• Jewellery with missing stones • Gold Watches • Gold or silver coins (sovereigns, krugerrands etc)
• Single or pairs of gold or silver earrings • Old rings – wedding & engagement rings
• Certificated Diamonds
Best prices paid from people you can trust
Simply bring along your Items in to our shop for an instant, free, no obligation cash offer. You will need to bring photographic ID and proof of address (driving licence or passport & utility bill). Payment methods - Cheque - Bank Transfer - Cash - Part Exchange.
*Diamantina Jewellers reserve the right to refuse to buy any items offered to us.
Our other services include:
Jewellery Design
Our pieces are not only featured in-store but appear in popups all over the world. Our designs will not only inspire you, they will transform you.
Jewellery Repair
We have a full range of jewellery repair and maintenance services. From cleaning and tightening to repairing breaks and resizing, our team can help you.
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Forthcoming Events
Singing for the Brain
Winchester
Friday 7 and Friday 21 August
From 11am to 12 noon
St Peters Catholic Church, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8RY
A dementia-friendly, free event open to all, offering the chance to connect through the power of song in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Whether you're living with dementia, supporting a loved one, or simply enjoy singing, everyone is welcome. For more information, please contact Home Instead Central Hampshire at 01962 736681.
Hidden Waterways of Winchester – a guided walking tour
A chance to discover some of the hidden brooks and streams which run through the centre of Winchester.One of the Hidden Waterways walks this summer. A chance to discover some of
Saturday 15 August
From 2.30pm to 4pm
Winchester Information Centre, Guildhall, High Street, Winchester, SO23 9GH
the hidden brooks and streams which run through the centre of Winchester. Join one of Winchester’s professional guides for a 90 minute walking tour, starting at Winchester Visitor Information Centre. Tickets are £12 for adults, £5 for children (under 16) and available in advance through the website or in person on the day at the Visitor Information Centre if still available.
Kids vs Adults Silent Disco at Winchester Science Centre
Thursday 20 August
From 5.30pm to 8pm
Winchester Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Winchester, SO21 1HZ
Put on your headphones for a generational showdown! Step into
a high-energy Family Silent Disco where the battle of the decades begins! Will you side with the iconic tunes of the 90s & 00s, or vibe along to the biggest hits from the 10s and 20s? Grab your headphones, pick your channel and hit the dance floor under dazzling, colourful lights. Parents can introduce the kids to what they’ll claim is REAL music, while younger dancers can prove that today’s charttoppers bring just as much energy.
Ibiza Orchestra ExperienceWinchester 2026
Friday 21 August
From 6pm to 1ppm
River Park, SO23 7DD
The Final Encore. This incredible 26 piece orchestra will be performing some of the greatest hits from the famous white isle, for the very last time! The Ibiza Orchestra - 26 Piece Live Orchestra. Line up announcedBaby D, Fatboy Tim, Marvin Humes, N-trance - Plus: Silent Disco, Glitter Artists, Lasers, Pyrotechnics, and Fire Breathers. BRAND NEW for 2026: 90’s Dance Tent! www.ibizaorchestra experience.co.uk/winchester
Winchester Ghost Tour
Friday 21 August
From 9.30pm
City Museum, The Square, Winchester, SO23 9ES
Uncover Winchester’s eerie history with the city’s original and most popular ghost tour! Who still walks the streets?
Medieval Sword Fighting in The Great Hall
Saturday 22 August
2 Sessions - 11am to 1pm
The Great Hall, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD
Presented by Basingstoke HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts) and Andover HEMA. We are excited to be joined by Basingstoke and Andover HEMA to display their skills with clashes of swords and armour in the magnificent, historic and fitting Great Hall.
For more forthcoming events see page 26 of this magazine >>
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Hampshire Open Studios
Art lovers and curious visitors are invited to step inside the creative heart of Hampshire this summer as Hampshire Open Studios returns from 22 – 31 August 2026.
For ten inspiring days, 300 venues across the county will open their doors free of charge, offering a rare chance to meet local artists and makers in the places where creativity happens. From painters and potters to sculptors, jewellers, textile artists and printmakers, visitors can explore an extraordinary variety of art and craft while discovering the stories and techniques behind the work.
Winchester will once again be one of the highlights of Hampshire Open Studios, with a vibrant collection of artists and creative venues welcoming visitors across the city and surrounding villages. From independent home studios and shared creative spaces to pottery workshops and artist collectives, the Winchester trail offers something for every taste and interest. Visitors can discover contemporary painting, ceramics, weaving,
Among the new additions to this year's Winchester trail are the vibrant Trinity Art Group and Winchester Art Club, both bringing together artists working across a wide range of disciplines and styles.
Visitors can also look forward to discovering the work of new exhibitors including mother and daughter Juliet Deacock and Emily
Planning your own art trail is easy with the free full-colour catalogue, available from mid-July, or through the Hampshire Open Studios app on both Apple and Android devices. The app allows visitors to search venues by location, medium or opening date, save favourites and navigate using interactive maps.
There is also the chance to win a £100 prize draw towards purchasing artwork from a favourite Hampshire Open Studios artist.
Simply pick up a brochure, download the app and follow the distinctive pink directional arrows guiding you to studios and exhibitions across Hampshire.
Winchester Art Club at The Arc
Stephen Cooper discussing his artwork
BROUGHTON VILLAGE ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL
Now in its sixth year, the Broughton Art & Crafts Festival brings together 70 local artists all exhibiting under one roof. This year we welcome 14 new artists displaying their works for the first time. Open
every day between 22 and 31 August 2026 from 10am to 5pm. As part of the Hampshire Open Studios program, the Festival provides the opportunity of seeing a wide variety of creative works including being able to speak with the artists.
Last year’s event attracted over 3,000 visitors across the 10-day event. Still the single biggest art exhibition in Hampshire under one roof, work featured includes paintings, drawings, cards, photographs, ceramics, jewellery, wood carvings, glass ware, basket weaving and much more. Lots of gift ideas and the chance to meet and talk with the artists.
Now in its 6th year, the exhibition has become one of the most popular Hampshire Open Studios venues, offering visitors not only a wide and eclectic display of art and crafts but also providing refreshments in conjunction with the Broughton Community Shop.
The Village of Broughton nestles in the Test Valley between Winchester and Salisbury. It is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside with the River Test’s tributary, The Wallop Brook, flowing through the village.
A visit to the Broughton Art and craft festival makes a perfect day out for all. With plenty of free parking, onsite refreshments and lawns to relax in, it makes for a great day out in the picturesque Test Valley Village of Broughton.
www.broughtonvillage.art
Broughton Village Hall, High Street, Broughton, SO20 8AX
• Families welcome
• Broughton Community Village Shop & Post Office on site for refreshments.
• Choice of pubs for lunches.
forthcoming EVENTS WINCHESTER
OPEN AIR THEATRE AT THE HOSPITAL OF ST CROSS
Join us on Saturday 22 August for our wonderful season of open-air theatre in the beautiful surroundings of the Hospital of St Cross — where timeless stories are played out and brought to life against a backdrop of historic buildings; set in our tranquil gardens, through long summer evenings.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ at The Hospital of St Cross invites you to an outdoor performance of a much-loved British Classic Operetta, presented by one of the UK’s leading G&S touring companies, Opera Anywhere.
A Magical Setting – Come Prepared! Make It a Special Evening ….. Set in the majestic Master’s Garden on our heritage site, this open-air performance promises to be a truly memorable experience. To make the most of this unique setting, please come prepared for the British weather—be it sunshine or showers!
You are welcome to bring a picnic, your own garden chairs, and maybe a gazebo to mark your territory. (subject to request) Pop Up Bar – On site
We are proud to be the only UK Touring Sausage and Cider Festival, visiting River Park in Winchester on Saturday 22 August. Why not join us for a memorable experience, indulge in a variety of sausage and ciders flavours from around the world, whilst grooving away to live music and DJs or brave it in one of our eating competitions or just stitch up a friend!
There will be over 30 different ciders across the site, from small independent vendors to nationally recognised brands, plus an array of flavours to choose from!
