvin Lim. Established in 2014, Dulwich Opera Company presents an annual programme of concerts and fully staged productions, has developed a loyal following in the Dulwich area, and now seeks to bring opera to audiences further afield, with a view to bringing full productions to Winchester in the near future. St Paul’s Church, Winchester Saturday 29 April 2017
Tickets are available in advance from www.dulwichoperacompany.org.uk/box-office Tickets are priced at £16/£14 Concesssions/£5 Under 16’s when accompanied by an adult.
Our Town is Your Town IF you’ve ever managed to listen to our radio station (see our banners for details on how to listen!) - you will know that we LOVE Al Stewart. Not just ‘Year of the Cat’ either! So here’s a treat for you… recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Al Stewart is at The Anvil on Saturday 22 April, playing acoustic versions from his musical back pages going all the way back to THAT bedsit. He will be accompanied by his long-time collaborator Dave Nachmanoff and joined by guitarist Tim Renwick. For fifty years, Al Stewart has been writing and singing songs. He came to stardom as part of the British folk revival in the sixties and seventies, and developed his own style of combining folk-rock songs with delicately woven tales of the great characters and events from history. Stewart released nineteen studio albums between Bedsitter Images in 1967 and Sparks of Ancient Light in 2008, and continues to tour extensively. His most recent release Uncorked contains unplugged versions of his catalogue. Yes, he is perhaps best known for his hit ‘Year of the Cat’ from the platinum album of the same name and the platinum follow-up album Time Passages. But his career spans four decades as a key figure in British music.
The Anvil, Basingstoke Saturday 22 April 2017 7.45pm
Delicately woven tales of the great characters and events from history He played at the first ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970, worked with Yoko Ono pre-Lennon and shared a London apartment with a young Paul Simon! Tickets for Al Stewart are priced £34.50 (includes £2 booking fee). For more information or for tickets, call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244, or visit the website anvilarts.org.uk
HERE’S another favourite with the presenters on Winchester Today’s radio station. Of all the stars in folk music’s wondrous firmament, few shine as brightly as Yorkshire’s Kate Rusby. A career which spans across 25 years in music showcases her as one of the finest interpreters of traditional folk songs and one of our most emotive original songwriters. Forever proud to call herself a folk singer, Kate’s beautiful, expressive vocals never fail to connect the emotional heart of a song to that of her audience. The crossover appeal Kate enjoys is unprecedented for a folk singer and has been achieved without resort to compromise. Rusby’s wondrous singing and hugely engaging Yorkshire wit and the intuitive support of the band ensure that audiences will be treated to a truly remarkable and unforgettable concert experience. A remarkable interpretive singer, Kate’s soulful vocals resonate with the wistful beauty of an earthbound angel. Inhabiting a lyric with unforced conviction – no matter how old or how modern – she has that rare ability to transport her audience, of touching them emotionally and making each tune live vividly. Audiences are sure to be thoroughly entertained by Kate’s choice of muchloved classics from her back catalogue
The Anvil, Basingstoke Thursday 18 May 2017 The King’s Theatre, Southsea Saturday 20 May 2017
together with a selection of fresh new songs from her latest album Life in a Paper Boat (Autumn 2016 release). As ever, she will be joined on stage by the cream of British folk musicians who form her band.
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Love, Not Hate at Westminster THE amount of flowers being left in memory of those who died in the car and knife attacks at Westminster are said to be still growing on a daily basis. We took these pictures last Tuesday (28 March). You can see the many floral tributes at Parliament Square and on the gates leading to the House of Commons - where the car crashed before PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death despite having body armour. Speaking shortly after the attack, Winchester’s MP Steve Brine told Winchester Today about the shock being felt at the House: “There are few words that are appropriate. This is an ongoing crisis. “Our Parliament and our democracy has been attacked today at its very core. There is clearly great darkness in our world.”