We pride ourselves on having the UK’s best tribute acts performing across the day at Sausage and Cider Festival. Not only do we have the recogniseable Tribute acts but our headline acts are always the real deal so keep an eye out for the headline act announcements.
We will have a range of independent food vendors around the site with over 20 different types and flavours of sausage available, but if sausage isn’t quite your thing we will have a number of vendors offering other tasty food selections. Most vendors will have gluten free or vegan options available but this is of course subject to availability. In 2023 we launched our festival market, with a great range of face painters, market food stalls, phone charging and the festival market shop with hats, jumpers and a whole range of other festival goodies.
For more information and tickets visit: www.sausageandciderfest.co.uk/winchester
WILD! FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS AND NATURE
Floral installations will be taking over the ancient, sacred space from 15 to 19 September this year for Wild! A Festival of Flowers and Nature. The festival will see the cathedral bursting with colour and creativity as hundreds of floral designers bring the wild beauty of nature to life through stunning installations, live botanical art, and performances. Led by designer Angela Turner, with the help of around 200 volunteers, the festival promises a joyful, immersive experience for visitors of all ages.
Join one of the nature-focused events, including a series of talks led by expert speakers offering fresh perspectives and insights or indulge in an Afternoon or Cream Tea – an irresistible afternoon treat.
Wild! will see installations exploring themes of climate change, nature's resilience and our human relationship with the natural world, making for a thought-provoking experience.
Make the most of your visit to Wild! Festival of Flowers & Nature with everything you need to plan your day. Whether you’re visiting for an hour or making a full day of it, there’s something for everyone.
Tickets: from £19.00. On sale now. Find out more and book by visiting: visitwinchester. co.uk/events/www.winchester-cathedral.org. uk/flower-festival/
D. Barker & Son Ltd
D. Barker & Son Ltd
D. Barker & Son Ltd
D. Barker & Son Ltd
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk D. Barker & Son Ltd
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
MR MAC - AUGUST NEWS
Windows users, there's a big update on the way. Microsoft's summer update, rolling out from mid-July, adds a genuinely useful new recovery tool called Point-in-Time Restore. It quietly saves snapshots of your settings, files and apps, so if something goes wrong, you can roll your PC back to a point when it was working fine. Mac users may recognise this idea — it's similar to what Time Machine has offered for years. The update also brings a proper “pause updates indefinitely” option, a faster-loading File Explorer, and printers that now install themselves automatically using a modern industrystandard system, instead of fiddly old drivers. Hooray for that!
Speaking of Microsoft, are you fed up with paying every month or year for Word, Excel and the rest of Office 365? If you'd rather not be tied to a subscription, I can supply a legitimate version for a single one-off payment, at a fraction of the price. I can also install it for you for a small extra charge. Please note this offer is for Windows only; the Mac version costs quite a bit more.
Finally, a lot of tech prices have risen sharply over the past few months due to a worldwide shortage of memory chips. Before you buy anything new, it might be worth giving me a call for some advice.
Theatre, Shows & Concerts
3 St Paul's Hill, Winchester SO22 5AE www.railwayinn.pub
Body Crisis
Friday 7 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/shows/body-crisis-2026-08-07
Flight of Eden + Outlier
Saturday 8 August - 7.30pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/shows/flight-of-edenoutlier-2026-08-08
Industry Plant + Independent Music Club + KINKi
Friday 14 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/
Summer Acoustic Evening:
Nadeen White + Never The Twain + Sarah Rose and Eric Walker + James Kane + Billy Liberator
Saturday 15 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: railwayinn.pub/
A Formal Horse
Thursday 20 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: https:// railwayinn.pub/shows/a-formalhorse-2026-08-20
Margarita Sleepover + Nick Shepherd + Gaz Parker
Friday 21 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: https:// railwayinn.pub/shows/margaritasleepover-2026-08-21
Medusa
Saturday 22 August - 8pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/shows/medusa-2026-08-22
The Guillotine Union Boys + Pegasuses
Friday 14 August - 7.30pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/shows/the-guillotine-unionboys-2026-08-29
Poetry Platform
Tuesday 1 September - 7.30pm
For tickets visit: https:// railwayinn.pub/shows/poetryplatform-2/2026-09-01
Horsebath
Saturday 5 September - 8pm
For tickets visit: https://railwayinn. pub/shows/horsebath-2026-09-05
The Broadway, Winchester Hampshire, SO23 9GH
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons: The Candlelight Concert
Friday 14 & Saturday 15 August
From 7.30pm
Step into a world of golden harmonies, flickering candlelight and pure musical legend. The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: The Candlelight Concert is an unforgettable live experience that re-imagines some of the most iconic songs of all time in a breathtaking, atmospheric setting. For tickets visit: https://guildhallwinchester.co.uk/ events/frankie-valli-and-the-fourseasons-the-candlelight-concert/
Lunacube (and friends) at Fest on the Test
Saturday 22 August
From 7.30pm
Experience the Magic of Motown Like Never Before. Step into a world of soul-stirring harmonies, dazzling vocals and unforgettable grooves with The Music of Motown: The Candlelight Concert. This one-of-a-kind musical experience pays tribute to the legendary artists and timeless hits that defined a generation. For tickets visit: https://guildhallwinchester.co.uk/ events/the-music-of-motown-thecandlelight-concert/
The Worthies Club
Organ Festival 2026 - Joshua Stephens, Sub-Organist at Winchester Cathedral
Acknowledged as one of Britain’s “most brilliant and exciting musicians” (Leeds Inspired), Joshua has broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, performed on national television, and guest conducted the City of London Sinfonia and The Sixteen. Prior to his role at Winchester Cathedral, Joshua was founding Director of Music at Steel City Choristers, Assistant and Acting Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, and Second Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. For more information and tickets visit: https://www.winchester-cathedral. org.uk/event/organ-festival/
Frequent jazz jam session Playing mainly real book tunes, swing and latin. play or just listen. The Jazz Jam Session is a group of musicians who meet on the third Monday of each month for a jam session at the Worthies Club in Kings Worthy. Setup is from 7.30pm, playing from 8pm. For more information visit: https://www.thewssc.co.uk/
9 The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
The Candlelight Concert
Summer Jazz Evenings with Simply Jazz in Winchester Cathedral Cafe
Thursday 20 August
From 6pm - 9pm
Enjoy relaxed summer evenings with the trio in a comfortable, open-air setting. Sit back with drinks and in good company. As the sun sets, the atmosphere stays easy going and welcoming, making it a simple way to spend time outdoors and enjoy live mellow jazz with 'Simply Jazz'. Venue's website: winchestercathedral.org.uk - Venue's Facebook: facebook.com/winchestercathedral
Thursday 10 September
From 8pm
A traditional country artist from Oxfordshire, England, Ags Connolly is widely considered to be one of the best singer-songwriters in the genre ever to emerge from the UK. In an era when the pop and rock incarnations of country music are enjoying a surge in popularity, Ags is known as a staunch defender of the genre’s traditional roots. For tickets visit: https://wegottickets. com/f/21098
Winchester Rugby Club
North Walls Park, Hillier Way, Winchester, SO23 7SU
Friday 28 August
From 7.30pm
Meet on the 4th Wednesday of every month, all are welcome, regardless of ability. You don't have to be a uke player to join in. hwww.moonroller. com/winchesterukejam.htm
Ags Connolly
Winchester Uke Jam
Jazz Jam Session
FIRE method: Could it help you retire early?
FIRE – ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early’ – is a movement where people save aggressively with the aim of retiring decades earlier than traditional retirement age. It aims to achieve financial independence, defined as having an income sufficient for your basic needs and comforts from a source other than paid employment1
How does FIRE work?
Per the FIRE method, you need to save up around 25 times your annual expenses to achieve financial independence. So, if you expect to spend £20,000 a year when you retire, you’d need to save around £500,000. This calculation assumes you withdraw 4% of your savings each year in retirement.
What are the benefits of the FIRE method?
Working towards financial independence could help improve your financial wellbeing. Saving for your future is also wise, as you might not be able to entirely rely on the state to fund your desired retirement. Investing can help mitigate the impact of inflation on your savings, giving your money the opportunity to grow over time.