Churches open for Easter welcome WITH Easter not so far away, there’s a packed week of events at the Cathedral and surrounding area, beginning on Palm Sunday (9 April). The congregation will meet at 10am at the Great Hall at the Castle for a procession down the High Street – when they will again be joined by a donkey, marking Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. A service commemorating the institution of The Last Supper will take place at 7pm on Maundy Thursday (13 April). Then to Good Friday (14 April), when there will be a three hour service commencing at 12 midday - the choral liturgy begins at 1.30pm. At 5.30pm the Girl Choristers will sing Choral Evensong, a poignant moment as the congregation reflects upon the momentous events HURSLEY’S launched the first stage of creating the Parish Plan at a wellattended event in the Parish Hall writes Michael Arthur. The purpose of the event was to get parishioners thinking about the aspects of the parish that they value and those they want to change. The next stage is a questionnaire that everyone in the parish will be invited to complete. The aim is to have the plan in place by the end of the year. The meeting was addressed by MP Steve Brine: “This was a useful start to what is a great chance for the village to come together and work on a plan that everyone can be a part of and buy into. “It should have have been started years ago as some other communities locally have done. So all credit to the Hursley team for getting people together and making something happen. I look forward to working with villagers as the plan emerges, and will offer every support.” Michael says the highlight of the displays that formed part of the event was an exhibition of posters and postcards produced by the children of Hursley’s John Keble primary school, revealing their dreams for the future of the village.
2000 years ago. Services on Easter Day itself (16 April) will be 8am Holy Communion, 10am Choral Mattins (Preacher: The Bishop), 11.15am Festal Eucharist (Preacher: The Dean) and 3.30 Choral Evensong. Meanwhile, the Canon of St Matthew’s - Peter Seal - is using the completion of refurbishment there to remind us that the church is “always open” - no matter what troubles there may be. Writing in his ‘Easter Greetings’ leaflet, Canon Peter says that we “continue to live through such strange days”, and part of what we can do together is to go on talking to one another. He says that as we approach Holy Week and Easter, we can remember that small acts of kindness to others “really do make a difference.”
Hursley Plan Is Go
Run For Our Charity NEWS now about our nominated charity, which is also benefitting from the support of Southampton Airport. How do you fancy running along a REAL runway? Don’t worry - you won’t be competing against any incoming flights from Manchester or Edinburgh - but you will need to be up very early! The airport has launched its official Runway Run which is due to take place on the airport’s runway at 6am on Sunday 25 June 2017. The run is 5km in length and approximately 500 people are expected to join in the fun, taking advantage of the unique opportunity to run along a real runway at daybreak. Registration on the day will commence at 5:00am with a warm up at 5:40am, the run will begin at 6:00am and will finish by 7:00am so that the runway can
be cleared ready for commercial flights of the day to begin. Runners will need to register beforehand and the entry cost is £20 with all proceeds going to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Don’t forget that the HIOWAA critical care team is called out many times to attend to road traffic collisions, sporting accidents, collapses and many other incidents. A highly skilled crew of doctors, paramedics and pilots can be at the scene of an incident within minutes, ready to deliver the same level of care that you would expect from a hospital emergency department. Next time, it could be you. For more information and to register for the Southampton Airport Runway Run please visit www. southamptonairport.com/run