What are the potential pitfalls?
Your savings may not be sufficient to fund a potentially extremely long retirement. A 40-year-old UK woman has an average life expectancy of 87 and a one in ten chance of living to 100², so your money might need to last another 50 years or more.
The 4% withdrawal rule was developed using U.S. market performance data from 1926 to 1992 and targeted at retirees with a 30-year time horizon. For a UK investor in the 2020s, with a 50-year time horizon, there’s a real risk that relying on the 4% rule results in savings being depleted too quickly.
As you can’t access money inside personal pensions until age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028), you would need to have saved a large chunk of money in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), which don’t have quite as many perks as pensions.
Next steps
If retiring early is important to you, you may wish to speak to a wealth manager. By understanding your financial circumstances, they can determine whether your target retirement date is achievable.
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. You should always check the tax implications with an accountant or tax specialist. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.
entriesOpenforbetween 30Marchand 1September2026 .
Are you a brilliant baker or dazzling designer, aged between 5 and 14? We need you to design a show-stopping cake for our 170th birthday!
Whether it's shiny like a pound coin, stacked sky-high with candles, or shaped like our famous castle logo - we want you to dream big!
How it works:
The top 12 designs will star in our 2027 calendar. The 11 runners-up will win:
• A £25 Hobbycraft voucher
• A special apron, perfect for future makes, bakes, and creative projects!
The overall winner, picked by our judges, will win a £50 Hobbycraft voucher and see their cake design created and baked for real!
Terms
How to enter:
Scan the QR code or pop into your local branch and ask for a paper entry form.
Potter pasta with bacon and spring onions
INGREDIENTS
200G POTTER
4 RASHERS STREAKY BACON
1 CLOVE OF GARLIC, CHOPPED HANDFUL OF BUTTON MUSHROOMS, SLICED
5 SPRING ONIONS, SLICED
1 TBSP BUTTER
A LITTLE OIL
LINGUINE (OR ANY PASTA)
METHOD
Cook your pasta in salted water following packet instructions until done and when draining, reserve some of the pasta water. Pop the drained pasta back into its cooking pot. Whilst the pasta is cooking, fry off the streaky bacon in a pan with a little oil so that the bacon is crisp. Keep the bacon on a plate for later.In the same bacon-y pan, in that lovely bacon fat, add the butter and the mushrooms. Once frying and the mushrooms beginning to change colour, add the garlic and spring onions. Season well with pepper and salt if needed (although the bacon will have already added saltiness here).
Once the mushrooms have turned a lovely golden brown, cut up the crispy bacon and add to the pan and then add in the Potter and stir in so that it melts. Keep this mixture on a low heat until the pasta is ready.
Put the pot with the pasta back onto a gentle heat and add in a little of the pasta water followed by the cheesy Potter sauce and mix well until the pasta is glossy with sauce. You can add more pasta water if you need to until you get the desired sauce consistency.
Serve and enjoy!
This recipe is from the Book & Bucket Cheese Company website by Heather Brown from Dorset Foodie Feed. It features their Porter, a kind of hybrid cross between a soft cream cheese and a curd.
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CLEANSE. REFRESH. GLOW.
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PAMPER WITH US. DINE WITH THEM.
THE SADDLE & SHIP ESCAPE PACKAGES
Just a short stroll from Saddle House Beauty, The Ship is the perfect partner for our exclusive escape packages - bringing together luxurious treatments and memorable dining in one unique experience.
CHOOSE YOUR ESCAPE
THE RELAX & DINE RETREAT
CHOOSE YOUR ESCAPE
THE RELAX & DINE RETREAT
THE RELAX & DINE RETREAT
£125
PER PERSON
£125
£125
PER PERSON
£125
PER PERSON
30-MINUTE SWEDISH FULL BACK MASSAGE OR
PER PERSON
30-MINUTE SWEDISH LOWER LEG & FOOT MASSAGE
30-MINUTE SWEDISH FULL BACK MASSAGE OR
30-MINUTE SWEDISH FULL BACK MASSAGE OR
30-MINUTE SWEDISH FULL BACK MASSAGE OR
30-MINUTE SWEDISH LOWER LEG & FOOT MASSAGE
30-MINUTE SWEDISH LOWER LEG & FOOT MASSAGE
30-MINUTE THALGO DISCOVERY FACIAL
30-MINUTE SWEDISH LOWER LEG & FOOT MASSAGE
30-MINUTE THALGO DISCOVERY FACIAL
30-MINUTE THALGO DISCOVERY FACIAL
30-MINUTE THALGO DISCOVERY FACIAL
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP,
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP,
BISHOP’S SUTTON
BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
(£40 credit per person)
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
THE SIGNATURE SPA & SAVOUR EXPERIENCE
THE SIGNATURE SPA & SAVOUR EXPERIENCE
£265
THE SIGNATURE SPA & SAVOUR EXPERIENCE
THE SIGNATURE SPA & SAVOUR EXPERIENCE
PER PERSON
£265
£265
60-MINUTE DELUXE THALGO MASSAGE
PER PERSON
£265
PER PERSON
PER PERSON
60-MINUTE DELUXE THALGO MASSAGE
60-MINUTE DELUXE THALGO MASSAGE
60-MINUTE DELUXE HYDRAFACIAL
60-MINUTE DELUXE THALGO MASSAGE
60-MINUTE DELUXE HYDRAFACIAL
60-MINUTE DELUXE HYDRAFACIAL
60-MINUTE DELUXE HYDRAFACIAL
£10 VOUCHER redeemable towards either Saddle House Medi-Spa or Beauty
£10 VOUCHER redeemable towards either Saddle House Medi-Spa or Beauty
£10 VOUCHER redeemable towards either Saddle House Medi-Spa or Beauty
£10 VOUCHER redeemable towards either Saddle House Medi-Spa or Beauty
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
TWO-COURSE MEAL AT THE SHIP, BISHOP’S SUTTON (£40 credit per person)
SCAN TO VIEW OUR PACKAGES & BOOK ONLINE
SCAN TO VIEW OUR PACKAGES & BOOK ONLINE
SCAN TO VIEW OUR PACKAGES & BOOK ONLINE
SCAN TO VIEW OUR PACKAGES & BOOK ONLINE
Forthcoming Events
Sausage and Cider FestivalWinchester 2026
Saturday 22 August
From Midday to 10pm
River Park, 13 Gordon Road, Winchester, SO23 7DD
This one-day extravaganza features 30+ cider flavours and 20+ sausage varieties, celebrated at River Park in Winchester. For the cider-lovers, this festival prides itself on working with some of the UK’s independent and best cider makers, featuring flavours such as rum, chocolate, pineapple, and traditional apple and pear. Their sausage varieties are just as unique, including leek and potato, hot and spicy, and delicious vegan options. Alongside the culinary delights, the festival boasts a stellar lineup of tribute acts, including performances inspired by Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, and The Killers. Headlining the event is Scouting for Girls and special guests include Barrioke, the UK’s biggest karaoke host, and a nostalgic appearance by Kevin and Perry, celebrating 25 years of Go Large. To book visit: https:// www.sausageandciderfest.co.uk/ winchester
Vintage Bicycle Display: Veteran Cycle Club
Friday 28 August
From 10am to 5pm
Winchester City Museum, The Square, Winchester, SO23 9ES
at Winchester City Museum and discover historic bicycles from the Victorian period through to the late 1930s on display in the Square.
Learn about Dickie Frost, a Winchester resident and champion cyclist of the 1890s. Through Frost’s lifetime we see how cycling transformed from a specialist hobby for the wealthy into a pastime enjoyed by all, and for many an essential form of transport. Display highlights: Bicycles from across Dickie Frost’s lifetime, charting the evolution of cycle design from the late Victorian era to 1939. Machines similar to those Frost would have raced on display. Veteran Cycle Club members demonstrating how these historic bicycles were ridden, maintained, and raced.