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Church is rededicated As you begin to travel out of the city towards Stockbridge, you cannot fail to notice the beautiful church of St Matthew’s. If you have passed the church over recent months, you will no doubt have also noticed the latest, extensive building work. Well, the good news is that the work has now finished and the church has been rededicated. The Rector, Canon Peter Seal, answered a few of our questions. How much hard work has gone into the building restoration? In July 2013 we had an initial meeting with the Church Buildings Advisory Committee to discuss our needs both to preserve the fabric of the building and also make it flexible as a community meeting space, with appropriate facilities – including a kitchenette and accessible toilet. Almost four years of persistent and patient effort. A team working on overseeing the restoration and improvements and consulting the community as to new ways they might like the building to be used Applying for grant aid and raising funds locally. Dividing the work into two separate projects and engaging two firms of builders. Accompanying work developing the heritage materials associated with an ancient, historic site, and our welcome to all who would like to worship, visit or hire the new facilities. What was wrong exactly? The electrical wiring system needed replacing, which gave us the opportunity
The worshipping community is delighted to be back in their cherished building
to better light this beautiful, intimate space – especially the graceful nave roof with its medieval beams and windbraces. An increasing number of roof tiles were slipping, largely due to ‘nail fatigue’, and it became clear that the whole roof needed stripping and retiling. Fixed pews meant that the church provided minimal flexible space, which was a limitation, especially in terms of welcome and hospitality, so it was good to be able to replace some of the pews at the back of church with contemporary oak benches. The old biolet WC, jokingly called ‘the worst toilet in Winchester’, was semi-underground, in a disused boiler room accessible only by crossing the grass of the churchyard. Was it an easy fix, or were there a few complications? It’s never easy to restore a medieval building because of the technical, conservation and planning requirements, and the St Matthew’s site has its own particular constraints. A few examples of complications: • f inding new structural support needed
for organ loft and belfry • i nstallation of a new, more efficient boiler initially caused leaks under the ancient stone floor • l eaving church unheated for seven months made it dank and mouldy (but now it is beautifully clean and warm). How specialised was the work? The historic nature of the building demanded the professional, specialised services of our architect, Fiona Hudd of Seymour & Bainbridge, Winchester, along with other advisors. We were fortunate to have builders skilled and experienced in conservation work, whom it was a delight to work with. Great care was taken to source and match the stone, clay tiles and slates. How much were you looking forward to getting your church back? The worshipping community is delighted to be back in their cherished building! Looking beyond that, there’s plenty to be involved with, including a flower festival on 2–3 June.
reviews
April 2017
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Red Shoes - triumphant return for Matthew Bourne Beccy Conway had waited a year to see this - and wasn’t disappointed! NOMINATED for two Olivier awards, including Best Theatre Choreographer for Matthew Bourne, The Red Shoes is the latest production from Bourne’s New Adventures dance company, following in the ballet-steps of international sensation, Sleeping Beauty. Based on the 1948 film by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, which in turn was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Red Shoes is a tale of creative passion, ambition, love and jealousy. Ashley Shaw’s performance as aspiring prima-ballerina Victoria Page is flawless; she is both a world class dancer and a phenomenal actor. Sam Archer as impresario Boris Lermontov, and Chris Trenfield as the young composer complete the love triangle with ease. With backgrounds in all forms of theatre arts, it’s no wonder this trio have the entire auditorium enthralled. The same can be said of each member of the New Adventures company, perhaps due to Bourne’s preference for working collaboratively with his dancers when devising new pieces, because every character on stage during The Red Shoes has their own individual personality. They really capture the tension of life in a 1940s ballet-company,
depicting the pressure for each dancer to maintain their position within the troupe. Anjali Mehra’s fall from grace as The Ballet Lermontov’s female lead, Irina Boronskaja, is quite heartbreaking. Liam Mower’s over-the-top depiction of the male lead provides welcome comic relief, as he flounces around during the rehearsal scenes with convincing superiority. The theme of duality runs throughout The Red Shoes. From the scene at Lermontov’s mansion, in which Victoria mirrors Lermontov’s movements as she becomes increasingly enraptured by him and all he can offer her; to the realisation of her dream, when she discovers that the reality of life in the spotlight is not all she had hoped for. Bourne says of The Red Shoes: ‘I have explored how the fairy tale world of a ballet company and the stories it tells can actually blend into the real-life tale of love, ambition and artistic and personal fulfilment, until the two are barely distinguishable.’ This is particularly clear in the production’s tragic final scene when, for Victoria, fantasy and reality finally collide with disastrous consequences. The set is made up predominantly of a curtained proscenium arch which
THE RED SHOES Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
★★★★★
Images: Johan Persson
Ashley Shaw’s performance is flawless
Even Greater Cheriton Variety Show By Kevin Gover, News Editor CAN it really be two years since the Great Cheriton Variety Show led me to write those words: “Ever so slightly bonkers...”? The one which was so random, so way out in left field that it was an utter joy? Cue the follow-up and largely sold-out ‘Even Greater Cheriton Variety Show’ which has been included as one of the Village Hall fundraising opening events. The campaign will enable the village itself to buy the premises and expand further. Of course the ‘ever-so-slightlybonkers’ refers mainly to the comedy sketches... and so, on a level of bonkersness, I thought the following deserved special mention: ‘The Crossword Sketch’ (bonkers) - where a buffoon on a train is annoying the rest of the people on a train carriage with his inability to complete a simple crossword - was fun to watch, especially Ian Monier-Williams, whose levels of anger rose almost every 20 seconds. For me, THE stand out moment of the comedy was ‘The Master and the Maid’ (very, very bonkers), which you may have seen before but which was new to me. You watch a black-and-white French ‘film’ which runs forwards, backwards, and gets ‘stuck’ as the projector breaks down - and congrats to the techie (Jamie Herdman) at the back who even joined in with the fun, complete with beret and blue-and-white-striped jersey. The Cheriton Players are so good at the comedy and ‘out there’ elements that they largely stood out- but there was plenty to enjoy on the music side too, with many well-known songs to sing or clap along along to. Absolutely every single person on the table next to me was belting out ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ from Mary Poppins. There were some which inadvertently contained some laugh-outloud moments too. For example, Tim Tyler chose to tackle probably the most difficult tonguetwister ever devised by Gilbert and Sullivan - the ‘Modern Major-General’s Song’ from Pirates of Penzance. Tim, bless him, lost his way at one point and asked if he could start again- with a
hangs down over the centre of the stage, and helps to keep the narrative moving forward. The arch acts as a divide between the performers’ lives under the bright lights of fame and the not-so-rosy reality behind the scenes. The New Adventures principal dancers generously take time after the show to answer our questions about
Rachael Sage has ‘New Songs’ too! Howard Jones fan Rachael Sage got to appear on stage with him in Winchester! By Kevin Gover
THE EVEN GREATER CHERITON VARIETY SHOW Cheriton Players, Cheriton Village Hall 22 March 2017
delightful retort from Sue Cox on the piano: “Well, where would you like to go from?!” Once Tim had finished there were ROARS of approval and long applause. ‘The Ramblers Song’ was totally bonkers (which probably suited David Cradduck down to a ‘T’) and featured some excellent musical accompaniment from Michael Tresair and Glynn Williams. I also enjoyed Paul Denza’s note-perfect rendition of ‘Maria’ from West Side Story, and EVERYTHING in which Alison Carter appeared (with Paul in ‘Tonight’ from West Side Story and ‘Summertime’ from Porgy and Bess, for example. Elsewhere on our website you will find our review of Phantom of the Opera at Perins last year - a review which in itself
Images: Craig Robertson led our website to go into meltdown. I was delighted to see Sophie Jarrett and Toby Cooper take part in this show. What voices! How on earth does she get to those high notes? Who would deny Toby appearing in the West End one day? Outstanding. Overall, this was a great effort with a packed hall - and with a great ploughman’s supper to enjoy on all tables. Even More Bonkers? Yep. Can this now be a regular offering ahead of Spring? I jolly well hope so.
the process of creating such ambitious productions. Whilst Bourne has harboured the idea of adapting The Red Shoes for over a decade, we are surprised to learn that the cast only had six weeks in the studio to pull the main choreography together, and that the piece is ever-evolving – a testament to the skill of these performers.