One Day Novel-Writing Masterclass
Saturday 5 September
From 10am to 5pm
The Arc, Jewry Street, Winchester
In a one-day masterclass published novelist, experienced creative writing teacher and industry expert, Helen Cullen will break down the core elements of fiction writing and show you how they work together to form a novel. Have you always dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know how to start? Or perhaps you have begun one – even finished one – but feel a bit stuck, or that you aren’t fulfilling its potential? If so, this masterclass is for you - an inspiring and supportive class that is suitable for writers at all levels. For full details and to reserve one of the limited places please visit www.helencullen.com
Itchen Valley Spiritualist Fellowship
Saturday 19 September
From 6.15pm to 8.15pm
St Nicholas Church, Church Lane, Bishop's Sutton, SO24 0AD
Come along for an uplifting opening evening Service of community, comfort, and spirit connection. Entry Fee: Donations welcome. Parking: Free on-site parking. You can add your event to this page FREE of charge by emailing: editor@forumpublications.co.uk
WHILE
SOME POLITICIANS FOCUS ON THE DRAMA, THERE’S REAL WORK TO BE DONE
After months of political drama in Westminster, I've been reminded that some politicians seem more interested in creating headlines than doing the job they were elected to do — representing their constituents, helping solve problems, and standing up for their communities. Not calling pointless by-elections.
At the very moment Nigel Farage was staging his resignation drama, I was in Parliament with my Lib Dem colleague Helen Morgan MP, scrutinising the Health Bill line by line. It's not glamorous work, it takes weeks, but it's where laws are improved. We were pushing for action on NHS dentistry, faster GP appointments, improved social care, and making sure NHS contracts support British industry while better protecting patients' data.
As the Bill reaches its final stages, we'll be voting on changes that could improve NHS services for millions of people. That's the kind of politics I came into Parliament to do. I've also been continuing my work in Parliament to highlight the link between people who deliberately harm animals and those who go on to abuse their partners or families. I'm calling for anyone at risk from an abusive partner to be told if that person has been found guilty of deliberately harming an animal, as this knowledge could help keep them safe. I'm also calling for anyone who has deliberately harmed an animal to be banned from owning pets in the future. By spotting these warning signs earlier, we can do more to protect women, children and animals from future harm. Although I spend three or four days a week in Parliament, my favourite part of the job is being here in Winchester and the surrounding villages. During the summer, I get more time in the constituency to meet local people and hear about the issues that matter most to them.
I've already lost count of the number of village fetes and summer fairs I've been to this year. They're a great chance to catch up with residents, meet local groups and enjoy everything our communities have to offer. And despite all my years as a vet and now as an MP, I think judging the dog shows might still be the hardest job of all. After all, everyone thinks they own the best dog in the world - and of course, they do!
Finally, I'd like to thank Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for their rapid and effective response after the recent fire in the city centre. Some of the shops and buildings in the part of Winchester affected are as much as 900 years old, which makes it even more challenging if a fire takes hold.
The Fire Service worked hard to ensure nobody was seriously hurt and quickly prevented it from spreading to even more historic buildings. This is the busiest time of year, especially for hospitality, so the next priority is to make sure that the businesses get the support they need to reopen as soon as possible.
If there are any issues you’d like to get in touch with me about, please contact me at: danny.chambers.mp@parliament.uk
Directed by Heather Bradford “The music industry isn’t about healing pain and heartbreak and vulnerability. It’s about selling it.”
In a top London recording studio, a gifted young songwriter, her manipulative producer and their lawyers go to battle over who owns a song. In a gathering storm of bitter complaints and brutal recriminations, Cat and Bernard inflict a devastating toll on each other in a war that only one can win. A tense, witty look at the business of creating hits. Mood Music is presented by arrangement with 42 Management & Production www.42mp.com. For tickets visit: https://www.ticketsource.com/ whats-on/winchester/chesil-theatre/ mood-music/e-glqdeb
Composer/Saxophonist/Winner of the 2017 Kenny Wheeler Prize Tom Barford’s name has been known to aficionados for some years now. Tom's new album captured live at
the Parakeet by master engineer Alex Bonney presents him sharing the frontline with star trumpeter James Copus on a set of his own original material. For tickets and information visit: discardednut.ticketsolve.com/ ticketbooth/shows/1173687169
A Message for the Future
Friday 25 September
From 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Explore your magical future garden where you’ll meet a punk poet Dandelion, a rock n roll Minibeast and an operatic super Herb!
A Message for the Future is a multi-sensory art installation and gig theatre experience designed for early years (ages 0-3) and family audiences. For tickets visit: discardednut.ticketsolve.com/ ticketbooth/shows/1173680709
Man! I Feel Like Bingo with Shaunia Wayne
Friday 25 September
From 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Award winning performer Tracey Collins (Shell Suit Cher, Elvis Lesley, Audrey Heartburn) brings her latest musical comedy character to the stage in Man! I Feel Like Bingo! with Shania Wayne: the world’s greatest Shania Twain tribute act - with a twist. He doesn’t look or sound anything like her! But that hasn’t stopped this sexy cowboy from Carlisle travelling the world on his trusty donkey, Casio keyboard on his back, performing at bingo halls across the globe. For tickets visit: https://discardednut.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/shows/1173687753
Join us this summer for a creative workshop inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat, where stories and music collide. Perfect for kids who like to cut, stick and experiment with ideas. ver imagined your own album cover? In this session, children will design a bold, eye-catching record sleeve using collage techniques. We’ll use books, paper, magazines, stickers and more to layer up images, textures and colours. You might create something dreamy, funny, mysterious or completely abstract. Add a band name, a title, or keep it open-ended. It’s your design, your style. For more information and booking visit: https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/ booking?id=1855801
Lino print a music themed poster (For ages 9+)
Tuesday 25 August
From 1pm to 3.30pm
Join us this summer for a slightly more in-depth making session inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat, exploring how music can be turned into bold visual designs. In this workshop, children will learn the basics of lino printing to create their own music-inspired imagery. We’ll carve simple shapes, patterns and symbols into lino blocks, thinking about instruments, sound, rhythm and movement. To book visit: https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/ booking?id=1856001
The AC/DC Experience
The AC/DC Experience – The Ultimate Tribute to Rock Legends! Get ready to rock all night long as The AC/DC Experience return to deliver the most electrifying tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time! Expect all the iconic hits — Highway to Hell, Thunderstruck, Back in Black, Whole Lotta Rosie and many more — performed with the power, energy, and attitude that only true fans can deliver. For more information and booking visit: https://www.arcwinchester.org. uk/booking?id=1615401
Hampshire's Hidden D-Day: Beneath the Forest Floor
Wednesday 2 September
From 7pm
Marshalling Camps hosted thousands of troops gathering for the D-Day invasion on the 6 June 1944 and formed a key part of the operational plan for Operation Overlord. In the years since, the camps have largely been forgotten, overgrown by woodland and increasingly threatened by modern development. As part of the Hampshire’s Hidden D-Day project led by The D-Day Story, 23 camps between Emsworth and Brockenhurst were surveyed, recording new archaeological findings. In this talk, Dr Marter explores some examples of what remains, reflects on the potential of the information collected and the D-Day heritage legacy. https:// www.arcwinchester.org.uk/ booking?id=1866601
Chris Helme
Thursday 3 September
From 7.30pm
From his breakthrough success with The Seahorses to an enduring solo career, Chris Helme has always excelled at pouring his heart into music - in the process creating songs as affectingly emotional as they are obviously accomplished. https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/ booking?id=1797201
Hair Art Your professional Aveda™ Hair Salon in Alresford, Hampshire
Hair Art in Alresford has a philosophy that places customer service at the forefront of the Company’s Activities. Our Aveda™ Salon was established in March 2000 and has become recognised as one of the most prestigious salons in the area.
Director Simon Sothcott has created a relaxing environment where clients can enjoy a first class hairdressing experience. All members of the highly trained team feel passionate about client satisfaction. Hair Art aim to give clients the best quality care available, a hairstyle that makes them feel fantastic and individual attention to service.
Simon started his hairdressing career in St Thomas Street, Winchester, before moving on
to work at Hair Art in Bishop's Waltham, then moving over when the company opened Hair Art Alresford.