IF you were one of the lucky ones to have a ticket for the sold-out Howard Jones show in Winchester, I hope you didn’t hang around the bar during the support act. Rachael Sage supported the man she has admired for a long time - and in a chat via Skype from New York Rachael told me that up until this tour they had not even met: “I’ve heard nothing but kind words from him and can’t wait to get together in Winchester. I’m trying to be cool! But I’m really glad it’s sold out and I’m just there for the ride.” Hereby lies a tale. Bear with me! Back in 1983, I was on the radio in Brussels - 2 years into one of the best jobs I have ever had... apart from this one of course! In that year, Howard Jones burst onto the pop scene with ‘New Song’ - and it was like a breath of fresh air. A couple of months later, I had the pleasure of meeting him and interviewing him too (twice)... a charming, kind and polite man totally in love with the music. 34 years on, the rest is history; Howard Jones has gone on to enjoy considerable chart success, and with a sell-out show in Winchester, continues to draw the crowds. Rachael meanwhile back in 1983 was 12, growing up in New York - and eventually getting to appreciate the music of the great man himself. Now all three of us were in the same city - even if it’s only for just one day! “I can’t remember which grade I was in, but when he was on MTV I was absolutely influenced by him,” Rachael tells me. Posters on the wall, a young fan - I liked his hair, the lyrics were positive and I really related to that. “I plugged in my drum machine and wanted to do what he was doing. He gave me hope in a way. I remember being in Connecticut and being described as a female Howard Jones.” Rachael has plenty of experience of
music like classical, Broadway, jazz, a bit of folk - but tells me that she has her sister to thank too for a different direction: “My sister was much cooler than me and listened to alternative British music on the radio - things like The Smiths and The Cure. Once I heard British pop, well that was the best.” Rachael tells me that the Howard Jones song that really stuck with her was his 1986 hit ‘No One Is To Blame’ - which was far more successful in the U.S (Billboard Number 4) than it was here (Number 16): “It’s timeless, beautiful, universal. I’ve only done a couple of cover songs, but that’s one of them, a great one. He’s a master at writing music.” So, what of Rachael’s own music? ‘Choreographic’ is her new album - and Rachael describes it as a love letter to her childhood: “It’s thinking about dance. It’s always been with me, those are my roots and all those melodies have found their way on to it. I’ve had lots of fun doing the album. “The TV show ‘Dance Moms’ exposed me to lyrical dance. The focus is fun - bringing in string players and communicating with them through dance and moving my arms.” Perhaps you will not be surprised that Rachael loves England, having spent time here building up a fan base: “It’s a home away from home and I’ve even thought of moving there.” What, even the rain? (It’s pouring down outside as we speak...) “Yes! I’ve always felt at home, whether it be London, Cambridge, Oxford and the countryside. I drive people nuts - “Can we stop the car and pet a sheep?!” - You know, we live in places that we take for granted. I walk my entire city for 20 blocks... five hours sometimes. I love the diversity.” Rachael is at rachaelsage.com where you can listen to more of her music. There’s loads more on YouTube, and she’s also on Twitter @rachaelsage
lifestyle
8 winchestertoday.co.uk
April 2017
Making your own footsteps Freya Storey writes about growing up, responsibility, and one of the biggest decisions she’s had to make so far... AS a primary school teacher and ex journalist*, I feel my own vision of the world has been influenced and shaped by the decisions I have chosen to make. Now 35, I feel I have reached a stage in my life where I am reflecting on what I have done, what I’m doing at the moment and where I hope my path to lead. What I’ve Done: My 18 year old self was ballsy and confident, living a pretty foot loose and fancy free life I truly believed the world was my oyster. After the compulsory ‘I still don’t want to grow up and get a proper job’ 3 year stint at university I further eked out such sentiment with a year of travelling India and South East Asia with my best friend. It was only at this stage in my life that I believe I truly began to get a feel for what I was interested in and where I may be heading. I got into photography and found myself snapping and capturing the whole trip, I was fascinated with how others lived and had a thirst to keep finding out more. My passion for journalism was ignited and on return to the UK I completed my qualification and practised as a journalist for 7 years. As I approached my 30’s life began to wobble a bit, external factors began to come in to play “Is this a proper job?”“what if I want a family?” - “what about the future and security?” I wasn’t running on gut and instinct alone anymore I was ‘thinking things through’ I had a newly- found sense of responsibility and I felt I had to make some changes to make the next steps. What I’m Doing: So I got a proper job ... I trained to become a teacher, I now have a pension, have a permanent job and a monthly salary that goes into my bank. I’m a wife - was lucky enough to marry the man of my dreams and I’m also a mother of two incredible children. I feel incredibly fortunate for all that I have in my life and wouldn’t change
then I remember my gut and that feeling I had when I was 21, when I knew what path I wanted to take for the first time, before external factors had come into play. My husband and I recently had what I see as the most important decision we have had to make yet with regards to our eldest son, we were deciding whether to keep him at his current forest school nursery - where he embraces the outdoors, is constantly surrounded by nature, has fresh air on tap and generally gets to be a 3 year old boy or to change him to a more ‘preschool’ environment getting him ready for school. I lost countless nights of not sleeping over this, found myself asking friends, family, colleagues their opinions on what they thought was best. Then I looked at my son and his smile when he returned from nursery one day, with mud all over his face, sodden wellies and stories of muddy puddles ... that was all the deciding I needed to do ... he was staying put! And that was my gut instinct! What I Hope For: I suppose I hope to keep getting a few of those rare moments of calm (generally during nap time) when I get time to reflect, pause, take stock and decide which way my path is heading. I hope to continue to trust my gut instinct and let my children be ‘foot loose and fancy free’ for as long as they can be, away from the pressures of school, all of that will come in good time and when it does I will be there to support them every step of the way but for now they can keep whizzing, crashing and splashing their way through.
“My new quest is to help them make their first footsteps - and never have I felt such a responsibility.” a single thing but sometimes I do wonder… and sometimes I feel guilty when I begin to wonder because I start to think what ‘might have been.’ And this is where I find myself now ... 35, currently on maternity leave reflecting on what I’ve done, what I’m doing and what I hope for. As I’m sure any mum/dad/person with children know caring for a little one is the greatest, all consuming job one can ever have and for now this is my full time job. My focus has changed; it’s off me and onto them. My new quest is to help them make their first footsteps and never have I felt such a responsibility. I look back to my own upbringing for help, what did my parents do? How come I was so happy as a child? I think of my role as a primary school teacher, will they be ready to start school? Will they be confident and geared up for the ever increasing demands of that first classroom? So much whirs around my head ... and
(*Editor’s Note: Once a journalist, always a journalist! That’s why I asked Freya for permission to reproduce this beautiful piece of heartfelt writing. I’ve known Freya for many years, even training her at one stage - and I’m proud of what she has achieved.)
Map Helps Plan Healthy Future In Kings Worthy THE ‘Connecting Kings Worthy’ community project had a boost recently as the Mayor cycled to join the Kings Worthy residents to launch a new community map. Connecting Kings Worthy will deliver the new map, which will be delivered to everyone in the Worthies to bring the community together and get everyone walking and cycling. Connecting Kings Worthy also funded the map, which aims to make communities more sustainable environmentally and also socially and
economically. It is run by local charity Winchester Action on Climate Change, and funded by Southern Scottish Electric Network’s SAVE project. Bespoke Biking gave a free bike check to residents who cycled to the launch while they delivered maps. Local resident Claire Welland was delighted with the new map: “It was great to get our bikes checked after the winter. Let’s hope it will encourage us all to cycle more. Cycling is great for healthy kids and it helps reduce the pressure on parking outside the school.”
Alison Skillen is WinACC’s community coach for Connecting Kings Worthy: “The map shows all the great activities that go on in Kings Worthy and the Worthies. We should take be really proud of our community and the efforts we are making to improve the local environment.” Anyone who wants to get involved with Connecting Kings Worthy or wants to hear more can visit the Connecting Kings Worthy Facebook page or contact Alison Skillen at alison.skillen@winacc. org.uk
A special outdoor village-wide event in aid of
Another
It’s the 1950s and the war is over but in Cheriton a murder has shaken its people to the core. It seems everyone has a secret…
The village and police need your help to solve the mystery. We will feed you, entertain you and reward you (especially if you dress the part).