Simon left Hair Art and went on to become a successful hair and make-up artist in films and television. Screen credits for his work include epics such as Troy with Brad Pitt, Alexander with Colin Farrell and television series such as Messiah III and Murder City. Where he looked after well known leading actress Amanda Donahoe. He then returned to Alresford and purchased Hair Art Alresford in 2006
Hair Art in Alresford is excited to welcome the arrival of two new Stylist’s to the Team. Carly Christie is our new Senior Stylist. With
over 30 years in the hairdressing industry
Carly brings unmatched expertise and a creative spark to every client.
Carly joins us from Winchester where she worked for the renowned salon Storm/ Harringtons.
Megan Simpson joins us as our new stylist. Megan is formerly from Misho Hair Studio in Stockbridge where she built a strong following. Megan is a bubbly professional who has six years hairdressing experience and is passionate about her career and all things hairdressing.
Hair Art in Alresford has a philosophy that places customer service at the forefront of the company’s activities.
Please phone for a free Consultation with our stylists. All colour services require a skin test 48 hours prior to your colour treatment. You can purchase gift vouchers to your specified amount and are valid for six months from date of purchase, an ideal gift for a friend or loved one.
We are proud to be the only exclusive Aveda™ salon in the area, Aveda™, The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essences™, was founded in 1978 with the goal of providing beauty industry professionals with high performance, botanically based products that would be better for service providers and their guests, as well as for the planet.
For more information or book an appointment contact: Simon@Hairart.net or call us on: 01962 736398 | www.hairart.net
Home of Independent Education in Hampshire
Winchester
Romsey
King
Southampton
King Edward VI School Senior | Sixth Form | Age 11-18
New Forest Portsmouth
Edward VI Preparatory School Nursery | Prep | Age 2-11
Prince’s Mead Nursery | Prep | Age 2-11
Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form
Discover a seamless journey from age 2 to 18 across our exceptional Group of schools.
From those first steps in Nursery to the confidence and independence of Sixth Form, we offer a truly joined-up experience.
1.
A nurturing start from age 2
Our nurseries are open 51 weeks of the year with flexible wraparound care and access to early years funding, supporting busy families while giving children the very best start.
Making excellence more accessible
Stepping Stones Awards (Reception to Year 3) and Bursaries at our Senior School and Sixth Form offer fee reductions and full funding for eligible families.
2. A smoother transition to Senior School
Our Head’s Recommendation Pathway offers eligible pupils, at Prince’s Mead and King Edward VI Preparatory School, a guaranteed Year 7 place at King Edward VI School.
Open Events
2 October 2026
King Edward VI School
9 October 2026
Prince’s Mead
16 October 2026
King Edward VI Preparatory School
Personalised tours and taster mornings also available via the QR code.
3.
Outstanding Exam Results
Ranked Top 10 in the South West (The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026).
98% GCSE grades A*-C
96% A Level grades A*-C
PERIOD DOESN'T MEAN DATED: TWO WAYS TO BRING A WINCHESTER HOME UP TO DATE - OA INTERIOR DECOR
Winchester has more than its share of period homes, and with that comes a familiar dilemma: how do you bring a room up to date without losing what makes it a period property in the first place?
A kitchen refresh that isn't a new kitchen
If your kitchen units are solid wood, a full replacement often isn't needed. A hand-painted refresh can transform the look completely, new colour, updated hardware, the same solid carcasses underneath. It's a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen, and will enable you to update your kitchen with the warm, earthy tones like sage and olive that are so popular in 2026.
It's worth knowing this only works on the right material. Laminate, foil-wrapped or vinyl-wrapped doors generally can't be painted successfully. If that's what you have, painting the surrounding walls instead can still make a real difference to how the room feels, even if the units stay as they are.
THE ARTS SOCIETY WINCHESTER 2026/27 PROGRAMME
When a fuller update is worth it
One of OA Interior Decor’s recent project shows what a bigger update can achieve. A stairwell and hallway that had lost its Victorian character to 1990s floral wallpaper and varnished pine, was brought back with wall panelling, a black-painted staircase, and a full replacement herringbone parquet floor.
This wasn't a lick of paint. The old floor had to come out, and the panelling was built in from scratch. But the result shows why it's sometimes worth the bigger scope: proportion and detail that a surface-level update can't achieve, taking the room from dated to modern period elegance.
The takeaway
Whether it's a kitchen refresh or a fuller renovation, the starting point is the same: work out which original features are worth keeping, and how much change the room actually needs. Sometimes it's a repaint. Sometimes it's new flooring and joinery. Either way, period doesn't have to mean stuck in the past.
OA Interior Decor is a Winchester-based painting, decorating, carpentry and plastering business. Contact Obida on 07400 664 699 or info@oainteriordecor.co.uk
Genius’ by expert Julia Musgrave. Monthly lectures span a diverse range of subjects related to the arts, plus outings and trips including Renoir and Love at the National Gallery and a four-day trip to Greenwich Naval College and other South East London attractions. For more in-depth study, three Special Interest Days are planned for members and their guests, starting with ‘Behind the London Livery Companies – Objects and Stories’ in November. The Arts Society Winchester is also a proud sponsor of Chesil Youth Theatre.
Chairman Simone Adams said, “The Arts Society Winchester is a friendly and vibrant society, and we hope that both existing and new members will find something to enjoy New members are always welcome.”
The Arts Society Winchester meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Middle Brook Centre, Middle Brook Street, Winchester SO23 8DQ. All lecturers are accredited by the National Arts Society. Doors open at 10am for tea/coffee, and lectures begin at 10.50am. Membership for the coming Programme Year is £60.
For further information email info@theartssocietywinchester.org or www.theartssocietywinchester.org.
– Murderer or
This September sees the first of The Arts Society Winchester’s new programme of lectures and events for their 2026/27 Programme year, beginning on September 15th with ‘Caravaggio
Your Local Roofing Experts
A Class Roofing and Construction Ltd (A Class Roofing) is an established roofing and construction business. We have been established, well known and well credited business and between us have more than 100+ years of roofing experience.
We are a fully licenced and insured roofing business and perform our work with pride, safety and professionalism. We appreciate how important your home or business is to you and therefore we ensure our work is given the same care and attention as we would complete if we were performing on our own property.
We pride ourselves with our customer service, health and safety knowledge, and our attention to detail. We will always try to ensure that any work is a "stress-free" project from start to finish for our clients.
Please do contact us if you wish to discuss any roofing needs further or have a query in mind. We are always more than happy to help.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern townhouse or a converted barn, we have a range of traditional and contemporary timber windows and doors that will complement it perfectly. Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, townhouse or a converted contemporary timber windows and doors that Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted timber doors and windows, and expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
The Hampshire Air Festival takes flight on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026 at Thruxton Aerodrome, Hampshire, celebrating “The Age of Flight” across a spectacular weekend of aviation and entertainment.
Experience an incredible journey through the skies, from the pioneering aircraft of the Great War, to iconic Warbirds including the legendary Spitfire in its 90th Anniversary Year, thrilling formation aerobatics, and the power of modern fast jets, all performing across both days.
Included in your Saturday ticket, in the evening, the sky comes alive with our breathtaking Pyro & Lights Extravaganza, featuring pyrotechnic aircraft displays, a dazzling light show, illuminated drone formations, and a grand fireworks finale lighting up the Thruxton skyline.
Aviation is fun and can inspire the next generation, getting young people interested in both history and the STEM subjects, we call it education by stealth! We also have ground attractions including motorcycle stunts, military re-enactors, vehicles and live music. These will take place around the flying display so as not to distract from the aviation but complement it.
For tickets and more information visit: www.hampshireairfestival.co.uk
THE ROMSEY SHOW
The Romsey Show is a traditional country show held on the 12 September 2026. From 8pm to 5.30pm.
The show is organised by The Romsey Agricultural and Horse Show Society and held on the magnificent and historic Broadlands Park, Romsey. With a regular annual attendance of around 20,000, the Show welcomes people of all ages and interests, from families to local businesses. There is something for everyone.
There will be a wealth of events such as: Coaching Class & Marathon, Extreme Bike Battle BMX Ring, Children’s Activities, Livestock Classes & Grand Parade, The Thrings Countryside Ring, Modern Machinery, The Sheep Show, Floral Art, Classic Cars, Family Dog Show & Scurry, Circus Skills Area, Reptiles, Horse & Donkey Classes, Vintage machinery, Falconry, Shopping & Craft Stands, Heavy Horse Parade, Fur & Feather Tent, Horticulture, Food Zone & Local Produce, Hobby Horse Competitons, Dog Agility, Bars and Fairground.
Each year, the show has a wonderful turnout of cattle, sheep, horses and donkeys. Other animal displays include the rabbits, cavies and the Angora goats. We also have a mobile petting farm.
For tickets and more information visit: www.romseyshow.co.uk
PORTSMOUTH INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
The Portsmouth International Kite Festival returns in 2026, with the skies above Southsea Common bursting into life and colour on the weekend of 12 and 13 September from 10am to 5pm at Southsea Common, Southsea, PO5 3AE. What's more, to mark the centenary of Portsmouth getting city status, the 2026 event will have the theme: 100 Kites to celebrate 100 years.
The event features beautiful and awe-inspiring kites, flown by some of the world’s most internationally renowned flyers. There's so much for visitors to enjoy and admire. The festival has amazing demonstrations showcasing the art of kite flying and making, which will see UK and European champions flying multi-line kites to music - performing tricks and ballet routines.
There will also be a host of activities available, including craft stalls and local amusements, whilst dedicated kite traders will be on hand with a wide range of equipment to browse and buy. Don't miss the enchanting displays - featuring beautiful single line kites (intricately appliquéd or painted with magnificent designs), amazing cellular kites (flying miracles of structural engineering), and stunning 3D soft kites in a range of shapes and sizes. The best bit? This exhilarating familyfriendly festival is free to attend! The event is scheduled to run from 10am to 5pm on both days.
For tickets and more information visit: www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whatson/portsmouth-international-kitefestival-p1726331
HAMPSHIRE CULTURAL TRUSTCURTIS MUSEUM
August/September
The Time Detective Agency Fact Trail runs throughout the Summer Holidays. Become a Time Detective! There will be three Time Periods to detect - Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern. Collect stamps to mark your progress for a summer packed with time-travelling adventures, at 10 museums all across Hampshire! (Check individual venue opening days in advance). Step into history and explore a different era each week as you train to become an official Time Detective Agent. Take part in free family trails, hands-on crafts, and exciting challenges designed for curious minds of all ages!
Start your journey by completing your first activity and receive your very own TDA Trainee ID Card. Earn Mission Complete stickers at any participating venue. Collect 4 stickers to unlock an exclusive Time Detective Agency badge! FREE event – no booking required. Drop in, explore, and travel through time all summer long.
Film Night at the Curtis - "Early Man" (PG) Saturday 1st August, 3pm - 5pm. £5 booking online in advance, £6 at the door.
During September, we're running an Ancient Romans vs Ancient Britons trail. Choose your side and design your weapons. FREE. This activity runs throughout the autumn term.
Following the success of last year’s Heritage Open Day, we’re doing another HOD, this time with re-enactment group Herigeas Hundas, Butser IX Legion, and Experience the Iron Age joining us to provide live demonstrations, show off medieval skills and trades, and possibly even play some live medieval music on Saturday 12th September.
For further information on Hampshire Cultural Trust events visit: www.hampshireculture.org.uk
WATER TESTING PROJECT ON THE UPPER RIVER ITCHEN
Winchester Downs Farmers Cluster (WDC) and the Upper Itchen Restoration Community Interest Company (UIR CIC) are launching a new partnership to improve water quality on the upper Itchen.
Chalk streams are one of the rarest freshwater habitats on Earth, and England is home to approximately 85% of them. Our river Itchen has a unique ecosystem in need of help due to climate change and pollution. The partnership aims to gather data on nutrient contamination and it’s sources within the upper Itchen.
WDC is a group of farmers, land managers and river keepers who work together to support wildlife and biodiversity by improving soil and water quality. UIR CIC is a not-for-profit group which exists to improve the quality of the aquatic environment in the Upper Itchen. WDC, via the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and Rothamsted Research, is providing lab-quality testing equipment with a base at Park Farm, Avington. This approach and kit is already in use in Farmer Clusters allied to the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) in the Test and Hampshire Avon catchments. It will enable monitoring to a higher level of accuracy and credibility with regulators, than currently. UIR CIC will provide volunteer citizen scientists to collect and analyse samples, building on its experience with the Angling Trust monitoring scheme, and reporting of nutrient issues on the Itchen, Test and Meon via the Test & Itchen Association. The plan is to sample weekly, at a higher frequency and density than the official monitoring by the Environment Agency.
Robert Stent of WDC said: “By working together, the 38 members of the Cluster and UIR CIC’s 90-strong local citizen scientists intend to take water quality monitoring to the next level, by resolving any issues we identify with run-off or nutrient spikes in the river. Our goal is to move from monitoring and analysis, to action to restore our river to what it once was.”
Ian Diver of UIR CIC said: “During the recent heatwaves, river keepers are seeing algal blooms developing due to a combination of low flow, high temperature and excess nutrients in the water. Partnering with the WDC enables us to work with land managers who are best placed to carry out improvements, based on shared data and common evidence.”
The partnership plans to add sediment fingerprinting in the future, to be able to identify sources of sediment run-off into the river.
For further information please contact : Robert Stent (Chair, WDC) - Robert@parkfarmavington.co.uk | Tel: 01962 779955 | www.winchesterdownscluster.co.uk | www.enviromentalfarmersgroup.co.uk
SUPPLIERS OF Carpets, Flooring, Bespoke Rugs and Stair Runners in Alresford, Winchester, Hampshire
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The choices of flooring are huge - from carpets to plant fibre flooring and bespoke rugs to stair runners- so finding the right one can be confusing and time consuming.
This is where are our depth of product knowledge is invaluable and we aim to make the whole process an enjoyable experience finding the correct flooring tailored to your exact requirements. Based in Alresford near Winchester Hampshire we are here waiting to fulfil your flooring dreams.
Hope for Britain's fastestdeclining mammal
Water voles thriving at St Clair's Meadow Nature Reserve, survey finds Water voles are Britain's fastest-declining mammal. Once widespread across the country's rivers, streams and wetlands, they have declined due to habitat loss, pollution, agricultural pressures and predation by non-native American mink. National estimates now stand at between 58,000 and 186,000 individuals, making every stronghold for the species increasingly important.
The survey, carried out by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust with the River Meon Conservation Volunteers, recorded extensive evidence of water vole activity including feeding stations and remains, burrow entrances and latrines.
The findings suggest a healthy and active population during the breeding season and are thought to be among the strongest recorded at the reserve using a new monitoring method.
Andy Reeves, Reserves Officer (Central Rivers & Downs) at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "What makes a survey like this so exciting is seeing just how much evidence water voles leave as they go about their daily lives.
“Water voles can be difficult to spot, so we look for clues. We found feeding stations with neatly cut stems clipped at the distinctive 45-degree angle that water voles are known for, plus active burrows and characteristic latrines along the riverbank. Some of their green, tic-tac-shaped droppings have been flattened into what we call 'trampled latrines', where water voles stamp them down to scent mark their territory during the breeding season. Finding so many of these signs shows that the population is feeding, breeding and thriving here at St Clair’s Meadow Nature Reserve."
Rather than surveying solely from the riverbank, trained staff and volunteers now search the vegetation for field signs from within the river itself, following water safety procedures and wearing appropriate clothing and safety equipment. This has proved highly successful, enabling a much more detailed assessment of water vole activity and has significantly increased the number of sightings.
The results reflect a wider encouraging picture emerging along the River Meon. Survey data collected by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) and SDNPA volunteers in 2025 recorded water voles at 32 of the 35 sites surveyed, with evidence of breeding at 22 locations.