Saturday 17th June 2016, 2pm at Cheriton Village Hall SO24 0PZ ‘til late-ish at Cheriton School hall
There will be tea and cakes served in the village hall throughout the afternoon, a sumptuous barbecue supper in the evening with 50s live music and disco, plus prizes for the best period dress and best detective(s). You can solve the crime as individuals, but it’s much more fun in teams!
Tickets are £15 for individuals or £40 for a family of four (parents and kids). 12s and under go free. Murder packs (to share) £5 each – available from 2pm on the day. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers or call 0333 666 3366 (standard rates apply, telephone enquiries are handled through Ticketsource).
www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk
10 winchestertoday.co.uk
the final word
April 2017
Easter Feast A message for Easter from the Dean of Winchester, The Very Revd Catherine Ogle PERHAPS you watched Mary Berry’s ‘Easter Feast’ on the TV? The programmes explored the Easter eating traditions of Christians across the world. We took a delicious journey through British Chocolate Easter eggs, Hot cross buns and roast lamb through Mediterranean sea bass to Russian pashka and Polish babka. Faith was there in each mouthful. Here at home, Easter eggs remind us of the potential for new life. Hollow Easter eggs represent the tomb left empty when Jesus rose from the dead. The embedded cross in the hot cross bun represents the cross that killed him, made sweet to eat, on Easter day. This year, once again, all over the world, people will celebrate the great feast of Easter with food and family gatherings. The faith that is deeply woven into these celebrations teaches the victory of love over hatred, life over death. God’s Son took the worst that humanity could do to him, and it was all transformed into new life. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the great and ultimate triumph of love. Now that’s something worth celebrating. Have a very Happy Easter!
BEST FOOT FORWARD! St Swithun’s junior school welcomed Olympian Kate French to help its biathlon team prepare for the National Schools Finals at Crystal Palace. Kate competed in Rio in the modern pentathlon and only recently secured a silver at the World Cup in Los Angeles. At the track, Kate worked with the girls on dynamic warmup, mobility and form. Kate spoke at length about her training schedule and her journey so far. Director of sport at St Swithun’s Junior School - Roger Marshall - was delighted: “To have someone like Kate, at the top of her game, come into school shows the girls that if they work hard at their chosen field they can achieve great things, as she has done over the last 12 months. Kate had a great rapport with the girls.”
Family ride returns AND finally - let’s hope that the sun shines throughout June with news that ‘The Family Ride’ is back – and this time it’s going GREEN with South Downs National Park The South Downs National Park Family Ride will kick off the Winchester Criterium and CycleFest at 10am on Sunday 11 June. “We’re excited to be back at this brilliant event,” the Cycling Projects Officer Alister Linton-Crook told Winchester Today: “Our ride is a unique chance for you to enjoy a traffic-free ride around the heart of the historic city. New for 2017 we’re also inviting people to ‘Discover the National Park’ in Abbey Gardens where we’ll have free family fun throughout the day. “We’d love to see the family riders dressing up to make the ride as bright
and green as possible. Afterwards we’ll have pond dipping, fun and games, facepainting and crafts to get our younger riders in the spirit of things. “If you feel like taking them riding a little bit further we’ll have lots of ideas and inspiration for getting out into the South Downs on your own or with guided ‘Discovery Rides’.” Amanda Ford is Head of Sport and Physical Activity for the city: “Thank you to the South Downs National Park Authority for returning to make this event even bigger and better for 2017. “Families can not only enjoy their day but also, as a real partner, in making this event bigger and better than last year. As well as joining in the fun on the day we hope families will discover ways to carry on their cycling adventures throughout the year.”