The SDNPA results contribute to emerging evidence of a slight recovery in water vole populations at a national level. However, water voles remain the UK’s fastest declining mammal, and long-term continued conservation effort is essential.
A key reason for the species' recovery on the River Meon has been the Meon Valley Water Vole Project. Launched in 2013 by the SDNPA and the Meon Valley Partnership, with support from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the project saw more than 2,800 water voles released into the river system. It is the UK's largest water vole reintroduction within a river valley and the only project of its kind to have taken place in Hampshire.
The River Meon is one of the most important strongholds for water voles in Hampshire. Its clear chalk stream waters, well-vegetated banks and good habitat conditions provide an ideal home for the species. In addition to the reintroduction, years of partnership work to improve river habitats, reduce predation pressures, and support species have helped create the conditions for populations to recover and thrive.
Andy adds: “Water voles may be small, but they play a surprisingly important role in a healthy river ecosystem. Their feeding and burrowing behaviour helps shape riverbank habitats, benefiting a range of other species and helping maintain the rich wildlife that helps makes chalk streams like the Meon so special.”
Monitoring work is made possible through a longstanding partnership involving Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the South Downs National Park Authority and dedicated volunteers. The River Meon is believed to be one of the most intensively surveyed rivers for water voles in the country, providing valuable data on the species' status and recovery and contributing to national monitoring efforts.
Andy said: "Monitoring is absolutely essential. Conservation doesn't stop once a species has been reintroduced. We need to keep tracking populations to make sure they remain healthy and to identify any threats early.
“I'd like to thank the River Meon Conservation Volunteers, whose efforts collecting data feed into national monitoring programmes and help us understand how water voles are faring not just here on the River Meon, but across the country."
The survey is thought to be one of the most successful at the site to date using a new monitoring method, which records detailed field signs directly into a national monitoring programme. The National Water Vole Monitoring Programme helps conservationists build a better understanding of how the species is faring nationally.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust plays a leading role in water vole recovery, not only regionally but also nationally. The Trust is co-author of the National Water Vole Database and Mapping Project, which collates records from across the UK which helps guide conservation action to the areas where it is needed most.
Visitors can also help protect water voles and other wildlife by staying on paths and keeping dogs on leads when near riverbanks to minimise disturbance to wildlife and sensitive habitats.
The success at St Clair's Meadow reflects Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's aim to bring more land into nature recovery. Alongside managing existing wildlife-rich sites, the Trust is restoring habitat at nearby Court House Meadows. This newly acquired land, which has the River Meon running through it, is creating more space for nature and supporting the long-term recovery of water voles and other species across the wider landscape.
To help support the recovery of water voles and other wildlife, become a member of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust today. Membership helps fund vital conservation work, habitat restoration and species monitoring across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including work along the River Meon. Join today at: www.hiwwt.org.uk/join-today
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THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THE WINCHESTER DISTRICT: CITY COUNCIL TO ASK GOVERNMENT AND NEIGHBOURING COUNCILS TO SUPPORT A COLLABORATIVE WAY FORWARD FOR LOCAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Winchester City Council has announced its intention to commence its Local Plan preparation for the whole of the Winchester district area, but alongside this decision the council’s Cabinet has called for greater clarity from Government to be able to plan effectively for the new Mid Hampshire Council area, given the significant changes to councils brought forward by Local Government Reorganisation.
Winchester City Council adopted its Local Plan 2040 in March 2026, against the backdrop of new planning legislation requiring its next Local Plan preparation to begin immediately, and to a 30-month timetable.
The city council is committed to ensuring that the district continues to benefit from an effective and up-to-date Local Plan. However, since the Government announced planning policy reforms and a new Local Plan timetable for Winchester, it has also confirmed the reorganisation of councils across Hampshire which would replace the city council with a new Mid-Hampshire council covering the current council areas of Winchester, plus parts of Test Valley, the New Forest and East Hampshire in April 2028, which is before the 30-month Local Plan period.
The timetables for Local Government Reorganisation and the new Local Plan process are currently not consistent, and the city council has previously written to government seeking clarity. In a recent Parliamentary Answer, the Government itself recognised “the challenges posed to plan making by local authority re-organisation and are developing transitional arrangements to address these”. However, the arrangements are not yet available.
As a result, and in the absence of Government guidance for transitional arrangements, the city council will publish the notice of intention to start its plan today (30 June 2026) for the current district boundary. Additionally, the council will engage with other Mid Hampshire councils to explore opportunities for collaborative or joint plan-making and shared evidence gathering for the proposed Mid Hampshire geography. This includes engagement with the councils in the proposed South-East Authority as, under the new plans, the parish of Newlands, currently in the Winchester district, would become part of this council.
Cllr Jackie Porter, Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan, said: “We are proud of our strong track record of delivering Local Plans which protect and enhance the Winchester district, and we remain absolutely committed to planning positively for the benefit
of our place and our communities. However, to do this effectively we must have clarity from government around the necessary transition arrangements, to ensure the work we’re undertaking makes the best use of our time and public resources and will ultimately result in a plan that will be supported and adopted by the new Mid Hampshire Council.
“A positively prepared Local Plan is of paramount importance to ensure development in our district continues to happen on a planned basis that positively meets the needs of our communities. But alongside this, we’ve also committed to working with other district councils in the Mid Hampshire council area to explore opportunities moving forward.”
Cllr Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, added: "We want to maintain Winchester's positive approach to planning and stop the speculative development that blights so much of Hampshire. Unlike most, we're protected from unplanned development at the moment because we put a robust Local Plan in place this March.
“As soon as the new Mid Hampshire Council is in place, the best way to keep protecting our area from unplanned speculative development is to protect the whole of Mid Hampshire from unplanned speculative development. That's why I've now written twice to Government asking how we can move ahead quickly to get a Local Plan that does this - and why I want Winchester to work constructively and quickly with our neighbours to make it happen.”
The city council has written to government outlining these concerns and the need for clarity to be able to plan positively for the future.
My husband, Paul, was champing at the bit to make his favourite tipple - mead. Personally, I’m not a fan. Honey has this taste. It doesn’t matter what particular variety: lavender, acacia blossom or heather – it tastes of honey. And it does something right at the back of the roof of my mouth, just as it reaches my throat. My body segues through surprise, suspicion and revulsion; ‘Oh? Wossat? Yuk!’.
Anyway, Paul had assembled plastic barrels and glass demijohns and the sort of enormous saucepan and ladle that you see in the orphanage scene in Oliver Twist. Just to clarify, it’s the version with Oliver Reed as Bill Sykes, dripping with sex appeal (the subject of an early crush).
I’ll mention here that I’m allergic to bee stings. One childhood summer, I was staying with a friend and trod on a hapless bee. My foot swelled, skin growing hot with the unhealthy sheen of being stretched too tightly. That night the allergic reaction triggered an asthma episode. Pre-diagnosis: no meds. Wheezing loudly, with a fat, shiny foot, I was the biggest nuisance to the sweetly caring mother of my friend. She slathered my foot in calamine lotion, to no effect save staining the sheets.
Many years of slim-footedness and bee-avoidance later, back at the caravan, Paul was outside dealing with the honey; decanting and weighing. The bees lived in a settlement of hives about thirty yards from the caravan. We couldn’t see them, but their daytime hum was like a distant road with constant but light traffic.
We didn’t bother the bees and they politely ignored us. There was a mutual respect. At least, I had a huge respect for them because I’d seen that horror film The Swarm at a very impressionable age. I didn’t want to find myself covered in them and have to sit in a fridge until they went to sleep – like in the film. In any event, I have no idea whether they had respect for me. I doubt it. I just wasn’t a flower and at no time did I try to get into their hive to steal their food, so they left me alone.
Armed with my enormous respect (for ‘respect’, read ‘fear’), I elected to be inside the awning of the caravan. I was in charge of sterilising the equipment and manning the gas burner with its giant saucepan of water, into which I was going to pour the weighed honey. Like a modern-day alchemist, I was going to produce the nectar of the
monks. The first recorded alcoholic drink. We’d looked it all up on BBC Good Food. I love BBC Good Food. BBC Good Food made everything look easy. It was going to be a piece of cake, BBC Good Food practically said so.
There I was in the awning, all zipped up and bee-free. Paul was outside communing with the bees. They, having smelt the honey that had been so unceremoniously stolen from them, had come to investigate. They buzzed around him, coming in for a closer look, hovering about. Then presumably they decided that a sample might be in order and one or two landed on the bucket.
It must have been the equivalent shout-out of, “Yes chaps, it’s definitely ours,” as Paul was then inundated with their little bodies, flying in and landing. I’ve no idea what they thought they were going to do. Take it all back, one tiny bee mouthful at a time? Entirely feasible, given the amount of hard work and diligence it had taken them to manufacture the stuff in the first place.
Meanwhile, back in the awning…
I couldn’t work out what the little noises were. Sounded like the pitterpatter of raindrops, but couldn’t be – the sun was beating down on the awning, heat radiating through the canvas.
No, it wasn’t rain. It was the bees. They were batting against the canvas, first one or two, then more and more. The bees must have got a whiff of the honey that I was adding to the now-boiled water and they were making it their mission to come and get that too.
Feverishly, I was checking the door was completely zipped up. I couldn’t see anywhere they might get in, and relaxed a bit.
But for all they look so sweet and busy on these natural history programmes, doing their little waggle dance and flying around with pollen laden trousers, the little bees are cunning and devious little Bs. They circled the caravan and found they could get in under the skirt of the awning where there were gaps caused by the uneven grass. In just a few minutes I had my own contingent of nosy insects buzzing around me. I fled to the caravan and locked myself in, shouting for Paul in a panic. “They’re here! They’ve brought their friends. Millions of the little wotsits looking at me with accusing feelers.” Tobecontinued...
Antique furniture bought, sold, restored
Showroom open Fridays 10am – 4pm or by appointment
Unit 1, Homestead Farm, North Houghton Nr Stockbridge, SO20 6LG
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Hambrooks Landscaping
Expert gardening care & maintenance in Hampshire
Year round border & pond care
Keep your garden looking beautiful - without the hassle
The NGS is now gearing up to 2027, when we celebrate our centenary. How different life and gardens were then. The first 600 gardens opened in May 1927 and the cost per head was ‘a shilling’. They raised a total of £8,191.00, which went to help support the District Nurses. Currently we open 3,500 gardens, nationwide and the the admission fee to visit a garden is anywhere between £4.50 and £10.00, depending on the garden. In 2025 the National Garden Scheme raised a staggering £3.8m - it would be great to make it £4m leading into our centenary year.
As well as donating to several well known charities, the National Garden Scheme also supports many other Nursing, Health and Caring projects - the latest one being a donation of £37,828.00 to the rooftop critical care unit garden at Kings College Hospital, London. This donation was used to support the planting. This is the first rooftop critical care unit garden in the world.
To read more about this wonderful garden simply visit: https://ngs.org.uk/ national-garden-scheme-helps-fund-worlds-first-rooftop-critical-careunit-garden/
We have a few gardens opening in September, which you may like to visit - thus helpings reach our goal of £4m donated to our very deserving charities.
Laurel House
4 Beechwood Crescent, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 5PA
Opening: Saturday & Sunday 5 & 6 September 1pm to 5pm.
Pre-booking available.
Admission: £5.00 children free. Cashless payments available. Home-made teas including G/F option.
An enchanting 2/3 acre, garden designer's garden, developed over 35 years has matured into a vibrant tapestry of colour, texture and scent. Woodland walks feature dry-shade plants, while hot beds bloom in
late summer. Wildlife thrives with ponds, bird boxes and wood piles. Sustainable practices like composting enrich the soil. This garden offers a tranquil retreat, full of inspiration year-round.
Bramdean House
Bramdean, Alresford, SO24 0JU
Opening: Sunday 13th September 1.30 to 3.30 children free.
Admission: £7.00 children free. Cashless Payments available. Refreshments: Tea, coffee and cake (Donations to Bramdean Church) https://findagarden. ngs.org.uk/garden/3145/ bramdean-house
This is a real plantsman’s garden, full of interest all year round. To the north of the house, five acres of garden slope up through the exemplary mirror-image herbaceous borders, planted with over one hundred genera and reaching their peak in June with nepetas, geraniums, tradescantias, Clematis x diversifolia ‘Hendersonii’ and galegas, followed by yellows and then the russets of late summer.
September brings us to the end of our National Garden Scheme Open Gardens for another year - can you believe it!
This will be my last article for a few months - unless the National Garden Scheme Head Office release some more exciting news regarding our Centenary Celebrations in 2027.
Now that Autumn is just round the corner, don’t forget we give talks about the National Garden Scheme - evenings or afternoons - so if you belong to a Group, who would like to learn more about what we do, simply contact me and I will send all the details.
I would like to express huge Thanks to Forum Publications for supporting us in Hampshire for yet another year. I wish you all very best wishes for the rest of 2027.
Pat Beagley (Head of Publicity) National Garden Scheme - Hampshire
Seven years ago, Alresford Hearing Studio opened its doors on West Street with a simple idea: that hearing care should feel unhurried, personal, and genuinely local. Today, we're marking that anniversary with heartfelt thanks to the community that has made it possible.
In that time, we've had the privilege of getting to know hundreds of local families — not just as patients, but as neighbours. We've fitted over 1500 pairs of hearing aids and carried out more than 10,000 microsuction appointments, but the numbers only tell half the story. We've fitted first hearing aids for people nervous about the change, celebrated when a grandparent heard their grandchild's voice clearly again, and become a familiar, friendly face on the high street for many who now pop in simply to say hello.
Hearing changes so gradually that it’s easy to miss
A television turned up a notch at a time, a habit of nodding along in a busy café, a quiet withdrawal from group conversations that no one quite mentions. Seven years in, we still find that the simplest thing we offer - time, and a proper listen - makes the biggest difference to the people who visit us.
“From
and
of the
My audiologist, James,
the
listen carefully and explain every step... I cannot recommend this audiology team highly enough - five stars without hesitation.”
A Lekas - 5 Google review
“I came in recently with wax build up that another specialist was unable to resolve. James not only resolved the issue but was helpful, friendly and very knowledgable. It was great value for money, these guys really are the best. I can’t recommend them enough, thanks guys”
R. Wood - 5 Google review
“Sam’s been absolutely brilliant. A genuine expert in what he does, and has made a life-changing difference to me! I’m so pleased with my new hearing aids, and the service that Sam has given me.”
M. Sadler - 5 Google review
I was a reluctant and occasional hearing aid user until I discovered Alresford Hearing Studio. Sam has listened to my concerns and provided me with some super aids which are now worn every day. A significant issue for me was the enjoyment of and participation in music. My fear that aids would get in the way of my music proved unfounded. I am now enjoying added clarity. My wife is even happier than I am, as her every word is heard first time!
Nigel S - 5 Google review
Are you selling in 2026?
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p l e a s u r e f r o m s t a r t t o f i n i s h T h e i r d r i v e a n d e n t h u s i a s m
w e r e c l e a r f r o m o u r v e r y f i r s t m e e t i n g ,
a n d t h e i r i n - d e p t h k n o w l e d g e o f t h e l o c a l m a r k e t g a v e u s r e a l c o n f i d e n c e t h r o u g h o u t t h e b u y i n g a n d s e l l i n g p r o c e s s
W h a t r e a l l y s t o o d o u t w a s t h e i r f r i e n d l y ,
d o w n - t o - e a r t h , p e r s o n a l i s e d a p p r o a c h n o t h i n g e v e r f e l t t o o m u c h t r o u b l e , a n d t h e y t r u l y t o o k t h e t i m e t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t m a t t e r e d m o s t t o u s
S a m a n d N o n y K e r r - S m i l e y , y o u r t r u l y l o c a l e s t a t e a g e n t s
P l e a s e c o n t a c t e i t h e r o f u s f o r a n o n - o b l i g a t i o n c h a t , a n d w e ’ l l d o
e v e r y t h i n g w e c a n t o e n s u r e t h a t y o u a r e w e l l l o o k e d a f t e r
